Bucharest City Tour - Overnight in Bucharest

Palace of Parliament - During a day trip in Bucharest, visitors can explore one of the most debated administrative buildings globally. 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 world’s largest constructions, one might feel dwarfed by the senseless opulence and megalomania that “the sleep of reason” can produce.

Capturing a selfie up-close is challenging, as you attempt to fit the second largest administrative building on the planet, after the Pentagon, into your frame. This experience is one to share with future generations.

Muzeul National al Satului “Dimitrie Gusti” - This private tour includes a visit to The Bucharest National Village Museum, where Romanian traditions are showcased. Visitors will learn about the ecological and sustainable environments Romanian villagers created in their backyards, and gain insight into their simple, modest lifestyle, living in harmony with their surroundings.

Ateneul Roman - The next stop on the private tour is the Romanian Athenaeum, a significant symbol of Romanian culture and often considered a symbol of Bucharest itself. It is naturally one of the most important tourist attractions on Calea Victoriei and in Bucharest.

Piata Revolutiei - For those planning a city-break in Bucharest, The Revolution Square is a must-visit due to its historical significance. Here, visitors can be transported back to the moment when dictator Ceausescu was overthrown, leaving behind secrets of a great fortune and controversies about the state security service and his offshore accounts.

Upon reaching the Senate Palace, visitors will see the building that once housed the Central Committee of the Romanian Communist Party, where the Revolution of December 1989 began, a pivotal historical event that led to Ceausescu’s permanent removal from power.

Old Town - A day trip in Bucharest offers the chance to experience the olden days through a mix of mystery and contrasts in the Historical City Centre, starting with Hanul lui Manuc, a large fortified inn that served as a cultural and economic hub. Built around 1806 by Manuc Bei, a wealthy Balkan landowner, it was a gathering place for merchants passing through Bucharest.

In this historical and cosmopolitan area, with guidance from Nicolas Experience Tours, visitors will find popular restaurants, museums, old and spectacular churches, and an experiential library offering books, music, and souvenirs for an unforgettable experience.

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

Curtea de Arges Monastery - Curtea de Arges is renowned for its significant royal tombs. The town’s rich history is evident in the ruins of the Wallachian princely court, the 13th-century Royal Church, and the famous Arges Monastery, a historical monument with a fascinating yet somber story.

Poienari Castle - The ruins of Poienari Fortress are perched on a cliff overlooking the Arges River, at the base of the Carpathian Mountains. Built in the early 13th century by the first Wallachian rulers, the castle changed hands and names over the years before being abandoned.

Recognizing the site’s potential, Vlad the Impaler ordered its repair and fortification, making it one of his main strongholds. When the Turks attacked in 1462, Vlad escaped through a secret passageway leading north through the mountains.

Big Square (Piata Mare) - Sibiu, a must-visit destination in Transylvania with a 900-year history, was once the European Capital of Culture. A city tour includes the Evangelical Cathedral, the Sibiu Old City Center, and the town itself, which are among Romania’s most visited tourist attractions, offering a delightful experience for all.

Whether seeking authentic cultural experiences, romance, or adventure, Sibiu provides everything needed for relaxation and enjoyment, leaving everyday stress behind for a memorable trip.

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

Transfagarasan Highway - Spanning over 150 kilometers, the Transfagarasan Highway is Romania’s most spectacular and renowned road. Featured on BBC’s Top Gear in 2009, it has become one of the country’s top tourist attractions. Open from June to October, the road’s highest point is at 2042 meters, where a tunnel connects the northern and southern sides at Lake Balea (Balea Lac).

1. Biertan Fortified Church 2. Sighisoara City Tour (Clock Tower) - Overnight stay in Sighisoara

Biertan Fortified Church - The Biertan Fortified Church, a stunning 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 to discover what makes this place special.

Located in a small town dating back to 1224, the church impresses with its beautiful scenery and unique construction, built on a hillock in the town center, surrounded by three defensive walls and seven bastions.

Sighisoara Clock Tower - The tour of Sighisoara Old Town includes a visit to the Clock Tower and Arms Museum. To experience life in the Middle Ages, a visit to Sighisoara, Romania’s medieval town and Vlad the Impaler’s birthplace, is essential.

Built in 1280, the Sighisoara Citadel is not only one of Romania’s most visited tourist attractions but also a living medieval fortress, inhabited for over 700 years, which is quite rare.

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

Salina Turda - The Turda Salt Mine is one of Transylvania’s most fascinating attractions. A visit to Romania would be incomplete without exploring this beautiful site, where the purifying saline air benefits those with respiratory issues like allergies or asthma.

