The Transylvania Christmas Markets Experience

WHY IT'S DIFFERENT?

A magical festive adventure, taking in Transylvania's beautiful medieval towns and three Christmas markets

Romania
Dec
3 nights

From $437.41pp $514.83pp

BOOK TODAY $153.09 DEPOSIT PER PERSON

Based on two people sharing, not including flights learn more

AVAILABILITY

December 2024
13 - 16 Dec 2024
Early Bird Save $77.42
From $437.41pp $514.83pp

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Sibiu's Christmas Market

Sibiu's Christmas Market

Saving the best until last, Sibiu's festive market is most visitor's favourite. Set in it's beautiful medieval square with plenty of little stalls to go and visit. There's also an ice rink for those that fancy a skate!

Brasov's Christmas Tree

Brasov's Christmas Tree

Brasov's spectacular Christmas tree dressed in beautiful bright lights combined with the colourful, old Saxon buildings that surround makes it arguably the prettiest of all the markets you will visit on your trip.

Bucharest Lights

Bucharest Lights

If you arrive after dark, the first thing you'll notice as you are transferred to the old town is the abundance of bright, colourful lights that line boulevards of Romania's capital creating the perfect festive setting!

Visit Dracula's Castle

Visit Dracula's Castle

Perched up tall and ominous, with narrow corridors and hidden staircases, the Bran Castle certainly fits as home to the legend of Dracula. It also offering some stunning views of the surrounding area.

"It was great to be in a small group and our guide and driver were excellent. The tour took in Bucharest, Brasov and Sibiu. It was a steady pace and we had plenty of free time. The guide - Cristina - was lovely and spoke excellent English. She was extremely organised and helpful. I would highly recommend Untravelled Paths"

Angela - Guest

TRIP OVERVIEW

YOUR EXPERIENCE

Enjoy a festive journey through Transylvania and absorb some of Romania’s most picturesque medieval towns and their beautiful winter Christmas markets as well as a visit to the infamous Dracula’s Castle, on a whirlwind adventure spanning just a few days. After one night in the vibrant capital city of Bucharest, guests are whisked away into the heart of rural Romania through the plains of the Transylvanian countryside visiting the decadent Peles Castle on the way. In Brasov, enjoy a leisurely stroll around charming cobbled streets and the Christmas market, stopping to warm up in one of the town’s bohemian cafes dotted along snow-dusted alleyways off the main square. Or choose to unravel history on an informative walking tour taking in the grandeur of the Black Church and even finding the narrowest street in Europe! Travel through the foothills of the Carpathian mountains to the fairy tale town of Sibiu, which was voted European capital in 2007. Warm up with mulled wine as you enjoy the Christmas market or skate around the ice rink in the central square. Finally, travel back to Bucharest via the spooky corridors of Dracula’s would-be residence, the forbidding Bran Castle.

YOUR EXPERTS

CRISTINA

CRISTINA

The Wonder Woman - Meet Cristina

ALIN

ALIN

The Enthusiastic One - Meet Alin

NEED TO KNOW

DESTINATION Romania
DURATION 3 nights
GROUP SIZE 16 people
ASSISTANCE Hands on
AIRPORT(S) Bucharest
FLIGHTS For more information on flights from the UK please refer to the Trip Details section.
VISA UK, EU & US not required
VACCINATIONS No

TRIP ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrive in Bucharest

Arrive in Bucharest followed by an airport transfer to your boutique accommodation in the Lipscani district and marvel at the Christmas lights of main the boulevard. Once you have checked in you will be greeted with a coffee or glass of wine, before you head out to Bucharest’s buzzing Christmas Market.

INCLUDED

  • Airport Pick-up
  • Welcome Drink

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

  • Bucharest Walking Tour
Day 2 Travel to Brasov via Peles Castle

Morning transfer to Transylvania via Sinaia with a visit to the magnificent Peles Castle before heading on to the medieval town of Brasov just in time for lunch. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Brasov’s charming old town which is famed for its stunning Christmas Tree in the main square.

INCLUDED

  • Breakfast
  • Visit and entry to Peles Castle

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

  • Brasov Walking Tour
Day 3 Travel to Sibiu via Bran Castle

Travel to the picture-perfect Saxon town of Sibiu, not before stopping for a visit at the legendary Bran Castle, known to many as Dracula’s Castle. In the afternoon, take in Sibiu’s beautiful festive Christmas market and explore the old town.

INCLUDED

  • Breakfast
  • Visit and entry to Bran Castle

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

  • Sibiu Walking Tour
Day 4 Travel to the airport

Head through Transylvania’s countryside all the way back to Bucharest. Stop for lunch in the Prahova Valley before being dropped off at the airport for your flight home. Additional nights in Bucharest available on request.

INCLUDED

  • Breakfast
  • Airport Drop-off

TRIP ACCOMMODATION

A selection of our accommodation, which is subject to availability, however alternatives are always of a similar price, grade and location.

