A Taste of Romania
Trip highlights
- Learn to cook a selection of reimagined Saxon and Hungarian delicacies
- Explore Croatia's excellent wine offerings
- Follow in the footsteps of the Pied Piper in Brasov
- Visit some of the most famous Saxon villages in Transylvania
- Discover some of Bucharest's best dining spots away from the crowds
- Take a walking tour through the delightful town of Sibiu
-
Romania meatball soup
-
Croatian wine
-
Brasov view
-
Saxon village
-
Bucharest street food
-
Rooftop cafe in Sibiu
Bespoke trips with Jacada
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
- Days 1-3 Bucharest
- Days 3-9 Transylvania
- Days 9-10 Bucharest
- Days 1-3 Bucharest
- Days 3-9 Transylvania
- Days 9-10 Bucharest
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Delightful Bucharest
A city of strong contrasts, it’s impossible to fit Bucharest into any kind of box. Go exploring and you’ll discover delightful surprises in this place that straddles the line between east and west and juxtaposes the old with the new. Bucharest is best explored on foot, so you can take your time to uncover the secrets it holds.
Where you could stay
Bucharest
Highlights
- Convenient and central location on Calea Victoriei; one of the city’s main streets
- Bucharest’s main attractions, including the Old Town, are in easy walking distance
- Multiple bars and restaurants to choose from
- Rooms are decorated in a classic style with modern amenities
- Characterful building with an interesting history
Overview
With an enviable central location on Bucharest’s historic Calea Victoriei, the Athénée Palace more than holds its own against the imposing monuments that flank its grand façade: the Royal Palace turned National Art Museum, the Memorial of Rebirth, the Romanian Athenaeum concert hall and the Athénée Palace. Each is a jigsaw piece in the fascinating yet complex history of this city.
A building of such gravity needs the interiors to match, and the classic yet modern rooms and suites are beautifully finished. Light, wood-paneled flooring and splashes of colour throughout the plush furnishings feel both comfortable and luxurious. Choose a room with a balcony for the chance to soak up birds-eye views over the square. Of the multiple dining options, Roberto’s invites you to dine on Italian cuisine infused with Romanian flavours in the shade of their leafy terrace. Meanwhile the English bar serves up a global selection of dishes alongside enticing stories of the renowned writers and spies who made it their wartime haunt, washed down with a crisp gin and tonic or a premium whisky.
The city’s Old Town, with its Belle Époque buildings and ornately beautiful churches, is just a 15-minute walk away, and ready to be discovered on a private walking tour.
→ Find out more
Make it mine
Bucharest flavours
Raise a glass
Not so touristy gastro tour
Equal parts gritty and pretty, Bucharest is a city that rewards those who take their time exploring. Discover the less touristy corner of Bucharest on this gastro tour. You will enjoy a variety of culinary experiences, from local markets, to food trucks and small restaurants that promote slow food, organic eating and Romanian recipes with a twist. You can combine this with a stop to have a craft beer tasting enjoying only beers brewed in Bucharest.
Wine discovery
Visit a less touristy neighbourhood in Bucharest, where you’ll discover some of the country’s different types of wine. You’ll also enjoy a blind wine tasting at a chic coffee shop, guided by a professional sommelier.
Into Transylvania
The day-long drive from Bucharest to Transylvania is beautifully scenic. Along the way you’ll stop for a walking tour of Sinaia, a 19th-century royal rest town nestled in a fir-clad valley. You’ll also take a cable car ride up to the Bucegi Plateau to see the majestic Sphinx, one of Romania’s most striking natural landmarks. This part of your journey leads you first to Brasov. A land steeped in folklore and tradition, Transylvania invites you to explore captivating landscapes surrounded by the misty, brooding Carpathian Mountains, and ancient forests alive with diverse wildlife. You’ll spend the next few days discovering this gorgeous part of Romania, travelling from Brasov County through Cris, Mures County and Sibiu County, with luxury accommodations throughout.
Where you could stay
Transylvania
Highlights
- 21 spacious and elegant rooms across four floors
- Enticing and generous breakfast spreads
- Large selection of beauty and relaxation spa treatments
- Exquisite views from the rooftop terrace
Overview
This boutique hotel in the heart of the historic centre of Brașov offers you astounding rooftop views along with excellent hospitality and true relaxation in modern, comfortable rooms. With its elegant combination of exposed brickwork, lush plants and glowing wooden floors, the hotel is positioned as a stylishly neat city escape. In the rooms, soothing earthy tones and gentle textures create tasteful spaces for you to call home for a few days.
