Overview
Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on G Adventures 14 Day Heart of the East: Romania & Moldova Adventure. Discover the hidden gems of Eastern Europe on this 14-day adventure through Romania and Moldova. From Bustling capitals to village life, some of the most interesting nature and wildlife out there, with a sprinkle of Vlad the Impaler and extensive wine production, this tour won't disappoint. Romania being something of a tourist hub paired with Moldova, one of the least visited countries in Europe, provides a simply magical juxtaposition.
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Our Price From
US$3,119 per person
Price shown based on twin share
Save up to $780 per person
Trip Length
14 Days
Trip Starts
Bucharest
Trip Ends
Chisinau
Departures
Jul 2026 to Oct 2027
Countries Visited:
Romania Moldova
Operator
G Adventures
Trip Style
Classic
Budget
Affordable
Age Range
6-99 Years
Max. Group Size
16
Pace
Moderate
Guide Style
Fully Guided
Tour Code
ERBM
Itinerary
Arrive at any time. After a welcome briefing, set off with your CEO on an evening orientation walk on the way to an optional group dinner.
Accommodation:
MyContinental Bucharest
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
- Bucharest Orientation Walk: Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Explore the famous Transylvania region today, beginning in Sinaia, home to the iconic Peles Castle. Tour the castle on your own and spend time in the gardens before moving on to Bran Castle. Located on a rocky promontory and owned by Vlad the Impaler himself, this medieval castle is what you picture when you think of Bram Stoker's Dracula, a space shrouded by mystery and legend. Continue onward to Brasov and join your CEO on a late afternoon walk.
Accommodation:
Central Residence Annapolis Brasov
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Peleș Castle Grounds Visit: Step into a fairytale during your visit to the grounds of Peleș Castle. Set in the stunning foothills of the Bucegi Mountains in Romania, this sprawling fortress and its grounds are known to embody both the military interests and artistic inclinations of its original commissioners, King Carol I and his wife, Queen Elizabeth.
- Bran Castle Visit: Visit the picturesque Bran Castle, impressively situated on a rock outcrop and dominating the valley. This 14th century castle is steeped in history and folklore and is an unmissable highlight. Sometimes called "Dracula's Castle", it served as a defense point to protect the border between Transylvania and Wallachia. Rumours abound regarding Dracula's interaction with the castle. You'll have to visit to find out the truth.
- Walking Tour Brasov: Join your CEO and get to know the medieval architecture and iconic Black Church Brasov is famous for. Take in views of terracotta tiled rooftops against the lush Carpathian Mountains, and enjoy one of the most popular locations in Romania.
Discover Brasov today with free time. Wander through the medieval streets and visit some of the city's most iconic sites to get the most of the region's beautiful architecture and vibrant history.
Accommodation:
Central Residence Annapolis Brasov
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Free Time: Today is free to enjoy however you wish. Choose to visit the old town h or Catherine's Gate, perhaps.
Optional Experiences
- Catherine's Gate (Poarta Ecaterinei) Visit: Get ready to go back in history with a visit to Catherine's Gate, built in 1559 and the only original gate to have survived from medieval times.
- Schei District Visit: During the Saxon rule of Brasov, from the 13th to the 17th century, Romanians were forbidden from owning property inside the citadel walls and so they settled in the southwestern Schei district. Walk up Strada Prundului to Piata Unirii and the beautiful St. Nicholas Church; then, wander around the small curving streets that gradually slope upwards against the hill. Continue to the southern end of Schei and you'll end up on the gravel road to the impressive Solomon's Rocks (Pietrele lui Solomon), a popular picnic area for locals during the weekend but relatively quiet all other times.
- Black Church (Biserica Neagră) Visit: The Black Church is the biggest church between Vienna and Istanbul. It's a famous landmark of the town of Brasov, is Romania's leading Gothic church, and has the largest church bell in the country, weighing a hefty 7 tons (6,350 kg)! Explore its beautiful interior, including stained glass windows and its collection of 119 Turkish carpets, the largest in Europe.
