The Winding Roads of the Carpathians
8 days and 7 nights tour
Discover what this trip has in store for you
A special journey through the glorious beauty of the Carpathians – the traditions, culture, painted monasteries, fortified Saxon churches, castles and fortresses
We set off towards the core of the Romania!
VERONA - LJUBLJANA - BUDAPEST
Dear travelers, we meet in the morning in Verona, with smiles and luggage ready for an unforgettable experience through Romania! We set off through northern Italy and Slovenia, where we will make a first special stop:
Ljubljana - The green capital of Europe
We'll have time for a relaxing stroll through the historic center, with quaint streets, romantic bridges, and a typical Slovenian bohemian atmosphere. We'll take a lunch break here: you'll have free time to enjoy something delicious at one of the local cafes or to explore the city on your own. In the afternoon, we continue our journey to Budapest, the capital of Hungary, where we will arrive in the evening.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Budapest – time to rest and prepare for the next day, when we officially enter Romania. Today we cross 3 countries, we start getting to know each other and we immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of a tour full of stories, landscapes and authentic discoveries.
Distance: 811 km
Estimated duration: 11–12 hours with breaks
Scheduled stops: petrol stations on motorways in Italy, Slovenia, Hungary
Overnight in Budapest
Welcome to the Maramureș of stories!
BUDAPEST - SATU MARE - SĂPÂNŢA - DESEŞTI
After breakfast at the hotel, we prepare to enter Romania! We cross the border and head to the north of the country, where a day full of colors, traditions and spirituality awaits us.
Satu Mare – our first stop in Romania, where we'll take a short break for restrooms, coffee, or some local snacks.
Săpânța – we visit the famous Happy Cemetery, a place unique in the world, where popular humor is intertwined with traditional art and life stories painted in bright colors. A life lesson… with a smile!
The wooden church of Desești – a spectacular example of Maramuresean architecture, included in the UNESCO heritage. We'll enter the quiet of the wood and listen to the local legends. Authentic rural landscapes will accompany us throughout the day: wooden houses, carved doorways, rolling hills, and welcoming people. Overnight in Maramureș, where we will enjoy local hospitality and a quiet evening at the foot of the mountains.
Distance: 455 km
Sights: Happy Cemetery, Desești Wooden Church
Overnight stay in Maramureș
Through the heart of the woods, towards the frescoed monasteries.
Desești - Bârsana - Bistrița - Monastero di Moldovița - Gura Humorului
We wake up to clean air and rolling hills surrounding us. After breakfast, we leave the traditional Maramureș behind, but not without still experiencing some special moments:
Monastery of Bârsana – a jewel of Romanian spirituality
Landscaped gardens, tall wooden towers and an authentic sense of peace. Here time seems to stand still.
Bistrița – short stop in a city with Transylvanian charm and history. You will notice the Saxon influences in the buildings and atmosphere.
Moldovița Monastery – one of the most beautiful frescoed Orthodox complexes in northern Moldova. Its exterior frescoes tell biblical stories in a unique style, with a palette of vibrant colors perfectly preserved for centuries. Along the way, we enjoy spectacular mountain landscapes and villages where tradition still lives behind every door.
Overnight stay in Gura Humorului, in the heart of Bukovina – ready for a new day full of discoveries!
Distance: 340 km
Sights: Monastery of Bârsana, Bistrița, Moldovița
Overnight stay in Gura Humorului
From Sacred Icons to Water-Carved Mountains
GURA HUMORULUI – VORONEȚ – TÂRPEȘTI – AGAPIA – BICAZ GORGES – RED LAKE – BRAȘOV
We begin the morning with peace and spirituality in Bucovina. A varied day awaits us, combining the emotion of faith with the wonder inspired by nature.
Voroneț Monastery – nicknamed “The Sistine Chapel of the East.” We will admire its unique blue color and the frescoes of the Last Judgment that have made it famous worldwide. A stop that leaves a deep impression.
Târpești Peasant Museum – a corner of Moldavian village life full of color and vitality. Stories, folk art, and a journey into the soul of simple people.
Agapia Monastery – a place where art and faith meet. The interior paintings were created by the young Nicolae Grigorescu. You will feel a special energy here. We continue through the Neamț Mountains and reach one of Romania’s most spectacular natural areas:
Bicaz Gorges – a road carved into the rock, between vertical walls rising over 300 meters high. Geotourism in its purest form!
Red Lake – the place of the legend of frozen tears. A photo stop or a relaxing walk along the shore. We continue toward Transylvania and arrive in the evening in Brașov, a medieval city with Western charm.
Overnight stay in Brașov – a night of rest before a noble day among famous castles and stories of ladies and knights.
Distance: 410 km
Signs: Voroneț Monastery, Agapia Monastery, Bicaz Gorges, mountain landscapes
Overnight stay in Brașov
Love Stories and Legends with Dracula
Brașov - Sinaia - Bran - Sighișoara
Today a dreamlike day awaits us, filled with castles, legends, and citadels that preserve the charm of bygone times. Get your cameras—and your spirit—ready for a fairy-tale day!
Sinaia – The Pearl of the Carpathians
We arrive at one of the most beautiful castles in Europe: Peleș Castle, the former royal residence of Romania. Sumptuous decorations, original furnishings, and spectacular stained-glass windows—a true plunge into the elegance of the 19th century.
Bran Castle – Between History and Myth
Famous for its connection to the Dracula legend, the castle will lead us through secret corridors and noble halls. Whether you are a fan of Vlad Țepeș or simply in search of mystery, Bran Castle will not disappoint! Along the way, we will admire spectacular mountain landscapes, picturesque villages, and dense forests.
