With its wealth of folkloric heritage, picturesque villages and wonderful scenery, Romania is fascinating to explore. This tour discovers the country’s highlights, including Transylvania’s fortified Saxon churches, Bucovina’s exquisite painted monasteries, dramatic castles and palaces, medieval towns and the beautiful Carpathian mountains.
View more climate information & imperial units
Fly from London to Bucharest with British Airways and transfer to Brasov. Stay at the Hotel Aro Palace (renovated rooms) for 2 nights. (D)
Morning visit to the palaces of Peles and Pelisor, the former royal residences of King Carol I. These magnificent German Renaissance-style palaces are an assemblage of turrets rising above swathes of green meadows. Afternoon tour of the medieval town of Brasov and view the Piata Sfatului, one of the finest baroque squares in the country with a 15th-century town hall. Visit the Black Church – the largest gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul – that has a collection of more than 300 Ottoman rugs. See St Nicholas Church and explore Romania’s first school. Continue to Bran castle, which is famously associated with Dracula, the legendary character from Bram Stoker’s gothic novel. (B, D)
In the morning, travel north from Transylvania to southern Bucovina, now part of Moldavia, via the Red Lake, the Bicaz gorges and the spectacular scenery of the eastern Carpathians. En route, visit Neamt monastery, the oldest in Romania, dating from the 14th century. Stay at the Best Western Bucovina Club de Munte for 2 nights. (B, D)
Tour the area’s remarkable painted monasteries, considered to be among Europe’s greatest artistic monuments and awarded Unesco world heritage status. The monasteries include Sucevita, Voronet and Humor and were painted in the 15th and 16th centuries, when Turkish invaders threatened Moldavia. Each features vivid frescoes, created to educate and entertain the illiterate soldiers and peasants. (B, D)
Drive back into Transylvania to Sighisoara, travelling through the Borgo Pass and superb mountain scenery. Visit Bistri.a en route, a small market town in the Bârgau valley in the heart of ‘Dracula land’, and Târgu Mures, a Hungarian stronghold where sights include the Orthodox cathedral, the citadel church and fortress, and the Culture Palace. Stay overnight at the Hotel Central Park (or similar). (B)
Morning tour of the Unesco world heritage town of Sighisoara, a beautifully preserved medieval settlement. The city walls encircle cobbled streets lined with colourful 16th-century burgher houses. Visits include the citadel, the Church on the Hill and the clock tower. In the afternoon, visit one of the best-preserved gothic fortified churches, which the area is renowned for, at Biertan, and continue to Sibiu. Stay 2 nights at the Continental Forum (or similar). (B)
Morning tour of Sibiu, a Saxon town that combines late Renaissance, early gothic, classical and Transylvanian baroque architecture. The tour includes the Evangelical and Orthodox cathedrals and the Brukenthal Art Museum. Afternoon visit to the picturesque village of Sibiel and its glass icon museum. (B, D)
Morning departure for Bucharest, travelling through the scenic Olt valley. Afternoon at leisure. Stay overnight at the Hotel Athenee Palace Hilton. (B, D)
Morning tour of Bucharest, known as the ‘Paris of the east’ due to its boulevards and belle époque buildings. View the Old Princely Court, the Royal Palace and visit the Palace of Parliament, which is the third largest building in the world. Early afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B)
As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.
This tour is fully escorted throughout by a local tour manager from arrival in Bucharest.
Based in 4- and 5-star accommodation.
On Day 4, there will be an included journey on the Mocanita steam train, a narrow gauge railway once used for transporting cargo and passengers in the early 20th century.
This itinerary can be taken privately, for which guideline prices are shown. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. Please call 020 7808 6785 or email info@coxandkings.co.uk.
Built in 1914 the 5 star Athenee Palace Hilton is centrally located in Bucharest, close to the historic Cotroceni Palace. The 272 rooms are comfortably decorated with modern amenities. Facilities include four restaurants, a bar, an indoor swimming pool and health...
Read more
The Best Western Bucovina is a modern four star hotel that stands on the edge of town overlooking the surrounding mountains. Its 130 rooms are spacious and well designed with new gothic style furniture. All rooms have en-suite facilities with shower or bath, minibar, and satellite television. Room service is available. The hotel has a restaurant serving Romanian and international cuisine, a bar and an outdoor...
The Hotel Continental is a simple hotel located close to the centre of Sibiu, only a short walk to all major sights of this medieval town that has been appointed the European Cultural Capital in 2007. The rooms offer en-suite facilities, t.v, minibar, and although the decor is faded they are clean and comfortable. The hotel restaurant offers predominantly Romanian...
