Romania: A Journey Through Legends and Landscapes

Dec 24, 2025

H
Back to Study Trips

Romania: A Journey Through Legends and Landscapes

Romania is a land where history and legend live side by side. Framed by the Carpathian Mountains and shaped by Roman, Ottoman, Russian, and Austro-Hungarian influences, the country offers a captivating blend of Latin heritage and Balkan tradition. Medieval towns, fortified churches, and painted monasteries — many of which are recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites — form the heart of this remarkable destination.

The journey begins in Sinaia, where the magnificent Peleș Castle — once the royal summer residence — rises gracefully amid forested peaks.

From the mountains, we descend to Brașov, whose lively Council Square and imposing Black Church reflect centuries of Saxon heritage. Nearby, the legendary Bran Castle stands dramatically atop a rocky hill, forever linked to the Dracula legend.

Across the rolling hills of Transylvania, the medieval citadel of Sighișoara transports us back to the Middle Ages, while the fortified church of Biertan speaks of faith and resilience. In nearby Sibiu, grand squares and distinctive rooftop “eyes” lend an air of quiet elegance.

Further north, in Maramureș, wooden churches, intricately carved gates, and the vivid crosses of the Merry Cemetery preserve a way of life deeply rooted in tradition.

The route continues to Bucovina, where the celebrated Painted Monasteries of Bucovina reveal brilliant 16th-century frescoes — masterpieces of devotion and artistry.

The experience culminates in Bucharest, the “Little Paris of the East,” where elegant boulevards lead to the monumental Palace of the Parliament, a powerful symbol of Romania’s layered past and vibrant present.

The Siam Society, under the leadership of Mrs Bilaibhan Sampatisiri, President of The Siam Society, warmly invites you to join this thoughtfully curated journey through Romania — a land of legends, landscapes, and living traditions.

When

Tuesday, 9 to Saturday, 20 June 2026

Leader

with Mrs Bilaibhan Sampatisiri

President of The Siam Society

Booking

See information below

Or contact Khun Thun

studytrips@thesiamsociety.org

 

The tentative programme will be as follows:

Day 1: Tuesday, 9 June 2026: Bangkok – Vienna
20:30 Meet at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Austrian Airlines check-in counter.
23:40 Depart Bangkok for Vienna by Austrian Airlines flight OS8.
Day 2: Wednesday, 10 June 2026: Vienna – Bucharest
05:35 Arrive at Vienna International Airport, transfer to the flight to Bucharest.
06:30 Depart Vienna for Bucharest by Austrian Airlines flight OS691.
09:05 Arrive at Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport.
– Proceed to Bucharest City. Panoramic tour of Bucharest by coach, providing an overview of the capital’s architectural evolution. Drive along Victory Avenue, Revolution Square, and major boulevards that illustrate the city’s transformation from 19th-century “Little Paris” to a modern European capital.
– Visit the National History Museum of Romania. Inaugurated in 1972, it is housed in a historic monument building called “Palatul Poştelor” (The Post Office Palace). The museum is currently undergoing a long-term restoration process that began years ago and is only partially open to the public. At present, two major permanent exhibitions are accessible:

• The Historical Treasure – A highlight of the museum, this exhibition showcases Romania’s most valuable gold and silver artefacts. Among the exceptional pieces on display are the renowned Dacian gold bracelets and historic royal crowns.

• The Lapidarium & Trajan’s Column – This exhibition features an impressive full-scale replica of the base and scenes from Trajan’s Column, illustrating the Roman conquest of Dacia. The Lapidarium also presents an important collection of archaeological stone monuments from different historical periods.

• Temporary exhibitions are held in the Central Hall.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Check in at the hotel and leisure.
Evening: Dinner at your own arrangement.
Overnight at The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection, Bucharest.
Day 3: Thursday, 11 June 2026: Bucharest – Sinaia – Brașov
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and drive through the scenic Prahova Valley, one of Romania’s most beautiful mountain regions, surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains.
– Arrive in Sinaia, known as the “Pearl of the Carpathians,” and visit Peleș Castle. Commissioned by King Carol I of Romania in 1873, Peleș Castle was the first European castle to be fully equipped with central heating and electricity. Built as a summer residence for the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen dynasty, the castle is considered a masterpiece of German Neo-Renaissance architecture. Its richly decorated interiors, fine wood carvings, stained glass, and impressive art collections reflect the refined taste of Romania’s first royal family.
– Visit Sinaia Monastery, founded in 1695 by Prince Mihail Cantacuzino after his pilgrimage to Mount Sinai in Egypt, which also inspired the town’s name. The monastery is a fine example of the Brâncovenesc architectural style, a distinctive Romanian blend of Byzantine, Ottoman, and late Renaissance influences.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon:

