Transylvania – Round Trip 2026 with Positive Impact Tourism
This tour is organised in partnership with Positive Impact Tourism.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Sibiu
Upon arrival at Sibiu International Airport, your tour guide will warmly welcome you.
After a brief introduction, you will be transferred to your hotel for check‑in and relaxation.
Day 2: Sibiu – ASTRA Open-Air Museum – Cisnădioara – Cisnădie – Sibiu
In the morning, you will enjoy a guided city tour of Sibiu. Highlights include the Evangelical Parish Church, the Large and Small Squares, the famous Bridge of Lies, and the lively Zibin Market. At the market, we will purchase fresh ingredients that will be used later for your lunch.
In the afternoon, we visit the ASTRA Open-Air Museum - the largest of its kind in Romania, offering exceptional insights into rural traditions, folk culture, and historic wooden architecture. While at the museum, we will also buy several small supplies to offer to tomorrow’s host family.
Afterwards, we continue to the fortified churches of Cisnădioara and Cisnădie, two remarkable examples of Transylvanian Saxon heritage.
The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Sibiu at your own pace.
Day 3: Sibiu – Câlnic – Hunedoara – Sibiel – Sibiu
Today begins with a visit to Câlnic Fortress, a 13th‑century structure originally built as a noble residence and later strengthened into a defensive fortification with imposing walls and two towers. We will also see the former Evangelical parsonage (16th century, expanded in 1779) and the Evangelical Church (15th century, remodeled in the 19th century in Neo‑Gothic style).
Our next destination is Hunedoara, where we explore Corvin (Hunyadi) Castle, built in 1452 in Gothic style by John Hunyadi. Although frequently linked to the Dracula myth, Vlad III spent only a brief period here. Today, the castle is also a popular setting for major international film productions.
The afternoon continues in the village of Sibiel, home to Romania’s largest collection of reverse glass icons, housed in the local museum.
This evening you will enjoy a hands‑on cooking class, learning how to prepare traditional regional dishes. Elderly residents from Sibiel will join you for dinner, along with your host farming family. At this time, we will also offer them the supplies purchased the previous day.
Following dinner, we return to Sibiu.
Day 4: Sibiu – Alba Iulia – Turda – Cluj‑Napoca
In Alba Iulia, you will explore the beautifully restored Vauban Fortress, the Orthodox Coronation Cathedral, the Roman Catholic Cathedral, and the historic Union Hall—where the 1918 union of Transylvania with Romania was proclaimed.
We then continue to the spectacular Turda Salt Mine, an extraordinary underground space in operation since the 11th century. Please bring warm clothing, as temperatures inside the mine are low.
After the visit, we travel onward to Cluj Napoca for a two‑night stay.
Day 5: Cluj‑Napoca – Nicula Monastery – Gherla – Cluj‑Napoca
This morning’s guided tour of Cluj Napoca includes St. Michael’s Church, the statue of Matthias Corvinus, and the Baroque Bánffy Palace, which today hosts the Art Museum.
In the afternoon, we visit Nicula Monastery, one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in northern Transylvania, renowned for its miracle‑working icon.
Our final stop is Gherla, where we explore the Baroque town center and the Armenian Church, famous for its valuable drawing after Rubens.
We then return to Cluj Napoca.
Day 6: Cluj‑Napoca – Biertan – Mălâncrav – Sighișoara
We begin the day in Biertan, the former seat of the Transylvanian Evangelical bishops, known for its impressive fortified church. Lunch will be served at a small, family‑owned restaurant celebrated for its excellent regional cuisine.
In Mălâncrav, there is an optional opportunity to meet the local pastor and learn about the unique traditions of the community.
Upon arrival in Sighișoara, you will enjoy a guided tour of the medieval citadel, visiting Vlad III (Dracula)’s birthplace, the Hill Church, and the historic Hill School. Later, we will join an English workshop at the local school, giving students the chance to practice and improve their English with you.
Day 7: Sighisoara – Corund – Saschiz – Viscri – Criț
Our first stop is Corund, a renowned center of traditional Transylvanian pottery. Here, you will take part in a hands‑on pottery workshop, creating your own handcrafted ceramic pieces with the help of a local artisan.
We continue to Saschiz, known for its medieval history and local legends, and then to Viscri, a UNESCO World Heritage village famous for its fortified church and charming pastel‑colored Saxon houses.
In the evening, we arrive in Criț for an overnight stay.
Day 8: Criț – Brașov
Today we travel to Brașov for an English‑speaking guided tour of the city. You will see the medieval fortifications, the Black Church, and the vibrant old town centered on Council Square. If you like, you may opt to invite a student guide to join you on the city tour so they can learn how to interact with tourists on the job (additional fee of EUR 80 applies per group, please let us know beforehand if you would like to invite a student guide to come along so we can arrange it for them).
In the afternoon, you may join an easy optional hike on Mount Tâmpa.
