18 days in Budapest & Romania Itinerary

You might consider the city of Budapest, divided by the Danube River into two distinctive cities--Buda and Pest--to be essentially one large World Heritage Site.

Start off your visit on the 9th (Mon): steep yourself in history at Halaszbastya, contemplate the long history of Matthias Church, snap pictures at Szechenyi Chain Bridge, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika), and finally get a sense of history and politics at Hungarian Parliament Building. On the next day, take in the architecture and atmosphere at University Church, boost your wellbeing at a local thermal spa, then appreciate the history behind Hősök tere, and finally see the interesting displays at House of Terror Museum.

For reviews, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Budapest itinerary planner.

Washington DC, USA to Budapest is an approximately 15-hour combination of subway, bus, and flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight; or fly. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 6 hours traveling from Washington DC to Budapest. March in Budapest sees daily highs of 54°F and lows of 34°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Tue) so you can drive to Timisoara.

Timișoara is the capital city of Timiș County, and the main social, economic and cultural centre in western Romania.The third most populous city in the country, with 319,279 inhabitants as of the 2011 census, Timișoara is the informal capital city of the historical region of Banat. Venture out of the city with trips to Arad (St. Anthony of Padua Church, Trajan Bridge, & more). There's lots more to do: don't miss a visit to Piata Victoriei, shop like a local with Calina Art Gallery, enjoy some diversion at Mag Tehnica, and pause for some photo ops at Timisoara Historical Center.

To see maps, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Timisoara trip planner .

Drive from Budapest to Timisoara in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Budapest to Timisoara. In March, daytime highs in Timisoara are 55°F, while nighttime lows are 36°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Sibiu.

Reminiscent of the height of the bourgeoisie and retaining much of its medieval architecture, Sibiu is Romania's cultural gem.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Sibiu: Alba Iulia (Catedrala Reintregirii Neamului (Coronation Cathedral) & Citadel of Alba Iulia), Transfagarasan Highway (in Curtea de Arges) and Moldoveanu Peak (in Fagaras). And it doesn't end there: see the interesting displays at Brukenthal National Museum, don't miss a visit to Telescaun Paltinis, delve into the distant past at Turnul Pielarilor, and enjoy breathtaking views from Turnul Sfatului (The Tower of the Council).

For traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Sibiu trip planner .

Getting from Timisoara to Sibiu by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. Traveling from Timisoara in March, plan for little chillier nights in Sibiu, with lows around 31°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Mon) so you can take a bus to Brasov.

With the dramatic Carpathian Mountains as backdrop, Brasov is the largest city in a region of mountain resorts.

Venture out of the city with trips to Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle) (in Bran) and Peles Castle (in Sinaia). Next up on the itinerary: get your game on at Quad Team Building, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Black Church (Biserica Neagra), explore the historical opulence of Rasnov Citadel, and make a trip to Council Square.

To see photos, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Brasov day trip app .

Traveling by bus from Sibiu to Brasov takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Thu) to allow time to take a train to Bucharest.

The booming city of Bucharest is a sophisticated metropolis with a high contrast of old- and new-world architecture.

Go for a jaunt from Bucharest to Mogosoaia to see Mogosoaia Palace about 34 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: admire the striking features of Palace of Parliament, take an in-depth tour of Museum of History of the Jewish Community, pause for some serene contemplation at Stavropoleos Monastery, and savor the flavors at Food & Drink.

For more things to do, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Bucharest trip maker site .

Getting from Brasov to Bucharest by train takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In March in Bucharest, expect temperatures between 54°F during the day and 34°F at night. On the 24th (Tue), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.