12-Day Romania Explorer: Transylvania, Bucharest & Legendary Castles

DAY 1 | Thursday – Depart for Romania

Begin your unforgettable journey through Romania, a land of medieval towns, legendary castles, and breathtaking landscapes. Depart for Bucharest, Romania’s vibrant capital.

DAY 2 | Friday – Arrive in Bucharest

Arrive in Bucharest, transfer to your hotel, and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. In the evening, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager, followed by a welcome dinner.

Overnight: Bucharest | Meals: Dinner

DAY 3 | Saturday – Bucharest City Tour & Optional Communist Era Tour

Explore Bucharest’s historic and cultural landmarks:

• Palace of the Parliament, one of the largest administrative buildings in the world

• Revolution Square, a key site in Romania’s history

• Arch of Triumph, built to honor Romanian soldiers of WWI

Optional: Join the Communist Era Bucharest tour to learn how communism shaped Romania, hear about the anti-communist revolution, and the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Overnight: Bucharest | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4 | Sunday – Cozia Monastery & Sibiu Old Town

Travel through the Wallachian Plains and the scenic Olt Valley to Transylvania:

• Visit Cozia Monastery, featuring original frescoes and the tomb of Mircea cel Batran (14th century)

• Arrive in Sibiu, one of Transylvania’s cultural gems

• Walking tour of Sibiu Old Town: Great Square, Huet Square, Brukenthal National Museum, Liar’s Bridge, Goldsmiths’ Square

Dinner at a local restaurant in Sibiu.

Overnight: Sibiu | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5 | Monday – Astra Open-Air Museum, Alba Carolina Fortress & Calnic Church

Step back in time at the Astra Open-Air Museum, with traditional Romanian farmhouses, thatched cottages, and artisan workshops.

Continue to Alba Iulia to tour the Alba Carolina Fortress, a star-shaped medieval marvel. Then, explore the Calnic Fortified Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 13th century.

Optional: Visit Sibiel for a traditional farmhouse dinner experience.

Overnight: Sibiu | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6 | Tuesday – Biertan & Medieval Sighisoara

Discover the heart of Transylvania’s Saxon villages:

• Biertan, with its impressive fortified Gothic church

• Sighisoara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and medieval gem

  • Walk the cobblestone streets, visit Vlad Dracul House, the Clock Tower, and covered stairways

Lunch included inside Sighisoara’s former City Hall. Evening at leisure in Targu Mures.

Overnight: Targu Mures | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7 | Wednesday – Targu Mures City Tour & Travel to Piatra Neamt

Morning city tour of Targu Mures:

• Art Deco Palace of Culture with grand frescoes and Italian marble staircases

• Teleki-Bolyai Library, founded in the 18th century

Travel through the stunning Red Lake and Bicaz Canyon to Piatra Neamt, a gateway to Romania’s Moldovan region. Lunch en route.

Overnight: Piatra Neamt | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8 | Thursday – Piatra Neamt & Optional Painted Monasteries Tour

Day at leisure or join the optional full-day tour of Bukovina’s Painted Monasteries:

• Humor, Voronet & Neamt Monasteries, famous for 15th–16th century exterior frescoes
  Evening dinner includes a lively traditional folklore show.

Overnight: Piatra Neamt | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9 | Friday – Onesti & Brasov City Tour

Stop at Onesti, birthplace of Olympic champion Nadia Comaneci, visiting her school and training grounds.

Continue through the Carpathian Mountains to Brasov:

• Walking tour of the medieval city center with cobbled streets, Baroque architecture, and watchtowers

• Visit the Black Church, Romania’s largest Gothic church

Dinner at a local restaurant in Brasov.

Overnight: Brasov | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 10 | Saturday – Prejmer Fortified Church & Bran Castle

Explore the Prejmer Fortified Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site originally founded by the Teutonic Knights.

Visit Bran Castle, famous as “Dracula’s Castle,” perched on a dramatic rock promontory and steeped in legend. Return to Brasov for evening leisure.

Overnight: Brasov | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11 | Sunday – Peles Castle & Return to Bucharest

Stop in Sinaia to visit Peles Castle, a Neo-Renaissance masterpiece and former summer residence of Romania’s royal family.

Continue to Bucharest, where you can relax and enjoy a farewell dinner with your Tour Manager.

Overnight: Bucharest | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12 | Monday – Depart Romania

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight, concluding your immersive Romanian adventure.

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Highlights

• Explore Sibiu, Sighisoara & Brasov, iconic Transylvanian towns

• Visit Bran Castle, legendary home of Dracula lore

• Tour Peles Castle, a royal masterpiece in Sinaia

• Discover Bucharest’s Parliament Palace, Arch of Triumph & Revolution Square

• Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Calnic Church, Prejmer Church, Painted Monasteries

• Experience Romanian culture through traditional cuisine, folklore, and artisan villages

Package Includes

• Small group tours with English-speaking Tour Manager

• Round-trip flights: New York–Bucharest / Bucharest–New York (other cities available)

• 10 nights First Class accommodations: 2 Bucharest, 2 Sibiu, 1 Targu Mures, 2 Piatra Neamt, 2 Brasov, 1 Bucharest

• 18 meals: 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 7 dinners

• Hotel taxes, fees & porterage

• Transfers included with airfare purchase

• Guided sightseeing in modern air-conditioned vehicles

• Entrance fees per itinerary & wireless earphones for enhanced touring

Not Included

• Optional tours and gratuities (unless otherwise specified)