Day 9: Brașov – Bran – Peleș – Brașov
We begin with a visit to Bran Castle, widely associated with the Dracula legend.
Continuing then to Sinaia to explore Peleș Castle (1873–1883), a Neo‑Renaissance masterpiece built for King Carol I of Romania.
We then drive to Azuga, where you will enjoy a tasting of various sparkling wines at the historic Rhein Cellars. Established between 1888 and 1892, the cellars are now part of the Halewood winery and are among the oldest in Romania that still produce sparkling wine using the traditional Méthode Champenoise. During a guided tour, you will gain insight into the entire production process.
Also lunch will be taken here.
We return to Brașov in the evening.
Day 10: Brașov – Prejmer – Hărman – Brașov
Our morning includes visits to two prominent fortified churches: the UNESCO‑listed church in Prejmer and the well‑preserved complex in Hărman, known for its Romanesque‑Gothic elements and historic organ.
In the afternoon we return to Brașov for free time.
Along the way today, we will pick up some supplies for Hope and Homes for Children (Homepage - Hope and Homes for Children). We do not visit the home itself to respect the children’s privacy, but a staff member or volunteer of this organization will meet us for dinner tonight to talk about their work and daily life for children and families in Romania. We will enjoy our dinner together and gift them the supplies to support their work. Please visit their website to learn more.
Day 11: Brașov – Vârghiș – Micloșoara – Sâmbăta de Sus
In Vârghiș, we visit the restored Renaissance Daniel Castle. The village is known for its skilled woodcarvers and vibrant Hungarian folk traditions. Here, you will participate in a woodcarving workshop led by a local artisan.
We then continue to Micloșoara to visit the Kálnoky Counts’ manor house.
In the evening, we arrive in Sâmbăta de Sus, where we will stay overnight in the monastery complex.
Day 12: Sâmbăta de Sus – Cârța – Transfăgărășan – Sibiu - Rasinari
Cârța: admire the ruins of the former Cistercian monastery.
Drive the spectacular Transfăgărășan Highway (2,042 m), crossing the Făgăraș Mountains between the Argeș and Olt valleys; chances to spot brown bears on route.
Stop at the beautifully situated Bâlea Lake. We will take some time here to admire the views, but also to pick up any trash that we may come across to help keep nature clean.
Continue to Sibiu for overnight. In the evening we drive to the shepard village Rasinari where you will learn how to make some traditional regional dishes in a cooking workshop and we will invite a local dance and music group to come enjoy the meal together with us. And of course, there will be dancing as well so you will have a great final evening of your Transylvania Experience, taking your memories and newly found recipes home and leaving a positive impact behind.
In the evening transfer back to the hotel in Sibiu.
Day 13: Departure
The morning is free, with the option to enjoy swimming at Ocna Lake.
You will then be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Included Services
- Transport by modern air‑conditioned car/van/minbus from/to Sibiu Airport as per itinerary, including all taxes, parking, and road tolls
- Professional english‑speaking guide throughout (including guide’s meals and accommodation)
- 12 x nights in very good accommodations:
• 3 × Sibiu: e.g., Casa Wagner 3*
• 2 × Cluj‑Napoca: e.g., Pensiunea Arena 3*
• 1 × Sighișoara: e.g., Casa cu Cerb 3*
• 1 × Criț: e.g., Pensiunea Elena 3*
• 3 × Brașov: e.g., Bella Muzica 3*
• 1 × Sâmbăta de Sus: Orthodox Monastery
• 1 × Sibiu: e.g., Casa Wagner 3*
- 12 × buffet breakfasts (hot and cold items) in hotel restaurant
- 1 × cooking class in Sibiel, enjoying the dinner with your host farming family and some elderly people
- Lunch at a family‑owned restaurant in Biertan on day 6
- lunch + wine tasting + visit of the royal wine celler in Azuga
- English workshop at the local school in Sighisoara
- hands‑on pottery workshop in Corund
- dinner with a staff member / volunteer from Hope and Homes for Children
- woodcarving workshop in Varghis
- 1 x cooking workshop and inviting a local dance and music group to enjoy the meal together on day 12
- Entrance fees according to itinerary
- Info materials, city maps, and road maps
- 1 free single room for the group leader, starting with 8 participants
Not Included
- Single room supplement
- Lunches
- Dinners except the one specified
- Photo fees at sights
- Trip cancellation insurance
- Alcoholic beverages or other personal expenses
- International arrival and departure
Prices
From 2 participants: € 3340 / person in shared double room
From 4 participants: € 2126 / person in shared double room
From 6 participants: € 1781 / person in shared double room
From 7 participants: € 1677 / person in shared double room
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From 8 participants: € 1989 / person in shared double room
From 10 participants: € 1940 / person in shared double room
From 12 participants: € 1802 / person in shared double room
From 14 participants: € 1701 / person in shared double room
From 16 participants: € 1624 / person in shared double room
From 18 participants: € 1538 / person in shared double room
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Single room supplement: EUR 329
