After pickup from the meeting point in central Brasov, you’ll head straight into the Transylvanian forest for your brown-bear-watching adventure. Among the world’s largest carnivores, male brown bears can weigh up to 750 pounds, with an estimated 5,500 individuals living in the Carpathian region of Romania.  After arriving in the forest, your guide, an experienced forest ranger, will take you on a 20-minute walk to the hideaway from which you’ll watch the bears. Gaze out into the forest, keeping your eyes peeled for the massive creatures, alongside the other varied fauna that live in the region, from wild boar to deer and lynx. All the while, your guide will fill you in on fascinating information about the peculiarities of the region’s wildlife and ecosystem. Afterwards, you’ll head back to the meeting point in Brasov.

Your tour will begin as you are taken by a professional guide from your hotel in Brasov. From here you will travel with a luxury Mercedes high-class van, which you will be your mode of transportation for all 3 of your sights included in the tour. You will begin with a tour of Pele's Castle, a summer residence belonging to the royal family of Romania which was built in the 19th century by Carol the First, the first king of Romania. It is the most beautiful castle in Romania, and one of the greatest in Europe. Next up you will visit Bran Castle, also known as "Dracula's Castle" and built in the 14th century. Whilst here you will learn how this castle was made famous by the Irish writer Bram Stoker. Legends, spirits, ghosts, and many mysteries will be encountered whilst visiting Dracula's Castle. Your final stop will be to the Rasnov Fortress, built in the 13th century on top of a rocky hill creating the perfect vantage point over the surrounding valley. This unique vantage point is the reason why it was only conquered once in 1611. You will be able to admire the beautiful mountain scenery of the Bucegi Mountains, Tara Barsei, and many others. In the evening, you will be returned back to your hotel with beautiful memories of the day.

This small-group tour takes you straight to the heart of rural life in Romania. See some local cottage industries, take a trek through pristine mountain forests, and learn about a way of life that’s slowly disappearing. Your immersive, full-day tour begins in central Brașov, where you’ll meet your local guide and board a private vehicle for the 45-minute drive out into the countryside. Along the way, let your guide know if you have any specific interests so he or she can customize the day’s itinerary accordingly. Choose to make an optional stop at Bran Castle – popularly known as Dracula's Castle. Explore the area surrounding the villages of Pestera and Magura, nestled in the Piatra Craiului National Park in the Southern Carpathian Mountains. Learn about the history of the villages, where the traditional industries of sheep farming and cheese making are still practiced by many of the inhabitants and catch an authentic glimpse into rural Romanian life. Visit the Bat Cave and admire limestone rock formations that have developed over centuries, including the so-called "tears of the earth." Next, set off into the hills and meadows around Magura for a moderate guided hike of 2–3 hours. Let your guide know if you prefer to hike for longer or shorter and go at a pace that’s comfortable to you. Visit the oldest guesthouse in the National Park. Meet some of the farmers, and sample two-three different kinds of cheese. Enjoy a hearty lunch of simple Romanian cuisine made from local farm-fresh ingredients. Purchase beer or wine to top off your meal. From the guesthouse, wander through Pestera Village, taking in the sights and visiting the local church. Head back to the car and relax on the scenic return drive to Brașov.

Enjoy a round-trip hike to the Seven Ladders Canyon, famous for its ladders and waterfalls, on this day trip from Brasov. Get picked up from your hotel in the city and drive for around 15 minutes to reach the starting point of the hike. Next, enjoy an easy 1.5-hour hike through the forest at the foothills of Piatra Mare mountain. Pass through the idyllic forest and continue along the trail until you reach the entrance to the Seven Ladders Canyon. After a short briefing, you will begin climbing on the metal ladders and bridges. After an adrenaline-pumping 15 minute walk through the canyon, you will reach the exit. Return to the base on an alternative trail through the forest and get dropped off back at your hotel in the afternoon.

