Bucharest City Tour - Overnight in Bucharest

Palace of Parliament - During a day trip in Bucharest, visitors can 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 constructions globally, visitors will feel dwarfed by the senseless opulence and megalomania that “the sleep of reason” can produce.

Capturing a selfie up-close is challenging, as you’ll be trying to fit the world’s second-largest administrative building, after the Pentagon, into your frame. This experience is one to share with future generations.

Muzeul National al Satului “Dimitrie Gusti” - On this private tour, visitors can explore The Bucharest National Village Museum, where Romanian traditions are vividly displayed. Learn about the ecological and sustainable environments Romanian villagers created in their backyards and gain insight into their simple, modest lifestyle, harmoniously coexisting with their surroundings.

Ateneul Roman - The next stop on the private tour is the Romanian Athenaeum, a symbol of Romanian culture and often considered emblematic of Bucharest itself. It’s naturally one of the most significant tourist attractions on Calea Victoriei and in Bucharest.

Being part of the European Heritage list (le Patrimoine), it holds a special place in cultural history.

Piata Revolutiei - For those planning a city-break in Bucharest, The Revolution Square is a must-visit due to its historical importance. Here, visitors can step back in time 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, visitors will see the building that once housed the Central Committee of the Romanian Communist Party, where the December 1989 Revolution began, a pivotal historical event that led to Ceausescu’s permanent removal from power.

Old Town - A day trip in Bucharest offers the chance to experience the past through a mix of mystery and contrasts in the Historical City Centre, starting with Hanul lui Manuc, a massive fortified inn that served as a cultural and economic hub in its time. 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 historic inn.

In this historical and cosmopolitan area, with guidance from Nicolas Experience Tours, visitors will find popular restaurants, museums, old and spectacular churches, and an experiential library offering books, music, and souvenirs for an unforgettable experience.

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

Curtea de Arges Monastery - Curtea de Arges is renowned for its significant royal tombs. It is well-known that truly valuable, beautiful, and enduring things often require sacrifice, a fact evident in the historic town of Curtea de Arges. Here, visitors can explore the ruins of the Wallachian princely court, the 13th-century Royal Church, and the famous Arges Monastery, a historical monument with a fascinating yet somber story.

Poienari Castle - The ruins of Poienari Fortress are perched on a cliff overlooking the Arges River, at the base of the Carpathian Mountains. Constructed in the early 13th century by the first Wallachian rulers, the castle underwent several name and resident changes over the years before being abandoned.

Recognizing the site’s potential, upon ascending the throne, Vlad ordered the structure’s repair and fortification, making it one of his primary fortresses. When the Turks attacked and captured the castle in 1462, Vlad escaped through a secret passageway leading north through the mountains.

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, featuring the Evangelical Cathedral, the Sibiu Old City Center, and the town itself, which are among Romania’s most visited tourist attractions, catering to diverse tastes and offering a delightful travel experience for even the most discerning tourists.

For those who appreciate 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.

Transfagarasan Highway - Spanning over 150 kilometers, the Transfagarasan Highway is Romania’s most spectacular and renowned road. Featured on BBC’s Top Gear in 2009, it has become one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions. Open fully from June to October, the road’s highest point is at 2042 meters, where a tunnel connects the northern and southern sides at Lake Balea (Balea Lac).

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

Biertan Fortified Church - The Biertan Fortified Church, a breathtaking historical monument, was one of the first Transylvanian Saxon settlements in Ardeal and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hundreds of tourists visit annually to discover 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.

Sighisoara Clock Tower - The tour of Sighisoara Old Town includes a visit to the Clock Tower and Arms Museum. To experience life in the Middle Ages, a visit to Sighisoara, Romania’s medieval town and Vlad the Impaler’s birthplace, is essential.
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, which is quite rare.

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

Salina Turda - The Turda Salt Mine is one of Transylvania’s most fascinating sites. A vacation in Romania would be incomplete without exploring this beautiful location.
This site is a visual and physical delight, with the purifying saline air benefiting those with respiratory issues, such as allergies or asthma.

Gradina Botanica “Alexandru Borza” - A Cluj Napoca City Tour is a must when passing through Transylvania. Prepare your camera for the Old City Center’s unique historical and architectural monuments, Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic-style buildings, some dating back to the 17th century, and the friendly locals.

The popular restaurants and delicious local cuisine may require a wait, but the experience is worth it.

