Discover Romania & Enchanting Transylvania

Day 2 Bucharest - Mogosoaia - Sibiu

After breakfast, we’ll take to the road and make our way to Sibiu. Our first stop will be in Mogosoaia, where we’ll visit the beautiful Mogosoaia Palace. Built in the late 17th century by Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu, it now houses a museum and art gallery and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Next, we’ll head to Curtea de Arges and visit one of Romania's most important religious sights, the town’s handsome Orthodox monastery. Members of the Romanian royal family are laid to rest here and you’ll see their tombstones as you step inside the beautiful church. After some free time to relax and enjoy lunch if you wish, we’ll continue our journey to Sibiu, arriving at the hotel this evening.

Day 3 Sibiu - Sibiel

This morning we'll embark on a walking tour of Sibiu, which is as photogenic as any medieval town in Eastern Europe. We'll marvel at the 14th-century Lutheran Cathedral, home to a looming spire and Romania's largest pipe organ, and the historic Bridge of Lies. After the tour, you’ll have some free time to enjoy a bite to eat and could perhaps head to one of the inviting cafés lining the Small Square. We'll then meet a representative from the 'We Help!' charity, supported by the Travelsphere Cares initiative, and learn how they help Romania's disadvantaged children.

This evening sees us head to the mountain village of Sibiel, where we will sit down and enjoy a traditional Romanian dinner and folklore show in a family home.

Day 4 Sibiu - at Leisure

After getting your bearings on yesterday’s guided tour, today you’re free to explore more of Sibiu at leisure. Perhaps spend some time soaking up the ambience of the Upper and Lower Towns, admiring the impressive churches or learning about Romanian art at the Brukenthal Museum. You can also climb the town’s Council Tower for lovely views over the city’s rooftops.

Alternatively, we offer an optional excursion this morning that begins with a visit to Biertan, home to a looming church surrounded by defensive walls and towers. Next, we'll visit Sighisoara, the alleged birthplace of one of Transylvania's most notorious sons, Vlad the Impaler – the real-life inspiration for Dracula. We'll learn about work that’s being done to preserve and renovate the region’s historic buildings and then there’s time for lunch if you wish. We’ll set off on a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Old Town, towers and winding lanes. We’ll also ascend the 'Scholars Stairs' for spectacular, sweeping views over the city and surrounding area. Finally, on our way back to the hotel, we'll stop at a vineyard, to learn about the region’s wine-making culture and enjoy a tasting of some fine local varieties.

Day 5 Sighisoara - Brasov

Today we're heading into the countryside to learn about rural Romanian life. We begin with a visit to a local apiary to discover more about the process of making honey and sample some of the produce. In Avrig we'll relax in the gardens of the Brukenthal Summer Palace, an elegantly crumbling 19th-century mansion. Then we'll proceed to the village of Lisa to meet skilled wool weavers who make beautiful carpets using vintage machinery powered by a water mill.

Tonight, after we’ve checked in to our hotel in the medieval town of Brasov, we'll have dinner at a local restaurant that supports local producers and celebrates the traditional dishes of the region.

Day 6 Brasov - Bran Castle

This morning we'll set off to the sights of Brasov on a guided walking tour. We’ll uncover all the highlights of this historic Transylvanian town including the Black Church – an imposing building and the biggest triumph of Gothic architecture in Romania. After the tour, you’ll have some free time for lunch, so why not head to one of the inviting pavement cafés in pretty Council Square.

Our next stop is Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle after it inspired the description of Count Dracula’s home in Bram Stoker’s fictitious novel. Set in a stunning location, surrounded by mountains, this spectacular castle takes Gothic to another level with its spires and rooftops rising dramatically from the forest. It is a spectacular sight and inside, we’ll learn about the castle’s history and legends as we explore its antique-filled rooms and exhibitions. To round off our visit, we'll enjoy dinner in the castle grounds this evening – a wonderfully atmospheric experience.

Day 7 Brasov - Bucharest

We’re heading back to Bucharest today and will make our first stop at the striking Sinaia Monastery. It's named after Egypt's Mount Sinai, but with its Brâncovenesc domes and archways, this 300-year-old monastery – still home to several monks – is distinctly Romanian. Next, it's on to the magnificent Cantacuzino Castle, a masterpiece of a building in a stunning location in the Carpathian Mountains. We’ll step inside to explore opulent rooms adorned with fine paintings and carved wooden decorations.

Arriving in Bucharest in the evening, we'll enjoy a panoramic city tour, taking in iconic sights like the Arcul de Triumf and Patriarchal Cathedral, the seat of the Romanian Orthodox Church. We finish with a farewell dinner at a renowned Bucharest restaurant, that serves dishes inspired by centuries-old Romanian recipes.

Day 8 Bucharest - UK

With Romania thoroughly explored, this morning we'll take you to the airport for your flight back to the UK.