Bucharest City Tour - Overnight in Bucharest

Palace of Parliament - During a day trip to Bucharest, explore one of the world’s most debated administrative buildings. This private tour of The Palace of Parliament, also known as the People’s House, offers insights into the dangers and destruction a totalitarian regime like communism can inflict on a nation. Standing before one of the largest buildings globally, you will feel dwarfed by the extravagant opulence and megalomania that “the sleep of reason” can produce.

Capturing a selfie up-close is challenging, as you attempt to photograph the second-largest administrative building on Earth, after the Pentagon. This experience is one to share with future generations.

Muzeul National al Satului “Dimitrie Gusti” - On this private tour, visit The Bucharest National Village Museum, where Romanian traditions are showcased. Discover how Romanian villagers created an ecological and sustainable environment in their backyards, and gain insight into their simple, modest lifestyle, living in harmony with their surroundings.

Ateneul Roman - Next, your private tour takes you to the Romanian Athenaeum, a symbol of Romanian culture and often considered emblematic of Bucharest.

It is naturally one of the most significant tourist attractions on Calea Victoriei and in Bucharest.

Piata Revolutiei - Planning a city break in Bucharest? A visit to The Revolution Square is a must. This historically significant site transports you back to when dictator Ceausescu was overthrown, leaving behind secrets of a vast fortune and controversies about the state security service and his offshore accounts.

As mentioned earlier, upon reaching the Senate Palace, you’ll see the building that once housed the Central Committee of the Romanian Communist Party, where the December 1989 Revolution began, a pivotal event that led to Ceausescu’s permanent removal from power.

Old Town - On a Bucharest day trip, experience the past through the mystery and contrasts of the Historical City Centre streets, starting with Hanul lui Manuc, a massive fortified inn that served as a cultural and economic hub. Built around 1806 by Manuc Bei, a wealthy Balkan landowner, it was a gathering place for merchants passing through Bucharest, part of the vibrant crowd that frequented the historical inn.

In this historical and cosmopolitan area, with guidance from Nicolas Experience Tours, discover popular Bucharest restaurants, museums, old and spectacular churches, and an experiential library where you can purchase books, music, and souvenirs for an unforgettable experience for you and your loved ones.

1. Curtea de Arges Monastery 2. Poenari Castle 3. Transfagarasan Highway 4. Sibiu City Tour - Overnight stay in Sibiu

Curtea de Arges Monastery - Did you know Curtea de Arges is unique for its significant royal tombs?

It is well-known that truly good, beautiful, and enduring things come only through sacrifice, evident when you visit the old town of Curtea de Arges. With a rich history, here you can see the ruins of the Wallachian princely court, the 13th-century Royal Church, and the famous Arges Monastery, a historical monument with an intriguing, yet somber story.

Poienari Castle - The ruins of Poienari Fortress stand high on a cliff overlooking the Arges River, at the base of the Carpathian Mountains. Built in the early 13th century by the first Wallachian rulers, the castle changed names and residents over the years; eventually, it was abandoned and left in ruins.

Recognizing the location’s potential, upon taking the throne, he ordered the structure’s repair and consolidation, making it one of his main fortresses. When the Turks attacked and captured the castle in 1462, Vlad escaped through a secret passageway leading north through the mountains.

Transfagarasan Highway - Spanning over 150 kilometers, the Transfagarasan Highway is Romania’s most spectacular and renowned road, gaining fame from a 2009 BBC Top Gear appearance, making it one of the country’s top tourist attractions. Open fully from June to October, the road’s highest point is at 2042 meters: the tunnel linking the northern and southern sides at Lake Balea (Balea Lac).

Big Square (Piata Mare) - In Transylvania, Sibiu is a must-visit destination with a 900-year history. A city tour reveals why Sibiu was chosen as the European Capital of Culture, including the Evangelical Cathedral, the Sibiu Old City Center, and the town itself, among Romania’s most visited tourist attractions, offering a delightful travel experience for even the most discerning tourists.

For those who love authentic cultural experiences, whether romantic or adventurous, Sibiu offers everything needed to relax, enjoy, and leave everyday stress behind for a memorable trip.

The beauty of this ancient citadel, recognized for its architecture, street layout, cultural and artistic heritage, and stunning natural scenery, is flanked by the Fagaras and Lotru mountains.

1. Corvin Castle 2. Densus Church 3. Sarmisegetusa Regia - Overnight in Sibiu

Castelul Corvinilor - Corvin Castle, also known as Hunyadi Castle or Hunedoara Castle (Romanian: Castelul Huniazilor or Castelul Corvinilor; Hungarian: Vajdahunyadi vár), is a Gothic-Renaissance castle in Hunedoara, Romania. It is one of Europe’s largest castles and is featured as one of the Seven Wonders of Romania.

Densus Church - The Densuș Church (also known as St Nicholas’ Church) in the village of Densuș, Hunedoara County, is Romania’s oldest stone church.

Built in its current form in the 13th century on a 2nd-century Roman temple site, using materials from the Dacian Sarmizegetusa fortress, it has a stone tower above the naos. Inside, 15th-century mural paintings depict Jesus in Romanian traditional attire, created by artist Ștefan. In the 18th century, more paintings were added by Simion de Pitești.

