Rent a car in Romania/ The Unforgettable Romania Tour The unforgettable Romania is an 11 day tour and it's one of our best tours.. Rent a limo and let us guide you through The unforgettable Romania : Day 1 Road Journey: You will be met at the airport and transferred by minibus to your hotel in Sinaia, a distance of 120 km and journey time of approximately 2 hours. The journey takes you from the flat plains of Wallachia where many different crops are cultivated to the foothills of the Bucegi Mountains where forests and rolling meadows predominate. Area Information: Sinaia Sinaia sits at the foot of the fir-clad BucegiMountains in the narrow PrahovaValley, and is dubbed "Pearl of the Carpathians". This small town is full of charm and compliments its scenic surroundings. The town gains its name from a Romanian nobleman Mihai Cantacuzino who, following a pilgrimage he made to the biblical Mount Sinai in Israel in 1695, founded the Sinaia Monastery. Sinaia later developed into a more popular settlement after King Carol I selected the area for his summer residence in 1870, and built what is today Romania's most beautiful palace. Accommodation: Hotel Palace for 1 night Hotel Palace is a traditional style hotel in a grand building that dates from 1911. Although renovated to a good 3 star standard, the hotel has an air of faded glory. It is located close to the centre of Sinaia, within walking distance of Peleş Castle and Sinaia Monastery, and overlooking the town's park. The 150 rooms are en-suite with either bath or shower and many have scenic views over the town and surrounding mountains. The hotel has a small bar, a welcoming restaurant and a lovely terrace that opens onto the parkland behind the hotel. Meals: Dinner Day 2 Excursion: Full day tour of Sinaia This morning you will visit Sinaia Monastery which today is the home of around 20 monks. It was built in 1695 for monks to settle after centuries of retreat in the Bucegi Mountains. A large Orthodox church, Bisceria Mare, was built next to the original Monastery in 1846, which you will also visit. Following this, visit Peleş Castle, the magnificent royal palace that King Carol I, Romania's first and longest serving of their four monarchs, had built between 1875 and 1914. It rises statuesquely above the surrounding green meadows against rolling hills which turn into mountains. It is built in the German Renaissance style, with many turrets and spires, giving it an almost fairytale air. Inside, the sumptuous décor remains much as it was when the King Carol I and his wife Elisabetha lived there, when it was also the first castle in Europe to have central heating and electricity. You will also visit Pelişor Palace, built in the grounds of the castle by King Carol I for his nephew and heir to the throne, Ferdinand, who married Marie, the grand daughter of Queen Victoria. Marie did not like Peleş Castle, finding it not to her own taste, so when Pelişor Palace was completed in 1892, she decorated it in her own style of pastel colours and simple Art Nouveau design. The mock German medieval palace is an interesting counterpart to Peleş Castle and shows the artistic talents and creative design of its former inhabitants. After this you will continue to Bran, about half an hour away where time will be given for lunch and you will visit Bran Castle. During the 15th & 16th centuries Bran was an important frontier town, being on the main road on the border between Transylvania and Wallacia. Today the town is famous for being home of Bran Castle, incorrectly believed to have been built by Vlad Ţepeş, the 15th century Wallachian prince upon whom the novelist Bram Stoker based his vampire, Count Dracula. The pretty turreted castle was later turned into Queen Marie and her son and heir King Michael's summer residence until his forced abdication in 1947. Much of their furnishing remains, and the castles balconies, courtyard and secret passages make it an intriguing visit. Continue by coach to Brasov, a journey of approximately 30 minutes. Area Information: Brasov In the shadow of MountTâmpa, Brasov's old town is filled with striking baroque architecture, fortified churches, defensive towers and medieval dwellings which are the legacy of its German past. Brasov and much of the surrounding area was colonised by Saxons from the 12th Century onwards. Attacks by Tartars and Turks prompted them to fortify their churches and towns with sturdy walls, providing an opportunity today to see some of the most imposing religious structures in Europe. The Romanians, who were banished from the Saxon town lived at Schei, just outside the walls to the south-west. Piaţa Sfatului. The central square is rated as the finest in the country lined with Baroque facades and streetside cafes. Accommodation: Hotel Aro Palace for 2 nights Located in the centre