Romania’s story with you as the hero
This 10-day itinerary is going to set you off on a becoming journey across Romania, to rediscover yourself through the wisdom of the old, the generosity of the rural people and traditions that make even the bitterest life’s milestones taste sweet. Travelling from south to north, you’ll traverse some of Romania’s most bucolic regions, where nature reigns and people sing its tune. You’ll learn from Romanians how to whistle in front of adversity and tie fate’s shoelaces as a joke. Who says that life has to be taken seriously, when it can be taken with a pinch of salt and turned into the most delicious bite?
Together, we’ll taste the fruits of Romania’s land and sip its spirit at the wineries from Dealu Mare, Europe’s new old wine-growing district. Beware! As any hero, you’ll face your fears as Dracula’s fangs will close up the past and get you closer to present-day Brasov. You’ll venture in fortresses, recollect at wooden churches, discover the buzz of urban modernity and reward your weary legs and senses with decadent local dishes. Another round please and another and another and then…let’s go! As Romanians say, the road fits the traveller best.
ITINERARY SNAPSHOT
- D1: Bucharest – Dealu Mare – Chitorani (2h30 drive)
- D2: Chitorani – Sinaia – Bran – Brasov (3h drive)
- D3: Brasov – Fagaras – Balea Lake – Veseud (3h30 drive)
- D4: Veseud – Biertan – Alma Vii – Richis – Veseud (2h drive)
- D5: Veseud – Sighisoara – Cund – Cluj-Napoca (4h drive)
- D6: Cluj-Napoca – Surdesti – Budesti – Breb – Vadu Izei (3h30)
- D7: Vadu Izei – Sapanta – Sighetu Marmatiei – Valea Stejarului – Vadu Izei (1h drive)
- D8: Vadu Izei – Barsana – Ieud – Sacel – Ciocanesti – Moldovita – Sucevita (5h drive)
- D9: Sucevita – Marginea – Putna – Sucevita (1h30 drive)
- D10: Sucevita – Voronet – Suceava (2h drive)
*Driving times don’t include stops.
>> Click here for the detailed itinerary <<
WHAT’S IN STORE FOR YOU
Day 1: Bucharest – Dealu Mare – Chitorani
Begin your Romanian story the way any authentic local hero would: with a feast and some great wine. On the way to Romania’s most coveted wine valley – Dealu Mare – make a quick stop to enjoy timeless Romanian architecture at Bellu Manor Museum. Then, follow your wine-tuition to the rolling hills of Dealu Mare. Visit a few famous vineyards, taste the most delicious wines and enjoy the mesmerising sights. Call it a day in a beautiful manor house, where a fine story about Romanians awaits before going to bed.
Day 2: Chitorani – Sinaia – Bran – Brasov
From Chitoarani, you’ll continue your journey towards the legendary Prahova Valley, where mountains and castles reign the scenery. In Sinaia, you’ll enter a fairytale world at Peles Castle and follow the thread of Romania’s history. Next, you’ll need to gather all your might, because you’ll come face to face with a fanged villain of so-long-ago at Bran Castle, Count Dracula himself. We’re sure you’ll escape his fangs, and you’ll head to Brasov to take in the sights and reminiscence of the day over a rich Romanian dinner.
Day 3: Brasov – Fagaras – Balea Lake – Veseud
Start the day at the Black Church, one of the biggest Gothic Churches in Europe and let yourself swept away by the mesmerising sound of its organ. With your ears forever-in-love with Brasov’s harmonies, it’s time to treat the eyes and mind with fresh sceneries and head-spinning views. But first, Romanian food! You’ll travel to Fagaras for a farm-to-table lunch and then venture on to Balea Lake via Transfagarasan, a road made to win your heart with twists and spins and sweeping views. Sleep tight in Veseud, in an authentic traditional home that embodies Romanian hospitality.
