Itinerary

Day 1 Bucharest
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure to begin your exploration of the “Paris of the Balkans.” Dinner and overnight Hotel Victoria Tower or similar.

Day 2 Bucharest-Sinaia
After breakfast you will be taken on a city tour of this lovely city. Included are an inside visit to the Village Museum or the Parliament Palace, the 2nd largest building in the world. You will also see the Revolution Square, the Patriarchal Cathedral and the Truimphal Arch. In the afternoon you will drive to the mountain resort of Sinaia for a visit to the Peles Castle, the former summer residence of the Romanian Royal family. Dinner will be served at the Hunters Lodge restaurant. Overnight Hotel Palace or similar.

Day 3 Sinaia-Bran-Brasov-Prejmer-Piatra Neamt
In the morning drive to Bran for a visit to the castle built in the 14th century by the merchants from Brasov in order to protect the borders between Transylvania and Vallahia. The castle is better known as the residence of the gruesome vampire, Dracula. Continue to Brasov for your city tour that includes the Black Church, the largest Gothic construction in Southeastern Europe, St. Nicholas Orthodox Church and the first Romanian School. After Brasov depart for Piatra Neamt. Stop in the village of Prejmer and visit the local peasant medieval fortress and cross the mountains through the spectacular Bicaz gorge. Dinner and overnight Grand Central Hotel in Piatra Neamt or similar.

Day 4 Piatra Neamt-Radauti (painted monasteries)
Today you will discover the famous painted monasteries of Bucovina. You will visit the Sucevita Monastery, the best preserved of all, with imposing walls and defensive towers, the Voronet Monastery known as the “Sistine Chapel,” of Eastern Europe, famous for the blue color used by the artist as background for its frescoes, the Moldovita Monastery and the Humor Monastery which has the best preserved interior frescoes. You will also stop at the village of Marginea to visit the local black pottery workshop. Dinner and overnight Hotel Gerald’s in Radauti or similar.

Day 5 Radauti-Sighisoara
Today you will leave the charming Bucovina region and descend back into the legendary Transylvania, known as the land beyond the forests, whose cultural heritage has been shaped by a mixture of peoples, languages and traditions: Romanians, Germans, Hungarians and Gypsies. Pass through the Borgo Pass and drive to Sighisoara, the best preserved medieval fortified town in Southeastern Europe. In the afternoon you will take a walking tour of Sighisoara including visits to the Clock Tower, which now doubles as the local history museum and to the Church on the Hill. Feel free to to explore the citadel on your own. Sighisoara is, in its entirety, part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites, as being the best preserved and continuously inhabited medieval city in Europe. Dinner and overnight Hotel Sighisoara or similar.

Day 6 Sighisoara-Biertan-Sibiu
In the morning depart for Sibiu, once the richest town in Transylvania. On the way you will stop and visit the fortified church in Biertan village. Your Sibiu tour includes the old town quarter with its Evangelical Cathedral, Roman-Catholic baroque Church, the Great and Lesser Square, the interesting Pharmacy Museum and the important Brukenthal Museum, one of the best art galleries in Romania. In the evening you will drive to the small village of Sibiel where you will visit the unique glass painted icons museum and enjoy a hearty traditional dinner. Overnight Hotel Ramada or similar.

Day 7 Sibiu-Cozia Monastery-Curtea de Arges-Bucharest
In the morning depart for Bucharest. Drive through the scenic Olt River Valley and stop to visit the 14th century Cozia Monastery. Continue to Curtea de Arges a small town nestled in the hills and once the capital of the province of Vallachian. In Curtea de Arges you will visit the richly decorated Manole’s Church. Arrive in Bucharest in the afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Shop for handicrafts or relax in one of the city’s many cafes. This evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner with folklore show. Overnight Hotel Victoria Tower or similar.

Day 8 Bucharest-End of Tour
After breakfast you will be taken to the airport or you may extend your stay in beautiful Bucharest.

Additional nights in Bucharest available.

Package supplement to deluxe hotel in Bucharest: Hotel Grand Continental or similar $189 per person