In a day trip in Bucharest you can visit one of the most controversial administrative buildings in the world. With this private tour at The Palace of Parliament or People’s House , you will learn how dangerous and damaging it can be for a nation to let a totalitarian regime like communism to take over. In front of one of the biggest constructions in the world, you will feel small seeing what pointless opulence and megalomania “the sleep of reason” can create. Taking a selfie up-close will prove difficult, because you will be trying to capture the second largest administrative building on the planet, after the Pentagon, and that it will be an experience you will be able to share with your grandchildren.

In this private tour, you can visit The Bucharest National Village Museum and in one place you will see an embodiment of Romanian traditions and you will learn what it meant for Romanian villagers to have built an ecological and sustainable environment in their backyard. You will also get a glimpse of their simple and modest lifestyle, in social and spiritual harmony with their surroundings. With the support of your private guide you will enter the universe of the traditional Romanian houses, large or small, made of wood and adobe, but also stone and other materials, from all areas of the country. You will also see national symbols such as the mill or the wooden church and you will learn how these treasures of spirituality and civilization have kept us united for thousands of years, without needing to invade other nations.

Next, your private tour will be at the Romanian Athenaeum. Here you will find yourself in front of the most representative symbol of Romanian culture, often considered a symbol of Bucharest as well.

If you are planning a city-break in Bucharest, you must visit The Revolution Square, a place with great historical significance. Here you can be transported back in time to the moment where the dictator Ceausescu was ousted, leaving behind the secrets of a great fortune and controversies about the state security service and his offshore accounts. As we mentioned earlier, when we reach the Senate Palace, you will see the building which used to house the Central Committee of the Romanian Communist Party and the place where the Revolution of December 1989 started, a major historical event whereby, through human force and sacrifice, Ceausescu was removed from power for good.

On Victory Avenue you will witness contradictions of history: on one side, you have the Royal Palace and on the other, the Central Committee of the Romanian Communist Party and the Revolution Square, where Ceausescu fled the country by helicopter. You will see old orthodox churches, enveloped in an aura of mystery, a music store, where you can find a large selection of music, as well as casinos, bohemian restaurants, museums, theatres, tea shops, retail stores and gift shops, where you can purchase souvenirs, and even the National History Museum and the Romanian Athenaeum, another Romanian architectural landmark, the CEC Palace and many others.

In a Bucharest day trip, you have the chance to relive the olden days through a blend of mystery and contrasts on the streets of the Historical City Centre, starting with Hanul lui Manuc, an immense fortified inn which served as a cultural and economic center back in the day. It was built around 1806 by Manuc Bei, one of the wealthiest landowners in the Balkans, and it was where merchants passing through Bucharest would get together, as just a part of the colorful crowd that populated the historical inn. In this historical and cosmopolitan area, with the help of your private guide from Nicolas Experience Tours you will also find, in addition to the most popular restaurants in Bucharest, museums, old and spectacular churches, and an experiential library, where you can purchase books, music and other souvenirs that will make for an unforgettable experience for you and your loved ones.

Much like any arch of triumph in the world, but most similar to the great Arc de Triomphe from Paris, this historical monument, measuring 27 m in height (about 16 times a person’s average height) carries a rich historical significance, especially since it has gone through numerous changes before reaching the design we see today. Aside from its awe-inspiring grandeur and imposing structure, a symbol of the fight for freedom, with some luck, you will be able to admire four exhibits: The Great War for the Unification of Romania (photography and film), The Heraldry of the Great Boyar Families (bronze effigies, photographs), The Arch of Triumph in Pictures (photographs, scale models), The Great Union of 1918 (where you can find 1:1 replicas of the crowns and royal scepters, photographs)

Did you know that Curtea de Arges is unique for the important royal tombs it hides? Everyone knows that truly good, beautiful and durable things come only through sacrifice, which will become apparent when you reach the old town of Curtea de Arges. With a rich and eventful history, this is where you get to see the ruins of the Wallachian princely court, the 13th century Royal Church, as well the famous Arges Monastery, an important historical monument with an interesting, yet sad story.

If we were to put together a tour of the castles in Romania for Dracula fans and adventure lovers, Poenari Castle would have to be on the list, being an important Romanian tourist attraction. Poenari Fortress is a ruined castle in Romania situated at a height of 860 meters known for the bound to Vlad the Impaler. As you are climbing up the 1480 stairs that lead up to the castle, you can rightfully say you are following in the steps of Dracula …

Did you know that one of the most spectacular roads in the world is Transfagarasan Highway? The incredible view and stunning scenery that this paved mountain road offers is indescribable; even the video segment featured on Top Gear, deeming it the most beautiful road in the world, barely does it justice.

