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Grand Tour of Romania with Bucharest City Stay

9 Day Escorted Tour With 3 Day Extension

Romania, Europe
12 Meals Included
11 Excursions
Intermediate Pace

Discover the intricate beauty of Romania’s culture and the rugged landscapes of its countryside, from imposing medieval citadels and iconic castles to the hidden subterranean marvels of the Turda Salt Mines and the stunning painted frescos of the country’s monasterie.

Located on the banks of the Dambovita River, Bucharest is a bustling metropolis with tree-lined boulevards, 17th and 18th-century orthodox churches and fabulous Belle Epoque buildings.

Highlights

  • Explore the medieval citadel of Sighisoara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999
  • Discover the beautiful city of Sibiu – known as Romania’s ‘Capital of Culture’
  • Witness the stunning facades of Romania’s painted monasteries
  • Find out about the coloured history of Bran castle – made famous through the legend of Dracula
  • Enjoy a relaxed walking tour of Bucharest, visiting its old town and Romania’s national art gallery
  • Delve into the earth to discover the secret underworld of the Turda Saltmine
  • Enjoy some extra time to explore Bucharest at your own pace

Map Key

Train
Coach
Boat
Airplane
Walking
1
Number of nights

Itinerary

Day 1
UK to Predeal

Dinner

Depart the UK on your flight to Bucharest. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to Predeal for dinner at your hotel before resting for the evening.

Day 2
Predeal to Piatra Neamt

Breakfast

Today you’ll be travelling to Piatra Neamt, stopping enroute to see the impressive UNESCO-listed Saxon centres of Prejmer and Viscri. With 40ft high walls and well-preserved bastions and drawbridges, you can see how it was besieged 50 times and only captured once! Next visit Szekeli Museum, one of the oldest in central Europe and home to the history of the Hungarians in Transylvania. Continue to Piatra Neamt a charming destination with a rich history and beautiful natural setting.

Day 3
Piatra Neamt

Breakfast

Visit the painted monasteries of Voroneț and Agapia, along with the Museum of Folk Art at Tarpesti. Begin at Voroneț Monastery, marveling at its iconic blue frescoes. Then, venture to Agapia Monastery for spiritual tranquility amidst lush surroundings. In the afternoon delve into the rich cultural tapestry at the Museum of Folk Art at Tarpesti, showcasing traditional crafts and artifacts.

Day 4
Piatra Neamt to Sighisoara

Breakfast

Begin your journey to Sighisoara via the breathtaking passageway of The Red Lake and Bicaz Gorge which divide the Romanian provinces of Moldova and Transylvania. Admire the views as you pass through these spectacular canyons. Continue to Sighisoara where you’ll have time to explore the cobbled streets of one of Europe’s oldest citadels. The first thing you’ll notice is the riot of colour, with buildings painted in bright oranges, yellows, blues and pinks creating a dazzling canvas. It has a colourful history too, being the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. The 14th century Clock Tower offers a spectacular panorama from the top and a covered stairway leads to the “Church on the Hill”, a fine example of Gothic architecture.

Day 5
Sighisoara to Sibiu

Breakfast

Delve into the subterranean wonders of Turda Salt Mine, marveling at its awe-inspiring chambers and underground lake. Conclude your adventure in Alba Iulia, where centuries of history unfold amidst its majestic fortress and baroque architecture. Continue on to Sibiu.

Day 6
Sibiu

Breakfast

Explore the cultural capital of Transylvania as you stroll through the picturesque squares and cobblestone streets of this charming medieval city. Enjoy the architectural wonders of the Old Town, adorned with pastel-colored houses and Baroque buildings. Discover the rich history and Turda Gorge Bran Castle cultural heritage of Sibiu as you visit landmarks such as the iconic Bridge of Lies and the majestic Lutheran Cathedral. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the local markets and artisan shops, where traditional crafts and delicacies await.

