Romania: Castles, Ruins, and Medieval VillagesRomania: Castles, Ruins, and Medieval Villages

This morning, we'll head out for some sightseeing in Bucharest, the capital of Romania and the largest city in the country. In addition to walking through the old city center, we'll explore some of the seemingly never-ending interior of the Palace of Parliament, the largest civilian administrative building in the world, also known as the People's House. Built by the Communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu, the Palace boasts 1,100 rooms, hundreds of chandeliers, 220,000 square meters of carpet, and a total area of over 365,000 square meters. Demolition of the controversial building, starting in 1982, included the razing of several monasteries, factories, workshops, and an entire neighborhood, leaving over 40,000 families without homes. We’ll also duck into the city’s historic concert hall, with some free time in the afternoon to rest or explore further on your own.

This morning, we'll depart the capital and head into the countryside. On the way, we'll visit the striking Peleș Castle, nestled in the foothills of the Bucegi Mountains. Completed in 1883, the former summer home of the Romanian royal family boasts 160-plus rooms, including an enormous Weapons Room, Music Room, and a frescoed movie theater where Romania's first film projection is said to have taken place. After lunch, we'll continue on to Bran, a commune in Brașov County composed of five villages. As darkness approaches, we'll take a peek inside the imposing Bran Fortress, also known as “Dracula’s Castle.” While this ancient fortress earned foreign fame thanks to the Irish novelist Bram Stoker, its history is more fascinating than any vampiric folktale. Built in the 14th century, the castle played a key role in protecting against invading armies of the Ottoman empire, and later became a customs post. Notable figures connected with the castle include Mircea the Elder, Vlad the Impaler, and Princess Ileana—who ran a hospital out of the structure during World War II before it was seized by the communist regime in 1948. Our guided tour of the fortress will take you on a whirlwind journey through centuries of fascinating and tumultuous history. Later in the evening, we'll have dinner in Brasov before turning in for the night.

Today we'll enjoy Brașov City Center and visit the Biserica Neagră (Black Church), one of the largest churches in Romania. The Gothic-style church was built by Bulgarian workers beginning in the late 14th century. The church bell weighs six tons, and the historic pipe organ, built in 1839, is still played occasionally for lucky audiences. This afternoon and evening, take some time to relax and wander on your own. Depending on your interests, your guide can suggest and help arrange optional activities—such as a nature trek in the Seven Ladders Canyon, a cable car ride, or an evening concert at the local Philharmonic Orchestra.

We’ll kick off the day with a drive to Rupea Citadel, one of the most spectacular and best-conserved medieval structures in Transylvania. Sprawling across nearly 11 hectares, the massive medieval fortress that once sat on the frontlines of the Ottoman expansion into central Europe remains stunningly intact today. Then it's off to Viscri, a rural town that is now part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, we’ll visit the Viscri fortified church, built in the 13th century when the region still belonged to the Kingdom of Hungary. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxed, homemade lunch before heading to the medieval city of Sighișoara. Built at the turn of the 13th century by a group of German settlers known as the Transylvanian Saxons, Sighisoara went on to play a key strategic and commercial role in the region. At night, the cobblestone streets are quiet and serene, the city’s historic clock tower aglow.

This morning is yours to relax—feel free to sleep in or walk around on your own. We'll regather in the early afternoon for a citadel tour, followed by a tasting of tuica, a traditional local brandy. Afterwards, you can also join for an optional tour of the medieval city's beautiful Saxon cemetery, perched at the very top of the hill. 

Today features a unique highlight: Salina Turda, a former salt mine-turned-tourist attraction with 2,000 years of history. In the morning, we’ll drive from Sighișoara to this underground wonderland and art theme park. Mining here began during the Roman empire and continued all the way until 1932. During WWII, after a decade of abandonment, the mine was repurposed as an antiaircraft shelter. In 1992, it was reopened to the public, and has been a notable attraction and school field trip destination ever since, now outfitted with bright lights and pedestrian walkways‚—not to mention an amphitheater, Ferris wheel, and underground lake. Here, we’ll have a chance to learn about the importance of salt in Romania's history and ride yellow rowboats across water 400 feet below Earth’s surface. After reemerging and having lunch, it’s off to Alba Carolina Citadel, a historic fortress city that once served as the capital of the Eastern Hungarian Kingdom, separated from the modern downtown by a vast moat and several drawbridges. Tonight, we'll be treated to a medieval dinner at a grand, historic venue.

Today we'll visit one of the largest castles in Europe: Hunedoara Castle, also known as Corvinilor or Corvin Castle. Built in 1446 by Ioan de Hunedoara, ruler of Transylvania and Regent of Hungary, the castle is protected by a double wall and features both rectangular and circular towers, some of which (such as the Deserted Tower and the Drummers’ Tower) were once used as prisons. We’ll roam the castle’s interior, including its watchtowers, bedrooms, and the "bear pit," into which prisoners and traitors were said to have been thrown. In the afternoon, we'll drive to the charming city of Sibiu, which, colonized by Saxons in the 12th century, is home to Romania’s first beer garden—as well as museum, library, school, and mountain resort. After a walking tour of the city, you’ll have some free time to explore and enjoy dinner on your own. If you're ready to take on a long spiral staircase, we recommend the climb to the top of Lutheran Cathedral of St. Mary, with a clock tower that boasts fantastic views of the city and the snow-capped peaks in the distance.

This morning, we'll travel to Sibiel, one of the oldest villages in the region. After exploring the village, we visit the Zosim Oancea Museum of Icons on Glass. Admire the unique collection of glass artworks that are a  combination of Orthodox Christian traditions and Romanian folk painting. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local guesthouse before returning to Sibiu.  Explore the ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization, a unique, open-air museum established as a "shelter for keeping the past." Wander among windmills, houses, cottages, workshops, and exhibits highlighting historic objects and architecture from all around Transylvania. However, feel free to spend more time in Sibiu instead. As you walk around, you'll notice various sets of eyes following you wherever you go. Look closely and you'll see that the houses are staring back at you.

After a relaxing morning, we’ll begin the drive back to Bucharest. For much of the way, our route follows the River Argeș south through Curtea de Argeș, the capital and one of the oldest towns in Wallachia. We will stop for a farewell lunch before arriving in Otopeni.  After check in at our hotel near the airport the rest of the evening is yours to relax and get ready for tomorrow's departure.