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Plan your
vacation in Romania in spring, summer and autumn
17 days in Romania: Bucharest, Wallachia, Transylvania,
Maramures, merry cemetery, mocanitza, Bukovina, monasteries, Bicaz
canyons, medieval castles, Bran Castle, Brasov, Sinaia, Predeal
Days
1-3 |
During the first 3 days use the
suggested itinerary: 3
days in Bucharest
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Day 4 |
Rent a car and get ready to discover wonderful places
like: Curtea de Arges, Bran Castle (Dracula's
Castle) and Brasov.
You will leave Bucharest crossing the Militari
neighborhood after which you take the A1 motorway,
where you will spend approximately one hour and ten
minutes before you arrive in Pitesti. After
another 37 km you get to Curtea de Arges, former
capital of Wallachia. Visit the Princely Court,
built in the XIV th century, St. Nicholas Church
and then the San Nicoara Church ruins. The main
objective is the "Curtea de Arges"
Monastery both because of it's beauty and the legend
that surrounds it. They say that Manole, already
famous, had to build his wife, Ana, in the church
walls.
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At 31 km away from Curtea de Arges is the Vidraru Dam.
Stop a few minutes to admire the dam, 165 m in height,
that holds behind about 500 million cubic meters of
water. Near the road on the left, you can visit, if time
permits, the ruins of the Poenari fortress by
climbing 1480 concrete steps meandering through a beech
forest. From here you have a wonderful perspective that
reaches from Fagaras Mountains to Curtea de Arges.
Since it is likely that the Transfagarasan will
be closed, head back towards Pitesti and then head toward
Ramnicu Valcea on the European road E81. When you get on top of the
Black Hill (Dealu Negru) stop for a great portion of fresh
mititei. Keep going towards Sibiu
on the Olt Valley. Spend your night in Calimanesti.
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| Day
5 |
Continue your way through the spectacular Olt Valley to Sibiu. In Sibiu dine in
a patio on the pedestrian area and discover the secrets of the city which have made it famous as the
European Capital of Culture in 2007. Visit sightseeing including:
Tower, Catholic Church, the Brukenthal Museum and the
liar's Bridge.
Stay overnight in Sibiu.
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| Day
6 |
The 6th day destination is Cluj Napoca (167 km). You will pass through
Sebes (59 km) where you will admire the Sebes fortress (XIV th century), the
Evangelical Church and Casa Aapolya located nearby. In
Alba Iulia visit the <<Alba Carolina>> fortress, the
Princely Palace (str Cehov 6), the Roman Catholic
Cathedral, etc...
After another 100 km go down on the
Feleacului Hill (attention slippery areas) and you will arrive in
Cluj Napoca. Go directly to the Liberty Square located in downtown. From here will be easy to visit the
St. Michael Church built in Gothic style. Nearby is the
statue of Matei Corvin and the Art Museum. The house where was born in 1443,
Matei Corvin is located nearby (str Matei Corvin 6).
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| Day
7 |
Today you will start your journey towards
Maramures. Pass Dej since is not worth wasting time there and go further up in
Baia Mare. Park near Millennium Square (itself a tourist target) from which will be easy to visit
Stephen's Tower or the various guilds towers near the
food market. Take lunch at the restaurant in the park or the one on the
Flower Hill Inn from where you have a wonderful panorama of the city.
With your forces restored continue your journey towards
Sighetu Marmatiei. If not too late take a break at the Gutai
(Baia Sprie 17 km). From here is easy to reach the Geological
Reserve Creasta Cocosului. Find a place to stay in Sighetu Marmatiei or around the town.
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| Day 8 |
Make a trip to the historic Maramures and visit the
Merry Cemetery in Sapanta. More details and pictures are on web page about
Romanian traditions.
Come back in Sighet and continue the road towards
Borsa. Seek accommodation for two nights in a pension or guesthouse in
Viseu de Sus. Hosts are friendly, the food is great and the prices are very affordable. Worth to visit the area. The town is
not modernized but Vaser Valley is everything.
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| Days 9-10 |
Although neither 15 days are not enough, try to make the most of the two days you have to spend here.
The Vaser Valley is narrow with the aspect of a canyon, the Vaser river is crossing it on a distance of about 42 km. You can travel the entire distance in train wagons for this purpose.
Steam train ( "Mocanita") leaves daily from the town, reaching the
Novat, Faina and even Macarlau. From this route you can go hiking on the mountains, and reach many splendid places.
The Toroiaga Peak (1930 m altitude) has great panorama to
the Rodnei Mountains, the Maramures Depression and other areas of Maramures Mountains. The route is very comfortable and relaxing being a real cure for those who suffer the effects of daily stress.
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| Day
11 |
Wake up early and continue the journey towards
Borsa the destination of the day being Vatra Dornei. Visit the natural park from the center of the resort which is famous for its squirrels.
