Romania

Craiova ~ Day 1

Fly to Craiova. Leisure day in Craiova to visit the local park, the botanical garden, Craiova Art Museum or the Christmas Market (if you come in December). Accommodation at Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Craiova.

Maldaresti ~ Day 2

Transfer to Maldaresti. Visit one of the most famous Oltenian culas: Maldaresti Boyars’ Fortified Mansion. Accommodation at Maldar Lordly Mansion.

Horezu ~ King’s Road: TransAlpina Highway ~ Day 3

Visit Horezu blue pottery workshops – UNESCO heritage. Then – if it is summertime – drive along Romania’s highest winding picturesque road. During Dacians’ time, 2000 years ago, TransAlpina (2,145 m) was only a shepherds path. But on their way to Sarmizegetusa, Romans armies built this superb road over it. Due to its cobble stoning in 1930, under the reign of Carol II, locals call it the King’s Road. The turns and upward slopes, fir forests and Oasa Lake and Dam give emotions to visitors… but also to cars ! Accommodation on TransAlpina.

Sibiu ~ Day 4

See Oasa Lake and Dam and continue the drive along TransAlpina up to Sibiu. Leisure time and accommodation in Sibiu.

Bran ~ Day 5

Transfer to Bran Village for visit of the famous Bran Castle. Accommodation at Bratescu Mansion.

“Luxury surprise in Bran village

From the moment we discovered the website of this mansion we decided to change our hotel booking if possible. The owner answered our call and despite the short notice he was extremely open and friendly. Since we couldn’t decide which room to choose he offered to book one for us but only choose on the spot the room we like most. We arrived late (22:00) and because the restaurant we previously chose for dinner was a total disappointment at 22:30 we were asking his help again. The grilled chicken with fresh vegetables and lemonade were incredible.

And so was the spacious suite with a very comfortable bed and a fascinating old style bathroom. Everything shows good taste there: the architecture, the cozy restaurant, the carpet on the stairs, the common spaces and rooms. At the lavish healthy breakfast we received the cake from the house. Another small gesture – like the one of the owner that offered to bring us the coffee – but exactly these make the difference and leave a long lasting impression. Definitely this is a place to stop every time we pass through Bran and warmly recommend to everyone looking for really exquisite services.”

Gura Siriului ~ Eagles’ Lake ~ Day 6

Transfer to Gura Siriului Village. Trip to Eagles’ Lake. Some say that, in the spring, the vultures come to the periglacial lake to teach their chicks to fly. Other say that the lake is bottomless. And the locals who threw their treasures into it to save them from Tatar invaders never recovered them. They also say that, during the Second World War, the locals built a road under the lake. And the tanks of the fooled German army that entered the water did not come out anymore.
Accommodation at Hadar Chalet to enjoy the only NO you ever wanted to hear: no traffic, no neighbors, no GPS coverage. Still, the former head of state’s hunting cabin is endowed with a steady phone and Internet connection.

Fintesti ~ Day 7

Experience one of Romania’s top vineyards and best vintages in the enchanting setting of Dealu Mare Wine Land villages, an area called “Romania’s Tuscany”. Try fine selections of high quality wine. It is positively jaw dropping !

Lacerta first impression wine tasting

It includes: 3 wines (out of 20), a brief description of wines, and production process. Optional tours of: the vine estate, wine cellar (where they make the wine), and winery (to see the wine barrels).

“This is one of the best wineries in Romania. Highly recommended for its fine wines, great service and very friendly, welcoming and professional stuff. The place is superb. We had a great guide that showed us the cellar and gave a lot of details about wine making in Romania. And the tasting convinces you to buy at least several of their wines.”
Finland private group

Accommodation in Fintesti area.

Adjud ~ Day 8

Transfer to Adjud. Leisure time and accommodation in Adjud.

Iasi ~ Day 9

Transfer to Iasi. The city tour starts with Eminescu’s Linden Tree, national landmark having over 150 years old.

Visit of the Palace of Culture, the most outstanding work of Romanian architect I.D. Berindei, trained at the Fine Arts School in Paris. The Palace benefits of an ignifugated attic wooden structure, electric lighting, (pneumatic) heating, ventilation system, thermostat, and vacuum cleaners. Notice the tower’s clock with astrological signs of stained glass on the tower’s clock. Hourly, the bells of the tower’s Carillon and a drum sing the Union Round Dance song. The floor mosaic of the Neo-Gothic style Hall of Honor replicates the medieval church rosette of an abbey in Normandy. The architect of the palace wanted a cheaper material that imitates the texture and sound of oak wood. This special material invented by Henri Coanda and named by this bois-ciment (wood-cement) decorates several rooms within the Palace.

