Grand tour Romania - Unesco tour - 12 days/11 nights
from EURO 795/person
RESERVE NOW YOUR GRAND ROMANIA TOUR
Itinerary: Bucharest - Sibiu - Alba Iulia - Maramures - Bucovina (2n) - Sighisoara - Brasov - Sinaia - Tulcea Bucharest
Duration: 12 days/11 nights
Day 1: Bucharest
Arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Meeting with the guide and Ciao Romania! Panoramic city tour of
Bucharest visiting the main squares of the capital: Victoria Square, Romana Square, University Square, Revolution
Square and Unity Square.
Welcome dinner with entertainment in one of the most famous restaurants in Bucharest.Accommodation central
hotel in Bucharest .
Day 2: Bucharest - Curtea de Arges - Sibiu
In the morning departure to visit Curtea de Arges, former capital of Walachia. Here we will visit the Monastery of
Curtea de Arges, considered to be the most beautiful monastery from the Eastern Europe, built at the beginning of the
16th century by Prince Neagoe Basarab and the well known Master Manole whose legend endures through the ages.
Later we visit the Church of the Saint Nicholas, seat of the first Christian Orthodox Metropolis from Walachia, built
in Byzantine style in the middle of 14th century by the Prince of Walachia Basarab the Ist.
( Alternatively you can visit the Horezu Monastery - UNESCO monument founded in 1690 by the Prince
Constantin Brancoveanu, considered one of the best examples of “Brancovean” style, known for the purity of
architectural details and richness of details, for its religious composition, ex – voto portraits and ornamental painting.)
We continue to the Cozia Monastery Cozia one of the most important examples of medieval art in Romania built in
1387 on the banks of the river Olt by the Prince of Walachia Mircea the Elder ( Mircea cel Batran ), who also rests
for eternity in this Church. Nearby there is the Church "Bolnita" treasure of precious frescoes built in the sixteenth
century for the sick people from the hospital which was near the Monastery. Afternoon arrival in Sibiu, one of the
most beautiful medieval towns in Romania.
Typical Sibian dinner in the historic centre / or dinner with folkloric show at Sibiel village located at 12 km from
Sibiu. Accommodation in Sibiu.
Day 3: Sibiu - Sibiu - Hunedoara Alba-Iulia
In the morning visit of Sibiu, magical city steeped in an atmosphere of other times, which was in 2007 the European
Capital of Culture. During the city tour we will pass through the old streets and admire the main monuments, such
as the Bruckenthal Palace, built in Baroque style in the late 18th century, the infamous Lies Bridge, built over a road
that connects the upper city with the lower city, the Saxon Cathedral erected at the beginning of the sixteenth century
that retains besides a precious fresco of the Crucifixion from1445, the Catholic Cathedral built in German Baroque
style at the beginning of the 18th century, the beautiful squares of the city and the Christian Orthodox Cathedral,
headquarter of the Metropolis from Transylvania.
We continue with Hunedoara, where we will visit one of the most impressive castles in Romania, in Gothic style,
The Castle of Hunedoara built by Iancu of Hunedoara in the 19th century. In the courtyard of the castle there is a well
15 meters deep hiding his legend. Arrival in the evening in Alba Iulia, the historical and spiritual capital of Romania.
( Alternatively you can visit the six Dacian fortresses from the Orastie Mountains, built in the style of murus dacicus,
in the period from the first century BC to the first century AD as protection from the conquering Romans . The six
fortresses form the defensive system of Decebalus and were declared World Heritage by ' UNESCO .)
Dinner and accommodation in Alba Iulia.
Day 4: Alba Iulia - Cluj Napoca - Baia Mare - Sapanta - Sighetu Marmatiei
After breakfast visit of the city of Alba Iulia, with its beautiful citadel in Vauban style, the last that was constructed
in Transylvania (eighteenth century). Here was the first Romania Unification from 1599 to 1601 by Prince Mihai
Viteazu (Michael the Brave ) and also the second one on 1st December 1918 when he completed the Big Unification
of Romania.
