Tour Highlights

Sibiu

Is probably the most charming among the Transylvanian cities, designated as European Cultural Capital in 2007 for its great architectural heritage and cultural activity.

Called Hermanstadt by its Saxon founders, Sibiu remains the most important center of the German minority in Romania and still holds an intense Germanic feeling.

Stroll along its medieval streets to discover The Stairway Passage, The Evangelic Church, the bastions, the famous Liar’s Bridge or the nice colored roofs. Sibiu is proud to still have the best preserved line of medieval defensive walls of all seven Transylvanian cities founded by the Saxon colonists. Spend some time on one of its old taverns in the Small Squares.

Cluj-Napoca

Nicknamed “The Heart of Transylvania” or “The Treasure City”, Cluj is the traditional capital of Transylvania. With a rich and long history, going back to the Roman times, the city combines Romanian, Hungarian and a few German elements, shaping the town's multicultural character. Medieval traces are few, as the city prides itself with an impressive baroque and neoclassical architecture.

Standing out these past years due to its remarkable booming economy, as the second largest financial center of the country, the city also has an abundant cultural life, while the 11 universities make it the city with the highest percentage of college students in Romania.

A pleasant walking tour in the central area will take you to: The Franciscan Church, Matei Corvin’s native house, St Michael’s Church – second largest gothic church in Romania, The Art Museum, or to Matias Corvin’s equestrian statue - a real landmark of Cluj. You can also take a romantic walk along Kogalniceanu Street to reach the Reformed Cathedral, The Tailor’s Bastion, or the “Babes-Bolyai“ University – largest one in Romania.

Rich in superlatives, Cluj is also home to the Botanical Garden, one of the largest in Eastern Europe and to TIFF (Transylvania International Film Festival ), most important international film festival in Romania.

Maramures

Land of an ancient civilization, Maramures is an unique and still traditional region to fall in love with. You’ll be impressed by its woodwork masterpieces: intricately carved gates or ancient watermills, old wooden churches known worldwide and part of the UNESCO Heritage List: Ieud, Bogdan Voda, Rozavlea, or Surdesti - known as the tallest old wooden structure in Europe.

Visit the unique “Merry Cemetery” in Sapanta, with funny poems about the deceased on wooden gravestones or The Memorial Museum in Sighet, dedicated to the victims of the communist regime.

Life around here still revolves around the village’s church, connected to old believes and rituals… On Sundays, people still wear their traditional clothing and play music specific to this region.You will feel special when you’ll be welcomed with open arms by the friendly and hospitable locals, in their own peasant homes.

Maramures begins to change under the pressure of the modern world, so in a few years everything here will be different. This might be the last chance to discover a place unique in Europe.

Bucovina

Bucovina is a rural paradise, rich in traditions and filled with an abundance of stunning UNESCO sites. This is a wonderful journey into the land of the worldwide famous painted monasteries. Built in the XV and XVI centuries, each is adorned with magnificent frescoes of religious inspiration and features a different dominant color: visit Humor Monastery with its incredible frescoes from XVI century, Voronet Monastery (called “The Sistine Chapel of the Orient”), discover Marginea, largest black pottery center in the country, then other two sites of this little piece of heaven: the Monasteries of Sucevita and Moldovita.

Drive through picturesque villages, enjoy the traditional markets (carpets, embroidery, traditional clothing or painted eggs) or delight your senses with the famous Moldavian traditional cuisine.

Sighisoara

Is one of the most beautiful and best preserved inhabited citadels of Europe, part of the UNESCO list.

Start exploring the fascinating little town, discover the story of Vlad the Impaler, know as Dracula, right in front of his native house, stroll along the old narrow streets and climb up in the Clock Tower for a beautiful panorama of the whole city. Climb the stairs of the 17th century Pupil’s Covered Stairway or learn about Sighisoara’s many towers and guilds. Shop for medieval souvenirs in one of its many shops or just relax on a terrace in the old, lovely square.

Saxon Land – Prejmer

There is no other place in the world that concentrates in such a small area, so many well preserved fortified churches, testimonials of the Saxon colonization.

Visit at least one of them, the XIV century fortified church in Prejmer, the biggest and best preserved Saxon fortification in Eastern Europe, included on the UNESCO lists as exceptional work of architecture and clever defensive systems. Don’t be surprised to hear it was attacked over 50 times and never conquered.

Brasov

Placed at the foot of Tampa Peak, Brasov is a medieval city that will enchant you. Top tourist destination in Romania, Brasov is famous for its medieval architecture, animated lifestyle, restaurants and clubs, while being the starting point for hiking or short trips to the mountains.

Visit the beautiful main square and the The Black Church - largest gothic church in Romania, The Rope Street - considered the narrowest in Europe, the defensive walls with its towers and bastions and discover the narrow curving streets in the old quarter of Schei. Take the cable to Tampa Peak and enjoy some of the best views in Romania, the panorama of the city and of the whole Barsa Land around it.

Saxon Land – Bran Castle

This imposing medieval customs fortification, perched on top of a high rock, was made famous by the movies made after the legend of Dracula. Top destination for curious tourists in search of mystery, the castle offers an amazing labyrinth of small rooms, stairways and secret passages, great views from its small windows and terraces, but also romantic stories about its most beautiful owner, Queen Mary of Romania.

Peles Castle

In the elegant mountain resort of Sinaia, with spectacular surroundings and rich history, you will visit Peles Castle. Considered Eastern Europe’s best preserved castle, and also the most beautiful one, it is the former summer residence of the Romanian royal family.

Built in 1875 in the New Renaissance style, it will make you fall in love with its beautiful location, romantic architecture of German inspiration, charming terraces, sumptuously decorated rooms, or, with the stories about the royal family.

Bucharest

Founded in 1459 by Vlad the Impaler ( Dracula ), Bucharest, the largest city in Romania, is now a bustling, modern capital, combining “the old and the new”. History meets modern-steel and glass buildings alongside a rich, centuries old cultural life, world class museums, Communist-era testimonials, but also some of the best restaurants in the country.

A great way to start, is by taking the walking tour of the historical district, an opportunity to visit The Old Princely Court and feel the charm of the streets and buildings of what was called “Little Paris” in the XIX century.

You don't want to miss Lipscani Street, the first commercial and handicraft street of Bucharest, then, visit the Art Museum in the Royal Palace or the elegant Athenaeum, a real emblem of the city .

On your way there, you’ll pass by the Arch of Triumph or by the enormous Palace of Parliament, the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon. Built in the 1980s and hideously expensive, while Romanian people were starving, it is a memorial to Ceausescu’s ideals and to Communism.