Bucharest City Tour - Overnight in Bucharest

Palace of Parliament - During a day trip to Bucharest, explore one of the world’s most debated administrative buildings. This private tour of The Palace of Parliament, also known as the People’s House, offers insights into the dangers and destruction a totalitarian regime like communism can inflict on a nation. Standing before one of the largest buildings globally, you’ll feel dwarfed by the extravagant opulence and megalomania that “the sleep of reason” can produce.

Capturing a selfie up-close is challenging, as you’ll be attempting to photograph the second-largest administrative building on Earth, after the Pentagon, creating a memorable experience to share with future generations.

Muzeul National al Satului “Dimitrie Gusti” - This private tour allows you to visit The Bucharest National Village Museum, where Romanian traditions are showcased. Discover how Romanian villagers created an ecological and sustainable environment in their backyards, and gain insight into their simple, modest lifestyle, living in social and spiritual harmony with nature.

Ateneul Roman - Next, the private tour takes you to the Romanian Athenaeum, a key symbol of Romanian culture and often regarded as a symbol of Bucharest itself.

Piata Revolutiei - Planning a city break in Bucharest? A visit to The Revolution Square is a must. This historically significant site transports you back to the moment when dictator Ceausescu was overthrown, leaving behind secrets of a vast fortune and controversies about the state security service and his offshore accounts.

As previously mentioned, upon reaching the Senate Palace, you’ll see the building that once housed the Central Committee of the Romanian Communist Party, where the December 1989 Revolution began, a pivotal historical event that led to Ceausescu’s permanent removal from power through human force and sacrifice.

Old Town - On a Bucharest day trip, experience the charm of the past through a mix of mystery and contrasts in the Historical City Centre, starting with Hanul lui Manuc, a massive fortified inn that served as a cultural and economic hub in its time. Built around 1806 by Manuc Bei, one of the wealthiest landowners in the Balkans, it was a gathering place for merchants passing through Bucharest, part of the vibrant crowd that frequented the historic inn.

In this historical and cosmopolitan area, with guidance from Nicolas Experience Tours, you’ll discover not only Bucharest’s most popular restaurants but also museums, old and spectacular churches, and an experiential library where you can purchase books, music, and other souvenirs, ensuring an unforgettable experience for you and your loved ones.

1. Curtea de Arges Monastery 2. Poenari Castle 3. Transfagarasan Highway 4. Sibiu City Tour - Overnight stay in Sibiu

Curtea de Arges Monastery - Did you know Curtea de Arges is unique for its significant royal tombs? It’s well-known that truly good, beautiful, and lasting things come only through sacrifice, which becomes evident when you visit the old town of Curtea de Arges. With a rich and eventful history, this is where you can see the ruins of the Wallachian princely court, the 13th-century Royal Church, and the renowned Arges Monastery, an important historical monument with a fascinating yet somber story.

Poienari Castle - The ruins of Poienari Fortress stand high on a cliff overlooking the Arges River, at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Built in the early 13th century by the first Wallachian rulers, the castle changed names and residents several times over the decades; eventually, it was abandoned and left in ruins.

Recognizing the location’s potential, upon taking the throne, he ordered the structure to be repaired and fortified, turning it into one of his main fortresses. When the Turks attacked and captured the castle in 1462, Vlad escaped via a secret passageway leading north through the mountains.

Transfagarasan Highway - Spanning over 150 kilometers, the Transfagarasan Highway is Romania’s most spectacular and renowned road, gaining fame from a 2009 BBC Top Gear feature, making it one of the country’s top tourist attractions. Fully open only from June to October, the road’s highest point is at 2042 meters: the tunnel linking the northern and southern sides at Lake Balea (Balea Lac).

Big Square (Piata Mare) - If you’re in Transylvania, Sibiu is a must-visit travel destination with a 900-year history. A city tour will help you understand why Sibiu was chosen as the European Capital of Culture, including the Evangelical Cathedral, the Sibiu Old City Center, and the town itself, which are among Romania’s most visited tourist attractions, catering to every taste and providing a wonderful travel experience for even the most discerning tourists.

For those who love authentic cultural experiences, whether romantic or adventurous, Sibiu offers everything needed to relax and enjoy, leaving behind everyday stress for a fun and memorable trip.

