We wanted to call this The Aristocratic Tour, given that there are so many high quality wines and foods involved and that accommodation is mostly at refurbished manors, palaces and historic villas.
Romania is the 5th largest wine producer in Europe (190.000ha/470.000acres), so we have plenty of wines to choose from!
We start with a short walk around the Old City Center, just to get our appetite going and then settle for dinner in a 200-year old Inn. We feast on its history, architecture, legends, and last, but not least, on its delicious Balkanic cuisine and own brand wine.
After a well needed rest and breakfast, the day starts with a walking tour of the main boulevard in Bucharest, which leads us to the ReVino Gourmet fair. This is where the best cheese, bread and pastry, olive oil and balsamic vinegar and, most important, wine from the local producers and importers can be found, with numerous novelties every year. (Full day pass included.)
We drive East, toward the sea, in a land where the soil is sandy and dry, there is plenty of sun that provides a long period of maturation and gives the grapes a lot of sugar. This leads to a rich diversity of taste and flavor and a freshness of wine that is hard to reproduce in other places.
Our first stop is at a young, modern winery with a great view of the Danube river and spectacular architecture. A tasting of 5 wines is included.
Next, we visit a small French-style winery at the seaside, for wine pairing lunch and tasting of 5 wines, also included.
Our accommodation is an old, refurbished villa in the old city center of Constanța (Tomis in Roman times), which we can explore by foot.
Just after breakfast, a short drive takes us back to the banks of the Danube, at a winery that has won so many international gold and silver medals, that we simply have to visit and see why. A tasting of 5 wines is included.
Once again on the road, we stop at a winery in the largest and best known DOC wine region of Romania – Dealu Mare (The Great Hill). This is where the iconic Feteasca Neagră (Black Maiden), an authentic local grape variety has become famous and we will try it to see why (Tasting of 5 wines included).
After another short drive, we arrive at our accommodation for the night, a nice manor on top of a forested hill. We can take a walk in the woods or visit an 18th Century Chapel on the grounds of the estate while waiting for dinner to be prepared.
The day begins with an adventure: rock climbing on a via ferrata track that takes us on top of a mountain, just to get a better view of our surroundings, then we descend by zipline.
After this short nature trek and exploration, we drive to a totally nature-friendly, bio farm up in the hills to taste whatever is on the menu today. The chef decides spontaneously every morning, depending on available ingredients, but we are sure to have something grown or produced on the farm: eggs, chicken, goat cheese – simple, matured or with spices, bacon, pastrami, strawberry or blueberry jam, artisanal bread and more. (This snack is included in the price of the tour).
Next up, we cross the mountains and stop for a visit inside the Prejmer Citadel, one of the best preserved Medieval buildings in Transylvania. This is an Evangelical Church built in 1240 and surrounded in 1427 by 3m thick and 12m tall walls that were never conquered. There are 272 rooms inside its walls, on 4 floors, used in the past for storage of goods. Each family in the village had its own room, to protect itself and its belongings in case of Ottoman or Tatar invasion.
Later on, we head to our accommodation for the night, a massive manor in Transylvania. A lavish barbecue dinner with local wine and beer will be waiting for us (included).
In the morning we take it easy, enjoy coffee in the lazy forest and slowly pick up to visit the oldest Medieval town that is still inhabited in Eastern Europe – Sighisoara. After some ups and downs, we switch caliber and visit a local craftsman who makes artisanal spirits and liquors from plums, apples, pears, quinces and berries (tasting included). This is going to be a tough one.
We then drive to a cozy little resort in an authentic Transylvanian village where locals are known for their ability to find truffles with dogs or pigs. We will spend the evening tasting 5 wines paired with 5 truffle-based courses (included).
We need a solid breakfast, as the first stop of the day is at a winery situated in the heart of the region that has been known as Wineland since the XII Century. Our wine tasting (included) takes place in a Castle built in 1624 in the style of French Renaissance that overlooks the grape fields and the surrounding hills. It’s a great place for wine and relaxation.
