Romania

Romania is one of Europe’s most underrated destinations. Brimming with a long and vibrant history, incredible natural landscapes, hearty food, incredible wine (Romania has a big wine industry) and charming historic towns and villages, Romania is a country that enthralls everyone who visits.

Residents are a welcoming group eager to share their country with visitors. On this tour, you’ll meet locals and fully immerse yourself in the culture through traditional workshops, home-cooked meals, and visits to out-of-the-way villages. Using our extensive local connections, you’ll get experiences not available with other companies as we hang out with our personal friends and get off the beaten path.

You’ll also see magnificent hilltop castles, sprawling palaces, some of the best-preserved towns in Europe, and the remote Transylvanian countryside (where we might even see wild bears).

This tour is for people looking to see more than just the famous sites of Romania — it’s for travelers who want to also understand the country’s culture, history, and food.

If you’re the kind of person who wants a more authentic and nuanced experience, this tour is for you.

Tour Itinerary

Arriving in Bucharest, a bustling metropolis is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, stunning Belle Époque buildings, and the kind of vibe that earned it the nickname Little Paris in the early 1900s. In the afternoon, we’ll get together for an orientation meeting before we take you to one of our favorite spots for our welcome dinner.

Included meals: D

Today you’ll wake up, have breakfast, and embark on a historical walking tour of Romania’s lively capital that will end mid-afternoon. Afterwards, you’ll have time to explore the city on your own (we’ll give you plenty of recommendations for how to spend time in a way that suits your personal interests). In the evening, we’ll meet for an optional group dinner followed by drinks!

Included meals: B, L

We’ll embark on a morning train from Bucharest to Brașov, followed by an optional lunch and a cable car ride to the top of Tampa Mountain, where the you will be able to see some spectacular panoramic views of the city. That night, we’ve arranged an optional group dinner at the city’s best restaurant. 

Included meals: B

We’ll start our first day in Brașov with an informative walking tour to learn about the history of one of the best-preserved cities in the country. You’ll then have the afternoon free to explore this fascinating and incredibly picturesque city at your own pace.

Later in the evening, we’ll meet for wine at a cafe situated on the city’s wall followed by an optional group dinner. In the late-evening, you’ll have the chance to join an optional bear-watching tour. This is a really cool activity where you’ll walk (not hike) through the forest to a bear observation location. There’s a lot of bears in the area, so the bears walk around looking for food at nightfall. There, the group will get the chance to safely observe the bears in their natural habitat!

Included meals: None

First, we have a really cool traditional egg-painting workshop planned! This takes place in the home of a local artisan and it’s a real highlight of the trip!

Then, we’ll refuel with a hearty traditional lunch at a local Romanian’s home. In the early afternoon, after the home visit, we will go to Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle (despite the fact that Vlad the Impaler was likely never here). Wander the castle’s interior, now a museum dedicated to the last (and beloved) queen of Romania or descend down the hill to look at some simple remnants from the daily lives of peasants. We’ll then head back to Brașov, where you’ll have the afternoon free to explore the city.

Included meals: L

Today, we get off the beaten path and get to know the locals as we visit their farms, homes, and workshops in Corund, a village in Székely Land where most of the residents are ethnically Hungarian. On the way, we’ll make a stop to view the Rupea Fortress. When we arrive in Corund, we’ll indulge in a typical lunch at a local trout farm. We’ll then visit the traditional workshops that make this area famous, including a potter, weaver, and tinder mushroom family farm. We’ll end the day with a home-cooked dinner at a farm deep in the mountains of Romania.

Included meals: L, D

We’ll drive to the remote Fantana Plateau, where we’ll visit more local families to learn about the day-to-day operations of running their small farms. We’ll take an unforgettable forest walk through the southernmost peat bog in the world to learn more about this unique type of natural environment. During this walk, you’ll discover a deeper connection between people and nature, see mysterious 1,000-year-old pine trees, insect-eating flowers, poisonous plants, as well as totally edible forage-worthy berries.

Afterwards, we’ll eat lunch at a local cheese maker’s home and then you’ll have the afternoon to rest and relax.

Included meals: B, L

With the morning comes a surprise activity at the home of local friends! We’ll then journey to Transylvania’s Sighișoara, one of the best preserved medieval villages in Europe. We’ll take a walking tour of the medieval citadel and village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, we’ll drive through the heart of Transylvania to the day’s final destination, the Saxon city of Sibiu.

Included meals: B

Begin your day with a walking tour of the Old Town of Sibiu, known as The Town with Eyes for its iconic rooftop windows that look like they’re watching over passersby. Learn about the ins and outs of this mid-sized well-preserved fortified medieval town from a local guide and ask all your questions so they can point you towards the best markets, cafes, restaurants, shops, and sights.

