The food and wine tour of Romania

The food tour will start in Bucharest: we will meet you in at the airport, and then transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, we will start the program on the same day or, if you arrive late, the program will start the next day.

For Bucharest, we thought of a mix of sightseeing with culinary experiences. On the Bucharest part of our Romania food tour, we will see the main landmarks of the city, including Parliament Palace and the old town. In the old town, we will have a walking tour, where we will get to know one of the characteristics of the Romanian spirit: a unique blend of Western with Oriental civilisation. We will see elegant buildings from the la Belle Epoque period, next to small orthodox churches or art deco constructions. We can stroll in Cismigiu Park, or in the evening we can admire the fountains’ light show in Unirii Square.

In terms of culinary experiences, we propose you 3 types of Romanian restaurants: an old bier house, a masterpiece of Romanian architecture and an innovative culinary concept of the new Romanian cuisine

The first one is the Bucharest oldest restaurants. Located in a historical building, with beautiful neo-gothic outdoor designs, the restaurant first opened at the end of the 19th century. The museum-like original decoration, the old beer house atmosphere, the daily music and dance shows, and the tasty food are making this restaurant a perfect start in our Romania food tour.
Another old restaurant, with a long history, whose building is an exponent of early Neo-Romanian architecture is our second proposal. The restaurant is serving a mix of Romanian classical and aristocratic food with international interferences, keeping its high standards from long ago.

Or we can try the new Romanian cuisine. There, we will find the same ingredients but masterfully reinterpreted in an innovative concept.

We will leave Bucharest in the morning and head to Sinaia to visit Peles Castle, the residence of the first Romanian King. After the visit, we will visit the cellars of the Royal Family Champagne supplier. We will see the entire production process and, in the end, we will taste an assortment of their finest champagne. Lunch at the cellars restaurant.

Just to clarify, champagne is the sparkling wine made in the France region with the same name. This sparkling wine made in Romania is not allowed to use this name, even though the product is the same.

Then, in the afternoon, we will go to Bran, to visit the second castle of the day. Bran Castle or Dracula Castle is a former medieval border stronghold, which starting the 20s, became the summer residence of Queen Maria of Romania. A touristic magnet, due to its resemblance with the castle described by Bram Stoker in his book – Dracula, the castle is rather peaceful and romantic than gloomy.
Then, we can visit an alcohol distillery, where the most famous Transylvanian spirit is made: we will see how it is made, we will learn more about different kinds of alcohol obtained from fermented fruits, and of course, we can try it. But be aware, palinka is really strong ( stronger than whiskey or vodka).

Then, we will go to Brasov, where we will spend the night.
Dinner proposals: again, we have a few options for our guests.

The first one is a restaurant proposing a mix of innovation and traditionalism, with a chic design, located right next to the forest. The chef had come up with a menu using mainly local ingredients, and traditional dishes served on the plate in a modern way and unexpected combinations.

Second, is a traditional restaurant, where some of the dishes are prepared in the countryside, at wood fires, in cauldrons, and brought daily to the city. This is giving a special flavour to the food and makes the restaurant a popular choice.

And the third one is a restaurant where an award-winning chef and owner, an advocate of the Slow Food movement, is proposing an innovative menu, with dishes using mainly local ingredients.
Driving distance: 250 km. Driving time: 3.5 hours

Today we will dive in deeper in Transylvania. First, we will spend a few hours exploring the old town of Brasov. We can visit the Black church, stroll the Council Square or walk around the medieval walls. We can have a short coffee break at one of the small cosy cafes hidden among old buildings. If you’re an ice cream lover, we will show you our favourite spot, where we can find delicious ice cream, homemade in small batches. Or, for the sweets lovers, we will take you to another small shop, where we can find countless types of candies in different shapes and fillings.

Then, we will leave Brasov and head north, towards the Transylvanian highlands. Before reaching the village where we will spend the night, we can have lunch at a fish restaurant, where we can try different trout-based dishes or the fish roe spread.

In the afternoon we will arrive in Viscri, a former Saxon village. We will spend the night in the village, at a guest house, an old Saxon building transformed to accommodate tourists.

