Itinerary
Day 1 / BUCHAREST ARRIVAL
Meet your guide at the airport in Bucharest and transfer to the GRAND CONTINENTAL HOTEL 5*
Enjoy some leisure time at the hotel and dinner on your own, for which we have a very nice recommendation:
the oldest surviving restaurant in Bucharest: CARU’ CU BERE (The Beer Wagon), which offers also different shows each night (reservations upon request).
The restaurant was established in 1879 in Calea Victoriei Street by Ion Carabasanu, a former Romanian army volunteer, coming from Transylvania. The building and the establishment became famous in the commercial field of Bucharest, at the beginning of the 1900’s, when the owner, received the military decorations of the Order of the Romanian Crown and of the Order of the Star of Romania. Today, the restaurant is as loved as it was when it first opened. The restaurant is a relaxing 10 minutes’ walk from to the hotel.
Meal plan: no meals included on this day
Day 2 / BUCHAREST – MUD VOLCANOES – GURA SIRIULUI
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from the hotel and head to Buzau county to admire a rare phenomenon of nature: The Active Mud Volcanoes, which make for one of the most interesting natural phenomenons and reservations in Europe. Prepare yourself to be charmed by a lunar landscape, as soon as you reach the reservation. The craters stretch to heights of 6 meters and no vegetation can be found around them. Not all the cones are active, but for the ones that are the eruptions are slow and permanent, modifying permanently the terrain. The active cones are smaller in size, reaching 3 meters heights, while the inactive ones are even 8 meters high.
Lunch on your own.
After lunch, we leave Berca and head to the luxury guesthouse HADAR CHALET in Gura Siriului, where you will be accommodated for the night and where you will also enjoy a delicious dinner.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 / GURA SIRIULUI – BRASOV
Today you will have breakfast at the hotel and then head to one of the most beautiful cities in Romania: Brasov.
The city is nestled between the peaks of the Carpathian Mountains and boasts an impressive mix of gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture. It was founded in 1211, by the Teutonic Knights, later on settled by the Saxons, that turned it into a walled citadel and developed it to become one of the richest towns in Transylvania.
In Brasov you will have a pedestrian guided tour of the city and you will visit the Black Church. Build in the XIV century the church is the most representative historical monument in the city. You will continue the tour, visiting the First Romanian School and one of the narrowest streets in Europe – String’s Street.
Lunch & dinner on your own.
After the tour you will check in at the ARO PALACE 5* hotel.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 4 / POIANA BRASOV – ZARNESTI – BRAN – BRASOV
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will embark on a 4x4 adventure, in which you will visit the Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Zarnesti. Built in 1998, by Cristina Lapis, a nature and wildlife lover, as a safe haven for bears that were exploited by the locals and kept in small cages, the Libearty Bear Sanctuary is today home to more than 70 rescued bears that are being cared for. Here the bears climb trees, swim in the pools and can enjoy their new life on a private owned estate that measure over 70 hectares of oak and hazel forest in the Carpathian Mountains above the Transylvanian town of Zarnesti.
Continuing the 4x4 tour route you will experience first-hand the majestic mountain area of central Romania as you will pass through some remote villages and you will take in all the natural beauty that is surrounding this area.
Lunch on your own. After lunch you will visit one of the most iconic castles of Romania, known as Dracula’s Castle - Bran. Bram Stoker’s character Dracula is often confused with Vlad the Impaler who was a very cruel Romanian Prince with a castle located high above a valley perched on a rock with a flowing river below in the Principality of Transylvania. A description perfectly fit for Bran Castle, a fortress built in the year 1211 by the Teutonic Knights –a catholic religious order formed in Palestine during the late twelfth century by German crusaders. Late in the afternoon you will arrive back to Brasov.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 5 / BRASOV – HOGHIZ – RACOS - MICLOSOARA
After enjoying a delicious breakfast at the hotel you will head for Hoghiz, to admire the basalt micro- canyon. This is a protected geological area, considered by the geologist a scientific heritage. Here during long years, the waters of the river Hoghiz shaped the basalt forms which in term where created by volcanic eruptions.
After the visit you will arrive in Racos where you will see the Basalt Columns, a rare Nature’s phenomenon and the Emerald Lake, formed inside the crater of an abandoned rock quarry.
Lunch on your own. Next you will continue to the guesthouse known as the PRINCIARY TRANSYLVANIA CASTLE, and its name it is not just a matter of speech as the estate is the property of Count Kalnoky, and it is situated on the administrative domain of Prince Charles of Wales.