Bucharest

Bucharest
Romania

With all our hotels located in or near the Old Town of Lipscani, you will be right by amongst the hustle and bustle of the heart of the city.
Typical Accommodation: The Rembrandt, Grand Boutique, or similar 

Brasov

Brasov
Romania

All our hotels are located a stone's throw from Brasov's Old Town Square so you'll easily be able to explore Brasov's quaint, cobbled streets.
Typical Accommodation: Bella Muzica, Casa Wagner or similar 

Sibiu

Sibiu
Romania

With all our hotels located in Sibiu's majestic old town, you'll be able to visit all the sights, cafes and restaurants on foot.
Typical Accommodation: Casa Luxemburg, The Council or similar 

TRIP LOCATION

WHERE YOU'RE GOING

Ask most people what comes to mind when they think of Romania and you’re likely to hear something along the lines of Dracula, vampires and gypsies. Yes, the spooky castles pitched on rocky hilltops are certainly vampire-worthy but the only real fangs you’re likely to be exposed to here are those belonging to the wild bears, wolves and lynx that roam the Carpathian Mountains. Once you place the stereotypes aside for a moment, you’ll soon understand how misunderstood, overlooked and vastly underestimated this country is.

DID YOU KNOW
  • Romania comes from the Latin ‘Romanus’ meaning ‘citizen of the Roman Empire’
  • The Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest is the second-largest building in the world
  • The Carpathian Mountains are home to 60% of Europe’s Brown Bear population
  • Transylvania translates to ‘the land beyond the forest’

FAST FACTS

CAPITAL Bucharest
POPULATION 19.29 million
CURRENCY Romanian leu
TIME DIFFERENCE UTC+02:00

"If you're planning on flying out straight after your 3 nights with us, please be sure to confirm your flight is late enough so we can ensure you are at the airport in time for your flight."

Marius G - Untravelled Paths

TRIP TIPS

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Drink palinca

Nothing better to keep the cold at bay than a good shot of the Romanian firewater. Be careful, though, it's strong stuff. As they would toast in Romania "Noroc!".

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Cross the language barrier

Have a go at the local language, it's a romantic language so those who speak any of the other romantic languages will pick up many of the words quickly such as "salut", "merci" and "ciao".

tips image

Try Traditional food

Be sure to sample Traditional local food during your visit to Romania and there are few better places to do so than Caru Cu Bere, Bucharest's oldest beer house.

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For the best views

Take the cable car up Mount Tampa for fabulous views over the old town square on a clear day, alternatively take a walk to the Black and White Towers which also offer great views.

TRIP DETAILS

WHAT'S INCLUDED
  • ALL TRANSFERS
  • ALL ACCOMMODATION
    • 1 night in Bucharest
    • 1 night in Brasov
    • 1 night in Sibiu
  • MEALS
    • All breakfasts
  • ACTIVITIES
    • Visit and entry of Peles Castle
    • Visit and entry of Bran Castle
  • THE SERVICES OF A BI-LINGUAL GUIDE
  • UNTRAVELLED PATHS EXPERIENCE EBOOKLET
GETTING THERE

As a tour operator we are not able to offer inclusive flights as part of our experiences however we are more than happy to help you find the most appropriate incoming and outgoing flights for you. All the listed airports fly directly in and out of Bucharest with multiple different airlines to choose from. We highly recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights.

Please note that while the airport pick-up is fully flexible, you will need to depart after 5 (five) pm on the last day in order to make it in time back to the airport.

LONDON TO BUCHAREST
  • Easyjet (Gatwick)
  • British Airways (Heathrow)
  • Air Tarom (Heathrow)
  • Wizz Air (Luton)
  • Blue Air (Luton)
  • Ryan Air (Stanstead)
BIRMINGHAM TO BUCHAREST
  • Blue Air
  • Wizz Air
BRISTOL TO BUCHAREST
  • Ryanair
DONCASTER TO BUCHAREST
  • Wizz Air
GLASGOW TO BUCHAREST
  • Blue Air
LIVERPOOL TO BUCHAREST
  • Blue Air
FURTHER INFORMATION

INSURANCE

In order to be fully covered on your trip should anything happen, we suggest getting an insurance before you travel. We recommend True Traveller, designed especially for adventure travel, who will be able to tailor an insurance package based on your needs. You can find out more here.

SOLO TRAVELLERS

Our prices are based on people sharing, for solo travellers who would prefer a private room the price per person will include a solo occupancy fee.

EXTRA NIGHTS

If you wish we can also organise extra nights at either end of your trip for you.

HOW IT WORKS

Book your trip in a few easy steps.

1

ENQUIRE ONLINE

Once you’ve chosen the dates you’d like to travel on using our availability calendar all you need to do is head over to the booking page and fill in the enquiry form. 

2

BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS

We will get back to you answering any questions you might have and confirming availability. If all is good, we can hold the places for you for 48 hours while you book your flights. Please note that this stage does not represent a guarantee of the booking. 

3

BOOKING FORM

Once you have made your necessary arrangements, we will send you a booking form you will need to fill in with your details and any other relevant information.

4

PAY FOR YOUR TRIP

As you fill in the booking form, you will also be asked to make the payment through a secure link; if you are travelling in less than 8 weeks, the payment will be paid in full, otherwise only a 35% deposit will be taken.

