Moldova, Transylvania, and Bucharest

Day 1: Arrival in Chisinau
Arrival in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova. Meet and assist at the airport and transfer to 4* Regency Hotel. Dinner on your own.

Day 2: Chisinau City Tour – Excursion to Cricova Winery
After breakfast meet your guide at the hotel reception area. Sightseeing city tour of Kishinev by private car (approximately 3 hours), and then a wine tasting and lunch at Cricova, which offers a unique, underground wine collection equipped with chic tasting rooms. Once functional mines, these wine cellars are constantly expanding, and you will travel through them by electric train or car. On your journey you will see the National Gold Wine Collection, where you will see the production of sparkling wine according to the French method, and also Milestii Mici, one of the biggest wine collections in the world. Both collections are officially recognized as national treasures.

Day 3: Old Orhey
After breakfast meet your guide at the hotel reception area to depart for Old Orhey. The ancient city of Old Orhey is a unique natural and historical complex in the open air, which organically combines the natural landscape with remnants of ancient civilizations. Enormous archeological excavations made in Orhey have revealed cultural layers of different epochs, including treasures from the Paleolithic, Eneolithic, and Iron Ages. Lunch in the boarding house with wine and folk show, and then transfer back to Chisinau for time at leisure.

Day 4: Wine Tour to Purcari
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide at hotel reception area and depart for Purcari (about 2 hours). Purcari Winery was founded in 1827 on the former lands of the Afono-Zagraf Monastery. Built in the style of a French winery, Purcari offers a unique architectural ensemble, and you will see the cellars where French oak barrels store wonderful varieties of wines while they develop nobility, maturity, and flavor. The famous blends of Rosu de Purcari and Negru de Purcari are stored here, as well as other award-winning varieties, and you will have a chance for some tasting too. Return to Kishinev for overnight.

Day 5: Transfer to Airport – Flight to Bucharest, Romania
Transfer to airport for your flight to Bucharest. Upon your arrival, you will be met and assisted by your local, English-speaking guide, who will accompany you during your entire stay in Romania. Transfer to Sinaia, “The Pearl of the Carpathians,” and visit Peles Castle, a masterpiece of the German new-Renaissance, once the summer residence of the Romanian kings, and one of the most stunning castles in Europe. Drive to Azuga, where you will have dinner with a wine and champagne tasting from Azuga Rhein Cellars. Built in 1892, the Azuga Rhein Cellar was the former “Supplier of Romania’s Royal Court,” and since April 2006 has been designated “Supplier of His Majesty King Michael the First.” The cellar is considered to be the oldest producer of sparkling wine using the traditional method. Accommodation at the 5* New Montana Hotel.

Day 6: Azuga – Brasov – Polana Brasov – Dracula Castle
After breakfast we depart for Brasov, considered “The Heart of Romania,” once one of the most secure fortresses in Europe with its 32 defense towers and 4 fortified gates. During our Brasov tour we will visit magnificent Black Church, the largest gothic-style church between Vienna and Istanbul; stroll around the Old Council Square, lined with beautiful red-roofed merchant houses; and in the afternoon we will visit Bran Castle (Dracula Castle), where along the dark corridors and in the inner gardens, one can still hear the steps of the “Prince of Darkness.” Dinner and accommodation at Sport and Spa Hotel in Polana Brasov.

Day 7: Polana Brasov – Sighisoara – Sibiu
After breakfast we depart for the enchanting Sighisoara, birthplace of Vlad the Impaler (about a 2 hour ride). Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia (1431-1476/77), was a member of the House of Draculesti, also known, using his patronymic, as (Vlad) Draculea or Dracula. Among the most famous attractions to visit are the 14th-century Clock Tower, the 13th-century Venetian House, Dracula’s House (which is now a restaurant with amazingly good food – NOT bloody!), the Antler House, Hill Church, and Herlmann Oberth Square. In the afternoon we continue to Sibiu, named the European Capital of Culture in 2007. It is the largest and wealthiest of the seven walled citadels, built in the 12th century by German settlers known as the Transylvanian Saxons. The city’s landmarks include the Great Square with the Roman-Catholic church and the Brukenthal Palace, the Little Square with the Council Tower. Dinner and accommodation at the 4* Continental Forum Hotel.

Day 8: Sibiu – Bucharest
After breakfast we depart for Bucharest taking the scenic route, which passes by beautiful Olt Valley. En route we will take a short stop to visit 14-century Cazia Monastery. Upon your arrival in Bucharest you will have a panoramic tour of the city including the Parlament Palace, the Revolution Square, the Romanian Atheneum, and University Square, known for its wide, three-lined boulevards and the glorious Belle Époque buildings, which in the 1900s earned the area the nickname, “Little Paris.” Enjoy some free time to stroll around the narrow streets of the Old Historical Center with remains of the Old Princely Court (Curtea Veche), built in the 15th century by Vlad Impaler. Dinner in the Historical Center at Care cu Bare Restaurant. Accommodation at the 4* Novotel Hotel.

Day 9: Departure
After breakfast we continue our city tour of Bucharest, and then transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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