YPT Tours to Romania

Romania, originating from the name “Citizen of the Roman Empire”, has many sights to offer, from the beautiful Carpathian Mountains to its short coastline on the Black Sea for leisurely vacations. And of course, the Transylvania region, home to one of the most legendary figures of human history: Vlad the Impaler, or simply Count Dracula. With that in mind, it’s no wonder that Romanian tours are unique!

During WWII, the country first fought on the side of the Nazis from 1941, during the invasion of the Soviet Union. Their active role in the Holocaust under Prime Minister Ion Antonescu can’t be denied either. Later they turned sides, after a coup within Romania launched by King Michael I, and eventually surrendered to the Allies and joined their battle. 

Romania officially abandoned its monarchical system to become the Romanian People’s Republic in 1947, staying under communist rule until 1989. With its role in WWII and its former connection to the Soviet bloc, it offers a dark and complicated side, making Romania tours a must for history enthusiasts too. Romania is a fascinating country, which is nowadays still struggling to find its place between the East and West and a determined future path.

Group Tours to Romania

YPT do not currently run group tours specifically to Romania. However, we recommend extending our Transnistria and Moldova tours with an overnight train trip from Bucharest to Chisinau, for an amazing Soviet experience. We can also extend your Transnistria or Moldova Tours with a Romania Extension.

Independent Tours to Romania

YPT can arrange Romania tours deep into the country, leveraging on its network of local partners, or link it with tours to Serbia and the rest of the Balkans, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Moldova, Transnistria, and beyond. Prices depend on the number of people and what level of accommodation you desire, but YPT can arrange everything you need for perfect independent Romania tours.

Below is an example Romania tour for a post-WWII and post-Soviet city experience. This can be extended or combined with other activities to create independent Romania tours. 

Example of a 5-day Romania Post-WWII and Post-Soviet Itinerary

Day 1 – Timisoara

• Arrival in Timisoara at your own convenience
• Morning meeting in our hotel and start of the tour after breakfast.
• We will spend the day immersing ourselves in Timișoara, the foremost cultural and economic powerhouse of Western Romania and the cradle of the anti-regime protests that culminated in Nicolae Ceaușescu’s dramatic downfall in 1989.
• Our visit will be dominated by the striking architectural legacy of the Socialist Republic of Romania (RSR). Additionally, we will marvel at the exquisitely preserved palaces, houses, churches, and monasteries that harken back to the pre-communist era. 
• Overnight in Timisoara

Day 2 – Jiu Valley

• From Timisoara, we will venture deep into the mining heartland of the country, heading for the Jiu Valley—the gritty core of Romania’s once-thriving coal industry.
• Journeying through a sombre landscape of abandoned pits, decaying industrial structures, and half-empty mining towns like Lupeni, Petrosani, and Petrila, you will understand more of Romania’s past.
• Traditional and savoury lunch will be part of the days travel.
• Arriving in the provincial city of Târgu Jiu in the late afternoon
• Traditional dinner in the city centre and overnight in Târgu Jiu.

Day 3 – Scornicesti, Pitesti & Targoviste

• We will start the day early, transferring to Scornicești, the birthplace of Nicolae Ceaușescu, and then proceed to Pitești, infamous for the Pitești Prison and its horrific re-education experiments, known as the “Pitești Phenomenon,” conducted between 1949 and 1951.
• From this most feared prison, we will continue to Târgoviște, the city where the regime met its dramatic end. Here, on Christmas Day of 1989, Nicolae Ceaușescu and his wife Elena faced their death trial.
• In the afternoon, we will reach the mining village of Doftana, home to a formidable fortress where the fascist wartime Romanian regime under Conducător Ion Antonescu imprisoned communists, anarchists, and other political dissidents.
• Travel with private bus to Bucharest, late dinner and overnight stay. 

Day 4 – Bucharest

• After a leisurely breakfast we will dedicate the remainder of the day to an in-depth exploration of Bucharest´s socialist-era architecture and art, exploring life under communism.
• The Patriarchal Cathedral, Palace of Parliament, and the Revolution Square will not be missed on this exploration.
• We will also visit both, the grave of Nicolae Ceaușescu and the Soviet Heroes’ Cemetery and of course have lunch with Romanian cuisine.

Late Afternoon

• Lose yourself in the city’s old town, with the aftermath of sites visited during the day and try to see the influence that remains to date.
• Dinner and overnight in Bucharest.

Day 5 – Bucharest

• Last breakfast together before the tour ends in Bucharest.

From here you can continue to the coastline heading for Bulgaria with us, join one of our other tours in Eastern Europe like Moldova, Transnistria, Kaliningrad, Ukraine or the Baltic countries or venture further on by yourself.

Bespoke tours to Romania

As part of our travel packages within Central and Eastern Europe, we can offer bespoke and independent Romania tours. These can be done as full Romania tours or be combined with other countries. 

For more information on the following programs, simply get in touch. 

Eco-Travel in Romania

Young Pioneer Tours can arrange trips to the lesser seen places of Romania, such as the rural areas that cater to eco-tourism within the country, especially at its extraordinary lakes and valleys in the dramatic scenery of the Carpathian Mountains.

Romania to Balkans Overland Tour

Starting with the exploration of Bucharest and its surroundings we will then head via Transylvania to the Balkan. After two nights in Romania, we enter the former countries of Yugoslavia to explore the different facets and distinctive characteristics of their Soviet past.

Romania to Bulgaria Overland Tour

Starting with the exploration of Bucharest and its surroundings we will then head via the city of Constanta at the Black Sea coastline to Bulgaria. After two nights in Romania, we cross into Bulgaria and make our way via Varna and various other places to the exciting city of Sofia.

Underground Romania Tours

Bucharest, Brasov, Timișoara, and the wider country have some amazing dark tourism, urbex and contemporary historical sites that few tourists get to see. Working with our local partners, YPT can arrange and underground and dark tourism tours to Romania. Get in touch to have a bespoke itinerary planned for you. 

Dracula Tour

Transylvania is the legendary home of Dracula, so a tour of this region is a must for any fan of legends. You can visit Bran Castle, which is often associated with Dracula (although it was never actually his home), as well as other medieval castles and towns. You can also go hiking in the Carpathian Mountains, which are said to be the inspiration for Dracula’s stories.

Medieval History Tour

Romania has a long and fascinating history, and there are many medieval towns and cities that are worth visiting. Some of the highlights include Bucharest, the capital of Romania; Sighișoara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a well-preserved old town; and Brașov, a beautiful city surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains.

Wine Tasting Tour

Romania has a long history of winemaking, and there are many wine regions in the country that are worth exploring. Some of the most popular wine regions include Transylvania, Moldavia (not to be confused with Moldova, which also has great wine!), and Muntenia. You can go on a wine tasting tour of one of these regions, or you can visit one of Romania’s many wineries.

Filming in Romania

Through our media arm Pioneer Media (www.mediapioneers.net) we can make arrangements for productions, journalists, or others, to film within Romania from big budget to guerrilla productions. We can also arrange meetings in country, as well as correct visas for journalist wishing to do projects within the country.

Frequently asked Questions about travel to Romania

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