Disconnect, Breathe, Live Like a Local

ARRIVAL CITIES:

Choose your gateway:

· Bucharest (OTP) - 2.5 hours to Bran/Rucar

· Brasov - 30 minutes to Bran/Rucar

· Sibiu - 2 hours to Bran/Rucar

· Craiova - 3 hours to Bran/Rucar

3-DAY PROGRAM:

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL & SETTLING IN

Arrival

· Pick-up from the airport/city

· Scenic drive to Bran/Rucar mountains

· Check in at the family guesthouse

· Welcome tea with homemade cake

· Meet your hosts - hear their stories

Afternoon

· Unpack and unwind

· Slow village walk at your own pace

· No rush, no schedule

· Discover hidden corners, meet neighbours

· Watch sunset from the garden

Evening

· Traditional dinner prepared by your host

· Local wine or palinca (plum brandy)

· Conversations around the table

· Early night or stargazing

DAY 2 - VILLAGE RHYTHMS

Morning

· Wake naturally (no alarm clocks!)

· Leisurely breakfast with fresh bread, cheese, eggs

· Optional: Join host family morning activities:

o Feed the animals

o Collect eggs from chickens

o Pick vegetables from the garden

o Learn to milk a cow (seasonal)

Midday

· Slow walk to the nearby meadow or forest

· Picnic lunch in nature (optional)

· Read a book, sketch, meditate

· Simply be present

Afternoon

· Hands-on village experience (choose one):

o Bake traditional bread with your host

o Make cheese or butter

o Preserve fruits/vegetables (seasonal)

o Learn traditional craft (weaving, pottery, wood carving)

· Free time for:

o Napping in a hammock

o Walking country lanes

o Chatting with locals

o Doing absolutely nothing

Evening

· Help prepare dinner (if you wish)

· Traditional meal with stories

· Local music or folklore tales

· Sleep to mountain silence

DAY 3 - NATURE & DEPARTURE

Morning

· Breakfast on the terrace

· Gentle hike to Dambovicioara Gorges

· Walk at slow pace, absorb nature

· Limestone cliffs, cave exploration

· Forest bathing, bird songs

Afternoon

· Simple lunch (optional)

· Last moments in the village

· Say goodbye to your host family

· Transfer back to the city/airport

· Return refreshed, not exhausted

ACCOMMODATION:

Traditional Romanian Guesthouse - Bran/Rucar

· Family-run, warm hospitality

· Private room with en-suite bathroom

· Garden with mountain views

· Home-cooked meals from local ingredients

· WiFi available (but we encourage disconnecting!)

· Hammocks, outdoor seating

· Quiet, peaceful, authentic

INCLUDED:

✅ Transport: Private vehicle from/to airport or city ✅ Accommodation: 2 nights traditional guesthouse (private room, en-suite) ✅ Meals: 2 breakfasts and 2 local dinners ✅ Local Host: English-speaking family throughout your stay ✅ Village Experience: 1 hands-on activity (baking/cheese-making/craft) ✅ Nature Walk: Gentle guided hike to Dambovicioara Gorges

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS:

Meals:

· Lunch Day 1 - £15

· Lunch Day 2 (picnic in meadow) - £12

· Lunch Day 3 - £15

Slow Experiences:

· Extra hands-on workshop (pottery/weaving/bread) - £30

· Shepherd visit in the mountains (half day) - £70

· Traditional cooking class (3 hours) - £50

· Foraging walk with local guide - £40

· Horseback riding through villages (2 hours) - £45

· Massage/wellness session - £50

· Wine tasting at local cellar - £35

Comfort Upgrades:

· Room with fireplace - £35 per night

· Private terrace/balcony - £25 per night

PRICING:

Per person:

£395

MODULAR EXTENSIONS - BUILD YOUR ADVENTURE

Add extra regions to your Hidden Romania base tour Modules listed in logical travel order

MODULE 1 STARTER: BRASOV & SURROUNDINGS (2 nights) - "Mountain Town Experience"

Add £270 per person

Highlights:

· Brasov Old Town walking tour

· Peles Castle (royal residence)

· Sinaia mountain resort

· Rasnov Fortress

· Black Church

· Local craft beer tasting

· Traditional restaurant experiences

Included: ✅ 2 nights accommodation (private room, en-suite) ✅ Transport ✅ English-speaking guide ✅ 2 breakfasts

