Compare Romania in 14 days – Outdoor, Rural and Cultural Landmarks by Alpine Adventure Romania vs Halloween in Transylvania (Southbound) by Intrepid Travel

Day 1

Our objective for the day are the Danube narrows known as the Iron Gates. These spectacular narrows are to be found in South-West of Romania where the Danube separates Romania and Serbia. At this point, the river separates the southern Carpathians from the northwestern foothills of the Balkans.

It is a long way from Bucharest so we need to leave the capital city of Romania early in the morning. We drive for about 5 hours following the Bucharest – Pitesti – Craiova – Drobeta – Orsova route. After a well deserved lunch in the port city of Orsova, we head for the narrows by car.

We are going to leave the car at some point and walk along the steep river banks. The view there is gorgeous. But not more so than from above the gorges. Yes, we are going to hike the highest point above the narrows (Peak Ciucaru – 318 m) and see it all from above.

The hike is easy and re-comforting, but the drops to the Danube are quite vertical. This an unique landscape in Europe.

In the evening we are going to linger late at a guesthouse right on the bank of the Danube.

Day 2

Objectives for the day: Baile Herculane thermal bath resort and the remote villages of the Cernei Mountains. Romans, Turks, Austrians they all used the baths. The center of the resort is Austrian style. It could be, if restored, the best thermal resort in Europe.

As for the villages…well, they are truly special. There is no car road reaching them on top of the mountain. Nor they have electric light. The elders are still wearing centuries old types of garments and shoes. Unfortunately, the younger generation, out of economic reasons is leaving the birth place. This is something unique which should be seen while still there is something left of the old ways.

One hour by car and we are in Herculane but we are not going to visit the resort, but only in the evening. We are going to hike first to Inelet and Scarisoara villages in a round circuit. In order to reach the first village, we need to climb some wooden ladders. Remember, the villagers do it too. Up there is another epoch. The whole hike takes about 4-5 easy hours.

Late evening we are back in Herculane and enjoy the resort.

Day 3

This day, we are going to be on our way to Retezat, but not before seeing some of the most beautiful places of Banat: the water mills from Rudaria, the Nerei gorges and the Waterfall of Beusnita.

We will pass the old mining city of Anina, the city of Caransebes and then we will reach the site of the capital city of the Roman province of Dacia – Sarmizegetusa Ulpia. From there we will enter the kingdom of Retezat.

The evening will find us at a guesthouse at the foot of Retezat mountains

Day 4

The biggest glacier lake of Romania – Bucura – is the objective for the day. And not only this: jagged peaks, lots of glacier lakes, river valleys, juniper forests, etc. What a hike this will be in the oldest national park of Romania.

For this we need to drive 30 km on a gravel road and enter the heart of the mountain. After two hours we will step with our bare feet in the cold water of Bucura lake. It is a wonderful camping site. Not for us this time. We climb a little more following the lake trail: Lia, Viorica…all lakes with girl names, flowing one into another.

We will come back spellbound to the same guesthouse.

Day 5

After the physically taxing previous day, this day is about discovering Sureanu mountains and its villages and caves. We will go to Cioclovina protected area and let us drifted by the river meanders and the limestone landscape. This is one of the areas that were the power basis of the Dacians, the ancient people who fought (and lost with dire consequences) against the Romans.

In the evening we will move to Alba Iulia city.

Day 6

It is time for a city. But not any city. It is a symbol of Romania. It is here that the great union of Transylvania and the old kingdom of Romania was made in 1918. The marvel is that you can see at once several layers of history at the same time: this was the Roman castrum of Apulum, this was also the medieval city of Alba Iulia with its wall still standing but this was as well where a modern fortification cannon resistant was build in the eighteen century. Its three histories into one. We will actually take a very relaxing walk into the moat of the citadel.

Day 7

From Alba Iulia, we will go to Rimetea village and hike upon the Piatra Secuiului Peak. And not only, we will also have time for some gorges: Ampoita, Rimetului.

Day 8

It is time to get higher. Higher mountains we mean. And not any mountain but he Transylvanian Alps, the highest in Romania. This is a 2500 m hike. This is the home of fog, glacier lakes and of the most beautiful road in the word as labelled by the former Top Gear show.

We will drive on this road up to Bilea lake at 2000m where a tunnel cuts the mountain and gets on the South side. We will have a wonderfull hike towards lake Capra and see both sides of the mountain: old Romania in the South and Transylvania in the North. If the weather is on our side, we get to see the highest peaks of Romania, Moldoveanu and Negoiu.

Day 9

Sibiu was in 2007 the Cultural Capital City of Europe. This day is dedicated to this city. Our objectives or choice are the Museum of Village – a must see for the old houses which were build en purpose for preservation, and the old town of Sibiu, a wonderful Saxon imprint.

Day 10

This day we will enter the heart of Transylvania. We head for the city of Sighisoara.

Central Sighișoara has preserved in an exemplary way the features of a small medieval fortified city. It has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Each year, a Medieval Festival takes place in the old citadel in July.

