Tour Romania

Itinerary: Bucharest - Sinaia - Bran - Brasov - Sighisoara - Bucharest

6 days / 5 nights tour
Departure dates during April 14 - October 28, 2009:
Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Day 1 - Welcome to Romania!

Arrive in Bucharest, capital of Romania. Make a first step in approaching Transylvania by spending the night in the royal resort of Sinaia, only 125Km North of Bucharest.

• arrive in Bucharest airport / train station
• transfer to the royal mountain resort of Sinaia
• welcome dinner
• overnight at 3* centrally located hotel in Sinaia (Sinaia or similar).

Day 2 - Royal palaces

More than a century ago Peles castle took shape and substance from fairy-tales and dreams about royalty. This exquisitely detailed landmark, set amidst sculpture gardens and fountains, was the summer residence of Romanian Royal family. Inside you'll see beautiful collections of mediaeval weaponry, stained glass, silk rugs and furniture.
Then, cross the mountains into Transylvania - this ancient Romanian land, stormed under so many legends and stories that it lost its earthly contour and passed into an utopian perception.
The next visit today is to Bran castle, built in 1377 by master masons of Brasov, on a cliff, dominating the whole region. It was arranged by Queen Maria into a most romantic castles: the old garret became the fourth floor, the old cylindrical tower with defense gallery became an apartment, Gothic stone arches framed the entrance doors, stairs and boarded floors were rebuilt.
On the way to Sighisoara we shall stop for a visit of Brasov, one of the largest mediaeval towns in Transylvania. Old fortification ruins of the former burg, the narrow and tortuous streets, the old baroque houses with their bulky arched gates, still, keeps in the downtown the mediaeval patina.
Visit Black Church - built between 1385-1477, one of the most important Gothic art monuments in Romania, impressing by its massiveness, the richness of architecture and its historical background.

• visit Peles Castle in Sinaia
• visit Bran Castle
• tour mediaval Brasov: : Black Church, Schei District, Old City Hall Square
• dinner and overnight within the walls of medieval Sighisoara citadel at 3* hotel (Sighisoara or similar).

Day 3 - A taste of Transylvania

This morning we shall drive to Sibiu - city mentioned for the first time in documents on 1192 under the name of Cibinum, one of the most romantic cities of Romania.
Through the Council Tower we arrive in the Small Square which is the old commercial center of the fortified citadel.
The Liars Bridge is the first Cast Iron Bridge in Romania. Its name comes from the false love declarations young people used to promise in the evenings.
One of the most impressive fortified churches in Southern Transylvania is Biertan, built in 1302 as a Hungarian border fortification. Biertan is better known as the residence of the Lutheran Transylvanian Bishops for almost 300 years but is also connected to Vlad the Impaler's life. In 1459 has been appointed to the prince when it was restored for the last time.
Return to Sighisoara in the evening for an Witch Trial (optional) - a page in our history as humans, using Sighisoara itself as a setting.

• sightseeing tour of Sibiu including: Council Tower, Small and Large squares, Liars Bridge, Brukenthal Museum
• visit the UNESCO fortified church of Biertan
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• return to Sighisoara ; Optional "Witch Trial" show performed by local actors (for groups of min. 15 paying pax only)
• dinner at the native house of Vlad the Impaler - Dracula
• overnight within the walls of mediaeval Sighisoara citadel, 3* hotel

Day 4 Sighisoara

Sighisoara is the best-preserved 15th century walled town in Europe.
On the present "Hill of the Citadel" ("Dealul Cetatii"), the upper town, was erected a stronghold in the 2nd half of the 12th century, used by the population as a shelter in hard times.
Nowadays, Sighisoara is synonym to the European Middle Age in Romania.
Here lived, between 1431-1435, Vlad Dracul (Vlad the Devil), future Prince of Wallachia, thus called because the German Emperor knighted him as Knight of the Dragon. He was Vlad the Impaler's father known as Dracula (the son of the Devil), born most probably here in Sighisoara, on 1431.
The 15th century house where Prince Vlad Dracul was born has been turned into a restaurant and museum full of interesting flavours and artefacts.

• visit mediaeval Sighisoara: Clock Tower, Hill Church, Vlad the Impaler's native house, Wooden covered staircase
• leisure time in the afternoon in Sighisoara citadel (on the Halloween tour, prepare for the Party!).
• dinner and overnight in Sighisoara, 3* hotel.

Day 5 - Beyond Transylvania

This morning, leave Sighisoara for Bucharest saying good bye for now to stories about Prince Vlad - Dracula.
In early evening, pay a visit to Village Museum and picture in mind how Bucharest looked like 1 millennium ago.
Tonight you shall re-enter the domains of The Count, this time at his residence in Bucharest, not far from the ruins of his court. - drive Sighisoara to Bucharest

• drive Sighisoara to Bucharest
• visit the Village Museum in Bucharest
• panoramic tour of the city on the way to your hotel
• farewell dinner at Count Dracula Club - a unique theme restaurant in Bucharest
• overnight at 3* centrally located hotel in Bucharest (Central or similar).

Day 6 - Good bye dear romantics of the world!

Pending on available time left to your departure flight or train, visit the "House of the People" (today known as the Parliament's Palace), an enormous building built by the order of the last communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu - often compared to a vampire for his thirst of power. Many human lives and historic buildings were sacrificed for the erection of the palace.
We hope you have enjoyed your Transylvania tour and we look forward to welcoming you again in Romania.

• visit to Parliament's Palace (time permitting)
• transfer to Bucharest airport.

Package price, Euro/person in double room for a party of:
  2 - 3 persons = 960 Euro
  4 - 7 persons = 800 Euro
  8 - 14 persons = 650 Euro

 Currency Converter 

• 5 overnights at 3* hotels (place in a double room) with breakfast
• 5 dinners (including Halloween party for the Halloween tour)
• transportation by air conditioned car/minibus/bus with driver
• arrival/departure transfers
• entrance fees to museums included in the program
• English speaking guide assistance.

• Single room supplement : EU 175 (applicable to min. 2 paying pax)
• (for groups) Witch Trial Show in Sighisoara: 350 Euro/group

• arrival/departure flights
• health insurance (FREE TRAVEL INSURANCE QUOTES)
• personal expenses of any kind, hotel services like phone calls, laundry, mini bar, room service
• soft and alcoholic drinks with the main meals unless otherwise specified.