Romania
Holidays and Tours

Why Travel to Romania?

At the eastern edges of Europe and for so long perceived as languishing behind the ‘iron curtain’, the possibility of visiting Romania is only just beginning to surface in many travellers’ heads. 

Despite its history being inextricably linked to the west, an air of the exotic still lingers mesmerisingly here, and journeys through its virgin forests, fortified hill villages, extraordinary mountain monasteries and magnificent medieval towns do little to dispel this impression. 

The veracity of any of Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ is minimal, yet the author did capture the remote grandeur here. During a trip to Romania, you’ll witness this in the blend of vibrant modernising and proud heritage locations, and its natural splendour, from the peaks of the Carpathian Mountains to the pristine Danube Delta.

Highlights of a Holiday to Romania

Our fascinating group tours, tailor-made trips, and guided tours in Romania head deep into the furthest reaches of the country’s mountains by road, or through the heart of the Transylvanian Alps by rail, to explore what treasures this noble nation sequesters away. 

Vast fortified castles and citadel settlements protrude like dragons’ teeth from the serrated forest, with their ramparts lending panoramas of one of the continent’s great untouched woodland expanses. These conceal 50% of Europe’s brown bears, and are alive with the call of nocturnal wolves come nightfall.  

Orthodox monasteries peep from secluded crags, boasting extraordinary fresco paintings. When it comes to considering places to visit in Romania, the romantic town squares amidst Transylvania’s highlands are a real feat. But, they subside to the bustle of Bucharest’s Old Town curiosities, another must-visit location during a trip to Romania, and the Danube’s glorious delta where you can marvel at its wildlife-rich waterways. 

Romania holidays, above all, reveal the country’s exquisite beauty carried by its welcoming people, along with the pride that they have in their timeless artisanal skills, their precious cultural inheritance and for their magnificent land.

Private and Small Group Tours to Romania

Our Romania tours are specially crafted to ensure that you explore the breadth of offerings that this country has to offer. Our small group tours to Romania, in particular, are designed to give you an exclusive experience in which an expert local guide takes you on a journey of discovery to unravel the history, culture, and mystery of this country. 

And if Romania adventure holidays pique your interest, you’re in the right place. Our Romania group tours travel to untouched locations and breathtaking local settlements that give you a raw insight into real Romanian daily life. Coupled with many other excursions and activities, these tours will leave you longing for the country long after you’ve left.

As Seen in…

 

Andrei was excellent and contributed enormously to success of trip. We got to places that we wouldn’t have done on our own. The itinery was excellent and in fact I chose trip because this was most comprehensive on market in UK. It was a good mix of different places, areas and experiences.

 

J. Crank, UK

Places to visit in Romania and on our Romania tours

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well-travelled team.

+44(0) 191 296 2674 from THE UK
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Cultural Tours in Romania

There is so much more to this noble land than simply following in the imaginary steps of Stoker’s fantastical literary creation. Romani destinations boast a majestic array of medieval towns, where little seems changed for centuries, whilst its isolated monasteries and crenellated mountain churches speak of religious zeal and turbulent times.

Romania History Beyond Transylvania

Romania has a tale of vying empires and cultural glories to tell, from the vibrancy of its capital city to the ancient trade routes guarded by dramatic forest-encircled citadels. Enjoy a welcome that surpasses expectations in this land of wild places and untrumpeted wonders. This land-locked giant of Eastern Europe is steeped in a wealth of geographical wonders and a fascinatingly turbulent history.

It was not until the end of the First World War that something of the makeup of the 238,000 km² of modern Romania took shape, uniting as it does Wallachia and Transylvania. The two kingdoms have very different physical outlooks: the central and northern reaches are largely highland and mountainous, centred around the Carpathian ranges which rise to a peak of 2,544m. Here is some of the wildest country in Europe. With Romania boasting 27% forest cover, the chances of seeing Eurasian brown bears in the Transylvanian region are good at such sites as Brasov’s forest observatory.

The majority of the 20 million population, however, is centred in the capital Bucharest and the lowlands of Wallachia and Northern Dobrogea, which bridge across Europe’s largest wetland area, the Danube delta to the rising hills of Moldavia.

This distribution is a historic one that dates back to the 7th century B.C., the days of Greek trade along the Black Sea and then the Roman conquest of 102-106 A.D. under Trajan. The country is named after this period where the settling Latin people remained, intermarried and created this ethnic blend in the ‘Land of the Romans’. The pattern of the region is constantly under attack or threat was now established, with the 3rd century A.D. then experiencing incursions from the Goths and Carpians and yet, despite Bulgar invasions, Dacia remained part of the Roman Empire until the 7th century.