Departure to Cluj Napoca and visit of the city, where you can still see the ruins of the ancient Roman city - Napoca,
the Catholic Cathedral of St. Michael built in Gothic style in the fourteenth century, the Municipal Theatre and the
Christian Orthodox Cathedral built in the early twentieth century in Neo Byzantine style.
In the evening we arrive in Maramures, the area in the north-west of Romania among the dark forests of the
Carpathians. A region that preserves ancient traditions in a pastoral and tranquil atmosphere, where farmers still work
with old instruments and are always ready for local festivals, an area famous for its splendid "spontaneous"
architecture with wooden porches of the houses and churches with pointed roofs. A world outside of time. Visit of the
Happy Cemetery in Sapanta, one of the most interesting cemeteries in Europe.
Traditional dinner and accommodation in a country residence in Maramures.
Day 5: Sighetu Marmatiei - Barsana - Botiza - Rozavlea - Ieud - Gura Humorului
Today we continue our journey in this fairytale land through the valleys of Iza and Mara, true outdoor museums of
rural art. Visit of the wooden churches of Barsana, Botiza, Rozavlea, Bogdan Voda and Ieud (UNESCO monuments)
with their ancient frescoes and icons on wood and with their typical slender towers. From these, Ieud is the oldest
church in Maramures, from 1364 and Barsana with its complex is a true paradise.
In the evening arrival in Bukovina, a region called the land of 2000 monasteries. The monasteries Voronet,
Sucevita, Moldovita and Humor with their inside and outside frescoes, each with its own dominant colour, were
painted between the 15th and 16th century and are considered masterpieces of Byzantine art, unique in Europe, that’s
why they are part of UNESCO heritage. Dinner with homemade products and accommodation in a beautiful
complex in Bucovina.
Day 6: Gura Humorului - Moldovita - Sucevita - Voronet - Gura Humorului
Today we will visit the first two painted monasteries from Bukovina: Moldovita and Sucevita. Moldovita
Monastery, built in 1532 by Petru Rares is painted both inside and outside with scenes as the "Victory of
Constantinople," " The Prayer of the Holy Virgin "or" Tree of Jesse. " The dominant colour of the Monastery of
Moldovita is sunny yellow. This is the largest church built during the period of Moldavian style. Suceavita fortified
Monastery was the last building in the style of Stefan cel Mare, exterior frescoes date from 1596 and the colour green
predominates over all. We will also assist at a demonstration of manual work of black ceramics from Marginea
and a demonstration of traditional hand made eggs painting - traditions from Bukovina.
In the afternoon we visit two other beautiful monasteries: Humor and Voronet, the last one was founded in 1488 by
King Stephen the Great and known as "The Sistine Chapel of the East" with the famous dominant colour “blue of
Voronet”. Dinner and accommodation in the same complex in Bucovina.
Day 7: Gura Humorului - Bicaz – Sighisoara
In the morning departure to Bicaz with Bicaz Canyon, unique in Romania. Here we stop to buy souvenirs, see the
Red Lake and have a walk in the Bicaz Canyon.
We continue to Sighisoara, the "fortified city" among the very few in Europe, which retains its medieval centre on
the top of the hill. Here was also born Vlad the Impaler, better known as Count Dracula. There are several defensive
towers that surround the city, named after the trades of their builders: the Tailors’ Tower, the Shoemakers’ Tower, the
Rope Makers’ Tower, the Clock Tower etc Dinner in the house where Count Vlad was born/or an intimate
restaurant medieval style and accommodation in Sighisoara in the citadel.
Day 8: Sighisoara - Biertan - Viscri - Brasov
In the morning departure to the citadel of Biertan to see a typical example of fortress-church-family, one of the 300
fortified churches built between the 14th and 16th century in Transylvania. The citadel is hidden on a hill in the
centre of the village protected by two walls connected by a covered staircase, with three protective walls, six towers
and three ramparts. One of the doors of the church still has 19 locks.
We continue to the Saxon villages Saschiz and Viscri, which still retain their unique charm, with their fortified
churches protected by UNESCO. In the evening arrival in Brasov (Kronstadt ) called the “city of the crown “ and
city tour of Brasov, an important cultural medieval centre , where in the 16th century were printed the first books in
Romanian.