Gradina Botanica “Alexandru Borza” - A Cluj Napoca City Tour is a must when visiting Transylvania. The Old City Center boasts unique historical and architectural monuments, Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic-style buildings dating back to the 17th century, and friendly locals.

The popular local cuisine may require a wait, but the delicious meals are worth it.

Surdesti Wooden Church - The Surdesti church, with its impressive 54-meter tower, exudes warmth characteristic of wooden constructions. The 72-meter high wooden masterpiece, built in 1721, showcases remarkable craftsmanship and is considered an architectural marvel.

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

Merry Cemetery - This Romanian trip promises history, culture, adventure, and fun. In Maramures, traces of historical continuity remain, especially in Sapanta, home to the unique Merry Cemetery.

The colorful crosses and tombstones, each a work of art, feature humorous poems about the deceased, providing a lighthearted experience.

Memorial to the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance - To understand the Romanian struggle against communist oppression, a visit to the Memorial Museum for the Victims of Communism offers insight into the regime’s damaging impact and the suffering it caused.

1. Barsana Monastery 2. Borgo Pass Road 3. Sucevita Monastery 4. Moldovita Monastery - Overnight in Gura Humorului

Barsana Monastery - The Barsana Monastery, one of Romania’s tallest wooden churches at 57 meters, offers a spiritual connection with the sky and God. This trip to Maramures may redefine perceptions of divine beauty, with its enchanting scenery and timeless history captivating tourists and locals for centuries.

Sucevita Monastery - Sucevita and Voronet are among Romania’s most beautiful monasteries, part of the international cultural and spiritual heritage. The biblical scenes and icons on Sucevita Monastery’s walls provide a vivid understanding of Christianity’s history.

The fortified church is like an open book, and seeing it in person reveals why it is a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landmark.

Moldovita Monastery - For a spiritual journey echoing with fervent prayers, visit Moldovita Monastery, one of Romania’s oldest monastic settlements, built in 1532. The church’s unique mural artwork, both inside and out, impresses visitors with its Byzantine, Gothic, and Moldavian style elements.

1. Voronet Monastery 2. Humor Monastery 3. Bicaz Gorges - Overnight Stay in Brasov

Manastirea Voronet - The Voronet Monastery, a medieval site in Voronet, is one of southern Bukovina’s famous painted monasteries. Constructed by Stephen the Great in 1488, it commemorates the victory at the Battle of Vaslui. Known as the “Sistine Chapel of the East,” its frescoes feature the renowned “Voronet blue.”

Humor Monastery - To appreciate the importance of religion in Romania, a tour of its numerous houses of worship is essential. Humor Monastery, built around 500 years ago, is a fortified monastery that has endured over the centuries.

The second church, built in 1530 with thick river rock walls, was designed to withstand time’s challenges.

Bicaz Canyon - A walk along a river carving through Romania’s mountains and forests offers breathtaking views. Driving through the Bicaz Gorges, visitors may want to stop frequently to capture the stunning, untamed beauty of the landscape.

1. Brasov City Tour (Black Church) 2. Bran Castle / Dracula’s Castle 3. Peles Castle - Back to Bucharest

Black Church (Biserica Neagra) - In the medieval town of Brasov, nestled in the Carpathian Mountains, a walking tour of the Old Town reveals the Black Church, Old Town square, and medieval city walls. Visitors can enjoy the charming atmosphere in Brasov’s many cafés.

Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle) - Bran Castle, steeped in myth and history, is believed to have inspired Bram Stoker’s fictional Dracula’s castle. Outside, visitors can sample traditional foods like handmade cheeses, pálinka, and locally-produced ham and sausages.

Peles Castle - Peles Castle, a stunning royal summer residence, is one of Romania’s and Europe’s top tourist attractions. Visitors flock to admire its beauty and, for a few hours, feel like royalty.

• Private transportation by car or minibus exclusively for your group
• Dedicated, licensed English-speaking guide/driver for the entire tour
• Hotel recommendations tailored to your budget
• Free Wi-Fi in a comfortable vehicle
• Inclusive of guide’s accommodation, meals, and entrance fees
• All vehicle-related costs covered, including gas, parking, and tolls
• Flexible itinerary with the option to modify daily plans during the tour

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

Embark on an unforgettable 8-day journey through Romania, where an array of sensory delights awaits. We will explore medieval heritage sites, immerse ourselves in the untamed wilderness of dense forests, enjoy the vibrant wildflowers, and breathe in the refreshing mountain air (during appropriate seasons). The tour also includes visits to contemporary displays and savors the traditional Romanian cuisine, infused with exotic herbs and spices in each historical town we stop by.

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