DAY 1

Group pick up from Bucharest, "Henri Coanda" International Airport.

Discover Romania’s capital Bucharest, a friendly and eclectic city who combines modern steel-and-glass buildings with historic neighborhoods to explore, a city that can keep you busy for days.

Bucharest, previously “Little Paris”, as it was named during the 1900s, displays art, architecture, pieces of history in its museums and old buildings, invites you to take a walk through its parks – Herastrau Park and Cismigiu Garden are not to miss, and will expose different marks revealing the influences along its rich history, all to be seen throughout the city.

Bucharest Panoramic City Tour – a panoramic drive through the famous sites of the city, with short stops for taking photos and explanations. The main objectives include: the Triumphal Arch, Romanian Athenaeum, the former Royal Palace, Palace of the Parliament, Cotroceni Palace.

By night Bucharest hosts a booming nightlife and there is a restaurant or club for everyone - try this experience, it will exceed your initial expectations.

Dinner & show , a very relaxing night in the flagship of traditional Romanian restaurants: The Beer Wagon (Caru’ cu Bere)

Accommodation in Bucharest

DAY 2

Bucharest - Sinaia - Bucegi Mt. Natural Park - Brasov

Transfer to Sinaia mountain resort, the ”Pearl of the Carpathians”, visit of Peles Castle, former summer residence of Romania's Kings. The Peles Castle, considered to be one of Europe’s most beautiful castles was commissioned by King Carol  I of Romania (born Prince Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen). The castle shelters an important collection of works of art, rare furnitures, arms collection and paintings displayed in rooms decorated in different styles (Moorish, French, Italian).

Lunch and wine tasting (sparkling wines produced using the traditional “Champagne” method) in the "Rhein Azuga" wine cellars, the former supplier of the Romanian Royal Court, Rhein & Cie Azuga 1892 winery.

Transfer by bus to the Bucegi Natural Park and then a beautiful hike through the Bucegi Mts, which will unfold their beauty and grandness, to the natural monument, a rock formation called “Babele” (Old Women) – an enigmatic smile, stone shaped.

Dinner and accommodation in Brasov.

DAY 3

Brasov - optional Bran Castle; Tampa Mt.

Short sightseeing in Brasov city centre – in search of the Saxon legacy: the City Council Square, the Black Church (Brasov’s landmark, the largest Gothic church in SE Europe); Ecaterina's gate, a fairy-looking medieval city gate are only a few to mention. 

Program of your own choice:

- Bran Castle visit, the Vlad Dracul’s medieval stronghold perched on high rocks; the fortress fits Bram Stoker’s description of Count Dracula’s castle; well known throughout the world as Dracula’s Castle (54 km far from Brasov)

- cable car ascension on the Tampa Mt one of the mountains surrounding Brasov; nice views of the medieval part of Brasov

In the afternoon, you will have fun in the largest Adventure Park in SE Europe.

The Adventure Park Brasov will challenge you and the child within you with its 14 tracks, trees, tree houses, swings & slides, activities and courses.

The park is a must visit for anyone that enjoys adrenaline and adventure, plus a bit of a hard but fun workout.

Dinner and accommodation in Brasov

DAY 4

Brasov - "Transfagarasan" alpine road  -Sibiu

Transfer to the spectacular Transfagarasan highroad, which climbs to over 2.000 m altitude. Appointed by Top Gear’s host, Jeremy Clarkson “world’s best road” this alpine road will take you above the clouds through magnificent landscapes, an unforgettable experience.

Lunch in a breathtaking environment, on the Balea glacier lake shore.

The route continues to Sibiu, former European Capital of Culture in 2007.

Short Sibiu city tour with the visit of the medieval Saxon fortress walls, the Brukenthal Palace, the City Council Tower, the Large Square, the Small Square, Huet Square, the Liar's Bridge.

Dinner and accommodation in Sibiu

DAY 5

Sibiu outskirts - Sibiel

Discover Sibiu’s outskirts by bike.

Guided bike tour in the outskirts of Sibiu, with beautiful landscapes, picturesque shepherd villages, places with well preserved traditions. Sibiu is surrounded by 18 small, traditional villages, all settled at the foothills of the Cindrel Mts, the ethnographic area is known as Marginimea Sibiului. The bike tour will guide you through scenic landscapes to two of these: Poplaca, and Orlat.

Lunch with traditional local menu and cheese tasting in a rural pension in Sibiel.

The atmosphere in Sibiel, a typical Romanian shepherd's village, is special: the traditions are alive, the houses are neatly displayed along the creek that flows through the village; everything is neat, the people are nice. The Glass Icons Museum hosting 700 exhibits is the biggest in SE Europe.

