Romanian Explorer

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Bucharest

Fly from London (regional connections
available) to Bucharest with British Airways.
Transfer to the Novotel for 1 night. Welcome
dinner. (D)

Day 2: Sinaia Brasov

Morning drive to Sinaia to visit the palaces of
Peles and Pelisor, the former royal residences
of King Carol I. These magnificent German Renaissance-style palaces are a complex of
magnificent turrets rising above swathes of
green meadows. Continue to Brasov and stay
2 nights at the Hotel Avro Palace (or similar). (B)

Day 3: Zarnesti Viscri Bran

Morning visit to the Liberty Bear Sanctuary in Zarnesti, the only sanctuary for rescued bears in Romania, with more than 80 bears currently under care. Continue to the atmospheric Saxon town of Viscri where HRH the Prince of Wales has bought and restored several properties. Visit the 12th-century church, one of the oldest in Transylvania. End the day with a visit to Bran castle, which is famously associated with Dracula, the legendary character from Bram Stokers gothic novel. Return to Brasov. (B)

Day 4: Prejmer Saschiz Sighisoara Trgu Mures

Morning drive to Sighisoara, visiting the fortified church of Prejmer and the Saxon houses of Saschiz en route. Tour of Sighisoara, a beautifully preserved medieval settlement. The city walls encircle cobbled streets lined with colourful 16th-century burgher houses. Visits include the citadel, the Church on the Hill and the clock tower. Continue to Trgu Mures and stay overnight at the Hotel Plaza. (B)

Day 5: Trgu Mures Salina Praid Alba Lulia Sibiu

Morning city tour of Trgu Mures including a visit to the Palace of Culture. Continue to Salina Praid, a salt mine complex and the city of Alba Lulia to view the Roman ruins and the citadel. Overnight at the Golden Tulip (or similar) in Sibiu. (B)

Day 6: Sibiu Horezu Rmnicu Vlcea

Morning city tour of Sibiu including a visit to 14th-century Evangelical church and the Brukenthal Art Musuem. Afternoon drive to Rmnicu Vlcea. En route, visit Horezu monastery, considered to be one of the finest in Romania. Stay for 1 night at the Hotel Sofianu. (B)

Day 7: Curtea de Arges Bucharest

Morning drive to Curtea de Arges, the former
capital of Wallachia. Visit the Episcopal
church, where the Romanian Kings are buried.
Continue to Bucharest and stay overnight at
the Intercontinental. Farewell dinner in the
evening. (B, D)

Day 8: Bucharest Fly to London

Morning tour of Bucharest, known as the Paris of the east due to its boulevards and Belle Epoque buildings. View the Old Princely Court, the Royal Palace and visit the Palace of Parliament, which is the third largest building in the world. Early afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B)