Transylvania Tours
Transylvania Tours
Transylvania Tours
Transylvania Tours
Transylvania Tours
Transylvania Tours
Transylvania Tours
Transylvania Tours

Best of Romania Tour - Mocanita Steam Train!

Transylvania, Bucovina and Maramures with Mocanita Railway - A journey back in time!

What comes to your mind when you think of Romania? Is it the legendary figure of Count Dracula, or the huge Palace of Parliament, the second-largest building in the world, or maybe the traditional Saxon villages and the gypsy with their colorful lifestyle.
Romania has so much more to offer!  With a mixture of rich culture and history, amazing landscapes and ancient traditions, charming medieval towns, fairytale castles, and rural areas, UNESCO world heritage sites and a delicious BIO cuisine, Romania is a dream came true! Discover all these treasures and you’ll get the real Romanian experience!

Highlights:

Last of the Carpathian Forestry Railways - "Mocanita" in Maramures;
Transfagarasan - Top Gear’s best road in the world;
Cluj Napoca - European Youth Capital in 2015;
Curtea de Arges Monastery - the burial place of the kings and queens of Romania;

Three famous medieval Saxon cities in Transylvania:
Sibiu (“the city that sees and hears everything” – you’ll find out why!),
Sighisoara (the best-preserved medieval citadel in SE Europe, “so pretty that it should be arrested” a UNESCO site and also the birthplace of Dracula)
Brasov, the pearl of the medieval towns in Romania;

The unique Merry Cemetery from Sapanta;
The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina (UNESCO sites) - Some of the world’s greatest art treasures;
Dracula’s Castle - one of the world’s most famous castle;
Peles Castle - the most beautiful palace in Romania, once the summer residence of the Romanian Royal Family;


All these assorted with delicious traditional dishes and flavored with the best Romanian wines! 

 

Day 1: Bucharest - Sinaia - Bran - Brasov

Visits: Peles Castle, Bran Castle (well known as Dracula Castle), Brasov town with Black Church.

Meet the guide at 9.00 a.m.
Today we will visit two of the most notable, beautiful, most talked castles in Romania.
We will start with the king’s summer residence, the wonderful Peles Castle, a masterpiece! It is the first castle in the world to have central heating and electricity! The construction of the castle began in 1875 and the building was inaugurated in 1883. PELES Castle was the final resting place for several Romanian monarchs, including King Carol I, who died here in 1914, as well as King Ferdinand and Queen Maria.

We will then head to Bran village and follow the legend to discover Dracula’s castle. Today we will visit Bran Castle, one of the most visited castle in the world! 
The fortification was popularly known as 'Dracula's Castle' and was built on top of a steep rock in the Carpathian Mountains in 1377, where it protected the border of Valahia and Transylvania.

The building has four towers positioned at the four cardinal points. The walls are made of stone blocks, the rooms and narrow corridors constitute a mysterious labyrinth of ghostly nooks and secret chambers, whilst in the inner courtyard, there are artesian wells, connected to an underground network. The castle had both a military and a customs point purpose.

In the afternoon, we will arrive in Brasov and we will enjoy this wonderful, mountain, medieval town for the rest of the day!

Brasov is one of the most beautiful cities in Romania. The main attraction is the medieval part of the city with: The Black Church that houses a priceless collection of Oriental rugs as well as a 4000-pipe organ. The Town Hall Square, the Franciscan Monastery, The Central Park, The Black Tower, The White Tower, Ecaterina’s Gate, Schei Gate and the Rope Street – the narrowest street in Europe.

 

Day 2. Brasov - Red Lake - Bicaz Gorges - Gura Humorului

Visits: Prejmer Fortified Church, Red Lake, Bicaz Gorges, Agapia Monastery.

Today it will be a long and beautiful day with wonderful landscape, lakes and mountain views. 
 
Starting from Brasov, we will visit Prejmer Fortified Church - the biggest fortified church in Southeastern Europe built in the 14th century. The fortress with double walls and dungeons makes me think of the ancient tales. Inside its walls, there is a church, but the interesting thing here is the honeycomb like inner wall. Every family had one small room for sheltering in case the village was attacked. In peaceful times they used it as a storage room for food.
 
We will pass thru Lacu Rosu/Red Lake  Resort where we will have a short stop to admire the landscape, taking some nice pictures and find out the legend of this wonderful place. 

We continue via Bicaz Gorges, gorges in the Eastern Carpathians, on the river Bicaz, making the connection between Transylvania and Moldavia. The gorges attract by its beauty many tourists every year. They are crossed by a winding road.