The medieval citadel of Sighisoara is one of a must see places in Transylvania. With its walls, churches, guild towers, restaurants this city is made to charm. Just keep in mind that the old medieval houses in the citadel are still inhabited. Every year here a medieval festival takes place.

On the way back to Brasov we pass to Viscri and other Saxon villages where we will visit the fortified old medieval churches. You know, here is where Pince Charles of England bought a farm and spends summers.

Day 11 - 14

After the highest range of Romania (Transylvanian Alps), we aim for perhaps the most beautiful: Piatra Craiului.

We reach Zarnesti, the main city at the foot of Piatra Craiului, we take a Western country road which follows the river Barsa. In about 10 km we will be at the start of our hiking route. Almost all the West side of Piatra Craiului is visible from this spot offering us a continuous unbroken vertical wall of more than 1000m. It is breathtaking! And we shall go right at it, underneath it.

Day 1 Cluj Napoca

Bună Ziua! Welcome to Cluj Napoca, the unofficial capital of Romania’s Transylvania region. After your evening welcome meeting, you might like to explore the 2000-year-old city, hit up the famous Piezisa Street for a drink, or head out for dinner with your group to get a taste of Romania’s unique cuisine.

Day 2 Turda Salt Mines / Cluj Napoca

In the morning, visit the Turda Salt Mines, a former salt mine converted into an underground amusement park, complete with ferries wheel. You can even hire a row boat and play bowling. There is also a fascinating museum showcasing the history of salt mining in the region. Salt is a common protective tool against all sorts of evil beings; legend has it that if you pour an unbroken line of salt across the entranceways to your house, vampires and demons won’t be able to get in. After your salt mine visit, return to Cluj for a city tour with a local guide. The remainder of the day is yours to explore. In the evening, dress up for a spooky Halloween party with your group.

Day 3 Sighisoara

Travel by train through pastoral fields and untouched Saxon towns to the 12th-century town of Sighisoara (approximately 3.5 hours). Medieval Sighisoara is likely to seduce visitors more than any other place in Romania. The town is famed as the birthplace of Vlad Dracul III, better known as Vlad the Impaler, the ruler of Walachia province from 1456 to 1462 and whose name was the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s iconic Count Dracula. Walking through the town is like taking a trip back in time to the medieval age, and it’s easy to image streets crowded with vampires, evil counts, wolves, peasants riding through the untamed countryside on horse-drawn carts and crooked old men doddering along the narrow streets. Head out with your leader for a quick orientation walk, then spend the rest of your day exploring in your own time.

Day 4 Sighisoara / Viscri / Brasov

After a free morning in Sighisoara, travel to Viscri, less than an hour away (but it’ll feel like you’re entering another world). The small Transylvanian village of Viscri was originally inhabited by Saxons from the Luxembourg area, and the whole scene is picture-postcard rural. This idyllic village of red tiled roofs is a World Heritage site, virtually unchanged for 900 years. After a home cooked lunch at the house of a local family you’ll visit the town's fortified church (thought to be the oldest in Transylvania), and learn about the Sock Project, which supports the local Roma community. Continue on to the 13th-century city of Brasov in the afternoon. Also known by its German name of Kronstadt, this town flanked by mountains and city walls was once a major medieval trading centre.

Day 5 Bran Castle / Brasov

No trip to Romania would be complete without a visit to the famous Bran Castle. The castle was built by the Saxons in 1382 to defend the Bran pass against the invading Turks. With its fairy-tale turrets and whitewashed walls, it's far from menacing and spooky, but is undeniably impressive, perched on a high cliff top and surrounded by pine trees. Afterwards, return to Brasov and enjoy a guided walk around town, checking out the ornate churches, townhouses, old city walls, and squares surrounded by gingerbread-roofed merchants' houses. Visit Brasov's main attraction, the gothic Black Church (Biserica Neagra), which took its name from its blackened appearance after a fire in 1689.

Day 6 Bucharest

This morning, travel by train to Bucharest. Often called the 'Little Paris of the Balkans', Romania's capital is known for its Belle Epoch architecture, thumping nightlife and communist sites. Meet your local guide for a private tour of the city, starting with the recently restored old town of Bucharest, then some of the more significant sites of the revolution of 1989, which culminated in the ousting and execution of communist leader Ceausescu, and the end of Romania's 42-year communist rule. Bucharest likes big things – the tour will also stop by the huge Piata Unirii, one of Europe's largest squares, and continue on to the ‘Ceausima’, Bucharest's 12-storey Palace of Parliament. The palace is the second largest building in the world (after the Pentagon). The former dictator ordered the construction of this monster, a building of staggering scale and opulence that includes 1,100 rooms and 4,500 chandeliers.

Day 7 Bucharest

Your Halloween tour ends today. There are no activities planned for the final day and you can depart your accommodation at any time. If you want to stay longer in Bucharest please check about additional accommodation when you make your booking.