 

 Visit Bran Castle. Dating back to 1377, the fortress was originally built by the Saxons of Brașov to defend the strategic mountain pass against Ottoman expansion. Although widely associated with Bram Stoker’s fictional Dracula, the castle’s authentic history reflects its role as a medieval customs post and later as a royal residence. In the 20th century, it became a beloved home of Queen Marie of Romania, who restored and transformed it into a refined summer residence.
– Continue to Brașov, one of Transylvania’s most charming medieval cities.
Evening Dinner and overnight at Radisson Blu Aurum Hotel, Brașov.
Day 4: Friday, 12 June 2026: Brașov – Bran – Viscri – Sighișoara
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and short walking tour to the historic centre. Stroll through Council Square (Piața Sfatului), surrounded by colourful Baroque buildings, and admire the Gothic-style Black Church, the largest medieval church in Southeastern Europe. Walk along Strada Sforii (Rope Street), one of the narrowest streets in Europe, and enjoy views of the old fortifications and Tampa Mountain.
– Continue to visit the Viscri Fortified Church, one of Transylvania’s best-preserved Saxon fortified churches and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 13th century, the whitewashed church and defensive walls offer an authentic glimpse into the region’s Saxon rural heritage.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Proceed to Sighișoara for a walking tour of the UNESCO-listed Sighișoara Citadel, one of the best-preserved inhabited medieval citadels in Europe. Highlights include the iconic Clock Tower, home to the History Museum, and the covered Scholars’ Staircase, built in 1642 to protect schoolchildren during winter.
Evening: Dinner and overnight at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Sighișoara.
Day 5: Saturday, 13 June 2026: Sighișoara – Biertan – Sibiu
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and travel through the rolling countryside of southern Transylvania to visit Biertan Fortified Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of the Transylvanian Saxon fortified church system. Built in the 15th century, Biertan served for nearly three centuries as the seat of the Lutheran Bishop of Transylvania. The impressive triple-ring fortifications and the remarkable medieval wooden door locking mechanism reflect both the religious and defensive character of Saxon communities.
– Continue to Sibiu.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
– Walking tour of Sibiu’s beautifully preserved Old Town, an important cultural and political centre of the Saxons in Transylvania and later a key Habsburg administrative city. Explore Piața Mare (Large Square), the elegant heart of the city; Piața Mică (Small Square), lined with former guild houses; the Gothic-style Evangelical Cathedral; and the iconic Bridge of Lies, associated with local legends.
Evening: Dinner and overnight at Mercure Sibiu Arsenal, Sibiu.
Day 6: Sunday, 14 June 2026: Sibiu – Hunedoara – Alba Iulia – Turda – Cluj-Napoca
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and proceed westward through Transylvania toward Hunedoara to visit Corvin Castle, one of Europe’s most impressive Gothic-Renaissance castles. Originally constructed in the 15th century and expanded by John Hunyadi, the fortress reflects the military and political power of late medieval Hungary. Its dramatic towers, drawbridge, and knights’ hall offer valuable insight into feudal architecture and regional geopolitics.
– Continue to Alba Iulia.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Explore the monumental Alba Carolina Citadel, an 18th-century Vauban-style fortress — a star-shaped military fortification system developed and perfected in the 17th century by the French military engineer Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban — constructed under Habsburg administration. The citadel stands on the site of ancient Roman Apulum and holds exceptional symbolic importance as the location of the 1918 Great Union, when Transylvania united with Romania.
– Continue to Cluj-Napoca.
Evening: Dinner and overnight at Vibre Hotel, Cluj-Napoca.
Day 7: Monday, 15 June 2026: Cluj Napoca – Desești – Sighetu Marmației
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and proceed northward into the Maramureș region, one of Romania’s most traditional and culturally preserved areas, renowned for its distinctive wooden architecture and enduring rural customs.
– Late morning arrival in Bârsana, visit Bârsana Monastery. Rebuilt in the 1990s in traditional wooden style, the monastery reflects the continuity of Maramureș craftsmanship and Orthodox spiritual life. Its tall wooden church, intricately carved gates, and harmonious setting provide an excellent introduction to the region’s architectural identity.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Continue to the UNESCO-listed Church of Saint Parascheva, Poienile Izei, dating from 1604 and renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved interior frescoes. The church offers valuable insight into post-Byzantine iconography and rural religious expression.
