Explore Romania - Paphos Strollers

Arrival on Bucharest airport. Shuttle transfer to the hotel located in the airport area.
Overnight at Rin Airport Hotel****.

The Bella Muzica hotel is located in the heart of Brasov's historic centre, few metres away from Council Square and Black Church, the city’s landmarks. The most important tourist attractions and the restaurants, shopping and leisure areas are very easily accessible from the hotel.
The hotel’s building has 400 years of history and it was recently restored in the shape of the architecture it had in 19th century in the neoclassical style. It is what we call a boutique hotel with character.
The hotel will be used for all your 6 nights stay in Brasov.

Brasov city lies in the center of Romania at the foot of the Carpathians mountains. It has an old history dating back from 1235. It was one of the biggest and most fortified cities from Transylvania and it became an important and prosperous trade centres, known for the quality products made by the local craftsmen. The city’s landmarks are the Black Church – the biggest gothic cathedral, the Council House, Hircher’s house, Ecaterina’s Gate, White tower, St Nicholas Cathedral and the Museum of the First Romanian School and Printing Workshop. 
The historic centre still preserves the old architecture. Many of the houses are hundreds of years old, some of them preserving the original Renaissance style, others having the facades refurbished in the 18 / 19 century in the Neoclassical style.
The famous Vlad Dracula spent a few years in the city so there are some sights related to him too.
It is a pleasure to spend the afternoons in the old town, Most of the area is pedestrian only so you can enjoy a nice walk to see the most important sights but also to “get lost” on small streets. There are many restaurants and shops in the area for all the tastes. 
Romanian cuisine is very tasty and diverse being a cocktail of Romanian, German and Hungarian influences (the main nationalities which lived in the city for centuries. Don’t miss the “sarmale” (cabbage rolls with meat), “mititei” (minced meat rolls) or the “papanasi” (dumplings) for dessert. All goes well with a palinka “plum brandy”, a good Romanian beer or a glass of Transylvanian wines.

9.30 AM Meet our representative in the hotel lobby.
Transfer to Brasov - Transylvania (aprox 3hrs driving). The route goes through the beautiful Prahova Valley. Arriving in Brasov, one of the oldest medieval cities from Romania, dating since 13th century.
We’ll have a guided walking tour of the Brasov’s Old Town which will include the best attractions. Highlights: Council Square, Black Church (interior visit), Ecaterina’s gate, Weavers Bastion (interior visit), Towers and fortifications, St Nicholas Cathedral and the Museum of the First Romanian School (interior visit), White Tower belvedere point.
Check-in the hotel. Welcome Dinner.
Overnight in Brasov at Hotel Bella Muzica***, located in the hearth of the Old Town.
Meals included: dinner

Breakfast. At 9.00 AM we’ll start an easy hike on a route to Poiana Brasov, a beautiful mountain resort.
From the hotel we’ll walk about 30 min through the old neighbourhood – Schei until we'll arrive at Solomon’s Rock Canyon which is the start to our hiking trail. 
We’ll start the hike through the Solomon’s Canyon, a place of a local legend and traditions and we’ll hike along the until Poiana Brasov. 
Difficulty easy: Duration 3 hrs. distance approx 5km; Total ascent” 300 m,. Max altitude 1020m.
Then you can have a walk through the resort or enjoy a meal or drink in one of the restaurants.
Return to Brașov walking on “the old route”, a very popular place for walkers.
Difficulty very easy: Duration 2 hrs. distance approx 4 km; Total descent 300 m,. 
Overnight in the same hotel.
Meals included: breakfast

9,00 AM departure. Today is time to explore “Piatra Craiului” Mountains. The Piatra Craiului Mountains are a mountain range in the Southern Carpathians in Romania. In Romanian "Piatra Craiului" means "Rock of the King". The Piatra Craiului mountains form a narrow and saw-like ridge, which is about 25 km long.
Difficulty medium: Duration 6-7 hrs. distance aprox 14km; Total ascent aprox: 700 m; max altitude 1500 m.
Difficulty easy: duration 4 hrs; distance 8 -9 km; Ascent aprox 300 m; maximum altitude 1100 m
Note: in this day you’ll have 2 tour guides and possibility to split the group.
Return in the evening to Basov. Overnight in the same hotel.
Meals included: breakfast

Start early morning (8.00 AM). Today we'll explore the Bucegi Mountains. Depart on the way to Sinaia. Go up at aprox 2000m altitude by cable car / gondola service. Visit the rock formations called “Babele” and “Sfinx”.
Descent to Sinaia.Total hiking time aprox 5-6 hrs; 13 km. Ascent 300 m. Descent 300 m; Max altitude 2300 m.
Return to Brasov. Overnight in the same hotel.
Meals included: breakfast

