Luxury Premium Trip through the Carpathians - Romania

A warm welcome at the international airport of Hermannstadt (Sibiu): Gateway to the Carpathians! After your arrival, you will be comfortably transferred to the hotel, where you can first settle in and catch your breath. Then we will start the day relaxed with a walking tour through the historic old town of Hermannstadt. Let yourself be enchanted by the charming alleys, baroque facades, and the unique atmosphere of this former European cultural capital. A real highlight awaits you afterward with a visit to the Astra Open-Air Museum – one of the largest open-air museums in Europe. Here you will gain exciting insights into Romanian culture, craftsmanship, and traditional rural life.

Today, we will be enchanted not only by the taste of fine wines but also by the impressive landscapes of the Carpathians. On the way to the vineyard, we will make a cultural stop at the fortified church of Birthâlm (rom. Biertan) – a historic site first mentioned in 1283. The imposing fortified church, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, is one of the most impressive testimonies of Saxon architecture in Transylvania. Next, we will head to the wine region around Botsch (Batoș), where the Liliac vineyard – The Wine of Transylvania awaits us. Nestled among gentle hills and surrounded by the backdrop of the Eastern Carpathians, the vines here embody the wine heart of Transylvania. The vineyard revives a centuries-old winemaking tradition in Transylvania. On a hill in the middle of the vineyard, we will experience a wine tasting of a special kind: excellent wines, fresh air, and – weather permitting – a breathtaking view over the wine landscape. Pure enjoyment in a region that is no longer a insider tip! In the evening, we continue to our accommodation near Schäßburg (Sighișoara), one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Europe – and the perfect place to unwind after this enjoyable day.

Today, our Premium trip takes us towards Schäßburg (rom. Sighișoara) – one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe and the birthplace of Vlad Țepeș, better known as Dracula. Upon arrival in this small fortress town, we will together explore the old citadel, the colorful houses, and the winding cobblestone streets that breathe history and atmosphere. You will quickly realize: In Schäßburg, one falls in love at first sight :-). Next, we will head to Deutsch-Weißkirch (rom. Viscri) – a village like out of a picture book. Founded in the late 12th century by the Transylvanian Saxons and first mentioned in 1185, it is today an authentic example of Saxon village architecture with an impressive fortified church at its center. The closed building style with traditional courtyards, narrow alleyways, and thick walls is rarely found in this form in Transylvania. Close by, we will visit the imposing Rupea Fortress. The medieval fortress from the 11th century majestically sits on Kohalmer Mountain (578m) and is visible from afar. As a landmark of the city of Reps (rom. Rupea), it offers not only exciting insights into the history of the region but also a panoramic view of the hilly landscape of Transylvania.

Today, we dive into the fascinating world of two iconic wineries: Lacerta or Budureasca and the internationally acclaimed Vitis Metamorfosis winery. Here, English wine know-how meets Romanian down-to-earthness. And the result? Wines for real Wine-Ladies & Wine-Gents who seek the special ;-). Our day starts with a walk through the terraced vineyards – a sight like from a painting: gentle hills, endless rows of vines, and, with clear visibility, a panorama of the peaks of the Carpathians that makes your heart beat faster. Then we head into the barrel cellars, where we are welcomed by the enchanting scent of vanilla, roasted wood, and oak – the origin of great red wines. Here at Budureasca, an exclusive wine tasting awaits us, where the staff will treat us to award-winning drops from the renowned winemaker Stephen Donnelly. Meanwhile, we will learn exciting details about the special vinification philosophy of the house. In short: Crafted Elegance in every bottle. But that's not all: Our luxury wine adventure continues! Just a few kilometers away, the next jewel opens its doors: the Vitis Metamorfosis winery, where Italian wine passion meets Romanian grape varieties. The winery is part of the famous Antinori family, and you can taste it. During a tour, we experience the stages from pressing to bottling up close, before oenologist Fiorenzo Rista personally shares his passion for the Negru de Drăgășani grape variety with us: A wine characterized by depth, character, and elegance. And because wine travels are not only about wine but also about lifestyle, we will stay stylishly in one of the charming guesthouses along the Romanian Wine Route – like the rustic „Ferma Dacilor“ or the stylish „Conacul Domniței Ralu“. There we will enjoy a true feast for the senses: finest traditional Romanian cuisine – with classics like „Ciorbă de Perișoare“ (meatball soup), „Sarmale“ (stuffed cabbage rolls), and the irresistible dessert „Papanași“. Of course, accompanied by handpicked Romanian wines that perfectly round off the day.