Meanwhile, the Slavic settlers that descended in the 500s were followed by Magyar Hungarians. Byzantine Christianity came to the Romanian people as late as the 940s and war between the local powers, now referred to as ‘Vlachs’ and the Byzantine Empire was a regular feature. However, with Hungarian interests now predominant in Transylvania, the then-king invited Saxon settlers to colonise his frontier.

The result was the glorious walled town of Sighisoara, its 12th-century ramparts still in evidence in many places. This medieval citadel, the jewel in the crown of the Carpathian highlands, also was home to the notoriously brutal, but highly successful defender of the region when the Ottoman Empire pressed on Romania’s borders. In the intervening period, the 1400s saw devastating raids from the Mongol ‘Golden Horde’ and expedience saw a degree of unity and cooperation between the three kingdoms of Wallachia, Transylvania and Moldavia.

Ultimately, to preserve their independence, all three were paying tribute to the Ottomans by the late 15th century. The infamous Bran Castle, which is the supposed seat of Dracula, dates to this period, dominating the mountain pass below from its dramatic vantage point. Simultaneously, today’s 81% Orthodox Christian culture had its flowering in the establishment of the celebrated ‘painted monasteries’ of the north in Bocovina where simply stunning fresco work marked a zenith in sacred artwork. Ultimately, the Hapsburg fortunes waxed while those of the Turks, defeated in 1687, waned, and a period of Austro-Hungarian rule followed.

By the 19th century, the new dominant player was the Russian empire and both Wallachia and Moldavia became protectorates before the nationalist uprisings led in 1881 to a unified kingdom of Romania. Stability ensued until a combination of choosing the losing side in World War 2 and the progression to royal despotism led to the abolition of the monarchy and the rendering of Romania as a soviet satellite from 1947 until independence in 1989.

Trips to Romania Today

Modern Romania is now just beginning to recognise its vast tourism potential and if you visit you will undoubtedly fall under this fascinating country’s spell.

Our tours are delightful contrasts. Firstly, we lead you on a tour dedicated solely to Romania and meandering through some of the least explored reaches of its mountains and the little vaunted, but idyllic Danube Delta, alive with a myriad of flora and fauna. Our other encounter with this beautiful land eases you gently along railways that cling to sinuous valley contours that plunge through the heart of Transylvania and the Carpathian Mountains. Here, you will visit a handful of Romania destinations, such as mesmerising towns like Sibiu and Brasov as part of an epic rail adventure from London to Istanbul.

In both cases, you will be treated to encounters with locals whose enthusiasm for the history and culture of their nation is simply irresistible. This makes for a truly memorable exploration of the outer fringes of this land that has experienced some of the most tumultuous epochs in Europe’s story.

FAQs About Romania Holidays

Is Romania a good holiday destination?

There are a wealth of places to visit in Romania that each individually, or combined, make for a memorable holiday experience. If you’re a fan of thriving city settlements, you need to check out the country’s capital and stronghold of Bucharest. But, if you prefer areas drenched in natural beauty, you have to visit the country’s famed national parks and mountainous regions where you can truly connect with nature.

Regardless of your preferences and wants as a traveller, there’s something for everyone on offer in Romania. 

How many days do you need in Romania?

If you’re only planning on visiting one destination in the country, we would recommend 2 to 3 days to give yourself enough time to unravel its mysteries during your trip to Romania. 

However, for those looking to delve deeper into the country’s rich history, heritage, and captivating culture, we would recommend a minimum of 1 to 2 weeks to sufficiently venture into the country’s landscape and tick off its popular destinations, alongside uncovering its hidden treasures. 

Is Romania a cheap holiday destination?

Romania is widely considered to be one of the cheapest countries in Europe. Accommodation, food, and attractions aren’t known to break the bank for tourists visiting the country. To put it into perspective, one beer will only set you back 8 Romanian Leu, or £1.45, and a meal in a cheaper restaurant may cost you as little as 35 Leu, which is just over £6. 

Can you travel to Transylvania?

Transylvania is a highly sought-after and popular travel destination for those planning their Romania holidays thanks to Bram Stoker’s iconic ‘Dracula’ novel. The region is highly accessible by several airlines that fly from Europe directly. This is the most convenient way to reach Transylvania.

However, buses are available from the capital of Bucharest to settlements nearby Transylvania from which you will have to further your journey to the region, should this be a more appealing option.

Why travel with us?

  • Small Group Tours with a Maximum of 12 People
  • Tailor-made Tours and Private Tour Options
  • Expert Advice and First Hand Knowledge
  • Multiple Award Winning Tour Operator Established in 2004
  • No Local Payments and Airport Transfers Included
  • Fully Transferable Group Tour Deposits