Depart from Brasov this morning and drive to the lesser-known region of Buzău. Settle in to your guesthouse then continue on to the Berca Mud Volcanoes, a geological and botanical reserve located a short distance from the city. Take in the unique lunar landscapes and watch for eruptions before returning to Buzău for the night.
Accommodation:
Hotel Complex Turistic Măgura
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Berca Mud Volcanoes: Experience the Berca Mud Volcanoes, a geological and botanical reservation located in Scortoasa, featuring small volcanoes that erupt with mud and natural gasses.
After breakfast, head east to Tulcea, the gateway to the Danube Delta, and board a speedboat to the remote fishing village of Mila 23 - accessible only by water. Check in to your new home away from home and enjoy lunch on your own before setting out on foot with your CEO to explore the town. End the day surrounded by nature in one of Europe's last truly wild places.
Accommodation:
Paradise Delta House
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experiences
- Speedboat: Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).
- Mila 23 Walk: Join your CEO on a walk through the picturesque fishing village, located in the heart of the Danube Delta. This small community of approximately 450 people boasting traditional Lipovan architecture, great white pelicans (and several other bird species), and one of a kind sunsets.
Today is dedicated to discovering the natural beauty of the Danube Delta. Board a speedboat on a guided excursion through the intricate network of canals, lakes, and reed beds that make up this ecological wonder. Keep an eye out for pelicans, herons, and egrets, as well as a variety of fish and plant life, and learn about the unique ecosystem and traditions of the Lipovan community. Visit the town and beaches of Sulina on the Black Sea before returning to the guesthouse for the evening.
Accommodation:
Paradise Delta House
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experiences
- Free Time: There's plenty to see and do; now is your time to explore or relax in the village.
- Danube Delta by Speedboat: Board a speedboat and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere reserve, renowned for biodiversity and thriving birdlife. The Delta is a globally important stop for migratory birds, leading to unique bird watching opportunities. Not to be outshone by birdlife, the Delta is home to richly diverse communities of mammals, marine life, and flora throughout. Lucky travellers may even spot wild horses on the beaches near Sulina, one of the few places left in Europe to be able to see them.
Wave goodbye to the beautiful Danube Delta this morning and set off across the water, back to Tulcea. Transfer to a private vehicle and watch the world go by as you head back to Bucharest for the night.
Accommodation:
MyContinental Bucharest
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Speedboat: Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Chisinau, Moldova's capital city. In the evening, join your CEO for a short orientation walk on the way to an optional dinner out, before settling in for the next leg of the adventure.
Accommodation:
Bernardazzi Grand Hotel
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
- Orientation Walk Chisinau: Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, ATMs and some of the main sights.
Set out this morning with a local guide on a walking tour of Chisinau. Pass by some of the city's main sights and historical landmarks like the Parliament building and gaze at the beautiful architecture of the City Hall and St. Pantelimon Church. In the afternoon, visit Cricova Winery for a tour of the underground wine cellars and enjoy a tasting of some of the wines Moldova is famous for. Return to Chisinau for a free evening and optional dinner out with the group.
Accommodation:
Bernardazzi Grand Hotel
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Guided Walking Tour Chisinau:
- Cricova Winery Tour and Tasting: Explore one of the most popular underground wineries in Moldova and contains the largest collection of exclusive wines in the country. Moldova is home to three cellars located in limestone caves and this is located at a depth of 80 meters and spans 160 km in length. Witness more than 70 streets covering an area of 53 hectares, each bearing Bacchic names - Sauvignon, Cabernet, Cahor, as well as the oldest bottle in Moldova, dated from 1902. Enjoy a wine tasting in the cellars and learn of the process that makes these wines so special.
