Duration: 13 nights / 14 days

Type: fly&drive

A great tour to discover a country, its inhabitants, castles, villages and monasteries, while taking the time to go hiking at your own pace without worrying about the logistical organization, safely on itineraries designed and recognized by a specialist.

Day 1 

Arrival in Bucharest.

The rented car is delivered for you at the airport.

As the airport is located to the north of the capital, access to the Prahova Valley is fast. 

Arrival at the village of Sohodol where you are received by Emilia for the next 3 nights. 

Day 2

Hiking in the vicinity of Bran Castle, known as the Dracula castle, passing by limestone gorges which served as the setting for many films, forest trails and ridges from which the summits of the region are unveiled. Return to Sohodol.

Day 3

Day dedicated to the visit of Brasov and its surroundings.

The city of Braşov was through the centuries one of the most important, powerful and flourishing cities in its region. Thanks to its geographical position and its infrastructure, it allows the development of many economic and cultural activities. Points of interest:

- The museum of the First Romanian School, a museum that exposes the first books printed in Romanian language

- The Black Church - a famous church in Gothic style begun in 1384 and finished in 1477. It received the current denomination after the general fire of 1689.

- The church of Saint Nicholas - dating from the 14th century.

- The walls of the old fortifications

- Tampa Mountain

Day 4

Departure to the eastern Carpathians via the roads and villages of Transylvania, especially in the region of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Arrival in Corund, near Sovata, in a cozy house owned by the descendants of the Hungarian colonists fom Transylvania. It’s a family of potters, in the heart of a artisans village. 

Day 5

Hiking accompanied by a guide in the vicinity of Corund and Sovata, in the heart of the wild mountains in search of the very rich fauna (wolves, bears). 

Possibility to visit the impressive Praid salt mine.
Day 6

You will discover another region, Moldova, on the road that passes at the bottom of the gorge of Bicaz, 300 meters deep and 10 meters wide, near the Red Lake. Arrival in Bucovina, famous for its monasteries, and installation for three nights in the house of the family Cazac, a few steps from the monastery of Sucevita.

Day 7

Hiking at the monasteries with painted exterior frescoes, Unesco heritage. With original paintings from the 16th-17th century, the monasteries are spectacular and surprising: Sucevita, Moldovita, Voronet, Humor.

Day 8

Continue de visits of the monasteries.

Other possible visits:

- Marginea ceramics workshops.

- The city of Suceava.

- Dragomirna and Putna Monasteries (further than the other monasteries)

- The Painted Eggs Museum, in the village of Vama.

Day 9

Leave towards another area, rich in traditions and legends, the Maramures. Hiking along the ridges of the Rodna Mountains is amazing. You follow the wild Bistrita valley to reach Borsa and accommodation at Hotel Victoria.
Day 10

Arrival in Vadu Izei, to Ileana and Vasile’s Pension and discover the typical villages of the Maramures area. The wooden churches (Unesco for some) are proud local landmarks. If possible, we recommend you to be in this area on a Sunday (prefer a departure from France on Friday) to admire the villagers in popular costumes. 

Also today, possibility to go to Sapinta, visit the merry cemetery, unique in Europe.

Day 11

Descend to the south, a day's drive on the plateaus of Transylvania, passing through Cluj-Napoca, a large university town, and arrival in Sibiel, near Sibiu, in the farmhouse of Cristina,

The village is located at the foot of the Southern Carpathians (or the Transylvania Alps). 

Day 12

Hiking from the house of Cristina in the Cindrel Mountains, probably the chance to meet with shepherds and take the time to visit Sibiu, one of the most pleasant cities of this part of Europe!

Sibiu is a city with medieval centre, one of the most "alive" places in the country. It was the European Capital of Culture in 2007 and remains a centre for many events of all kinds. The city has modern and charming accommodation facilities and restaurants with specific Romanian atmosphere at night. The visit of the city is done on foot and includes: The Big Square, the Haller House, the Teutsch House, the Small Square, the Bridge of Lies, the Huet Square, the Evangelical Church, the Metropolitan Church, the Walls of the fortress, the Schiller Square.

Day 13

It is time to return to Bucharest, passing through Pitesti and the great Olt valley. 

Possible stop in Curtea de Arges, where the kings of Romania where buried and legends stil exist. The city houses a various number of medieval churches. 

En route, you can visit the monastery of Cozia, one of the oldest in the region.

Arrival in the capital and accommodation in three-star hotel. Free dinner.

Day 14

Return the rented car, according to flight schedule and end of services.