Day 7
Sibiu to Brasov

Breakfast

Travel from Sibiu to Brasov and traverse the majestic Carpathian Mountains, winding past dramatic peaks and waterfalls. Stop at the iconic Balea Lake and take in the panoramic views of the Transylvanian Alps. Continue your journey to Brasov to enjoy this fascinating medieval town – a perfectly preserved example of baroque architecture that presents a juxtaposed culture of modern al fresco dining, against a backdrop of stunning, ancient Saxon architecture.

Day 8
Brasov

Breakfast

Start today’s tour with a visit to a Bear Sanctuary in Zarnesti, a centre that has rescued over 100 bears and subsequently released them into their natural environment. Continuing your tour to the 14th century Bran Castle, built as a clifftop defensive fortress and cloaked in Dracula legend. Under the direction of Queen Marie in the 1920s it was transformed into a modern summer residence fit for royalty. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring Brasov.

Day 9
Brasov to Bucharest

Breakfast

After breakfast at your hotel you’ll be transferred to Bucharest via Sinaia where you’ll visit Peles Castle – an opulent neo-Renaissance masterpiece, commissioned by King Carol I in 1873. You’ll also have the chance to explore Sinaia Monastery, a place with a history dating back 300 years that now Turda Salt Mine operates as a shelter for vulnerable people. Later, continue to Bucharest on a driving tour that allows you to admire the open landscapes and vistas of the Romanian countryside.

Day 10
Bucharest

Breakfast

After breakfast the morning is yours to explore Bucharest at your own pace.

Day 11
Bucharest

Breakfast

Enjoy a day at leisure in Bucharest.

Day 12
Bucharest to UK

Breakfast

After breakfast the morning transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

View Full Itinerary

This tour can be booked by calling 1800 804 006

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Accommodation

The hotels listed below are provided for guidance only and final confirmation of your accommodation will be sent to you approximately 10 days before you travel
Hotel Orizont
1 nights
Predeal, Romania
More details
Central Plaza Hotel Piatra Neamt
2 nights
Piatra Neamt, Romania
More details
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Important Information

The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. Some road construction &/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.

If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of €324.50pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.

A visa is not required for your trip to Romania. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity.

It is your responsibility to check your passport validity. To enter Romania (and all Schengen countries) your passport must: have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive and have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave. Sources of information include; https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you. If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0871 360 2000, quoting HX313.

We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.

It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.

This tour is accessible to most people with a good level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves climbing of steep stairs and getting on and off coaches. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

The currency in Romania is the Romanian Leu. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country. Cash machines will also be available throughout the tour in order to withdraw money in your local currency.

As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.

You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry, any meals not included in the itinerary as well as drinks and any additional snacks; Approximately £300- £400 per person will be sufficient for the duration of the tour. It is a good idea to try and maintain a supply of small notes and change in the local currency for tipping or small purchases.

Tipping

It is customary to tip both your driver and guide approximately 2 euros per person per day in total. Tips will be collected at the end of your tour. We recommend budgeting 10% for a tip service on top of your bill at local restaurants.

The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10 and the maximum will be 35. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date, then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.

There is no minimum number of travellers for this extension however the main tour passenger numbers will apply for the main part of the tour. If in the unlikely event there are less than the required number of people booked on your main tour date then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.

This is a fully escorted tour meaning that you will be met by a local guide in each of the cities that you visit, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.

Your stay in Bucharest is not escorted by a tour guide. All internal transfers are included.

Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist compared to what you might expect in the UK. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.

Breakfast is always local or international cuisine and served in the hotel each morning. Dinner (when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours. It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way.

Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information

On your arrival in Romania you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Dertour, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/ Dertour representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your national guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries.

If you need to contact your representative during your stay the details are:

Dertour: Telephone Number: 0040 724 320 926 or 0040 21 314 3002

Emergency contact information: Please find below the emergency contact details for Dertour24 hour: 0040 724 320 926