Transylvania Step by Step Tour - 9 days
Spend your holiday with us in the amazing transylvanian Saxon Country for the best rural experiences.
Transylvania Step by Step Tour – 9 days- Bucharest – Peles – Bran – Brasov – Sighisoara – Sibiu
Heading into Saxon Transylvania is to get a glimpse into ancient rural Europe. You’ll explore this fascinating area, once inhabited by the famous Transylvanian Saxons (Siebenbürger Sachsen) – industrious, skilled craftspeople and farmers, who left an indelible mark on this region. You’ll visit the superb UNESCO world heritage fortified churches, the medieval citites of Brasov, Sighisoara and Sibiu, the villages that charmed the royals.
You’ll meet the craftsmen, the farmers, the old ladies, the old priests that all have a story to tell and something to teach you. You’ll learn the fascinating stories of the inhabitants, who came back and restored their pastel-coloured, lime-washed houses and learn about their skills and traditions.
The tour can be customised based on your availability. Depending on the time of year, some activities might not be available (for example beekeeping or crossing the Transfagarasan during winter). We’ll adjust the experiences to match the seasons.
Highlights
Hidden entry -
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Full day in Bucharest, the Romanian capital city.
Bucharest is an amazing, vibrant city with spectacular architecture and great food. You’ll see an unique blend of eastern and western culture without peer in the world. Also, consider visit Bucharest old town center at night. This neighborhood feels like one big, sprawling cocktail party and you’ll be amazed of how many people are there at the wee hours of the morning.
The greatest medieval Saxon cities in Romania
Brasov with his dynamic life, great restaurants and amazing scenery; Sibiu, with its beautiful houses and their many eyes, the palaces and the large squares; Sighisoara, the quintesential medieval fortress, without peer in the world, all will charm you endlessly.
Amazing food in fantastic locations
The biggest problems with eating with the locals in the countryside is that the food is too good and in too large quantities. Home made eggplant spread (zacusca), fantastic sour soups (ciorba), heart-attack-worthy polenta (bulz), pork cooked in the most amazing ways, cheese pies to die for.
Most beautiful Saxon fortified churches
You’ll visit the most beautiful UNESCO world heritage fortified churches: Harman, Prejmer, Viscri, Crit, Biertan, Richis, each with their own histories and their own characteristics
Experience the traditional way of life
You’ll visit countryside homes, talk to the locals, learn their way of life in their own words. You’ll see blacksmiths, shepherds, beekeepers, pottery masters, local cooks, farmers and more. You’ll know more about how our ancestors lived hundreds of years ago.
Biertan Fortified Church
Harman fortified church
Local blacksmith
Famous Cund cheese
Nocrich pottery
Sighisoara street
Beekeper in Agnita
Itinerary
Itinerary overview
- Day 1 – Bucharest
- Day 2 – Bucharest
- Day 3 – Peles, Brasov
- Day 4 – Harman, Prejmer, Bran Castle, Brasov
- Day 5 – Viscri, Crit
- Day 6 – Sighisoara
- Day 7 – Biertan, Richis, Sibiu
- Day 8 – Sibiu, Cisnadioara
- Day 9 – Transfagarasan, Curtea de Arges, Bucharest
Bucharest, the Little Paris of the East
We’ll pick you up from the airport and on the way to the centrally located hotel, we’ll do a panoramic city tour. We’ll organise a welcome dinner in a famous Romanian restaurant, where you will get acquainted with some local specialties in the company of your tour guide and discuss any details about your travel program.
On the second day of the tour, you’ll have a full day walking tour in the old town area where you’ll explore the intriguing mix of architecture in Bucharest and enjoy some local delicacies in off-the-beaten track places, known only by locals.
You’ll spend the night in a 4* hotel, close to the city center.
Magic castles and medieval life
After an early breakfast, start your journey to Sinaia, where you will have the chance to explore the most famous Neo-Renaissance castle in the Carpathian Mountains – Peles castle (the former summer residence of the Romanian Royal family). Enjoy lunch in Canta Cuisine – where you will be able to taste casual yet refined French dishes, enjoying the breathtaking view over Bucegi mountains.
Head towards Brasov – one of the most picturesque cities in Romania – have a short stroll through Brasov historical center with your local expert guide and immerse yourself in the history of the largest Saxon town in the heart of Transylvania. Admire the Black church – the largest hall church east of Vienna and one of the most impressive medieval churches in Eastern Europe.
The next day you’ll visit Hărman and UNESCO World Heritage Prejmer fortified churches. You’ll go through 800 years of history and discover fascinating stories about the powerful Saxon community that once flourished in this area.
