Highlights of Romania

Overview

From Cluj-Napoca to Bucharest, explore several regions and uncover age-old traditions, history and culture

Immerse yourself in Romanian life, sample traditional food and meet craftsmen still mastering ancient techniques. This tour starts in the buzzy city of Cluj-Napoca in northern Romania. We then head north to the Maramures region where old traditions are still part of daily life and wooden churches are scattered throughout. We then journey south, discovering the fascinating towns and villages in Transylvania, including the Unesco-listed Sighisoara, Sibiu and Viscri. The tour ends in Bucharest, the capital city, a fitting final destination of this trip.

Highlights

Experience local life in Romanian villages and visit craftsmen
Discover the beautiful landscapes of the Carpathian Mountains
Uncover medieval heritage; visit the Unesco sites of Sighisoara, Sibiu and Viscri

Key Information

Accommodation: 9 Classic nights (4 hotel, 5 guesthouse)
Travel by air-conditioned bus/minibus
Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

Included

All breakfasts, five picnic lunches and six dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Group arrival and departure transfers available

Not included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

Itinerary

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Day 1: Adventure starts in Cluj-Napoca
Our adventure begins in Cluj-Napoca, one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in Romania. During the dualist Austro-Hungarian period, Cluj experienced significant urban development with strong Western influences. This is visible in the city architecture, which is very different from Bucharest. Say bună ziua (hello) to your leader and fellow travellers around 6pm, where we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventure ahead. Your leader will ensure a big welcome by arranging a group dinner for us all. Want to explore further? Additional pre-tour hotel nights are bookable through your sales representative. Accommodation: Hotel
Day 2: Travel north to the Maramures region
This morning, we leave Cluj and head to Maramures. On our way, we stop for lunch in Breb, a village laid out in a natural amphitheatre. It’s surrounded by the Rooster’s Ridge, the last (and most spectacular) remnant of a volcanic crater that erupted 9m years ago. In Breb, old traditions are highly respected and preserved, so a short stroll reveals beautiful wooden gates carved and decorated by local craftsmen and traditional old houses, one with links to King Charles III. In the afternoon, we visit Desesti Church, the only old wooden church on the Unesco World Heritage list that is still open for the religious services of the local communities. This evening, we stay at a guesthouse in the rural village of Botiza. Before we dine, we have a weaving demonstration from a local artisan. You may notice a few recurrent symbols, such as the rope of life, the sun, vegetal motifs and folk dances. All have a deeply symbolic for the villagers, representing daily chores, religion, ancestral beliefs and even death. Accommodation: Local guesthouse
Day 3: Visit the ancient capital of Maramures and Barsana Monastery
We continue discovering the Maramures region, starting at the Merry Cemetery. Here, more than 800 beautifully carved wooden crosses displaying bright, cheery paintings and annotated with limericks reveal the stories of almost everyone who has died in the town of Săpânţa. We continue with the Memorial of the Communism victims in Sighetu Marmatiei, the ancient capital of Maramures. We visit a museum in a former political prison, which provides a sobering testimony of the dark years in Romania. This afternoon, we visit the incredible Barsana Monastery, one of the greatest masterpieces of Maramures crafts. Accommodation: Local guesthouse
Day 4: Visit the medieval town of Sighisoara
Before leaving Maramures, we have a last stop here to discover more of the local artisans. We then leave Maramures and head south to the medieval town on Sighisoara. Halfway, we stop in Transylvania – which has been nicknamed the new Tuscany – to delve into the local wine industry with a tasting. After, we continue our journey to Sighisoara. This medieval citadel, one of the best-preserved in Europe, will give you the feeling of travelling back in time, as you walk through the narrow, cobbled streets. This fortified town is characterised by the presence of towers that were formerly managed by the congregations of artisans; the Tailor’s Tower is a real wonder of medieval architecture. Accommodation: Hotel
Day 5: Discover Transylvania; overnight in Sibiu