Follow in the footsteps of the Count Dracula legend on a 2-day tour to Peles Castle and Bran Castle in the Transylvanian mountains. Wander the ornate rooms and gardens of former royal residences, and see Saxon houses that date back to the 16th century. The scenic drive takes you high up into the Carpathian Mountains where time has stood still at enchanting villages, and where Romanians head in the winter to ski at the mountain resort of Sinaia. Day 1: Bucharest - Sighisoara Following a pick-up from your hotel in Bucharest (or from Revolution Square at 09:00), cross the Carpathian Mountains en route to Sibiu, stopping at the Monastery of Curtea de Arges to explore the complex founded by Prince Neagoe Basarab in 1514-1517. During the summer (1 June - 15 September), the route to Sibiu takes the unique Transfagarasan Road across the Carpathians, climbing to an altitude of 2,000 meters at its highest point. Upon arrival in Sibiu, enjoy a quick tour of the medieval city center. Then, drive to Sighisoara on the picturesque Tarnava Mare River. Marvel at the beautifully preserved citadel, and wander the enclosed walls and cobblestone streets of the Old Town. See Saxon houses that date back to the 16th century, and the 9 surviving towers, including the iconic Clock Tower. From the balcony of this former main gate to the city, enjoy beautiful views across the town and countryside. Immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere at sights such as the former Church of the Dominican Monastery, where valuable relics include a fresco of the Saint Trinity, a carved altarpiece, and Oriental carpets. Day 2: Sighisoara - Brasov - Bran - Bucharest Today you will drive to Brasov to discover where Vlad the Impaler led his raids against the German Saxons. Explore the medieval city center on a tour of the Black Church, Town Hall, Black Tower, and Ecaterina Gate. Then, continue to “Dracula’s Castle,” located between the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului Mountains. More commonly known as “Bran Castle,” the important monument depends on the legend of Count Dracula for its reputation, but is also acclaimed for its beauty. Learn the history of the castle, from the 14th century to the day in December 1920 when the castle was donated to Queen Marie of Great Romania. Admire the fountains, lakes, and halt terraces of the former royal summer residence, and see the "Tea House" of Queen Marie. Continue to the beautiful mountain resort of Sinaia, known as "The Pearl of the Carpathians." Here, you will visit Peles Castle, one of Romania's most exquisite palaces. Learn about the Romanian kings that used the castle as their summer residence as you admire its intricate façades and see wooden towers that reach for the sky. Discover the fountains and statues built by Viennese architects in the grounds, and imagine the balls, concerts, literary events, and theatrical performances of Romanian high society in days gone by. Wander the opulent interiors to find ebony, walnut and mother of pearl. Go to the terraces and grand outhouses of the castle complex, such as Pelisor Castle and Sinaia Monastery. Venture inside the Monastery, built by the "Spatar" (a high ranking noble of the Valahian Kingdom), Mihai Cantacuzino following his pilgrimage to Mount Sinai. The monastery contains religious icons and rare books, as well as an exhibition of pottery and porcelain that dates from the 16th to the 19th centuries. There will be time to visit the 19th-century wine cellars from Azuga, built by the Rhein family, official suppliers to the Royal Court. Purchase some authentic still wines and sparkling wines of Romania, before transferring back to Bucharest in the evening.

Day 1: Two Castles and Brasov Today, you will head towards Transylvania region and cross the mighty Carpathian Mountains on your way. You will arrive in the mountain resort of Sinaia and visit the impressive Peles Castle. Next, you will arrive in Bran village, where Romania’s most visited sight awaits you - Dracula Castle. Your next stop will be in Brasov, where you will enjoy a guided city tour and visit the famous Black Church - the largest in country. Accommodation will follow in Brasov city. Note: Peles Castle and the Black Church are closed on Mondays, so you will visit Rasnov Citadel and the orthodox church in Brasov instead. Day 2: Heart of Transylvania   In the morning after breakfast, you will visit the unique Sighisoara Citadel with the famous Dracula house. Next, arrive in Biertan, where you will see the biggest fortified church in Romania. Then, head towards Sibiu city, one of the most beautiful in Transylvania. You will visit the astonishing Old Town and the beautiful Gothic church, one of the tallest in the country. End your day in Sibiu city. Day 3: Southern Transylvania  In the morning after your breakfast, start your way back to the capital city. Your journey will continue on toward the beautiful Olt Valley and make a stop by the charming Cozia Orthodox Monastery. Once you emerge from the mountains, stop in Curtea de Arges, once the capital of Vallachia and the headquarters of Romanian rulers. Here, you will see the beautiful Curtea de Arges Monastery, one of the most representative of the Romanian authentic style, and also the official burial place for the Kings and Queens of Romania. Arrive in Bucharest in the evening with a private drop-off at your hotel.  

