step into the magic of Romania

save your spot: May or September, 2024

Welcoming jar of water with lavender and lemons on an outdoor table

Fortified church view through the garden and inner courtyard in the village of Cincsor in Transylvania, Romania

Save your spot

2024 Dates: May 17-31, and August 30-September 9
These trips are expertly and passionately organized by women on the ground, directly supporting local women and minority owned businesses.
You’ll taste regional authentic food, explore castles and medieval churches, feel the energy of city life and bask in the beauty of the countryside.
You’ll have expert guides and transportation included, experience unique and fabulous stays, and be immersed in the cultural diversity and magical lands that make Transylvania a truly special place.
• all accommodations in locally owned bed & breakfasts and small, boutique style hotels
• all transportation in Romania in private vehicle for our group
• experienced guide for the trip + local, activity specific, expert guides
• breakfast every day
• most lunches and dinners
• all group activities in the itinerary
• all activity guides & entrance fees
• airfare
• travel insurance
• optional activities mentioned
• meals during free time
• activities during your free time
May 17-31: 14 days
$4,750/person - double occupancy
$5,600/person - single occupancy
August 30-September 9: 10 days
$3,450/person - double occupancy
$4,200/person - single occupancy
Prices are in USD
Do I need a visa? Nope
Will we have Wi-Fi where we stay? Yes
Can I drink the water in Romania? Yes
Can accommodations be made for vegetarian meals? Yes, we will have vegetarian options for all meals! Let us know about any dietary needs and we will do our best to accommodate.
What is the currency in Romania? Romanian Leu. 1 USD is about 4.7 Romanian Lei currently.
What should I pack? We will have a list with suggestions for you. Our advice for your comfort: pack light & have layers. We strongly recommend you only bring 1 suitcase and 1 carry on.
What will the weather be like? End of May is one of the best times of the year in Romania. Crisp mornings, sunny afternoons, cool evenings. Average temperatures 52 - 75 F.
Other questions? Please ask! cati@bunatravel.com

Itinerary: May 17 - 31

Day 1: Welcome to Romania!

Welcome to the city of Cluj, our home base for the first three days! Transportation will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to our hotel in the city center. FYI: there is a 7 hour time zone difference between Romania and EST. You may feel it :)
Our stay in the city will be a modern and cozy local hotel, Hotel Cristal. You will have some time to unpack and unwind before dinner.
Your guide and fellow travelers will join you for a welcome dinner at a beloved vegetarian restaurant focused on locally sourced, seasonal vegetables.

Cluj-Napoca city center skyline at sunset

Day 2: Exploring Cluj

If you’re an early riser, breakfast will be ready for you at the hotel. Relax and sleep in if you wish - we won’t officially get started until 11 am with a brunch (optional), followed by a visit to the botanical gardens. We will make a stop by a local woman-owned coffee shop & bakery for a beverage and treat (optional).
Our local expert female guide will show us around the beautiful city of Cluj. We will learn more about its fascinating history and multi-ethnic culture.
A little free time to freshen up before dinner, where you’ll experience authentic Romanian food at another beloved local restaurant. Pofta buna!

Balcony view of Cluj buildings at sunset

Day 3: Cluj Surroundings

We’ll head out to the country side after breakfast to visit a Hungarian community, learn about local traditions, and experience an authentic Hungarian lunch. This will be a truly memorable cultural experience. Jo etvagyat!
We will kayak on beautiful Lake Tarnita, or nature bathe for those who prefer to stay on land :)
After all of the day’s activities we will head back down to Cluj to unwind and have some free time before we leave town for our next destination. This is your evening - we’ll have suggestions for good dinner & drinks spots!

Day 4: on the road to Viscri

Saying “la revedere” to Cluj, we will head to the village of Viscri, making a few stops along the way. First, we will visit a woman owned and operated tea shop and orchard, followed by lunch on the farm of an amazing local female cheese producer. There will be cheese!
After lunch we will visit the impressive Rupea Fortress, take in the sights and learn about its history.
We have arrived at our home base for the next two days, Viscri. We will enjoy staying in two beautiful bed & breakfast spots in this charming Saxon village: Viscri 32 and Viscri 125. They only have a few rooms each, so we are splitting our small group between the two :) We’ll get the group back together for dinner, which will be served in a barn or outdoor courtyard, made with love from the region’s freshest seasonal ingredients.

Day 5: the magic of Viscri

We will start the day the Viscri way - slowly. After a nice breakfast we will visit the fortified church and take in the beautiful views of the village and hills from the top.
We will enjoy a long lunch in an apple orchard with the female co-owner of Viscri 32 - one of our bed & breakfast locations.
The afternoon will be for walks around town, meeting with locals, and nature bathing. Take it in and take it easy before we regroup for dinner.

The fortified church in the Saxon village of Viscri, a UNESCO site in Romania

Day 6: Brasov

Our next stop on the way to the city of Brasov is to visit a Romanian Monastery and learn about its history and significance to the region.
Welcome to the beautiful mountain city of Brasov, our home base for the next three days! We’ll check in to our fabulous hotel, Schuster Boarding House, in the cty center and head out to lunch to enjoy modern Romanian food from an incredible female chef and restaurant owner.
We’ll do a walking tour of Brasov with an expert female guide, taking in all the sights and views of this picturesque mountain city. We’ll take a break and regroup for dinner at a local restaurant serving traditional regional food.