The village, despite being a touristic attraction, kept its authenticity and is a fine example of the Transylvanian village, as it was long ago. We will spend the afternoon walking around the village, meeting the locals, and observing them working their land or taking care of their animals. Depending on the season, we can have a carriage ride to a nearby sheepfold, where we can watch the milking and the cheese-making process.

Returning back to the village, we will have a home-cooked dinner. The cooks will be the ladies of the village who will prepare for us a Saxon inspired menu.

Driving distance: 80 kilometres. Driving time: 1.5 hours.

We leave Vicri in the morning and head to Sighisoara. Before reaching Sighisoara, we will stop in Saschiz, to visit a small fruit jam factory. We will taste some of the products and learn more about manufacturing secrets.

Then we will arrive in Sighisoara, the charming medieval citadel, one of the UNESCO sites in Transylvania. The town became even more popular due to its connections with prince Vlad Dracula, who supposedly was born here.

Next, we continue to drive to Sibiu, stopping on the way at a small farm. We will visit the farm, see the cutest animals ever and we will learn more about sustainable farming. Lunch will be served at the farm, prepared for us by our hosts with ingredients from the farm.

Then we will head to Biertan, another village hidden among the rolling hills of Transylvania. We will visit the village and the impressive fortified church, UNESCO site. We will discover the secrets of the church and enjoy a first-hand view of the village from a nearby hill. Then, we will leave Biertan and drive to Sibiu.
Overnight in Sibiu.
Driving distance: 160 kilometres, driving time 3 hours
Restaurant suggestions for Sibiu:

The first one is a small restaurant hidden in the Lower Town. Their menu is based on seasonal local ingredients and proposes, on the one hand, a reinterpretation of the Transylvanian cuisine and, on the other, an Indian fusion.
The second one is bringing together local and central European recipes under the chef’s personal touch.
The third restaurant managed to put in the same place simplicity with the refinement, having as final aim the food. The menu is compact and blends local and international cuisine, with an inclination to use mostly local produce.

Today we will visit Corvin Castle, the largest gothic castle in Transylvania, built in the 15th century by the Governor of Hungary, who was born in the area. After the castle visit, on the way back to Sibiu, we will stop in Apold, for a vineyard tour. After the tour, we will have a wine tasting accompanied by an assortment of local Sibiu cheeses. Overnight in Sibiu.

Our Romania food tour enters its 6th day. We will leave Sibiu in the morning and drive to Turda, to visit the former salt mine transformed into a tourist attraction. The visit is an experience in itself, as we will walk down around 100 meters below ground, into a massive salt cavity. More than that, at the bottom of the mine there is a small lake, where visitors can rent boats for a short boat ride in the salt mine innards.
Then, we will drive to a quaint Hungarian village, at the foothills of the Carpathian mountains. We will have a short walk in the village and then we will stop for a traditional Hungarian lunch at a chic mansion.

After lunch, we will return to Sibiu, where we will have a crafted beer factory tour.
Overnight in Sibiu.
Driving time: 400 kilometres, driving time: 4.5 hours

Sadly, the food tour of Romania is coming to an end. On our final day, we will visit the Sibiu farmer market, where we will buy the products for our lunch. Today we will not go to the restaurant, instead, we will have a picnic in the mountains. We will bring everything needed for the picnic, and from the market, we will choose among the best Sibiu cheeses, homemade bread, fresh fruits and vegetables. The transfer to Bucharest will be made on Transfagarasan road, where we will stop for a picnic. Of course, driving on the Transfagarasan means that we will see Balea Lake, Balea Waterfall, Vidraru Dam, Poenari Fortress. But the highlight of the day will be the picnic, at 1700 meters altitude, on the shores of a rushing creek.

Then, in the afternoon we will arrive in Bucharest, for the end of our program. If needed, we can arrange the transfer to the airport the next day.
Driving distance: 300 kilometres, driving time: 5 hours.
*between November and July, the Transfagarasan road is closed, so for the visits in this period, in the last day we will change the program