Visit the most famous and most haunted castle in Transylvania, Bran Castle, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the former Queen Marie’s Tea House after the visit.
Overnight in Brasov in 3* or 4* boutique hotel – close to the historical city center;
Prince Charles knows…
Leave Brasov and head towards Viscri, the famous village where Prince Charles bought and restored an ancient Saxon house. Visit the XIIIth century UNESCO listed fortified church in Viscri and see the local blacksmith’s workshop.
Enjoy delicious homemade lunch in an old restored Saxon house. Short drive to the Saxon village of Criț and visit the beekeeper for a honey tasting session – the royal honey provider to Prince Charles.
Attend an organ concert in Criț and listen to the stories of one of the few remaining Saxon inhabitants in the village.
Have a tasty homemade dinner with local products in Criț.
Overnight – in a beautifully restored old Saxon house in Criț. (Casa cu zorele)
Sighisoara – the jewel of Saxon Country
Leave Criț early in the morning and head for Sighisoara – the only inhabited medieval fortress in Europe.
Enjoy a walking tour in Sighișoara, in the company of your expert local guide.
Have lunch in a nice restaurant in Sighișoara. Visit an art gallery and a young painter’s workshop in Sighisoara – in the afternoon;
The rest of the evening is free for a relaxing walk in this charming medieval citadel.
Overnight: Sighișoara. 3* or or 4* hotel close to the historical city center.
Biertan – the best looking fortified church
Leave Sighisoara in the morning and head towards the beautifully restored Unesco heritage fortified church in Biertan – former headquarters of the bishops residing in Transylvania. Enjoy a tasty lunch in an old restored Saxon house.
Drive towards Richis and learn the story of the young German guy, who helped with the restoration of the fortified church in Richiș – Christian Rummel.
Overnight in Sibiu, in a 3* or 4* boutique hotel, located close to the city center.
Enjoy the relaxing Saxon life in the best looking Saxon city
After breakfast enjoy a walking tour through the old city center, in the company of your expert local guide. Learn the fascinating story of this medieval citadel with its famous roofs with eyelike windows, whose history goes all the way back to the 12th century.
Visit the village of Cisnădioara and meet Mr. Henning – a local craftsman who revived the stove tile production. Enjoy some delicious traditional Saxon cakes and small treats over a cup of coffee and try your hand at clay modeling.
Overnight in Sibiu, in a 3* or 4* boutique hotel, located close to the city center.
Arguably, the best road in the world
Departure from Sibiu early in the morning, drive towards Transfăgărășan – the most spectacular mountain road in Romania and stop en route to visit the craftsman workshop in Drăguș, who makes beautiful embroidered clothes. Enjoy lunch with a view right in the heart of the mountains – at Bâlea chalet – and take in the wonderful view.
Briefly stop for a visit at Curtea de Argeș monastery, where all Romanian kings are buried, and learn more details about one of the most prosperous times in recent Romanian history.
Arrival in Bucharest late in the evening.
Overnight in a 3* or 4* centrally located hotel.
Inclusions and exclusions
This is what you’ll see and get in our Transylvania Step by Step Tour
- Included in the city guided tours in Bucharest, Brasov, Sighisoara, Sibiu you’ll see the Romanian Atheneum, the Palace of Parliament, Bucharest Old City Center, Bucharest Food Tour, Brasov’s Black Church, Brasov Old City Center, UNESCO World Heritage Sighisoara Old City Center, Sibiu’s Bruckenthal Museum, Sibiu Lutheran Cathedral, Sibiu Old City Center
- You’ll visit Peles Castle, Bran Castle, Harman and UNESCO World Heritage Prejmer, Viscri, Biertan fortified churches
- You’ll meet the local craftsman and artists.
- Accommodation for 9 nights in 3-4* hotels or countryside mansions, breakfast included
- You’ll have included: 2 dinners (Bucharest, Crit), 6 lunches (Sinaia, Bran, Crit, Sighisoara, Richis, Curtea de Arges)
- You’ll get free evenings in Bucharest, Brasov, Sighisoara and Sibiu to enjoy the cities by yourself. We’ll recommend the best locations for dinner.
- Transportation for the whole trip in Romania is included
- This is a private tour so it will include only your group
- 24/7 assistance during the entire trip
Not included
- Food (dinner, lunch, snacks) outside the program
- Personal expenses, shopping, souvenirs
- International transportation (plane tickets to and from Romania)
- Travel Insurance