Next, we take a walk around the Alba Carolina Citadel in Alba Iulia, (built 1738). Sightseeing includes the oldest (1.000 years old) and tallest cathedral in Romania.
We then drive to a large domain just outside the city, with a hotel, restaurant and wide terrace, where we have dinner and accommodation.
Today we embark on a spectacular scenic drive on the highest road in Romania, on our way to cross the Carpathians. On the other side, we stop at The Romanian Village Museum in Curtișoara, which brings together dwellings from different areas and ages and is the perfect place to learn about traditions and everyday life in the countryside.
Authentic: We then visit a village known for its long tradition of pottery making and get our hands dirty with clay and paint.
In the evening, we head to our hosts for the night, yet another old, refurbished mansion.
In the evening, we head to our hosts for the night, at yet another old, refurbished mansion.
We are now in the DOC region of Dragășani, so we head to a small, boutique winery where we learn about local grapes and the wines that they yield, in a 5-wine tasting (included).
After lunch, we head back to Bucharest, because we have tickets to the RoWine fair, where we will look for wines from regions or wineries that we did not reach. Our VIP passes will give us access to special tastings and pairings.
Today we will explore some of the street food in Bucharest, while walking around and admiring architecture and history. There is plenty to choose from: pastry, sandwiches, Turkish, Greek or Oriental wraps, pizza slices and some of the best burgers in town, all “paired” with local craft beer.
Our tour ends in the afternoon, with the hope that we have managed to learn a bit about Romanian cuisine and drinks, that we have formed lasting friendships and beautiful memories. Check, please!
All accommodation is at old mansions, boutique hotels and countryside guesthouses, refurbished and decorated to offer an authentic taste of traditional or noblemen life.
Meals always include traditional local food and a choice of international and vegetarian dishes. Romanian food is represented by soups and broths; local cheese, bacon and salami; grilled pork, sausages, smoked ham and meat; vegetable stew, eggplant salad, mushroom salad and many other delicious dishes. Common sides include baked potatoes with butter sauce, rice and vegetables, bean or pea stew, grilled eggplant or pickled cucumbers, peppers and cauliflower. Spicy, sweet, garlic, onion or barbecue sauces are usually available.
You are not allowed to leave Romania until you have tried the famous cabbage rolls with minced pork meat and spices (sarmale) and the fried doughnuts filled with cherry jam and sour cream (papanași)!
Local drinks include hundreds of types of beer, world renowned wine and home brewed spirits made of plum, pear, apricot, sour cherry and other fruit.
The schedule of the tour is based on the guests’ arrival by plane on Day 1 in the afternoon/evening and departure on Day 10 in the evening. For different flight schedules, please contact us and we will do our best to help with additional nights of accommodation in Bucharest, pick up or drop off services.
During the months of May, June and October, the weather can be unpredictable, with clouds, wind and possibly storms, therefore we recommend that you bring a warm and waterproof jacket and water resistant shoes. From July to September, it can be very hot, with temperatures rising to 37-39 degrees Celsius (around 100 Fahrenheit), therefore lighter clothing is recommended.
Check here if you need a visa to enter Romania: Country List.
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One seat in a comfortable Mercedes minivan, all costs covered
Accommodation in double or twin-bed rooms at hotels or B&B’s for 9 nights; the room will be shared with another trip companion; (for single room, please contact us – additional costs apply); breakfast included
All visitors’ fees for the landmarks to be visited (excluding photo or video camera tax).
All Breakfasts
8 Wine tastings
1 Craft Beer tasting and 5 meals
Plus some surprises.
Airplane tickets to or from Bucharest
Lunches or dinners (except the ones marked with Included (bold))
Drinks during nights out or any other time of the day
Extra room requirements at hotels and B&B’s, aside from the standard double/twin rooms
Personal insurance, early check-in/late check-out fees, police fines, bail money, etc.
Children that can share a bed with their parents + €550 (the Wine part is excluded)
Children that require an additional bed in their parents’ room + €850 (the Wine part is excluded)
Single Accommodation + €1,050