Wander Across Romania – Final Details

Wander Across Romania

September 1st – 12th, 2024

Important Details

Tourist Visas

Citizens of the USA, Australia, New Zealand and most European Countries are allowed to enter Romania without a visa. Starting on March 31st, 2024, Romania became part of the Schengen Zone, a European zone consisting of 29 countries. As a citizen of any of the mentioned countries above, you are allowed to spend 90 days out of any 180-day period in the Schengen Zone as a whole.

Airport Arrival

Please follow the below instructions upon arrival at Bucharest’s Henri Coandă International Airport:

After exiting the plane, walk through the terminal building to the immigration inspection.
Once through immigration, follow the signs and go downstairs to the luggage area. Collect your luggage from the correct carousel and then pass through the customs inspection.
After you exit the baggage/customs area, you’ll enter the Arrivals Hall. Your driver will be waiting for you here with a sign that says that says “Wandering Earl Tours.”

If you are unable to find your driver, please contact your tour leader, Mara, at +40 726-688-729 or our local representative, Stefan, at +40 752-111-188

Please note: When arriving into Romania, you are sometimes required to fill out a landing card or tell the immigration officer where you will be staying in Bucharest. Here are the details:

Europa Royale Bucharest Hotel, Str. Franceză 60, București 030106, Romania

Arrival / Departure Airport

Please note that both the arrival and departure airport for this tour is the Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) in Bucharest.

WhatsApp Group

We will set up a WhatsApp chat 2 weeks prior to the start of the tour that will include all of the participants as well as your tour leader. This will allow everyone to get to know each other in advance, ask questions and communicate with your tour leader both before and during the tour. It will be very useful for you to have WhatsApp available to you during the tour as this will be the main method of communication.

Tour Leader

Your tour leader for this trip will be Mara Barbuletu. With a deep love for her native Romania and a passion for travel, she brings a wealth of experience in leading tours, both in her homeland and internationally. From answering your questions to offering assistance whenever needed, Mara is committed to ensuring a seamless and enjoyable adventure for everyone. She will introduce herself and share more details when we create the group WhatsApp chat approximately 2 weeks before the tour.

*Our tour leader will be there to ensure the trip runs smoothly and our local guides are there to share the wonders of their country!

Local currency

The local currency in Romania is the Romanian Leu (RON). The current exchange rate is $1 USD = 4.60 LEU.

In terms of spending money, you should estimate an average of $25 – $30 USD per day for all of your needs. This would be for meals that are not included in the tour, basic purchases (laundry service, snacks, etc) as well as any activities you choose to do on your own.

As for exchanging money, the best method is via ATM machines which are located throughout urban areas around the country. However, check with your bank at home as many banks charge high foreign transaction fees every time you withdraw money overseas.

If using an ATM is not an option, or the fees are too high, simply bring USD, Euros or GBP to exchange at money exchange offices in the cities.

*Credit cards are widely accepted at restaurants, cafes and shops in cities and larger towns. Cash is generally the main payment method in more rural areas.

Tipping

Tipping is not widely practiced in Romania but it is appreciated. Below is a general guideline:

Restaurants – 10% only if a service charge is not already added to the bill.
Hotel staff – 5 – 8 LEU if someone helps you with luggage or anything else.
Our drivers – We recommend that each person gives a $50 USD tip that we will split among the 2 drivers that we will use during the tour.
Tour leader – If you wish to tip your tour leader, they will always be greatly appreciative..

*Tips for waitstaff at included meals are already included.

Staying Connected

Romania has some of the fastest internet in the world, so you’ll be able to connect in guesthouses, restaurants, cafes, and even parks. While our journey includes stays in more remote mountain villages, you can still expect decent WiFi. However, do keep in mind that in these serene, off-the-beaten-path locations, internet connectivity might not be as consistent as in our more urban destinations.

If you wish to have a data connection on your phone throughout the trip, you can get a local SIM card in the luggage area of the airport when you arrive. You will see the booths offering the SIM cards and they will assist with getting you set up. If you want a stronger connection throughout the trip, we recommend that you either activate the international plan from your network at home or buy an online E-Sim for Romania. These two options will ensure you have a good 5G connection throughout the tour.