Transylvania has for centuries been associated with a blood- sucking royal that had an appetite for impaling his enemies, all while living in a luxurious castle. Nowadays Prince Charles has change the story into a tale utterly different in which the preservation of the good traditions and beautiful landscape are the main characters. That is because ever since he stepped foot on this amazing lands he has been bewitched by its beauty and charm.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 / MICLOSOARA (ACTIVITIES ON THE PRINCE’S CHARLES ESTATE)
After a traditional breakfast depart in the adventures organized by the guesthouse according to the schedule in that specific day. They run one guided tour per day for every day of the week. Guest here are guided as a group and so they can enjoy the company of the other people hosted by the guesthouse, while discovering the high pastures, the village life, the horse and cart ride and many other amazing things that the place has to offer. The activities according to the day are:
Monday: Walk to the high pastures. This is a longer walk up to the pastures from where beautiful views and sceneries unfold. Picnic stop for lunch.
Tuesday: Walk to George's meadow. This walk is particularly interesting for wild flowers and ancient farming techniques. Strip farming allows to grow a great variety of different crops in small spaces on the village's south-facing slopes. Sceneries and hay-fields are magnificent. Picnic stop for lunch.
Wednesday: Horse & Cart ride to the shepherds. You will drive to the pastures where the shepherds milk the sheep at noon. Taste fresh sheep's cheese before the barbecue at lunch. On the way back you will stop at the spring and taste natural fizzy mineral water.
Thursday: Walk to the forest. This walk leads through less used tracks in the forests. Sometimes you can meet deer, boar or other inhabitants of the woods. Picnic stop for lunch.
Friday: Walk up the southern hill. This walk is shorter but a bit steeper and follows a path through a diversity of botanical habitats. It leads back to the village center. Picnic stop for lunch.
Saturday: Village Day. Discover what remains of the glass manufacture, visit the two chapels and the old fire shed, the volcanic gas exhaust, the mineral water bath, get inside the local courtyards and stables, taste the varieties of local herbal teas, etc. Lunch at the guesthouse.
Sunday: Horse & Cart ride to the charcoal burners. This is a longer ride to the outskirts of the next village, in beautiful scenery. Barbecue lunch close to the river. On the way back you can stop at the charcoal burners and invite them for a sip of your caraway brandy if there is some left after lunch.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 / MICLOSOARA (ACTIVITIES ON THE PRINCE’S CHARLES ESTATE)
In this day you will enjoy one of the activities provided by the guesthouse according to the day of the week.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 / MICLOSOARA – SASCHIZ – SIGHISOARA
After having breakfast, you will leave the beautiful Transylvania Castle and make a fist stop in Saschiz for a delicious tasting of gems and marmalades organized in a local – rural house.
Then continue to Sighisoara, the UNESCO recognized medieval citadel and have a pedestrian tour. Visit the Clock Tower and enjoy some free time in the heart of the city where narrow alleys full with souvenirs welcome guests from all over the world. Here you will meet the story of Count Dracula once again as it is said that Sighisoara is the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler.
During the 14 -16 century the city was a military and political stronghold and the Saxons who were ruling the city erected fourteen towers and five artillery bastions around the city walls in order to protect it from the Turkish raids and to store ammunition and supplies. Nowadays only nine towers and two bastions are still standing.
In the afternoon you will arrive to the hotel BINDERBUBI 5*, where you will spend the night.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 9 / / SIGHISOARA – BIERTAN – CETATEA DE BALTA – ALBA IULIA
Breakfast at the hotel and depart to Biertan, where you are in for a surprise, as you will discover the most efficient method to avoid divorce: a prison for couples, where they were forced to live together in a tight space for a limited time, sharing only one bed, one chair, one spoon and one plate. Using this method only one divorce happened here in 300 years. Continue to Cetatea de Balta where you will visit Jidvei -Bethlen Haller Castle and enjoy a delicious lunch and wine tasting.
In the afternoon you will reach Alba Iulia where you will spend the night at HOTEL MEDIEVAL 5*.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10 / ALBA IULIA - SIBIU
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will visit the Alba Iulia Citadel, which boasts fortifications in the shape of a star. The citadel has recently received the prize for the best restauration project of its kind in Europe. After the visit you will depart towards Sibiu where after a short pedestrian tour and the check in at the RAMADA HOTEL 4*, you will have some time to relax or explore on your own the city.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 11 / SIBIU
Breakfast at the hotel. In the first part of the day you will visit the Astra Village Museum. Situated on the outskirts of Sibiu this is a spectacular display of real size houses brought from all over the country and concentrated on the shores of a serene lake. Return to the hotel and free time to relax or explore on your own the city
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 12 / SIBIU – FAGARAS – PREDEAL
After breakfast, you will leave the charming city of Sibiu and make your way towards Fagaras Fortress. Here you will get to see a medieval fortress, still surrounded by a moat with its own drawbridge.
After this visit you will head to Predeal, one of the top mountain resorts in Romania, very well known for its ski slopes and for the beautiful landscape.
