The Land Of Count Dracula (Romania)

Romania is famous as Dracula’s homeland, but has to offer much more than that - picturesque castles and citadels, scattered across the forested Transylvanian landscape, where wolves and bears roam in the majestic Carpathian Mountains. Getting about the countryside can be a challenging yet rewarding experience, where folkloric traditions are still strong and seem unchanged for centuries. Historic monasteries, churches and villages contain some of the best medieval sites in the world. In recent times it is as if Romania has reappeared in front of the world out of a melted iceberg. The people have shaken off the yoke of isolation and are now rushing towards the future. We invite you to join our roundtrip in one of Europe's ‘best-kept secrets’, still covered by legends, still housing the face of old Europe as it was.

Tour highlights:
♦ Bucharest - Romania's largest city and capital, is today a bustling metropolis, known for its wide boulevards, glorious Belle Époque buildings and its nickname "Little Paris";
♦ Sibiu (Hermannstadt in German) was the largest and wealthiest of the seven fortified citadels, built in the 12th century by German settlers known as the Transylvanian Saxons.
♦ Sighisoara (Schaessburg), designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, still stands as one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval towns in Europe.
♦ Bucovina - Discover the painted churches & ancient traditions of Maramures 

---

Itinerary:

Day 1. Bucharest
Arrive Bucharest. Transfer to the hotel and overnight.

Day 2. Bucharest - Curtea de Arges - Sibiu - Sibiel
After breakfast, departure to Curtea de Arges, the former capital of Wallachia a veritable open-air museum of Romanian feudal art. Visit the Episcopal Church-built by Prince Neagoe Basarab (1512-1517), where the Romanian Kings are buried. Lunch in a local restaurant. Drive to Sibiu, one of the oldest cities in Transylvania - formerly Hermannstadt - founded by the Saxon colonists. Guided walking tour of the medieval town (the Grande Place, the Evangelical Church, and the Liars' Bridge etc.). Depart to Sibiel- the village which was awarded the prize “Pomme d’Or” by the Press Association FIJET.  Dinner with typical dishes and overnight in a homestay 3*. 

Day 3. Sibiel - Biertam - Sighisoara - Targu Mures - Bistrita
Morning departure to Sighisoara, birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. En route, visit the fortified Church at Biertan, one of the most beautiful buildings in Romania, in Gothic and Renaissance style. We arrive at Sighisoara and discover the medieval Citadel included in UNESCO World Heritage: the Clock Tower, the Venetian House, Vlad the Impaler House etc. Free time for lunch in Sighisoara. Continue to Targu Mures, walking tour through the elegant city centre, well known for its architecture. Drive on to Bistrita and one of the 7 medieval cities in Transylvania and the place where Jonathan Harker, Bram Stoker’s hero spent the night before arriving at Dracula’s Castle. Dinner and overnight stay in Bistrita.

Day 4. Bistrita - Câmpulung Moldovenesc - Moldovita - Voronet - Gura Himorului/Suceava
Departure to Bucovina –the “upper land” with the unique painted monasteries, belonging to the UNESCO World Heritage. After crossing the land of Dracula, wonderfully depicted in Bram Stocker‟s novel “Dracula”, we arrive in Bucovina. Arrival at Câmpulung Moldovenesc and visit of the Wood Art Museum. Founded in 1936 ,the museum preserves the only ethnographic collection in Romania dedicated exlusevely to wooden objects that have been part of the Romanian people. Lunch on the route. Continuation the road. On route visit to a painted eggs museum- Letitia Orsivschi in Vama village. Visit the Moldovita Monastery - a symphony in purple red, a medieval art treasure.  We also visit one of the jewels of Bucovina: Voronet Monastery, a genuine touristic attraction, both for Romanian and foreign visitors. It is also called “the Sistine Chapel of the East”. Dinner and accommodation in Gura Himorului/Suceava.

Day 5. Gura Humorului/Suceava - Neamt Monastery/Agapia Monastery - Bicaz - Lacu Rosu - Brasov
We continue driving through the Moldavian villages, with their typical houses. We visit the Monastery of Agapia or Neamt Monastery. Continuation the route ,passing by Silver Forest with a famous Reservation of auroch/bisons.Crossing the fabulous Bicaz Gorges and continuing to Lacu Rosu (the Red Lake) resort; Typical lunch in Tarpesti or Lacul Rosu.. Continue to Brasov, former Kronstadt, founded by the Saxon colonists, as the South gate of Transylvania. Overnight at a 3* hotel in Brasov. No dinner included on this day.

Day 6. Brasov - Prejmer - Bran -  Brasov
Breakfast. Walking tour of Brasov.The tour includes : The Black Church , the biggest Gothic church between Istanbul and Vienna , the white and Black Tower , the Council square , the Ekaterina Gate.Departure to Prejmer and stopover there for a visit to the fortified church, also included in the UNESCO World Heritage. Drive on to Bran and visit to the famous medieval castle (the „Dracula's‟ Castle) built as a fortress for the citizens of Brasov in 1377, as a defence to the city. Lunch in Bran.  Return to Brasov. Overnight stay in Brasov at a 3* hotel. No dinner included on this day.

Day 7. Brasov - Sinaia - Bucharest
In the morning, we cross the Carpathians towards Sinaia. Visit the fabulous Peles Castle ,former residence of the royal family ,chich houses a collection of arms and armor  unique in its richness and diversity. Continuation towards Bucharest by Royal Road. Panoramic tour of Bucharest, the city of contrasts between old and modernity, with large boulevards and magnificent buildings (the Romanian Athenaeum, the Patriarchal Church; Lunch in Bucharest. Visit the House of Parliament or Palatul Primaverii (please note that the Parliament Palace is a government building and it might be closed without notice). Check-in at a 4* hotel in Bucharest. Farewell dinner in a lovely brassiere, keeping immortal the old spirit of Bucharest at the end of the century.

Day 8. Departure
Transfer to airport for departure.

---

Price Includes:
Accommodation in double rooms with private facilities at standard hotels
all mentioned in the program: 3 days FB,2 luhes and 2 dinners
transport and entrance fees as per program
English-speaking guide
transfer from/to the airport on day 1 and day 8

---

Not Included:
Flight tickets
tips
drinks and meals not mentioned
insurance
additional transport
photo fees where required
personal expenses

---

Additional Services:
4-day/3-night extension to Danube Delta can be arranged after the main tour in May,September and October: price on request

---

---

Gallery

---