Cobblestone streets and old buildings, street view on a sunny summer day in Brasov, Romania

Day 7: Carpathian mountains

We’ll hit the road after breakfast for a beautiful, easy morning hike, followed by a day full of activities.
You’ve heard of it. We know you have to see it :) Brace for crowds, we will make it a good time.
This will be the most epic lunch view of the trip - from the restaurant of a mountain top minority-owned hotel. It will take your breath away. We will float back down to Brasov in time for dinner.

Sunset mountain view over a field of wildflowers on a summer day in Sirnea, Romania

Day 8: Sinaia - Optional Day

Relax, have a long breakfast, sleep in, get brunch, (we’ll tell you where) check out the local women-owned shops (we’ll tell you which ones), stroll through town, people watch from a cafe, or hike one of the many local trails. You do you!
Hop on a train with your guide and head 1 hour south to Sinaia. It’s a big tourist destination for a reason. We’ll visit the beautiful Peles Castle, enjoy a nice lunch, and take the cable car to the top of the mountain. We’ll be back in Brasov in time for dinner.

Brasov main square view of buildings on a sunny summer day

Day 9: into the heart of Transylvania

Take your time and enjoy our last morning in Brasov. We’ll head out around noon.
We will stop in the village of Cincsor for a gourmet lunch in a woman & minority owned bed & breakfast and restaurant. We’ll visit the fortified church next door before heading out to meet more locals.
Welcome to the village of Richis, the most ethnically diverse village in Romania, and our home for the next four nights. We will check in at Casa Noah, a Saxon home turned into an amazing bed & breakfast owned by host Catrinel and her husband Paul. We’ll enjoy a wonderful locally prepared dinner.

Bed and breakfast common kitchen area at Casa Noah in the village of Richis, Romania

Day 10: life in Richis

That’s right. Get in, we’re going hiking (hiking level: easy).
Our local expert female guide will take us through the hills of Richis and its surrounding villages. We will have a delicious lunch prepared by an amazing local female chef.
Back in Richis, we’ll have dinner and story time at our bed & breakfast, Casa Noah - it will be magic.

Richis view of the village house rooftops from the hill on a sunny summer morning

Day 11: villages of Transylvania

We’ll have a nice slow start to the day with some free time and optional activities - sleep in, enjoy coffee and breakfast in the courtyard, or get a massage at the local village spa - owned by an amazingly talented female massage therapist.
Lunch will be a real treat: we’ll enjoy it at an organic woman owned and operated farm. She’s also the chef - and a really good one too :) You’re going to love this meal and this entire experience.
Our expert female guide will take us on a walking tour of the town of Medias. We will enjoy delicious coffee shop treats and delicacies along the way. We’ll end the day with dinner in the village of Alma Vii, made by a local female cook. You’re going to be eating well on this trip!

Woman serving homemade lunch on the porch of her farm

Day 12: Sibiu Day Trip

We will join a local female guide for a tour of this quirky city, where the rooftops seem to be watching your every step. We’ll take in the sights and have a little brunch (optional).
You’ll have some free time and options for a museum visit or connecting with a local woman-led foundation. We’ll give you all the details!
After taking in the city sights we will head to Sibiu’s little sister village, Sibiel. We will end the day with a lovely stroll and have a unique dinner experience in the home of one of the village aunties - “tanti” in Romanian. We’ll have a home cooked meal, made with love. Pofta buna!

Day 13: Sighisoara Day Trip

Phew, that was a full day yesterday! Let’s start the day slowly, sleep in, have time for more massages at the local Richis spa for those who would like one, and be ready to go on our next adventure around noon.
We’ll head out around noon for our next city visit, this time to the medieval city of Sighisoara. Our expert female guide will walk us through these ancient streets and we’ll enjoy lunch locally (optional). This town is so picturesque we may want to hang out and walk its cobblestone streets all afternoon.
Our last dinner in Richis at Casa Noah - let’s spend more time by the fire below the starlit village sky

Common kitchen and dinning area of bed and breakfast Casa Noah

Day 14: back to Cluj

You’ll have time for a leisurely breakfast and packing, or more time for a massage for those who still need one! We’ll say “la revedere” to Casa Noah and Richis, and head out around noon for a stop on the way back to Cluj.
We will stop in the nearby charming village of Biertan, where we’ll visit the beautiful fortified church and take in the picturesque views from its hilltop grounds. We’ll have lunch at a local restaurant before we make our way back to Cluj.
We will be back in Cluj, check in to Hotel Cristal for the night, take some time to refresh and regroup for our last dinner. We’re going to a fancy restaurant - yes, of course it’s female owned by a female chef. Let’s celebrate and do it big before we go home!

Inner courtyard of Saxon bed and breakfast in Romania on a sunny day

Day 15: “La revedere” - travel day

Street art on the side of a building in Brasov, Romania

Travel day back home. Flights back to the US usually leave early in the morning - we’ll make sure you get to the airport! “La revedere” is the greeting used as “goodbye” in Romanian. It translates to “until we see again”. Until we see you again, friend.
Are you not ready to say la revedere? We got you. Let us know if you must see Romania’s capital city before you head back across the ocean. A quick flight from Cluj and you’ll be there. We’ll organize the weekend for you.

Book Now: May Trip