In the afternoon, we will stop at Agapia Monastery and visit it.  The interior of the Agapia Monastery was painted in 1858 by our greatest painter, Nicolae Grigorescu, at the age of 20. Due to their artistic value, these painting can be considered a real art gallery.
 
Accommodation to a very nice guesthouse with dinner included! Traditional, homemade food, BIO!

Day 3. Gura Humorului - Moldavian Painted Monasteries - Viseul de Sus

Visits: Voronet Monastery, Moldovita Monastery, Viseu.

After breakfast will visit Voronet Monastery (1547, most known for the frescoes with predominant blue color - Voronet blue, surnamed “The Sistine Chapel of the East", these frescoes depict a fairy-tale world, painted on a "piece of heaven". This "jewel of Bucovina" was built by Romanian great ruler Stefan the Great in 1488).
 
The "Painted" Monasteries is the major Moldavian destination, because of the vivid and animated frescoes on their church walls. These depict Biblical and other scenes, designed in sequences almost like strip cartoons to educate the local people in the Orthodox religion. Due to their singleness, the monasteries in Bucovina are now UNESCO protected cultural sites. The art historians compare their artistic value with the mural paintings of San Marco church of Venice or the church of Orvietto. The secret of the Moldavian painters who prepared the colors and the techniques that made the paintings incredibly resistant is still a mystery.
 
In the afternoon, we will cross the Carpathian Mountains to Maramures, the famous region in the north-west of Romania.
 
Accommodation in Viseul de Sus village.

 

Day 4. Viseu - Mocanita Forestry Railway - Barsana Monastery - Sighetul Marmatiei

Visits: A wonderful journey back in time with Mocanita, barbeque in the nature, Barsana Monastery, Sighetul Marmatiei.

Mocanita Railway - A journey back in time!
 
When traveling with the Mocăniţa up the valley one should keep in mind that this is like a journey back in time: after leaving the Vişeu station there is no cell phone signal, and any contact with the modern times is lost; the train is pulled by an antique steam locomotive, and therefore one should pay attention to the soot and sparks that might stain; along the way, there are no shops, and provisions of food, water, and other consumables have to be made before departure.
 
But do not be worried! You have the lunch included, barbeque in nature! You just admire the landscape, enjoy the journey, and breathe the mountain fresh air!
 
As this place is one of the few where one can ride along in a wagon pulled by steam power, every year the old Mocăniţa attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world and offers them unforgettable railway trips.
Travelers can go by train all the way up to the end of the valley and back, enjoying the beauty of nature. It is also possible to stop on the way, get off at one of the several halts, "halte", and start a hiking trip to the mountains.
 
After this wonderful experience, we will have a stop to Barsana Wooden Monastery, one of the most beautiful in Maramures.

 

Day 5. Sighetul Marmamtiei - UNESCO Wooden Churches of Maramures - Cluj Napoca

Visits: Sapanta Merry Cemetery unique in the world, Desesti Church, Cluj town.

In the morning we will head to Sapanta where we will visit the Merry Cemetery. The wooden colorful crosses sculpted and painted by craftsman Stan Patras and his apprentice, Dumitru Pop, turned it into an authentic open-air museum. The colors of the crosses and the humorous texts on them capture for eternity the essential episodes of life and show the strength of the Romanian people, who do not fear death. 
 
Then, we will visit the wooden churches of Maramures. Following Mara river, we admire the impressive landscapes and visit some of the oldest churches made of wood, special places within UNESCO's patrimony.
 
In the evening, we will arrive in Cluj Napoca, the treasure city of Transylvania and European Youth Capital in 2015.
 
Walking tour and overnight in the city center.

Day 6. Cluj Napoca - Turda Salt Mine - Sighisoara.

Visits: Turda salt mine, Sighisoara - best-preserved medieval town.

After breakfast, we will go to visit one of the most modern salt mines in Romania and maybe in Europe: Turda Salt Mine.

Originally established in the 17th century, the massive mines were formed completely by hand and machine rather than by using explosives. Visitors are invited to descend as far down as almost 400 feet into the Earth in order to witness the history of the trade.

After visiting Turda Salt Mine, we move on to Sighisoara, Europe’s best-preserved medieval town.
Highlights include Guild Tower, Venetian House (built in the 13th Century), Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) House, Antler House, Wood Covered Staircase, Hill Church, Hermann Oberth Square.

Sighisoara is one of the most beautiful towns in the heart of Transylvania. The whole medieval citadel is a part of UNESCO World Heritage. German architectural influences are visible throughout the entire city. Sighisoara was for several centuries a military and political stronghold. One of its most famous attractions is the Clock Tower (Council Tower), built in the 14th Century. The tower has seven foot thick walls and was used to store ammunition, food reserves, archives, and the city's treasures. 

