6 Days Private Tour of Transylvania and Bukovina from Budapest

Visit Timisoara city with its complex history and throughout history, various nationalities have shared the city. The city has been part of the Kingdon of Hungary, under the Ottoman rule and for a long period of time, Timisoara was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. In 1918 Timisoara, the population consisted of Germans, Hungarians, Romanians, and Serbians. Capital of the region of Banat, it has made giant strides forward. “Little Vienna” or “the city of flowers and parks” are two names for Timisoara that reflect two important aspects of the city: the architecture is very similar to Vienna and the numerous parks give the urban centre a pleasant, welcoming character. Moreover, Timisoara which is one of the largest cites in Romania, will become a European Capital of Culture in 2021, which means this diversity will be celebrated further. Timisoara can boast the largest centre of historic buildings in Romania. Because of the long Hapsburg nomination, but also thanks to its proximity to western Europe, it is also the most cosmopolitan city in Romania and an excellent example of cohabitation between peoples. It features Orthodox and Catholic churches and cathedrals, and restaurants and bars in which Romanian, Hungarian, German, Serbian and Italian are spoken. Over the last few years, thanks an excellent local policy, the city has attracted thousands for foreign business people, mostly Italians. The presence of many universities, theatres and museums give the city a vibrant cultural life. Freedom Square (Piata Libertatii) is considered the heart of the city, the topographical centre. It is located at the crossroads of several old roads which preserve visible traces of the past, but are also the heart of the city’s night life. Union Square (Piata Unirii) is one on the most beautiful in Romania. It is entirely pedestrianised and features a large park surrounded by beautiful brightly coloured buildings in Baroque style with decorative elements around the cornices, windows and doors.

Also known as The Hunyad Castle, it is thought to be the place where Vlad Tepes was imprisoned before his depose in 1462. According to this belief, he was held hostage for seven years by John Hunyadi, Hungary's then regent and military leader. The castle is located near the cities of Deva and Hunedoara, within the historic region of Transylvania, in its south western side, belonging to the county of Hunedoara. Its foundation was laid out by John Hunyadi (Iancu de Hunedoara) in a Gothic architectural style which encompasses Renaissance elements. It is viewed as the most imposing and resplendent castle in Transylvania. John Hunyadi reinforced the monument to make it safer and stronger in the event of an attack or battle, however he also transformed it visually, modifying the decorative elements of the halls and guest rooms and the towers. The castle features towers which are tall and mighty, ideal for defensive tactics and strategies, inner yards and a drawbridge. The wall is double to prevent any possible damage during or in the event of an attack. Corvin's Castle is an impressive tourist attraction, abundant in historic relevance and architectural pulchritude and it would be a pity to visit its sites and not delve into its mysteries, legends and offerings. Visit each room of the castle and analyse the outer and inner decorative elements and fortifications. A stunning castle of Transylvania and the most amazing Gothic-style castle of Romania.

Stoll in the old town along the wide, tree-lined streets of the Habsburg citadel, one of the most impressive in Europe, to discover the historical, cultural and architectural places of interest of Alba Iulia: the Roman Catholic Cathedral – the oldest and most valuable monument of architecture in Transylvania., the Batthyaneum Library, the Orthodox Cathedral of the Reunification, the Babilon Building – housing the National Museum of Unification, the Union Hall, the Apor Palace, the Princely Palace, and the University of Alba Iulia.

Visit Sibiu, a beautiful medieval city where Romanians and Saxons have been living peacefully for centuries and where the various religious monuments (Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants) demonstrate this peaceful coexistence. Sibiu was named European Capital of Culture in 2007 and hosts an extraordinary theater festival every year. The city fascinates thanks to its three squares (Big Square, Small and Huet Square ) that transport tourists in a real medieval atmosphere. Its towers and its 15th century bastions, but also its beautiful museums and the famous “houses with the eyes” give the visitor lovely moments. Also in Sibiu you will see one of the largest gothic evangelical churches in Transylvania.

