You are here: Home > Romania > Holiday Ideas > Romania Self Drive 6 - Romanian Treasures
Discover the best of Romania on this immersive fly-drive holiday linking Bucharest, Transylvania, Bucovina and Maramureș. Journey through medieval citadels, mountain passes, painted monasteries and traditional wooden villages — with time to enjoy the iconic Transfăgărășan Highway and the country’s legendary hospitality.
Activity code: ROFD06
Duration: 16 Days
This comprehensive self-drive journey reveals Romania’s extraordinary contrasts — from the elegant boulevards of Bucharest to the wild mountains, medieval towns and timeless rural traditions of Transylvania, Bucovina, and Maramureș. It’s a superb introduction, a "Best of" if you like, to a country where each region feels like a different world.
Begin in Bucharest, where a guided tour introduces the city’s grand architecture, creative revival and the monumental Palace of Parliament. Then drive north through the Prahova Valley, visiting Peleș Castle and reaching the medieval charm of Brașov, surrounded by the Carpathian peaks. Nearby lie Bran Castle, Râșnov Fortress, and the bear sanctuary at Zărnești — all easily explored from your mountain base.
Journey onwards to Viscri, one of Transylvania’s best-preserved Saxon villages, before arriving in Sighișoara, a jewel of cobbled streets and painted towers. Visit the UNESCO-listed fortified church at Biertan, then continue through the Carpathians to the dramatic Bicaz Gorge and tranquil Red Lake. In Bucovina, discover the famous painted monasteries with their vivid 16th-century frescoes, set amid rolling countryside and forested hills.
Cross the Prislop Pass into Maramureș, a region where wooden churches, horse-drawn carts and traditional dress still define daily life. A nostalgic ride on the Vaser Valley steam railway and visits to Bârsana Monastery, the Merry Cemetery in Săpânța, and the Communism Memorial Museum at Sighetu Marmației bring the area’s unique heritage to life.
Turning south, explore lively Cluj-Napoca, the surreal underground world of the Turda Salt Mine, and the grand fortress city of Alba Iulia, before arriving in cultured Sibiu, one of Romania’s most elegant towns. Finally, traverse the spectacular Transfăgărășan Highway — Europe’s most dramatic mountain road — to Curtea de Argeș, with its splendid cathedral, before returning to Bucharest for your flight home.
This exceptional Best of Tour captures Romania’s diversity in one seamless route — from medieval citadels and forest monasteries to mountain passes and warm village hospitality. It’s a journey through the very soul of Romania.
Rediscover the World’s carefully designed fly-drive itineraries take you deep into the heart of this fascinating country. We combine essential highlights with authentic local experiences — from historic cities and dramatic scenery to charming guesthouses in rural communities, where hospitality is still a way of life.
The accommodation is typically small, independent or family-run, selected for comfort, character and a genuine sense of place. Many of our guests tell us these local stays are among their most treasured memories.
This tried and trusted route allows plenty of time to explore, whether you prefer to follow our suggested itinerary or add extra nights to linger in your favourite regions. You can travel at your own pace — stopping for a hike in the Carpathians, visiting a village market, or simply enjoying a long lunch beside a mountain stream.
Your fly drive can be as active or as relaxed as you wish. Staying one night at each stop allows for maximum sightseeing, while adding extra nights gives you time for side trips or to simply unwind in the countryside.
If you’d prefer not to drive, we can arrange a private driver for the full journey or pre-book train tickets between the main locations. Guided sightseeing, local experiences, and special visits can also be arranged in advance.
Flights from a range of UK airports to Romania can be booked through us, ensuring your holiday is fully ATOL protected.
Prices are provided as guideline “from” figures (in GBP) based on two adults travelling together. Single supplements may apply, and discounts for children (under 12 years) or a third adult sharing are available on request. As always, we aim to combine high-quality experiences with exceptional value for money. Discounts are available for groups of three or more, as fixed costs such as transport and guides are shared equally.
Itinerary
Your adventure begins in Bucharest, a city that continues to surprise and delight visitors with its broad boulevards, elegant Belle Époque architecture and modern, creative energy. On Day 2, your private guide will take you on an exploration the capital’s major landmarks, including the monumental Palace of Parliament, one of the largest buildings in the world, and the charming old quarter with its lively cafés and historic atmosphere.
After collecting your hire car leave the capital behind; your drive north takes you through the scenic Prahova Valley, passing the fairytale turrets of Peleș Castle in Sinaia and the mountain resorts of Azuga and Predeal, before reaching the medieval splendour of Brașov. Here, framed by the forested slopes of the Carpathians, you can stroll through the cobbled streets of the old town, visit the Black Church, or explore the surrounding countryside — from the legendary Bran Castle, often linked with the Dracula story, to the impressive Râșnov Fortress and the nearby bear sanctuary at Zărnești.
Continue deeper into Transylvania to discover the timeless village of Viscri, one of Prince Charles’ favourite places in Romania, where traditional Saxon architecture and rural life remain beautifully preserved. From here, it’s a short journey to Sighișoara, one of Europe’s most enchanting medieval citadels, with its colourful streets, clock tower and hilltop church. This is the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration behind the Dracula legend, but its real charm lies in its atmosphere and authenticity. Nearby, the fortified church at Biertan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s history.
Your route then winds through the Carpathian Mountains towards Bicaz Gorge and the serene Red Lake (Lacul Roșu), one of Romania’s most picturesque natural landmarks. Crossing into Moldavia, you’ll stay in the tranquil countryside of Bucovina, home to the famous painted monasteries of Voroneț, Moldovița and Sucevița. These extraordinary 15th–16th century churches, covered inside and out with vivid frescoes, are among Romania’s greatest treasures.
From Bucovina, the road climbs over the spectacular Prislop Pass into the remote northern region of Maramureș, where ancient wooden churches, traditional villages, and people in folk costume seem untouched by time. You’ll stay in Vișeu de Sus, where a ride on the narrow-gauge forestry railway through the wild Vaser Valley is an unforgettable experience. In the afternoon, explore the idyllic Iza Valley, visiting the ornate wooden church of Bârsana Monastery and meeting the local craftspeople who keep centuries-old traditions alive. In Sighetu Marmației, learn about Romania’s more recent history at the Memorial to the Victims of Communism, and don’t miss the colourful Merry Cemetery in nearby Săpânța, where humour and art blend in a celebration of life.
Turning south again, you’ll reach Cluj-Napoca, a vibrant university city known for its lively squares and excellent restaurants, before visiting the extraordinary Turda Salt Mine, a vast underground world of tunnels, caverns and salt-sculpted chambers. Continue to Alba Iulia, a beautifully restored fortress city that encapsulates Romania’s national history, before arriving in elegant Sibiu, one of the cultural jewels of Transylvania. With its grand squares, charming museums and medieval walls, Sibiu is the perfect place to relax and absorb the region’s atmosphere.
From Sibiu, one of the most dramatic drives in Europe awaits — the legendary Transfăgărășan Highway, a spectacular mountain road twisting through the Făgăraș Mountains to Curtea de Argeș. Built in the 1970s and made famous by BBC’s Top Gear, it climbs to the glacier-fed Bâlea Lake at over 2,000 metres, offering astonishing views at every turn. If the road is closed (typically October–May), an alternative route through the Olt Valley provides equally scenic landscapes and cultural stops. Your final night is spent in Curtea de Argeș, where you can visit the beautiful Episcopal Cathedral, before returning to Bucharest for your flight home — or perhaps to enjoy one last evening by Herăstrău Lake.
.JPG){kind=link}
.JPG){kind=link}
.JPG){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.JPG){kind=link}
.JPG){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
