Romania - The Ultimate Tour | azphotoadventures

Romania - The Ultimate Tour

Overnight in Brasov.

Day 1. Sinaia, Bran, Brasov

Our journey starts in Sinaia. After lunch, we head north to visit the Bran Castle, better known as Dracula's Castle. Travel further to Brasov and check into our hotel. Wander through the old town, visit Brașov Council Square (Piata Sfatului), the Black Church (Biserica Neagra) and Rope Street (Strada Sforii), believed to be one of the narrowest streets in Europe. Have dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Brasov.

Day 2. Brasov, Viscri, Sighisoara

We'll have an early breakfast at our hotel in Brasov and then depart for Viscri, one of the few Romanian villages aiming to maintain the look and feel of its ancient roots. Viscri is not a place to go, it's a story to live. Strolling through Viscri's dirt roads feels like a trip back in time. Prince Charles of Wales owns a house here. Walk around, visit the local fortified church and count the many ornate windows found throughout the village.

Traditional lunch in Viscri, where food is cooked using recipes from Romanian countryside and made with local vegetables, fruits, meat and dairy.

In the afternoon head to Sighisoara, a perfectly intact 15th century gem with nine towers, colorful houses and narrow, cobblestone streets. We’ll discover the medieval Citadel included in UNESCO World Heritage: the Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill, the roofed stairways, etc. The old city is also the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler (Count Dracula).

Late evening we’ll depart for another royal-worthy location. Recorded as a resort in 1850, Sovata is located at 1,600 ft. above the sea level, in a stunning forested region. Back in the day, it was one of the most fashionable spas in the country and was the Romanian Royal Family’s favorite spa town. Sovata features the largest heliothermal lake in the world: Ursu (Bear) lake. Overnight in Sovata.

Day 3. Across the Carpathian Mountains

Hello Bucovina!

We’ll head northeast across the Tihuta Pass which peaks at 3,840 feet. Also called “Pasul Bârgau” this is a high mountain pass in the Eastern Carpathian Mountains connecting Transylvania with Moldova. The pass was made famous by Bram Stoker's novel Dracula as the “Borgo Pass", a gateway to the realm of Count Dracula.

Moldova rivals Transylvania when it comes to rich folklore, natural beauty and astonishing history. Nestled between the Carpathian Mountains and the Prut River is the land of Bucovina. The name Bucovina means “beech land” and some of Romania's most beautiful countryside is found here: rolling green hills nestle villages and monasteries in their valleys. Horses, decked with red-tasseled bridles, travel dirt roads, as villagers crowd churchyards in traditional folk costume on Sundays and holidays.

No trip to Romania would be complete without a village experience. A visit to the countryside offers a glimpse into the unspoiled beauty of Romania and its centuries-old traditions. We will be staying in a village, meet our welcoming host and have a chance to experience and taste traditional, small-scale farming. Everything, from making hay for livestock, to collecting eggs from the hens, to milking the cows or goats, to preparing fruit or preserves is still done by hand.

Dinner by the bonfire. Overnight in Vama.

Day 4. Bucovina, The Painted Monasteries, Roman

We’ll start the day with a hearty breakfast “al fresco” and then visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Painted Monasteries. Built in the 15th and 16th centuries and featuring colorful exterior frescoes depicting dramatic religious scenes, these richly decorated houses of worship are unique in the world.

As we head south towards Roman we’ll make a stop at a historic inn, founded exactly 300 years ago - “Hanul Ancutei”-- and finish the day in Roman, Vadim's hometown.

Overnight in Roman.

Day 5. Roman, the Danube Delta

Have an early start on our way to one of the World Natural Heritage Sites -- Danube Delta. This area of floating reed islands, forests, pastures and sand dunes covers 3,000 square miles and is home to a fascinating mix of cultures and people as well as a vast array of wildlife. More than half of the Delta Biosphere Reserve is virtually intact.

The Delta experience begins at Murighiol from where you’ll ride a speed boat down the channels, surrounded by nature. Our destination, Sfantu Gheorghe is one of the most unique and beautiful places in the world, where the Danube meets the Black Sea. On the nearby lakes you might run into families of ducks nesting among the water lilies and reed. You can watch them while enjoying your morning coffee.

You will be guests at a resort that is not a part of nature, but nature itself, with locally inspired architecture and made of 100% natural materials. Overnight in Sf. Gheorghe.

Day 6, 7. Sf. Gheorghe

Relax

Wake up early in the morning and head for the beach at sunrise – the energy of the sun beams will fill you up with cheerfulness for the entire day.
Swing in the hammock by the water, watch the birds, chill by the pool. Do nothing. Enjoy a massage, explore the village, go to the beach, swim in the Black Sea, take a nap, sip a cocktail while watching the sunset. Meditate.