Day 4: Veseud – Biertan – Alma Vii – Richis – Veseud
Romanians don’t like to rush their stories and yours should not be a sprint either. Luckily, in Romania’s countryside, time follows different rules. On this particular day, you’ll write your story slowly, taking the time (and even more) to discover some of Romania’s most beautiful and well-kept saxon villages. Recollect at fortified churches and explore the rural sights as sloooooooooooowly as possible. And, of course, talk to locals and listen to their stories. These will definitely put a colorful light on your own.
Day 5: Veseud – Sighisoara – Cund – Cluj-Napoca
Taking it slow and “taking” it to another century goes hand in hand in Romania. You’ll experience it yourself on your 5th day around the country. Wake up in Veseud and let your lovely host treat you to a mouth-watering Romanian breakfast. Then, set your calendar hundreds of years ago and travel to Sighisoara, a medieval fortress that’s still inhabited today. After a local cheese and wine tasting in Cund, make a time-hop and land in one of the most hip Romanian cities – Cluj. Discover the urban buzz and slow-is-good culture that will leave you wanting more. But not more cheese. You would’ve already tasted many varieties on this day. A pause is needed.
Day 6: Cluj-Napoca – Surdesti – Budesti – Breb – Vadu Izei
Continue your story in the land of never ending traditional stories: Maramures. Among myths, legends and local heroes, traditions still blossom no matter the season. Enjoy the heart-warming hospitality of Maramures people and share with them a drink, a meal and stories – yes, more stories! Pace yourself in the villages of Surdesti, Budesti and Breb, to admire beautiful wooden churches. Wherever you’ll look, the unspoiled beauty of the traditional Romanian village will echo loud and proud, spoken out by gregarious and big-hearted locals.
Day 7: Vadu Izei – Sapanta – Sighetu Marmatiei – Valea Stejarului – Vadu Izei
Learn how to take fate by the horns, the way Romanians do, at a very jolly and thus unusual cemetery. The Sapanta cemetery will turn your beliefs on their head. See how Romanians greet the passing into another life with a bitter-sweet humor, part irony, part realism. The colorful cemetery, adorned with witty and funny lyrics on the crosses of those deceased, gives death a well-deserved condescending view. Next, discover more about Romania’s history under communism and how fate can be turned. End your afternoon with a slow walk in Valea Stejarului, before returning to Vadu Izei for a good dinner and a lovely, genuine chat.
Day 8: Vadu Izei – Barsana – Ieud – Sacel – Ciocanesti – Moldovita – Sucevita
Wake up at the rooster’s cock-a-doodle-doo to venture far and wide into Romania’s spiritual lands. From Vadu Izei, you’ll first set off to Barsana, an area of all-you-can-see authenticity. Admire its charming monastery and move on to Ieud to visit another masterful wooden sanctuary, included on the UNESCO Heritage Site list. Then, have a tête-à-tête in Sacel with a third-generation water mill owner, the last in his line. With your spirits high, enjoy the embroidered houses in Ciocanesti and visit Moldovita Monastery, another UNESCO Heritage site. End the day in Sucevita and get some well-deserved sleep in a traditional house that keeps folklore alive.
Day 9: Sucevita – Marginea – Putna – Sucevita
There’s nothing sweeter than the Romanian-Moldavian dialect and nothing more beautiful than its religious spirit. By now, you would have already become a local hero and, without even knowing it, you’ll be able to understand the language without speaking it. And, since spiritual language needs no words indeed, make a stop at Sucevita, a beyond-beautiful monastery. Next, learn a local skill from a family whose main occupation is the long-lasting tradition of molding black clay into stupendous objects – an art that’s slowly disappearing in the region. Then, on to Putna Monastery, where you can visit the tomb of the greatest Moldavian Leader, Stephen the Great. After a day beyond words, you’ll return to Sucevita and spend your last night in Romania in the company of delicious food and great people.
Day 10: Sucevita – Voronet – Suceava
Your journey ends in the colorful Moldavian region with the most beautiful blue your eyes have ever seen. Enjoy a slow breakfast in Sucevita and then venture on to Voronet Monastery, a sanctuary famous for the unique blue that adorns its frescos. A visit to Bucovina Village Museum and the Citadel of Suceava will be the last sights you’ll experience on Romanian land. At this moment, although your Romanian story has come to an end, we hope your love for Romania has only just begun. Bid you farewell and see you soon!