Traditional dinner and accommodation in Brasov.
Day 9: Brasov - Bran - Sinaia
After breakfast we will have a guided city tour of Brasov. Starting from the wonderful Council Square we will have
a guided tour of the historic centre, enhanced by civil and religious buildings, such as the Black Church, the largest
Gothic church in Romania, the Council House built in the 15th century, rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1689 in
Baroque style, the St. Nicolas Church combining the Gothic style outside with the Byzantine style inside, the
Museum of the First Romanian School from Scheii Brasovului hiding a great treasure of books and old manuscripts,
the Ecaterina and Schei Gates, separating the Romanians from the Saxons.
Afterwards we visit Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle) built between 1377 and 1382 on a large rock, the fortress had
the role to defence and control the most important trade route that linked in the Middle Ages, Walachia and
Transylvania. But the castle owes its fame mainly to the legend associated with the figure of Vlad Tepes.
We continue to Sinaia, the favourite mountain resort of king Carol Ist, known as 'The pearl of the Carpathians'.
Typical Romanian dinner and overnight in Sinaia.
Day 10: Sinaia - Buzau - Tulcea
In the morning we visit the Peles Royal Castle built in German Renaissance style in the exterior and Eclectic style in
the interior, the most beautiful castle in Romania. Nearby there is the Sinaia Monastery, which gave the name of the
town.
We continue direction Tulcea, the last city before entering the Danube Delta. Dinner with fish specialities and
overnight in Tulcea overlooking the Danube.
Day 11: Tulcea - Bucharest
In the morning departure for a cruise in the Danube Delta with lunch on board. Today you can admire the wildlife
paradise of the Delta, the chains of channels, reed beds, lakes adorned with lilies and other aquatic plants nesting
ducks and many species of wild birds. Over 300 species of birds, 1,200 types of plants, 60 varieties of fish in an area
protected by UNESCO, extending over 5640 square kilometers. Formed 10,000 years ago, Delta is one of the most
young parts of the Earth and consists of three branches: Chilia, Sulina and Saint. George, all directed towards the
same Black Sea. After 5-6 hours cruise return to Tulcea and go back to Bucharest..
In the evening we will have a walk in the historical center in order to see the Stavropoleos Church, the old Hanul
Manuc, the commercial street Lipscani and the famous Cec Palace. Special farewell dinner in the oldest beer house
in Bucharest and accommodation city center.
Day 12: Bucharest
In the morning we will have a guided city tour of the capital also named "the Little Paris". During this tour we
will see the Arch of Triumph, the Kiseleff and Victoria Boulevards , The Romanian Athenaeum, the Museum of Art
former Royal Palace and other buildings and monuments of the city. With the guide we will visit the Patriarchal
Church, the Royal Palace from Cotroceni (symbol of the monarchy in Romania) and the People's House became the
seat of parliament today ( biggest palace in Europe – symbol of the communism ).
Free time and transfer to the airport in time.
RATES for STANDARD PROGRAM:
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For 8 persons: EURO 795/person/double
For 6 persons: EURO 875/person/double
For 4 persons: EURO 950/person/double
For 2 persons: EURO 1300/person/double
Single supplement: EURO 215
Supplement SUPERIOR PROGRAM: EURO 185/person
Included services:
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1. Transfers and transportation by car/bus with AC
2. Accommodation for 11 nights in double/single rooms 3*/4* typical hotels/complexes ( breakfast included )
3. Guide/driver English speaking for the whole trip
4. Half Board Treatment ( traditional dinners)
5. Boat trip in the Danube Delta with lunch on board
6. Spectacles, entertainment and demonstrations as described in the program
7. Assistance of local tour operator Ciao Romania 24h/24h
8. Stay taxes
Not included:
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The flight, the tickets, the other meals and the drinks
Fly ticket
Conditions
The prices are for groups or for max. 8 persons. For more persons taking part in the tour, the price will be
recalculated and the tour can be arranged after. Our tour is personalized, flexible, depending on our clients' wish, the
programs can be extended with extra nights, the itinerary can be changed according to your proposal. The programs
are operating starting with minimum 2 persons.