A Taste of Romania
Discover the flavours of Romania on this 10-day adventure which takes you from the street food and restaurants of Bucharest through the delightful farm-dotted countryside of Transylvania
Trip highlights
- Learn to cook a selection of reimagined Saxon and Hungarian delicacies
- Explore Romania's excellent wine offerings
- Follow in the footsteps of the Pied Piper in Brasov
- Visit some of the most famous Saxon villages in Transylvania
- Discover some of Bucharest's best dining spots away from the crowds
- Take a walking tour through the delightful town of Sibiu
Bespoke trips with Jacada
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Days 1–3
Delightful Bucharest
A city of strong contrasts, it’s impossible to fit Bucharest into any kind of box. Go exploring and you’ll discover delightful surprises in this place that straddles the line between east and west and juxtaposes the old with the new. Bucharest is best explored on foot, so you can take your time to uncover the secrets it holds.
Make it mine
Bucharest flavours
Raise a glass
Not so touristy gastro tour
Equal parts gritty and pretty, Bucharest is a city that rewards those who take their time exploring. Discover the less touristy corner of Bucharest on this gastro tour. You will enjoy a variety of culinary experiences, from local markets, to food trucks and small restaurants that promote slow food, organic eating and Romanian recipes with a twist. You can combine this with a stop to have a craft beer tasting enjoying only beers brewed in Bucharest.
Wine discovery
Visit a less touristy neighbourhood in Bucharest, where you’ll discover some of the country’s different types of wine. You’ll also enjoy a blind wine tasting at a chic coffee shop, guided by a professional sommelier.
Days 3–9
Into Transylvania
The day-long drive from Bucharest to Transylvania is beautifully scenic. Along the way you’ll stop for a walking tour of Sinaia, a 19th-century royal rest town nestled in a fir-clad valley. You’ll also take a cable car ride up to the Bucegi Plateau to see the majestic Sphinx, one of Romania’s most striking natural landmarks. This part of your journey leads you first to Brasov. A land steeped in folklore and tradition, Transylvania invites you to explore captivating landscapes surrounded by the misty, brooding Carpathian Mountains, and ancient forests alive with diverse wildlife. You’ll spend the next few days discovering this gorgeous part of Romania, travelling from Brasov County through Cris, Mures County and Sibiu County, with luxury accommodations throughout.
Where you could stay
Make it mine
Animal tracking
Pied Piper
Castle discovery
Animal tracking adventure in the Făgăraș Mountains
Escape to a secluded cabin nestled high in Romania’s Făgăraș Mountains for an immersive wildlife experience, where expert trackers will guide you through the breathtaking landscapes. A highlight will be witnessing the inspiring return of the majestic European bison to Romania’s Făgăraș Mountains. On this unforgettable guided adventure you’ll be led by local experts and conservation rangers as you keep a lookout for these creatures.
As you explore, you’ll learn how to identify various animal tracks and signs of wildlife. You’ll also have the chance to review footage captured by motion-activated cameras. Your cabin’s location means that as night falls, you’re perfectly positioned to see and hear the forest coming to life.
The Pied Piper of Brasov Tour
According to local Saxon legend, the Pied Piper of Hamelin reappeared in Brasov with his retinue of stolen children. According to the Brothers Grimm, when the Lower Saxons came to Transylvania 700 years ago, they preserved their oral traditions and recognized themselves as descendants of the children taken by the Pied Piper. This tour encompasses some of the highlights of this playful medieval city.
Bran Castle
Set off to unravel the secrets of Bran Castle, the perfect Gothic dwelling for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Unfortunately, neither Stoker nor the real Dracula, Vlad
Tepes, ever visited. The castle is fully equipped with towers and turrets, medieval costumes,
jewelry and weapons, a chamber of horrors and magnificent views of the Carpathians.
See more
Home grown
On foot
Saxon pottery
Private organic herb and spice garden tour
Discover the art of growing medicinal herbs and spices in a family-run organic garden nestled in the heart of Transylvania, where you’ll gain insights into nature-harmonious gardening and savour a traditional, locally-sourced dinner.
Cultivating medicinal herbs and spices is an important part of life here, and the Hungarian family is eager to share their insights with you. Over a slow-cooked traditional dinner they’ll tell you all about how they started and maintain their garden in harmony with nature. Whether you’re a budding gardener yourself eager to take some tips home with you, or simply wanting to spend a few inspirational hours out in nature with a welcoming family, this experience will be a rewarding one.
Sighisoara walking tour
Sighisoara’s medieval vibe is enchanting. Perched on a hill, the town is a warren of storybook turrets, gingerbread roofs and cobblestone alleyways. Fortified walls surround Sighioara’s impressive merchant houses, now housing millennium-old cafes, hotels, and craft shops. Lurking in the shadows is the bloodthirsty history of Vlad Tepes, aka Dracula, who is said to have been born here.
Sibiu ceramics workshop
Visit a pretty Saxon village where the lost art of Saxon pottery making was revived in 2014 under the tutelage of a master potter. If you are interested in trying it out for yourself, unleash your creativity with a ceramics workshop, where you can make your own souvenir or simply spend a relaxing hour or two watching the craftspeople work.
Make it mine
Ride and dine
Explore Sibiu
Village life
Horse ride and cooking class
Explore meadows, cathedral-like beech forests, vignettes of a long-forgotten pastoral life, and an everchanging
landscape on horseback before taking part in a cooking class. The chef will lead you through the preparation of reimagined Saxon and Hungarian delicacies using only the freshest local ingredients.
Sibiu Walking Tour
As Romania’s cultural heart, Sibiu radiates elegance. Every facade bears traces of its proud Saxon heritage. This walking tour showcases the city’s highlights while also allowing you to appreciate the warmth of its people and sample its delectable cuisine.
Saxon villages and traditions
Spend a day visiting some of the most famous Saxon villages in Transylvania, visiting fortified churches and meeting the locals. If you are a hiker, you can take a few hours with your guide for a longer walk around the forests. You may also like to visit the local blacksmith to learn how he works the iron, or the tile-maker, for a lesson on
working the clay.
Explore a beech tree forest
At the foot of Romania’s majestic Făgăraș Mountains, discover a village deeply connected to the ancient beech forest, where you can join a local initiative to protect these monumental trees through adoption.
During this powerful experience, which explores the balance between human life and the legacy or nature, you’ll delve into the history of the forest and learn about the environmental threats that the local communities will face if the trees are lost.
In the Forest of Ancient Beeches, several scenic trails offer the opportunity for a half-day or full-day hike. Along the way, your expert local guide will incorporate elements of wildlife tracking and tell you about the “Trees with Stories” project.
Days 9–10
Overnight in Bucharest
You have the option of traveling from Sibiu back to Bucharest on the Transfagarasan, a mountain road crossing the southern section of the Carpathian Mountains. Once you have settled back in Bucharest, you’ll have the afternoon to explore at your leisure. Take a stroll through the charming streets of the Historic Old Town, also known as Lipscani. Admire the beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture and learn about the city’s rich history. Explore the vibrant cobblestone streets filled with boutique shops, art galleries, and traditional craft stores. And don’t forget to pick up some local souvenirs and handcrafts to remind you of your incredible adventure through Romania.
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive Impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