This morning, depart Chisinau for the North of Moldova. Stop at the Monastery of Saharna, a picturesque complex where you can relax in the shadow of a cascading waterfall, paired with ancient relics and deep history. Next, transfer to a local cheese factory in a small village for a light lunch sampling fresh cheeses, jams and wine. Learn how the initiative serves to support the community by providing employment and preserving Moldovan traditions. Continue to Butuceni Village for the evening.
Accommodation:
Eco-Resort Butuceni
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences
- Saharna Monastery Visit: Set out on a self guided exploration of the Saharna Monastery, situated on the bank of the Nistru River. The picturesque Saharna offers views of soarkling waterfalls and lies in the shadow of rolling hills and lush forests. The relics of Saint Suvios Macarie are found in the complex and views of the chapel can be seen from the top of Grimidon hill. Legend has it that the footprints of the mother of God appeared in front of Saint Varfolomei in this location.
- Fromage - Made in Moldova: Settle in for a light lunch and learn about Thierry Ernst, a frenchman who came to Moldova to offer humanitarian aid. He and his wife transformed an old school into an eco-friendly cheese factory using locally sourced milk and blending French and Moldovan traditions, creating employment, and directly helping local families. Learn about Thierry's program development beyond the cheese factory, and finish the experience by sampling locally produced cheeses, jams, and wine.
This morning enjoy some light hiking to Orheiul Vechi, an area of natural beauty shaped by the river Raut as it cuts into the rocky hills of central Moldova. In medieval times, the river Raut served as a travel route for merchants from as far away as Greece. After free time in the village, join a cooking class at an agro-pension in Trebujeni, then stroll back to the eco resort in Butuceni. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon free to explore or relax.
Accommodation:
Eco-Resort Butuceni
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences
- Cooking class in Trebujeni - Green Villa: Take part in a cooking class and lunch at an agro pension in the village of Trebujeni. Learn to prepare local specialties like placinte, traditional pies with cheese, potatoes, cabbage and other seasonal ingredients. Savour the delicious flavours from fresh ingredients before returning to Butuceni.
- Hike to Trebujeni Village: Hike your way around Orheiul Vechi, beginning at your Butuceni homestead. Explore the landscape around the Raut riverbed and the Cave Monastery where you'll be rewarded with beautiful vistas and ample birdwatching.
- Free Time: Relax and unwind after a morning of exploration. Take a free afternoon to explore however you wish.
Embark on a day of cultural immersion into the Gaugazia region of Moldova. Start at the National Gagauz History and Ethnographic Museum and learn of the local wedding traditions with an interactive presentation. Continue on to Comrat for a winery tour and tasting, then visit Gagauz Sofrasi, a cultural and culinary complex where you'll learn about local traditions and indulge in a traditional Gagauz feast, featuring locally sourced ingredients and expertly crafted wines.
Accommodation:
Gagauz Sofrasi
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experiences
- National Gagauz History and Ethnographic Museum Visit: Dive headfirst into the local culture as you join a mock traditional Gagauzian wedding ceremony located in the museum hall. Listen to local wedding songs and witness the gift giving traditions, one where women from both families unite and the mother-in-law provides an offering to her new daughter-in-law. Opt to participate in an artistic performance within the museum right in the hall where wedding dresses and the bride's dowry are exhibited.
- Vinuri De Comrat Winery Tour and Tasting: Tour the facility and sample the local flavours of the Vinuri de Comrat winery, in operation for 120 years. Learn of the traditions passed from generation to generation that lead to the unique Moldovan flavours.
- Gagauz Sofrası Meal and Experience: Enjoy Gagauz Sofrası, a cultural and culinary experience where you'll indulge in a traditional Gagauz feast, featuring locally sourced ingredients and expertly crafted wines. Enjoy a bread and salt greeting before your meal, alongside a short introduction to Gagauzian hospitality. Visit a traditional guesthouse, the ethnographic museum, the wine cellar, and the terrace. In the museum, you have the unique opportunity to try on Gagauz attire to immerse yourself deeper in the local culture.