The casino reminds of the famous resort spas in Western Europe.
In town, the most interesting attractions are the Bukovina Ethnographic Museum and the
Museum of Hunting and Natural Sciences. You can explore the surroundings with cable gondola, covering the distance between town and the
Black Hill, or go on trips to Poiana Negri and Poiana
Stampei, famous for their mineral springs.
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| Day
12 |
Today is dedicated to the famous monasteries of Bucovina. Leave Vatra Dornei
behind and head toward Suceava. Between Campulung Moldovenesc and
Gura Humorului is a road that takes you to the village of
Voronet. Here you will encounter the Voronet Monastery the first monastery on the list, and maybe the most famous. When you get in Suceava visit some tourist attractions here, but do not
waste too much time here. Its tourist objectives are: The Old
Fortress, the Zamca monastery (str Zamca) or the Scheia Fortress situated on a hill in north-west of the city.
Dragomirna Monastery (Suceava 14 km) is next on the list. It is situated in the village of
Mitocu north to Suceava. Next monastery that you are going to visit is
Sucevita located in the village with the same name (Radauti 18 km).
Continue the series of monasteries with Putna Monastery situated in the village with the same name (Radauti 33 km). Go back to Suceava and find a place to stay in a pension or a hotel.
Find more information about monasteries and traditions here.
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| Day
13 |
Hit the road again to the final destination for the day being the
Red Lake (Lacul Rosu). You will go through Falticeni (Suceava 24 km) where you can visit, if you want, the house of
Ion Creanga or Mihail Sadoveanu (Ion Creanga street # 36 respectively # 68). Following is
Targu Neamt where you can visit Ion Creanga's childhood home in
Humulesti and Cetatea Neamtului fortress that is the most interesting touristic sight of the city.
Go on, pass the city of Bicaz until the valley narrows more and more, guarded by tall limestone walls. You have reached the
Bicaz Canyon (Bicaz 21 km), an impressive natural monument.
Red Lake (32 km Bicaz, elevation ~ 1000 m) will be your host for this evening. Find a place to stay and enjoy the beauty of these places. Tomorrow you will start towards
Sighisoara!
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| Day
14 |
Depart early morning towards Sighisoara. On the fortress hill in
Sighisoara, massive walls and towers covered with tiles offers a
medieval landscape. In this "museum city" you can visit the
Clock Tower, the church of the former Dominican monastery, the church from the hill
(Biserica din deal) and the old towers of the fortress: Skinner's Tower,
Tailor's Tower, Shoemaker's Tower or the Butcher's Tower...
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| Day
15
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From here you have a 2 hours drive to
Brasov. Park near the Piata Sfatului Square. From here will be easy to visit the
Black Church or the History Museum. Then you can walk around and discover the old
Hirscher house. After you finish, drive to Poiana Brasov and have dinner in one of the famous restaurants there.
Find accommodation in Poiana Brasov for the next two nights.
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| Day
16 |
Leave your baggage at the hotel where you are staying and go to discover the famous
Bran Moieciu area. Make your first stop at the Rasnov
fortress. From the heights of the medieval walls you will have a vast panorama of the city and surroundings. Next destination is the famous
Bran castle (Dracula's Castle). From here it is worth continuing to
Rucar to admire the splendid scenery. Swerve out of the way a few kilometers and enter the
National Park of Piatra Craiului then visit here the Dambovicioara
cave.
Return to Poiana Brasov.
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| Day
17 |
In the last day of the itinerary climb
to the Postavaru peak with a cable gondola. Admire the panoramic view over the city of Brasov and the Fagaras mountains. Start towards Bucharest and take the road that goes through the Prahova valley. You will go through
Predeal, Sinaia and Busteni. In Sinaia you can drive to the 1400 quota to admire the view. Visit the
Peles Castle and Pelisor. |
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The trip:
International flights land at the Henry Coanda airport - Otopeni,
16 km from downtown. Low cost flights are landing at the Aurel Vlaicu
airport - Baneasa. Cabs and buses are connecting with the city. If
using a taxi take only ones agreed by the airport or order one by phone,
do not be deceived by individuals even if they wear an official looking
badge.
Transportation: Rent
a car
Weather:
The typical weather for this season has temperatures between 12-18
degrees Celsius in spring and autumn and is hot in the summer. Rain is
usual.
Food:
Romania has a diverse culinary specific influenced by both the Balkan
and Austro-Hungarian cuisine. Traditional restaurants are popular.
Price for two persons:
Approx. 150 Euro per day for accommodation, meals and local transport.
Practical tips:
- ignore the too friendly girls (or you might regret it)
- use only taxis with the prices displayed and with working meters.
- attention to your pockets in the crowded areas
- use common sense
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