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Private tours in Romania
10. Bed & Breakfast Tour.
Period: 10 days.
Distance: 1925km (1203m).
Tariffs
Day 1.
Otopeni Airport - Bucharest
Today you’ll meet for the first time your English speaking guide at the airport. Your guide will be in the same time your driver. On the way to your hotel, your guide will present you the program for the next days. Depending on your time arrival, you’ll have time to explore by yourself the center of Bucharest.
Day 2*.
Bucharest - Pitesti - Ramnicu Valcea - Olt Valley - Sibiu
After breakfast, you'll start your day heading toward Sibiu, a Transylvanian city built by Saxons about 800 years ago.
On the way you'll visit Cozia Monastery built in 1387-1391 by Dracula's (Vlad the Impaler) grandfather. Here you'll visit an orthodox church built in the Byzantine style.
Driving on the beautiful Olt Valley, you'll make a small detour for a taste of the countryside. You'll visit Cisnadie fortified church which was built by the Saxons around the 12th century. Protected by walls, towers and bastions, the church was the first one in Transylvania to have a lightning rod.
Finally, you’ll reach Sibiu, also a German city with a very important cultural influence over the country throughout history.
Brukenthal, governor of Transylvania, had a major roll in Sibiu's development as a major cultural center. He opened the first museum of Romania in 1817,
seven years after the National Gallery in London, exhibiting his vast art collection. Sibiu, Europe's cultural capital in 2007, is also known for its
medieval architecture, passages, alleys, churches and towers. Sibiu boasts Romania's first iron bridge, which has an interesting legend regarding its name. You'll visit places such as Large Square, Small Square, Huet Square, Goldsmiths' Square and Passage, Staircases' Passage, the Evangelic Church, the Orthodox Cathedral and the Catholic Church.
You'll stay overnight in Rasianri village, 5 miles from Sibiu.
Day 3.
Rasinari - Sibiu - Calnic - Sebes - Alba Iulia - Turda - Cluj Napoca
After breakfast you'll head toward the city of Cluj Napoca.
The first stop of the day is Calnic, an interesting peasant fortress
built around the 13th century.
On the way, you'll stop in Alba Iulia, the most important urban center during
Roman occupation and capital of the Transylvania province between 1541 and 1690. It was here Michael the Brave (Mihai Viteazul) unified for the first time, November 1st, 1599, the all three Romanian provinces, Walachia, Moldavia and Transylvania.
Here you'll admire the walls of the fortress built in Vauban type. The Reunification Cathedral was built between 1921and1923, a grandiose building which was the place where the Romanian monarchs were crowned. The Roman
Catholic Cathedral, built in 13th century, is considered to be an important monument of early Transylvanian medieval architecture. It harmoniously combines Gothic and Roman style elements. It is here Inacu by Hunedoara, the father of King Corvinus of Hungary, rests for eternity.
In Turda you'll visit something quite different from the rest of the stops in
this trip. This place is known for its salt deposits. Discovered first by the
Romans, Turda salt mine became an important exploitation center during the control of Transylvania by the Habsburgs. Here you’ll be astonished by the very
long access corridor, which has almost 1km and by the huge salt galleries.
Driving among the Transylvanian hills you'll reach the city of Cluj Napoca.
After your check in, you'll visit the beautiful town's old center, where you can admire the St. Michael Cathedral and the Orthodox Cathedral. In the afternoon you'll go to Cetatuia Hill, which offers a beautiful view over the town.
Day 4.
Cluj Napoca - Gherla - Dej - Baia Mare - Surdesti - Vadu Izei
After your breakfast you'll drive toward Maramures region, a place where the purity of nature blends with the beauty of the old villages, a place where the locals kept untouched their traditions, a place where the carved wood represents a
common way of building.
Passing through Gherla, Dej and Baia Mare you'll have a first contact with a wooden church, Surdesti church. Built in 1724, this church, made of evergreen oak beams, impresses because of its very high steeple, 54m, the total height of the church reaching 72m!
