One week in Romania: Best of!

After breakfast, we'll start our exploration of Bucharest, Romania's vibrant capital city. We'll stroll down Victoria Street, the city's oldest boulevard, and visit the Triumph Arch, a symbol of Romania's victories in the World Wars. We'll also visit the Revolution Square, the site of the 1989 Romanian Revolution. After a walk in the old city center, we'll admire the Romanian Athenaeum and the People’s Palace. In the afternoon, we'll head to the land of Transylvania, stopping at the Oltului Valley to visit the 14th-century Cozia Monastery. We'll end our day in Sibiu, the European Capital of Culture in 2007, where we'll check into our hotel.

After breakfast, we'll explore Sibiu's historic sites, including the Large Square, Haller House, and Brukenthal National Museum. We'll admire the Council Tower, walk up the enchanting Passage of the Stairs, and experience the lively Cibin Market. We'll also visit the Thalia Hall and the Gothic Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral. Afterward, we'll transfer to a traditional village where we'll visit the Museum of Glass Painted Icons and enjoy a traditional lunch. In the afternoon, we'll head to Sighisoara, one of Europe's most beautiful medieval citadels and the hometown of Vlad the Impaler. We'll check into our local hotel for the night.

After breakfast, we'll explore Sighisoara's medieval fortress, known as 'the pearl of Transylvania'. We'll visit the Clock Tower, Vlad the Impaler's birth house, and climb the covered stairs to the Church on the Hill. In the afternoon, we'll continue our journey to the Bucovina region, passing through the Borgo Pass, a land mentioned in Bram Stoker's novel. We'll arrive in Bucovina late in the evening for our overnight stay.

After breakfast, we'll delve into the spiritual heart of Romania with a visit to the World Heritage-listed painted monasteries of Sucevita, Voronet, and Moldovita. These monasteries, unique in the world, are renowned for their exterior frescoes depicting biblical scenes. We'll also stop in Marginea to witness the local craft of black ceramics. We'll return to our hotel in Bucovina for the night.

After breakfast, we'll depart Bucovina and head to Brasov via the stunning Bicaz Gorges and the Red Lake. Upon arrival in Brasov, a city founded by the Teutonic Knights and settled by the Saxons, we'll explore the Old Town Hall Square and admire the Black Church, the largest gothic church in Romania. We'll check into our hotel in Brasov for the night.