You will spend the night at HARMONIE COMPLEX PREDAL. If you're looking for a small, remote location with amazing views and a hot-tub or fireplace by the-window this lovely tree-houses complex is the place. The complex is composed of tree- houses and villas and it is considered to be a real home away from home for the nature lovers.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 13 / PREDEAL – SINAIA – BUCHAREST
Breakfast at the hotel. You will start your day with a visit to the impressive Peles Castle. Majestically situated on a hilltop and a landmark of Romania, this particular castle is a daily reminder of the glorious royal past of the country.
It took over 40 years and hundreds of builders and artist to create this masterpiece that can still be admired today like it once was, as there is not even a single piece of furniture or decoration missing.
Built to serve the purpose of a summer residence for the royal family, Peles is full of items such as Murano glass, carved walnut, silk rugs, and polished marble. One of the most admired places is the so called Oriental Room where we can still see today the collection of weapons of the king. After this exquisite visit you will serve lunch in a very traditional way at the restaurant CUTITUL DE ARGING – (The silver knife) where the meat is served pierced on a sword.
After lunch continue to Bucharest, where upon your arrival and check in at the hotel GRAND CONTINENTAL 5*, you will have time to relax.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 14 / BUCHAREST
After a delicious breakfast, you will dedicate this day to explore the capital city of Romania- Bucharest.
Your day will start with a panoramic tour and continue with the visit to the biggest administrative building in the world The Palace of Parliament.
Built by the former communist ruler Nicolae Ceausescu as part of his ambitious urban development, this building stands for one of the most extravagant and expensive constructions made in the last century.
After the visit you will be transferred back to the hotel where you will enjoy free time before the departure or you can chose to explore on your own the city.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Accomodation & Tarriffs
| Location | 4* Category | 5* Category |
|---|---|---|
| Bucharest | Hotel Grand Continental | |
| Gura Siriului | Hadar Chalet | |
| Brasov | Aro Palace Hotel | |
| Miclosoara | Prince's Charles Estate in Transylvania | |
| Sighisoara | Hotel Binderbubi | |
| Alba Iulia | Hotel Medieval | |
| Sibiu | Ramada Hotel | |
| Predeal | Harmonie Tree Houses Complex |
| Tarriffs | 5* Category |
|---|---|
| Total tarrif/person | 3890 euro |
Included services
- 14 nights’ accommodation at the specified hotels or similar
- Meals specified in the program
- English speaking guide throughout the tour
- All transfers and tours indicated in the outlined itinerary
- Excursions, visits and activities, according to the program
- Entrance tickets for all the mentioned visits
- Passenger welcome kit with map, suggested restaurants, gift and pick-up time
- 24-hours emergency phone numbers
- Visa assistance if required
Extra services
- Visa costs if visa is required
- Flights or other flight related costs
- Early check-in & late check-out
- Porterage (airport & hotel)
- Other meals, except for the ones specified in the program
- Additional drinks, except the ones indicated in the meal plan
- Tips for guide and driver
- Optional excursions and visits
- Personal Expenses
- Medical insurance
- Other services or expenses, except the ones mentioned in the “included” section (for example: massages, casino, telephone, internet, etc.)
Observations
- Remarks about feasibility of tours: most tours can be done also during the winter November- March (may vary in some areas), but some roads may not be accessible in that period due to heavy snow fall.
- Tariffs are subject to changes, especially if heavy fluctuation in exchange rate and/or fuel prices.
- All tours and tariffs are subject to changes in case of cancellations or overbooking of flights, changes in timetable, bad weather and road conditions, strike, , closing of sites, natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods.
- No services have been blocked for this tour. Ground services availability will be checked when we receive your enquiry. The availability will be re- confirmed, when the deposit has been made and received.
- In case of a last minute notification from the hotel, regarding the already confirmed availability, we commit ourselves to replace it with another hotel from the same category, or a superior one.
- For the transportation services, we will use cars, mini vans or buses, adequate to the number of participants.
Reservation
- The prices are valid for 2018, except legal holidays in Romania, when additional costs may apply.
- We will supply you with all the required company details, including the SWIFT code, in order to safely proceed with the payment.
- Payment will be made in Euros, to the provided bank account;
- In case of payment by credit card, the bank will perceive an extra comission of 1.6%, of the full value of the transaction.
- The payment will be made, as follows:
- For the ground services, an advance payment of 30% of the full value of the package, will be made at the moment of the reservation.
- The other 70% of the full value of the package, will be paid the latest, one month before the beginning of the services and the exact dates for the payment will be set through annexes to the contract.
- For service confirmations received 30 days before they commence, full prepayment will be made at the moment of the confirmation.
- If the client wishes to include also the flights in the present package, the price for the flights, will be paid in full, at the moment of their reservation.
- Airline companies can modify the flight’s schedule or status, according to their internal organization, without any prior notice to the travel agency. Trip Tailor cannot be made liable for any changes in the schedule of the booked flight, which falls completely in the responsibility of the airline company.
