17-24th June 2027:fully booked
24th June-1st July 2027:
1 place left
To join the waiting list or express interest in this tour, please email irina.r.georgescu@gmail.com
Transylvanian Culinary Tour, Details Here.
An Epic Journey through Northern Dobrogea and the Danube Delta
8 Days/7 Nights
Let Dobrogea and the Danube Delta surprise you. From stunning wild landscapes to dishes bursting with character, this ethnically diverse corner of Romania is a feast for the senses—and a journey through centuries of culture and tradition.
Discover the beauty of the Danube Delta through its cuisine
There is no better way to learn about a culture than through eating local food and meeting local people. This is exactly what you will do: meet the people who are the custodians of these lands, stay at local guesthouses, eat traditional food and learn from the local experts.
The tour is focused on food and culinary traditions, but you won’t miss the local landmarks everyone needs to see.
The tour is adults-only. Language: English. For a glimpse into this fascinating world, explore ‘Danube, Recipes from Eastern Europe’ and try the recipes yourself here.
A Taste of What Awaits
- Explore the historic charm of Bucharest
- Discover ancient Roman and Greek sites in Dobrogea
- Travel deep into the UNESCO-listed Danube Delta
- Authentic, home-cooked regional cuisine
- Meet local hosts, fishermen and cooks
- Cruise through wild canals and spot unique wildlife
- Enjoy curated menus to make the culinary journey memorable
- On land, private and comfortable transport with an experienced driver
- Transfer to our location in the Delta by Navrom ferry.
- In the Delta, we’ll navigate by private boat for three days, accompanied by an expert local guide and boatman who knows every channel and secret of these waters.
- Culinary guide: food writer and cookbook author Irina Georgescu.
- All meals and the drinks paired with these meals are included. Water and soft drinks during transfers.
- Group size: 9 people.
Your Culinary Guide
I’m Irina Georgescu, and I’ve designed this tour to share the food and stories of my Romanian homeland. As a cookbook author and food writer now living in the UK, I’ve spent years exploring these flavours—most recently in my book Danube, which traces the culinary heritage of this mighty river. It’s an honour to bring that journey to life with you. Learn more about me here.
Your Danube Delta Guide
I’ve teamed up with a specialised company that works with local guides to show us the secrets of the Delta. These are licensed, safe tours and boats that offer more than sightseeing: they’re genuine connections to this wild landscape.
Other Guides
When needed, we will meet local guides specialised in the area or site we are visiting.
Culinary Tour: Itinerary
A Day 1 Arrival in Bucharest
- Our tour begins in Romania’s vibrant capital: Bucharest.
- Our hotel will be in the city’s Old Town.
- Dinner will be at a nearby local restaurant, just a pleasant 20-minute walk away. Along the way, I’ll take you down Calea Victoriei—one of the city’s most elegant and historic avenues—so you can experience its charm.
Day 2 Transfer to Northern Dobrogea
- Breakfast
- Depart Bucharest by private minibus and journey into Dobrogea
- Stop for a traditional lunch featuring local dishes (no fish yet—that’s coming).
- Visit a beautiful Roman fortress before arriving at our cosy hub in the countryside, our home for two nights.
Travelling time (approximate): 1h50min from Bucharest to our lunch location. 30 minutes from there to the Roman fortress, 1h30min to our accommodation.
Culinary Tour: Itinerary
Day 3 Explore Constanța & The Oldest Greek Site in Dobrogea
- Breakfast
- Travel to Constanța, Romania’s main Black Sea port. Discover its rich history, including the iconic Casino, the Grand Mosque, and the old town’s cultural highlights.
- Enjoy lunch at a renowned local restaurant.
- On the return journey, we’ll visit the ancient ruins of Romania’s oldest Greek settlements. A pleasant walk through the site offers stunning views of the coastline and a glimpse into the region’s rich history.
- In the evening, we’ll dine in a scenic countryside location before returning to our accommodation.
Travelling time (approximate): 1:25 to Constanta, 1:34 to the Greek site, 10 min to our accommodation. In the evening, 15 min by car to our dinner location.
Culinary Tour: Itinerary
Day 4 – Into the Danube Delta
- Depart for Tulcea port and board a modern ferry bound for the heart of the Danube Delta. This three-hour journey through UNESCO-listed wetlands offers unforgettable and intriguing views: winding channels, rich wildlife, and villages where tradition, modernity and the vestiges of the Communist regime coexist. Snacks and refreshments provided.
- Check in at our peaceful haven, complete with a pool. Relax, explore, and enjoy a home-cooked dinner featuring fresh Delta fish.
Travelling time (approximate): 45min to Tulcea, 3 hours on the ferry to our accommodation.
Culinary Tour: Itinerary
Day 5 – Letea Forest & Delta Cuisine
- Breakfast
- Explore the Delta’s narrow canals by traditional wooden boat, observing its remarkable biodiversity.
- Visit Letea Forest, famous for its unique ecosystem and wild horses.
- Enjoy a memorable lunch at a local household, where you will experience authentic cooking techniques and regional flavours.