Optional: lunch/dinner in the house where Dracula was born, today a famous restaurant.

Accommodation in Sighisoara, 3* hotel, breakfast included.

 

Day 7: Sighisoara - Biertan - Sibiu

Visits: Biertan Saxon village with the Fortified Church UNESCO listed, Sibiu medieval town, Astra open-air village museum.
 
Biertan is one of the most majestic and valuable fortified churches in Transylvania. In 1995, the fortified church of Biertan was included in the list of the world architectural patrimony under UNESCO patronage. 
 
On our way to Sibiu, we will visit the largest open-air museum in Romania, Astra Village Museum. 
 
We will spend the afternoon and then overnight in Sibiu town. Explore Sibiu by walking tour.
 
Sibiu/Hermannstadt, European Capital of Culture in 2007 and  2019 European Region of Gastronomy.      
Sightseeing tour in Sibiu, visit: Piata Mare (The Big Square), Piata Mica (The Little Square), Piata Huet (Huet Square), Iron Bridge, Biserica Evangelica (The Evangelical Church) and Mitropolia (The Orthodox Church). 

Day 8. Sibiu - Transfagarasan Road - Bucharest

Visits: the highest and the most spectacular road in Romania, Transfagarasan Road, Curtea de Arges Monastery * or Cozia when we will take the way on Olt Valley, a spectacular landscape.
 
Curtea de Arges Cathedral is one of the most famous buildings in Romania. Built in the 16th century by Prince Neagoe Basarab of Wallachia, the cathedral is the burial place of many kings, queens, and princesses of Romania.  Its legends have inspired many Romanian poets.
 
**Between 1st of July and 15th October, the Transfagarasan Road is usually open and we can visit Curtea de Arges Monastery; when the weather conditions do not permit it and the road is closed, we will visit the Cozia Monastery, which is located on the beautiful Olt River Valley.
 
Arrive in Bucharest in the evening. End of this tour. 

PHOTO GALLERY

What you will see

Tour costs

1495 €
Book now
Description

What comes to your mind when you think of Romania? Is it the legendary figure of Count Dracula, or the huge Palace of Parliament, the second-largest building in the world, or maybe the traditional Saxon villages and the gypsy with their colorful lifestyle.
Romania has so much more to offer!  With a mixture of rich culture and history, amazing landscapes and ancient traditions, charming medieval towns, fairytale castles, and rural areas, UNESCO world heritage sites and a delicious BIO cuisine, Romania is a dream came true! Discover all these treasures and you’ll get the real Romanian experience!

Highlights:

Last of the Carpathian Forestry Railways - "Mocanita" in Maramures;
Transfagarasan - Top Gear’s best road in the world;
Cluj Napoca - European Youth Capital in 2015;
Curtea de Arges Monastery - the burial place of the kings and queens of Romania;

Three famous medieval Saxon cities in Transylvania:
Sibiu (“the city that sees and hears everything” – you’ll find out why!),
Sighisoara (the best-preserved medieval citadel in SE Europe, “so pretty that it should be arrested” a UNESCO site and also the birthplace of Dracula)
Brasov, the pearl of the medieval towns in Romania;

The unique Merry Cemetery from Sapanta;
The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina (UNESCO sites) - Some of the world’s greatest art treasures;
Dracula’s Castle - one of the world’s most famous castle;
Peles Castle - the most beautiful palace in Romania, once the summer residence of the Romanian Royal Family;


All these assorted with delicious traditional dishes and flavored with the best Romanian wines! 

 

Day 1: Bucharest - Sinaia - Bran - Brasov

Visits: Peles Castle, Bran Castle (well known as Dracula Castle), Brasov town with Black Church.

Meet the guide at 9.00 a.m.
Today we will visit two of the most notable, beautiful, most talked castles in Romania.
We will start with the king’s summer residence, the wonderful Peles Castle, a masterpiece! It is the first castle in the world to have central heating and electricity! The construction of the castle began in 1875 and the building was inaugurated in 1883. PELES Castle was the final resting place for several Romanian monarchs, including King Carol I, who died here in 1914, as well as King Ferdinand and Queen Maria.

We will then head to Bran village and follow the legend to discover Dracula’s castle. Today we will visit Bran Castle, one of the most visited castle in the world! 
The fortification was popularly known as 'Dracula's Castle' and was built on top of a steep rock in the Carpathian Mountains in 1377, where it protected the border of Valahia and Transylvania.