Crossing Gutai Mountains, you'll reach Desesti village famous for its wooden church. Built in 1780, the wooden church amazes with its beautiful frescoes made by Radu Munteanu, a local painter.
Further on, you'll stop at the outskirts of Berbesti village to admire Rednic wooden Calvary, the oldest crucifix in Romania, 300 years old.
Finally, you'll reach Vadu Izei village renowned for its craftsmen: woodcarvers,
weavers and painters.
Before the dinner you'll take a stroll in the village. You'll visit a local distillery, used by the locals to prepare tuica or palinca, a sort of plumb brandy. Not far from the distillery, you'll see how the locals are washing their carpets in a way like 100 years ago.
You'll continue your walking tour on the streets of the village admiring the wooden gates, the wooden houses, the local architecture and the locals.
You’ll stay overnight in a modern and clean guest house with all modern facilities. A lovely surprise is expecting you.
Day 5.
Vadu Izei – Sighet – Sapanta – Vadu Izei – Barsana – Ieud – Borsa – Ciocanesti – Gura Humorului
After the traditional breakfast you'll head toward Sapanta village to admire Merry Cemetery.
Here the carved crosses are painted in bright colors, the dead person being represented during an important moment of his life.
On the way back to Sighet you'll have the chance of seeing on the side of the road many local women sewing traditional clothes or other different things.
In Sighet you'll find out something about the horrors of the communism regime. You'll visit a prison where during the communism years many important Romanian leaders but also, common people who were against the regime, lost their lives.
Next, you'll visit Toader Barsan's house, a local wood carver who took part at the
Smithsonian World Festival in Washington. In the same village, you'll visit one of the highest wooden churches in the world, Barsana church. Dedicated to the Twelve Apostles, the new church was built in 1992.
After one of the newest wooden church in Maramures you'll stop in Ieud village for the oldest one. The Church on the Hill was built in 1364 and dedicated to the Birth of the Holly Virgin. The church impresses not just because is the oldest wooden one in Romania but also because of its original frescoes painted in 1782 by Alexandru Ponelhaschi.
Passing through the mountains of Maramures (Prislop Pass),
you'll reach for the first time Bucovina region, known for its painted monasteries, but also for the traditional houses adorned with beautiful floral and geometrical motifs, for its traditions kept over the centuries and for its hospitable people.
Driving through Ciocanesti village, where you'll be able to admire the locals' houses and Campulung, you'll reach Gura Humorului, best base for the tour of the monasteries.
Day 6.
Gura Humorului – Arbore – Putna – Marginea – Sucevita – Moldovita – Vama – Voronet – Gura Humorului
Breakfast in the morning.
This day will be used entirely for the painted monasteries tour.
You'll start with Arbore church. Luca Arbore, a nobleman and high dignitary
under Stephan the Great, ordered in 1503 the building of this church dedicated to the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.
Next, you'll make a small detour for Putna Monastery, which was built by the order of Stephan the Great, ruler of Moldavia. The legend has it, that the monastery was constructed on the place where the arrow shot from the prince's bow fell off. The constructions lasted 3 years, between 1466 and 1469 and the monastic place had the purpose to be the eternal resting place of Stephen the Great. He is considered to be the greatest ruler of Moldavia, a great fighter against the Turks and a great defender of the Christianity.
Romania has 3 important pottery centers, one of them being Marginea village.
You'll stop in this village to see the workshops where the talented craftsmen make the renowned black pottery.
Then, you'll drive to the nearby Sucevita Monastery, which is the largest of all, looking more like a mighty fortress than a monastery. "The ladder of John of Sinai" fresco is considered one of the best of Sucevita.
Driving on one of the most beautiful roads in the country, crossing the gentle slopes of Bucovina Mountains, admiring the amazing panoramas from the Ciumarna
Pass, you'll reach the Convent of Moldovita. It is famous for its "Siege of
Constantinople" fresco.
