10 Days: Bucharest

Tour Overview

Experience the Best of Romania with SITA in 10 days. Visit Curtea de Arges, one of the richest Romanian cities in terms of historical culture. Take a step back in time as you visit one of the unique painted monasteries in Bucovina and the perfectly preserved hilltop citadel of Sighisoara. Discover the legend of Dracula as you tour Bran Castle. And enjoy the vibrant capital city of Bucharest.

Day 1: Bucharest – Curtea De Arges – Sibiu

The first day of your tour starts with a road trip from Bucharest to Curtea de Arges, the historical capital of Wallachia and one of the richest Romanian cities in terms of historical culture. Here, you will visit Curtea de Arges Monastery, erected between 1512 and 1517. The monastery is widely famous for the legend of Manole, one of the most important Romanian myths, which left a powerful mark on its people: “you can’t create something everlasting without sacrifice”. Nowadays the monastery is one of the most important historical monuments in Romania, and it is the final resting place for several members of the Royal House of Romania.
You will then drive on the spectacular Transfagarasan Highway (possible May-November), one of the most beautiful roads in the world. Transfagarasan passes through the Southern Carpathians via the tallest mountains in Romania, Fagaras, reaching heights of 2042 meters. This is the perfect opportunity to take some stunning photos of the surrounding areas.
The last destination for the day is the medieval city of Sibiu, with a rich history of more than 900 years. Sibiu is a superb destination throughout the whole year, but in the summer season it is home to the International Theatre Festival, and in the winter it is home to one of the most impressive Christmas Markets in Romania. After taking a walking tour through Sibiu’s Historical Center, we will head towards the hotel, where we will check-in for the night. Overnight in Sibiu.

Day 2: Sibiu – Hunedoara – Alba Iulia – Turda – Cluj Napoca

Breakfast. The second day of your tour of Romania will start early in the morning, and you will make your first stop in Hunedoara, where you will take a tour of Corvin Castle, a castle with a particular charm. Also known as Hunyad Castle due to its main inhabitant, John Hunyadi, it is one of the largest castles in Romania. Your next stop will be at Alba Iulia, the town which was home to one of the most important events in Romania’s History – the Union of Transylvania with Romania. We will visit Alba Carolina Fortress, built between 1715 and 1738 in the Vauban architectural style by more than 20,000 Romanian peasants. Driving away from Alba Iulia you will reach Turda, a small village which is home to one of the coolest underground attractions in the world, according to Business Insider. Turda Salt Mine with its 13 underground floors, and a spectacular theme park is equipped with a Ferris wheel, mini golf course, tennis court, and a lake.
At the end of the day, you will reach Cluj-Napoca, the largest city in Transylvania and one of the largest student centers in Romania. After taking a walking tour through the Old City Center, you will have free time to explore the local cafes and bohemian restaurants near the hotel. Overnight in Cluj-Napoca. (B)

Day 3: Cluj Napoca – Bistrita – Voronet Monastery

Breakfast. On your way to Bucovina, you will stop in Bistrita, a city located in the foothills of the Bargau Mountains, not far away from Pasul Tihuta which is the connecting road between Transylvania and Bucovina. This is the place where Bram Stoker’s character, Jonathan Haker, stayed before meeting Count Dracula. After taking a short sightseeing tour of Bistrita and tasting some delicious products from a local bakery, you will depart from Transylvania towards Romania’s holy land. Your first stop in Bucovina will be at the Voronet Monastery, one of the 8 UNESCO Painted Monasteries of Bucovina. The monastery was built in 1488, and it is well known for its unique shade of blue, “Blue of Voronet”. In the evening you will reach the hotel and you will enjoy a traditional Romanian dinner. Overnight in Voronet. (B)

Day 4: Voronet – Moldovita – Sucevita – Iasi

Breakfast. For the first landmark of the day, you will drive north and stop at Moldovita Monastery, one of the oldest monastic settlements in Romania with a significant history. The Monastery was built between 1532 and 1537 and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in 1993.
Your second objective is Sucevita Monastery. Built in 1585, the legend says that all the materials used in its construction were brought by a woman using only a cart pulled by oxen, in order to redeem her sins. Bucovina’s Painted Monasteries are deemed by many true masterpieces of the Byzantine art. Their beautiful frescoes depict various biblical scenes as well as the life stories of several important religious figures. Decorated with beautiful ornaments and blending in perfectly with the surrounding landscape, they are unique throughout Europe.
In the evening you will reach Iasi, the second largest city in Romania. After a short tour of this romantic and historical city, you will check in at the hotel. Overnight in Iasi. (B)