Today we drive into the heart of Transylvania with its fortified churches. From the top of the towers, we have beautiful views of the countryside and colourful, traditional houses. We drive through the Unesco-listed Biertan, a Saxon village with a double-wall fortification. We enjoy lunch with a family. In the evening, we arrive in Sibiu, a medieval city outstandingly well preserved and restored. It was elected the European Capital of Culture in 2007, due to its unique architectural style and atmosphere. Accommodation: Hotel
Day 6: Drive to Viscri via Carta and Lisa
We continue driving through the foot of the highest peaks in Romania, the Fagaras Mountains. On our way, we visit the impressive ruins of a centuries-old Franciscan monastery in Carta. We continue to the Valtori complex in the village of Lisa, a wool-processing workshop powered by hydraulic energy, a technique passed down for generations. At lunch, we will be delighted by a simple meal with a local family. In the evening, we arrive in the secluded village of Viscri. Our last activity of the day is visiting the tiny fortified church here, a pearl of Transylvania, which was restored with the help of The Prince’s Foundation, founded by King Charles III. In your free time, you can also visit the property of the King, a traditional old house transformed into a museum. Accommodation: Local guesthouse
Day 7: Walk through Viscri; continue to Brasov
In the morning, we walk through the village, visiting a blacksmith along the way. Leaving Viscri, we go to Brasov. This city (Kronstadt in German) was founded in 1211 when Teutonic Knights were sent here by Andrew II of Hungary to fortify the border. The city has a rich Saxon, Hungarian and Romanian heritage, manifested in a lot of sights worth visiting: the White and the Black Towers, the Council House, St Nicholas Church, the first Romanian school, narrow streets and coloured houses, all very well preserved within the old city walls and towers. This evening, we stay in the small village of Magura and enjoy dinner at the local guesthouse where we also spend the night. Accommodation: Local guesthouse
Day 8: Explore Dracula’s castle; continue to Rasnov
Today, we visit Bran Castle, better known as Dracula’s Castle. For many years, it was home to Queen Marie of Romania, Queen Victoria’s granddaughter. We have a lunch of delicious traditional dishes in the yard of a fortified church and end the day with a great dinner and a campfire, if weather allows us. In the afternoon, we have free time to stroll Magura village with its amazing views. Optional: Those interested can do bear watching with specialised guides in bear hides. Available upon request at a separate cost. We can guarantee the availability only at the moment of the request, better to book before arrival in Romania. Accommodation: Local guesthouse
Day 9: Arrive in Bucharest stopping at Peles Castle en route
Today we head to the capital of Romania, Bucharest. On our way, we stop at Peles Castle, the former residence of the Romanian royals and an architectural highlight. We then continue our drive to discover the Romanian capital. Sometimes known as the Paris of the East with a mix of 18th- and 19th-century buildings, socialist blocks and modern buildings. We will arrive in Bucharest in the middle of the afternoon, or a bit later according to the traffic into Bucharest. On the way to the hotel we will stop to see from outside the gigantic Palace of Parliament, the biggest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon. After checking in, we say goodbye to our local guide. For a deeper dip in the history of Bucharest booking post-tour accommodation is recommended. Accommodation: Hotel
Day 10: Adventure ends in Bucharest
After breakfast, we begin our return journeys home. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative to add more nights to your trip and extend your time in Bucharest.

Important Information

The trip destination

Accommodation: 9 Classic nights (4 hotel, 5 guesthouse)
Travel by air-conditioned bus/minibus
Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

Food

All breakfasts, five light lunches and six dinners are included. We indulge in fantastic home-cooked meals on this trip as we spend most nights staying with local families and in guesthouses. Breakfasts consist of homemade bread and cheeses plus a selection of locally sourced meats, salad and tea/coffee. The light lunches are prepared by guesthouses. Some days we have traditional vegetable soup for lunch with homemade crème fraiche and bread. Dinners are usually two or three courses, centred around pork or chicken. Lots of guesthouses will prepare sarmale cu mamaliguta, a traditional Romanian dish of minced pork wrapped in pickled cabbage leaves and served with polenta and a chilli. It’s not all about the food though; every household makes their own tuica (pronounced tsweeka), a spirit usually made from plums and flavoured with herbs from their garden or the surrounding area. This is usually drunk while being welcomed into the house and after dinner.