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Please note that this is merely an itinerary suggestion that can be used as such or serve as an inspiration for your bespoke journey. Contact us today for an exclusive itinerary. We’ll design the experience for you from the scratch when we know the length of your trip and what sparks your interest. Culinary discoveries, plant foraging, horse-riding, biking, hiking, local events, traditional crafts, wine tastings, architecture, you name it and we’ll arrange it. We have a nice and customisable selection of activities that we’ve gathered by doing our own research, a few of them are listed right here under OPTIONAL EXTRAS.
- Private airport transfers and transportation throughout your tour in a modern air-conditioned car
- Professional English speaking guide – driver
- 9 nights accommodation based on sharing room in some of the most charming boutique hotels, manor estates and traditional houses in the area
- 9 breakfasts, 6 dinners and 1 lunch
- Wine tasting in 2 Dealu Mare wineries
- Cheese and wine tasting in Cund
- Water during the day
- 1 cart ride in a Saxon village in Transylvania
- 1 pottery workshop in Bucovina
- Entrance fees to the museums, churches and sites included in the itinerary
- Flights
- Personal shopping
- Other beverages than those presented on the table in the included meals
- Travel insurance
- Visas (if required)
- Optional extras
- Photography fees where required
For the culture-hungry travellers who want more than just “eating” with their eyes, Romania offers a plethora of immersive activities that will enhance your experience and leave you with long-lasting memories:
- Bread baking or traditional cooking classes with a local
- Dinner with a village family
- Visit local farms and honey producers
- Visit workshops of local craftsmen
- Workshops in the fine art of pottery, wood carving, beaded jewellery, weaving and traditional masks making
- Medicinal plants, wild fruit or mushroom foraging, according to the season
- Wine tastings
- Panoramic picnic with organic local delicacies and seasonal produce
- Hiking in the scenic mountains nearby
- Light walking in the fields and beautiful countryside
- Horse-riding and biking
- Horse-drawn carts or sleigh rides
- Romania Private Tours is all about bespoke experiences, so don’t think of this as a “prêt-à-porter” itinerary, but as a blueprint of one of the countless possibilities. To find out more, get in touch with us for a tailor-made trip based on your budget and interests
- Please note that all our tours of Romania are private and we may stop along the way as often as you desire, for you to visit a site, take a stunning photo or simply engage with the people of the land
- Group size: min.2, max.12 persons
- Price is tentative and can vary slightly according to the number of persons and the time of the year and it starts at 310 EUR/person/day, including the services mentioned under WHAT IS INCLUDED
- The exact rate will be quoted once the precise itinerary and the extras you would like to include are decided
TAKE A PEEK
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FAQ
We caught the travel bug at a very young age and we were travel junkies before becoming travel professionals. We experienced the highs and lows of this “addiction” and we’ve learned what ropes to pull to spike the ups and ditch the downs. Besides, Romania is our backyard: we’ve breathed it, known it, loved it since we were born. What makes us experts is the combination of both. We put ourselves in your shoes and we use our insider knowledge to make them fit.
You certainly can, if you have the time and you don’t mind the little imperfections. In theory, anyone can do that, just as anyone can fix something to eat to ease his hunger. But planning a fabulous trip, in perfect harmony with your time, budget, interests and expectations requires expertise, timing and time. If you’re short on any of the above and don’t want to risk blowing your trip, then hiring the right people is the best investment.
If you’re a family (ideally smaller than Ziona Chana’s) or a group of friends, the answer is yes. Just tell us the group size and what your interests are and we’ll design a memorable journey.
To ensure a smooth and uneventful tour we’ve learned that it’s paramount to be in control of all ingredients, hotels being one of them. That being said, we will offer you several options, if available, leaving you the final call.
Unfortunately not. All of our tours are private and tailor-made.
Booking flights is not our area of expertise, but we can gladly advise you on the best way to get to Romania or refer you to a specialised agency.
We recommend that you seek the assistance of a qualified insurance broker in your country of residence.