Bus Tours
3+ days
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Transylvanian Tours
Transylvanian Tours
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City Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Private Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours
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About
Tour guide, passionately loving Transylvania! An experienced journalist and a licensed tour guide with a particular knowledge of and passion for history, religion and trekking, Gelu Trandafir has a great experience in organizing private tours in Romania. As a journalist, Gelu worked with important Romanian media outlets. He graduated the Faculty of Geodesy in Bucharest and Robert Schuman Institute of Journalism with l'IRCOM Angers - Pays de la Loire, France.
Bucharest, Romania
Why book with Transylvanian Tours
- Tour guide, journalist, engineer
- Gelu Trandafir has been a tour guide and a Christian scout leader for more than ten years and a journalist (reporter, editor and deputy chief editor with Romanian leading outlets) for 25 years.
- French • Romanian • English
- Professional tour guide
Tours and Tickets by Transylvanian Tours
Bus Tours
3+ days
Taking safety measures
from
$2,049.30
per adult
Bus Tours
3+ days
Taking safety measures
Free cancellation
Free Cancellation up to 4 days in advance
from
$997.54
per adult
Bus Tours
3 days
Taking safety measures
Free cancellation
Free Cancellation up to 7 days in advance
from
$856.59
per adult
Travelers talk about
(2 reviews)
(2 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
16 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Ruben S
Island of Malta, Malta3 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
Transylvania was a fantastic experience. Geru did everything he could to ensure that our experience was memorable. He went above and above. One instance was when we wanted to go to a shopping mall and he took us there and after shopping he came back to show us the bus stop we needed to take even though this was not on our itinerary. A very down-to-earth person. Keep your excellent work. Thanks
Written January 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RoTourGuide
Dear Ruben, thank you a lot for your kind words. I have also enjoyed so much the company of your wonderful family. Hope to meet again sometimes, maybe in Malta or in some Romanian mountains but covered with snow :)
Written January 9, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bonnie and Harvey G.
6 contributions
Oct 2022
Gelu designed a custom/private 2 week tour for my husband and I that revolved around our interest in UNESCO Heritage sites, churches, synagogues and markets. 3 days into the trip I hurt my ankle and was limited as to what I could do. Gelu got me medical attention and acted as translator. Once I was ready to move forward he completely revised the trip plans to accommodate me. Gelu and his amazing driver assisted me, literally, every step of the way. They turned what could have been a disaster into a fabulous trip. Gelu is not only smart, knowledgeable and a talented tour guide but a warm and wonderful human being. We enjoyed his company. He was so in tune with our needs and interests. He arranged for us to visit a couple Mr. and Mrs. Ganea who made us a traditional dinner and shared their lives with us in their rural village home. Gelu took us to visit a woman that is gifted in “egg painting art”. Not only did we see Romania and its unique treasures, but because of Gelu’s special touch we got to see and feel the Romanian people. We are very experienced traveler’s and have visited many, many countries. We rank this as the best tour we have ever taken.
Written November 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RoTourGuide
Dear Bonnie, thank you for these kind words and also for the experience we lived together. It was a memorable tour and we, indeed, discovered so many nice and helpful people on our travel! As I told you, you and Harvey are such an inspiration for all married couples, and you really inspired me.
Written November 21, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
travel_girl_ks
Chicago, IL96 contributions
Mar 2022
We had a wonderful time touring Transylvania with Gelu! Before the trip, he worked with us to customize the tour based on our interests, his recommendations and the amount of time we had in Romania.
During the trip, it felt like we were touring with a friend vs a Tour Guide that we just met. Gelu is so warm, kind and considerate! He is very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and passionate about his home country. Gelu showed us not only the sites but ensured we had experiences and interactions with locals. He thought of everything and made the trip fabulous! Highly recommend taking a tour with Gelu!
During the trip, it felt like we were touring with a friend vs a Tour Guide that we just met. Gelu is so warm, kind and considerate! He is very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and passionate about his home country. Gelu showed us not only the sites but ensured we had experiences and interactions with locals. He thought of everything and made the trip fabulous! Highly recommend taking a tour with Gelu!