Breakfast. Spend the day at your leisure to discover the city of Brasov, Or you can choose one of our optional packages:
1. Brasov and Bran castle. Duration aprox 5-6 hrs. 
Start at 9.00 AM
In the morning we’ll have a guided walking tour of the Brasov’s Old Town which will include the best attractions. Highlights: Council Square, Black Church (interior visit), Ecaterina’s gate, Weavers Bastion (interior visit), Towers and fortifications, St Nicholas Cathedral and the Museum of the First Romanian School (interior visit), White Tower belvedere point.
Next we’ll drive to the famous Bran castle, built in 14th century is one of the landmarks of Transylvania and one of the most known castles in the World.
Return to Brasov arrpund 3,00 PM
Price: 65 euros/person. Included (Tour guide, private transportation, entrance fees)
The tour runs for minimum 6 people

2. Truffle hunting and lunch. Duration: 5-6 hours
We’ll be going to the surrounding villages outside of Brasov (approx. 60 km, 1hr driving) to participate to a private truffle hunt using specialized dogs. It is a special experience and a wonderful time spent in nature.
The results of our hunting will be used in a lunch which will be served in a local guesthouse together with other traditional local courses.
We’ll also visit a local buffalo farm.
Price: 75 Euro/person. Included (transportation, private truffle hunting program, organized just for your group, lunch with 3 courses, farm visit)
The tour runs for minimum 6 people

3. Brown Bear Watching Tour. Duration aprox 3 hrs. Start at 4.30 PM
Just before sunset we’ll go in the forest assisted by a ranger and we’ll wait in a special watch tower to see the brown bears in their natural habitat. The program is about 3 hours long, but depends a lot of the bears activity. These bears are truly wild and we have a 90 – 95% chance of seeing them at the hides.
However we cannot guarantee the success.
Price 50 euros/person. Include: transport by car to the forest (aprox 30 min one way), local ranger assistance, entrance in the natural park and use of the watch tower.
The tour runs for minimum 4 people and a maximum of 15 people

Option 3 can be combined with one of the options 1 or 2.

Breakfast. 9.00 AM, Check-out the hotel.  We’ll go on the route to Viscri village.
It is time to discover the beautiful Transylvanian rolling green hills which offer scenic views over the countryside, farming areas and charming old villages spread on the valleys. We’ll drive you to Viscri village, 60 km (1hr driving time) out of Brasov), near Sighisoara - the birthplace of the famous Vlad Dracula. We’ll have a short walk on the scenic old village which preserves the old architecture. Optional visit to the fortified church  UNESCO (30 min). The Transylvanian fortified churches are unique in the World due the combo between a religious and a defensive structure and for the role they had to protect the local community. They can be seen in Transylvania only.
Viscri village became known for preservation efforts made by Prince Charles the Walles foundation.
Difficulty easy-medium: we’ll have a walk in the surrounding area of Viscri village, walking on the hills with great views over the village and its beautiful church. We can see the farming land and your guide will explain the characteristics of the local agriculture. 
Duration: 4 hrs. distance approx 10 km; Total ascent 100m. Total descent 100 m
Difficulty medium-hard: We’ll have a walking route passing beautiful hills and valleys and we’ll pass by some very charming old villages. The route starts in Viscri village and we’ll continue over the walking routes to Meschendorf village and will end in Crit village. Then you’ll be transported by coach back to Viscri. The difficulty consists in the walking distance and not on the ascents or descents. We are in a hilly area not in the mountains. There will be many opportunities to have breaks to admire the views, to drink water or to have a picnic lunch (water and food we have to carry with us).
Duration 6 hrs. distance approx 20 km; Total ascent 410m. Total descent 450 m
 
At the end of the hike we can have some time to relax in the village or in the guest house just before to invite you a Special dinner with Transylvanian  home made food. Dinner will be served in a local guesthouse.
Return to Brasov. Overnight in the same hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner

8,00 AM departure. 
Today we’ll drive on one of the most scenic roads from Europe – Transfagarasan. On the highest point at Balea Lake, we’ll stop to enjoy the area.. Continue on the Southern side of the Carpathians along the Transfagarasan road.
Short stop at Vidraru Dam. We’ll see from the route the ruins of Poienari castle, the rue castle built by Vlad Dracula.
Continue all the way to Bucharest where we’ll arrive in the evening. 
Overnight at Forum Continental****.
Meals included: breakfast

At 9,00 AM in the morning we’ll start a tour of Bucharest. We’ll start with a panoramic tour which will include the city’s best attractions as Parliament Palace, Royal Palace, Athenaeum, Revolution Square, University Square, Triumph Arch, Victoriei Square and Calea Victoriei Boulevard. Stop in front of the Parliament building for photo session.
Next we’ll have a walk into the Bucharest’s Old Town. Visit Kretzulescu Church, Stavropoleus monastery, Lipscani street, Princely Church.
Overnight at Forum Continental****.
Meals included: breakfast

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport according with your flight schedule.