From the top of the Carpathians to the Danube

Welcome to Romania! Let us start in Bucharest with its captivating history and interesting contrasting architecture.
– Welcome at Bucharest Airport
– Transfer into Bucharest and panoramic city tour in Bucharest (on the way)
– Walk through the Old Town
– Accommodation in Bucharest / Venezia Hotel or Berthelot Hotel

Take a day to cross the Carpathians and visit the castles at their foot, whether it is about medieval fortifications or elegant residences of the Royal Family. In between, let us have a walk across Saxon-settled Brasov…
– Transfer to Sinaia and on to Brasov
– Visit to Peles Castle in Sinaia, the former summer residence of Romanian kings.
– Optionally, visit to Pelisor Castle, the smaller property on the domain, decorated in a different style by Queen Maria
– Visit to Bran Castle, set on the former Wallachian border
– Walk through Brasov’s Council Square and around the Black Church (visit if still open, it officially closes at 7 PM, sometimes earlier though)
– Accommodation in Brasov, Bella Muzica or Casa Wagner Hotel

While travelling Westwards at the foot of Romania’s highest mountains, the mighty Fagaras, visit arguably the best preserved and most impressive of the Saxon towns, Sibiu. Then take the afternoon to walk across the village-like folk technology museum in Dumbrava Forest, on the
outskirts of Sibiu.
– Transfer to Sibiu with a stop on the way at Fagaras Fortress
– Walk through the three main squares in the old town: the Large, the Small and Huet Square
– Visit to the Folk Technology Museum in Dumbrava Forest
– Accommodation in Sibiu, Am Ring or Levoslav guesthouse

Let this day go to rolling hills, farming and picturesque villages where time seems to have stood still for ages. And, as a jewel of the day – and one of the definite highlights of the entire trip – have a walk across the still inhabited fortress of Sighisoara, also spending the night there…
– Ride across the rural Saxon Land with many farming villages and their medieval fortified churches: Sibiu – Agnita – Richis – Biertan – Sighisoara
– Visit to the fortified church in Biertan
– Walking tour of Sighisoara
– Accommodation at Casa Wagner or Hotel Sighisoara, one of the old houses within the fortress of Sighisoara

After visiting the Hungarian town of Targu Mures with its impressive pieces of architecture, head up North, straight towards the Ukrainian border, to the land of Maramures and its fine wood carving traditions.
– Transfer to Targu Mures and walk around, including the Roses Square, the fortress, the beautiful synagogue (exterior visit only)
– Optional (open until 4 PM on Sat-Sun, respectively 6 PM on Tue-Fri): visit to the Secession style Palace of Culture with its beautiful Mirror Hall
– Transfer up North, to Maramures
– Accommodation in Sighetu Marmatiei, Casa Iurca de Calinesti Guesthouse

Explore on across this beautiful rural land and let us start with the Merry Cemetery. Well, some see death as the end to them all. The local people however see it as a stage, as a mere step onwards. So therefore, they argue, why be sad about it? A cheer on your face, let us go on with some fine samples of local architecture often adorned with colourful flowers and joined by happy laughters.
– Visit to the Merry Cemetery of Sapanta
– Visit to Sapanta Monastery
– Visit to Barsana Monastery
– Optional: visit to Master Barsan’s wood carving workshop in Barsana
– Visit to the wooden churches of Rozavlea
– Accommodation in Sighetu Marmatiei, Casa Iurca de Calinesti Guesthouse

Take your time to explore more jewels of Maramures architecture before hopping over the mountains into legendary Bukovina, with its endless forests, picturesque villages and world famous painted monasteries.
– Breaks and side trips to visit Ieud and Poienile Izei wooden churches
– Scenic mountain road drive over Prislop Pass
– Optional: stop in Ciocanesti to explore the local tradition where people have created decoration patterns covering their houses following local embroidery designs
– Optional: visit to the egg museum in Vama
– Accommodation in Frasin or Gura Humorului, Hilde’s Residence or Inima Bucovinei Guesthouse

Start the day with Blue. Voronet Blue. Go on with experiencing the local crafts while visiting the black pottery workshop at Marginea. Explore the fortress-like Sucevita Monastery before going on across Ciumarna Pass to the Moldovita with its fine frescoes.
– Visit to Humor and Voronet monasteries
– Visit to Marginea pottery centre
– Visit to Sucevita and Moldovita monasteries
– Accommodation in Frasin or Gura Humorului, Hilde’s Residence or Inima Bucovinei Guesthouse

A trip in this part of Romania could not be complete without seeing at least one of the fortresses
around which the entire Moldavian Kingdom history developed, respectively without the virtual
cultural capital of Moldavia, the town of Iasi. So there we go!
– Visit to Targu Neamt Fortress
– Stop by the traditional, historic Hanul Ancutei (lunch or wine tasting possible, not
included)
– Tour of Iasi, including the Trei Ierarhi Church, Golia Monastery and the Neogothic
Culture Palace
– Accommodation in Iasi, Astoria or Select hotels

While making your way South, you will meet the Danube and, before crossing it, you have the chance to walk across the old districts of Braila, with their period atmosphere and fine architecture. Then move on towards Tulcea, while passing by the dry and scenic Macin
Mountains.
– Walk across the old town in Braila
– Walk up the docks in Tulcea
– Boat ride from Murighiol to the guesthouse
– Accommodation, Casa dintre salcii Guesthouse, the Danube Delta

There is nothing like a place where traffic is made only of birds and boats, where the world seems to have remained still, stuck between a blue sky and a green water, where the madding crowd seems but a remote memory.
– Half a day boat ride across the Danube Delta
– Accommodation, Casa dintre salcii Guesthouse, the Danube Delta

Boat out, car ride, Danube crossing and you will return to Bucharest with plenty of stories to tell.
The tour ends in Bucharest, at the airport (only PM flights can be accommodated, given the Murighiol – Bucharest distance) or, optionally, with an overnight in town.
– Boat ride to Murighiol
– Return to Bucharest by car