Written April 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RoTourGuide
Dear Kerri, I have just passed to Maramures, to the place we had left our aide for Ukrainian refugees and I remembered our tour in early spring of this year. A great thank for the review. All my best for you and Justin!
Written November 21, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JB
Upstate NY54 contributions
Sep 2021 • Friends
My husband and I spent 2 weeks on a tour of Romania led by Gelu. We greatly appreciated his enthusiasm and the knowledge he shared about his country. We especially were impacted by his personal stories relating to first hand experience living under communism (something only available from a 'local' guide ). When we returned home we were treated to a photo/video montage with memories from our trip documented by Gelu. We were extremely impressed by the personal attention to detail and the overall commitment Gelu had in making our trip one we will remember.
Written October 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RoTourGuide
Dear Julie, it was a great time to remember, indeed. So happy to meet you and Doug, our hero :) By sharing my experience under Communism, I also hope to make the American tourists aware of how important was the redemptive role the US, alongside a Polish pope, played back then for the people behind the Iron Curtain, and how grateful we are.
Written October 27, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jennifer
New York City, NY1 contribution
Gelu is a fantastic guide, very knowledgeable and passionate about his homeland. Spent 2 weeks with a tour group that he led that traveled all over Romania. He always allowed time for questions, pictures and breathing in the experience.
The last day of the trip I tested positive for Covid and had to quarantine in my Bucharest hotel room for an additional 14 days. Although I was no longer under his supervision, Gela checked in with me every day, dropping off food, supplies and speaking with the Bucharest Covid control center. He even made sure I got to the airport to return home. I don’t know how I would have managed those 2 weeks without him
Gelu is a very smart, skilled, compassionate guide. I can’t recommend him more!
The last day of the trip I tested positive for Covid and had to quarantine in my Bucharest hotel room for an additional 14 days. Although I was no longer under his supervision, Gela checked in with me every day, dropping off food, supplies and speaking with the Bucharest Covid control center. He even made sure I got to the airport to return home. I don’t know how I would have managed those 2 weeks without him
Gelu is a very smart, skilled, compassionate guide. I can’t recommend him more!
Written October 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RoTourGuide
Dear Jennifer, I enjoyed guiding the group all over Romania and meeting you. I am happy to see that I was able to make a little bit more comfortable your extra two weeks in Bucharest.
Written October 27, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Peter B
Marblehead, MA3 contributions
Aug 2021
My wife and I recently completed a 9-day personalized trip to Romania with Transylvanian Tours founder Gelu Trandifir. Our trip was a great success. We have many fond memories of Romania.
Gelu and our driver Mihai were excellent guides – they have a great knowledge of Romania and have a passion for introducing their country. And a wonderful country it is – from the medieval towns of Sibiu, Sighisoara, and Brasov, the castles of Bran and Peles, the still-rustic regions of Maramures and Bucovina, and the spectacular mountain highways like the Transfagarasan Mountain Road.
We saw a bit of everything – historic churches and fortified villages, a working watermill, famous castles, and street festivals. Gelu led is on a leisurely but dramatic nature walk of Zarnesti Gorge in Piatra Craiului National Park. He worked tirelessly to show and explain the best of his country. Still, for us, the best part of the trip was meeting local people.
The entire trip was well planned and executed -- our hotels were centrally located, clean and well-appointed. We could step out of the hotel for a neighborhood walk or to find a nearby local restaurant. And Gelu’s recommendations never disappointed.
We highly recommend Transylvanian Tours.
Gelu and our driver Mihai were excellent guides – they have a great knowledge of Romania and have a passion for introducing their country. And a wonderful country it is – from the medieval towns of Sibiu, Sighisoara, and Brasov, the castles of Bran and Peles, the still-rustic regions of Maramures and Bucovina, and the spectacular mountain highways like the Transfagarasan Mountain Road.
We saw a bit of everything – historic churches and fortified villages, a working watermill, famous castles, and street festivals. Gelu led is on a leisurely but dramatic nature walk of Zarnesti Gorge in Piatra Craiului National Park. He worked tirelessly to show and explain the best of his country. Still, for us, the best part of the trip was meeting local people.
