Bucharest, Transylvania, Budapest & Prague
14 Days/13 Nights Private Tour

Day 1 

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA

Arrival to Bucharest, Romania. Upon arrival private transfer to the Hotel. Accommodation in Bucharest

Day 2 

BUCHAREST-SINAI, ROMANIA

After breakfast private half day sightseeing tour of Bucharest Followed by private transfer to Sinaia, the former Summer Residence of the Romanian Royalties. Sightseeing at Sinai. Sightseeing tour, including the most interesting sites in Bucharest, like The Parliament Palace, also known as The People’s House, the second largest building in the world, after Penthagon, The Revolution Square, The Opera Square, Victoria Ave and the Triumphal Arch. Visit the Parliament Palace, built 1984 - 1989, with unique marble decorations, wooded sculptures made of rare essence, also. Former house of Ceausescu, this building is impressive at first only by figures: 270 meters by 240, 86 meters high, 1100 pieces and 12 floors. Transfer to Sinaia, named the Pearl of the Carpathians. Visit the summer residence of the first royal couple, King Carol I and Queen Elisabeth, Peles Castle, one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe. Accommodation in Sinaia

Day 3

SINAIA, BRASOV, SIBIEL & SIBIU, ROMANIA

After breakfast private transfer from Sinaia to Brasov, Sibiel and Sibiu. Drive to Bran to visit the famous medieval castle built as a fortress - The "Dracula's" Castle. Prince Vlad used the Castle as a general headquarters during his incursions in Transylvania . For manyyears, it has been an interesting medieval art museum. Surrounded by an aura of mystery and legend and perched high atop a 200-foot-high rock, Bran Castle was built on the site of a Teutonic Knights stronghold dating from 1212 and it was first documented in an act issued by Louis I of Hungary on November 19, 1377, giving the Saxons of Kronstadt (Brasov) the privilege to build the Citadel. Transfer to Brasov, ancient Kronstadt. Fringed by the peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains and resplendent with gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture, as well as a wealth of historical attractions, Brasov is one of the most visited places in Romania. Founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211 on an ancient Dacian site and settled by the Saxons as one of the seven walled citadels, Brasov exudes a distinct medieval ambiance and has been used as backdrop in many recent period films. In this city, we are surrounded by legends of the vampires and medieval stories.  Walking tour through the old town center, including the Black Church, the Council Square, the Hirche House, the baroque style buildings from the Austro-Hungarian times. Arrival in Sibiel village that received the Golden Apple Award in 2010. The greater part of the villages in this area preserved strong spiritual and ethno-folkloric traditions. Sibiu is one of the oldest towns in Transylvania – formerly Hermannstadt - founded by the Saxon colonists. Guided walking tour of the medieval town (the Main Square, the Evangelical Church, and the Liars' Bridge etc.). Sibiu - once one of the easternmost cities of the glittering Hapsburg Empire was European Cultural Capital in 2007. Nine centuries of cultural treasures await discovery. A visit to Sibiu is a  „must” as this was the European Cultural Capital in 2007. Accommodation at Sibiu.

Day 4

SIBIU-BIERTAN-SIGHISOARA-VALENI-TARGU MURES-SIBIU, ROMANIA

After breakfast private excursion to neighboring villages and towns in Transylvania with a private driver/guide. Drive to Sighisoara, the best preserved medieval citadel in Europe (UNESCO heritage). On the way stop to Biertan to visit its impressive Gothic fortified church (UNESCO heritage). Discover the best preserved medieval fortress in Europe: Sighisoara. Founded by Transylvanian Saxons during the 12th century, Sighisoara (Schassburg in German) still stands as one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. Designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this perfectly intact 16th century gem with nine towers, cobbled streets, burgher houses and ornate churchesrivals the historic streets of Old Prague or Vienna for atmospheric magic. It is also the birthplace of Vlad Dracula, also known as Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler), ruler of the province of Walachia from 1456 to 1462. It was he who inspired Bram Stoker's fictional creation, Count Dracula. His house is just one of the many attractions here. Others include the Church on the Hill with its 500-year-old frescoes, the Clock Tower with its weapons museum, the 13th century Venetian House and the Church of the Dominican Monastery, known for its Transylvanian renaissance carved altarpiece, baroque pulpit, Oriental carpets and 17th century organ. Drive to Valeni, a small village near Targu Mures to meet Gabor family. The Gabor are traditional Roma whose laws and traditions follow the ancestral customs and religion. Their status amongst the Roma tribes places them along the upper tier of the Roma caste system. They are the "blue-bloods” or aristocrats of Roma society. Our guides lead our visitors on a complete tour of the Roma household with its exotic Roma decor. Roma metalworker banging away in the courtyard will demonstrate the traditional Roma trade. A non-stop burning Gypsy fire will add to the Gypsy theme. Freshly cooked cake is served by Roma dressed in their traditional wardrobe. Stop in Targu Mures to discover one of the most interesting cities in Romania. Drive back to Sibiu. Overnight at Sibiu

