Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest to Sibiu
Starting in Bucharest, you'll head into Transylvania and stop first at Curtea de Arges to see the ornate monastery with its historic architecture. From there, continue to Poienari Fortress ruins perched dramatically on a cliff, the former stronghold where Vlad the Impaler once held power. The drive takes you up to Balea Lake at 2,200m elevation where the views stretch across the valleys below. After taking in the panorama, you'll descend toward Sibiu for the evening, exploring the medieval Old Town with its cobblestone streets and colorful buildings that line each corner.
- Start point
- Bucharest, Romania (Pickup from any hotel or address in Bucharest, 08:00 - 09:00)
Included Activities
- Explore Curtea de Arges Monastery
- Visit Poienari Fortress ruins
- Stop at Balea Lake summit
- Stroll through Sibiu Old Town
Landmarks Curtea de Arges Monastery Poienari Fortress Balea Lake Sibiu Old Town - Day 2
Sibiu
Your day starts underground at Turda Salt Mine, where you'll walk through vast chambers with intricate salt formations and atmospheric lighting throughout. The guides explain the site's history from ancient salt extraction to its current role as a popular attraction. If you're interested, Alba Iulia Citadel is an optional stop on the way. Later you'll reach Rimetea, a village with Hungarian influences where traditional houses line the streets. A hearty pot stew prepared over an open fire provides dinner and gives you a taste of countryside life in the region.
- Meals
- Dinner (Hearty pot stew prepared over an open fire, showcasing rich culinary traditions of the area)
Included Activities
- Explore Turda Salt Mine
- Visit Rimetea village
- Home-cooked pot stew dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit Alba Iulia Citadel
Landmarks Turda Salt Mine Alba Iulia Citadel Rimetea - Day 3
Sibiu to Maramures
You'll travel to Maramures and arrive in Breb, a village where daily life moves at a slower pace than most places. After settling in, a horse-drawn cart takes you through the village where you can meet locals and learn about customs and traditions they've maintained for generations. By evening, dinner features traditional Maramures cuisine made from local ingredients, and you'll spend the night in rustic guesthouses decorated with folkloric designs and patterns.
- Meals
- Dinner (Sumptuous dinner featuring traditional Maramures cuisine, crafted from locally sourced ingredients)
Included Activities
- Horse-drawn cart ride through Breb village
- Interact with local villagers
- Traditional Maramures dinner
Landmarks Breb Village 
- Day 4
Maramures
This morning you'll see villagers dressed in colorful folk costumes heading to church services throughout the community. Next, you'll visit several UNESCO-listed Wooden Churches to see the detailed carvings and vibrant frescoes that reflect Romania's cultural heritage. A home-cooked lunch with a local family lets you try traditional dishes that have been passed down for years. Later in the day, the Merry Cemetery in Sapanta shows you colorful tombstones with epitaphs that celebrate how people lived, quite different from cemetery traditions elsewhere.
- Meals
- Lunch (Home-cooked lunch with a local family, sampling traditional dishes passed down through generations)
Included Activities
- Attend Sunday church services in traditional dress
- Visit UNESCO-listed Wooden Churches
- Home-cooked lunch with local family
- Visit Merry Cemetery in Sapanta
Landmarks UNESCO-listed Wooden Churches Merry Cemetery, Sapanta 
- Day 5
Maramures to Sighisoara
The morning brings you to Barsana Monastery, a wooden structure that showcases religious artistry and architectural skill set within the landscape. After exploring there, you'll head back in time at Sighisoara Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where medieval fortifications and architecture remain well-preserved from centuries past, giving you a real sense of what life was like in those centuries.
Included Activities
- Visit Barsana Monastery
- Explore Sighisoara Citadel
Landmarks Barsana Monastery Sighisoara Citadel 
- Day 6
Sighisoara to Brasov
You'll start in Viscri, a village known for its landscapes and fortified church that once protected Saxon settlers seeking refuge. The cobblestone streets and colorful houses show the village's cultural heritage throughout every corner. From there, you head to Brasov, one of Romania's major cities located at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. Walking through the historic areas, you'll see the Black Church, Council Square, and Rope Street before checking into a boutique hotel in the medieval Old Town where you'll stay for the night.
Included Activities
- Explore Viscri village and fortified church
- Visit Brasov Black Church
- Explore Council Square
- Walk Rope Street
Landmarks Viscri Village Viscri Fortified Church Black Church, Brasov Council Square, Brasov Rope Street, Brasov 
- Day 7
Brasov
Bran Castle sits on a rocky hill with countryside views extending in every direction, and its history connects to the Dracula legend though the real story behind it is complex. After touring the castle, you'll hike around Magura, Romania's highest-altitude village, where Piatra Craiului Mountain views dominate the scenery. Later, expert wildlife guides lead you on a bear-watching experience so you can see these creatures in their natural setting, which requires patience and proper timing but offers something truly special.
Included Activities
- Visit Bran Castle
- Scenic hike around Magura village
- Bear-watching experience with expert guides
Landmarks Bran Castle Magura Village Piatra Craiului Mountains 
- Day 8
Brasov to Bucharest
Peles Castle dominates the day as you explore this royal residence set within Carpathian Mountain scenery with its fairytale appearance. Inside, the opulent interiors feature exquisite furnishings and intricate carvings throughout multiple rooms including the Music Room, Turkish Salon, and Grand Armory, each showing different aspects of Romania's royal past. After leaving the castle, a hike through the Bucegi Mountains leads you along winding trails toward the Romanian Sphinx, a natural rock formation. The rugged terrain and alpine meadows provide panoramic views of the valleys below during your walk through the wilderness.
- End point
- Bucharest, Romania (Drop off at any hotel or address in Bucharest, 18:00 - 20:00)
Included Activities
- Visit Peles Castle and explore ornate chambers
- Scenic hike through Bucegi Mountains
- Visit Romanian Sphinx rock formation
Landmarks Peles Castle Bucegi Mountains Romanian Sphinx 
