Nicole
Funabashi
I'm finalizing my August croatia-hungary-romania schedule so I can start making reservations. I've got on extra day I can throw in somewhere it looks like but not sure where would be best. I've heard more than 3 days in Budapest is nice for some people, but maybe I could use it to be less rushed somewhere else? My travel partner has a bit of a tight budget so I thought traveling all day to get from Split to Budapest might be best... but could put the floating day in as another Zagreb day for rest?
Day 1 - Arrive late to Zagreb
2 -Zagreb
3 - Zagreb
4- Plitvice National Park, continue on to Split
5- Split
6 - Krka National Park
7 - All travel day from Split to Budapest
8 - Budapest
9 - Budapest
10 - Budapest
11- Cluj-Napoca
12 - Floating day I haven't found a place for yet
13 - Sighisoara
14 - Brasov
15 Brasov
16 Brasov
17 Bucharest
18 Leave Bucharest Early
That itinerary looks pretty good and you'll get to see a good mix of city/nature, modern/historic, etc. I would advise against adding another day to Zagreb unless you're coming in from a long flight and likely to have jetlag - it's just not that interesting of a city and there's far more to do in Budapest. Since you have a floating day, it may be worth cutting off the long travel on Day 7 and adding Mostar/Sarajevo for a day. Both are good options. Another choice would be to go from Cluj-Napoca to Hunedoara County/Deva for the day. If you're into castles, the best Romanian one is in Hunedoara and Deva is a reasonably interesting citadel town with a range of accommodation. Also, if it were me, I might go straight to Brasov and set up a base there, making Sighișoara a day trip, which could free up some extra time as well. If you'll be in Bucharest in August, you definitely don't want more than one day - the heat is pretty insufferable.
Mentioned in this answer:
Hi Nicole! I suggest visiting also Sibiu, is an amazing city! Another option will be Alba Iulia.
Another suggestion i can make is to cancel one day from Brasov and add it to Bucharest! It's a wonderful city and only one day will not be enough to visit it. (the clubs and bars from the Old City need a visit :) )
Thanks
Flori
Mentioned in this answer:
Dear Nicole,
Your Romania itinerary looks good. Not sure what means of transportation you are planning on using but if you will be traveling by car you might want to consider adding Sibiu. Two full days in Brasov are sufficient unless you are planning an in-dept discovery of the city. Some itinerary ideas are available at http://romaniatourism.com/sample-itineraries.html
On your way to Bucharest you can stop in Sinaia and visit the beautiful Peleş Castle. There are good train connections (direct but not very fast) from Cluj-Napoca to Sighișoara to Brasov and also from Brasov to Sibiu and from Brasov to Bucharest (via Sinaia) but there is only one direct train from Cluj to Sibiu (early morning) and from Sighisoara to Sibiu (afternoon).
For some routes bus is faster and less expensive but not as much fun as train.
Hope that the above will help.
Enjoy your travels!
Mentioned in this answer:
Valerie