Passing through Vama village, where you'll attend an egg painting
demonstration, you'll reach Voronet Convent, the most famous of all. Located not far from Gura Humorului, Voronet Convent amazes with its unique blue color, obtained from lapis lazuli, known as Voronet blue. But the "Last Judgment" fresco exceeds all expectations.
Optionally, after Voronet Monastery, you can go to Humor Monastery, located not far from Gura Humorului. Another painted monastery, Humor is surrounded by beautiful hills covered by forests. It was here that Toader Bubulog, an important nobleman of his time, built in 1530 the present church on the former site of an old hermitage.
Back to Gura Humorului.
Day 7.
Gura Humorului - Targu Neamt - Bicaz - Gheorghieni - Sovata - Sighisoara
After your breakfast you'll drive toward Sighisoara.
Although, today the journey will be quite long, you'll still have time for some visits. You'll stop for Bicaz Gorges located in the Hasmas Mountains. About 7km long with walls 300m high, Bicaz Gorges are not just a splendid occasion to admire the beauty of nature but also a place for buying souvenirs from the local merchants.
Not far from the gorges, Red Lake represents an interesting picturesque area, with its empty trunks of old fir trees which jut out of the water.
Bring your camera.
After the lunch, you'll continue toward the citadel of Sighisoara, among the few inhabited citadels kept in the original form. With its narrow alleys, medieval houses, towers, ramparts and legends about Dracula, Sighisoara is a world-wide attraction for tourists. You'll visit the symbol of Sighisoara, the Clock Tower, Casa Vlad Dracul (the house where Vlad the Impaler was born), School's Staircase, Church on the Hill and the watching towers. Also, Sighisoara is a good place to find out more about the real history of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula).
Day 8.
Sighisoara – Brasov – Rasnov – Bran – Predeal – Sinaia
Breakfast in the morning.
First stop of the day is Brasov, a city founded by the Saxons, who colonized Transylvania in
the 12-13th centuries.
Here you'll visit the old center, where you'll admire the beautiful buildings such as the astonishing Black Church which is built in Gothic and Renaissance style. Also, you'll see the narrowest street in Romania, Rope Street, Schei and Catherine's Gates.
After Brasov you'll head toward the peasant fortress of Rasnov. Built in the 14th century, the fortress, with its beautiful panoramic view, is a good occasion to see how the locals defended themselves against different invaders. Next stop is Bran Castle, famous for the Dracula legend. In reality the castle
has no link with the terrifying Count.
From here we'll head back toward Sinaia, advancing on the beautiful Prahova Valley. You'll have an astonishing view over the Bucegi Mountains, especially over the craggy Caraiman Massive with its Heroes' Cross built in the memory of the soldieries who died in the First World War.
In the end you'll stop in Sinaia, a beautiful mountain resort also known as "Pearl of Carpathians".
Day 9.
Sinaia – Ploiesti – Snagov – Bucharest
Breakfast in the morning.
In Sinaia you'll visit Peles Castle, the most beautiful castle in Romania, residence of the
former royal family.
Sinaia Monastery was the first building of this town, being located not far away from the castle.
Before your departure from Sinaia, you'll take a stroll in the central park of this town, admiring the beautiful architecture of the buildings like the casino, a copy of the one in Monte Carlo.
Further on, you'll drive toward Snagov Monastery, the place where Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) was buried according to the legend. The monastery is placed on an island in the middle of a beautiful lake surrounded by a thick forest.
Finally, you'll reach Bucharest in the afternoon where your tour ends.
Day 10.
Transfer day
Breakfast in the morning.
Your guide will come to your hotel for your airport/train station transfer.
Day 2*.
Bucharest - Pitesti - Curtea de Arges - Transfagarasan Road - Sibiu - Rasinari
Option:
During July and August months, we'll use Transfagarasan road, instead of Olt Valley. The tour of the day is changed accordingly:
After your breakfast, you'll start your day heading toward Sibiu, a
Transylvanian city built by Saxons about 800 years ago.