Dinner and accommodation in Sibiu

DAY 6

Sibiu - Cluj-Napoca

Transfer to Cluj-Napoca

En route, optional: visit of Turda Salt Mine (Salina), a true history museum of salt mining, next to modern shaped health and recreational facilities. Inside the Salt Mine, besides the old salt shafts  a modern fun park, sports facilities, and a lake with boats have been arranged; all around strategically placed lights provide an eerie effect.

Panoramic city tour of Cluj-Napoca - a nice town, full of historical, cultural, architectural, and social treasures, offering a good experience for those who want to feel the pulse of a real Transylvanian capital.

Visit of the Cluj-Napoca Botanical Garden, a true wonderland. Spread on a surface of 14 hectares, the garden shelters over than 10.000 plants, as well as a Japanese Garden, a Roman Garden and a greenhouse with rare, exotic species.

Dinner and accommodation in Cluj-Napoca

DAY 7

Cluj-Napoca - Oradea - Gödöllő - Budapest

Transfer to Oradea, to the NW Romanian border, and further transfer to Hungary.

Stop in Gödöllő, for a visit to the Lazar Equestrian Park, with a spectacular horse show performed by the coach driving world champions, the Lazar brothers.

You will witness great horsenmanship skills during the show, and you will be impressed by the surrounding grounds, stables, petting zoo, and finally (optional) by a horse carriage ride through the Hungarian pusta - a real taste of the Hungarian countryside, not far from Budapest.
After the show a traditional Hungarian dinner is included: Goulash soup served in a kettle, grilled & fried meat, salads, accompanied by local music.

*Optional: possiblity for horse carriage riding

Transfer to Budapest.

Accommodation

DAY 8

Budapest - Visegrad

One day trip from Budapest to Visegrad, a city beautifully located on the Danube river shore.
The Medieval Knights Show will be performed by the "St. George Knightly Order" in the open air theatre of the Lower Castle in Visegrad.

The show is preserving the Hungarian medieval military traditions (medieval weapons throwing, archery, falconry, infantry combat techniques, medieval dances, horse riding combat, jousting).
At the end of the tournament, the tourists have the opportunity to personally try some of the weapons helped by the knights.
The Knights’ Tournament is followed by a Royal Feast - the guests will be guided by drummers and torch lights to the restaurant.
Return to Budapest.

*Optional: Boat trip on the Danube river.
Dinner and accommodation in Budapest

DAY 9

Budapest - Konopiste - Prague

Leaving Budapest, Hungary we are heading for the Czech Republic.

If you enjoyed the movie „The Illusionist”, then you will have the opportunity to try a firsthand feeling of the castle’s atmosphere featured in it.

Visit the fairy-tale like Konopiště Chateau, 50 km SE of Prague, one of the most impressive castles in Bohemia; a must see residence of several princes and archdukes.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the heir to the Habsburg throne, assasinated in Sarajevo in 1914, has chosen Konopiště as his hunting lodge.

Konopiště - a very large chateau park, thousands of hunting trophies which will make you understand Franz Ferdinand’s passion for hunting, one of the biggest private arms collection in the world, great interiors; Franz Ferdinand’s private rooms – all in all a very interesting tour.

The castle tour includes a stroll through its domain, to admire the beauty of its greenhouses, and the magnificent Rose Gardens, with free-roaming peacocks, pheasants, and quails.

Dinner and accommodation in Prague

DAY 10

Prague

Coach city tour of Prague, providing an overall coverage of the historical sights in „the golden city of a thousand spires” (1,5 h). 

Prague hosts many treasures within: one the largest castles in the world, Hradcany / Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge - Prague’s oldest, most stunning bridge and recognizable landmark; Old Town Square; Lower Town Square; Peterzin Hill. The city displays a mix of Gothic, Bohemian, German, Habsburg and Communist vestiges side by side; for the awestruck traveler it is a city of amazing and unique beauty.

Prague’s city tour will continue with a boat trip on the Vltava river (1 - 1,5 hrs).

In the afternoon – free time for shopping or for your research (a pint of Pragues’s finest) regarding the best Czech beer (a huge variety of beers can be enjoyed in breweries, pubs, or „tank pubs/tankovnas”).

Farewell dinner in a traditionalPrague brewery, offering „liquid bread”.

Accommodation in Prague

DAY 11

Transfer to the „Václav Havel” Airport, Prague.

Goodbye Prague & Czech Republic !