Itinerary
- Day 1
Timisoara
Your hotel pickup happens around 9:00 a.m. for the drive into Romania where you'll connect with your local guide. Timisoara is where you'll spend the day, walking through its Turkish, Serbian, Austrian and German architecture. The city's set to become European Capital of Culture in 2021, so there's quite a bit to take in. You'll stay overnight in a 4-star hotel.
Optional Activities
- Explore Timisoara's architectural features
Landmarks Timisoara - Day 2
Alba Iulia - Sibiu
After breakfast, you're heading to Corvin Castle, one of the most beautiful gothic castles in Eastern Europe with its impressive medieval structure. From there, continue to Alba Iulia, which holds real historical weight as the birthplace of Great United Romania on December 1st, 1918. By evening you'll reach Sibiu, the 2007 European Capital of Culture. There's the Clock Tower to see, plus the Brukenthal Museum and historic squares like Huet Square with its Evangelical Cathedral. A 3-star hotel is your base for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Corvin Castle
- Visit Alba Iulia
- Explore Sibiu including Tower of the Clock, Brukenthal museum, and historic squares
Landmarks Corvin Castle Alba Iulia Tower of the Clock (Council Tower) Brukenthal Museum Huet Square Evangelical Cathedral 
- Day 3
Targu Mures - Bistrita
This morning starts with breakfast before heading to Sighisoara, Europe's best-preserved inhabited citadel and a UNESCO site since 1999. You'll climb the famous wooden schoolchildren's ladder staircase up to the church, check out the statue of Petofi Sandor, and see both the Catholic church and the shoemakers' tower. Later you'll go to Targu Mures to see its baroque Palace of Culture. By evening you're in Bistrita viewing the 14th-century Gothic Lutheran church with Renaissance details. You'll stay in a 3-star hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Sighisoara citadel
- Climb schoolchildren's ladder to church on the hill
- Explore Sighisoara's historic sites including statue of Petofi Sandor, Catholic church, and shoemakers' tower
- Visit Targu Mures and Palace of Culture
- See Lutheran church in Bistrita
Optional Activities
- Lunch at the house where Vlad the Impaler was born
Landmarks Sighisoara Citadel Church on the Hill Vlad the Impaler Birthplace Catholic Church Tower of the Shoemakers Palace of Culture Lutheran Church 
- Day 4
Bucovina Monasteries
After breakfast you're heading north to Bucovina, a beech forest region in North Moldavia. Three painted monasteries are on your list: Moldovita, Sucevita, and Voronet. All three are UNESCO World Heritage sites, and Voronet's particularly known for its distinctive blue paint formula and the Last Judgement fresco. You'll overnight in a 4-star hotel in either Radauti or Gura Humorului.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Moldovita Monastery
- Visit Sucevita Monastery
- Visit Voronet Monastery
Landmarks Moldovita Monastery Sucevita Monastery Voronet Monastery 
- Day 5
Red Lake - Miercurea Ciuc
After breakfast you're traveling toward the Bicaz Gorges. First stop is Piatra Neamt to see the 15th-century citadel founded by Stephen the Great and an 18th-century synagogue. At the Bicaz Gorges itself, steep cliffs flank a stream and there's a market for local handicrafts. The Red Lake comes next, a natural barrier lake formed by landslide with tree trunks still visible in the water. Mountain roads through the Carpathians take you to Miercurea Ciuc, nicknamed 'Romania's Siberia' for its cold climate. A 3-star hotel is where you'll rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stop in Piatra Neamt to see the citadel and synagogue
- Visit Bicaz Gorges
- Visit Red Lake
Landmarks Piatra Neamt Citadel Piatra Neamt Synagogue Bicaz Gorges Red Lake - Day 6
Bran Castle - Sinaia
After breakfast you're off to Brasov, a fortified Transylvanian town showing German influence with Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture mixed together. You'll see the First Romanian School in the historic Schei district and the medieval city gates. The Black Church is next, the largest evangelical Gothic church in Eastern Europe with a 65-meter bell tower and Romania's finest 19th-century mechanical organ. The restored historic center with Council Square and the pedestrian Avenue of the Republic are worth your time. From there it's to nearby Bran Castle, famous as Dracula's Castle, originally a medieval fortress transformed by Queen Maria. You'll arrive in Sinaia by evening, called the 'pearl of the Carpathians,' staying in a 4-star hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit First Romanian School
- Visit Black Church
- Explore Brasov historic center including Council Square and Avenue of the Republic
- Visit Bran Castle
Landmarks First Romanian School Schei District Catherine's Gate Schei Gate Black Church Council Square Avenue of the Republic Bran Castle 
- Day 7
Bucharest
After breakfast you're visiting Peles Castle, considered one of Europe's most beautiful castles and an eclectic architecture masterpiece. Inside you'll see neo-German Renaissance style rooms, Murano glass chandeliers, fine wood carvings, and leather-paneled walls. It was the first of its kind to have central heating and an elevator, plus Romania's first cinema screening happened here. The Florentine room has a nice Italian Renaissance feel. From there you'll head to Bucharest for a panoramic tour hitting the Triumph Arch, Atheneum, Revolution Square, and Parliament Palace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Peles Castle
- Panoramic tour of Bucharest including Triumph Arch, Atheneum, Revolution Square, and Parliament Palace
Landmarks Peles Castle Triumph Arch Atheneum Revolution Square Parliament Palace 