The beauty of this ancient citadel, recognized for its architecture, street layout, cultural and artistic heritage, and stunning natural scenery, is flanked on two sides by the Fagaras and Lotru mountains.

1. Corvin Castle 2. Densus Church 3. Sarmisegetusa Regia - Overnight in Sibiu

Castelul Corvinilor - Corvin Castle, also known as Hunyadi Castle or Hunedoara Castle (Romanian: Castelul Huniazilor or Castelul Corvinilor; Hungarian: Vajdahunyadi vár), is a Gothic-Renaissance castle in Hunedoara, Romania. It is one of Europe’s largest castles and is featured as one of the Seven Wonders of Romania.

Densus Church - The Densuș Church (also known as St Nicholas’ Church) in the village of Densuș, Hunedoara County, is the oldest stone church in Romania.

Built in its current form in the 13th century on the site of a 2nd-century Roman temple, using materials from the Dacian Sarmizegetusa fortress, it features a stone tower above the naos. Inside, 15th-century mural paintings depict Jesus in Romanian traditional attire, created by artist Ștefan. In the 18th century, more paintings were added by Simion de Pitești.

Sarmizegetusa Regia - Sarmizegetusa Regia, also known as Sarmisegetusa, Sarmisegethusa, Sarmisegethuza, Ζαρμιζεγεθούσα (Zarmizegethoúsa), or Ζερμιζεγεθούση (Zermizegethoúsē), was the capital and most important military, religious, and political center of the Dacians before the wars with the Roman Empire. Situated atop a 1200 m high mountain, the fortress, comprising six citadels, was the core of a strategic defensive system in the Orăștie Mountains.

1. Biertan Fortified Church 2. Turda Gorge Hiking 3. Alba Iulia City Tour - Overnight in Alba Iulia

Biertan Fortified Church - The Biertan Fortified Church, a breathtaking historical monument, was one of the first Transylvanian Saxon settlements in Ardeal and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hundreds of tourists visit annually, discovering what makes this place special.
Located in a small town dating back to 1224, the church impresses with its stunning scenery and unique construction – built on a hillock in the town center, surrounded by three defensive walls and seven bastions.

Cheile Turzii - Cheile Turzii, as it’s known in Romanian, is a natural reserve roughly 40 kilometers south of Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania’s capital city. Compared to Romania’s dramatic mountains, the terrain around Cluj is rather uneventful, with long expanses of soft, rolling hills.
Unlike some of Romania’s more intense, multi-day hikes, hiking Turda Gorge is relatively easy for the average person. Several routes are available, varying in distance and difficulty. The easiest is simply walking through the gorge’s bottom.

Follow the cool path alongside a tranquil stream, flanked by steep stone walls. Several small bridges and steel cables in certain spots make any tricky areas passable by almost any able-bodied person. The hike from one end to the other takes roughly 1 1/2 hours, more or less depending on how much you take in the scenery.

Cetatea Alba Iulia - The Alba Carolina Citadel (Romanian: Cetatea Alba Carolina, Hungarian: Gyulafehérvári vár) is a star-shaped fortress in Alba Iulia. Construction began on November 4, 1715, during Habsburg rule in Transylvania, and was completed in 1738. 20,000 serfs were involved in its construction, estimated to have cost around 3 million guldens. The citadel was built on the site of two other fortifications: the legionary fortress of Legio XIII Gemina (known as Apulum) and the medieval Balgrad citadel.

The citadel’s shape, an iconic element of Vauban architecture, influenced the design of Alba Iulia’s city logo when the city adopted city branding in 2014. The city received 47.5 million lei in 2009 for the citadel’s restoration and conservation.

The citadel is named after Charles VI, known as Carol VI in Romanian, who was the Holy Roman Emperor at the time of its construction.

1. Turda Salt Mine 2. Cluj Napoca City Tour (Botanic Garden) 3. Surdesti Wooden Church - Overnight in Sighetul Marmatiei

Salina Turda - Turda Salt Mine is likely one of the most fascinating places to visit in Transylvania. If you have the opportunity to spend your vacation in Romania, it would be a shame not to explore one of its most beautiful sites, the Turda Salt Mine.