The building has four towers positioned at the four cardinal points. The walls are made of stone blocks, the rooms and narrow corridors constitute a mysterious labyrinth of ghostly nooks and secret chambers, whilst in the inner courtyard, there are artesian wells, connected to an underground network. The castle had both a military and a customs point purpose.

In the afternoon, we will arrive in Brasov and we will enjoy this wonderful, mountain, medieval town for the rest of the day!

Brasov is one of the most beautiful cities in Romania. The main attraction is the medieval part of the city with: The Black Church that houses a priceless collection of Oriental rugs as well as a 4000-pipe organ. The Town Hall Square, the Franciscan Monastery, The Central Park, The Black Tower, The White Tower, Ecaterina’s Gate, Schei Gate and the Rope Street – the narrowest street in Europe.

 

Day 2. Brasov - Red Lake - Bicaz Gorges - Gura Humorului

Visits: Prejmer Fortified Church, Red Lake, Bicaz Gorges, Agapia Monastery.

Today it will be a long and beautiful day with wonderful landscape, lakes and mountain views. 
 
Starting from Brasov, we will visit Prejmer Fortified Church - the biggest fortified church in Southeastern Europe built in the 14th century. The fortress with double walls and dungeons makes me think of the ancient tales. Inside its walls, there is a church, but the interesting thing here is the honeycomb like inner wall. Every family had one small room for sheltering in case the village was attacked. In peaceful times they used it as a storage room for food.
 
We will pass thru Lacu Rosu/Red Lake  Resort where we will have a short stop to admire the landscape, taking some nice pictures and find out the legend of this wonderful place. 

We continue via Bicaz Gorges, gorges in the Eastern Carpathians, on the river Bicaz, making the connection between Transylvania and Moldavia. The gorges attract by its beauty many tourists every year. They are crossed by a winding road.

In the afternoon, we will stop at Agapia Monastery and visit it.  The interior of the Agapia Monastery was painted in 1858 by our greatest painter, Nicolae Grigorescu, at the age of 20. Due to their artistic value, these painting can be considered a real art gallery.
 
Accommodation to a very nice guesthouse with dinner included! Traditional, homemade food, BIO!

Day 3. Gura Humorului - Moldavian Painted Monasteries - Viseul de Sus

Visits: Voronet Monastery, Moldovita Monastery, Viseu.

After breakfast will visit Voronet Monastery (1547, most known for the frescoes with predominant blue color - Voronet blue, surnamed “The Sistine Chapel of the East", these frescoes depict a fairy-tale world, painted on a "piece of heaven". This "jewel of Bucovina" was built by Romanian great ruler Stefan the Great in 1488).
 
The "Painted" Monasteries is the major Moldavian destination, because of the vivid and animated frescoes on their church walls. These depict Biblical and other scenes, designed in sequences almost like strip cartoons to educate the local people in the Orthodox religion. Due to their singleness, the monasteries in Bucovina are now UNESCO protected cultural sites. The art historians compare their artistic value with the mural paintings of San Marco church of Venice or the church of Orvietto. The secret of the Moldavian painters who prepared the colors and the techniques that made the paintings incredibly resistant is still a mystery.
 
In the afternoon, we will cross the Carpathian Mountains to Maramures, the famous region in the north-west of Romania.
 
Accommodation in Viseul de Sus village.

 

Day 4. Viseu - Mocanita Forestry Railway - Barsana Monastery - Sighetul Marmatiei

Visits: A wonderful journey back in time with Mocanita, barbeque in the nature, Barsana Monastery, Sighetul Marmatiei.

Mocanita Railway - A journey back in time!
 
When traveling with the Mocăniţa up the valley one should keep in mind that this is like a journey back in time: after leaving the Vişeu station there is no cell phone signal, and any contact with the modern times is lost; the train is pulled by an antique steam locomotive, and therefore one should pay attention to the soot and sparks that might stain; along the way, there are no shops, and provisions of food, water, and other consumables have to be made before departure.
 
But do not be worried! You have the lunch included, barbeque in nature! You just admire the landscape, enjoy the journey, and breathe the mountain fresh air!
 
As this place is one of the few where one can ride along in a wagon pulled by steam power, every year the old Mocăniţa attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world and offers them unforgettable railway trips.
Travelers can go by train all the way up to the end of the valley and back, enjoying the beauty of nature. It is also possible to stop on the way, get off at one of the several halts, "halte", and start a hiking trip to the mountains.
 
After this wonderful experience, we will have a stop to Barsana Wooden Monastery, one of the most beautiful in Maramures.