Visit Sighisoara, with its imposing Clock Tower. This citadel is the best preserved in Europe and, extraordinary, it is still inhabited. Since 1999 the historic center of Sighisoara is a UNESCO heritage site. Here we will admire the church on the hill, reachable after a wooden staircase called the schoolchildren’s ladder. We will also see the statue of the famous Hungarian national poet Petofi Sandor, testifying to the fact that in Sighisoara the Magyar community was in the past numerically important. Next to the statue is the beautiful Catholic church, reserved for the Hungarian community, and the tower of the shoemakers. You can have lunch at the house where Vlad the Impaler was born (not included)

Visit Targu Mures, a city in which the baroque style predominates. Targu Mures is dominated by the beautiful Palace of Culture, symbol of the locality, an extraordinary baroque palace. In this transylvanian city, the Hungarian community is still numerous and the architects who have worked on the design of historic buildings are all Hungarians

Walking tour in Bistrita, whose main monument is the Lutheran church, built in the fourteenth century in Gothic style but remodeled with Renaissance elements in the second half of the sixteenth century.

Visit to the Moldovita monastery, another famous religious monument, founded by Pietro Rares in the 16th century and whose interior and exterior frescoes enchant the visitor.

Visit Sucevita monastery, founded by the Movila brothers in the seventeenth century. Like the previous two, too, it presents Gothic and Byzantine elements, which merge to form the fascinating Moldovan architectural style. The frescoes on the northern façade of this monastery have remained visible thanks to the protective walls that have never been demolished here.

Visit the monastery of Voronet, nicknamed the Sistine Chapel of the Carpathians, founded by the great prince Stephen the Great and characterized by a beautiful blue color, inimitable and unique in the world

We continue with a visit to the local artisans of Marginea, who perform excellent work with the famous black ceramic, here you will have the opportunity to enter the workshop to closely observe the various working phases of ceramic pots, but you can also buy items typical of Bucovina. At Marginea you can buy not only ceramic vases, but also beautiful painted eggs and decorated with the traditional Romanian technique.

Short stop in Piatra Neamt, a famous ski resort that preserves a beautiful citadel founded at the time of Stephen the Great, in the fifteenth century and an 18th century synagogue. The city has a wonderful geographical position being surrounded by mountains that guard beautiful lush vegetation

We will head towards the Bicaz Gorges and then admire a breathtaking landscape. The Bicaz gorges are crossed by a road flanked by a stream and constitute a landscape of strong emotional impact with thrilling cliffs. Along the gorges there is a market with typical handicrafts and souvenirs that make the attraction even more lively.

Visit of the Red Lake, a natural barrier lake, which was formed following the landslide of a part of a mountain, in fact the trunks of the trees are still present in the lake and this gives a particularly evocative atmosphere. The place is interesting especially for the legends that were born and have spread in reference to the name of the lake. During the visit you will become aware of these legends.

Arrival in Brasov in late evening.

Visit Brasov, a wonderful Transylvanian town, once entirely fortified, an important cultural, tourist and commercial center. Brasov impresses with its typically German architecture, where the Gothic, the Baroque and the Renaissance intersect to give life to an interesting and culturally very lively city. Visit of the Schei district, interesting for the entrances into the city that were carried out in medieval times through the Caatherine’s and Schei Gate, quest last of the nineteenth century. In Brasov we will also visit the impressive Black Church, the largest evangelical Gothic church in Eastern Europe, with a 65 meter high bell tower and a length of 90 meters, the church houses the most beautiful nineteenth-century mechanical organ of Romania. We will then admire the palaces and houses of the historic center, recently restored, with the Council Square which now houses a beautiful museum, and the pedestrian Avenue of the Republic.

Later we proceed to Bran where we will visit the famous Bran Castle, better known as Dracula’s Castle. In the Middle Ages, Bran was exactly on the border between Wallachia and Transylvania, so it was essential for the inhabitants of Brasov to build and preserve a defensive stronghold

Visit to the fabulous Peles Castle, the summer residence of the first king of Romania, the King Charles 1 of Hohenzollern, of German origins. The castle was beautifully designed by a Czech architect, and is famous for being one of the most modern castles in Europe at the time of its construction, between the 19th and 20th centuries. Each room is characterized by a unique style, different from the styles of the other rooms. We will also admire the Florentine room, where we will breathe a typically Italian and Renaissance atmosphere.

Arrival in Bucharest in the late evening and drop-off at your hotel.