Itinerary

September 1st: Bucharest / Arrival Day

Airport transfers
Welcome dinner at one of Bucharest’s most popular restaurants, located in the heart of the Old City

Accommodation: Europa Royale Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast (for the participants who booked the pre-trip accommodation with us), Dinner

September 2nd: Bucharest

Morning panoramic minibus tour, cruising down the city’s vibrant boulevards: Magheru, Aviatorilor, and Calea Victoriei, each lined with historic and modern landmarks
Discover the time-honored Revolutiei Square and step inside the Romanian Atheneum, an architectural gem and a symbol of Romanian culture
Visit the renowned Obor Market, hailed as “The Top Market in Europe,” for a taste of local food
Take a guided tour of the Palace of Parliament, one of the largest administrative buildings in the world and a testament to monumental communist-era architecture
Optional walking tour along Victory Street, exploring the street art and historical sights
Group dinner
Optional night out in town

Accommodation: Europa Royale Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

September 3rd: Bucharest ➜ Mogosoaia ➜ Snagov ➜ Brasov

Morning drive to Mogosoaia Palace, a historical building known for its unique Brâncovenesc architectural style
Continue to the 14th-century Snagov Monastery, which is thought to be the final resting place of Vlad the Impaler
Enjoy lunch in the village before continuing our drive to Brasov
Arrive in Brasov in the afternoon, a city famed for its Gothic architecture and medieval heritage
Free time to wander through Brasov’s charming streets
Group dinner at a long-running restaurant known among locals

Accommodation: Hirscher Residence
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

September 4th: Brasov

Full city walking tour, visiting the Romanian and German neighborhoods, the Black Church known for its impressive Gothic architecture, as well as the well-preserved medieval gates that once fortified this historic city
Experience the scenic ride up Tampa Mountain by funicular, offering some breathtaking views of the city
Free afternoon at leisure, where you’ll be able to discover more of Brasov’s hidden corners or simply relax and soak in the atmosphere of this medieval city
Stroll through Piata Sfatului, the lively main square where evening festivities always take place
Evening dinner at a renowned local chef’s restaurant

Accommodation: Hirscher Residence
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

September 5th: Brasov ➜ Bran ➜ Brasov

Morning 30-minute drive to Bran, where we’ll tour the 13th-century Bran Castle, often associated with the Dracula legend and known for its role in inspiring Bram Stoker’s famous vampire tale
Enjoy a home-cooked lunch and traditional egg painting demonstration at a local craftswoman’s home in a nearby village
Return to Brasov for a leisurely evening

Accommodation: Hirscher Residence
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

September 6th: Brasov ➜ Corund

Late morning 2.5-hour drive to Corund, followed by a delightful lunch
Immerse yourself in traditional Romanian crafts with visits to local artisans including potters and weavers, and explore a unique tinder mushroom workshop to learn about this rare craft
Dinner at a friend’s farm in the mountains

Accommodation: Arcso Fogado Guesthouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

September 7th: Corund

Morning tour of the remote Fantana Plateau, exploring some villages and a bio-mushroom farm to learn about sustainable agricultural practices in the region
Lunch at a cheese farm, where you can taste freshly made cheeses, followed by visits to a syrup and jam producer for tastings of their homemade products
Evening free time, where you’ll be able to take a walk through the forest or enjoy a drink on the terrace
Dinner in the gardens of a local trout farm

Accommodation: Arcso Fogado Guesthouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

September 8th: Corund ➜ Viscri ➜ Mesendorf

Morning Kurtos Kalacs workshop, where you will learn how to make this tasty Székelys cake
1.5-hour drive to the village of Viscri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore its medieval fortified church and catch a glimpse from the outside of King Charles of England’s house, admired for its rustic charm and royal connection
Continue to Messendorf, an impressive 13th-century Saxon village in the heart of Transylvania
Cozy home-cooked dinner in our guesthouse

Accommodation: Mesendorf Guesthouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

September 9th: Mesendorf ➜ Sighisoara ➜ Brateiu ➜ Sibiu

1.5-hour drive to Brateiu to meet a Roma family, learn about their intricate metalwork crafts, and sample some local snacks and drinks
Continue with a short 30-minute drive to explore Sighișoara’s medieval village, including a tour of its famous clock tower and cathedral, a visit to a traditional liquor cellar, and a stop at the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, the historical figure behind the Dracula legend
Continue on to the medieval city of Sibiu and head out for a sunset walk through the two main squares and a dinner of regional cuisine

Accommodation: Art Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

September 10th: Sibiu

Full walking tour of this historical city, visiting local workshops, charming lanes, photogenic cathedrals and bustling squares
Afternooon free time to wander this quaint city even more, relax at the hotel or even climb the clock tower for views out beyond the medieval walls
Local dinner in one of the main historic squares

Accommodation: Art Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

September 11th: Sibiu ➜ Transfagarsan Highway ➜ Bucharest

Today we head back to Bucharest, taking a most unique route, along the Transfagrasan Highway
Visit small villages tucked away into the mountains, lookout points with sweeping views of the valleys below, the mountain summit, Lake Balea and enjoy lunch near the shores of Lake Vidraru
Free time in Bucharest to explore the city’s landmarks, museums, or shop for some last-minute souvenirs
Farewell dinner, celebrating the end of an unforgettable Romanian adventure