Romania Self Drive 2 - Dracula to the Delta

On your first full morning in Bucharest we include a private sightseeing tour with visits to the outstanding open air Village Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, Calea Victoriei, Palace Square, the iconic Athenaeum, the Revolution Square, the monumental Parliament Palace, the University Square and the National Theatre opposite. Afterwards, stroll around the narrow streets of the historic quarter, one of the most popular leisure districts.

NB. a visit to the Parliament Palace is also highly recommended but as you must join a group tour to gain access we would need to add this to your itinerary in advance.

Collect your hire car and drive north from Bucharest across the Wallachian plain towards the mountains. Your first place of interest will surely be Sinaia, the "Pearl of the Carpathians", for a visit of Peles Castle, former summer residence of the Romanian royal family. From here it is a short drive through the beautiful Prahova Valley, passing the small resort town of Busteni to a recommend stop in nearby Azuga at the Rhein Cellars (with optional wine tasting). Continue over the scenic mountain pass from Predeal to Rasnov (with a visit of the fortress if time allows) and a short onward drive to Bran (or Zarnesti).

A free day to choose your sightseeing options:

We suggest a visit to the Bear Sanctuary near Zarnesti which has tours in the mornings then the impressive historic city of Brasov (visit the Council Square, the Black Church which is the biggest Gothic cathedral in south eastern Europe, and the narrow, cobbled streets of Schei District) where we recommend lunch. In the afternoon, returning to Bran to visit the nearby Rasnov Fortress; you could also take a walk in the Bucegi Mountains or at the mountain resort of Poiana Brasov or simply to marvel at the scenery, driving back to your guest house for dinner.

Depart for a relatively long drive towards the delta which you may like to split into two days, stopping en route at Buzau. Following the road east out of Brasov our recommendation would be a visit to the fortified church at Prejmer; from here head once more through the Carpathian range to the magnificent plains beyond, which begin at Buzau.

Continuing east via the bridge over the Danube near Braila the road skirts the border with Ukraine heading to Tulcea, an important harbour since ancient times. Arrive in Tulcea and take walk on the esplanade admiring the Danube River.

After breakfast you will be transferred by boat to Crisan Village, on the Sulina Branch, the shortest of the three branches in the delta. Crisan is a fishermen's village and makes an excellent base for exploring the surrounding lakes and canals.

In these 2 full days you will discover this Unesco Natural World Heritage site, formed around the three main channels of the Danube, named after their respective ports: Chilia (in the north), Sulina (in the middle), and Sfantu Gheorghe (in the south). The local people will lead you through the narrow canals, and show you the beautiful scenery and natural wonders.

All tours will be conducted in small motor boats. You will explore some beautiful lakes, Bogdaproste, Trei Iezare and Cazanele, be taken by boat to Litcov Channel, Sontea Channel and Mila 36 Channel to experience an amazing mixture of scenery, reeds, birds, fishermen, water lilies, sunrise and sunset. You will meet the local people and will get a full flavour of the local cuisine. You should also have time to fit in a safari-like trip to the Letea Forest to see wild horses.

After breakfast leave the Danube Delta and return by boat to Tulcea to rejoin your car. Drive south along the coast with a possible detour along the narrow strip linking Mamaia, to visit the ancient city of Constanta. In Constanta we recommend a visit of its Roman Mosaics, the Mosque, Genoese Lighthouse, Archaelogical Park, Roman City Wall and the Victory Monument.

Drive along the highway directly to Bucharest airport for your flight home.