This location is a feast for the eyes and the body, as your lungs will appreciate the purifying saline air, especially beneficial for those with respiratory issues, such as allergies or asthma.

Gradina Botanica “Alexandru Borza” - If you pass through Transylvania during your trip to Romania, a Cluj Napoca City Tour should definitely be on your itinerary. Prepare your camera, as the Old City Center boasts unique historical and architectural monuments, Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic-style buildings, the oldest dating back to the 17th century, along with friendly and welcoming locals.

Not to mention the restaurants and delicious local cuisine, which are so popular you might have to wait in line to get a table and enjoy your meal.

Surdesti Wooden Church - Nothing compares to the characteristic warmth of wooden constructions, but the Surdesti church offers much more. Visitors are so awe-struck they tip their hats – not a joke, considering the church’s tower measures an impressive 54 meters.

Imagine the kind of artwork and craftsmanship that went into this 72-meter high wooden gem, a challenging task even with modern technology, and when you consider it was built in 1721, you understand why it is considered an architectural masterpiece.

1. Explore Maramures all day (local market) 2. Merry Cemetery 3. Sighet Memorial Museum - Overnight in Sighetul Marmatiei

Merry Cemetery - This trip to Romania promises not only history, culture, and adventure but also fun.

The Dacians, our brave and wise ancestors who worshiped the god Zalmoxis, would laugh at funerals and cry when babies were born.

In Maramures, traces of historical continuity remain, most notably in Sapanta, home of the unique Merry Cemetery.

The crosses and tombstones, each a skillful and colorful work of art, feature humorous poems about the deceased that will have you in stitches.

Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance - To understand why the Romanian people fought so hard to escape communist oppression, visit the Memorial Museum for the Victims of Communism. You’ll begin to comprehend the totalitarian regime’s damage and the immense pain and suffering it caused in such a short time.

1. Barsana Monastery 2. Borgo Pass Road 3. Ciocanesti village - Overnight in Gura Humorului

Barsana Monastery - One of the tallest wooden churches in Romania (57m height)

Just as you feel a primordial connection with the earth when walking barefoot through grass, you’ll experience a spiritual connection with the sky and God as you step into the courtyard of Romania’s most beautiful wooden monastery, the Barsana Monastery.

If you think you’ve seen astonishing places before, of such divine beauty that they seemed like a piece of heaven on earth, this trip to Maramures might make you reconsider.

With its fairytale scenery and timeless history, this magical place has fascinated both tourists and locals for centuries.

Tihuța Pass - Tihuța Pass (Romanian: Pasul Tihuța, also called Pasul Bârgău; Hungarian: Borgói-hágó or Burgó) is a high mountain pass in the Romanian Bârgău Mountains (Eastern Carpathian Mountains) connecting Bistrița (Transylvania) with Vatra Dornei (Bukovina, Moldavia).

The pass gained fame from Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula, where, referred to as “the Borgo Pass,” it was the gateway to Count Dracula’s realm. Stoker likely found the name on a contemporary map; he never actually visited the area.

Today, the pass is home to Hotel “Castel Dracula”; located at an elevation of 1,116 m (3,661 ft), the hotel was built in 1976 and adopted its current name after 1989. The hotel has become quite an attraction due to its medieval villa architectural style and connection to the novel. In 2018, the property was put up for sale.

1. Voronet Monastery 2. Humor Monastery 3. Sucevita Monastery 4. Moldovita Monastery - Overnight in Gura Humorului

Manastirea Voronet - The Voroneț Monastery is a medieval monastery in the Romanian village of Voroneț, now part of the town Gura Humorului. It is one of the famous painted monasteries from southern Bukovina, in Suceava County. The monastery was constructed by Stephen the Great in 1488 over 3 months and 3 weeks to commemorate the victory at the Battle of Vaslui. Often called the “Sistine Chapel of the East,” the frescoes at Voroneț feature an intense shade of blue known in Romania as “Voroneț blue.”

Did you know that Voronet Monastery was founded by Stephen the Great?

Dubbed the “Sistine Chapel of the East,” it attracts tens of thousands of tourists from around the world annually, with at least three unique elements making it a highlight of your trip through Moldavia and Bucovina.

The most impressive aspect of the church’s artwork, both inside and outside, is the exceptional background color – the famous Voronet blue!

