Let's go! Today you fly to Bucharest. After landing, a transfer will take you to your accommodation. Depending on your arrival time, you'll have the opportunity to explore Romania's extraordinary capital on your own. Charming old buildings stand alongside Soviet-era apartment blocks and modern skyscrapers, creating a unique cityscape. Bucharest is a city of contrasts, often underestimated, but that's precisely what makes it so appealing.

You're probably wondering who will be accompanying you on your trip over the next few days. Your tour guide is already eagerly awaiting you in the hotel lobby. A stroll through Bucharest immediately reveals the influence of 19th-century French architects. Its wide avenues, the triumphal arch on Kiseleff Avenue, its numerous cafes, and its Art Nouveau buildings have earned the city the nickname "the Paris of the East." During the regime of dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu, many historic buildings had to make way for his grandiose projects, including the construction of the current Palace of the Parliament, which you'll be able to admire from the outside. With more than twelve floors and 1,000 rooms, it's the second-largest administrative building in the world; only the Pentagon surpasses it. On your city tour, you'll see the Athenaeum, Revolution Square (1989), Unification Square, and the Patriarchal Cathedral, built in the 17th century as a metropolitan church. Afterward, you'll continue your journey to Brașov (Kronstadt in German). En route, they will visit Peleș Castle, the Bavarian-style summer residence of the Romanian royal family, and Sinaia Monastery, inspired by the monastery on Mount Sinai. Shortly before arriving in Brașov, they will stop at the fortified Church of Vulcan and enjoy dinner in a historic setting. Afterward, they will proceed to their accommodation.

In the morning, you'll enjoy an easy hike through the Zărnești Gorge, famous for its stunning rock formations and breathtaking beauty. This spectacular natural landscape in the Carpathians even served as the backdrop for the Oscar-winning film "Cold Mountain." Afterward, you can refresh yourself with the cool spring water of the Botorog spring. No country in the world is as closely associated with vampires and eerie places as Transylvania, and Bran Castle is no exception. It is said that Vlad III Drăculea resided here. This so-called Dracula's Castle served as inspiration for several Hollywood Dracula films. The castle impresses with its numerous towers and arrow slits, as well as its location in the heart of the Southern Carpathians. Originally built as a military fortress on a rocky outcrop, it became a royal residence in 1920. In Brașov, you can admire Baroque and Gothic towers and facades during a stroll through the picturesque center. Enclosed by the remains of a 15th-century wall, the old town exudes medieval charm. You can explore the Old Town Hall Square, Rope Street, and Catherine Gate. Another highlight is the Black Church, the largest Evangelical Lutheran church in Romania and one of the country's most important Gothic buildings. It owes its name to a great fire in 1689 that blackened its walls.

Today, your day begins with the fortified church of Honigberg (Hărman), a stunning example of 13th-century Saxon defensive architecture. Surrounded by imposing walls, defensive towers, and a well-preserved Gothic fortified church, it still exudes medieval strength and tranquility. For centuries, the complex served not only as a place of worship but also as a refuge for villagers. As part of the Saxon fortified churches of Transylvania, Honigberg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The next stop is the legendary Red Lake (Lacul Roșu). This idyllic lake owes its name to the iron oxides that sometimes give its waters a reddish hue. A massive rockslide, which once leveled an entire forest, has left tree stumps jutting out of the water, lending the lake a mystical atmosphere. The eight-kilometer-long Bicaz Gorge (Cheile Bicazului) is one of Romania's most spectacular mountain roads. Towering cliffs, some reaching 300 meters in height, rise alongside the road, creating a breathtaking landscape. From Piatra Neamț, you'll reach Târgu Neamț and Neamț Monastery, one of the most important monasteries in northern Romania. The monks lead a simple and ascetic life, characterized by prayer, meditation, and work. Monk Antonie will be happy to show you the church and share with you what daily monastic life is like. You'll spend the night on the monastery grounds—a truly special experience.

The Bucovina region is famous for its painted monasteries, renowned for their 15th- and 16th-century frescoes. Several of these, such as Voroneț and Moldovița, were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1993; these are the ones you will visit today. At that time, the area belonged to the Principality of Moldavia, hence its name. The monks sought to transmit the teachings of the Holy Scriptures to the largely illiterate population through vivid drawings, paintings, and frescoes, both inside and outside the monasteries, including their defensive walls. The vibrant paintings of Voroneț Monastery are a masterpiece of Byzantine art, a legacy that extends into the interior of the church, making it one of the most magnificent churches in the region. Sister Tatiana knows every detail of the monastery and will be delighted to guide you through its venerable walls. Deep religiosity shapes the people of this region, and Easter, along with painted eggs as symbols of life and fertility, remains very important. Many families gather in the evenings to decorate Easter eggs using traditional techniques. The award-winning artist Gliceria lives in Moldovița, and you can watch her working and creating her intricate designs. The Moldovița Monastery Church stands majestically with its masterfully painted walls, nestled in a magnificent garden. The fresco on the south facade, depicting the Siege of Constantinople, is particularly impressive. An Orthodox nun will guide you through the monastery and tell you about the nuns' daily life.