First stop of the day will be Curtea de Arges Monastery, one of the most beautiful monasteries of Romania.
At the beginning of the Transfagarasan Road, Vlad the Impaler built Poienari fortress on top of a mountain. The fortress can be reached only after you have climbed 1480 stone stairs. This path through the forest used to be surrounded by hundreds of impaled people, the image being terrified for the enemies of Vlad.
Also, Vidraru Dam was constructed on this road, being impressive through its size: 166m high, the length of the dam having 305m.
Further on, you’ll be driven on the Transfagarasan road, the most picturesque road of Romania. After the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, Ceausescu
dictator, being afraid of a Soviet invasion, ordered the building of a strategic road, in this way being able to transfer troops and munitions from one side to the other of the Carpathian Mountains. The construction of the road took more than 4 years, since March 1970 till 20th September 1974. It was built manly by the army, the human and material costs being enormous. The road, inaugurated by the dictator, uneconomic for goods transportation, is a fascinating tourist route, representing throughout summers the most impressive and spectacular way of crossing the Carpathians.
Finally, you'll reach Sibiu, a German city with a very important cultural influence over the country throughout the history.
Brukenthal, governor of Transylvania, had a major roll in Sibiu's development
as a major cultural center. He opened the first museum of Romania in 1817, seven years after National Gallery in London, exhibiting his vast art collection.
Sibiu, Europe's cultural capital in 2007, is also known for its medieval architecture, passages, alleys, churches and towers. Sibiu boasts Romania's first iron bridge, which has an interesting legend regarding its name. You'll visit places such as Large Square, Small Square, Huet Square, Goldsmiths' Square and Passage, Staircases' Passage, the Evangelic Church, the Catholic Church.
You'll stay overnight in Rasinari village, 5 miles from Sibiu.
Extra day for Sinaia (separately charged) .
Sinaia – Busteni – Sinaia
Option:
During the warm months, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful hikes in the mountains. Although it is an easy hike in terms of difficulty, this mountain excursion will be quite different from the rest of the tour, giving you the chance to have an amazing panorama over the Prahova Valley and to explore a cave with a real church built inside of it. Not to mention the unique cable car ride.
For this trip you must have a minimum mountain experience, a minimum training and adequate equipment.
After your breakfast, you'll start your day heading toward Busteni, a town set at the feet of the impressive Bucegi Mountains. Here you'll enjoy the enchanting cable car ride, 4300m in length (3rd in Europe). The view over the
valley, formed thousands of years ago by the glaciers, is breathtaking. Up in the mountain, on the alpine Bucegi Plateau (2200m), you'll admire the strange geological formations called "The Old Ladies" and "The Sphinx". Next, you'll take an easy stroll, 40 minutes long, toward “the cross”. Heroes' Cross built in 1926, in the memory of the soldieries who died in the First World War is a symbol of Busteni. From here you'll have one of the best panoramas in the world, not only in Romania!
Next, you'll descend toward the Ialomita Cave. This cave, set in a wonderful scenery, is famous mostly because of the monastery built inside of it in the 18the century.
In the end you'll start to go back to the cable car and from there, down in Busteni.
Back to Sinaia.
| group of 1 person |
group of 2-6 persons |
| 1387Euros/a person |
792Euros/a person |
Single Supplement: 131 Euros
The tariffs include:
- car with A/C
- Fuel for the entire trip
- Transfers from/to airport or train station
- Accommodation in 3 stars hotels and guest houses (pensions)
- Breakfast each day
- One traditional dinner in Vadu Izei
- English speaking guide/driver
- Entrance fees for tourist objectives
- Cable car ride (only if the extra Sinaia day was booked)
- Parking tickets
- Info tour folder & detailed map of Romania
- VAT, hotel taxes
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