In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to wander the city at your own pace before meeting up again with the group for a tasty Romanian dinner.

Included meals: B

Get ready to learn some fascinating history as we visit the Hunedoara Castle (also known as Corvin Castle, Castelul Corvinilor, or Hunyadi Castle) where many of medieval Europe’s most powerful rulers have stepped foot. This massive Gothic-Renaissance castle is the largest medieval castle in Transylvania, and one of the largest castles on the whole continent of Europe! Initially designed as a defense fortress against the Ottoman Empire in 1440, you’ll learn about where war prisoners, criminals, and maybe even Vlad the Impaler were held.

Afterwards, we’ll return to Sibiu for dinner.

Included meals: B

Coast around the twists and turns of the incredible Transfagarasan Highway. This breathtaking road winds through the Fagaras Mountains and has been called one of the most epic roads in the world for its stunning landscapes. On the way, we’ll see the Poenari Citadel from the road, which is actually the ruins of Dracula’s castle. In the 15th century, Vlad III the Impaler repaired an abandoned structure, making this castle high on the steep precipice of a rock one of his main fortresses. After his death, the castle eventually fell to ruins. Now, this castle can be seen from the road for a photo opportunity since it takes 1,100 difficult steps to reach the actual ruins (and is generally closed by the authorities for safety purposes due to too many bears in the area). So snap a photo and learn about Dracula’s story and then head to Bucharest, where we’ll have a memorable last dinner together.

Included meals: B, D

Today our tour ends.  Feel free to spend the day (or next few days) relaxing at cute Romanian cafes, wandering the tree-lined boulevards, dining on delicious Romanian mititei, or shopping for handcrafted mementos. Our guides will be around all day to help you get to the airport or onward to your next destination.

Included meals: B

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Romania

September 18

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September 30, 2023

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$2795
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*Price for double room, twin share. Single room upgrades available at checkout.

Tour Essentials

Accommodation

You’ll stay in 3-star hotels and guesthouses situated close to the central areas of town. If you book a twin share room and are traveling solo, you’ll be paired with someone of the same gender.

Transport

During the trip, we’ll travel via public transportation, train, as well as a private bus between cities.

Meals

Seven breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners are included in the cost of this tour. Alcohol is not included and can be purchased at your own expense.

Sustainability

We aim to offer as sustainable an experience as we can. The tap water is safe to drink so we encourage you to bring a water bottle. Trash is recycled whenever possible and we avoid mass tourism activities that cause harm to the environment and/or do not benefit local communities.

Small Groups

This tour will have 10-15 travelers on it so we can provide a great small group tour experience. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy unique, rewarding activities that would not be accessible with more people.

Expert guides

You will be led by an expert tour leader who will always be around to provide extra information, create spontaneous experiences, join the group for all of activities and meals and ensure that the trip is as informative, fun and memorable as possible! You will also have excellent licensed, local guides for walking tours, activities and excursions.

What’s Included

What’s Included

  • Accommodation
  • Transportation, including driver
  • All activities and entrance fees mentioned above
  • All included meals listed above
  • Local guides during activities
  • Expert tour leader

What’s Not Included

  • Flights to/from Romania
  • Visa fees that may be required
  • Meals and activities not mentioned
  • Travel insurance (which is required)
  • Optional activities not listed

Reviews

“I love The Nomadic Network tours because they are off the beaten path, tend to attract all ages of free spirited, fun, and adventurous people. I met a lot of solo travelers which was inspiring.” – Dave, Oaxaca 2022

“The Nomadic Network’s group tours provide the perfect balance of personalization and flexibility. The itineraries capture the highlights you crave, yet allows you to stray if your heart desires. ” – Brandon, Romania 2022

“Morocco with TNN was a trip of a lifetime for me! While we saw the big sights, we also visited some hidden gems and got to connect with locals in a way I never imagined. The itinerary was carefully thought out to make our experience exceptional.” – Heather, Morocco 2022

“I liked the tour because we experienced new things every day. I embraced the new and the unexpected, and enjoyed getting to know 11 new people! Awe inspiring places, warm and welcoming people, appreciation and flexibility.” – Janet, Jordan 2022

“This TNN tour exceeded my expectations in a lot of ways. The group felt united in our desire to discover new places and things. Add in the convenience that I had to make no plans of my own, it’s an awesome way to travel.” – Brady, Morocco 2022

“The perfect blend of structured activities and free time. We hit several highlights of the country as well as many under the radar places, all with memorable interactions with locals.” – Kelly, Romania 2022

FAQ

Please note that we do not offer visa assistance. As a participant in our group tour, you may or may not need a visa depending on your country of origin and other factors. Please check the latest visa requirements for Romania on the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or with the Romanian Embassy in your country.