The entire trip was well planned and executed -- our hotels were centrally located, clean and well-appointed. We could step out of the hotel for a neighborhood walk or to find a nearby local restaurant. And Gelu’s recommendations never disappointed.
We highly recommend Transylvanian Tours.
Written September 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RoTourGuide
Dear Peter, I am glad you and Marie enjoyed Romania and the meeting with the local people. The two days we spent in August in Breb - Maramureș were memorable. The hike in Piatra Craiului, at Zarnesti Gorge was also a great experience. Warm regards from Bucharest, Gelu
Written October 27, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
James0228
East Lansing, MI4 contributions
Sep 2021
Gilu is an exceptional guide. Gilu introduced us to so many kind, generous and skilled every day Romanians.
A lovely family in Maramures with their delicious meals and kind hospitality. A Bucovina widow who put her heart into creating decorative eggs for Easter. Stunning churches, monastaries and retreats. The picturesque village of Sibiu.
If you enjoy nature, Gilus does not disappoint. Our group saw many stunning mountain ranges and lake sights, too.
We'd highly recommend Transylvanian Tours! Gilu is caring, fun and informative!
A lovely family in Maramures with their delicious meals and kind hospitality. A Bucovina widow who put her heart into creating decorative eggs for Easter. Stunning churches, monastaries and retreats. The picturesque village of Sibiu.
If you enjoy nature, Gilus does not disappoint. Our group saw many stunning mountain ranges and lake sights, too.
We'd highly recommend Transylvanian Tours! Gilu is caring, fun and informative!
Written September 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RoTourGuide
Dear Jim, many thanks for your kind words. I was so glad to discover that you share the same passion for good maps. Our itinerary was quite long and complicated and I think the good maps we followed improved the tour experience. All the best from Bucharest, Gelu.
Written October 27, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ciprian Cojan
Verona, Veneto, Italy13 contributions
Aug 2021
I left Romania when I was 10 years old so I didn't know much about its history and geography. With Gelu I spent with my partner 3 incredible days around the forests and beautiful villages along the Transilvanica route. After the trip, I'm more aware of my cultural heritage and finally reconnected with nature!
Written September 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Charlotte H
Padua, Italy5 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
My partner and I spent two nights/ three days with Gelu, trekking on a personalised route along the Transilvanica from Sighisoara to Biertan. It was one of the best experiences of our lives, spending time in nature, visiting beautiful churches and monuments, camping in a shepherd & local priest’s gardens and hearing about the local history (in Gelu’s perfect English) along the way. Gelu has an unlimited wealth of knowledge of the local history, traditions and wildlife and being with him was honestly priceless. We felt very safe (despite my fears of bears and dogs!!) and completely in sync with Gelu. He has so much experience with many different types of people of all different ages and he was such fantastic company; with the exact right balance between allowing us time to relax whilst ensuring we also kept to our schedule (42km in 2 days). Gelu was also kind enough to lend us all of his camping gear - a tent, sleeping bags, liners and stove. He was also very accommodating and open to our vegan dietary requirements!! I cannot recommend Gelu more highly and I am already looking forward to booking another trip with my family from the UK next time! Thank you so much ❤️
Written August 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Toby S
San Anselmo, CA3 contributions
Sep 2020
My recollections of thelaces we visited in Maramures and Transylvania are a bit hazy --
but what I can say that is that Gelu was an absolutely superb guide -- warm, friendly, and very well informed -- through his insightful commentary I learned so much about Romania's rich cultural heritage -- it was a great pleasure just spending time with
Gelu and his lovely daughter Lucia -- both of them wonderful human beings --
If you are looking for a first-class, multidimensional travel experience, you can't do better than Gelu as your guide --
Toby Symington
but what I can say that is that Gelu was an absolutely superb guide -- warm, friendly, and very well informed -- through his insightful commentary I learned so much about Romania's rich cultural heritage -- it was a great pleasure just spending time with
Gelu and his lovely daughter Lucia -- both of them wonderful human beings --
If you are looking for a first-class, multidimensional travel experience, you can't do better than Gelu as your guide --
Toby Symington
Written January 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
No questions have been asked about this experience