An in-depth journey through Romania, perfect for those looking to delve a little deeper into Romania’s fascinating history and cultural core.
Your private guide will uncover local traditions and provide a detailed insight into the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, painted monasteries, fortified churches and castles dotted around Transylvania and Moldavia. After a night in Bucharest, you’ll travel to Sibiu, one of the oldest medieval cities in Transylvania and the final resting place of many of Romania’s kings. Enjoy ambling along the cobbled streets in Sighisoara that wind through the beautiful citadel echoing stories of Dracula, before reaching Bucovina, where you’ll explore the uniquely painted churches and monasteries with frescoes on the external walls Learn about the mighty Bran Castle and admire the spectacular Peles Castle in Sinaia, the former summer home of the Romanian Royal family.
Bucharest – Sibiel – Bistrita – Bucovina – Moldavia – Brasov – Bucharest
Trip Highlights
- Discover pretty Sibiu which is one of the oldest medieval cities in Transylvania
- Moldovita is Romania’s most important monastery and famed for its frescoes
- Explore the cobbled streets of picturesque Sighisoara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Marvel at the painted churches of Bucovina including the highly decorated Voronet
- Instantly recognisable, towering Bran Castle is closely linked to the legends of Dracula
- In Bucharest visit the Patriarchal Church and colossal Palace of the Parliament
Itinerary
Day 1
UK to Bucharest
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international flight to Bucharest. On arrival you will be transferred by a private driver to your centrally located hotel.
Hotel Capitol
Day 2
Bucharest to Sibiel via Sibiu
After breakfast, you’ll drive along the picturesque Olt Valley to Sibiu, stopping off at Curtea de Arges to visit the Episcopal Church where Romania’s Kings are buried. When you reach Sibiu, one of the oldest medieval cities in Transylvania, enjoy a guided walking tour, stopping off to admire the cultural sights including the Main Square, the Evangelical Church and the Liars' Bridge. Continue on to Sibiel, where you will visit the Museum of Icons and enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Continental Forum Sibiu
Day 3
Sibiel to Bistrita via Sighisoara and Targu Mures
After breakfast, you’ll journey to Sighisoara, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site where stony streets weave through the medieval citadel and past colourful Renaissance style buildings. Your guide will take you on a walking tour through the city, stopping off at the Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill and to the building where Vlad the Impaler was born. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. This afternoon you will continue on to Bistrita, stopping off at Targu Mures en route for a walking tour. After dinner, there’s an optional walking tour around Bistrita.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Grand Hotel Coroana
Day 4
Bistrita to Bucovina
After breakfast you will depart for Bucovina, an area sprinkled with uniquely painted UNESCO World Heritage monasteries. On the way you will visit the Wooden Art Museum in Campulung Moldovenesc and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. This afternoon you will visit the Moldovita Monastery, a medieval gem that’s one of the eight monasteries in the area with frescoes painted on the external walls.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Best Western Bucovina
Day 5
Bucovina to Brasov
This morning will be spent visiting the painted churches of Bucovina, including a visit the renowned Voronet Monastery. You’ll continue on through the Village of Tarpesti, where you’ll stop to wander around the delightful Neculai Popa Museum and after, the monasteries Varatec and Agapia. After lunch at a local guesthouse, you’ll cross the dizzying Bicaz Gorges on foot, before arriving at Lacu Rosu (the Red Lake). Drive to Brasov later that day.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Hotel Coroana Brasovului
Day 6
Brasov - visit Bran
After breakfast you will depart for Bran, driving through the Carpathian mountain range. You’ll stop at Prejmer for lunch and to visit the UNESCO World Heritage fortified church located here. Enjoy a walking tour through the old town centre, including a stop at the monumental gothic black church. After, you will visit the famous medieval Bran Castle, which is closely linked to the legend of Dracula.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Hotel Coroana Brasovului
Day 7
Brasov to Bucharest via Sinaia
After breakfast, you will continue on towards Sinaia, a beautiful town nestled in the Bucegi Mountains, surrounded by ski and hiking trails. You’ll visit Peles Castle, an exquisite Neo-Renaissance castle before driving on to Bucharest. After lunch, enjoy a tour of Bucharest, taking in the main highlights of the city including the Romanian Athenaeum, the Patriarchal Church and the colossal Palace of the Parliament, the second-largest administrative building in the world (after the Pentagon in the United States). Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Hotel Capitol
Day 8
Bucharest to the UK
After breakfast, enjoy spending this morning at your own leisure. Later on today you will be transferred by private car to Bucharest airport for your flight back to the UK, where you will continue your journey home.
- Breakfast
Extending your stay...
Cluj-Napoca is Romania’s second largest city and located in the heart of Transylvania. With a history dating back to Roman times, Cluj-Napoca developed into an important medieval trading city. Visit gothic St Michael’s Church, baroque Banffy Palace and Matthias Corvinus House.
Include Constanta, a city on the Black Sea coast three-hours to the east of Bucharest. An important port since ancient times, Constanta is home to significant Roman connections including iconic Ovid Square, named after the Roman poet Ovid, who was exiled here.
Timisoara in western Romania is often referred to as ‘Little Vienna’ and boasts a charming blend of baroque and Art Nouveau architectural styles which reflect an historic Austro-Hungarian influence on the city. A highlight is the imposing Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral.
Discover Iasi. Located in the northeastern Romania, Iasi is considered one of the cultural capitals of the country. Home to Romania’s oldest university and first theatre, today the city boasts a number of museums, art galleries and performing art spaces.
