Being Romania’s most legendary region, Transylvania’s natural charms sweep from villages frozen in time to valleys and forests. Add medieval cities, ancient Roman ruins and hospitable people, and you’ve got a one-of-a-kind destination that continues to enchant travelers looking for a glimpse into a more traditional Europe. Explore mysterious Transylvania with Romanian Thrills and discover the country at its authentic best.
Bucharest, Romania
3 Hours Before Flight Time
Step into a land where history and legend intertwine, where medieval citadels rise above colourful villages and forested mountains guard centuries-old secrets. Over 12 carefully curated days, this journey through Transylvania reveals far more than the famous Dracula myth.
You will walk through UNESCO-listed fortified churches, explore one of the best-preserved medieval citadels in Europe, and uncover the real story of Vlad the Impaler. From the royal elegance of Peles Castle to the dramatic silhouette of Bran Castle and the Gothic grandeur of Corvins’ Castle, each stop brings a new layer of Romania’s complex past to life. Beyond the landmarks, you’ll experience authentic rural charm in Saxon villages where time seems to stand still, enjoy farm-to-table dining in restored barns, and connect with local traditions that are still part of everyday life.
Scenic drives across the spectacular Transfagarasan Highway, gentle hikes for panoramic views, and visits to unique sites like Turda Salt Mine and the Liberty Bear Sanctuary add depth and variety to your adventure. With small group sizes and carefully selected boutique accommodations, the tour balances comfort, storytelling, cultural immersion, and breathtaking landscapes. This is not just a sightseeing itinerary — it is a journey into the heart of a region that continues to enchant travellers seeking authenticity, mystery, and meaningful connection.
Welcome to Bucharest!
This day is reserved for your arrival and for giving you some recovery time from your jetlag. Whatever time you land, we’ll arrange a private transfer to take you from the airport directly to your charming hotel. We wrap up the day by dining in a medieval-style restaurant.
🛌 Hotel Lido
🍽 Welcome dinner
We begin with a walking tour of the Old Town and discover the 500-year old history of the city – connected to Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) himself. We explore the highlights of Romania’s capital, including the second largest building in the world, the Palace of Parliament. In the afternoon, we discover why Bucharest was formerly known as “little Paris” as we stroll through the cobblestone-paved streets and eclectic neighborhoods.
🛌 Hotel Lido
🍽 Breakfast
After a gourmand day in Bucharest we seek to indulge our senses in a vineyard. We head to Buzau, where a cluster of vintners have taken advantage of the perfect soil conditions and started creating delightful wines. We visit two vineyards, we talk to the owners as we sample some of their best vintages and take a tour of the estates. This day is about relaxation and discovering the surprising Romanian reds, whites or rosés.
🛌 Ferma Dacilor or Vinalia
🍽 Breakfast, two wine tastings with samples of cheese and meats boards
Advancing further into colder regions of the country, we discover that local drinks were developed by peasants to help them keep warm during harsh winters or to give them strength for long days of working in the fields. Such drinks are “palinca”, “tuica” or “rachiu”, strong liquors resulted from distilled fruits. There are multiple varieties you can taste and we know the best place for it. In true Romanian Thrills style, we have also prepared a bread-making workshop, that includes all the steps from grinding wheat in a traditional water mill to putting the kneaded dough in a stone oven. Think of that freshly-baked bread smell…mmm! We spend the night in a real nobiliary castle, with a massive estate, from where we can go bear or deer watching.
🛌 Mikes Castle
🍽 Breakfast, Lunch
Welcome to Transylvania, where Saxons have left their mark over local foods and drinks. Today, we slow-walk Brasov, one of the most iconic mountain cities in Romania, with a tumultuous history and excellent traditional restaurants. We have a soft spot for sour soups and meat platters, but fear not vegetarians, our cuisine has plenty of delicious options for you too. We guarantee that everything you try today, you will absolutely adore! Close to Brasov we find the unique Bran Castle, widely known as “Dracula’s” but is it really? During the tour we will try to debunk the real mystery behind it and discuss further while we enjoy a local food specialty.
🛌 Villa Katharina
🍽 Breakfast
Did you know that you can find buffaloes in Romania? If you like dairy, you will love this tour of a local buffalo milk farm that produces dairy products according to local, traditional recipes. Romanians are known for their passion for food and eating as much as possible home-cooked meals. We explore more of our epicurean curiosity and head to Viscri, a village part of the Unesco, that made Prince Charles buy a property here and spend his summer holidays in the Transylvanian countryside. A farm to table dining experience awaits in a restored Saxon barn. We spent the night in a local guesthouse, fully-renovated to resemble the living conditions of the German population, but equipped with all the modern necessities.
🛌 Viscri 125
🍽 Breakfast, Dinner
Our final stop in Transylvania is Sibiu, a city known for its Germanic architecture (the buildings have eyes!), medieval walls and towers and home to Astra National Museum of Folkloric Traditional Civilization, a startling travel through time, founded to define our own ethnic culture within the Austro-Hungarian Empire multiculturalism. This is a living museum, it hosts many events such as: traditional fairs, folk festivals, workshops, performances and much more. The exceptional natural landscape makes the open-air museum adequate for relaxing walks, rides in a carriage or sailing a boat. This city has also been named the 2019 European Gastronomy Capital. Needless to say, we have plenty of opportunities to try only the best local wines, brandies and cuisine.
🛌 Maison Elysée
🍽 Breakfast
We start early to thrill to the most epic part of our journey yet: Transfagarasan road, the passage between Transylvania and Wallachia, an entwined road that cuts right through the mountain peaks. At the top we make a stop to revel in the breathtaking landscape around us while having lunch, by the side of the Balea Lake. In the evening we arrive in Bucharest and finish our epicurean adventure in one of the most exquisite eating places in Bucharest, which we save as a surprise. Happy dieting when you get home! 😄
🛌 Hotel Lido
🍽 Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Today we’ll transfer you from the hotel to the airport or show you more around the city if you have a late flight. Depending on your schedule, we can go on a walking tour around the Old Town or arrange a visit to the Palace of Parliament, it’s your choice.
It will be hard to say goodbye but we’ll make sure to celebrate your adventure with a personalized Romanian departure gift.
🍽 Breakfast
An unforgettable journey through Romania! Everything was perfectly organized, from the stunning castles to the charming villages and breathtaking mountain views. We loved the local insights and authentic experiences — it felt personal, seamless, and truly special. Highly recommended!