Optional Add-Ons:

· Peles Castle entrance - £12

· Rasnov Fortress entrance - £8

· Black Church entrance - £5

· Craft beer tasting - £20

· Lunches and dinners - £15-30 per meal

MODULE 2: SIBIU & SAXON VILLAGES (2 nights) - "Medieval Heritage"

Add £260 per person

Highlights:

· Sibiu Old Town (European Capital of Culture)

· Viscri fortified church (UNESCO) - Prince Charles village

· Biertan fortress (UNESCO)

· Sighisoara citadel (birthplace of Vlad the Impaler)

· Traditional Saxon guesthouse

· Local cheese and wine tasting

Included: ✅ 2 nights accommodation (private room, en-suite) ✅ Transport ✅ English-speaking guide ✅ 2 breakfasts

Optional Add-Ons:

· Viscri church entrance - £5

· Biertan fortress entrance - £5

· Sighisoara citadel tour - £10

· Cheese and wine tasting - £25

· Lunches and dinners - £15-25 per meal

MODULE 3: TRANSALPINA & SOUTHERN CARPATHIANS (3 nights) - "Scenic Routes"

Add £340 per person

Highlights:

· Transalpina Road (the highest paved road in Romania)

· Traditional villages of Marginimea Sibiului

· Shepherd culture and sheep farming

· Hiking in Retezat National Park

· Mountain passes and panoramic views

· Authentic mountain accommodation

Included: ✅ 3 nights mountain accommodation (private room, en-suite) ✅ Transport ✅ English-speaking guide ✅ 3 breakfasts

Optional Add-Ons:

· Retezat National Park entrance - £8

· Shepherd visit and cheese tasting - £30

· Guided hiking tour - £40

· Lunches and dinners - £12-25 per meal

MODULE 4: APUSENI MOUNTAINS (2 nights) - "Wild Carpathians"

Add £240 per person

Highlights:

· Scarisoara Ice Cave (underground glacier)

· Turda Salt Mine (underground amusement park)

· Cheile Turzii gorges hiking

· Remote village Rimetea

· Mountain cabin accommodation

· Traditional shepherd culture

Included: ✅ 2 nights accommodation (private room, en-suite) ✅ Transport ✅ English-speaking guide ✅ 2 breakfasts

Optional Add-Ons:

· Scarisoara Cave entrance - £8

· Turda Salt Mine entrance - £15

· Guided gorge hiking - £25

· Village cultural tour - £20

· Lunches and dinners - £12-20 per meal

MODULE 5: CLUJ & APUSENI VILLAGES (2 nights) - "Culture & Crafts"

Add £250 per person

Highlights:

· Cluj-Napoca city tour

· Traditional villages

· Folk art and embroidery workshops

· Traditional costume demonstration

· Pottery village of Corund

· Local artisan visits

Included: ✅ 2 nights accommodation (private room, en-suite) ✅ Transport ✅ English-speaking guide ✅ 2 breakfasts

Optional Add-Ons:

· Embroidery workshop - £35

· Pottery workshop - £30

· Traditional costume demonstration - £20

· Artisan visits - £25

· Lunches and dinners - £15-25 per meal

MODULE 6: MARAMURES (3 nights) - "Living Traditions"

Add £330 per person

Highlights:

· Wooden churches (UNESCO)

· Merry Cemetery of Sapanta

· Traditional villages (Barsana, Ieud, Botiza)

· Stay with local families

· Hand-carved wooden gates

· Artisan workshops (wood carving, weaving)

Included: ✅ 3 nights accommodation with local families (private room, shared bathroom) ✅ Transport ✅ English-speaking guide ✅ 3 breakfasts

Optional Add-Ons:

· Wooden church entrance (multiple) - £15 total

· Merry Cemetery entrance - £5

· Cooking class - traditional dishes - £45

· Wood carving workshop - £40

· Weaving workshop - £35

· Lunches and dinners - £12-20 per meal

MODULE 7: BUCOVINA (3 nights) - "Painted Monasteries"

Add £310 per person

Highlights:

· 5 UNESCO painted monasteries (Voronet, Sucevita, Moldovita, Arbore, Humor)