The building itself dates back to 1914 and boasts architecture inspired by the Art Nouveau period – something not often seen in this part of Romania. While it was being renovated and remodeled, the original plans of the house were unearthed in a safe which was hidden behind some furniture. The stone façade was cleaned and waterproofed, with the original paintings that once adorned it restored and still visible. One of the highlights of the magnificent house is the rooftop terrace that allows uninterrupted views out over the Brașov Fortress.
Breakfasts are sumptuous colourful affairs that will give you the energy you need before heading out for a day or exploring, while the lobby bar awaits your return with tales to share with your fellow guests.
→ Find out moreTransylvania
Highlights
- 16 contemporary rooms and suites looking out over mountains and meadows
- Traditionally inspired cuisine made with local produce
- Spa with impressive views of the surrounding forest
- Access to a range of cultural and nature-based activities
- Guided or unguided hikes in the Bucegi mountains to suit all fitness levels
Overview
Designed to immerse you in Transylvania’s natural charm and cultural heritage, MATCA is a hill-top sanctuary which honours tradition, without compromising on comfort or luxury. Its isolated and scenic location affords it the privilege of remaining authentic, and you’re invited to discover the history and customs that take pride of place during your stay.
The 16 guestrooms and suites are situated in two traditional Transylvanian farmhouses, with two private villas enjoying an undisturbed spot nearby. Peaceful interiors elevated by locally crafted décor and thoughtful touches inspire an atmosphere of quiet contemplation, in harmony with your pastoral surroundings.
The chef at STUP, the hotel’s restaurant, has created a tribute to Transylvania’s culinary heritage through painstaking recreation of traditional recipes. Enhanced by seasonal, local produce, this revived cuisine is best enjoyed with a glass of Romanian wine from the restaurant’s discerning selection. The finishing touch to your dining experience are the enchanting vistas of lushly forested Carpathian mountains. Discover their abundant biodiversity on a range of guided activities, including a walking bear safari and an insight into beekeeping, which holds a special significance to the property, whose name translates to queen of the bees.
→ Find out moreTransylvania
Highlights
- Six cosy rooms with wood floors and exposed beams
- Delicious home-cooked style meals served in the Șura (barn)
- A bounteous vegetable garden to keep the kitchen well-stocked
- Interesting and fun visits to nearby shepherds and beekeepers
Overview
Welcoming comfort meets modern convenience at Viscri 125 a traditional Saxon farm in the heart of Transylvania. The village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is best known for its highly fortified church that dates back to around 1100 AD and Viscri 125 invites you to lose yourself in an oasis of lush tranquility when you’re not out exploring.
Originally built as a fortress, you’ll find a main house that faces the street, annexes and a large wooden barn with a vegetable garden and orchard extending beyond it and up a gentle slope past a creek. Meals can be enjoyed in the barn spaces as you get to know your fellow guests and recount tales of your Romanian adventures over dishes created using the freshest produce from the vegetable garden.
The village and surrounds are packed with exciting activities to keep travelers of all ages entertained. Take a horse-drawn cart ride and spend some time with the local shepherds, learning about sheet shearing and milking, and taste some of the local cheeses. You can also meet a beekeeper and get an up-close look at the fascinating art of caring for the bees. There are also mountain biking and hiking trails linking two of the neighbouring Saxon villages. between September and December, you might choose to go truffle hunting, or admire the diversity of wildflowers in the pastures in July.
→ Find out more
Make it mine
Pied Piper
Castle discovery
Village life
Village life
The Pied Piper of Brasov Tour
According to local Saxon legend, the Pied Piper of Hamelin reappeared in Brasov with his retinue of stolen children. According to the Brothers Grimm, when the Lower Saxons came to Transylvania 700 years ago, they preserved their oral traditions and recognized themselves as descendants of the children taken by the Pied Piper. This tour encompasses some of the highlights of this playful medieval city.
Bran Castle
Set off to unravel the secrets of Bran Castle, the perfect Gothic dwelling for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Unfortunately, neither Stoker nor the real Dracula, Vlad
Tepes, ever visited. The castle is fully equipped with towers and turrets, medieval costumes,
jewelry and weapons, a chamber of horrors and magnificent views of the Carpathians.
