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 constructions globally, you will feel dwarfed by the extravagant opulence and megalomania that “the sleep of reason” can produce.

Capturing a selfie up-close might be challenging, as you attempt to photograph the second-largest administrative building on Earth, after the Pentagon. This experience is one you will cherish and share with future generations.

Muzeul National al Satului “Dimitrie Gusti” - On this private tour, visit The Bucharest National Village Museum, where Romanian traditions come to life. 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, your private tour takes you to the Romanian Athenaeum, a symbol of Romanian culture and often considered an emblem of Bucharest.

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 will see the building that once housed the Central Committee of the Romanian Communist Party, the site where the Revolution of December 1989 began—a pivotal historical event where, through human effort and sacrifice, Ceausescu was permanently removed from power.

Centrul Shakti - On a Bucharest day trip, relive the past through a blend of mystery and contrasts in the streets of 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 filled the historical inn.
In this historical and cosmopolitan area, with guidance from your private guide from Nicolas Experience Tours, you will also discover popular restaurants in Bucharest, 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. Poienari Castle 3. Transfagarasan Highway - Overnight in Sibiu

Curtea de Arges Monastery - Did you know Curtea de Arges is unique for its significant royal tombs? It is well-known that truly good, beautiful, and enduring 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 famous Arges Monastery, an important historical monument with an intriguing, 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 at the beginning of the 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 potential of the location, 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 more than 150 kilometers, the Transfagarasan Highway is Romania’s most spectacular and renowned road, gaining fame from its appearance on BBC’s Top Gear in 2009. Now one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions, the road is fully open only from June to October, with its highest point at 2042 meters: the tunnel linking the northern and southern sides at Lake Balea (Balea Lac).

Big Square (Piata Mare) - If you are 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. It includes the Evangelical Cathedral, the Sibiu Old City Center, and the town itself, which are among the most visited tourist attractions in Romania, 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, having received record-breaking recognition, stems from its architecture, street layout, cultural and artistic heritage, and stunning natural scenery, as the town 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 the largest castles in Europe 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 present form in the 13th century on the site of a 2nd-century Roman temple, with some materials from the Dacian Sarmizegetusa fortress, it has a stone tower above the naos. Inside the church, there are 15th-century mural paintings depicting Jesus in Romanian traditional clothes, 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 the most important military, religious, and political center of the Dacians before the wars with the Roman Empire. Erected on top of 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 historical monument of breathtaking beauty, was one of the first Transylvanian Saxon settlements in Ardeal, and today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hundreds of tourists visit each year, and upon arrival, you will discover 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 the dramatic mountains elsewhere in Romania, the terrain around Cluj is rather uneventful, with long expanses of soft, rolling hills making up the countryside.
Unlike some of the more intense, multi-day hikes found in Romania, hiking Turda Gorge is relatively easy for the average person. There are several routes to choose from, varying in distance and difficulty. The easiest is to simply walk through the bottom of the gorge itself.

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 located in Alba Iulia. Construction began on November 4, 1715, during the Habsburg rule in Transylvania, and was completed in 1738. 20,000 serfs were involved in its construction, which is 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), as well as the medieval Balgrad citadel.

The shape of the citadel, 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 restoration and conservation of the citadel.

The citadel is named after Charles VI, known as Carol VI in Romanian, who was the Holy Roman Emperor at the time of the citadel’s 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 features numerous unique historical and architectural monuments, Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic-style buildings, the oldest of which date back to the 17th century, as well as friendly and welcoming people.

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

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

Imagine the kind of artwork and craftsmanship that must have gone into this 72-meter high wooden gem, a challenging task even with modern technology, and when you consider it was built in 1721, you can 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 one and only Merry Cemetery.

The crosses and tombstones, each a skillful and colorful work of art, bear 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 will begin to comprehend the damage the totalitarian regime caused and the immense pain and suffering it inflicted in such a short time.

A day for yourself - Barbeque and Romanian Folk Show included

Maramures County - Enjoy Maramures County and admire the nature!

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 the eternal, primordial connection with the earth when walking barefoot through the grass, you will experience a spiritual connection with the sky and God as you step into the courtyard of the most beautiful wooden monastery in Romania, the Barsana Monastery.

If you think you have seen astonishing places before, of such divine beauty that you felt they were a piece of heaven on earth, this trip to Maramures might have you reconsider.

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

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 was made famous by Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula, where, termed as “the Borgo Pass”, it was the gateway to the realm of Count Dracula. Stoker most 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 architectural style of a medieval villa, as well as the 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 a period of 3 months and 3 weeks to commemorate the victory at the Battle of Vaslui. Often known as 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 every year, having at least three unique elements that make it one of the highlights 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 - To understand the importance of religion to our people, you must tour Romania and see the sheer number of houses of worship that have been built, but also destroyed by enemies over the course of history.

