Photo Tour of Transylvania - Romania

When we're in the cities, we stay in hotels with good—and in some cases upscale—amenities. In the countryside, we stay in traditional accommodations in the homes of local residents, in keeping with local customs.
Everything is well-maintained and modern, yet it all retains a Romanian charm and invites you to learn more about the culture.

Although the diet in Romania is very meat-heavy, restaurants also offer a wide variety of side dishes that you can easily combine to make a meal. These include potatoes, corn porridge, roasted vegetables, pickled vegetables, french fries, and much more.
In Romania, much of the food available is organic, as most farmers cannot afford chemical fertilizers.
When we’re in Weißkirch, we eat 100% organic and locally sourced food from the village.

Day 1 – A Relaxing Arrival
Overnight stay at a boutique hotel
After arriving at Bucharest Airport, we’ll head straight to the hotel. There, you’ll have time to freshen up and settle in at your own pace. Afterward, you’ll get to know the other guests on the photography tour. Together, we’ll visit the impressive Ceaușescu Villa—a place steeped in history and curiosities. We’ll round out the evening with a traditional Romanian dinner and discuss the program for the coming days in a relaxed atmosphere.

Day 2 – Culture and City Life
Overnight at a boutique hotel
In the morning, you’ll visit Ceaușescu’s Palace—the heaviest building in the world and the second-largest government building ever constructed, after the Pentagon. The monumental architecture offers numerous impressive photo opportunities. In the afternoon, you’ll have time to explore Bucharest on your own: alone or in small groups, you’ll wander the streets and alleys of the Old Town, photographing street scenes, people, patterns, and moments. Today, your camera will capture urban diversity.

Day 3 – Mud Volcanoes, Village Tour
Overnight at a guesthouse
Early in the morning, we’ll head to the spectacular mud volcanoes. The bizarre structures and textures of this natural phenomenon are perfect for black-and-white photography. In the afternoon, the group splits up: while one part visits a secluded village—as if from another time—with a local guide, the other part explores Brașov, the historic center of Transylvania, with its narrow streets and the special charm of a medieval town.

Day 4 – The Mountain Villages
Overnight at a guesthouse
Today, the second part of the group heads to the remote village to meet the locals at work—direct, honest, and full of life. Meanwhile, the other group continues to explore Brașov through photography.
Afterward, we travel together to the heart of Transylvania. Our destination: a remote Romanian Orthodox monastery that is still run by monks today. In the quiet power of this place, you’ll have time for inner reflection—and with a bit of luck, you’ll be able to observe the monks at work.
In the evening, we arrive at a small Transylvanian Saxon village that will be our home for the next few days. There we will be warmly welcomed—with authentic home-cooked meals, homemade schnapps, and local wine.

Day 5 – Village Life and Charcoal Burners
Overnight: Guesthouse
The morning is yours to spend as you wish. Explore the village on your own: colorful facades, winding alleys, the impressive fortified church—all nestled in mist-shrouded hills.
In the evening, we immerse ourselves in an almost extinct craft tradition: we visit the charcoal burners and their smoking, glowing kilns—archaic, hot, photogenic.

Day 6 – Village Tour and Boilermaker
Overnight in guesthouse
Today we take a short tour through other villages in the area. We go with the flow, stopping where the light is special, the scene is just right, or life along the way beckons.
In the afternoon, we visit a Roma cauldron smith. Insights into this traditional craft are rare, as many Roma families live in seclusion. But we have access and are allowed to immerse ourselves in a world that otherwise remains closed off.

Day 7 – The Shepherds and More Villages
Overnight: Guest room
Even before sunrise, the coachman awaits you with the horse-drawn carriage. After about an hour’s drive, we reach the shepherds’ hills—just in time to capture the golden morning light. In addition to impressive views, a genuine shepherd’s breakfast awaits you here—simple, honest, hearty.
After a break and a warm soup at noon, we visit two more villages, each with its own character, inviting you to take photos. We’ll spend the evening at a local village pub—over a drink, chatting, and taking in the slow pace of life.

Day 8 – A Joyful Homecoming
“La Revedere” means “goodbye” in Romanian. After a week full of impressions, encounters, and images, I’ll take you safely back to the airport. Your memory card is full; hopefully, your heart is too. What remains are memories that will settle in and continue to resonate in the weeks to come.

This itinerary is a sample program and is intended for guidance. However, last-minute changes, rescheduling, or cancellations may occur. In Romania, a bit more spontaneity and adaptability are required than what we are accustomed to here at home.

You will arrive by plane from Germany. At the airport, you will be picked up by the driver and taken to the hotel. There, your local tour guide will meet you to go over the rest of the itinerary.
During the tour, you will travel together with the group in an air-conditioned van.
At the end of the trip, you will be taken safely back to the airport.