Day 5  

SIBIU - ALBA LULIA - CLUJ NAPOCA - ORADEA, ROMANIA

Departure by private car with driver/guide.  Drive to Alba Iulia - considered the spiritual capital of Romania. Alba Iulia was the Residence of the Transylvanian princes and of the Catholic bishops. From 1599 to 1601, Alba Iulia was the capital of the united principalities of Walachia, Transylvania and Moldavia. It was the site of the proclamation of Transylvania's unification with Romania (1 December1918) and of the coronation of King Ferdinand in 1922. The Alba Carolina fortress was built between 1714 and 1738 and it is considered to be the most representative baroque, Vauban-type star fortress in Romania and one of the largest of this kind in Eastern Europe. Transfer to Cluj Napoca, a vibrant cultural and educational city. The main square, resplendent with 18th and 19th century buildings and home to many shops and restaurants, is dominated by the 15th century St. Michael's Church, one of the finest examples of gothic architecture in Romania. The square also claims the 18-th century baroque Banffy Palace, housing the weaponry and Romanian art collections of the Art Museum. Arrival in Oradea. Walking tour in the city center. Overnight Oradea

 

 

Day 6 

DEPRECEN – BUDAPEST, HUNGARY 

Continue to Debrecen, Hungary, visiting the National Park and Kalocsa on  Route to Budapest, Hungary. Drive to Debrecen and visit Hortobágy National Park, the largest continuous natural grassland in Europe. Hortobágy has outstanding landscape features and is a unique example of the harmonic coexistence of people and nature based on the considerate use of the land, maintaining great biological variety in respect of species and habitats. Stop in Kalocsa city for a sightseeing tour: Kalocsa's Cathedral (1754), Paprika Museum, Archbishop’s Palace etc. Overnight in Budapest

Day 7

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Enjoy a Half Day sightseeing tour of Budapest called the “Budapest Grand City Tour”. The tour starts from the Chain Bridge, passes by the Parliament and takes the Margaret Bridge to drive over to the Buda side. You will stop in the Castle District and during a short walk you will see the main attractions of the area. Walk to Matthias Church and to the Fishermen’s Bastion (from where you can enjoy the beautiful panorama). Next, drive to the Gellért Hill (Citadel) to see the most spectacular view of Budapest. Continue over the Elisabeth Bridge to Pest and drive by the famous Central Market Hall and the largest Synagogue of Europe. Proceed to the City Park. Pass by Europe’s largest thermal spa, the Budapest Zoo and the Amusement Park, and then stop at the Heroes’ Square (with statues of the most famous Hungarian kings and dukes). Continue on Andrássy Avenue to downtown Pest, pass by the Opera House and the St. Stephen’s Basilica. We then get off the bus again and take an interior visit of the impressive neo-gothic House of Parliament (guided tour incl.). During the tour we offer a brief overview of the last 1000 years of Hungarianhistory. The Tour ends in the city-center. Overnight in Budapest

Day 8

SZENTENDRE - BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Enjoy a Half day Szentendre excursion from Budapest. Szentendre Nostalgia; with a 25-minute drive from Budapest, arrive to this picturesque Artist's Village called Szentendre. Stop at the Caprice Jewelry Manufactory; wander around the baroque settlement, built on medieval ruins and go along the narrow streets up to the panorama point. Visit the Confectionery Museum (buildings and people made of marzipan) and have a cup of coffee with a slice of Hungarian cake. Then you will have the opportunity to go for shopping or to visit the Margit Kovács Ceramic Museum. Depending on weather, we return to Budapest on the Danube by boat. The tour ends at the pier / city center. Overnight in Budapest

Day 9

LAKE BALATON-HEREND-BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Embark on a  Full Day Lake Balaton, Herend china, excursion today.  Herend & Lake Balaton: we take you to Herend first, to the famous Porcelain Manufactory (founded 1826). Following a guided tour through the rooms we invite you for a coffee (possibility for shopping). Next, drive to Lake Balaton (the largest fresh-water lake of Central Europe) and visit the abbey (founded 1055) on the Tihany Peninsula. Following a 3-course lunch in a „csárda” restaurant, continue to Balatonfüred (with the oldest spa in Hungary) and walk along the famous promenade. Return to Budapest, the tour ends in the city center. Overnight in Budapest

Day 10

BUDAPEST-PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

Rail from Budapest to Prague. Overnight in Prague

Day 11

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

Prague Half Day sightseeing, GRAND CITY TOUR: during the grand city tour, you will be given all the basic information about Golden Prague’shistoric monuments – the State Opera, the National Museum, Wenceslas Square, and the Charles Square, Prague Castle. There a walk around the Castle courtyards and you will visit the St. Vitus Cathedral. Drive across the Vltava to the Old Town Square – the Old Town Hall with its astronomical clock (HORLOGE) and apostles. Overnight in Prague

Day 12

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

Prague by boat.  Drive to the Vltava River where an air-conditioned boat awaits you. The hour long cruise on the Vltava with refreshments (coffee or tea and a cake), offers fantastic views of the river bank, lined with exquisite historic monuments. At the end of the cruise, your guide will take you along Pařížská Street, through the former Jewish Quarter, to the Old Town Square where the tour ends. Overnight in Prague

Day 13

ČESKÝ KRUMLOV – PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

Full Day excursion to Cesky Krumlov (UNESCO protected town) ČESKÝ KRUMLOV – UNESCO, INCL. ADMISSION AND LUNCH:  Visit the beautiful south Bohemian countryside,with its picturesque villages and lakes. Český Krumlov is a city on the UNESCO heritage list. The unique urban complex, comprising three hundred historic houses and the National Castle and Chateau, the second largest after Prague Castle, draws many visitors every year and is rightly called the RENAISSANCE PEARL. Overnight in Prague

Day 14

PRAGUE-CZECH REPUBLIC

Prague. Private transfer from the Hotel to Prague Airport