Discover the intricate beauty of Romania’s culture and the rugged landscapes of its countryside, from imposing medieval citadels and iconic castles to the hidden subterranean marvels of the Turda Salt Mine and the stunning painted frescos of the country’s monasteries.
Located on the banks of the Dambovita River, Bucharest is a bustling metropolis with tree-lined boulevards, 17th and 18th-century orthodox churches and fabulous Belle Epoque buildings.
Dinner
Depart from the UK on your flight to Bucharest. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to the charming mountain resort town of Sinaia. Enjoy a delightful dinner at your hotel before retiring for a restful night ahead of your adventure tomorrow.
Breakfast
This morning, visit the stunning Peles Castle, a neo-Renaissance masterpiece commissioned by King Carol I in 1873 and later transformed into a modern royal summer residence under Queen Marie in the 1920s. Head to the historic Sinaia Monastery inhabited by Christian Orthodox Monks. The Great Church of the monastery became the first in Romania to use electric lights thanks to renovation works by King Carol I. Continue to Bran Castle, the legendary “Dracula’s Castle.” Steeped in history and legend, it was originally built in the 14th-century to defend the strategically important mountain pass. With its towering turrets, thick stone walls, and eerie atmosphere, Bran Castle has become synonymous with the Dracula legend, though there is no direct connection to the fictional character. You can explore its rich history, wander through its ornate rooms and halls, and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding Carpathian Mountains and learn the fascinating history of its transformation from a defensive stronghold to a royal summer residence under Queen Marie. Later, arrive in Brașov.
Breakfast
Begin the day with a visit to the Zarnesti Bear Sanctuary, where over 100 rescued bears roam free in a lush forested landscape. Return to Brașov, where you’ll have time explore this charming town and its stunning sights. A medieval gem with perfectly preserved Baroque and Saxon architecture, here you can stroll through more than 800 years of living history.
Breakfast & Dinner
Set off on a scenic drive through Romania’s captivating landscapes, en route to Piatra Neamt. Along the way, explore the UNESCO-listed Saxon village of Prejmer. Marvel at the towering, 40ft high walls, bastions, and the historically significant drawbridges. Learn about the stronghold’s legendary resistance, having only been captured once despite being besieged 50 times! Continue your journey to the Szekeli Museum, one of Central Europe’s oldest, and dive into the fascinating history of the Hungarian people in Transylvania. Finally, arrive in Piatra Neamt, a picturesque town surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.
Breakfast & Dinner
Today, immerse yourself in the spiritual and artistic wonders of Romania. Begin with a visit to the Voroneț Monastery, famed for its stunning blue frescoes, before continuing to Agapia Monastery, set in serene surroundings perfect for reflection. After lunch, enjoy a city tour of Piatra Neamt, where Romanian cultural heritage comes to life. This is a day full of inspiration, history, and culture.
Breakfast & Dinner
Begin your journey to Sighisoara via the breathtaking passageway of The Red Lake and Bicaz Gorge which divide the Romanian provinces of Moldova and Transylvania. Admire the views as you pass through these spectacular canyons. Stop at the Saxon village of Viscri, home to a traditional farmhouse owned by King Charles, before arriving in Sighisoara where you’ll have time to explore the cobbled streets of one of Europe’s oldest citadels. The first thing you’ll notice is the riot of colour, with buildings painted in bright oranges, yellows, blues, and pinks creating a dazzling canvas. It has a colourful history too, being the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. The 14th-century Clock Tower offers a spectacular panorama from the top, and a covered stairway leads to the “Church on the Hill”, a fine example of Gothic architecture.
Breakfast & Dinner
Delve into the wonders of the Turda Salt Mine, a subterranean world with vast chambers and an underground lake that will leave you speechless. Next, make your way to Alba Iulia, where history truly comes to life. Explore its magnificent fortress, a symbol of Romania’s rich past, and admire the elegant baroque architecture that graces the city. Immerse yourself in centuries of captivating history as you wander through its well-preserved streets and landmarks. Continue your journey to Sibiu, the heart of Transylvania’s cultural scene.
Breakfast
Sibiu, the cultural capital of Transylvania, offers a spirited blend of medieval charm and modern flair. Wander through its picturesque squares and cobblestone streets, lined with pastel-coloured houses and baroque architecture. Explore the city’s rich heritage as you visit iconic landmarks such as the Bridge of Lies and the magnificent Lutheran Cathedral. Wander around in the vibrant atmosphere of the local markets and shops and taste traditional delicacies.
Breakfast
Travel to Bucharest, Romania’s dynamic capital. Embark on a city tour that highlights the country’s rich history, including the monumental Palace of the Parliament, one of the largest and most impressive buildings in the world, showcasing the grandeur of Romania's communist era; Revolution Square, a site of immense historical significance, where key events of the 1989 Romanian Revolution took place, leading to the fall of the communist regime; and the iconic Triumph Arch, a symbol of Romania’s independence, standing tall at the edge of Bucharest’s central boulevards. Designed to commemorate the country’s victories in World War I, this arch is an architectural masterpiece, offering fantastic views of the city.
Breakfast
After breakfast the morning is yours to explore Bucharest at your own pace.
Breakfast
Enjoy a day at leisure in Bucharest.
Breakfast
After breakfast the morning transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
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We loved the tour and all that was included. Full on but great to pack so much into a short tour. The additional add-on in Bucharest is well worth it. Lovely hotels, very conveniently located and adequate for this short tour.
Ian Riley
13 Sep 24All in all very good. Romania is an absolutely beautiful country with fabulous views. Bucharest is a very beautiful city, with boulevards and wonderful French-influenced buildings.
Our guide Dan, who developed the tour was extremely informative and went out of his way to make our trip enjoyable. Thanks also to our driver, Sorin, who also did a fabulous job beyond necessary, even removing fallen trees inroad during torrential rain! An excellent pair
Andrew Holland
08 Jul 24The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
A visa is not required for your trip to Romania. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity.
It is your responsibility to check your passport validity. To enter Romania (and all Schengen countries) your passport must: have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive and have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave. Sources of information include; https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you. If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0333 188 0407, quoting HX313.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to most people with a good level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves climbing of steep stairs and getting on and off coaches. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The currency in Romania is the Romanian Leu. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country. Cash machines will also be available throughout the tour in order to withdraw money in your local currency.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.
You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry, any meals not included in the itinerary as well as drinks and any additional snacks; Approximately £300- £400 per person will be sufficient for the duration of the tour. It is a good idea to try and maintain a supply of small notes and change in the local currency for tipping or small purchases.
Tipping
It is customary to tip both your driver and guide approximately 2 euros per person per day in total. Tips will be collected at the end of your tour. We recommend budgeting 10% for a tip service on top of your bill at local restaurants.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10 and the maximum will be 35. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date, then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
There is no minimum number of travellers for this extension however the main tour passenger numbers will apply for the main part of the tour. If in the unlikely event there are less than the required number of people booked on your main tour date then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
This is a fully escorted tour meaning that you will be met by a local guide in each of the cities that you visit, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.
Your stay in Bucharest is not escorted by a tour guide. All internal transfers are included.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist compared to what you might expect in the UK. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Breakfast is always local or international cuisine and served in the hotel each morning. Dinner (when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours. It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information
On your arrival in Romania you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Dertour, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/ Dertour representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your national guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries.
If you need to contact your representative during your stay the details are:
Dertour: Telephone Number: 0040 724 320 926 or 0040 21 314 3002
Emergency contact information: Please find below the emergency contact details for Dertour24 hour: 0040 724 320 926
