CASTLES AND FORTIFICATIONS

• Private visit of Peles castle. The Castle used to be the former summer residence of the Hohenzollern Kingís family in Romania, built in 1875 and considered the most beautiful castle in East Europe.

• Visit the Fagaras medieval fortress, built in 14th century and located not far from the highest peaks of the Transylvanian Alps, the citadel played an important role in the military and administrative life of Transylvania.

• Explore Bran castle, where visitors hope to see for a second the shadow of the feared vampire, Vlad Dracula who was the ruler of Walachia in the 15th century. This fortified gothic Castle dated the 14th century was used during the middle Ages as a defence against the Ottomans raids. The Museum within the castle exhibits Romanian and foreign furniture and artworks.

• Visit Castle RhÈdey, built in 17th century, one of the most beautiful and imposing buildings in S‚ngeorgiu de P‡dure, a two-story castle built in neo-Baroque style belonging to the RhÈdey family.

• Listen the legends of the Jidvei (Bethlen-Haller) castle, situated on a scenic hill has gone through fire and water over the time, just to become, to these days, the most valuable symbol of Jidvei. The current noble castle was built between 1570-1580, and went through radical reconstruction, carried out by the count Stephen Bethlen, between 1615-1624, having as a model the Chambord castle, in France.

• Enjoy the wonderful panoramic view of Transylvania from the Fortress of Cluj, built in 18th century it is the oldest monument of Baroque secular architecture

MONASTERIES AND CHURCHES

• In Prejmer visit one of the best preserved fortified churches (UNESCO site), founded by the Germanic Teutonic Knights in the 13th century, when Ottoman forces would break through the area. Due to this strategic position, the church was strongly fortified to protect their religious belief and their own lives. With almost 300 storage rooms on four levels, , in order to keep supplies for times of siege, The fortress-church withheld 50 attacks throughout its history without getting conquered.

• In Malancrav, a place where time almost stood still since its foundation in 14th century, visit the Fortified Church and see some of the best preserved frescoes in Transylvania.

• Together with the chief abate visit the Monastery of Ramet, one of the ancient monastic settlements in Transylvania, which, according to tradition was built in 1214 The old church has paintings dating from 1300. Enjoy a coffee with the chief abate and discuss about the orthodox tradition.

• In Maramures, visit the wooden churches (UNESCO) outstanding examples of vernacular religious wooden architecture resulting from the interchange of Orthodox religious traditions with Gothic influences in a specific local interpretation of timber construction traditions, showing a high level of artistic maturity and craft skills. The wooden church from Surdesti. The Church of the Holy Archangels, built in 1767, synthesises all the features of the wooden churches of Maramures at the height of their development with, in particular, a double canopy and superposed windows.

• Among the most picturesque treasures of Romania are the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina. Their painted exterior walls are decorated with elaborate 15th and 16th century frescoes featuring portraits of saints and prophets, scenes from the life of Jesus, images of angels and demons, and heaven and hell. Deemed masterpieces of Byzantine art, these churches are one-of-a-kind architectural sites in Europe.

CITIES AND CITADELS

• In Bucharest private visit of the Parliament House (former Palace of Socialism during Ceausescuís dictatorship ñ second biggest building worldwide after the Pentagon). With 1,000 rooms, which were once the workplace of 100,000 people in the last days of the Communist era, it is both admired and reviled by the Romanian people.

• Exclusive visit of the Residential House of Ceausescu ñ The Spring Palace. The guide will be the son in law of the Ceausescu couple. Elena and Nicolae Ceausescu lived the last 25 years of their lives in this mansion, together with their children Nicu, Zoe, and Valentin. The palace has 80 rooms decorated with silk wallpaper, wood paneling, paintings signed by famous Romanian painters, as well as other facilities such as a swimming pool and a cinema.

• Together with an art and history expert walk the downtown of Bucharest and get to know the legends of the city. Have a panoramic tour with the main points of interest: Government Palace, House of Free Press, Royal Palace, Revolution Square, and the Patriarchal church

• Brasov, once the richest and the most important city of Transylvania, which by the15th century was the largest town in the principality and had commercial links with Middle East. A town with a melancholy beauty with its rust-coloured roofs which make a wonderful contrast with the forested hills.

• Old Saxon villages, have the opportunity to see landscapes, sheep, water buffalos, real time capsules where it is ordinary of seeing cows walking freely on dirt roads, plenty of horse-drawn carts, old houses, and stunning medieval fortified churches, several of them UNESCO sites.

• Gherdeal, a forsaken village situated in a picturesque zone, interact with the locals and have a picnic lunch in the courtyard of a local mansion.

• Sighisoara and its historical center dated 12th century and UNESCO site, one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. The city has nine towers, cobbled streets, burgher houses and ornate churches, it rivals to the historic streets of Old Prague or Vienna for the magic atmosphere.

• Alba Iulia, a beautiful old citadel, extremely well renovated; since the High Middle Ages, the city has been the seat of Transylvaniaís Roman Catholic diocese. Between 1541 and 1690 it was the capital of the Eastern Hungarian Kingdom.

• Cluj Napoca, the historical capital of Transylvania and one of the most important cultural and economic cities in Romania. The Baroque architecture found in most of the centreís buildings bring a uniqueness to the cityís look.

EPICUREAN

• Indulge in a spectacular dining experience with wine pairing, discover the grapevines of the region with the best known Sommelier of Romania.

• Private dinner in a protocol monastery in Bucharest with the Patriarchy Bishop. Have the chance to discuss the orthodox tradition and its peculiarities while tasting the local delicacies.

• Lunch in the winery of the Romanian royalty, Rhein-Azuga Cellar, soak into its famous sparkling wine and in the picturesque surroundings.

• Private Dinner at the famous Bran castle with Special dishes cooked by the best chef of Transylvania.

• Brandy tasting in Sfantu Gheorghe together with a traditional brandy producer that will disclose the traditional process.

• Lunch at Apafi Mansion, an historical building restored by the initiative of Prince Charles of Wales.

• In Valea Verde, truffle hunting and cooking class followed by an exclusive dinner.

CULTURE & FOLKLORE

• Visit a genuine Gypsy/Roma family to discover their culture, lifestyle and traditions.

• Take part to a traditional Romanian wedding with lots of wine and local specialities. Join the wedding guests walking through the streets of the small village in accordance with ancient customs.  Learn the traditional Romanian dances and mingle with the locals.

• In Maramures, visit local artisans still using traditional techniques preserved and passed on from generations to generations, such as a hat maker or a plum brandy producer, a hand-woven carpets shop or the intricate embroidery

• Witness the  craftsmanship of traditional Carved Gates, the medium of expression for the Romanian artists. Elaborate woodcarvings decorate the eaves, entryways and windows of  the houses.

• In a suggestive church enjoy a private concert of male choir singing byzantine music.

• At Bran Castle entertain yourself with an exclusive performance of chamber music by a local ensemble.

• Experience authentic Gypsy music and converse about the culture behind the music and the traditional instruments.