Day 1 – To Bucharest: Fly from London Heathrow to Bucharest with British Airways and transfer to Sinaia. Stay at the Hotel New Montana for 1 night. Evening welcome dinner.(D)
Day 2 – To Brasov: Morning visit to Peleº Castle, the former royal residence of King Carol I, a magnificent German Renaissance-style palace. After a private tour of the second floor to discover the royal and imperial bedrooms, continue to the George Enescu Memorial House. This afternoon, visit the castle of Queen Marie of Romania at Bran. Transfer to nearby Brasov and stay 2 nights at the Aro Palace hotel. (B)
Day 3 – Brasov: Morning tour of this medieval town. See Saxon and Orthodox churches, grand town houses and visit Piata Sfatului, one of the finest baroque squares in the country. Visit the 15th-century town hall, the gothic
black church, St Nicholas church and the first Romanian school. Afternoon visit to the fortified churches of Prejmer and Harman. (B)
Day 4 – To Gura Humorului: Travel 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, dating from the 14th century it is the oldest in Romania. Stay at the Best Western Bucovina Hotel in Gura Humorului for 2 nights. (B, D)
Day 5 – Gura Humorului: Today will be spent visiting the remarkable painted monasteries. Considered to be among Europe’s greatest
artistic monuments, the monasteries include Sucevita, Voronet, Moldovita and Humor, and feature amazingly preserved frescoes that cover the walls with vivid images of saints and biblical scenes (B, D)
Day 6 – To Sighisoara: Drive back into Transylvania, travelling through stunning mountain scenery and over the Borgo Pass, to
Sighisoara. Stop en route to visit Bistrita in the heart of Transylvania and the strongly Hungarian city of Targu Mures, where sights include the Orthodox cathedral, the citadel church and fortress, and the art deco Palace of Culture. Stay overnight at the Hotel Casa Wagner. (B)
Day 7 – To Sibiu: Morning tour of Sighisoara, a beautifully preserved medieval town set in rolling countryside. The city walls encircle cobbled streets and visits include the citadel, 14th- and 15th-century churches and the old clock tower. This afternoon, travel to Biertan to visit the gothic fortified church and the early gothic church of Richis. Continue to Sibiu and stay 2 nights at the Hotel Hilton. (B)
Day 8 – Sibiu: Morning tour of Sibiu, a Saxon town that combines late Renaissance, early gothic, classical and Transylvanian baroque architecture. See the evangelic and Orthodox cathedrals and the Brukenthal Art Museum. Afternoon visit to the Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization, the largest open air museum
in Romania. (B, D)
Day 9 – To Bucharest: Morning departure for Bucharest, travelling through the scenic Olt valley. Afternoon tour of Bucharest, a city of wide Parisian-style boulevards and belle epoque buildings. Visits will include the Cotroceni Palace
by special permission, the bombastic Ceasuescu’s Palace (now housing parliament) and the fine Museum of the Peasant. Stay overnight at the Hotel Athenee Palace Hilton. (B, D)
Day 10 – To London: Morning at leisure. Early afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London with British Airways. (B)
Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals
Extensions: If you wish to extend your stay in Romania for more independent exploration, please contact Cox & Kings for details.
