Private Bucharest: Bites & Sights Adventure

About this experience

Take a private stroll through Bucharest’s often turbulent but always fascinating history on this exclusive walking tour that will fill your head with captivating facts and your stomach with delicious Romanian food!

Highlights

• Take your tastebuds on a history tour and learn how Romania’s past has influenced its cuisine today
• Hear the stories of Old Town, from Ottoman rule to French aristocracy, from Communist ruin to a new capitalist (night)life
• Enjoy a three-course traditional Romanian meal in one of the most charming restaurants in Bucharest
• Get a 101 intro to the city and see the sites that have shaped Bucharest

What's included

• Private walking tour
• Local English
• speaking guide
• Three
• Course Traditional Romanian Meal
• House Beer, Wine, or Soft Drink
• Personalized Experience

How to use

1. Show Mobile Ticket
2. At Meeting Point
3. If you need to contact your local guide on the day of your tour, please call the local phone number listed on your voucher or at the very bottom of this email
4. Please present your voucher to the local guide at the beginning of the tour

What to expect

Your private Bucharest tour begins in the political centre of the city, Revolution Square (formerly known as Palace Square), which has witnessed most of the important events in Romanian history. It was from here in 1989 that dictator Ceausescu made his ill-advised rallying speech to a crowd that quickly turned on him, instigating the Romanian revolution. Surrounding the square are several other notable landmarks, including the former Royal Palace, the Athenaeum concert hall, and Athenee Palace, the heart of espionage and intrigue in the years between the wars.  And in such a historical spot, it’s appropriate that we have a historical treat. We’ll indulge in a covrig, a daily salty snack for most Romanians that was likely introduced by Hapsburg or German merchants in medieval times. Next up, we’ll leave the square and head south along Victory Street, named after the spectacular victory of the new Romanian nation in the 1877 War of Independence.  However, full unification of the three Romanian principalities did not take place until 1918, which explains why each region has its own distinct character, traditions, and cuisine — like sweet for Moldova, earthy for Transylvania, and spicy for Muntenia.  This stretch is also home to many spectacular landmarks of the inter-war period, including the 'Telephone Palace,' Military Circle, and former National Theatre, as well as the beautiful church of Kretzulescu, one of the most famous in Bucharest. From Victory Street, we’ll head into an older Bucharest, exploring the numerous paths and passageways of the Old Town. This is the heart of medieval Bucharest, the literal crossroads between East and West, where Ottoman pashas rubbed shoulders with Transylvanian princes, and churches and mosques stood side by side. Here you can witness the many diverse influences on Romanian food — the Balkan mici (skinless sausages), the Ottoman sarmale (stuffed cabbage leaves), Russian borscht and ciorba (sour soups), and Austro-Hungarian schnitzel. Among the many sights and stories of Old Town are lavish interiors and princely courts, the exquisite calm of an orthodox monastery and the great wooden inn of Hanul Lui Manuc.  En route to our final destination, we’ll get a look at the famed People's Palace, the centre of Ceausescu’s megalomaniac attempts to re-shape the city, and the second largest building in the world (only the Pentagon is bigger!). Finally, our Bucharest tour will end with a sampling of the culinary specialties at a traditional hanu, or inn, that’s widely considered to be one of the most beautiful in the city.  You’ll dig into a three-course meal with platters of local delicacies — giving you a 'taste tour' of the history and geography of the region.  It was said that during the time of the ancient Romanians (the Dacians), so much wine was drunk by the people that their leader, Burebista, banned its production entirely. But the supremely inventive Dacians immediately began brewing beer — thus, you’ll have a chance to lubricate your palate with both fine Romanian wines and/or locally brewed beer, just like the Dacians would have wanted! - We reserve the right to change both the route and places visited within the tour. Food inclusions are subject to change, dependent on availability on the day.

Things to note

• The private tour is priced for a minimum group size of two travellers

Terms & conditions

For more information, please see our full booking conditions and Privacy Policy
Urban Adventures Day Tours - Special Booking Conditions: No deposit is required; full payment is due at booking for standard tours, while private tours require payment upon itinerary confirmation
Child rates apply at travel time, not booking time - proof of age must be shown on the tour day or the difference between adult and child rates is payable
Standard tours: cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a refund or credit
Custom (Create Your Own) trips: refund minus unrecoverable costs up to 48 hours prior; within 48 hours, 100% credit only
Multi-City Pass: a no-show without 24-hour cancellation notice may void the pass and cancel future tours without refund
Cancellations by the company (Force Majeure): refund minus unrecoverable costs
Amendments: customers must cancel and rebook at the new price; custom itinerary changes require 14 days' notice plus a $75 USD administrative fee per change
Prices exclude tips, personal items, and local taxes/fees