Compare Untouched countryside of Magical Transylvania by Eastern European Experience vs 8-Day Classic Romania Tour from Bucharest by Tours4Fun

DAY 1 Bucharest – Sinaia

Our first stop is the fairy tale castle of Peles in Sinaia where we stop for an extensive guided tour of the palace. The afternoon catches us in Brasov for lunch and a leisure walking tour of the Old Town. Explore the local shops or have a cool drink at one of the many lively summer terraces.

In the evening we start our way towards  the village of Miclosoara, at the estate of Count Kalnoky. This is the castle hotel where Prince Charles during his holidays in Transylvania. Our first day of the tour ends with a savory traditional dinner at the castle. Acommodation in Miclosoara, Count Kálnoky’s Transylvania.

DAY 2 Enjoy your day in Miclosoara

Day 2 is a day of relaxation in nature with hikes and surprise outdoor activities in the village of Miclosoara. A visit to the Museum of Transylvanian Countryside and traditional lunch or picnic lunch are included in the program. Accommodation in Miclosoara.

DAY 3 History of Transylvania

Our first stop is Viscri, a village so secluded and untouched by modernity that you feel like you’ve taken a trip back in time. A stroll through this medieval village takes us to the fortified church which is a UNESCO heritage site. Our visit in Viscri would not be complete without a sitting of the famous village geese.

Sighisoara is our destination for the afternoon. The birth place of Vlad The Impaler, a UNESCO site, a cobble stone medieval citadel and a quintessential Transylvanian burg, Sighisoara is a favorite among visitors and locals alike. Walking tour includes the two squares of the Citadel (Upper Town), the Scholars’ Staircase, the Ducklings’ Square, the Tinsmiths’ Tower, the House with Antler, the Tower with Clock (climb up for a great view), the Torture Chamber and the Weapon Museum.  In the evening we arrive at our accommodation in one of the traditional Saxon houses of Malancrav, dinner on your own.

DAY 4 The story continues

This is a day spent visiting Saxon villages and learning the story of the Transylvanian Saxons: where they came from, why they stayed in Transylvania and how is their legacy preserved nowadays. We visit the Saxon fortified churches of Biertan, Richis and Alma Vii. Accommodation: traditional Saxon house in Malancrav or Alma Vii. Dinner on your own.

DAY 5 The “eyes of Sibiu” –  The old Cincsor

This day will start in Sibiu, site seeing and taking in the sweetheart town of Romania. The first part of our visit is a walking tour of the Old Town with its three main squares, The Bridge of Lies and the ‘eyes of Sibiu’. The afternoon is free time to enjoy the lovely town of Sibiu.

In the evening we arrive at our accommodation in the village of Cincsor where the former parish and old school were transformed in village hotels that mix authentic Transylvanian elements with the comfort of modern times. Dinner on your own.

DAY 6 Say Hello to Transfagarasan Road

The best drive in the world – that is what the Top Gear crew say about the Transfagarasan Road. In summer time we have a scenic, windy trip to the top at Balea Lake. In winter time we have the cable car to take us at the peak of the mountains.  In the evening we return to Cincsor village. Dinner on your own.

DAY 7 Carpathia

Today we drive straight to the Carpathians, to the mountain village of Magura. Set in the Piatra Craiului National Park, Magura will transport you directly to the idyllic set from The Sound of Music. We go on an easy hike to the monastery of Bran and savor the lush green of the Carpathians. Accommodation in Bran. Dinner included.

DAY 8 Dracula’s story

Would it be a Transylvanian vacation without Dracula? We spend the morning visiting Dracula’s Castle in Bran with all its dark rooms and secret staircases.  After lunch we make our way towards Bucharest with a last stop in Busteni at the Cantacuzino Castle. Here we enjoy deserts and coffee with an amazing view over the Carpathians. In the evening we arrive in Bucharest with drop off at your hotel.

Day 1 Bucharest

On the first day of your Classic Romania Tour, our guide will pick you up for a city tour of Bucharest, where the cultures of Western and Eastern Europe merge beautifully. Your city tour of Bucharest begins with the most distinctive building in the city, dating back to the Communist era: the Palace of the Parliament. Your guided tour of Bucharest continues with sightseeing in Bucharest's Old Town, sheltering several architectural gems and iconic structures. This is Bucharest's hot spot for nightlife. Accommodations for the evening are in Bucharest.

Day 2 Bucharest - Curtea de Arges - Cozia Monastery / Transfagarasan - Sibiu

On Day 2, we depart for the beautiful region of Transylvania, stopping en route at an important religious landmark, Curtea de Arges Monastery, a stunning religious edifice located at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. Afterward, we will take a road trip through the Olt Valley, and admire some of the stunning untouched landscapes of the region, before reaching Cozia Monastery. *In the summertime (Mid June to Early November), the trip to Cozia Monastery will be replaced with a road trip on Trasnfagarasan. Our next stop is Sibiu, named the European Capital of Culture in 2007. We'll take a walking tour of a city that triumphantly fuses history with multicultural elements. We will explore the Main Square of Sibiu before visiting Huet Square with the Evangelical Church. Afterwards, we will ascend the passage of stairs and cross the famous Bridge of Lies. Overnight in Sibiu.