Sarmizegetusa Regia - Sarmizegetusa Regia, also known as Sarmisegetusa, Sarmisegethusa, Sarmisegethuza, Ζαρμιζεγεθούσα (Zarmizegethoúsa) or Ζερμιζεγεθούση (Zermizegethoúsē), was the Dacians’ capital and most important military, religious, and political center before the Roman Empire wars. Situated atop a 1200 m high mountain, the fortress, comprising six citadels, was the core of a strategic defensive system in the Orăștie Mountains.

1. Turda Salt Mine 2. Cluj Napoca City Tour (Botanic Garden) 3. Surdesti Wooden Church - Overnight in Sighetul Marmatiei

Salina Turda - Turda Salt Mine is likely one of the most fascinating places to visit in Transylvania. If you have the opportunity to vacation in Romania, it would be a shame not to explore one of its most beautiful sites, the Turda Salt Mine.

This location is a feast for the senses, with purifying saline air that benefits those with respiratory issues, such as allergies or asthma.

Gradina Botanica “Alexandru Borza” - Passing through Transylvania during your Romanian trip, a Cluj Napoca City Tour should be on your itinerary. Prepare your camera, as the Old City Center boasts unique historical and architectural monuments, Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic-style buildings, the oldest dating back to the 17th century, along with friendly and welcoming locals.

Not to mention the popular restaurants and delicious local cuisine, which may require a wait before you can enjoy your meal.

Surdesti Wooden Church - The warmth of wooden constructions is unmatched, and the Surdesti church offers even more. Visitors are so impressed they tip their hats – not a joke, considering the church’s tower measures an impressive 54 meters.

Imagine the craftsmanship involved in creating this 72-meter high wooden masterpiece, a challenging task even with modern technology, and when you consider it was built in 1721, you understand why it is deemed an architectural marvel.

1. Explore Maramures all day(local market) 2. Merry Cemetery 3. Sighet Memorial Museum - Overnight in Sighetul Marmatiei

Merry Cemetery - This Romanian trip promises history, culture, adventure, and fun.

The Dacians, our brave and wise ancestors who worshiped the god Zalmoxis, laughed at funerals and cried at births.

In Maramures, traces of historical continuity remain, notably in Sapanta, home to the unique Merry Cemetery.

The crosses and tombstones, each a skillful and colorful artwork, feature humorous poems about the deceased that will leave you in stitches.

Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance - To understand why Romanians fought so hard to escape communist oppression, visit the Memorial Museum for the Victims of Communism to begin comprehending the totalitarian regime’s damage and the immense pain and suffering it caused in a short time.

1. Barsana Monastery 2. Borgo Pass Road 3. Ciocanesti village - Overnight in Gura Humorului

Barsana Monastery - One of Romania’s tallest wooden churches (57m height)

Just as you feel a primordial connection with the earth when walking barefoot through grass, you will experience a spiritual connection with the sky and God upon entering the courtyard of Romania’s most beautiful wooden monastery, the Barsana Monastery.

If you think you’ve seen astonishing places before, of such divine beauty they seemed like heaven on earth, this Maramures trip might change your mind.

With its fairytale scenery and timeless history, this magical place has captivated tourists and locals for centuries.

Tihuța Pass - Tihuța Pass (Romanian: Pasul Tihuța, also called Pasul Bârgău; Hungarian: Borgói-hágó or Burgó) is a high mountain pass in the Romanian Bârgău Mountains (Eastern Carpathian Mountains) connecting Bistrița (Transylvania) with Vatra Dornei (Bukovina, Moldavia).

The pass gained fame from Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula, where it was termed “the Borgo Pass,” the gateway to Count Dracula’s realm. Stoker likely found the name on a contemporary map; he never visited the area.

Today, the pass is home to Hotel “Castel Dracula”; located at an elevation of 1,116 m (3,661 ft), the hotel was built in 1976 and adopted its current name after 1989. The hotel has become an attraction due to its medieval villa architectural style and novel connection. In 2018, the property was put up for sale.

1. Voronet Monastery 2. Humor Monastery 3. Sucevita Monastery 4. Moldovita Monastery - Overnight in Gura Humorului

Manastirea Voronet - The Voroneț Monastery is a medieval monastery in the Romanian village of Voroneț, now part of Gura Humorului. It is one of the famous painted monasteries from southern Bukovina, in Suceava County. Constructed by Stephen the Great in 1488 over 3 months and 3 weeks to commemorate the Battle of Vaslui victory, it is often called the “Sistine Chapel of the East.” The frescoes at Voroneț feature an intense shade of blue known in Romania as “Voroneț blue.”

Did you know Voronet Monastery was founded by Stephen the Great?

Dubbed the “Sistine Chapel of the East,” it attracts tens of thousands of tourists worldwide annually, with at least three unique elements making it a highlight of your Moldavia and Bucovina trip.

The most impressive aspect of the church’s artwork, both inside and outside, is the exceptional background color – the famous Voronet blue!