of Brasov's old town, the Aro Palace is Brasov's best hotel. The three/four star hotel has recently upgraded many of its facilities while retaining its original art deco façade. All rooms are en-suite with either bath or shower, and have minibar and satellite television. The hotel has two restaurants offering Romanian, international, and Italian cuisine and room service is available. The hotel also has a bar, garden restaurant, hairdresser's and casino. Meals: Breakfast Day 3 Excursion: Morning tour of Brasov Today visit the Black Church, the largest Gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul, which is still used by German Lutherans. Built between 1383 and 1477 it stands imposingly just south of the central square, and takes its name from its appearance following a bad fire in 1689. Passing through the Schei Gate the entrance to the Romanian's quarter, you will see St Nicholas' Cathedral, first built in wood in 1392 and then replaced by a stone church in 1495 by the Wallachian prince Neagoe Basarab who supported the Romanian community in Saxon dominated Transylvania. You will also visit the First Romanian School Museum. Excursion: Afternoon visit to Prejmer and Harman This afternoon you will visit the nearby villages of Prejmer and Harman to see their amazing fortified churches. This part of central Transylvania was settled by the so-called German Saxons brought here to develop, build and defend the region. First came the Teutonic Knights who, during their short stay (about 30 years) built many citadels on the main access routes through the Transylvanian Alps (the natural boundary to the south). Shortly after they were overruled by the Hungarian ruler at that time. Next came the German Saxons from the Rhineland and Flanders (Saxony). Central Transylvania became known as Siebenbuergen (the land of the 7 cities) because of the 7 medieval cities the Transylvanian German Saxons built. The 7 medieval cities were heavily fortified with protective walls, towers, ramparts and bastions. Every other town and village was either fortified entirely or had a protective fortified church where locals took shelter to defend themselves in times of siege. Prejmer and Harman are excellent examples of these. Meals: Breakfast Day 4 Road Journey: Today will be spent taking the long but interesting drive north from Transylvania to Southern Bucovina, part of Romania's eastern province of Moldavia. The journey is 320 km and takes approximately 11 hours including frequent stops and visits. The stunning scenery of forest clad hills, awesome mountains, tranquil valleys, remote villages and towns gives a fascinating insight into Romanian landscapes and lifestyles. During the journey a stop will be made to enjoy the staggering Bicaz Gorges, which wind uphill for 5 kilometres cutting through sheer, 300 metre high limestone rocks. Another stop will be made to appreciate the strange natural beauty of the Red Lake, where tree stumps rise at 45 degree angles from the water. Make a visit to Neamţ Monastery, Moldavia's oldest and largest Monastery founded in the 14th Century. Arrival in Gura Humorului will be in time for dinner in the hotel restaurant. Area Information: Gura Humorului Gura Humorului is a working town with little to offer in terms of interesting tourist sights. It is, however, the perfect base from which to explore the painted monasteries of southern Bucovina, many of which are only a few kilometres outside the town, through the picturesque villages and bucolic scenery of this area. Accommodation: Best Western Bucovina for 2 nights The Best Western Bucovina Hotel is a modern four star hotel that stands on the edge of town overlooking the surrounding mountains. Its 130 rooms are spacious and well designed with new gothic style furniture. All rooms have en-suite facilities with shower or bath, mini-bar, and satellite television. Room service is available. The hotel has a restaurant serving Romanian and international cuisine, a bar and an outdoor terrace. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Day 5 Excursion: Full day tour of the painted monasteries Southern Bucovina's remarkable painted monasteries are undoubtedly among the greatest artistic monuments of Europe. They were erected in the 15th and 16th Centuries at a time when Moldavia was threatened by Turkish invaders, when local people would gather inside the monasteries' strong defensive walls, for shelter and to wait to do battle. To educate and entertain the illiterate peasants and soldiers, who were unable to enter the churches or understand the slavic language of the sermons, well known biblical stories were portrayed on the church walls in frescoes. Following the Hapsburg occupation of Bucovina in 1785 most of the monasteries were closed and their inhabitants forced to relinquish their spiritual