Striving to protect their spiritual treasures, people erected churches away from the eyes of the world, some hidden in the depths of the woods, others nestled within rock caves at high altitudes.
Humor Monastery, built approximately 500 years ago, is an example of a fortified monastery that has endured over the centuries.

After the first church that stood here, built around 1400, was destroyed, the second one, built in 1530 with thick river rock walls, was meant to be a place of worship that would withstand the test of time.

Sucevita Monastery - Sucevita and Voronet are two of the most beautiful Romanian monasteries, part of the international cultural and spiritual patrimony, which is why they should be included in any trip to Romania and northern Moldavia.

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

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

Moldovita Monastery - Sucevita and Voronet are two of the most beautiful Romanian monasteries, part of the international cultural and spiritual patrimony, which is why they should be included in any trip to Romania and northern Moldavia.

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

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

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 fascinating Nicolae Popa Museum. Founded in the ‘70s by local sculptor Nicolae Popa in his own home, the museum is a notable sight.

After being wounded in the Second World War, imprisoned by the communists for opposing the regime, and left with nothing but his house, Nicolae Popa decided to stand up for Romanian values. Through hard work and dedication, driven by a strong natural inclination for art, he became one of Romania’s most esteemed 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 the mountains and virgin forests of Romania?

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

Sighisoara Clock Tower - Begin the tour of Sighisoara Old Town with a visit to the Clock Tower and Arms museum. If you want to step back in time and glimpse life in the Middle Ages, you must visit Sighisoara, Romania’s medieval town, and the birthplace of Count Dracula (actually, Vlad the Impaler).
Built in 1280, the Sighisoara Citadel is not only one of Romania’s most visited tourist attractions, but it is 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 most 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 and began a new chapter in its history.

During the 13th century, they constructed the main tower on the west side and expanded the church’s nave towards the east. Fortification began later, during the 15th century, and is partially preserved today. Some fortification elements were demolished after the Ottoman threat subsided or were 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 more than 10,000 tourists each month 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 foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Your guide will lead you on a walking tour of the Old Town, where you’ll discover the Black Church, the Old Town square, and city walls built in the Middle Ages. Enjoy free time to soak in the unparalleled atmosphere in one of Brasov’s many charming cafés.

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

Due to its fictional portrayal of Dracula’s castle, which closely matches Bran, it is widely believed that Bram Stoker used descriptions of it to create the fictitious home of Count Dracula.

Outside the castle, you’ll have the opportunity to 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 plan to write your memoirs or want to boast about seeing the most beautiful castles in Europe, the Romanian royal family’s summer residence is, by far, one of the most important tourist attractions in Romania and Europe, and you will 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, at least 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 the Transylvania region of 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 forms 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 the gases erupt from 3000 meters deep towards the surface, through the underground layers of clay and water, they push up underground salty water and mud, causing them to overflow through the mouths of the volcanoes, while the gas emerges as bubbles. The mud dries on the surface, creating a relatively solid conical structure resembling a real volcano. The mud expelled by them is cold, as it comes from inside the Earth’s continental crust layers, not from the mantle.

Snagov Monastery - Romanians have often been amused that a work of fiction made The Tomb of Dracula/Vlad Tepes (the Impaler) and Bran Castle two of the most visited tourist attractions in Romania. To this day, the myth continues to fascinate any tourist 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 how many likes a picture of you in front of Dracula’s tomb would get. We guarantee it will make all your friends, if not jealous, at least terribly curious.

Taking this trip will not only leave you with beautiful memories from Romania, but it will also give you the satisfaction of having uncovered the mysteries of Dracula.

• Private car (Tourism or Minibus) only for you and your friends/family
• Accommodation, meals and entrance fees for the guide
• A private, licensed English-speaking guide/driver, available throughout the tour
• All car expenses, such as gasoline, parking and road tolls
• Complimentary wireless internet access in a comfortable car
• Great flexibility regarding changes to the daily itinerary even after the start of the tour

• Accommodation, meals and beverages
• Entrance fees as per the itinerary

Embark on the voyage of a lifetime! On this 13-day Romanian adventure, we’ve selected a diverse array of sensory delights. From historical sites to the sensory exploration of the wilderness, through dense forests, vibrant wildflowers, and clear mountain air (when the season is right), all the way to contemporary exhibits, with a hint of local herbs and spices in the exquisite fare of every medieval town we wander. This is the ultimate way to grasp Romania and its people - a 13-day private tour of Romania guided by a local. Come along!

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