The tour continues with the Metropolitan Cathedral, Orthodox church with a striking mosaic and Vasile Alecsandri National Theater. This is the second most beautiful theater in the world, inspired by the ones in Vienna, Hamburg and Berlin. At the end of the day stop at Palas Public Garden, landscaped gardens with palace views.

Accommodation at Pleiada Boutique Hotel & Spa.

Bicaz Canyon ~ Day 10

Transfer to Strunga vineyards and Miclauseni Castle for interesting visits before heading to the jaw-dropping Bicaz Canyon. Accommodation in Bicaz Canyon area.

Sighisoara Fortress ~ Day 11

Transfer to Sighisoara, the only inhabited medieval fortress-city in Europe, found on UNESCO Sites List. Leisure time and accommodation in Sighisoara.

Alba Iulia ~ Day 12 & 13

Transfer to Alba Iulia.

Medieval Alba Iulia Vauban Citadel Experience

Step into the incredibly well preserved medieval world of Alba Carolina Citadel ! Marechal Vauban, engineer to King Louis XIV of France, invented its 7 pointed star shaped design. Raised in the 18th century for defense against Turkish invasions, it was a forbidden city until 2005 because it was a military unit. They also say there is a Mathew bible from year 800 in the library.

Gates Tour & Principia Site Museum

• • Its Gates Tour is a must as it includes all 3 military fortifications and the entire route of Alba Carolina Fortress Ditches. Several mobile bridges allow access connecting some of the gates, as it was 3 centuries ago.
  • Apulum Roman castrum was the largest fortress in Roman Dacia. Today, the unique Principia Site Museum has guides dressed in Roman uniforms. And kids have the occasion to wear the Roman uniform.

Midday ceremonies

• • The spectacular Changing of the Guard happens promptly at 12 pm every day so make sure you have an unobstructed view of the Royal Guards. In the stunning medieval surrounding an unique show starts. On the fortress main alley, Royal Guards march in procession. They complete an elaborate changeover in the sound of drums, horses and cannons.
  • Lunch at The Beautiful View Hall Restaurant within the fortress. In a historical stylish milieu, staff dressed in period costumes will serve you with medieval specialties.

Reunification Cathedral & Unification Museum

• • The imposing Reunification Cathedral ~ In 1922, King Ferdinand and Queen Marie’s coronation took place within this imposing Romanian Orthodox Cathedral.
  • Alba Iulia Unification Museum ~ Stolen, scattered and moved twice, museum’s collections still include:
    • belongings of famous outlaw Avram Iancu,
    • Union Documents,
    • photo camera used to take the only 5 photos of the Union and…
    • the photos !

On December 1st, 1918, the Day of the Union, city’s official photographer was missing under suspicious circumstances. So the only one of the 100,000 attendees who had a photo camera, a war veteran, became the unofficial photographer.

Medieval dinner

• • In the evening, have an original medieval feast held in the former Gun Powder Hall of the fortress. Set right in the heart of the citadel, Pub 13 Restaurant has authentic medieval atmosphere. The original basic architecture of the hall – still preserved and unique in South-Est of Europe – is of remarkable technical ingenuity. A column shaped like the foot of a mushroom supports the vault of the almost circular hall. The vault itself has the interior shape of the mushroom hat going down flared to the contour of the floor. Lots of officials and celebrities have passed its threshold looking for the special ambiance here, both Romanian and foreign. Lonely Planet says this is one of 10 best restaurants in Romania and probably the best restaurant in Alba Iulia.

Next morning enjoy an introductory golf and etiquette course and golf class with professional instructor.

Accommodation at Theodora Golf Club, the largest golf resort in Romania with the longest course in Europe (735 m).

Rimetea Village ~ Cluj ~ Day 14 & 15

Wake up very early in the morning in order to leave the hotel 1.5 hours before sunrise. Depart towards Rimetea Village to see the sun rising twice, before heading to Cluj.

Full day tour of Cluj.

Accommodation in Cluj.

Baile Felix ~ Day 16 & 17

Head to Oradea. Stop to visit Meziad Cave. Transfer to Baile Felix.

Oradea city tour.

Accommodation at Lotus Therm Spa&Luxury Resort.

Arad ~ Day 18 & 19

Transfer to Arad. Arad city tour. Accommodation at Grant Hotel Boutique.

Transfer to Arad International Airport. Fly back home.

 

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Useful tips

• Travel Advice page of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania
• Due to its incredible variety of relief forms concentrated on a relatively small area it has a moody weather. In April, visiting Bucharest, Constanta and Brasov, there are great chances to experience 4 seasons in less than 1 week. And in July and August if going on top of Carpathian Mountains you can still find some snow
  • AccuWeather in Romania
  • BBC Weather
  • Met Office Gov UK Weather
• Foreign Travel Advice Romania
• Romania Country Profile