5

FINAL CONFIRMATION

Shortly after you pay, you will receive a confirmation invoice, followed by a personalised itinerary and digital booklet. All you need to do now is write the dates in your diary, prepare your packing list and look forward to your next adventure!

6

NOTES

Please note deposit is non-refundable. The balance will only be refundable if you cancel with more than 8 weeks in advance. More information about the cancellation policy can be found in our Terms & Conditions. We highly suggest getting insurance before you travel to avoid any problems. Our personal recommendation is using True Traveller.

FAQs

What currency will I need?

Although Romania is a member of the European Union, it does not use the Euro but has its own currency - the RON / Leu. The official currency is most commonly referred to as the plural 'lei' although some banks and exchange offices list it as the RON. One leu divides into 100 bani with banknotes coming in various denominations normally 1 leu, 5 lei, 10 lei and 100 lei and less commonly, 200 and 500 lei notes. Coins come in 50 bani and 10 bani pieces, which can be useful for small tips or donations.

Where should I exchange currency?

Lei can be difficult to get hold of outside Romania but fear not there are a few options available. 

  1. Get it locally: the easiest option is to head to a cash machine once you've checked into your hotel in Bucharest to withdraw funds. It should be quick and convenient to get hold of your holiday cash just take note of the advice below. 
  2. Get it at home: If you're set on getting your money organised before you travel, the Bureau de Change in M&S is, strangely, one of the only places that dispense the local currency.
  3. Get it online: You can also purchase currency online and collect it from your local post office or even have it delivered straight to your door. Ordering currency online with the Post Office is commission-free and available for next-day delivery. Obviously the more you buy the better rate you'll receive.
Do they accept Credit/Debit cards?

Most major credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted throughout Romania's main towns and cities. While you should have no problem using your card to pay for drinks or dinner in major towns and cities using your PIN number, some establishments accept cash only so it's worth checking before you get settled in. It is also a good idea to carry some cash with you for smaller purchases and activities. It is always advisable to inform your bank that you're travelling abroad in order to avoid the frustration of having your card blocked.

Do I need to tip?

Tipping is not obligatory in Romania although rounding up taxi fares and adding 10% in restaurants is polite and common practice. If the service has been poor please don't feel obligated to leave a tip. When it comes to tipping your guide and driver(s), and you'd like to offer a token of your appreciation, we believe 25 RON (approx. £4) per person represents a good tip for a job well done. Please let us stress that this is by no means expected so you needn't feel obliged or pressured to do so!

How much spending money will I need?

In order to give you some direction on how much spending money to budget for your trip to Romania, we thought it would be a good idea to offer some guidelines in terms of costs. As a general rule, you'll be able to have a good lunch for around £10 a head and will pay around £15 a head for a nice evening meal. Naturally, the type of establishment you choose to eat in and what you order will dictate the cost of your meals. Be aware that ordering imported wines can cause your bill to sky-rocket so drinking local wines is advisable. We reckon around £70 for lunch, dinner and drinks for two people is plenty per day. Please note that these are rough estimates and you can always choose to spend more or less depending on your budget and preferences. Please note that dinner at Inn on Balaban and your village accommodation are included. 

What is the climate?

With increasingly long summers and winters, the climate in Romania is rather extreme and plays host to some scorching months as well as a period of severe cold and snow. June, July and August are the hottest months of the year sometimes hitting up to 40 degrees. Average temperatures, however, range from a very pleasant 24 to 30 degrees in the summer but don't forget the sun cream. That said, it's not unusual for the weather to change quite drastically, particularly in the mountains so it's a good idea to pack layers just in case.

What is the cuisine like?

As with its multi-cultural history, Romania's cuisine has been heavily influenced by its Balkan neighbours and previous occupiers featuring a fusion of Hungarian, Germanic, Turkish and Slavic dishes including cabbage rolls (sarmale), stews (tochitura), and moonshine (tuica) that'll put hairs on your chest! Food tends to be heavy but comforting with a strong emphasis on meat (mainly pork, chicken and lamb), and polenta (mamaliga) or potatoes (cartofi) but with the welcome addition of an abundance of vegetables either in salad form or soaked in vinegar for a sharp kick. Smoked meats and sausages are a national favourite, and Romanian meals typically kick off with a bowl of ciorba, soup soured with lemon juice or vinegar that comes in plenty of varieties including ciorba de burta (tripe soup) served with a hot pepper to nibble on. 

Who should I contact in an emergency?

In the unlikely event you experience any problems whilst travelling in Romania with Untravelled Paths please contact Cristina Brebenel on +40732 673 853. She is an absolute super-woman so don't hesitate to contact her should there be a problem no matter how big or small. On arrival, you will be provided with a business card containing all the relevant contact details for both Cristina and your bi-lingual guide, should you need them. Alternatively, you can call Untravelled Paths office on +44207 101 4061. 

Can I drink the tap water?

Tap water is safe to drink practically everywhere, but most people stick to bottled water to be on the safe side. We would highly recommend drinking bottled or filtered water during your stay in Transylvania.