A week in Transylvania with guided city tours

About the destination: Bucharest is a truly stunning city, showcasing an unlikely blend of various architectural styles; you can find Gothic and Greek Orthodox structures next to Stalinist monuments, which are neighbors to post-modern apartment buildings made of concrete and glass. Unlike other cities, the layout of the streets is not grid-like, but rather star-shaped, with streets radiating out from roundabouts, creating blocks of varying shapes. In the 1950s, Bucharest was referred to as Little Paris due to the French influence on the city's landscape and lifestyle. Remnants of this era can still be seen in the city center's architecture, the abundance of outdoor cafes, and even in the Arcul de Triumf, a smaller version of Paris’ Arc de Triomphe. Downtown Bucharest is defined by the area between Victoriei Square, where the Romanian Government is located, and Unirii Square, where the grand boulevard leading to the Parliament Palace begins. Near Unirii Square, you can also find the old city center, the Old Princely Court, and iconic streets like Lipscani, Selari, Covaci, Gabroveni. This area is home to a mix of mid-19th century buildings, ruins of the Wallachian princes' medieval court, churches, bank headquarters, a few hotels, clubs, restaurants, and shops. Narrow, cobblestone streets still bear the names of the ancient guilds that once resided there. The area has been largely renovated and is now a popular gathering spot for the city's younger generation. Revolution Square is a double square that houses the Romanian Athenaeum, the National Library, the Senate building, and the old Royal Palace, which is now the Museum of Art. A tall monument stands in the center of the square in memory of those who died during the revolution. Bucharest is a city of parks. Take a stroll through the well-maintained central Cişmigiu Garden or the expansive Herăstrău Park. For the residents of Bucharest, these parks are more than just escapes from the summer heat; they are the heart of much of the city's social life. You'll find elderly retirees, young couples, football fans, and backgammon and chess enthusiasts everywhere. Come join the fun.

About the destination: Sibiu is a city in Transylvania, a historical region of Romania. It is situated approximately 275 km (171 mi) north-west of Bucharest, and is bisected by the Cibin River, a tributary of the Olt River. Currently, it serves as the capital of Sibiu County, and from 1692 to 1791 and again from 1849 to 1865, it was the capital of the Principality of Transylvania. Often referred to as The City with Eyes, Sibiu is a popular tourist spot for both local and international visitors. It is renowned for its culture, history, cuisine, and diverse architecture, including its distinctive houses with eyes that earned Sibiu its nickname. The city has been gaining recognition since the start of the 21st century. In 2004, its historical center began the process of becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sibiu was named the European Capital of Culture in 2007. The following year, Forbes ranked it as the "8th-most idyllic place to live" in Europe. In 2019, Sibiu was recognized as the European Region of Gastronomy, and in 2020, it was named "Europe's sixth best tourist destination". Sibiu is set to host the European Wandering Capital event in 2021, which is the most significant tourist wandering event in Europe. The city also hosted a European Union summit in 2019.

About the destination: Bucharest is a truly stunning city, showcasing an unlikely blend of various architectural styles; you can find Gothic and Greek Orthodox structures next to Stalinist monuments, which are neighbors to post-modern apartment buildings made of concrete and glass. Unlike other cities, the layout of the streets is not grid-like, but rather star-shaped, with streets radiating out from roundabouts, creating blocks of varying shapes. In the 1950s, Bucharest was referred to as Little Paris due to the French influence on the city's landscape and lifestyle. Remnants of this era can still be seen in the city center's architecture, the abundance of outdoor cafes, and even in the Arcul de Triumf, a smaller version of Paris’ Arc de Triomphe. Downtown Bucharest is defined by the area between Victoriei Square, where the Romanian Government is located, and Unirii Square, where the grand boulevard leading to the Parliament Palace begins. Near Unirii Square, you can also find the old city center, the Old Princely Court, and iconic streets like Lipscani, Selari, Covaci, Gabroveni. This area is home to a mix of mid-19th century buildings, ruins of the Wallachian princes' medieval court, churches, bank headquarters, a few hotels, clubs, restaurants, and shops. Narrow, cobblestone streets still bear the names of the ancient guilds that once resided there. The area has been largely renovated and is now a popular gathering spot for the city's younger generation. Revolution Square is a double square that houses the Romanian Athenaeum, the National Library, the Senate building, and the old Royal Palace, which is now the Museum of Art. A tall monument stands in the center of the square in memory of those who died during the revolution. Bucharest is a city of parks. Take a stroll through the well-maintained central Cişmigiu Garden or the expansive Herăstrău Park. For the residents of Bucharest, these parks are more than just escapes from the summer heat; they are the heart of much of the city's social life. You'll find elderly retirees, young couples, football fans, and backgammon and chess enthusiasts everywhere. Come join the fun.