Guide to Price
8 days from £1945 per person
What's Included
- International flights
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
- Private car and driver
- Sightseeing with local English speaking guides
What's Not Included
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Meals unless specified
from £1945
Travel Information
Getting There
British Airways and TAROM fly direct from London Heathrow to Bucharest. Ryanair provide non-stop services from London Stansted, Dublin and Bristol to Bucharest whilst Wizz Air offer direct flights between Bucharest and London Gatwick, London Luton, Birmingham and Doncaster-Sheffield. Wizz Air also have direct service between London Luton and Cluj, Sibiu and Timisoara.
Flying Times From UK
Direct flights from the UK take between 3 and 4 hours depending on the destination.
Time Zone
Romania is +3 hours ahead of GMT.
Visa Requirements
British Citizens do not need a visa to enter Romania and can stay for a period of three months from the date of entry. You should ensure that your passport has at least 6 months validity, that you have appropriate travel insurance and correct documentation if planning to drive. Travellers will not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. For more information please visit the UK Government website.
Do’s & Don’ts
Remember to bring insect repellent when travelling during summer and early autumn.
Don’t be alarmed as, unlike the UK, smoking is openly accepted in Romanian bars and restaurants.
Try tuica, a traditional Romanian alcoholic spirit made from plums.
Museums in Romania are often closed on Mondays so it is good to plan ahead.
Remember to try Savarin – a rum and sugar soaked sponge cake served with fresh cream
Money
The currency of Romania is the Romanian Leu (RON) and comes in notes and coins. Exchanging money is easy and can be done in advance in the UK before you travel, at international airports, most hotels or banks. It is always a good idea to ask for some small denomination notes. Credit cards are widely accepted by large hotels and some restaurants and shops. ATMs accept MasterCard and Visa, but should not be relied on as a sole source of cash. Euro and Pound Sterling can also easily be exchanged.
Tipping
This is left to your discretion, however, tipping for good service in Romania is part of everyday life. In restaurants and for room service a 10% tip is appreciated. For drivers and guides, you may want to wait until the conclusion of your holiday to tip. The following amounts below should act as a guideline: Tour driver RON/25 per person per day Tour guide RON/25 per person per day Hotel porter RON/5 per suitcase Room service RON/10 per night
Food & Drink
Romanian cuisine is a blend of Hungarian, Turkish and German influences. Typically Romanian food is hearty and most traditional meals include generous portions of meat and vegetables. Cabbage is a popular ingredient and ciorba, sour soups consisting of meat and vegetables, are often served with bread or polenta. Street food such as covrigi, a hot pretzel sprinkled with salt or poppy seeds, mici, grilled rolls of minced meat and placinte, sweet or savoury stuffed pastries, are perennially popular.
A common alcoholic beverage, especially in rural areas, is tuica which is made from plums and, according to local tradition, is enjoyed at the start of every meal. Wine has been produced in Romania for centuries and produces many well-regarded wines. As most dishes are heavily meat based, vegetarians might find it a little more challenging to find something suitable on the menu, however, most restaurants will do their best to cater to dietary requirements.
Accommodation
The most typical types of accommodation in Romania are hotels and bed and breakfasts. Lower end hotels are reasonably priced in relation to other western and European countries whilst 4 and 5-star options are comparable in price and quality. Some hotels include breakfast in their rates but others will offer it as an extra cost. Boutique hotels are available, but only in Bucharest and Transylvania. In most cases bed and breakfasts may be the only option in small towns or villages and although sometimes simpler remain an excellent option for those seeking a quieter, more authentic and traditional style of accommodation.
Shopping
From large city stores to small village markets popular gifts include traditional embroidery and pottery, jewellery, leather goods, woodcarvings, glass and ceramics. Payment by cash is usually preferred and haggling is commonplace and expected. Purchasing from local markets or independent shops is also great way to ensure your money is going directly back into the local economy.
Suggested Reading
Rough Guides and Lonely Planet have excellent guide books on Romania. Bradt also produce a travel guide specifically for Transylvania and Marco Polo publish detailed and up to date maps. Further literature on Romania includes:
‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker
‘The Forbidden Forest’ by Mircea Eliade
‘Transylvania and Beyond’ by Dervla Murphy
‘Never Mind the Vampires, Here’s Transylvania’ by Mike Ormsby
‘Along the Enchanted Way: A Story of Love and Life in Romania’ by William Blacker
‘A Concise History of Romania’ by Keith Hitchins
‘Romania: Borderland of Europe’ by Lucian Boia
‘The Last Hundred Days’ by Patrick McGuinness
‘A Brief Illustrated History of Romanians’ by Neagu Djuvara
‘Dracula, Prince of Many Faces: His Life and His Times’ by Radu Florescu and Raymond McNally
Health
Your doctor is the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad but current recommended vaccinations are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Yellow Fever is compulsory, but only if you have visited an affected Yellow Fever area within 5 days prior to your arrival. In some instances anti-malarial tablets may also be needed. For current information on health advice you may wish to visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website Travel Health Pro on https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/. The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) website (www.masta.org) is also a useful resource.
Travel Advice
For current information on Romania the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) which is a comprehensive resource and updated regularly. For advice on passport validity please see the UK Government's guidance on passport rules for travel (www.gov.uk/guidance/passport-rules-for-travel-to-europe-after-brexit) and the Passport Office passport validity checker (www.passport.service.gov.uk/check-a-passport). We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (safertourism.org.uk) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.
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