· Icon painting workshop on glass

· Decorated eggs museum and workshop

· Traditional guesthouse stay

· Mountain hiking

· Local pottery village

Included: ✅ 3 nights accommodation (private room, en-suite) ✅ Transport ✅ English-speaking guide ✅ 3 breakfasts

Optional Add-Ons:

· Monastery entrances (5 total) - £20

· Icon painting workshop - £40

· Decorated eggs workshop - £35

· Pottery village visit - £20

· Guided mountain hiking - £30

· Lunches and dinners - £12-20 per meal

MODULE 8: BICAZ GORGES & NEAMT (2 nights) - "Dramatic Landscapes"

Add £255 per person

Highlights:

· Bicaz Gorges spectacular drive

· Red Lake (Lacul Rosu)

· Neamt Fortress

· Ceahlau Massif hiking

· Traditional Moldavian villages

· Local wine and food tasting

Included: ✅ 2 nights accommodation (private room, en-suite) ✅ Transport ✅ English-speaking guide ✅ 2 breakfasts

Optional Add-Ons:

· Neamt Fortress entrance - £5

· Guided Ceahlau hiking - £35

· Wine and food tasting - £30

· Red Lake boat ride - £15

· Lunches and dinners - £12-20 per meal

MODULE 9: DANUBE DELTA (3 nights) - "Wilderness on Water"

Add £360 per person

Highlights:

· Boat exploration through channels

· Birdwatching (300+ species)

· Letea Forest - wild horses

· Traditional fishing village

· Sulina or Sfantu Gheorghe stay

· Fresh fish meals daily

· Sunrise/sunset boat trips

Included: ✅ 3 nights accommodation (private room, en-suite) ✅ Transport to/from Tulcea ✅ English-speaking guide ✅ 3 breakfasts

Optional Add-Ons:

· Boat trips (full day) - £45 per day

· Birdwatching guided tour - £50

· Letea Forest excursion - £55

· Fishing experience - £40

· Delta permits and fees - £10

· Lunches and dinners (fresh fish) - £15-25 per meal

MODULE 10: BUCHAREST (2 nights) - "Little Paris of the East"

Add £280 per person

Highlights:

· Palace of Parliament (world's 2nd largest building)

· Old Town (Lipscani)

· Village Museum

· Communist history tour

· Traditional food tour

· Vibrant nightlife option

· Therme Spa (optional add-on)

Included: ✅ 2 nights central hotel accommodation (private room, en-suite) ✅ Transport ✅ English-speaking guide ✅ 2 breakfasts

Optional Add-Ons:

· Palace of Parliament entrance - £15

· Village Museum entrance - £8

· Traditional food tour - £45

· Therme Spa visit - £25

· Lunches and dinners - £15-30 per meal

POPULAR COMBINED PACKAGES:

"Complete Transylvania" - 9 nights

Starter (2) + Brasov (2) + Sibiu & Saxon Villages (2) + Apuseni (2) £1,010 per person

"Spiritual & Wild Romania" - 10 nights

Starter (2) + Bucovina (3) + Danube Delta (3) + Bucharest (2) £1,110 per person

"Grand Romania Explorer" - 13 nights

Starter (2) + Sibiu (2) + Maramures (3) + Bucovina (3) + Danube Delta (3) £1,450 per person

"Mountain & Culture Journey" - 11 nights

Starter (2) + Brasov (2) + Maramures (3) + Apuseni (2) + Transalpina (3) £1,270 per person

BUILD YOUR OWN:

Mix and match any modules to create your perfect Romanian adventure.

Recommended minimum: Starter + 1-2 modules (5-8 nights total). Optimal experience: Starter + 2-3 modules (8-11 nights total) Grand tour: Starter + 4+ modules (12+ nights total)

Group sizes: 2-8 people

All modules include accommodation, transport, a guide, and breakfasts. Entrance fees, activities, and most meals are optional add-ons for maximum flexibility.

RECOMMENDED FOR SLOW TRAVEL: ✅ Most peaceful: May, September, October, November ✅ Best weather: June, September ✅ Most activities: July, August, September (harvest) ✅ Ultimate disconnect: January, February (winter quiet) ✅ Avoid if seeking perfect weather: March (unpredictable)

WHAT IS SLOW ROMANIA?

