Luxury Volunteer Vacation in Romania
Romania is perfect for a family bonding vacation.
This is Europe as it once was: breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife, where the rural locals still travel by horse and cart. Romania is synonymous with Dracula, and it also plays host to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
You can make a difference conserving bears or helping create a wildlife sanctuary.
Romanian Highlights
A hidden gem, Romania plays host to soaring mountains, captivating castles, charming villages, friendly people, superb cuisine – so much to explore. Head to the Danube Delta for birdlife, to Maramures for ancient wooden churches, and of course to Transylvania for Dracula.
Romanian Eco-Luxury
Whilst not at the forefront of sustainability, and not possessing ‘blow your mind’ luxury accommodation, Romania has several delightful, unique properties; some of our favorites are Epoque Hotel in Bucharest, Zabola Estate in Zabola, Viscri 125 in Viscri, Kronwell Hotel in Brasov, and Count Kalnoky’s guest rooms in Miclosoara.
Make a Difference
You can care for bears at a rescue center: maintaining their enclosures, creating enrichments to stimulate them, and preparing their meals. Or you can play a part in creating a new wildlife sanctuary for bears, deer and other native animals.
Suggested Romania Trip Itinerary
Example Price: US$4,195 per adult, US$1,915 per child under 12
This Romanian adventure not only enables you to bond as a family and help conserve bears at a sanctuary, you also get to explore the highlights of this hidden gem of a country, including Dracula’s castle, Brasov, Sighisoara and Sibiu, and Saxon churches.
Trip Highlights
- Help protect and enrich bears at a sanctuary
- Dracula’s Castle (Bran Castle)
- Historic Brasov and its Black Church
- The fortified Saxon church of Viscri
- Fascinating Bucharest Old Town
- Deer stalking and bear viewing on a Count’s Estate
- Stunning Sighisoara and Sibiu towns
Price Includes
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Private transfers
- Expert local guides
- Meals as specified (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- Volunteering costs
Note: Price excludes international flights; these can be arranged, including by private jet
Sample Day by Day
- Day 1: Arrive Bucharest, met at airport, walking tour of the Old Town, stay at Marmoroch Hotel (D)
- Day 2: Transfer to Rasnov Fortress, then Dracula’s Castle, private guided tour of Brasov and the Black Church. Stay at Kronwell Hotel (B,L,D)
- Day 3-5: Bear conservation volunteering (B,L,D)
- Day 6: Transfer to Zabala and stay at Count Mikes’ Zabola Estate. Optional activities, payable directly, include Hiking, Biking, Horse Riding, Massage, Bear watching (B,L,D)
- Day 7: Cooking class, hiking, deer stalking, bear watching, bonfire and BBQ dinner (B,L,D)
- Day 8: Transfer to the Saxon village of Viscri, visit the brickmaker and blacksmith, shepherds, the fortified church, watch the cows come home. Stay at Viscri 125 (B,L,D)
- Day 9: Hay stacking with the farmers in morning or truffle hunting (seasonal), then transfer to UNESCO World Heritage, Sighisoara; private tour then on to Sibiu, overnight at Council Hotel (B,L,D)
- Day 10: City tour of Sibiu in morning, fly home in afternoon (B,L)
Note: This is a sample itinerary only; we delight in crafting unique itineraries to your exact requirements
Family Bonding Vacation Highlights Romania
Romania has so much to see and do – Bucharest Old Town, Transylvania, Carpathian Mountains, Brasov, Danube Delta, Sighisoara, Marmures, Viscri, Sibiu.
Hotels and lodges shown here are examples of what we call “eco-luxury”, meaning you minimize any environmental impact whilst retaining your creature comforts. With Hands Up Holidays you can enjoy the best eco-luxury accomodation available at your chosen destinations.
How to help in Romania
Romania is home to Europe’s largest bear population, but hunting is still permitted here, so their numbers are under threat. You can help them to flourish.
Conserving Bears
Your activities include preparing the food for the bears, monitoring their well-being, creating ‘enrichments’ to stimulate them, maintaining their enclosures, and simply enjoying observing and delighting in them.
Note – this is a popular example of how you can help in this region, and we delight in crafting trips to your exact preferences.
