Discover some of the wonders of Hungary and Romania on this nine day adventure. Combining ancient architecture, rural towns and imposing castles, you can enjoy a historical journey from Budapest to Bucharest. Visit Bran's Castle and learn about the folklore of Transylvania, enjoy a tour the Maramures region and stay in the important Sighisoara Citadel.
Welcome to Budapest! Hungary's stylish capital is known as the 'City of Spas' for its abundance of natural thermal springs. With a host of historical sights, buzzing nightlife and unique attractions, Budapest is a favourite for many travellers visiting the region.Straddling the Danube River, the city is comprised of two very different historic cities, Buda on the west bank and Pest on the east bank. Highlights here include Castle Hill, Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion, the Liberation Monument, the fabulous St Stephen's Basilica and the much photographed Parliament Building. An evening river cruise is an excellent way to see the parliament lit up at night.Nov
This morning you drive to Eger, located on the hills of the Bukk Mountains, and a real gem within Hungary. With a number of historic sights such as the castle, cathedral, and the northernmost minaret in Europe, Eger is a wonderfully quaint town and the perfect contrast from the bustling capital of Budapest. Best known for its production of the famous "Bulls Blood" red wine, Eger is a large producer of Hungarian wine and you will have ample opportunity to sample some of Hungary's finest. Spend an afternoon exploring the "Valley of the Beautiful Women", a collection of wine cellars where you can sample the unique blends of local wines and speak with the producers. After a 91 year long Turkish rule in the 15th century, Eger has an abundance of Ottoman influence and beautiful architecture that can be seen as you explore on foot.
The day is spent exploring the fascinating Maramures region in North-western Romania, home to many villages where century-old traditions are still part of daily life. Observe a pottery demonstration, visit a traditional watermill and make a stop at the very peculiar 'Merry Cemetery' of Sapânta, so called because the gravestones are painted in bright colours, hand-carved out of oak and adorned with an image of the deceased and a humorous epitaph in the local vernacular.
Set amid beautiful rolling hills and farmland close to the Tisa River, Sighetu Marmatiei, also known as Sighet, is one of the main towns in the Maramures region, an area noted for its rich centuries-old traditions. The inhabitants of this area have preserved, to an amazing extent, the rural culture and crafts of their Dacian ancestors
The outdoor Village Museum in Sighetu Marmatiei boasts dozens of homes and farm buildings assembled from around the Maramures region. Beautifully carved wooden gates and unique wooden churches with tall spires and shingled roofs can be seen in many nearby villages. The towering Maramures wooden gates, often-compared to triumphal arches, are the calling cards of the local wood carvers. Supported by four columns, they feature traditional ornamental motifs, including the sun and the twisted rope, both symbols of life and continuity.
Other attractions of this town, which boasts religious buildings of many denominations, include the 16th century Reformed Church, the Ethnographic Museum (see details), the Elie Wiesel Memorial House (see details) and the Museum of Arrested Thought (see details) located in a former communist prison in the center of town.
This morning visit the village of Barsana, where there is a thriving local tradition of woodcarving, with picturesque wooden houses fronted by giant, ornately-carved gates. There is also a monastery that offers great views over the Izei valley, where people still farm using traditional techniques. Also tour some of the beautiful UNESCO listed wooden churches of the region that are well-known for their characteristic high roofs and tall, pointed steeples.In the afternoon we head to Sighisoara. Located in the historic region of Transylvania, it was once a Saxon settlement established in the 12th century. Recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the citadel has a very well preserved old town with a clock tower rising 64 meters above the city. Also worth visiting is the Orthodox Cathedral and Cornesti Church.
Surrounded on three sides by the Carpathian Mountains, Brasov was a perfect place for a medieval settlement and much of the Old City, founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211, has been restored.You can visit Rânov Castle, the Brasov Citadel or wander up Rope Street, the narrowest street in Europe. Brasov also provides a great base for exploring the surrounding countryside of the Transylvania region, where the air is fresh and the people friendly.On our way to Brasov we make stops at two historic and important churches, Viscri and Prejmer fortified churches.
Break your journey with a one visit to Pitesti. This lively town is a good one night stay before your drive to Bucharest. It is worth a visit to Sighisoara and Sibiu Old Town whilst you are here.
This morning we explore the beautiful Pele's Castle, an impressive structure which is sure to take your breath away! Head to Bucharest where you will explore the area and discover the contrasts of Romania's cultural capital. The architecture here is an eclectic mix of historical, communist period and modern styles and it even has its own Arc de Triomphe. Bucharest also boasts the world's second largest building, the Palace of Parliament, built under the communist regime. If you'd like to learn more about the traditional way of life of Romanian peasant farmers you can visit the Village Museum, an open air museum with around 300 traditional buildings filled with furniture, pottery and clothing collected from different regions of the country.
Today you will be transferred to the airport in good time for your international flight home.
Over the years we have researched and refined the list of vehicle equipment that we provide. The equipment is identical in every vehicle but we always ensure you have the essentials for each country and its respective driving conditions.
We have access to a range of vehicles for this itinerary. Should you wish to use another vehicle, just let us know and we will include it it your itinerary.
All our itineraries are tailor made, but here are some of our favourite routes and camp combinations.
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Your entire holiday is designed around your requirements. We will create the perfect trip, at your own pace, to your budget.
All our team in Africa live in-country and have travelled extensively. Their knowledge and input is key to a successful self-drive safari.
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