Today, you can expect a very special stage of our luxury trip: We will traverse picturesque valleys, dense forests, and impressive mountain scenery in the southeastern part of the Carpathians – the landscape feels like out of a fairy tale. Our destination is Sinaia, the so-called „Pearl of the Carpathians“, where one of the most beautiful castles in Europe awaits us: Peles Castle. The majestic castle was built between 1873 and 1883 for King Carol I of Romania and still impresses today with its elaborately decorated façade, lovingly detailed interior, and a location that couldn’t be more majestic. It is not for nothing that it is also called the „Neuschwanstein of Romania“. After this royal experience, we continue to the historically rich city of Brașov (German: Kronstadt), where we will experience the cultural influence of the Transylvanian Saxons up close. The medieval old town, surrounded by green hills and the Tâmpa peak, presents itself in the best light: colorful facades, baroque squares, and gothic architecture shape the cityscape. On our city tour, we will visit, among others, the famous „Biserica Neagră“ (Black Church) – an impressive landmark of the city. Even today, a German-language service is held here every Sunday – a living symbol of Saxon history and identity in Romania.

Our first stop today is Bran, where we visit the famous, legendary Bran Castle – also known as „Dracula's Castle“. The imposing fortress with its towers and mysterious passages has inspired visitors from all over the world for decades and brings legends to life. Just a few minutes away awaits us another highlight: a wildlife enclosure and bear sanctuary dedicated to the protection and care of brown bears rescued from poor conditions. A renowned place that shows how nature and animal protection are lived in Romania. Afterwards, we continue our journey toward Drăgășani, one of Romania's most significant and traditional wine regions. Here, centuries-old winemaking knowledge meets modern visions – and right in the middle are two absolute highlights for wine lovers: the Prince Știrbey winery and the Crama Bauer. Both establishments are managed by German oenologist Oliver Bauer, a colorful figure in the Romanian wine scene. Passionate, uncompromising, and with an unyielding pioneering spirit, he is on a mission to reinterpret the potential of indigenous varieties like Negru de Drăgășani or Crâmpoși. During our visits to both wineries, we will not only get to know the wines but also the philosophy and personality behind the labels. Oliver Bauer himself will accompany us, providing insights into his work and sharing his fascination for the Romanian terroir with us.

Before we leave the exclusive wine region of Drăgășani, there is – depending on available time – the possibility for an additional visit to the elegant Avincis vineyard. Nestled in a hilly landscape, Avincis stands for a successful combination of modern architecture, history, and unique wines. Afterwards, we make our way back to our starting point: Hermannstadt (rom. Sibiu). The return journey itself is an experience in itself – as it takes us along one of Europe’s most spectacular roads: the legendary Transalpina. At an elevation of 2,132m, this panoramic road winds its way through the Carpathians and, in good weather, offers a breathtaking panoramic view over peaks, valleys, and forests. Our last evening will lead us to a cozy guesthouse near Hermannstadt, where we will enjoy a festive dinner together with traditional Romanian specialties. With a glass of wine, we will reflect on the impressions of the past days – from mystical castles and medieval towns to culinary highlights and heartfelt encounters.

Our Premium wine journey comes to an end. After eventful days full of enjoyment, history, and impressive nature, it is time today to say goodbye to Romania. With many unforgettable impressions in our luggage, the organized transfer will take us to the airport, from where we will begin our journey home. Goodbye, or as they say in Romania: La revedere! Until the next adventure!