Day 3 Sibiu - Sibiel - Alba Iulia - Turda - Cluj-Napoca

Your tour of Romania will continue with a rural replica of Sibiu: Sibiel, a quaint Transylvanian village appraised as one of the most authentic and well-preserved rural areas in Europe. After a short walk in the village, the tour continues with a short trip to Alba Iulia, where we will visit the largest fortress in Romania, surrounded by 12 km of walls and built in the shape of a star. The Alba Carolina Fortress was successively a Roman fort, a fortress during the Middle Ages and later a Vauban type citadel provided with bastions. Our next destination is the Turda Salt Mine, a huge subterranean cave carved in salt. Hundreds of meters of galleries open into halls, one of them 118 meters tall, with a lake at the bottom. The sights inside the mine are otherworldly, attracting artists in search of spectacular views. The journey continues with the largest city in Transylvania: Cluj-Napoca, proclaimed the city of arts. Overnight in Cluj-Napoca.

Day 4 Cluj Napoca - Breb - Barsana - Sighetu Marmatiei

The first few hours of the Day 4 program will be devoted to a city tour of Cluj-Napoca. The gothic St Michael's Cathedral overlooking the city's central square comes first on our list of attractions, followed by Banffy Palace, the former mayor's hall, and Mirror Street. From Cluj, we'll head to the northwestern part of Romania: Maramureș, a region resembling a fascinating open-air museum. Lacking rights and privileges for hundreds of years, the dwellers of these places have managed to overcome hardship by following two simple rules: live your life to the full, and cherish, above all, the richness of the soul. Maramureș people are considered to be the most hospitable Romanians and their traditional wooden houses are a living part of their history. You will visit Breb, one of the best preserved traditional villages in Maramures and experience the local way of living. For lunch, you will enjoy fresh products and delicious fruity liqueurs. Not far from Sighet is our final destination of the day: Sapinta, the world's only community with a cemetery full of mirth. The wood-carved crosses painted in bright colors display witty, humorous quatrains inspired by the lives of those who are no longer with us. Later in the evening enjoy a traditional Romanian dinner and folk performance. Overnight in Sighetu Marmatiei.

Day 5 Poienile Izei / Barsana - Sighetu Marmatiei - Targu Mures

On Day 5, we'll visit two ancient wooden churches that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Poienile Izei (Iza Meadows) and Barsana, the latter being one of the largest Orthodox architectural ensembles in Romania. Perfected across generations, the art of woodcarving remains the chief craft of the local community, as you will see in the workshop of a local artisan. After his demonstration, you will have the opportunity to buy unique hand-made souvenirs (own expense). Today you will have the opportunity to taste local specialties in one of the most picturesque and well-preserved regions of Romania. The locals still use their own harvest from their garden to make delicious dishes. In the evening we will reach Targu Mures, a city recognized for its ethnic and cultural diversity. Overnight in Targu Mures.

Day 6 Targu Mures - Biertan - Copsa Mare - Sighisoara - Viscri - Brasov

In the morning we will depart for Biertan, the largest fortified church in Transylvania, built by the Saxons in the 16th century. An important highlight of the Classic Romania Tour is Sighișoara, the only inhabited medieval fortress included in UNESCO's World Heritage list. Walking up the winding cobblestone streets lined with historic buildings, we reach the Clock Tower, from where you can admire the breathtaking views. The Tower shelters a museum of medieval weapons and a torture chamber. After visiting the tower we'll climb the three hundred wooden steps up to the Church-on-the-Hill, built in the XIV century. Fascinated by life in the countryside and the peaceful atmosphere of this Transylvanian village, His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, restored one of the traditional houses, making it the place where he returns every year in May. Besides admiring the specific architecture of Viscri houses, we'll enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the village, which will provide you the opportunity to enjoy the calm, rural scenery, and we will stop to visit the locals and enjoy some home-made cake. Then we will reach Brasov, a city founded by the Teutonic Knights, located at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Overnight in Brasov.

Day 7 Brasov - Bran - Sinaia - Bucharest

We will go on a walking tour of the city to explore one of the narrowest streets in the world, visit the beautiful Council Square, and admire the Black Church. Then it's time to visit the famous Bran Castle on a tour from Brașov. Here, you will discover the legend of Dracula on a Bran Castle tour. Bran is one of the world's spookiest medieval castles. It was built in the 13th century, set strategically atop a 60-meter cliff, towering over the most important access route into medieval Transylvania. Our Romania tour continues to Sinaia, which rose to fame thanks to the royal family who chose Sinaia as their royal residence in the 20th century. Our first stop will be the Orthodox Monastery in Sinaia, followed by Peles Castle, the splendid Gothic castle built by the first king of Romania, Carol the first of Hohenzollern. Here, we'll go on a guided tour of the castle. Overnight in Bucharest.

Day 8 Bucharest

Enjoy one last breakfast before hotel check-out and departure. Please provide your flight departure details as early as possible so that we can arrange airport drop-off accordingly.