In Romania, you'll sometimes feel as if time has stood still, as is the case today in the idyllic region of Maramureș. High in northern Romania, the tranquility is only occasionally broken by the pealing of bells from intricately painted wooden churches. The region is one of the most traditional and beautiful corners of the country. Maramureș captivates visitors not only with its unspoiled landscape but also with its small villages where woodworking is highly valued. The world-famous wooden churches are, of course, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Săcel, you'll visit the oldest working watermill, which also serves as a carpet cleaning plant. Danila Mecles, the village's last miller, and his wife Tatiana will proudly demonstrate its operation. Afterward, homemade gogoși—fluffy, fried yeast dough fritters—await you. Enjoy! The Bârsana monastic complex, with its two churches, a chapel, two houses, a summer house, and a traditional gate, is built entirely of wood. On holidays, it is a popular pilgrimage destination for visitors from all over the country. In Săpânța, you will stroll through the "funny cemetery" and discover why it is called that: here, life is viewed with irony, inviting reflection. Finally, you will visit the wooden Church of Saints Michael and Gabriel in the village of Breb, a significant monument and one of the most important archaic churches in Romania.

The journey takes you through rolling hills and past old farmhouses, their half-timbered facades whispering tales of bygone eras. The road winds through dense forests of fir and beech before reaching valleys crisscrossed by small rivers and streams. Cluj-Napoca (formerly Klausenburg) presents itself as a vibrant, lively city steeped in history. The heart of the city is Piața Unirii, with its magnificent buildings and richly decorated facades, including St. Michael's Church. In the narrow streets of the Old Town, you'll find small shops, cozy cafes, and bustling squares. Your destination today is Sighișoara (Schäßburg), whose historic center is considered one of the most beautiful medieval cityscapes in Europe.

The Old Town of Sighișoara is the only inhabited medieval fortress remaining in Europe. In 1999, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an outstanding example of a medieval town. Defensive towers, crooked houses, and colorful facades line the winding streets, creating a fairytale atmosphere. Especially at night, when the streets are softly lit, you'll feel transported to a bygone era. During your visit, you'll discover medieval architecture combined with brightly colored houses. You'll see the Clock Tower, which today connects the Lower Town with the Upper Town, and visit the Church on the Hill, located atop School Hill overlooking the Old Town. Almost every place in Romania is connected in one way or another to the legend of Dracula; Sighișoara is no exception, as it is said that Dracula was born there and grew up in a small house in the Old Town. The afternoon is yours to explore at your leisure.

In the morning, you will visit the imposing fortified church of Birthälm (Romanian: Biertan). The village had to withstand many attacks in the past, and due to a lack of funds, only the church was fortified, not the entire village. This impressive church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and harmoniously blends Gothic and Renaissance styles. Afterward, in Reichesdorf, you will learn about the "Green Man" (a local term for a specific organization). The Pro Richi association promotes creative thinking and various activities for children. Christina or her colleague Oana will show you the library in the village's historic cultural center and tell you about the projects and challenges the children face. Here, they can attend concerts, perform, and participate in workshops, while learning about local values and discovering their own path. Feeling peckish? At a traditional Transylvanian farmhouse, Lenuta will show you how to prepare "Vinete," a classic eggplant dip. You can help and then enjoy it to your heart's content. Afterward, you will discover the unique characteristics of Transylvanian wines during a private tasting. The route continues through the picturesque Harbach Valley to Hermannstadt (Romanian: Sibiu), a medieval town situated on the edge of the Southern Carpathians and the center of the German-speaking minority. Throughout the journey, magnificent views of the Făgăraș Mountains repeatedly unfold.

“Hermannstadt is enchanting, the best, the good old Germany. Winding alleyways, wonderful people, superb food—unforgettable.” This is what Kurt Tucholsky wrote in a 1918 letter to his future wife, Mary Gerold, while serving as a military policeman in Romania. Hermannstadt’s (Romanian: Sibiu) largest square is the Main Square, Piata Mare, surrounded by magnificent buildings such as the Catholic parish church, the town hall, and the Baroque Brukenthal Palace. The surrounding cafes and restaurants are usually bustling, and the tempting aroma of freshly baked gogoși (a type of flatbread) fills the air. The Smaller Square is characterized by the old guildhalls and the Council Tower, a symbol of the city. Numerous legends surround Sibiu’s Bridge of Lies: supposedly, the structure collapses if one lies down on it. The bridge is also the oldest cast-iron bascule bridge in southeastern Europe. In Huet Square, you will discover the Sag Tower, dating back to the 13th century and the oldest building in Sibiu, and the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, inspired by Hagia Sophia, which boasts a stunning ceiling painting. In Budenbach (Sibiel in Romanian), you will stay with a Romanian family, where you can reminisce about the wonderful experiences of the past few days.

The mountains surrounding the Olt Valley are majestic, their craggy peaks reaching for the sky. At the last Carpathian pass before Bucharest, you'll enjoy another magnificent view of the spectacular landscape. You'll travel along the Olt River as it winds through the valley, bordered by lush green meadows and wooded hills. Along the way, you'll stop at Cozia Monastery, founded in 1388 and one of Romania's most important religious and cultural monuments. Its picturesque riverside location exudes an atmosphere of peace. Shortly before arriving in Bucharest, you'll visit Mogoșoaia Castle, one of the country's most famous cultural landmarks. It was commissioned by the Wallachian prince Constantin Brâncoveanu in the Brâncoveanu style on the estate of a widow named Mogoșoaia. You'll arrive in Bucharest in the late afternoon, completing your journey. Although it may be difficult, the time has come to slowly say goodbye to your tour guide.

They'll take you to Bucharest airport and you'll fly back home. In your luggage: unforgettable memories of a world that no longer seems so foreign.