Day 5: Iasi – Targu Neamt – Piatra – Neamt

Breakfast. Before leaving for Piatra Neamt, you will take a tour of Iasi, with first stop at the Palace of Culture. The Palace was built in a Neo-Gothic style between 1906 and 1925, and it is home to four of the biggest museums in Iasi. You will visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the most famous buildings in Iasi. The current Cathedral was built on top of two older churches, The White Church and Stratenia Church, in early 1833. Over the years, the Cathedral was severely deteriorated because of various factors such as harsh weather or bad terrain, but today the restoration project is coming to an end, and its beauty can be admired by tourists from all over the world. Another important landmark of Iasi is the Three Hierarchs Church, which was built between 1637 and 1639. Your final stop in Iasi will be at the “Vasile Alecsandri” National Theatre, the first National Theatre in Romania. From Iasi, you will head to Targu Neamt for a tour of the Neamt Citadel, built during the reign of Peter I (1375-1391), and will reach Piatra Neamt in the evening, where you will take a cable car ride before checking in at the hotel. Overnight in Piatra Neamt. (B)

Day 6: Piatra Neamt – Bicaz – Corund – Biertan – Sighisoara

Breakfast. You will leave for Transylvania, passing through the impressive Bicaz Gorges in order to reach your first landmark of the day, a lake renowned for its unusual color. The Red Lake formed in 1837, when a series of heavy storms caused Mt. Ucigasu to fracture, with part of it coming down and blocking several streams. The river deposits that formed there had a reddish color, so the name of The Red Lake was given to the water body by the locals.
Your next stop will be in Corund, one of the main pottery centers of Transylvania. Besides pottery, the locals also deal in woodworking and trade, and the clay used in pottery is extracted from a nearby stream. Leaving Corund behind, you will reach Biertan, one of the famous UNESCO Villages with Fortified Churches of Transylvania. Saxon colonists settled here for the first time in the 13th century, mainly because of the rich soil that was perfect for winemaking.
Your last stop for the day is in Sighisoara, a city which is home to the last inhabited citadel in Europe. Sighisoara was built by Saxon colonists in the 12th century, and its unique features earned it a spot in the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Overnight in Sighisoara. (B)

Day 7: Sighisoara – Viscri – Brasov

Breakfast. Today you will discover more of Transylvania and its people. In the first part of the day, you will explore Sighisoara, a city where each building has a story worth telling. While you will be heading towards the Sighisoara Citadel, you will pass through the main gate and reach a true symbol of medieval life, the Clock Tower, which is home to Sighisoara’s History Museum. The basement of the Clock Tower is also home to a torture chamber, and the tower is beautifully decorated with numerous sculpted ornaments, as well as a clock on each side.
Your next stop will be in Viscri, a village that charmed the heart of Prince Charles through its simplicity and the way in which the locals preserved their traditions. Here, you will meet the women who are renowned throughout the region for their culinary skills. Viscri is one of Transylvania’s Villages with Fortified Churches, and before leaving you will visit the charming Viscri Church. After a while, you will reach Brasov, one of the most beautiful cities located in the middle of Romania, where we will take a short walking tour. Overnight in Brasov. (B)

Day 8: Brasov – Bran – Sinaia – Bucharest

Breakfast. Your day starts with a city tour of Brasov, making your first stop in the Council Square, a place which was famous for its markets filled by traders of all nations. You will also take a tour of The Black Church, the main Gothic style monument in Romania and the largest Lutheran place of worship in the region.
Thirty minutes away from Brasov is Bran, a small village famous for Bran Castle. With a history of more than 6 centuries, Bran Castle became widely known as Dracula’s Castle, mainly due to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Here, you will help you discover the history of Vlad the Impaler and the connection between Vlad Tepes and Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Your next stop is in Sinaia, where you will visit the first fully electrified castle in Europe. In its final form, Peles Castle stretches over a surface of 3200 sq. meters and it holds 160 rooms and over 30 bathrooms. The castle was home to one of the most important collections of paintings in Europe, and it is well-known for its large collection of over 4,000 European and Oriental weaponry. Late in the evening, you will be back in Bucharest. Overnight in Bucharest.(B)

Day 9: Bucharest

Breakfast. In the last day of your tour of Romania, you will discover Bucharest through a full-day city tour. Your first stop will be at the famed Palace of the Parliament, the second largest building in the world. Also known as the People’s House, the building was part of a larger project created by Nicolae Ceausescu during his reign during the communist period of Romania. The building was designed to house all the organs of the state while also being a safe house able to withstand earthquakes and nuclear attacks. After touring the Palace of the Parliament you will head to Bucharest’s Old Town, where you will have free time for lunch. Your last destination is the Bucharest Village Museum. The museum was opened for the first time in 1936, and it stretches over a surface of 14 ha, being home to a total of 380 monuments, 60,000 traditional objects, and over 250,000 archived documents, all related to the traditional Romanian life. Overnight in Bucharest. (B)

Day 10: Bucharest

Breakfast. Transfer to Bucharest International Airport and departure. (B)

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