Humor Monastery - To understand religion’s importance to our people, tour Romania and see the numerous houses of worship built and destroyed by enemies throughout history.

Striving to protect their spiritual treasures, people erected churches away from the world, some hidden in woods, others nestled in rock caves at high altitudes.

Humor Monastery, built approximately 500 years ago, is a fortified monastery that has endured over the centuries.

After the first church here, built around 1400, was destroyed, the second one, built in 1530 with thick river rock walls, was meant to withstand time.

Sucevita Monastery - Sucevita and Voronet are two of the most beautiful Romanian monasteries, part of the international cultural and spiritual patrimony, making them essential in any trip to Romania and northern Moldavia.

Even if you haven’t read the Bible, the biblical scenes and icons painted on Sucevita Monastery’s walls provide stunning visual support in understanding Christianity’s history.

The fortified church is like an open book for anyone who enters, and seeing it in person reveals why it was included on the UNESCO World Heritage list of cultural landmarks.

Moldovita Monastery - For a spiritual journey to a place echoing with fervent prayers of hundreds of thousands who found solace here, venture through the Carpathians and Balkans to one of Romania’s oldest monastic settlements, built in 1532, home to Moldovita Monastery.

The fortified church combines Byzantine, Gothic, and Moldavian styles, but its unique mural artwork, inside and outside, truly impresses visitors.

1. Lucia Condrea - egg painted museum 2. Nicolae Popa Museum 3. Bicaz Gorges - Overnight Stay in Sighisoara

The Popa Museum - 12 kilometers from Targu Neamt, in Tarpesti, Neamt County, visit the notable Nicolae Popa Museum. Founded in the ‘70s by local sculptor Nicolae Popa in his own home.

After being wounded in World War II, imprisoned by communists for opposing the regime, and left with only his house, Nicolae Popa stood for Romanian values. Through hard work and commitment, driven by a strong artistic inclination, he became one of Romania’s most valued naive sculptors and a true folklore creator.

Bicaz Canyon - What could be more beautiful than a walk along a riverbank that has carved its way through Romania’s mountains and virgin forests?

1. Sighisoara City Tour 2. Biertan Fortified Church - Overnight stay in Brasov

Sighisoara Clock Tower - Begin the Sighisoara Old Town tour with a visit to the Clock Tower and Arms museum. To glimpse life in the Middle Ages, visit Sighisoara, Romania’s medieval town, and Count Dracula’s (Vlad the Impaler) birthplace.

Built in 1280, the Sighisoara Citadel is not only one of Romania’s most visited tourist attractions but also a living medieval fortress, inhabited for over 700 years – a rarity.

Biertan Fortified Church - The Biertan Fortified Church, a breathtaking historical monument, was one of the first Transylvanian Saxon settlements in Ardeal, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hundreds of tourists visit annually, discovering what makes this place special.

Located in a small town dating back to 1224, the church impresses with its stunning scenery and unique construction – built on a hillock in the town center, surrounded by three defensive walls and seven bastions.

1. Brasov City Tour (Black Church) 2. Bran Castle / Dracula’s Castle 3. Peles Castle - Back to Bucharest

Black Church (Biserica Neagra) - Next, explore the beautifully-preserved medieval town of Brasov, in the Carpathian Mountains’ foothills. Your guide will lead a walking tour of the Old Town, where you’ll discover the Black Church, the Old Town square, and medieval city walls. Enjoy free time to soak in the atmosphere at one of Brasov’s charming cafés.

Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle) - Bran Castle, between myth and history.

Bram Stoker’s fictional portrayal of Dracula’s castle closely matches Bran, leading many to believe he used its descriptions to create Count Dracula’s fictitious home.

Outside the castle, sample traditional foods: handmade cheeses, pálinka (plum and pear brandy), and traditionally-produced ham and sausages.

Peles Castle - Once upon a time, there was a beautiful castle…

If you plan to write memoirs or boast about seeing Europe’s most beautiful castles, the Romanian royal family’s summer residence is a top tourist attraction in Romania and Europe, and you’ll soon understand why.

Every year, thousands of notable figures and hundreds of thousands of tourists book tours of Romania for this attraction alone, to admire its beauty and, for a few hours, feel like royalty.

• Private car (Tourism or Minibus) exclusive for you and your group
• Inclusive of all entrance fees as outlined in itinerary
• Personal, licensed English-speaking guide/driver for entire tour
• Free Wi-Fi in a comfortable vehicle
• Guide’s accommodations, meals, and entrance fees covered
• Photo fee inclusion
• All vehicle-related costs covered (fuel, parking, tolls)
• Adjust the tour daily itinerary with ease even after tour commencement

• Accommodation, meals and beverages
• Entrance fees as per the itinerary

Embark on an unforgettable 10-day journey through Romania, brimming with a variety of vivid encounters, from historical landmarks to untouched nature featuring dense woods, resplendent wild blooms, and the crisp air of the mountains (during the right season). Modern exhibits and mouthwatering local cuisine seasoned with traditional herbs and spices in every medieval township we stop by, further enriches this voyage.

Experience Romania and its people in the most authentic way – A private 10-day tour through Romania with a local guide. Come along!

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.