Transylvania and Maramures: We have put together Romania's must-see regions for an enriching 6 to 10 days journey. Gothic castles, quaint villages, medieval citadels, traditional crafts and picturesque natural landscape.
The trip can start in Sibiu ( where we live) or in Bucharest or Cluj, depending on where you have planned to land in Romania. Depending on your time availability, the tour can be extended or shortened, in order to suit at maximum your travel plans.
Also, the itinerary is flexible, we can add other places or activities, at your demand: wine tasting, cooking lessons, pottery lessons, craftsmanship workshops, nature explorations, you just have to name it and we will try to add to your journey.
Tour 1: The trip can start in Sibiu or Bucharest. If your flight connections allow, we suggest starting the trip in Sibiu, in order to avoid the hectic traffic of the capital of Romania. In Sibiu, where we can have a tour of the Old Town,
strolling through the cobbled streets and romantic squares, finding out more about the hidden stories of the city. In the afternoon we can have a walk in the Open Air Museum, or a short drive through the villages in Marginimea Sibiului. Lunch or dinner can be a home-cooked
meal at one of the guesthouses in the area. We will spend the night in Sibiu.
Tour 2: on this day of our Transylvanian part of the trip we will go up in the mountains on the Transfagarasan highway. We will drive up to 2000 meters altitude, we will stop many times
for taking pictures and admiring the breathtaking mountain scenery. We will have a walk around Balea Lake , and then we will pass through the tunnel, to reach the south side of the Transfagarasan road. With a little luck,
we will be able to see one of the cutest alpine animal: the marmot.
Tour 3: This day will be dedicated to castles and fortress. The biggest in Transylvania. I'm talking about the Corvin Castle, the imposing 15th-century gothic castle,
located in Hunedoara county and Alba Iulia, the largest fortress in South-Eastern Europe still standing.
Tour 4 and 5 : We will leave Sibiu for Brasov, where we will spend 2 days, to complete our fortress and castles part of the trip. From Brasov we will discover the Bran Castle ( or the Dracula castle,
as it is promoted), Peles Castle and Rasnov Fortress . Also, we will dedicate half a day to explore the beautiful Brasov, including an astonishing view from Tampa Mountain. Depending the time and your interest
we can visit the largest bear reservation in the world, at Zarnesti.
Tour 6: We will leave Brasov for Cluj. On the way to Cluj, we will stop in Sighisoara, to discover by the foot the medieval citadel, UNESCO site and the birthplace of
Vlad the Impaler. Overnight in Cluj.
Tour 7: It's time to head to Maramures. We will leave Cluj and drive close to the Ukrainian border, to visit the unique Merry Cemetery in Sapanta,
the place where people defy death in a rather funny manner. Then we will visit the former Communist prison in Sighet , nowadays a memorial of the victims who stood up the red plague.
Overnight in one of the charming villages from Maramures, at traditional house transformed in a guesthouse by the owners.
Tour 8: We will continue exploring the bucolic Maramures : we can visit a wood carver workshop, a whirlpool (ancient installation for washing clothes) or a plum brandy mini-factory. We will complete the day
with one of the UNESCO wooden churches,, one of the symbols of Maramures.
Tour 9:The trip in Maramures cannot be complete without the steam train experience. So, on this day we will head to Viseul de Sus, where we will take the steam train for an unforgettable journey to the heart of the Carpathians mountains.
We will return from the trip in the afternoon, when, we can decide about the next destination.
Tour 10: This part of the trip can be used either for the transfer to your airport ( the closest is Cluj), either for a 2 days extension of the trip, in Bucovina.
1. Sibiu
2. Transfagarasan road
3. Corvin Castle
4. Alba Iulia fortress
5. Rasnov fortress
6. Peles castle
7. Bran
8. Brasov
9. Zarnesti bear reservation
10. Sighisoara Citadel
11. Cluj
12. Sapanta Merry Cemetery
13. Sighet Memorial
14. Barsana Monastery
15. The Steam Train