 

Day 5. Sighetul Marmamtiei - UNESCO Wooden Churches of Maramures - Cluj Napoca

Visits: Sapanta Merry Cemetery unique in the world, Desesti Church, Cluj town.

In the morning we will head to Sapanta where we will visit the Merry Cemetery. The wooden colorful crosses sculpted and painted by craftsman Stan Patras and his apprentice, Dumitru Pop, turned it into an authentic open-air museum. The colors of the crosses and the humorous texts on them capture for eternity the essential episodes of life and show the strength of the Romanian people, who do not fear death. 
 
Then, we will visit the wooden churches of Maramures. Following Mara river, we admire the impressive landscapes and visit some of the oldest churches made of wood, special places within UNESCO's patrimony.
 
In the evening, we will arrive in Cluj Napoca, the treasure city of Transylvania and European Youth Capital in 2015.
 
Walking tour and overnight in the city center.

Day 6. Cluj Napoca - Turda Salt Mine - Sighisoara.

Visits: Turda salt mine, Sighisoara - best-preserved medieval town.

After breakfast, we will go to visit one of the most modern salt mines in Romania and maybe in Europe: Turda Salt Mine.

Originally established in the 17th century, the massive mines were formed completely by hand and machine rather than by using explosives. Visitors are invited to descend as far down as almost 400 feet into the Earth in order to witness the history of the trade.

After visiting Turda Salt Mine, we move on to Sighisoara, Europe’s best-preserved medieval town.
Highlights include Guild Tower, Venetian House (built in the 13th Century), Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) House, Antler House, Wood Covered Staircase, Hill Church, Hermann Oberth Square.

Sighisoara is one of the most beautiful towns in the heart of Transylvania. The whole medieval citadel is a part of UNESCO World Heritage. German architectural influences are visible throughout the entire city. Sighisoara was for several centuries a military and political stronghold. One of its most famous attractions is the Clock Tower (Council Tower), built in the 14th Century. The tower has seven foot thick walls and was used to store ammunition, food reserves, archives, and the city's treasures. 

Optional: lunch/dinner in the house where Dracula was born, today a famous restaurant.

Accommodation in Sighisoara, 3* hotel, breakfast included.

 

Day 7: Sighisoara - Biertan - Sibiu

Visits: Biertan Saxon village with the Fortified Church UNESCO listed, Sibiu medieval town, Astra open-air village museum.
 
Biertan is one of the most majestic and valuable fortified churches in Transylvania. In 1995, the fortified church of Biertan was included in the list of the world architectural patrimony under UNESCO patronage. 
 
On our way to Sibiu, we will visit the largest open-air museum in Romania, Astra Village Museum. 
 
We will spend the afternoon and then overnight in Sibiu town. Explore Sibiu by walking tour.
 
Sibiu/Hermannstadt, European Capital of Culture in 2007 and  2019 European Region of Gastronomy.      
Sightseeing tour in Sibiu, visit: Piata Mare (The Big Square), Piata Mica (The Little Square), Piata Huet (Huet Square), Iron Bridge, Biserica Evangelica (The Evangelical Church) and Mitropolia (The Orthodox Church). 

Day 8. Sibiu - Transfagarasan Road - Bucharest

Visits: the highest and the most spectacular road in Romania, Transfagarasan Road, Curtea de Arges Monastery * or Cozia when we will take the way on Olt Valley, a spectacular landscape.
 
Curtea de Arges Cathedral is one of the most famous buildings in Romania. Built in the 16th century by Prince Neagoe Basarab of Wallachia, the cathedral is the burial place of many kings, queens, and princesses of Romania.  Its legends have inspired many Romanian poets.
 
**Between 1st of July and 15th October, the Transfagarasan Road is usually open and we can visit Curtea de Arges Monastery; when the weather conditions do not permit it and the road is closed, we will visit the Cozia Monastery, which is located on the beautiful Olt River Valley.
 
Arrive in Bucharest in the evening. End of this tour. 

PRICE

Price: 1495 €/person (min 2 pers). Private and fully refundable tour. 

 

Included:

  • Transport by modern car/mini-bus
  • 7-night accommodation with breakfast in 3* hotels and 3*guesthouses
  • 1 traditional dinner in Bucovina without alcoholic drink, homemade and pure biological food
  • 1 barbeque lunch in Maramures with Mocanita Railways
  • Professional guide assistance, English speaking, during the whole trip 
  • City tour in each city on the trip

 

Not included:

  • Entrance fees for attractions
  • Other meals

 

The tour is fully refundable in case of cancelling up to 30 days before the scheduled trip

Special prices for groups! Contact us to get a quotation.

Map
Tour costs
1495 €
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