lives. They were also persecuted under communism, and it is only since 1990 that many have become, once again, working monasteries and convents, and work has begun in earnest to ensure these important monuments are preserved. Although some of the frescoes have been damaged by centuries of rain and wind, more often than not the vivid colours have been well preserved. You will visit four of the most interesting and significant monasteries, Voroneţ, Humor, Suceviţa and Moldoviţa. At all monasteries smoking and wearing shorts and hats are forbidden, and women are required to cover their shoulders. All monasteries have an extra charge for cameras and video cameras. Meals: Breakfast Day 6 Road Journey: Gura Humorului to Sighisoara This morning leaving Southern Bucovina behind you travel back into Transylvania through the dramatic countryside of the Bârgău Valley and Tihuta mountain pass, a journey of 250 kms and approximately 9 hours including regular stops and visits. A stop for lunch and a short tour will be made in Bistriţa, a small market town in the heart of 'Dracula land'. First chronicled in 1264, the town was one of the seven original towns founded by the Saxons, whose presence can still be seen in the town's 15th and 16th Century merchant houses. Before arriving in Sighişoara a visit will also be made to Târgu Mureş, a traditionally Hungarian stronghold which developed as a garrison town in 1322 and developed into an important cultural and academic centre. Today the city is an appealing mixture of historical dwellings around the main square, Piaţa Trandafirilor, more modern concrete structures and the contrasting Citadel church and fortress, Orthodox Cathedral, Roman Catholic church and Culture Palace. Area Information: Sighisoara Sighisoara, situated in Romania centre, in Transylvania province, is famous for its architecture dating from 14th century. Walk up from the city to the medieval citadel and enter through the 60-meter-tall clock tower (built in 1360). The ocher-coloured house named "Casa Vlad Dracula", where the Vlad the Impaler was born, better known as Vlad III Dracula, once lived, is now a cozy restaurant. The town of Sighisoara is the most enchanting of all the Transylvanian towns. Its medieval buildings, gilded roofs and towers have been unspoiled by war or modern industry. The Citadel, built by the Saxons in the 12th Cent., rises above the town and is preserved as a museum. The notorious Vlad Tepes, popularly called Dracula, was born in this town. Accommodation: Casa Wagner for 1 night This small characterful hotel, situated on Sighişoara's quaint main square, has just 22 rooms which have been carefully restored to their original Saxon style using period pieces and antiques. Each room is different but all are simple and elegant in their design, and have en-suite facilities with either bath or shower, and television. Most have stunning views over the medieval citadel, and some even have restored original frescoed ceilings. The hotel's restaurant is charming and welcoming, serving a wide range of regional dishes and room service is also available. In the basement is a cellar bar where live music is often played. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Day 7 Excursion: Morning tour of Sighişoara This morning enjoy a tour of Sighişoara's enchantingly preserved medieval citadel, with its 9 remaining towers and city walls encircling sloping cobbled streets, 16th century burgher houses and untouched churches. Settled by the Romans, the town was colonised by Saxons from the 12th century and built into a thriving crafts and trading town. Today the citadel is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. Sighişoara is also the birthplace of Vlad Ţepeş, of Dracula fame. After visiting the huge clock tower and History Museum housed within it, the Church of the Dominican Monastery and the gothic Church on the Hill, the tour will finish in the charming main square, Piaţa Cetatii. You will then have some free time to enjoy this charming city your leisure. Area Information: Sibiu Sibiu is a lively 12th Century Saxon city known as one of Romania's prettiest. Founded on the site of the former Roman village of Cibinium, during the peak of Saxon influence Sibiu had 19 guilds, each representing a different craft, within its sturdy city walls protected by 39 towers and 4 bastions. Under the Hapsburgs from 1703 to 1791 and again from 1849 to 1867 Sibiu was the seat of the Austrian governors of Transylvania. The city combines late Renaissance, early Gothic, Classical and Transylvanian Baroque architectural styles, and at its heart has three interlocking squares full of medieval charm and a pedestrianised main street that has a Mediterranean feel. Accommodation: Hotel Imparatul Romanilor for 2 nights The Hotel Imparatul Romanilor is located