Located in the centre of Brasov's old town, the Aro Palace is Brasov's best hotel. The three/four star hotel has recently upgraded many of its facilities while retaining its original art deco façade. All rooms are en-suite with either bath or shower, and have minibar and satellite television. The hotel has two restaurants offering Romanian, international, and Italian cuisine and room service is available. The hotel also has a bar, garden restaurant, hairdresser and casino. The hotel is currently building a swimming pool complex in front of the hotel. This will not disrupt entry into the building and although the building work may be visible from some rooms, it should not be audible from the rooms. The expected completion date is early...
The Hotel Central Park has been converted from an 18th century building and is located in the central park district of the town. All guest rooms have been decorated in a classical style with the emphasis on pastel colours and natural lights. After a day's sightseeing, guests may dine at the Joseph T Restaurant and Wine bar which offers excellent Romanian wines and...
Regional air connections are available from within the UK. Please contact your travel consultant for current prices from your nearest city. We can also arrange flights from overseas, simply give us a call to find out more.
If you choose to take the tour without flights arranged through Cox & Kings, please contact one of our travel consultants prior to booking the flights to ensure that you are aware of the tour timings and all the implications of not booking through us. We strongly advise you not to book flights independently of Cox & Kings if significant charges would apply in case of cancellation.
Flight details may be subject to change prior to departure.
This extension provides an opportunity to extend your stay in Bucharest and explore this beautiful tree-lined city at a leisurely pace.
Stay an extra 2 nights at the Hotel Athenee Palace Hilton. (B)
Day at leisure. (B)
Morning at leisure. Early afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B)
Please call 020 7873 5000 for more information or to make a booking.
The Unesco-listed Danube delta biosphere reserve is one of the world’s largest wetlands and is a migration hub for thousands of birds travelling to and from Mongolia, Siberia, India, Africa and China. This extension allows you to explore the delta’s many waterways and take in an amazing array of birdlife and scenery.
Travel to Bestepe and stay at the Hotel Wels, situated beside the delta, for 2 nights. (B)
Morning and afternoon excursions along the delta’s waterways and lakes. (B)
Travel back to Bucharest in the morning, transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B)
The Prince of Wales purchased his first Transylvanian property in 2006, an 18th-century Saxon house in the village of Viscri.
Fly from London Heathrow to Bucharest with British Airways and transfer to Viscri. Stay at Viscri village for 3 nights. (D)
Days at leisure. (B, D)
Morning at leisure. Afternoon drive to Brasov. In the evening, the remainder of the group will arrive. (B, D)
Visitors to Rome will have admired the ornate column located in Trajan's forum, dedicated to Emperor Trajan's conquest of the Dacian tribes in AD 106. This pre-tour extension to Timeless Romania visits the two principal sites of the Dacian empire: the old capital city of Sarmizegetusa and Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa, the Roman colony which was founded by war veterans after the Roman victory.
Fly from London Heathrow to Bucharest with British Airways. Stay at the Hotel Athenee Palace Hilton for 1 night. (B)
Morning drive to Sibiu. Afternoon at leisure. Stay 2 nights at the Continental Forum or similar. (B)
Full-day tour exploring the old capital city of the Dacian empire, Sarmizegetusa. This elaborate defensive system of fortresses is inscribed on the Unesco world heritage list. Explore the ruins of the temples, sanctuaries and the main fortress. Continue to the ruins of Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa, the Roman capital of Dacia, to view the amphitheatre, the forum and the remains of several temples. (B)
Morning at leisure. Afternoon drive to Brasov. This evening, the remainder of the group will arrive. (B, D)
Considered to be Europe's last wild frontier, this extension travels to the Kingstone Mountain National Park, which is renowned for an abundance of wolves, bobcats and bears. Spend two full days tracking and viewing the various wildlife of this protected area.
Morning tour of Bucharest, known as the 'Paris of the east' due to its Parisian-style boulevards and belle époque buildings. View the Old Princely Court, the Royal Palace and visit the Palace of Parliament, which is the third largest building in the world. Afternoon transfer over the Carpathians to Zarnesti, on the border of Kingstone Mountain National Park. Stay for 3 nights at the Guesthouse Elena. (B, D)
Morning tour of the national park tracking bears and wolves. Afternoon visit to the bear hide, where you can observe other species of mammals and birds. (B, L, D)
Morning walk through the Zarnesti gorge, where it is possible to view birds such as wall creepers, alpine swifts, nutcrackers, three-toed woodpeckers and honey buzzards. In the afternoon, continue to track bears and wolves. Optional evening visit to the bear hide (payable locally). (B, L, D)
Late morning transfer to Bucharest airport, via Rasnov Castle which was built by the Teutonic Knights. Fly to London with British Airways. (B)
This tour can be booked / reserved online by clicking on one of the coloured links below.
ROA2016: 8 Nights