In the morning, our guide will pick you up from your location in Brasov and take you to Racos, where you will visit the geological complex which consists of three places which you shouldn't miss: the basalt columns, 15 meter high rock structures that will surely impress you, the Emerald Lake with its unique looking color and last but not least, the ”volcanic canyon.” The area was a witness of volcanic activity and the scenery inside the canyon will make you feel like at the Grand Canyon but in a smaller scale.If you like a bit of history, you can visit the Sukosd Bethlen castle situated in the village of Racos and even climb into the tower for a nice panorama over the area. Your next stop will be the Rupea citadel, situated on top of a small hill, above the city with the same name. This is one of the oldest archaeological sites in Romania, the first signs of human settlements here dating from the Paleolithic and early Neolithic. You final stop will be in Viscri, "the Romanian's home of Prince Charles", which is well known outside the country as being on of the most pitoresque village listed as Unesco World Heritage Sites. We will visit the the White Church, which is a modest house of God but an impressive fortress, one of many created to protect small Transylvanian villages in the Middle Ages. End the day in style, with a traditional meal that will surely make you fall in love with this area. We will stop at a local barn, where the people from the village craft traditional and reinvented dishes. The owners search for authentic, honest ingredients and they change the menu seasonally,depending on what they find interesting in their smallfarmers network. After this you will be taken back to Brasov and dropped off at your location.

We invite you for a special meeting by night; a meeting to look at the sky full of stars, planets and constellations visible from the Northern Hemisphere, from 45 degrees N, that is exactly half way between the Equator and the North Pole. The invitation is for those that desire to explore with us the night sky. We use a Celestron NexStar 8SE telescope with 200 mm(8 inches) lens and electronic focuser, dual servo motors, a reflecting scope of 90 mm and, most importantly, a guide that will introduce you to the mysteries of the night sky.We learn about the night sky, we learn how to recognize the constellations, stars and planets, but also about movement of the stars, time, Earth rotation. We will look at the constellations visible all year-round in the Northern Hemisphere, like Ursa Major (Big Dipper), Ursa Minor(Little Dipper) with his Pole Star,Cassiopeia, Draco, Cepheus, and, depending on season, Andromeda, Pegasus, Perseus, Orion, Canis Major, Gemini, Hercules Ophiucus. And with the help of the telescope we will go into a new world, we'll see Messier and NGC objects, nebulae and star clusters that we will see with our own eyes, like probably never before.

Get picked up from your hotel in Brasov and head to the small village of Acriș, where you will visit a bison reserve. Spot these majestic animals feeding or just walking around the reserve, which is also home to roe deer and stags. After having a tour of the reserve, your next stop will be at Urlătoarea waterfall, situated in the forest near the village. Considered one of the most beautiful places in Romania, this curtain of water flows down a steep hill, creating a sound that gives its name: Urlătoarea means ”the raging one”. After heavy rainfalls, the sound effect is even more predominant. At the end of your tour, enjoy a well-deserved lunch at a local household. Your hosts will prepare a 3-course meal from local organic products. Taste palinka, the Romanian national drink, and enjoy some quality time in the courtyard. If you're looking for something sweet, the hosts will show you their cellar where they keep homemade jams and spreads made from hand-picked fruits and forest berries. After the feast, get dropped off back at your hotel in Brasov.

Thanks to a relatively low level of human intervention, Romania has become home to the largest brown bear population in Europe. Don't miss a chance to spot observe these powerful creatures in their natural habitat.  Get picked up from your accommodation in Brasov and drive into the forest to meet the experienced ranger who will take you out to spot bears. After a short briefing, go on an easy 15-minute hike through the forest to reach a specially-built bear watching structure. Sit down and wait for the bears to arrive. Remember to keep your phone on silent and turn off the flash on your camera. Your guide will tell you amazing facts about the everyday life of the bears, from what they eat to what you should do to avoid bear encounters in the wild. Afterwards, get dropped off at your accommodation in Brasov. Remember to ask your guide for suggestions about your stay in the city.