DAY 1: Arrival in Bucharest – Romania’s Grand Capital of History & Architecture

Welcome to Bucharest!

Welcome to Bucharest, Romania’s dynamic capital blending Belle Époque elegance, Communist grandeur, and a blossoming arts scene. After your airport transfer and check-in, begin your exploration with a guided visit to the Palace of the Parliament—the world’s heaviest and second-largest administrative building, a staggering feat of modern history and architecture.

Later, take a walking tour through Bucharest’s Old Town (Lipscani District), known for its cobblestone streets, local handicrafts, antique shops, and artisan boutiques. Admire restored 19th-century buildings, cozy book cafés, and hidden Orthodox chapels nestled amid the buzz.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Romanian dinner, featuring dishes like sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls), mămăligă (polenta), and papanasi (cheese doughnuts), accompanied by local wine or plum brandy (țuică).

Dinner & Overnight in Bucharest

DAY 2: Bucharest – Museums, Markets & Village Traditions

Deep Dive into Romanian Heritage:

Spend your morning at the National Museum of the Romanian Peasant or the National Art Museum (housed in the former Royal Palace), both offering a rich introduction to folk crafts, textiles, icons, and royal collections.

Then visit the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum—an open-air complex showcasing authentic homes, windmills, and churches from rural Romania. It’s perfect for understanding Romania’s regional architectural diversity and craft traditions.

Later, stroll through Calea Victoriei, one of Bucharest’s most elegant boulevards, lined with neoclassical buildings, luxury boutiques, and artisan shops.

Optional experiences:

• Attend a Romanian folk music performance

• Join a craft or embroidery workshop

• Explore Obor Market, one of the oldest and liveliest local food and spice markets

Dinner & Overnight in Bucharest

DAY 3: Sinaia & Brașov – Castles, Carpathians, and Craft Traditions

After breakfast, journey into the scenic Carpathian Mountains for a stop in the elegant alpine town of Sinaia. Your main highlight here is a guided tour of Peleș Castle, one of Romania’s most magnificent national heritage monuments. Nestled amid forested hills, this 19th-century neo-Renaissance castle stuns with its stained glass, carved woodwork, and ornate halls—a true fairy-tale residence of Romanian royalty.

Continue to Brașov, the heart of Transylvania, where cobbled streets, medieval Saxon architecture, and vibrant artisan life await. Explore Brașov’s Old Town, visit the iconic Black Church—the largest Gothic church in Romania—and stroll down Rope Street, one of the narrowest lanes in Europe.

Wrap up the day browsing local markets for hand-carved woodcraft souvenirs, embroidered Transylvanian textiles, and traditional Romanian ceramics—perfect mementos of your cultural journey.

Dinner & Overnight in Brașov

DAY 4: Bran Castle & Sighișoara – Legends and Living Traditions (UNESCO)

Start your day with a visit to the legendary Bran Castle, famously associated with the Dracula myth and perched dramatically in the Carpathian Mountains. Tour its medieval rooms and corridors while uncovering the real and fictional history behind this iconic fortress.

Continue your cultural journey to Sighișoara, one of the best-preserved UNESCO-listed medieval citadels in Europe. Walk through cobbled lanes lined with colourful buildings, clock towers, and centuries-old churches. Immerse yourself in the town’s artisanal spirit by watching local craftspeople carve traditional wooden toys or paint intricate Easter eggs, preserving Transylvanian folk art.

Dinner & Overnight in Sighișoara

DAY 5: Sibiu – Romania’s Crafts Capital and Open-Air Folk Museum

Spend the day exploring Sibiu, a cultural gem renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and vibrant artisan community. Begin with a visit to the ASTRA Museum of Folk Civilization, Romania’s premier open-air museum and national heritage site, showcasing traditional rural life through historic houses, workshops, and authentic crafts from across the country.

Return to Sibiu’s charming Old Town, where narrow streets lead you to meet skilled leatherworkers, potters, and woodcarvers practicing time-honoured crafts. This immersive experience offers a unique opportunity to purchase exquisite handmade souvenirs directly from the artisans.

Dinner & Overnight in Sibiu