– Proceed to Church of the Holy Archangels, Desești, another UNESCO wooden church distinguished by its refined mural paintings and elegant wooden construction, allowing for comparative discussion of regional stylistic elements.
Evening: Dinner and overnight at Grădina Morii Hotel, Sighetu Marmației.
Day 8: Tuesday, 16 June 2026: Sighetu Marmației – Maramureș – Bucovina
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and proceed to Bucovina, crossing the Carpathian Mountains via the scenic Prislop Pass. This is one of the most picturesque mountain routes in northern Romania, offering panoramic views of forested ridges, alpine landscapes, and traditional highland villages.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Arrive in Bucovina. Visit the UNESCO-listed Voroneț Monastery (1488), renowned for its extraordinary exterior frescoes and the celebrated “Voroneț Blue.” The dramatic Last Judgment scene covering the western façade represents one of the masterpieces of late medieval Moldavian art.
Evening: Dinner and overnight at Voroneț Blue Resort & Spa, Bucovina.
Day 9: Wednesday, 17 June 2026: Bucovina
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Visit three of the UNESCO-listed Churches of Moldavia, renowned for their remarkable exterior frescoes dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. These monuments represent one of the most distinctive syntheses of Byzantine artistic tradition, local Moldavian style, and post-medieval theological expression in Europe.
– Visit Humour Monastery. Founded in 1530, Humour Monastery is distinguished by its warm reddish exterior paintings and expressive narrative compositions. Particularly notable are the scenes depicting the Siege of Constantinople, reflecting the religious and political concerns of the period.
– Visit Moldovița Monastery. Built in 1532 under Petru Rareș, Moldovița preserves vibrant fresco cycles, including the Tree of Jesse and monumental historical-religious scenes. Its fortified enclosure illustrates the defensive role monasteries played within Moldavian society.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Visit Sucevița Monastery. Dating from the late 16th century, Sucevița is both a spiritual and fortified complex. Its most celebrated exterior fresco, the “Ladder of Virtues,” presents a profound theological allegory of moral ascent, making it one of the most sophisticated visual programs in Orthodox art.
– Enjoy a gentle walk through a traditional Bucovinian Village near Sucevița or Moldovița. The stroll provides insight into local wooden architecture, carved gates, pastoral landscapes, and enduring rural traditions.
Evening: Dinner and overnight at Voroneț Blue Resort & Spa, Bucovina.
Day 10: Thursday, 18 June 2026: Bucovina – Iași – Bucharest
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and proceed to Iași, the historic capital of Moldavia and one of Romania’s foremost academic and cultural centres. The drive takes approximately 2.5 – 3 hours through the rolling landscapes of northeastern Romania.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: City tour of Iași. Visit Palace of Culture. Built between 1906 and 1925 in Neo-Gothic style, the Palace of Culture is the architectural symbol of Iași. Constructed on the site of the former princely court, it reflects the city’s historic political and cultural importance.
– Visit Metropolitan Cathedral. The largest Orthodox cathedral in Romania, this 19th-century landmark houses the relics of Saint Parascheva and remains a major pilgrimage destination, highlighting Iași’s spiritual significance.
– Leisure time in the city centre.
Evening: Dinner at your own arrangement in the historic centre area (around Stefan cel Mare Boulevard/ Palas area).
– Then, transfer to Iași International Airport.
20:50 Depart Iași for Bucharest by Animawings Airlines flight A2137
21:45 Arrive at Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport, and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection, Bucharest.
Day 11: Friday, 19 June 2026: Bucharest – Vienna
– Breakfast at the hotel.
10:30 Check out of the hotel and visit the city’s most monumental landmark. Visit Palace of the Parliament, one of the largest administrative buildings in the world. Constructed during the Ceaușescu era, the palace reflects the scale and political vision of late communist Romania.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Continue with Old Town Walking Tour (Lipscani District), walk through Bucharest’s historic centre, and stroll among restored merchant houses and lively squares.
– Visit Stavropoleos Monastery – an early 18th-century Brâncovenesc architectural jewel known for its intricate stone carvings and peaceful courtyard, and Saint George New Church – one of the city’s most significant Orthodox churches, associated with the legacy of Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu.
– Transfer to Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport.
18:55 Depart Bucharest for Vienna by Austrian Airlines flight OS698.
19:35 Arrive at Vienna International Airport, transfer to the flight for Bangkok.
23:35 Depart Vienna for Bangkok by Austrian Airlines flight OS7.
Day 11: Saturday, 20 June 2026: Istanbul
14:50 Arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The Siam Society reserves the right to change the programme as necessary.