Wave goodbye to Congaz this morning and depart for the drive back to Chisinau. The remainder of the day is free to explore Moldova's capital city before regrouping in the evening for an optional final dinner out with the group.
Accommodation:
Bernardazzi Grand Hotel
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Free Time: There's plenty to see and do; now is your chance to explore.
Depart at any time.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Departure Day: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.
Trip Inclusions
- Step into Dracula's legend at Bran Castle — home of Vlad the Impaler.
- Explore the canals of the Danube Delta by boat on the lookout for birds and wildlife.
- Explore the dynamic capitals of Bucharest and Chișinău on local walking tours.
- Taste your way through Moldova's local wine and cheeses.
- Be immersed in traditional culture in Moldova's Gaugazia region.
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Local Living Moment: Fromage - Made in Moldova, Rezina
- Your Foodie Moment: Cooking class in Trebujeni - Green Villa, Trebujeni
- Your Local Living Moment: Gagauz Sofrası Meal and Experience, Congaz
- Visit the town of Sinaia
- Bran Castle entrance ticket
- Free time in Brasov
- Visit to the Berca Mud Volcanoes
- CEO-led orientation walk in Mila 23
- Full-day guided tour of the Danube Delta by speedboat
- Chisinau orientation walk
- Guided walking tour of Chisinau
- Cricova Winery tour and tasting
- Saharna Monastery visit
- 'Fromage - Made in Moldova' project visit and light lunch
- Orheiul Vechi Hike
- Trebujeni cooking class
- Guided National Gagauz History and Ethnographic Museum visit with cultural presentation
- Comrat winery tour and tasting
- Gagauz Sofrasi cultural and culinary complex visit with dinner
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Private vehicle, speedboat, flight, walking
- Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides
- Hotels (8 Nights), Guesthouses (3 Nights), Eco Resort (2 Nights)
- It is important to note that accommodation in Europe tend to be quite different to other areas of the world you may have travelled in. Buildings and rooms are generally old and may not have been renovated or maintained to the highest standard. Downtown hotels in Europe were not build to be hotels but rich owners houses, which have been changed into hotels. Therefore unusual room sizes are common as large rooms have been partitioned in the past, resulting in rather "thin" walls. Reception areas, rooms and bathrooms tend to be very small as they were often added into an existing room, and may have a hand nozzle rather than a conventional shower head. In one or two locations we use accommodation with shared bathrooms.
- Staff can occasionally demonstrate less than perfect customer service. As accommodation is in short supply, especially during the summer months, hotels can charge a premium and there is sometimes little motivation to improve facilities.
- On this trip you can expect to stay in small family-run hotels or pensions (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. You can expect to find clean, safe, simple accommodation in convenient locations.
- Note that most accommodation in Europe does not have air conditioning units in rooms. Air conditioning is not routinely installed in European homes and workplaces. However, nearly all hotels will provide a standing or desk fan for your room on hot nights. If you do not already have one in your room, please ask your CEO to organize one for you with reception.
- 14 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
Operator
G Adventures came from a desire to deliver authentic and responsible small group travel adventures that were equally life-changing for travellers and the communities they visit. And we’re been doing just that for almost 30 years. Our award-winning trips span seven continents and over 100 countries, giving you meaningful more experiences with people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, as well as offering you the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own.
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
Trip Style: Classic
Get the best of both worlds with G's Classic trips as your knowledgeable CEO (Chief Experience Officer) leads you to iconic highlights and hidden gems, while ample free time lets you discover what excites you most. Enjoy included meals showcasing local flavours, plus opportunities to dive deeper into the food scene independently. Stay in comfortable hotels, authentic homestays, and unique accommodations that capture the spirit of each destination.
Dates & Pricing
USD
Saturday
09 May 2026
09 May 26
Bucharest
Friday
22 May 2026
22 May 26
Chisinau
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$3,699
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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