- Return to our accommodation for a restful evening and a light dinner.
Travelling time (approximate): 2 hours on the boat exploring the canals, 1h30min to and from Letea Forest, 2 hours on the boat back to our accommodation.
Culinary Tour: Itinerary
Day 6 – Delta Villages & Farewell Dinner
- We’ll spend the first part of the day locally, including an optional activity.
- Lunch will be prepared by a local cook.
- In the afternoon, we’ll explore the village of Mila 23, known for its Lipovan heritage.
- Celebrate your journey with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Travelling time without the optional activity,(approximate): 45 min to Mila 23, 50 min to Sulina, 30 min to Crișan.
Culinary Tour: Itinerary
Day 7 – Return to Bucharest
- Depart the Delta by boat to Tulcea, with light snacks and refreshments served on board. The boat leaves at 8am so we’ll have a very early start but plenty of time to snooze on the ferry.
- Once on land, we’ll travel to our brunch/lunch location.
- Leave for Bucharest.
- Check in to your hotel, enjoy some time at leisure, and gather for a final dinner in the evening.
Travelling time (approximate): 3 hours by ferry, 50 min to lunch, 3h20 min to Bucharest, 5min to dinner.
Day 8 – Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure, taking with you unforgettable memories of Romania’s culinary traditions and natural beauty.
Important note: the schedule for certain days or activities might change due to weather, water levels in the Delta, or logistical factors we can’t predict.
The Food and Dietary Requirements
This culinary tour is best suited to travellers who enjoy meat, fish, mushrooms, dairy, and nuts. Fish is a key part of the experience —some days feature no fish dishes at all, others include one fish dish, and some offer exclusively fish dishes.
All menus are fixed. We all eat the same.
You should be comfortable eating whole cooked fish on the bone. You’ll taste both freshwater fish from the Danube Delta and fish from the Black Sea varieties.
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Important: We are unable to accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, or allergy requirements. If you have concerns, please contact me before booking.
Note: All meals are served as set menus. A selection of alcoholic drinks, such as beer and wine, is included with meals; additional drinks can be purchased at the venue with cash or card.
Activity Level
This tour requires a reasonable level of physical fitness and mobility.
Participants must be able to:
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Walk and hike on uneven terrain
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Board traditional boats from water-level jetties
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Navigate steep ferry steps
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Sit for extended periods (up to 2 hours) on narrow boats
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Explore archaeological sites on uneven ground
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To ensure the safety of all guests, each traveller must be capable of undertaking these activities independently, without requiring assistance that would compromise group safety, need alternative activities, or delay the schedule. Please contact me before booking if you have any concerns regarding your suitability for this tour.
The Price is available on request.
Read what it includes below:
The price includes:
- Private transport from the moment the tour starts.
- Accommodation in hotels and guesthouses with rooms with your own private bathroom
- All meals and the drinks paired with these meals are included
- All culinary experiences
- Entry fees to all tourist attractions and activities
- Tickets for the ferry
- Private boat with a specialised guide for three days
The price doesn’t include:
- The flights or any transport to Bucharest, and the flights back to your home and any transport after you reach the airport for your departure.
- Travel insurance, which is compulsory.
- Transport from and to the airport in Bucharest.
Contact me for more details at irina.r.georgescu@gmail.com
or register your interest in future tours.
“A rare glimpse into a rich and diverse baking culture, this beautiful book is packed full of fascinating stories and recipes I can’t wait to taste” – Felicity Cloake
‘What a transporting cookbook Tava is! Here are tempting recipes for Romanian cakes, pastries, biscuits and other treats made using delightful ingredients such as rose petals, chestnuts, walnuts, sour cherries and poppy seeds. Importantly – and evocatively – Irina Georgescu sets the rich tapestry of Romanian baking in a historic and social context, giving readers an insight into what has shaped and influenced Romanian cuisine. ‘ – Jenny Linford
‘I love Irina Georgescu’s writing. Carpathia was one of my favourite books of 2020 and Tava is equally exciting: a celebration of Romanian baking that is full of a sense of light and life. Matt Russell’s photography is gorgeous. The recipes set me dreaming of strudels and poppy seed crescents and I can’t wait to start baking from it’. – Bee Wilson
‘Like all the best cookbooks, Tava is as interested in history and culture of Romania, as it is in all things sweet and baked. Enlightening, evocative and irresistible.’ – Tom Parker Bowles
Latest News
Washington Post
There are certain flavours that never leave you. Sourness is one of mine. I grew up with the sharp, comforting taste of fermented ingredients always somewhere in the kitchen — barrels of pickles, borș bubbling away, cabbage souring slowly, jars lined up for winter. In...
On Saturday Kitchen Cooking Show, BBC One
Irina Georgescu, Romanian cookbook author, on BBC One Saturday Kitchen Show.
James Beard Award Winner
Irina Georgescu, Romanian food writer, James Beard Award winner, Tava book, Romanian cuisine, Eastern European recipes, Romanian culinary heritage.