 Important notes:

– The Siam Society may utilise photos taken from study trips, lectures, performances, and other activities as part of its public relations and marketing campaign. These photos, which may sometimes contain image(s) of activity participants, can also be featured on The Society’s website and other online social media channels.

– As part of our effort to address the issue of global warming, The Siam Society strongly supports the reduction of plastic waste. We kindly recommend bringing your own water flask during the trip, if possible.

Booking:

Contribution of THB 186,000 (THB 191,000 for non-members). Single room surcharge of THB 32,000. A deposit of THB 50,000 and a photocopy of the identification page on your passport, and details for applying visa must accompany the booking. Your reservation will be confirmed as soon as the deposit has been made. Payment in full will be required 60 days before the start of the trip (i.e. by Friday, 10 April 2026). There is a 4% surcharge for credit/debit card payment to cover bank charges. Please pay by cash or cheque payable to “The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage”. Transfer can also be made to The Siam Society travel account at TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), saving account no. 053-2-18000-7, swift code: TMBKTHBK or by scanning the QR code on your right. Once the payment has been made, please e-mail the deposit or transfer docket to us.

Inclusions:

  • The contribution includes accommodation (sharing basis), meals as mentioned in the programme, transfer and sightseeing cars, entrance fees, gratuities and other costs incurred to make this trip possible.
  • Domestic flight from Iași to Bucharest by Animawings Airlines flight A2137.
  • Basic travel insurance, which will only cover participants travelling from and back to Thailand.

 

Exclusions:

  • International air tickets are not included in the price (Bangkok – Vienna – Bucharest and Bucharest – Vienna – Bangkok). The approximate airfare for Austrian Airlines, economy class, is THB 45,000, and business class is THB 155,000 (as of March 2026).
  • Two meals that are excluded from the programme (dinner on days 2 and 10)
  • Visa fees (if any), personal expenses, personal food and beverage consumption, etc.

Tourist Visa Policy:

Thai passport holders are required to obtain a visa to enter Romania. However, if you have a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa, you may enter Romania without applying for a separate Romanian visa. Your Schengen visa must be valid on the date of travel and have remaining days under the 90-day rule within 180 days.

If you do not have a valid Schengen visa, you must apply for a Romanian visa before departure.

Romanian visa processing time: Normally, 15 – 30 working days after submitting a complete application. In some cases, processing may take longer. We strongly recommend applying at least 4 – 7 weeks before departure.

For Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong (HKSAR), United Kingdom, United States, all EU Passport Holders, no visa is required for short stays (up to 90 days within 180 days). The passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the departure date.

Cancellation charges:

76 days before the start of the trip (before Wed, 25 Mar 2026): Deposit forfeited
75 – 61 days before the start of the trip (Tue, 26 Mar to Thu, 9 Apr 2026): 50% of the tour cost
Less than 60 days or cancellation without notice (Fri, 10 Apr 2026 onwards): No refund

*The cancellation charges will also depend on the date we pay the deposit to our travel agent. If we have to pay the deposit to the travel agent before the 60-day period prior to the start of the trip, our officer will send an email to inform every participant before we make the payment, as only a partial amount of the deposit can be refunded after that point.

For further information and bookings, please contact Khun Thun at 02-661-6470-3 ext 205, or studytrips@thesiamsociety.org.The Society’s office is open from 09:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday.

More upcoming study trips