Romania

Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up at the airport and taken to our hotel in the city center. After getting settled, we’ll begin with an evening tour orientation and group dinner at one of Bucharest’s most popular traditional restaurants, located in the heart of the Old City.

We’ll begin with a walking tour along Victory Street, passing markets, street art and historical sights before entering a neighborhood filled with beautiful early 19th-century mansions and unique street art. From here, we’ll explore narrow passageways, communist structures and vibrant squares.

We’ll also visit the impressive Obor Market, recently labeled “The Top Market in Europe” by a journalist for the Financial Times. We’ll tour the market, meet vendors, sample the huge variety of fresh food and even enjoy some local wine. We’ll also make a stop at the Palace of the Parliament before returning to our hotel. Dinner will be at a famous 100-year old eatery!

Leaving Bucharest, we'll start with a morning drive to Mogosoaia Palace, where we’ll tour this architectural gem known for its Brâncovenesc style.

Next we’ll drive 45 minutes to the town of Snagov to visit the legendary Snagov Monastery, a medieval-era church on a small island, rumored to be the burial site of Vlad the Impaler. After the monastery visit, we'll enjoy lunch in a local village before continuing our drive to the medieval and vibrant town of Brasov.

After we check in to our hotel, we'll take an evening stroll through the main square before sitting down for dinner at a long-running restaurant known among locals for its great ambience and food.

Today we’ll embark on a full walking tour of the city with our wonderful local guide, visiting Romanian and German neighborhoods, including several traditional businesses where we can interact with locals and learn about their work. We’ll also visit the Black Church, the main square and the historic medieval gates to the city.

After some free time to wander this incredibly quaint town, or even take the funicular up to the top of nearby Mount Tampa for sweeping views over the valley, we’ll head to Piata Sfatului, the lively main square where evening festivities always take place. From here, we’ll head to dinner at a restaurant run by a local, award-winning chef.

The day begins with a 45-minute drive to the small town of Bran, home to the famous and imposing 13th-century Bran Castle. We'll take a relaxed tour through the hilltop castle and wander through the gardens below.

We'll then head to the home of our dear friend, Gabriela, a local craftswoman in a tiny nearby village. Here is where we'll have a home cooked lunch inside her home, followed by a fascinating, traditional egg painting demonstration (a significant Romanian craft). After our home visit, we'll return to Brasov, where you can enjoy the evening at your own pace.

Today we’ll drive 3 hours to the authentic Hungarian region of Romania called Corund. Hungarians have been living in Romania for centuries and have maintained their unique culture and heritage.

After checking into our traditional guesthouse by the forest, we’ll head off with our local guide for an undeniably special experience. We’ll visit with local artisans who are producing their crafts, not for tourism, but for the community’s own use, using only traditional methods of production. This includes a black pottery workshop, traditional weaver and a tinder craftsman (tinder is a type of forest mushroom).

We’ll learn about these crafts and the workshops that keep these traditions alive. In the evening, we’ll head to the home of a local family for home-cooked dinner full of local specialities!

The truly local experience continues as we head up to the remote Fantana Plateau, home to only a few small villages and the southernmost peat bog in the world.

We’ll begin with a 2-hour tour of the villages, nature and a local bio-mushroom farm. We’ll then head to a local cheese farm for a delicious, freshly prepared private lunch before stopping at a local syrup and jam producer where we can taste their diverse range of all natural, and extremely delicious, products.

We’ll then return to our guesthouse for an afternoon rest where you can take a walk through the forest or enjoy a drink on the terrace. Dinner will then take place in the beautiful gardens of a local trout farm.

After one more local experience in the morning, we’ll head out for a 1-hour drive to Sighisoara. This hilltop village is often considered the best preserved medieval village in all of Europe.

Our guide will take us through the cobblestone lanes to the 400-year old clock tower and impressive cathedral, into a traditional local liquor cellar and to the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, the inspiration for Dracula. You’ll also have free time in the friendly village after checking into our hotel.

We'll begin the day with a 1-hour drive to the village of Brateiu for a true off-the-beaten-path experience. Upon arrival, we’ll meet and interact with a kind Roma family that has invited us into their home to learn about their culture. We’ll have a chance to visit their home, learn about the metal work crafts they are known for and even taste some of their local snacks and drinks.

From here, we’ll drive to the tiny, historic village of Crit where we’ll have lunch inside of an old parish house. Heading down a countryside road, we’ll then reach the Saxon village of Mesendorf, where we’ll spend the night at a gorgeous guesthouse among tranquil surroundings.

You’ll have time to enjoy the peaceful village, stunning guesthouse property and the welcoming atmosphere before a home-cooked dinner prepared by our hosts.

After a leisurely morning, including a delicious breakfast, we’ll leave Mesendorf and take a short 45-minute drive to the small town of Viscri. This town was made famous by King Charles' repeated visits due to his fondness for the traditions and culture of Romania. Having one of the best preserved fortified churches in the world, and set among the rolling green hills, this cozy town is certain to impress.

After visiting the fortified church and having some time to explore, we'll begin our 4.5-hour journey back to Bucharest, arriving late afternoon. After checking into our hotel, we’ll all gather for a wonderful farewell dinner.

You will be picked up at the hotel for your private transfer to the airport based on the time of your flight.