In the footsteps of Dracula

 

Visit one of the most fascinating and undiscovered regions in Eastern Europe, with an outstanding history and culture, Transylvania, or the"Land behind the forests”, preserving some of the most beautiful medieval towns in Eastern Europe. Experience the thrill of walking into Dracula’s footsteps, with an itinerary that takes you through all the places that carry the memory of the bloodthirsty Count. 

 

Day 1: Bucharest

On the way to the hotel, have a preview of what you are about to discover here with a panoramic tour of the city that takes you by the House of the Free Press, The Romanian Arch of Triumph, through The Victory Square, The Roman Square and finally to The University Square.

After a walking tour in the Old Town and visit the ruins of the Old Princely Court, known as Dracula’s residence, where it is said that Vlad Dracula kept his prisoners.

Welcome dinner in the traditional restaurant. 

 

Day 2: Bucharest – Poenari – Sibiu

Enjoy a tour of the city renowned for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and belle-époque architecture, including a visit to the Palace of the Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the World, following The Pentagon .

After a tour of the magnificent, elegant interior of the palace, displaying the wealth of Romania in stone,marble and wood from the Romanian mountains and forests, you will leave the capital to explore the more historical part of the country, the legendary Transylvania. On your way towards Sibiu, you will make a stop at Poienari Fortress for a dive in the legend of the bloody Count.

Perched on a remote peak on the cliffs of the Făgăraș Mountains, the13th century ruined Castle of Poenari bears an uncanny resemblance ofthe fictional castle depicted by Bram Stocker as Dracula’s residence,and to this day remains pristine and almost inaccesible.

Afterwards you will continue towards Sibiu, where after the check-in you will have dinner at the hotel.

Provided that the weather allows it, the road to Sibiu will be through the panoramic Transfagarasan Highway, the most spectacular alpine road in Europe. 

 

Day 3: Sibiu

Start today with a tour of the luring city of Sibiu, listed by Forbes in top 10 most idyllic places to live in the whole world. Sibiu was chosen Europe’s Cultural Capital City in 2007 together with Luxembourg.

The town was settled by the Germans colonists in the 12^th century and preserves until today its wonderful medieval atmosphere.

The walking tour starts at the Grand Square where you will find the Catholic Church and the Brukenthal Palace, and continues with Liar’s Bridge, the Small Square and Huet Square.

After spending some free time as you wish, you will be taken to the small town of Sibiel, where you can enjoy a ride with a country side chariot and afterwards a delicious traditional dinner including wine and plum brandy (Țuica) at the locals, accompanied by an amazing folklore and costumes tradition. 

 

Day 4: Sibiu – Hunedoara – Alba Iulia – Sibiu

In the morning you will depart for a day trip down the history lane.

The first stop will be the Hunyad Castle in Hunedoara. The greatest Gothic-style castle in Romania, it was the residence of one of Transylvania’s greatest rulers, Iancu de Hunedoara, who upgraded it from fortress to the stunning castle we see today. Boasting an impressive drawbridge, a huge medieval ballroom, a beautiful interior courtyard and exceptional defensive structure, the castle is said to have been the place where Vlad the Impaler was imprisoned for a while, and legends about ghosts haunting it still go around.

After leaving Hunedoara you will visit the city of Alba Iulia, the memorable place of the Great Union of Romania. Here you will visit the impressive Orthodox Cathedral and the Roman Catholic Cathedral, the oldest longest standing cathedral in Romania. Most important, you will take a tour of the Habsburgiccitadel, also known as Alba Carolina Citadel, to the fortification of which have also been used roman ruines.

In the evening you will return to Sibiu and have dinner at the hotel. 

 

Day 5: Sibiu - Biertan - Sighisoara

This morning, after breakfast you will leave Sibiu and head to The Fortified church of Biertan, one of the largest and most impressive strongholds in Transylvania, that looks like taken out of a fairytale.

Set in a spectacular landscape, perched high on a hill and surrounded by vineyards, the fortified church bears an enchanting love story.

Legend has it that couples seeking divorce were locked for 2 weeks in the Prison Tower, being forced to share everything, and that after that most of the couple decided to give up the idea of divorcing.

After visiting the fortress, enjoy a picnic in the middle of nature and a relaxing wine tasting at Biertan.

In the afternoon, you will go to Sighisoara, the birth place of count Dracula and one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe.

Sighisoara was settled by the Germans in the 13th century and it is one of the few still inhabited medieval fortresses in the whole world, being also protected by UNESCO.

During the walking tour you will visit the Clock Tower, the birth house of Dracula’s vampire and the Church on the Hill.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at Dracula’s restaurant, set in the very house where Vlad Dracula was born. 

 

Day 6: Sighisoara - Bran - Brasov

As you wake up in the heart of Sighisoara, take a last breath of the unique medieval atmosphere and then head to the village Bran.

Here you will visit the most famous castle in Eastern Europe - the Dracula Castle.

The castle was built by the German Saxons in the 14th century and served as customs for many centuries between Transylvania and Wallachia.

The surroundings of Bran Castle represent the element that inspired the Irish writer, Bram Stocker, to set his vampire fiction in Transylvania in the fist place.

Live the outstanding experience of meeting „Count Dracula”, but make use of the garlic necklace you will receive as a gift from the tour guide in order to protect you from the enticing, bloodthirsty Count.

In the afternoon discover the beautiful colorful old town with the Council Square and the Black Church, the largest gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel. 

 

Day 7: Brasov - Sinaia - Snagov - Bukarest

After the extraordinary experience of the last days, continue your cultural incursion with a visit to the amazing Peles Castle in Sinaia,one of the most beautiful castles in the world.

It was built at the end of the 19th century by the German King Carol I and served as summer royal residence until 1947.

Today the castle is an outstanding museum preserving the original furniture, decorations and paintings. After some free time at leisure, you head towards South, to Snagov Island, where it is said that Dracula was burried.

Say good-bye to count Dracula and drive to Bucharest.

In the evening you will be transferred back to Bucharest, where you can enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant in the historic Old Town. 

 

Day 8: Homeward journey. 

 

• 7 x nights accommodation at 3*, 4* or 5*, (half board: buffet breakfast and 3-course dinner including sparkling water) 

• 1 welcome dinner at a local restaurant in Bucharest 

• 1 traditional dinner at the locals in Sibiel, including wine and local brandy, and the special traditions: welcome reception with bread and salt and the welcoming of the horseback riders dressed in traditional costumes 

• 1 thematic dinner at Dracula Restaurant in Sighisoara, including red wine 

• 1 farewell dinner at a historic restaurant in Bucharest’s Old Town; 

• Countryside horse-drawn chariot ride in Sibiel 

• Picnic and wine tasting in Biertan 

• "Meeting with Count Dracula” and garlic necklace 

• English speaking tour guide 

• All entrance fees included (The Palace of the Parliament, The Fortified Church of Biertan, The Clock Tower in Sighisoara, The Church on the Hill, The Torture Room, the Weapons Museum, The Vlad Dracul Home – Dracula’s birthplace, Dracula’s Castle, Peles Castle, The Black Church, Snagov Monastery) 

• Transportation in a modern bus equipped with A/C (48+2 seater) 

 

EXACT PRICE WILL BE GIVEN ON DATE REQUEST.

The program can be tailored to your wishes.