Weather

Spring: Cool mornings and evenings, warm in the daytime. Pack some warm and waterproof clothes if travelling as showers cannot be ruled out and can last all day. Daytime temperatures of 7C-17C (45F-63F).

Summer: Warm with longer daylight hours; maximum temperatures of 35C (95F) and an average of 23C (73F) in the lower areas.

Autumn: Normally cool and dry. Temperatures of 10C-20C (50F-68F) though we recommend packing some warm layers for early mornings and evenings plus waterproofs as showers cannot be ruled out.

Is this trip for you?

This trip is graded Activity Level 1 (Easy).For more information on our trip gradings please visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

This itinerary includes the main highlights of Romania plus some well-kept secrets that provide true insight into the local culture. There will be some long drives (maximum five hours per day) on winding roads through varying scenery. All hotels are equivalent to two- and three-star accommodation yet the standard may vary depending on location. In some of the more rural villages, we stay in locally run guesthouses, some of the facilities are basic, but the warm hospitality more than makes up for this.

sdsd AVAILABLE DATES	PRICE (1 ADULT)	PRICE (1 CHILDREN)	Single room supplement	TRAVEL STATUS
Sat, 16 May 2026 / Mon, 25 May 2026	NOK 34 935 NOK 33 190	On request	NOK 5 915	Available
Sat, 27 Jun 2026 / Mon, 06 Jul 2026	NOK 34 935	On request	NOK 5 915	Available
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 / Mon, 13 Jul 2026	NOK 34 935	On request	NOK 5 915	Available
Sat, 29 Aug 2026 / Mon, 07 Sep 2026	NOK 36 280 NOK 29 020	On request	NOK 5 915	Available
Sat, 12 Sep 2026 / Mon, 21 Sep 2026	NOK 34 935 NOK 33 190	On request	NOK 5 915	Available
Sat, 15 May 2027 / Mon, 24 May 2027	NOK 36 280	On request	NOK 6 250	Available
Sat, 12 Jun 2027 / Mon, 21 Jun 2027	NOK 36 280	On request	NOK 6 250	Available
Sat, 03 Jul 2027 / Mon, 12 Jul 2027	NOK 36 280	On request	NOK 6 250	Available
Sat, 28 Aug 2027 / Mon, 06 Sep 2027	NOK 36 280	On request	NOK 6 250	Available
Sat, 11 Sep 2027 / Mon, 20 Sep 2027	NOK 36 280	On request	NOK 6 250	Available

AVAILABLE DATES	PRICE (1 ADULT)	PRICE (1 CHILDREN)	SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT	TRAVEL STATUS
Sat, 16 May 2026 / Mon, 25 May 2026	NOK 34 935 NOK 33 190	On request	NOK 5 915	On request
Sat, 27 Jun 2026 / Mon, 06 Jul 2026	NOK 34 935	On request	NOK 5 915	On request
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 / Mon, 13 Jul 2026	NOK 34 935	On request	NOK 5 915	On request
Sat, 29 Aug 2026 / Mon, 07 Sep 2026	NOK 36 280 NOK 29 020	On request	NOK 5 915	On request
Sat, 12 Sep 2026 / Mon, 21 Sep 2026	NOK 34 935 NOK 33 190	On request	NOK 5 915	On request
Sat, 15 May 2027 / Mon, 24 May 2027	NOK 36 280	On request	NOK 6 250	On request
Sat, 12 Jun 2027 / Mon, 21 Jun 2027	NOK 36 280	On request	NOK 6 250	On request
Sat, 03 Jul 2027 / Mon, 12 Jul 2027	NOK 36 280	On request	NOK 6 250	On request
Sat, 28 Aug 2027 / Mon, 06 Sep 2027	NOK 36 280	On request	NOK 6 250	On request
Sat, 11 Sep 2027 / Mon, 20 Sep 2027	NOK 36 280	On request	NOK 6 250	On request

Highlights of Romania

Overview

Itinerary

Photos

Important Information

Prices / Dates