adjacent to the main square of the city and is Sibiu's oldest and most renowned hotel. Its history stretches back to 1555, and former guests include Johannes Brahms, Johan Strauss and Franz Liszt. The hotel's grand lobby showcases furniture and décor from a melange of historical styles, with gilt furniture and chandeliers dominating. The rooms are simple and elegant with period furnishings, en-suite facilities with bath or shower, and television. The hotel's restaurant is ornate in its design with a sliding glass roof, and room service is available. There is also a bar, sauna and small fitness centre. Meals: Breakfast Day 8 Excursion: Morning tour of Sibiu (the center of the cultural capital) This tour includes the Roman Catholic cathedral built between 1726 and 1733 by a Jesuit order, the Byzantine Orthodox cathedral which is a miniature copy of Istanbul's Hagia Sofia, and the gothic Evangelical Church with its great five pointed tower. You will also visit the Brukenthal Art Museum, the oldest and finest art gallery in Romania, and see the Iron Bridge, also known as "Liar's Bridge" after the merchants who used to meet there to trade. Excursion: Afternoon visit to Sibiel This afternoon visit Sibiel, a nearby village set in picturesque rural Transylvanian countryside, and visit the Glass Icon Museum. The museum houses a collection of more than 700 icons richly painted on glass, as well as furniture and ceramics. Meals: Breakfast Day 9 Road Journey: This morning you will travel to Bucharest; a journey of 265 km and approximately 3.5 hours. En route make a stop at Curtea de Argeş, former capital of Wallachia, where you will visit the town's church and impressive white stone sculpted monastery. Area Information: Bucharest Known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and Belle Epoque buildings Bucharest, Romania's capital is sometimes known as "Little Paris" due to its 19th century architecture designed by French trained architects which includes a Triumphal Arch and a boulevard reminiscent of Paris' famed Champs-Elysees. Romanian legend has it that the city of Bucharest was founded by a shepherd named "Bucur", whose name means "joy". His flute playing reportedly dazzled the locals and his hearty wine from nearby vineyards endeared him to the local traders, who gave his name to the place. Communist rule interrupted Bucharest's cosmopolitan days, and today 15 years after the overthrow of the communist regime, the "House of the People", the world's second largest building after the US Pentagon, reminds Romanians of the communist years. Today, Bucharest the capital and largest city of Romania is experiencing renewed vigour. The city reflects an interesting heritage of mixed cultures influenced by the old Romanian aristocracy educated in France, the German King Carol I, and the communist society. Accommodation: Sofitel Bucharest Hotel for 2 nights The Sofitel Bucharest is an elegant 5 star hotel located 10 minutes drive from the centre of Bucharest. The hotel's 202 rooms are spacious, classically designed and light, all having large picture windows with views over the city, and are equipped with satellite television, minibar and air conditioning. The hotel has a cosy piano bar, two restaurants, one serving Mediterranean dishes and the other French, a café serving pastries, a shopping gallery and beauty salon. The hotel also has a leisure club located a short drive by complimentary shuttle from the hotel where they have an indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness centre, sauna and steam rooms and Jacuzzi. Meals: Breakfast Day 10 Excursion: Morning tour of Bucharest This morning take a tour of the city including the Old Princely Court, the city's historic heart where artisans and traders settled in the 14th and 15th century; the Royal Palace; the Stavropoleos Church that was built in 1724 by a Greek monk in the late Brâncoveanu style; the Patriarchal Cathedral which is the majestic centre of the Romanian Orthodox faith; and the monstrous Palace of Parliament, the pinnacle of Ceauşescu's communist vision that is the world's second largest building. Ceauşescu bulldozed one sixth of the city of Bucharest in order to make space for this 12 storey building that has 3100 furnished rooms, over 60 galleries and over 60 reception halls. Following this a visit will be made to the open-air Village Museum where 50 complete homesteads, churches, windmills and sunken houses from rural Romania can be seen. Afternoon at leisure. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with folklore show at the restaurant Terasa Day 11 Morning at leisure Transfer: Early this afternoon you will be collected at your hotel and taken to the airport Choose one of our cars from the car fleet and book this tour.
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