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 attempt to fit the world’s second-largest administrative building, after the Pentagon, into the frame. This experience is one to share with future generations.

Muzeul National al Satului “Dimitrie Gusti” - This private tour includes a visit to The Bucharest National Village Museum, where Romanian traditions are showcased. Visitors will learn about the ecological and sustainable environments Romanian villagers created in their backyards, and gain insight into their simple, modest lifestyle, harmoniously integrated 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. It is naturally one of the most significant tourist attractions on Calea Victoriei and in Bucharest.

Its inclusion on the European Heritage list (le Patrimoine) underscores its importance.

Piata Revolutiei - A city-break in Bucharest must include a visit to The Revolution Square, a site of immense historical importance. Here, visitors can step back in time to when dictator Ceausescu was overthrown, leaving behind secrets of a vast fortune and controversies surrounding the state security service and his offshore accounts.

As previously mentioned, 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 through human effort and sacrifice.

Old Town - A day trip in Bucharest offers the chance to experience the past through the mystery and contrasts of the Historical City Centre’s streets, 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, one of the wealthiest landowners in the Balkans, 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 discover popular Bucharest restaurants, museums, old and spectacular churches, and an experiential library offering books, music, and souvenirs for an unforgettable experience for themselves and their 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 - 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 concept 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 and left in ruins.

Recognizing the site’s potential, upon ascending the throne, Vlad ordered the structure’s repair and fortification, transforming it into 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 fun and 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. Its appearance on BBC’s Top Gear in 2009 has made it 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 (Clock Tower) - 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 captivates 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, continuously inhabited for over 700 years—a rarity.

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 intriguing sites. A visit to 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—a fitting gesture considering the church’s tower stands at an impressive 54 meters.

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 crosses and tombstones, each a colorful and artistic creation, feature humorous poems about the deceased that will leave visitors in stitches.

Memorial to 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 pain and suffering it caused in a short time.

1. Barsana Monastery 2. Borgo Pass Road 3. Sucevita Monastery 4. Moldovita Monastery - Overnight in Gura Humorului

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

Walking barefoot through grass connects one to the earth, and stepping into the Barsana Monastery courtyard offers a spiritual connection with the sky and God.

If previous travels have revealed places of divine beauty, this Maramures trip may redefine those experiences.

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

Sucevita Monastery - Sucevita and Voronet are among 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 a vivid visual understanding of Christianity’s history.

The fortified church is like an open book, and seeing it in person reveals why it is a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landmark.

Moldovita Monastery - For a spiritual journey to a place echoing with fervent prayers, visit one of Romania’s oldest monastic settlements, the Moldovita Monastery, built in 1532.

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

1. Voronet Monastery 2. Humor Monastery 3. Bicaz Gorges - Overnight Stay in Brasov

Manastirea Voronet - The Voroneț Monastery, a medieval monastery in the Romanian village of Voroneț, now part of Gura Humorului, is one of southern Bukovina’s famous painted monasteries in Suceava County. Constructed by Stephen the Great in 1488 to commemorate the Battle of Vaslui victory, it is 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 renowned for its exceptional background color—the famous Voronet blue!

Humor Monastery - To grasp religion’s significance to Romanians, a tour of Romania’s numerous houses of worship, built and destroyed over history, is essential.

To protect spiritual treasures, people built churches away from the world, some hidden in woods, others nestled 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, built around 1400, was destroyed, the second, built in 1530 with thick river rock walls, was designed to withstand time.

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

Driving through the Bicaz Gorges, visitors will want to stop every 300 feet to admire the breathtaking, wild scenery and photograph the playful streams tumbling over tree logs and rocks, creating a stunning image of untamed beauty.

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. Visitors will have free time to enjoy the unique atmosphere in 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 resembles Bran, leading many to believe he used its descriptions for Count Dracula’s fictitious home.

Outside the castle, visitors can 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 wishing 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 allure will soon be clear.

Every year, numerous dignitaries and countless tourists book tours of Romania to admire its beauty and, for a few hours, feel like royalty.

• Private car (Tourism or Minibus) for your group
• Hotel recommendations based on your budget
• Private, licensed English-speaking guide/driver
• Complimentary wireless internet in the car
• Guide’s accommodation, meals, and entrance fees covered
• All car expenses included (gasoline, parking, tolls)
• Flexible itinerary changes during the tour

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

Embark on an unforgettable 8-day journey through Romania, where an array of sensory delights awaits. We will explore medieval heritage sites, immerse ourselves in the untamed wilderness of dense forests, enjoy the vibrant wildflowers, and breathe in the refreshing mountain air (during appropriate seasons). The tour also includes visits to contemporary displays and savors the traditional Romanian cuisine, infused with exotic herbs and spices in each historical town we stop by.

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