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 constructions globally, you 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 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 come to life. 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, visit the Romanian Athenaeum on your private tour. This iconic symbol of Romanian culture is often regarded as a representation of Bucharest itself.

Piata Revolutiei - A city break in Bucharest must include a visit to The Revolution Square, a site of immense historical importance. Here, you can relive the moment 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, you will 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 charm of 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 historic inn.

In this historical and cosmopolitan area, with guidance from Nicolas Experience Tours, discover popular Bucharest restaurants, museums, old and stunning 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. Poienari Castle 3. Transfagarasan Highway - Overnight in Sibiu

Curtea de Arges Monastery - Did you know Curtea de Arges is unique for its significant royal tombs? It becomes evident that truly good, beautiful, and enduring things come only through sacrifice when you visit the historic town of Curtea de Arges. With a rich history, see the ruins of the Wallachian princely court, the 13th-century Royal Church, and the renowned Arges Monastery, a historical monument with a fascinating 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 and was eventually abandoned.

Recognizing the location’s potential, upon taking the throne, he ordered repairs and consolidation, transforming it into 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 feature. 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, which are among Romania’s most visited attractions, catering to every taste and 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 Densuș village, 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 features a stone tower above the naos. Inside, 15th-century murals depict Jesus in Romanian traditional attire, painted by artist Ștefan. In the 18th century, Simion de Pitești added more paintings.

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

1. Brasov City Tour (Black Church) 2. Bran Castle / Dracula’s Castle 3. Peles Castle - Overnight stay in Brasov

Black Church (Biserica Neagra) - Next, explore the beautifully-preserved medieval town of Brasov, nestled 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 city walls from the Middle Ages. Enjoy free time to soak in the unique 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 resembles 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 will soon understand why.

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.

1. Viscri Village 2. Rupea Fortress 3. Sighisoara City Tour - Overnight stay in Sighisoara

Viscri Fortified Church - Viscri is renowned for its white fortified church, first mentioned in 1400 as Alba Ecclesia. Like many monuments of the time, the church underwent various construction phases. The local Szekler population initially built a small church on the site in the early 12th century. Decades later, German colonists took control of the land, starting a new chapter in its history.

In the 13th century, they constructed the main tower on the west side and expanded the church’s nave eastward. Fortification began later, in the 15th century, and is partially preserved today. Some fortification elements were demolished after the Ottoman threat subsided or repurposed for peaceful uses like storage rooms and kindergarten space.

Cetatea Rupea - Rupea Fortress (Romanian: Cetatea Rupea, German: Burg Reps, Hungarian: Kőhalmi vár) is a medieval fortress built by Transylvanian Saxons, first mentioned in a 1324 document. Situated on a 120 m high basalt cliff, west of Rupea in Romania, the fortress is located on DN13, 70 km from Brașov, en route to Sighișoara. Restored between 2010 and 2013, it attracted over 10,000 tourists monthly by 2014.

Sighisoara Clock Tower - Begin the Sighisoara Old Town tour with visits 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 attractions but also a living medieval fortress, 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 - Turda Salt Mine is one of Transylvania’s most fascinating sites. If vacationing in Romania, don’t miss the chance to explore this beautiful location, the Turda Salt Mine.

This place is a visual and physical delight, with purifying saline air beneficial for those with respiratory issues like allergies or asthma.

Gradina Botanica “Alexandru Borza” - While traveling through Transylvania, a Cluj Napoca City Tour is a must. 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 friendly locals.

Not to mention the popular restaurants and delicious local cuisine, which may require a wait before enjoying a 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. 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, our wise ancestors who worshiped 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 you in stitches.

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. You’ll begin to grasp 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)

Walking barefoot through grass connects you to the earth, and stepping into Barsana Monastery’s courtyard connects you spiritually to the sky and God. This beautiful wooden monastery in Romania is a must-see.

If you’ve seen breathtaking places before, this trip to Maramures 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).

Made famous by Bram Stoker’s Dracula, “the Borgo Pass” was the gateway to Count Dracula’s realm. Stoker likely found the name on a map; 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, the hotel adopted its current name after 1989. Its medieval villa style and novel connection make it a popular attraction. In 2018, the property was put up for sale.

Ciocanesti - Ciocănești village, in southwestern Suceava county (Bukovina, northern Romania), is famous for its cheerfully painted houses adorned with traditional motifs.

Now a tourist village, Ciocănești lies on both sides of the Golden Bistrița River, surrounded by scenic pine forests and fertile meadows. It is near the Vatra Dornei resort, only 22 km away, and 100 km from Suceava city, on the Iacobeni-Borșa road.

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 Voroneț village, now part of Gura Humorului. It is one of southern Bukovina’s famous painted monasteries 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 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 worldwide annually, with at least three unique elements making it a highlight of your Moldavia and Bucovina trip.

The church’s artwork, inside and out, is impressive for its exceptional background color – the famous Voronet blue!

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

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

Humor Monastery, built about 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, 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 if you haven’t read 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 is on the UNESCO World Heritage list of cultural landmarks.

Moldovita Monastery - For a spiritual journey to a place echoing with fervent prayers of countless people 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 out, truly impresses visitors.

1. Driving to Chisinau (Republic of Moldova) 2. Nicolae Popa Museum 3. Lunch in Iasi - Overnight in Chisinau

The Popa Museum - Located 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 dedication, driven by a natural artistic inclination, he became one of Romania’s most valued naive sculptors and a true folklore creator.