Surdesti Wooden Church - The warmth of wooden constructions is unmatched, and the Surdesti church offers even more. Visitors are often in awe, tipping their hats in respect, not surprising given the church’s impressive 54-meter tower.
Imagine the craftsmanship involved in creating this 72-meter high wooden masterpiece, a challenging feat even with modern technology. Built in 1721, it is considered 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, wise ancestors who worshiped the god Zalmoxis, laughed at funerals and cried at births.
In Maramures, traces of historical continuity remain, especially in Sapanta, home to the unique Merry Cemetery.
The colorful tombstones, each a humorous artistic work, feature poems about the deceased that will leave you laughing.

Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance - To understand why Romanians fought to escape communist oppression, visit the Memorial Museum for the Victims of Communism. It offers insight into the totalitarian regime’s damage and the immense 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)

Walking barefoot through grass connects you to the earth, and stepping into the Barsana Monastery courtyard connects you spiritually to the sky and God.
If you’ve seen breathtaking places before, this Maramures trip might change your perspective.
With its enchanting 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 called “the Borgo Pass,” serving as the gateway to Count Dracula’s realm. Stoker likely found the name on a contemporary map, as he never visited the area.

Today, the pass is home to Hotel “Castel Dracula,” located at 1,116 m (3,661 ft). Built in 1976 and renamed after 1989, the hotel is an attraction due to its medieval villa architecture 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’s one of the famous painted monasteries in southern Bukovina, Suceava County. Constructed by Stephen the Great in 1488 over 3 months and 3 weeks to commemorate the Battle of Vaslui victory, it’s often called the “Sistine Chapel of the East.” The frescoes feature an intense shade of blue known as “Voroneț blue.”

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

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

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

Humor Monastery - To understand religion’s importance to Romanians, tour the country and see the numerous houses of worship built and destroyed by enemies over time.

To protect spiritual treasures, people built churches away from the world, some hidden in woods, others in high-altitude rock caves.

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

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

Sucevita Monastery - Sucevita and Voronet are two of Romania’s most beautiful monasteries, part of the international cultural and spiritual heritage, making them essential stops on any trip to Romania and northern Moldavia.

Even without reading the Bible, the biblical scenes and icons on Sucevita Monastery’s walls provide stunning visual support for understanding Christianity’s history.

The fortified church is like an open book for visitors, and seeing it in person reveals why it’s on the UNESCO World Heritage list of cultural landmarks.

Moldovita Monastery - For a spiritual journey to a place echoing with fervent prayers from hundreds of thousands over history, visit 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 Brasov

The Popa Museum - Located 12 kilometers from Targu Neamt, in Tarpesti, Neamt County, the Nicolae Popa Museum is a notable attraction. Founded in the ‘70s by local sculptor Nicolae Popa in his own home, the museum showcases his dedication to Romanian values.

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

Muzeul International al Oualor Lucia Condrea - In the summer of 1993, artist Lucia Condrea opened a museum in Moldovita (Bukovina, Suceava-Romania) bearing her name. Unique in Romania and possibly the world, the museum’s artistic value is remarkable. It houses over 5500 exhibits, artistically arranged across two building levels in 56 display cases.

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

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, nestled in the Carpathian Mountains’ foothills. A guide will lead a walking tour of the Old Town, revealing the Black Church, 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, a blend of myth and history.

Bram Stoker’s fictional portrayal of Dracula’s castle closely matches Bran, leading many to believe he used its descriptions for 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…

For those writing memoirs or wanting to 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 its beauty will soon be apparent.

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

• Transport by private vehicle
• On-board WiFi
• All Fees and Taxes
• Parking Fees
• Gasoline
• Photo fees
• Accommodation, Food, and Drinks for the guide/driver

• Accommodation, food and drinks
• Entrance fees as per the itinerary

Experience an unforgettable adventure on our 9-day tour of Romania. We’ve curated a diverse selection of enriching experiences, from exploring medieval landmarks to savoring the untamed beauty of lush forests with their colored wildflowers and crisp mountain breeze (depending on the season). This journey also takes us to contemporary exhibits, and indulges your senses in the unique blend of traditional herbs and spices in the mouthwatering cuisine we will taste in every ancient town we visit.

Discover Romania and its people in the best way possible - an intimate 9-day tour in Romania with a local guide :) Join us!

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