Saxon villages and traditions
Spend a day visiting some of the most famous Saxon villages in Transylvania, visiting fortified churches and meeting the locals. If you are a hiker, you can take a few hours with your guide for a longer walk around the forests. You may also like to visit the local blacksmith to learn how he works the iron, or the tile-maker, for a lesson on
working the clay.
See more
On foot
Home grown
Saxon pottery
Saxon pottery
Sighisoara walking tour
Sighisoara’s medieval vibe is enchanting. Perched on a hill, the town is a warren of storybook turrets, gingerbread roofs and cobblestone alleyways. Fortified walls surround Sighioara’s impressive merchant houses, now housing millennium-old cafes, hotels, and craft shops. Lurking in the shadows is the bloodthirsty history of Vlad Tepes, aka Dracula, who is said to have been born here.
Organic herb and spice garden tour
Visit the household of a family that grows organic herbs and spices. The family moved from Hungary to enjoy a simpler life in the heart of Transylvania. They grow and dry medicinal plants which they then also package and sell as teas/infusions. They are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to plants, nature and the benefits of living a life close to the natural cycles. You’ll also have a meal here after chatting and discovering the fantastic garden they have.
Sibiu ceramics workshop
Visit a pretty Saxon village where the lost art of Saxon pottery making was revived in 2014 under the tutelage of a master potter. If you are interested in trying it out for yourself, unleash your creativity with a ceramics workshop, where you can make your own souvenir or simply spend a relaxing hour or two watching the craftspeople work.
Make it mine
Ride and dine
Explore Sibiu
Horse ride and cooking class
Explore meadows, cathedral-like beech forests, vignettes of a long-forgotten pastoral life, and an everchanging
landscape on horseback before taking part in a cooking class. The chef will lead you through the preparation of reimagined Saxon and Hungarian delicacies using only the freshest local ingredients.
Sibiu Walking Tour
As Romania’s cultural heart, Sibiu radiates elegance. Every facade bears traces of its proud Saxon heritage. This walking tour showcases the city’s highlights while also allowing you to appreciate the warmth of its people and
sample its delectable cuisine.
Overnight in Bucharest
You have the option of traveling from Sibiu back to Bucharest on the Transfagarasan, a mountain road crossing the southern section of the Carpathian Mountains. Once you have settled back in Bucharest, you’ll have the afternoon to explore at your leisure. Take a stroll through the charming streets of the Historic Old Town, also known as Lipscani. Admire the beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture and learn about the city’s rich history. Explore the vibrant cobblestone streets filled with boutique shops, art galleries, and traditional craft stores. And don’t forget to pick up some local souvenirs and handcrafts to remind you of your incredible adventure through Romania.
Where you could stay
Bucharest
Highlights
- Convenient and central location on Calea Victoriei; one of the city’s main streets
- Bucharest’s main attractions, including the Old Town, are in easy walking distance
- Multiple bars and restaurants to choose from
- Rooms are decorated in a classic style with modern amenities
- Characterful building with an interesting history
Overview
With an enviable central location on Bucharest’s historic Calea Victoriei, the Athénée Palace more than holds its own against the imposing monuments that flank its grand façade: the Royal Palace turned National Art Museum, the Memorial of Rebirth, the Romanian Athenaeum concert hall and the Athénée Palace. Each is a jigsaw piece in the fascinating yet complex history of this city.
A building of such gravity needs the interiors to match, and the classic yet modern rooms and suites are beautifully finished. Light, wood-paneled flooring and splashes of colour throughout the plush furnishings feel both comfortable and luxurious. Choose a room with a balcony for the chance to soak up birds-eye views over the square. Of the multiple dining options, Roberto’s invites you to dine on Italian cuisine infused with Romanian flavours in the shade of their leafy terrace. Meanwhile the English bar serves up a global selection of dishes alongside enticing stories of the renowned writers and spies who made it their wartime haunt, washed down with a crisp gin and tonic or a premium whisky.
The city’s Old Town, with its Belle Époque buildings and ornately beautiful churches, is just a 15-minute walk away, and ready to be discovered on a private walking tour.
→ Find out moreWhy book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive Impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