Manastirea Sfinkii Trei Ierarhi - Mănăstirea Trei Ierarhi (Monastery of the Three Hierarchs) is a 17th-century monastery in Iași, Romania. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Monuments and included on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

1. Visit to Tiraspol (Transnistria) 2. Chisinau City Tour - Overnight in Chisinau (Republic of Moldova)

The Suvorov Monument - Suvorov is considered one of Russia’s greatest military commanders and a prominent general of the early modern period. He received numerous medals, titles, and honors from Russia and other countries. The monument is located on a small square, with unique flags nearby.

Tiraspol is Moldova’s second-largest city and the capital of the independent Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. Situated on the Dniester River’s northern and eastern banks.

The city is modern compared to the rest of Transnistria, with good urban transport links, hotels, and restaurants.

Contrary to popular belief, Tiraspol is a quiet, peaceful city with no military activity since 1992. The only uniforms seen are military officers and policemen. Military parades occur annually on Independence Day (2 September) and Victory Day (9 May).

Catedrala Nasterea Domnului - The Nativity Cathedral, in Cathedral Park, may not look impressive from the outside. Built in the 1830s in neoclassical style, it has a turbulent history – destroyed during World War 2, and when Moldova was part of the USSR, religious services were prohibited, and the building was used as an exhibition center.

1. Start driving crossing Republic of Moldavia for Danube Delta 2. Cross the Danube at Braila - Overnight in Tulcea

Braila - The Brăila Bridge is a road suspension bridge in Romania, under construction since 2019 over the Danube River, connecting Brăila, a major eastern Romanian city, to the opposite riverbank in Tulcea County. It will be the first bridge over the maritime Danube sector and the fourth over the Romanian river section. At nearly 2 km long, it will be Europe’s third-longest bridge. The bridge will enhance road traffic accessibility from the Galați-Brăila area to Constanța and Tulcea, and connections between Moldavia, Muntenia, and Dobruja regions.

Danube Delta Tour – Explore the stunning nature of the Danube Delta by private boat - Overnight in Tulcea

Danube Delta - The Danube’s waters, flowing into the Black Sea, form Europe’s largest and best-preserved delta. The Danube delta hosts over 300 bird species and 45 freshwater fish species in its numerous lakes and marshes.

The 580,000-hectare delta is home to vast numbers of waterbirds, notably two pelican species, herons, storks, cormorants, and terns. It is a favorite staging area for passage migrants and wintering grounds for migrating waterbirds from the steppes, boreal forests, and tundras further north.

Here lie some of Europe’s few remaining grazed mosaic forest landscapes, the beautiful woodlands of Letea and Caraorman. Beavers are slowly returning, the area holds healthy golden jackal populations, and white-tailed eagles are making a remarkable comeback.

1. Constanta Old Town 2. Carol I Mosque 2. Mamaia Beach - Back to Bucharest (End of Tour)

Moscheea Carol I - Carol I Mosque, in Ovid Square, is the main Muslim religious edifice and one of our land’s most beautiful architectural monuments. Construction began in 1910 at King Carol I’s initiative (hence the name) and was completed in 1913. The inauguration took place on May 31st, attended by the royal family and Romanian Muslim representatives.

The project was led by Victor Stefanescu, a senior early 20th-century architect, and the building was constructed by Gogu Constantinescu.

Featuring a unique blend of Egyptian, Byzantine, and Romanian architecture, Carol I Mosque is the first building in our country constructed with reinforced concrete. A distinctive feature is the large dome made of innovative materials. Although many Muslim places of worship have architectural domes inspired by Christian, specifically Byzantine, designs.

Plaja Mamaia - Mamaia is a top destination for a beach holiday in Romania. Located on the Black Sea, it is a quintessential seaside resort. Enjoy relaxing beaches, delicious food, and plenty of entertainment, including an amusement park.

Cazinoul Constanta - Having undergone many changes over its 100-year history, the Casino has always been a tourist and local attraction.

Between 1880 and 1890, the Cazin or Kursal was a wooden building on the seashore, located a few hundred meters from its current site. Besides the ballroom, notable features included a reading hall with French newspapers, a games hall, and a terrace. Tourists, seamen, and the local elite gathered here on summer evenings for city hall-organized balls, accompanied by brass bands or famous artists of the era. Theatrical performances, soirees, conferences, literary readings, and masquerade balls also took place at the Cazin. Chess, backgammon, and domino games completed the bohemian scene.

• Private car (Tourism or Minibus) for your group
• Licensed English-speaking guide/driver
• Complimentary Wi-Fi in the car
• Guide’s accommodation, meals, and entrance fees included
• All car expenses covered (gasoline, parking, tolls)
• Flexible itinerary changes

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

Discover Romania and understand the culture of its people by staying for two nights in a Guest House in Maramures, then driving to the Republic of Moldova and Transnistria to explore the old Romanian territory and the Danube Delta during our 14-day Complete Romania & Moldova Private Tours.

It is an unforgettable journey! For this fortnight’s Romanian tour, we have curated a variety of rich and tantalizing experiences from ancient sites to indulging in the wilderness, deep woods, vivid wildflower arrays and crisp mountain air (depending on the season) to contemporary exhibitions, and a hint of traditional herbs and spices in the delectable cuisine we’ll sample in each medieval city we visit.

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