Humor Monastery - The Voroneț Monastery is a medieval monastery in the Romanian village of Voroneț, now part of the town Gura Humorului. It is one of the famous painted monasteries from southern Bukovina, in Suceava County. The monastery was constructed by Stephen the Great in 1488 over 3 months and 3 weeks to commemorate the victory at the Battle of Vaslui. Often called the “Sistine Chapel of the East,” the frescoes at Voroneț feature an intense shade of blue known in Romania as “Voroneț blue.”

Did you know that Voronet Monastery was founded by Stephen the Great?

Dubbed the “Sistine Chapel of the East,” it attracts tens of thousands of tourists from around the world annually, with at least three unique elements making it a highlight of your trip through Moldavia and Bucovina.

The most impressive aspect of the church’s artwork, both inside and outside, is the exceptional background color – the famous Voronet blue!

Sucevita Monastery - Sucevita and Voronet are two of the most beautiful Romanian monasteries, part of the international cultural and spiritual heritage, making them essential stops on any trip to Romania and northern Moldavia.

Even if you haven’t read the Bible or the Book of Books, the biblical scenes and icons painted on the walls of Sucevita Monastery provide stunning and vivid visual support in understanding Christianity’s history.

The fortified church is like an open book for anyone who enters its doors, and only by seeing it in person will you truly understand why it was included on the UNESCO World Heritage list of cultural landmarks.

Moldovita Monastery - For a spiritual journey to a place echoing with the fervent prayers of hundreds of thousands who found solace here throughout history, venture through the Carpathians and Balkans to one of Romania’s oldest monastic settlements, built in 1532, home to the Moldovita Monastery.

The fortified church combines Byzantine, Gothic, and Moldavian styles, but what truly impresses visitors is its unique mural artwork, both inside and outside this beautiful house of worship.

1. Lucia Condrea - egg painted museum 2. Nicolae Popa Museum 3. Bicaz Gorges - Overnight Stay in Sighisoara

The Popa Museum - Located 12 kilometers from Targu Neamt, in Tarpesti, Neamt County, you can visit the notable Nicolae Popa Museum. Founded in the ‘70s by local sculptor Nicolae Popa in his own home.

After being wounded in World War II, imprisoned by communists for opposing the regime, and left with only his house, Nicolae Popa decided to champion Romanian values. Through hard work and dedication, driven by a strong artistic inclination, he became one of Romania’s most valued and appreciated naive sculptors and a true creator of folklore.

Bicaz Canyon - What could be more beautiful than a walk along the banks of a river that has carved its way through Romania’s mountains and virgin forests?

1. Sighisoara City Tour 2. Viscri Village 3. Rupea Fortress - Overnight stay in Brasov

Centrul Istoric Sighisoara - Begin the tour of Sighisoara Old Town with visits to the Clock Tower and Arms museum. To experience life in the Middle Ages, a visit to Sighisoara, Romania’s medieval town and Count Dracula’s (actually, Vlad the Impaler) birthplace, is a must.
Built in 1280, the Sighisoara Citadel is not only one of Romania’s most visited tourist attractions but also a living, breathing medieval fortress, having been continuously inhabited for over 700 years – a rarity.

Viscri Fortified Church - Viscri is renowned for its white fortified church, first mentioned in 1400 as Alba Ecclesia. Like many monuments of the time, the church underwent various construction phases. The local Szekler population initially built a small church on the site in the early 12th century. Decades later, German colonists took control of the land, starting a new chapter in its history.

During the 13th century, they built the main tower on the west side and expanded the church’s nave eastward. Fortification began later, in the 15th century, and is partially preserved today. Some fortification elements were demolished after the Ottoman threat subsided or repurposed for peaceful uses like storage rooms and kindergarten space.

Cetatea Rupea - Rupea Fortress (Romanian: Cetatea Rupea, German: Burg Reps, Hungarian: Kőhalmi vár) is a medieval fortress built by Transylvanian Saxons, first mentioned in a 1324 document. Situated on a 120 m high basalt cliff, west of the Transylvanian town of Rupea in Romania, the fortress is located on DN13, 70 km from Brașov, on the road to Sighișoara. Restored between 2010 and 2013, it was visited by over 10,000 tourists monthly as of 2014.