If you do require a visa, the process is straightforward and can typically be completed in a matter of weeks. You will need to provide a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned date of entry into Romania, along with other required documents such as a completed visa application form, passport-sized photos, and proof of travel insurance.

Fly into and out of Bucharest at Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP).

  • On the first day, our orientation meeting generally takes place in the early evening, around 5:30pm. It’s best to arrive by the afternoon so you have enough time to get settled in before we meet up.
  • On the last day, you can depart at any time. We’ll have breakfast available for you and the rest of the day will be yours to explore.

No. Before the start of the tour, we’ll send you specific information on how to get to the hotel via public transportation, taxi, or Uber. However, if you’d like a private transfer, we can book them for you for an added fee.

During our tours in Romania, the weather is generally mild and pleasant. In the spring, temperatures generally range from 40 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, with occasional rain showers and sun. In the fall, temperatures trend a bit warmer, ranging from around 50 to 65° F (10 to 18° C). It’s generally a bit rainier with cool evenings.

We will send you a packing list ahead of time to help you prepare.

As a woman, there is nothing out of the ordinary to be concerned about when traveling to Romania. Practice general precautions that you would while traveling. Don’t flaunt flashy jewelry or electronics.

Romania uses standard European plug outlets (Plug Types “C” and “F”), so if you’re coming from the US or Canada, you will need a plug adapter. You can easily find cheap ones online, so we’d suggest shopping around.

As for electricity, most mobile phones, laptops, and other devices can handle all types of voltage when charging. The standard voltage in Europe is 220v/50Hz. Check your chargers to see if they say 110 – 220V. If that range is listed on the charger, you will not have any problems charging your device while on the tour.

The internet infrastructure in Romania is very developed and reliable, offering top speeds even in remote areas and villages. As for phone service, you can activate the international plan from your network at home, purchase a local SIM card upon arrival, or purchase an e-sim online.

In Bucharest, you’ll stay at a centrally located 3-star hotel within 10 minutes walk to the heart of the Old Town, with comfy rooms and a great breakfast.

In Brașov, you’ll stay at a highly regarded 3-star hotel, situated only a 2-minute walk from the main historic square of this beautiful medieval town.

In Corund, you’ll stay at a quaint 3-star guesthouse in the tranquil region of Corund, with warm, well-designed rooms, nearby nature trails and a great local restaurant.

In Sibiu, you’ll stay in a well-situated 3-star hotel on the edge of the sprawling and peaceful Sub Arini Park, approximately 20 minutes walk from the main square of the Old Town.

Twin share rooms:

  • If you are traveling solo, you’ll be paired with someone of the same gender in a room with two single beds.
  • If you book two spots, you’ll get the entire room for you and your travel partner. 

Private rooms:

If you’d like to get your own private room, you can add that option at checkout for $250 USD. There are a maximum of 8 single rooms available. Private rooms run on a first come, first served basis.

This tour requires a certain level of physical activity. Please note that the trip can involve somewhat long days, journeys by van (with stops), walking tours in crowded cities, a variety of temperatures and early morning wake-ups.

Seven breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners are included. You can refer to the itinerary to see which ones. All dietary restrictions can be accommodated with prior notice. Alcohol is not included and can be purchased separately.

Yes, the tap water in Romania is safe to drink. We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to carry with you.

You should budget an average of $30-50 USD per day for all your extra needs. This would include meals that are not included in the tour, basic purchases (laundry service, bottled water, etc.) as well as activities you do on your own.

Yes, you will be able to withdraw cash. We recommend using ATMs which are widely available in cities and will dispense local currency. This way, you won’t have to carry around large amounts of cash and you’ll receive the best exchange rate possible. However, please check with your home bank as many banks charge foreign transaction fees every time you withdraw money from an ATM overseas. Learn how to avoid paying extra fees here.

If using an ATM machine is not an option, the second-best method is to simply bring U.S. dollars or Euros in cash that you can exchange at money exchange booths or banks located all over the country.

Tips are not included in our tour costs. How much you tip depends greatly on how much you want to tip. Generally, $10-15 per day is considered a generous tip for the guides.

Find our general FAQ here to get any of your other questions answered.

Book A Tour

Book with confidence. Your deposit is 100% refundable for 30 days after your booking is made, as long as it’s 60 days prior to departure, so you don’t lose out in case your plans change.

Romania

September 18

–

September 30, 2023

Spots Left:

11

from

$2795
Book your spot

*Price for double room, twin share. Single room upgrades available at checkout.

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