Slow travel philosophy:

· Quality over quantity

· Being, not doing

· Connection, not collection

· Experience, not itinerary

· Presence, not performance

You will NOT: ❌ Rush between 10 attractions per day ❌ Follow rigid schedules ❌ Eat at tourist restaurants ❌ Take selfies at famous landmarks ❌ Feel exhausted

You WILL: ✅ Wake without alarm clocks ✅ Eat food from the garden you're staying in ✅ Learn a traditional skill from locals ✅ Have time to read, think, breathe ✅ Leave feeling restored, not tired ✅ Make real human connections ✅ Understand Romanian village life ✅ Return home changed

WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT:

�� No tourist attractions - just real life �� . No rush - move at nature's pace �� . Small, intimate - maximum 8 people �� Local immersion - live with a family �� Hands-on participation - help, learn, do �� Mindful presence - be here now �� Sustainable - support local families directly

PERFECT FOR:

✅ Burned-out professionals needing reset ✅ Digital nomads craving offline time ✅ Travelers seeking authentic experiences ✅ Anyone tired of "doing" tourism ✅ People who value connection over sightseeing ✅ Those wanting to truly rest ✅ Culture enthusiasts, not attraction collectors

Not for: ❌ People who need constant entertainment, ❌ Luxury seekers (this is simple, authentic comfort) ❌ Those uncomfortable with rural life ❌ Anyone needing WiFi 24/7

2026 DEPARTURE DATES:

SPRING SEASON (Best for: Wildlife tracking, wildflowers, fewer crowds)

· May 9-11 - Transylvania Essentials (2 nights)

· May 16-18 - Transylvania Essentials (2 nights)

· May 23-25 - Transylvania Essentials (2 nights)

· June 6-8 - Transylvania Essentials (2 nights)

· June 13-15 - Transylvania Essentials (2 nights)

· June 20-22 - Transylvania Essentials (2 nights)

SUMMER SEASON (Best for: Long days, all regions accessible, festivals)

· July 4-6 - Transylvania Essentials (2 nights)

· July 18-20 - Transylvania Essentials (2 nights)

· August 1-3 - Transylvania Essentials (2 nights)

· August 15-17 - Transylvania Essentials (2 nights)

· August 22-24 - Transylvania Essentials (2 nights)

AUTUMN SEASON (Best for: Fall colours, harvest season, ideal weather)

· September 5-7 - Transylvania Essentials (2 nights)

· September 12-14 - Transylvania Essentials (2 nights)

· September 19-21 - Transylvania Essentials (2 nights)

· September 26-28 - Transylvania Essentials (2 nights)

· October 3-5 - Transylvania Essentials (2 nights)

· October 10-12 - Transylvania Essentials (2 nights)

· October 17-19 - Transylvania Essentials (2 nights)

Custom dates available for groups

All extensions can be added to any guaranteed departure date

TESTIMONIALS STYLE:

"We did nothing, and it was everything."

"Finally, a holiday where I actually rested."

"This isn't tourism. It's therapy."

"I learned more in 2 days here than in 2 weeks of city tours."

EXTEND YOUR SLOW JOURNEY:

Continue the slow philosophy in other regions:

· Maramures wooden villages (3 nights) - traditional way of life

· Danube Delta (3 nights) - boat-paced living

· Apuseni mountains (2 nights) - shepherd culture

· Bucovina monasteries (3 nights) - spiritual slow travel

Each extension maintains the slow travel ethos

PRACTICAL INFO:

What to bring:

· Comfortable walking shoes

· Layers for changing weather

· Book to read

· Journal for reflections

· Open mind and patient heart

· Leave expectations at home

What NOT to bring:

· Tight schedule

· Need to "see everything"

· Expectation of luxury

· Constant WiFi dependency

Fitness level: Easy - gentle walks, optional activities Language: English-speaking hosts Age: All ages welcome (especially good for the 30-60 age group)

Ready to slow down?

✅ Filosofie SLOW: disconnect, breathe, no rush ✅ Activitati slow:

· Wake naturally (no alarms)

· Feed animals, collect eggs

· Bake bread, make cheese

· Picnic in the meadow

· Nap in a hammock

· Do absolutely nothing

BOOKING:

Deposit: 30% at confirmation. Balance: 45 days before departure.

Cancellation Policy

• 31+ days before departure:
Full refund minus £50 administration fee

• 0–30 days before departure:
No refund (100% cancellation fee)