1. Brasov City Tour (Black Church) 2. Bran Castle / Dracula’s Castle 3. Peles Castle - Overnight stay in Brasov

Black Church (Biserica Neagra) - Next, explore the beautifully-preserved medieval town of Brasov, nestled in the Carpathian Mountains’ foothills. Your guide will lead a walking tour of the Old Town, where you’ll discover the Black Church, the Old Town square, and city walls from the Middle Ages. Enjoy free time to soak in the unparalleled atmosphere at one of Brasov’s many charming cafés.

Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle) - Bran Castle, a blend of myth and history.

Due to its close resemblance to Dracula’s fictional castle, it is widely believed that Bram Stoker used descriptions of Bran to create Count Dracula’s fictitious home.

Outside the castle, sample an array of traditional foods: handmade cheeses, pálinka (plum and pear brandy), and traditionally-produced ham and sausages.

Peles Castle - Once upon a time, there was a beautiful castle…

If you’re writing your memoirs or want to boast about seeing Europe’s most beautiful castles, the Romanian royal family’s summer residence is one of Romania’s and Europe’s most important tourist attractions, and you’ll soon understand why.

Every year, thousands of notable figures and hundreds of thousands of tourists book tours of Romania for this attraction alone, to admire its beauty and, for a few hours, feel like royalty.

1. Prejmer Fortified Church 2. Muddy Volcanoes 3. Snagov Monastery - Back to Bucharest

Peasant Fortified Church at Prejmer - The Prejmer fortified church (Romanian: Biserica fortificată din Prejmer; German: Kirchenburg von Tartlau) is a Lutheran fortified church in Prejmer (Tartlau), Brașov County, in Transylvania, Romania, and the ethnographic area of the Burzenland. Founded by the Germanic Teutonic Knights, it was eventually taken over by the Transylvanian Saxon community. Initially Roman Catholic, it became Lutheran following the Reformation. Together with the surrounding village, the church is part of the villages with fortified churches in Transylvania UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Vulcanii Noroiosi (Muddy Volcanoes) - The Berca Mud Volcanoes (Romanian: Noroioși de la Pâclele Mici) is a geological and botanical reservation located in Scorțoasa commune near Berca in Buzău County, Romania. Its most spectacular feature is the mud volcanoes, small volcano-shaped structures typically a few meters high caused by the eruption of mud and natural gases.

As gases erupt from 3000 meters deep towards the surface, through underground clay and water layers, they push up underground salty water and mud, overflowing through the volcanoes’ mouths, while gas emerges as bubbles. The mud dries on the surface, creating a relatively solid conical structure resembling a real volcano. The mud expelled is cold, as it originates from the Earth’s continental crust layers, not the mantle.

Snagov Monastery - Romanians often joke that a work of fiction made The Tomb of Dracula/Vlad Tepes (the Impaler) and Bran Castle two of Romania’s most visited tourist attractions. The myth continues to fascinate tourists visiting Romania, even those not particularly interested in vampires.

Everyone knows the legend of Dracula, which has traveled the world through its many portrayals in literature and cinema.

Imagine the likes a picture of you in front of Dracula’s tomb would garner. It will surely make all your friends, if not jealous, at least very curious.

This trip will not only leave you with beautiful memories from Romania but also give you the satisfaction of uncovering Dracula’s mysteries.

• Exclusive private car (Tourism or Minibus) for your group
• All entrance and photo fees covered
• Expert private English-speaking guide/driver for the entire tour
• Free Wi-Fi in a comfortable car
• Guide’s accommodation, meals, and entrance fees included
• All car expenses covered, including gas, parking, and tolls
• Flexible itinerary with the option to modify on the go

• Accommodation, meals and beverages (but we recommend)

Embark on the journey of a lifetime with this 12-day exploration of Romania. We’ve curated a selection of rich sensory encounters for you, encompassing everything from medieval landmarks to untouched nature, featuring dense woodlands, vibrant wildflowers, and the crisp mountain air (depending on the season). We will also explore contemporary exhibits and savour sumptuous local cuisines enhanced with traditional herbs and spices in every medieval town we visit. This is the perfect way to truly appreciate Romania and its people through a private 12-day tour led by a local guide. Come and join us!

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.