Sighișoara – Our final stop today, but not the least important
One of the few inhabited fortress towns in Europe and the birthplace of Vlad Țepeș. Cobblestone streets, medieval towers, and the clock of the Clock Tower, watching over the city for centuries. Overnight in Sighișoara, in the heart of the citadel or nearby, immersed in an authentic medieval atmosphere. A day full of nobility, mystery, and magic! We rest well, because another legendary day awaits us—with salt in the walls and stone beneath our steps.
Distance: 250 km
Sights: Peleș Castle, Bran Castle, Sighișoara Citadel
Overnight stay in Sighișoara
Among Kings, Salt, and Glorious Walls
SIGHIȘOARA – TURDA SALT MINE – ALBA IULIA – SIBIU – SIBIEL
After a dreamlike night in the citadel of Sighișoara, we set off on a day that will take us deep beneath the earth and up to the heights of Romanian history.
Turda Salt Mine – One of the most spectacular salt mines in the world!
We descend into the depths of an underground theme park located in a centuries-old salt mine. You will admire the subterranean lake, a Ferris wheel, echo chambers—and breathe in the pure salt-mine air, renowned for its health benefits!
Alba Iulia – The City of the Union
We step into the heart of Romanian history at the Alba Carolina Citadel, impeccably restored. If time permits, we may witness the changing of the guard, admire the monumental Gate III, the Coronation Cathedral, and the bastion fortification route.
Sibiu – European Capital of Culture, a city of bridges, towers, and hearts
A short walk through the Grand Square (Piața Mare), the Small Square (Piața Mică), the Council Tower, and the Bridge of Lies. A city you fall in love with at first sight.
Sibiel – A fairy-tale village in the Mărginimea Sibiului region
We arrive in a place where tradition is alive every day: authentic houses, delicious local food, and warm hospitality. Overnight in Sibiel, in a guesthouse with soul, where we will enjoy peace and quiet, fresh air, and a sunset over the hills. A full and intense day—from the underground galleries of Transylvania to the cathedrals that have shaped history.
Distance: 300 km
Sights: Turda Salt Mine, Alba Carolina Citadel, Sibiu Old Town
Traditional overnight stay in Sibiel
From Medieval Knights to Modern Comfort
Sibiel – Corvin Castle – Timișoara – Overnight in Hungary
After a relaxed morning in the fairytale village of Sibiel, we bid farewell to the Mărginimea Sibiului area and head toward one of Romania’s most impressive medieval landmarks:
Corvin Castle (Hunedoara) – a castle straight out of a Gothic novel
With its wooden bridges, dramatic towers, and grand halls, the castle takes us back in time, to an age when knights, noble ladies, and legends came to life. A spectacular stop, perfect for feeling the pulse of medieval history before concluding our Romanian circuit. After the visit and a lunch break, we continue toward Timișoara, a European city of art and elegant cafés.
Here we enjoy a guided walking tour of the historic center:
- Victory Square (Piața Victoriei), with the Opera House and the Metropolitan Cathedral
- Union Square (Piața Unirii) – a touch of Vienna in western Romania
- Corso Avenue – ideal for a coffee break or a memorable photo
Timișoara is Romania’s western gateway and the place where we say “goodbye” to a country that has welcomed us with great warmth. After a short break, we cross the border and continue to:
Szeged / Kecskemét area (Hungary) – overnight stay in a comfortable hotel near the motorway, ideal for a peaceful night before the return journey.
Overnight in Hungary - A relaxing evening, perfect for reminiscing about the most beautiful moments of our trip.
Distance: 463 km (313 km to Timișoara + 150 km to the Szeged/Kecskemét area)
Visits: Corvin Castle
Overnight: Hungary (Szeged/Kecskemét area – hotel with coach parking)
Heading Home, with Romania in Our Hearts
SZEGED / KECSKEMÉT – MARIBOR – ITALY (VERONA / TRENTO)
After our final night of rest in Hungary, we prepare for the journey home. Departure is scheduled for the morning, around 8:00 a.m., with the right energy to conclude the tour calmly and comfortably. We travel across Hungary and Slovenia, leaving familiar landscapes behind us, while carrying in our hearts all the places discovered in Romania. We will take a break along the highway at a service area equipped with restrooms, a café, and a shop offering local products and snacks. The stop will be brief—just enough time to freshen up—so we can reach Italy as soon as possible. We then continue our route toward Italy, crossing the Alps via Slovenia and northern Italy. Arrival in Verona is expected between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., while for those continuing on to Trento, arrival is estimated between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m., depending on traffic conditions and the group’s pace.
Distance: 650–750 km
Estimated duration: 9–10 hours
PROGRAM SUMMARY
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina: Moldovița Monastery, Voroneț Monastery
- The Wooden Churches of Maramureș: Desești Church
- The medieval fortified town of Sighișoara
- Bârsana Monastery
- Turda Salt Mine
European Cultural Heritage Sites
European Cultural Heritage Sites
- Curtea de Argeș Monastery
- The historic center of Sibiu
- Alba Carolina Citadel (Alba Iulia)
- Castles: Peleș Castle, Bran Castle, Corvin Castle
- The historic center of Brașov
Included Services
Included services:
- Transportation by car / minibus / coach
- Licensed National Tour Guide, English-speaking
- 7 overnight stays in 3*–4* hotels, including one night with local hosts
Not included
Not included
- Entrance fees to museums and tourist sites included in the program
- Photo/video fees; optional tips; alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages;
all personal extras
- Anything not expressly mentioned under “Included Services”