Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest
You'll arrive in Bucharest and meet the group at the hotel. From there, head into Old Town to wander around the Belle Époque buildings and narrow cobblestone streets. Dinner with your fellow travelers gives you a chance to get to know everyone as the trip kicks off.
- Meals
- Dinner
Landmarks Old Town Bucharest - Day 2
Bucharest to Brasov
You'll drive through the Prahova Valley into the Bucegi Mountains, passing through centuries-old fir forests. Stop in Sinaia for lunch at this mountain resort, then head to Pele?ș Castle to walk through the neo-Renaissance gardens and climb the panoramic lookout tower. By evening you'll reach Brasov with free time to explore the medieval city on your own. The Black Church with its Gothic architecture is worth seeing if you're interested, and you might try local dishes like ciorbă de vacuță and bulz at one of the regional restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Entrance to Peleș Castle
Optional Activities
- Visit Black Church in Brasov
- Dinner at local restaurant in Brasov
Landmarks Peleș Castle Black Church Bucegi Mountains Prahova Valley 
- Day 3
Brasov
Start the day at Bran Castle, the fortress perched on a cliff that sits high in the Carpathians. You'll move through the narrow passageways and see historical artifacts from its Saxon origins. On the way back to Brasov, stop at a local brandy distillery in Rasnov where you can learn about traditional distilling and sample five different varieties. Back in Brasov for the evening, you'll have free time. The Tampa Cable Car ride offers nice panoramic views over the city if you want that optional activity.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Bran Castle with local guide
- Brandy tasting in Rasnov with distillery visit
Optional Activities
- Tampa Cable Car ride in Brasov for views over the city
Landmarks Bran Castle Carpathian Mountains Tampa Cable Car 
- Day 4
Brasov - Viscri - Sighisoara
Head to Viscri, a Saxon settlement that feels like it stopped in time with its terracotta roofs and rustic character. A local translator will walk you through the village, showing you the fortified church and taking you to meet a blacksmith working in their home workshop. You'll have a home-cooked family-style lunch made with fresh vegetables from the host's garden. Later you'll travel to Sighisoara, the medieval city founded by Transylvanian Saxons. The evening is free to explore the Old Town and find dinner near your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Home-cooked, family-style meal in Viscri with fresh vegetables from the host's garden)
Included Activities
- Welcome walk of Viscri with local guide and translator
- Visit a local blacksmith in their home (including translator)
Optional Activities
- Dinner at authentic restaurant in Sighisoara Old Town
Landmarks Viscri Fortified Church Sighisoara Old Town 
- Day 5
Sighisoara
This morning includes a guided walk through Sighisoara's fortified Old Town, where you'll see the Clock Tower with its colorful tiles, the Dominican Monastery Church with Gothic windows, and the pastel houses lining the streets. You can also visit the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the 13th-century ruler. After lunch at a cosy restaurant, head to Corund village for a pottery-making class where a local expert teaches you traditional ceramic techniques and wheel throwing. You'll return to Sighisoara with the evening free to find hole-in-the-wall restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional lunch at cosy, chalet-style restaurant)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Sighisoara with local guide
- Pottery-making class in Corund
Optional Activities
- Dinner at hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Sighisoara
Landmarks Clock Tower Church of the Dominican Monastery Vlad the Impaler Birthplace Corund - Day 6
Sighisoara - Biertan - Sibiu
Begin at Biertan to see its Gothic fortified church dominating the village and protecting this Transylvanian Plateau settlement. Continue west to Sibiu, a walled medieval city known for its Germanic architecture and the eye-shaped dormer windows that give it the nickname 'The City With Eyes.' An orientation walk gets you started, then you'll explore at your own pace. Consider the Bridge of Lies, the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, or the ASTRA Museum if you want guided options. Spend your evening people-watching with drinks or ice cream around town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Entrance to Biertan Church
Optional Activities
- Bridge of Lies in Sibiu
- Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral in Sibiu
- ASTRA Museum in Sibiu
- Drinks and ice cream in Sibiu town center
Landmarks Biertan Fortified Church Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral Bridge of Lies ASTRA Museum Carpathian Mountains 
- Day 7
Sibiu
After a relaxed morning, head to Sibiel village for a Romanian cooking class. You'll learn to make authentic goulash from a local host using fresh vegetables from their garden, and eat it for lunch. This teaches you traditional cooking techniques and you might hand-pick vegetables yourself if that's available. You'll return to Sibiu for your final evening, trying pine tree liquor and pălinka (fruity brandy) before settling in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Home-cooked goulash prepared with fresh vegetables from host's garden)
Included Activities
- Goulash-making class in Sibiel with lunch
Optional Activities
- Pine tree liquor and pálinka tasting
Landmarks Sibiel - Day 8
Sibiu to Ramnicu Valcea
Travel along the Transalpina route through the Carpathian Mountains on winding roads across valleys and plateaus. You'll spot Oașa Lake shining like sapphires surrounded by pine forests. Stop at Cozia Monastery, a 14th-century active Romanian Orthodox site on the River Olt banks with Byzantine-style brick and stone, mint green copper domes, and ancient frescoes. Check into your Ramnicu Valcea hotel and catch the sunset over the Făgărășs mountains from the rooftop terrace. The day ends with a group dinner at the hotel featuring award-winning dishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Group dinner at hotel with award-winning dishes)
Included Activities
- Entrance to Cozia Monastery
Landmarks Cozia Monastery Oașa Lake Carpathian Mountains Făgărăș Mountains River Olt 
- Day 9
Ramnicu Valcea to Bucharest
Head back to Bucharest on a scenic drive through pine forests, mountain ridges, and small villages spread across the countryside. This is your last day traveling through Romania, so you'll have time to think back on the nine days and all the different places you've seen.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Bucharest