If you are in Transylvania, Sibiu is a must visit travel destination with a history of 900 year. A city tour to help you understand why Sibiu was elected as the European Capital of Culture, it includes the Evangelical Cathedral, the Sibiu Old City Center and the town itself, which are among the most visited tourist attractions in Romania, because they cater to every taste and provide a wonderful travelling experience for even the pickiest of tourists. If you love authentic cultural experiences, whether you are more romantic or more adventurous, here you will find everything you need to relax and enjoy yourself, leave the stress of your everyday life behind, and have a fun and memorable trip. The beauty of this old citadel, having received record-breaking recognition, stems from its architecture, the arrangement of the streets, its cultural and artistic heritage, and its beautiful natural scenery, as the town is flanked on two sides by the mountains Fagaras and Lotru.

The Biertan Fortified Church, one of the first Transylvanian Saxon settlements in Ardeal, is a historical monument of breathtaking beauty, recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

Did you know that Sighisoara’s citadel was built in the 12th century? If you want to go back in time and catch a glimpse of what life was like in the Middle Ages, you absolutely have to visit Sighisoara, Romania’s medieval town, and Count Dracula’s (actually, Vlad the Impaler) place of birth. Built in 1280, the Sighisoara Citadel is not just one of the most visited tourist attractions in Romania, it is a living, breathing medieval fortress, since it has remained inhabited for over 700 years – which is quite rare. In fact, after just a few steps on the cobblestone streets, past the gates and massive stone walls that reach as high as 14 meters, you will know you are in one the most well-preserved medieval towns in Europe. For this reason, it is not surprising the Romanian citadel was included on the UNESCO World Heritage list of historical and cultural landmarks.

Next, journey to the beautifully-preserved medieval town of Brasov, in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Your guide will lead you on a walking tour of the Old Town, where you’ll discover the Black Church, the Old Town square, and city walls built in the Middle Ages. You’ll have free time to absorb the unparalleled atmosphere in one of Brasov’s many charming cafés. In the evening, enjoy a dinner in one of the best restaurants in town – a great opportunity to sample Transylvanian traditional food.

Bran Castle, between myth and history.. Because his fictional portrayal of Dracula’s castle matches Bran so closely, it is widely believed that Bram Stoker must have used descriptions of it to create the fictitious home of Count Dracula. Outside the castle, you’ll have the chance to try an array of traditional foods: handmade cheeses, pálinka (plum and pear brandy), and traditionally-produced ham and sausages.

Once upon a time there was a beautiful castle… If have decided to write your memoirs or you want to brag about having seen the most beautiful castles in Europe, the Romanian royal family’s summer residence is, by far, one of the most important tourist attractions in Romania and in Europe, and you will soon understand why. Every year, thousands of important figures and hundreds of thousands of tourists book tours of Romania for this attraction alone, to admire its beauty and at least for a few hours, feel like royalty. You have the chance to see the “crown jewel” of the Carpathians and have an unforgettable travelling experience in this historical castle that took 41 years to build (1873-1914).

In your private tour in Romania, you will visit the most beautiful mountain resort, a place where many kings and important figures came to unwind and reflect, Sinaia Monastery is where you have the chance to escape reality and taste the simplicity and richness of orthodox spirituality, beautifully expressed in the artistic representations of this house of worship. As soon as you pass the massive door of this fortified monastery, you will step into a place of absolute peace and tranquility, bestowed upon by the divine spirit, where even time has stopped to enjoy it. With the help of your private guide you will have the chance to better understand the history of Romania. The orthodox establishment is over 300 years old and it is dubbed as “the Cathedral of the Carpathians” due to its positioning in the most beautiful mountain resort in Romania surrounded by a stunning mountain scenery. It was also the first construction in this territory, founded by Prince (Spatarul) Mihai Cantacuzino.

In this private tour you will discover the highly controversial story about the death of Vlad Tepes tells us that a group of monks were able to secretly bring the ruler’s earthly remains to Snagov Monastery and bury them in front of the altar to be sanctified. If you want to learn more about the tomb of Dracula/ Vlad Tepes and the beautiful island and monastery of Snagov you can organise an book a city-break in Bucharest.