Medieval towns and Saxon Villages
Explore medieval towns and Saxon Villages on foot or by bicycle, and learn from their master craftsmen and excellent cooks.
This holiday idea to Romania takes you on a journey into Transylvania, home to some of Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns and castles. It also offers great insight into the traditional lifestyles of the people who live here.
Explore medieval towns and Saxon Villages on foot or by bicycle, and learn from their master craftsmen and excellent cooks.
Meet the beekeepers of Crit, who make honey for the royal family, truffle hunt, help prepare jams, syrups and collect medicinal plants.
Visit Bran Castle, Dracula’s fictional house and Peles Castle, the summer residence of the Romanian Royal family.
Transylvanian cuisine is hearty, pleasant fare complemented well with the beefy red wines from the Prahova Valley.
Romania is home to some of Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns in a region three times the size of Wales. Prince Charles has invested time and effort to promote eco-tourism and help preserve the beauty of these villages, including his own house in Viscri.
Day 1
Bucharest
Day 2
Bucharest - Bran
Day 3
Bran - Zabola
Day 4
Zabola - Viscri
Day 5
Viscri - Cincsor
Day 6
Cincsor - Bucharest
Day 7
Bucharest
Day 1
Bucharest
The country’s capital and the biggest city of Romania, also known as ‘Little Paris’. The label was coined between the two world wars, thanks to its beautiful belle époque architecture.
Day 2
Bucharest - Bran
Visit Bran Castle, better known as Dracula’s Castle.
Day 3
Bran - Zabola
Day 4
Zabola - Viscri
The village boasts a 12th-century fortified church and well-preserved architecture and traditions.
Day 5
Viscri - Cincsor
Spend time exploring the lovely Transylvanian village of Cincsor.
Day 6
Cincsor - Bucharest
Day 7
Bucharest
Today’s Bucharest is a mixture of styles and cultures. From beautiful boulevards to stroll down, to impressive museums to visit, vast parks to relax in, sophisticated restaurants to delight your palate, and modern malls to shop in, the city has it all.
Bucharest is a mixture of styles and cultures. From beautiful boulevards and impressive museums to vast parks, sophisticated restaurants and modern shops, the city has it all. We recommend spending time strolling Calea Victoriei and its various Art Deco buildings, like the Telephone Palace or the eclectic architecture of the CEC Palace. Have dinner at Caru cu Bere, one of the oldest restaurants in town, to enjoy some local food and live Romanian traditional music.
Leave the city for a visit to Peles Castle, the summer residence of the Romanian Royal family set in a beautiful valley shielded by the Carpathian Mountains.
Then, continue to Bran Castle. Bram Stoker chose the castle as Dracula’s house in his novel, but the real Dracula, Vlad the Impaler, was unlikely to have spent too much time of his life here if any at all. Regardless, it is an astonishing place to visit.
Road transfer to Viscri, a village renowned for its traditional Saxon architecture and which has been preserved by the few Saxons who remain here. Explore the village of Viscri, including the fortified church, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Visit local craftsmen and learn how they work with clay and iron and see a way of life that hasn’t changed in centuries. Nearby is Sighisoara, an essential stop on any tour of Transylvania. The birthplace of Vlad the Impaler and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.
The traditional village of Cincsor is a delight to walk around. Enjoy lunch in the beautiful guesthouses, meander past the historic Evangelical School, the former Parish House or the fortified church. A great tip: try their great turmeric lemonade, definitely a refreshing must-have in such a place.
Alternatively, embark on a truffle hunting session. Within the past decade, Transylvania has become known for its hidden culinary treasures. The summer truffles are hunted from May to August and the winter truffles between September and December.
During the summer months why not take a slight detour whilst heading back to Bucharest. The Transfagarasan Highway offers remoteness and incredibly pretty views of the Carpathian Mountain range. Try to hit the road during the early morning to avoid a stream of slow tourist traffic. This route to Bucharest is not for the faint-hearted. Expect hundreds of hairpin bends.
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From January to March, winter months can be harsh, with heavy snowfall and temperatures reaching below freezing in January. Conditions are ideal for winter sports in Romania’s mountainous regions but may be particularly cold for sightseeing activities.
During the winter months, it can be difficult to travel around Romania with some of its towns and cities blocked by snowfall or have other issues due to the adverse weather conditions. Therefore, it is best to travel to Romania’s mountain resorts for winter sports rather than travelling around the country.
March can be quite an unpredictable month as winter draws to a close, snow many still be present in some regions yet with temperatures rising, Romania may experience sunshine and the first signs of spring.
From the beginning of April, spring arrives in Romania and temperatures gradually increase. This can be an ideal time to visit Romania when there are fewer crowds than during the summer months with warmer temperatures than during the winter months.
The best time to travel to Romania is typically from May to September, when warmer weather is likely, and rainfall is very infrequent. Temperatures may reach highs of 24°C in May, which will keep increasing within the summer months.
From June to August, it is the most popular time to travel to Romania with temperatures at their highest and fewer chances or rainfall, meaning it is advised to book as far in advance as possible if travelling during summer.
July is one of the warmest months in Romania with average temperatures of 22°C. Destinations will become marginally more crowded, yet good weather is more likely during the peak of summer, rather than during the summer months.
During July and August, temperatures will be at their hottest and so ideal for coastal resorts but also for sightseeing in Romania’s towns and cities, with the occasional shower possible, yet unlikely.
As it is the beginning of Autumn, travelling during September is ideal for photographers with the autumn leaves forming and creating some vibrant countryside landscapes. After the summer months, attractions will be much quieter and with temperatures averaging 19°C, makes September a great time for sightseeing in pleasant conditions.
From October onwards, Romania will experience its off-peak season. With four very distinctive seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter, the best time to travel to Romania will be dependent on your what you wish to do whilst in the country.
The first signs of winter begin to appear as temperatures can fall to 7°C at the end of the month. Like March, November can be quite unpredictable between the summer and winter months with chances of snowfall yet also the possibility of warm temperatures at the beginning of the month.
With snowfall likely and colder temperatures, December can be a great time for outdoor pursuits and winter sports, including skiing.
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