Dracula Myth

DRACULA MYTH

Bucharest – Targoviste – Bran – Brasov – Praid – Tihuta Pass – Cluj Napoca – Sighisoara – Sibiu
– 7 days –
Daily departures. Price on request.

ITINERARY:

Day 1 / Bucharest – arrival
Arrival at Bucharest Airport and transfer to your hotel.
Short city tour of Bucharest, with the visit of the Old Town (attractions in the Lipscani/Historical Centre: Manuc’s Inn, the ruins of the Old Court, former Vlad Dracul’s Palace), Victoriei Boulevard with the Romanian Atheneum – the capital cultural landmark, the Royal Palace, the Cantacuzino Palace, Kretzulescu church, Stavropoleos church.
In the evening a traditional Romanian restaurant will be the place where you will enjoy the Romanian hospitality. Accommodation in Bucharest

Day 2 / Bucharest – Snagov – Targoviste – Bran – Brasov
On the footsteps of Vlad Dracul/Dracula: visiting Snagov Monastery, where, according to the legend the Walachian Prince Vlad the Impaler, son of Vlad Dracul rests for eternity.
Continue to Targoviste, the old capital of Walachia – visit the XVth century Chindiei Tower, part of the old Royal Court complex, built during Vlad Dracul’s reign.
Transfer to Bran, visiting the famous Bran Castle, considered to be Prince Vlad Dracul’s residence. In Bram Stoker’s famous vampire novel, “Dracula” the Bran Castle is described as Count Dracula’s residence, Stoker’s real inspiration being Vlad the Impaler, son of Vlad Dracul, the Walachian Prince.
Bran Castle was also Queen Mary of Romania’s residence, a place close to her heart; in the proximity of the castle there is an altar carved in the wall of a mountain in which the Queens’ heart once was deposited.
In the afternoon, arrival in Brasov and brief city tour with the visit of the City Council Square, the Black Church (Brasov’s landmark, over 500 years old, the largest Gothic church in South-East Europe, hosts an impressive 4,000 pipe organ built in 1839), Ecaterina’s Gate, a fairy-looking medieval tower, part of the last preserved original city gates. Dinner and accommodation in Brasov/Poiana Brasov (mountain resort)

Day 3 / Brasov – Praid – Tihuta Pass / Dracula’s Castle
After breakfast we leave Brasov and travel to the Corund/Praid ethnographic area.
In the afternoon, we reach the so-called “Dracula Land”.
Tihuta Pass is situated at the meeting point between Transylvania and Moldavia; breathtaking landscapes can be seen along a spectacular and difficult mountain road.
Bram Stoker placed the action of his novel around Dracula’s Castle, located in the Tihuta Pass (old name Bargau/Borgo pass), the gateway to Count Dracula’s realm. This may be due to the seclusion of the place, or due to the mysterious atmosphere that surrounds it: the imposing forests, the gloom that surrounds the castle on cold days and the height at which the castle is located.
A “mise en scene” showing a dramatized episode from Dracula’s life will be performed in the evening. Dinner and accommodation in Dracula’s Castle Hotel – Tihuta.

Day 4 / Tihuta Pass – Cluj-Napoca – Sighisoara
Leaving Bistrita for Cluj-Napoca with a short sightseeing of the city.
Cluj-Napoca city tour with the visit of St Michael’s gothic church, the Benedictine Monastery, the Museum Square, the Union Square. The capital of Transylvania in the medieval times, Cluj-Napoca is today a vibrant city, sharing both traditional and progressive events; definitely worth visiting for its excellent cultural activities, wonderful historical legacy, fine dining, and great atmosphere.
In the afternoon, arrival in Sighisoara, a fortified city in the heart of Transylvania, visit of the well preserved fortified site: the Stag House, the Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill, the Venetian House, the Covered Stairs.
Sighisoara (Schässburg in German) is one of the most visited cities in Transylvania, and offers an outstanding testimony of the local Saxons culture. The best preserved medieval citadel in Romania, Sighisoara offers a genuine feeling of a medieval fortress, one special feature is that its houses have been permanently inhabited.
Visit of the medieval fortress of Sighisoara, the best preserved continuously inhabited fortress in SE Europe and Vlad Dracul’s birth house – where the Walachian Prince was actually born six centuries ago.
In the evening a really special opportunity: dinner with a “bloody” menu in Vlad Dracul’s birth house, now hosting a restaurant, and perhaps a short visit of the torture room, also set in his house. Dinner and accommodation in Sighisoara

Day 5 / Sighisoara – Sibiu
After breakfast, departure for Sibiu. City tour of the medieval centre of Sibiu, one of Romania’s most attractive cities: the Large Square with Brukenthal Palace, Haller House, the Catholic Church and the Council Tower – symbol of the city; the Small Square with Luxembourg House, the Liar’s Bridge, the House of Arts; Huet Square with the Evangelical Church; and the Fortress street.
Considered in its earlier days one of the best fortified citadels in Europe, Sibiu retains and displays the testimonies of a glorious past, and offers the best mix between a medieval atmosphere and a modern outlook. Dinner and accommodation in Sibiu

Day 6 / Sibiu – Curtea de Arges – Bucharest
Leaving Sibiu for Curtea de Arges – Visit the monastery of Curtea de Arges, a masterpiece of the Romanian architecture and also a place of legend: the legend of the craftsman Manole, who had to sacrifice his own wife and build her inside the monastery walls, as a condition for the church to last for eternity.
Transfer to Poenari fortress, former residence of Vlad Dracul, a place where he actually lived.
1400+ challenging steps are to be climbed before reaching the remote Poenari fortress built on the cliff. Rewards after the brutal climb: the breathtaking views from the top of the cliff, the ruins of the Vlad Dracul castle, which show a place full of history, myth, and speak for the Prince deeds which associated him with the Dracula character. In the evening: farewell festive dinner and accommodation in Bucharest

Day 7 / Bucharest – departure
Transfer to the “Henri Coanda” Airport Bucharest

* Note: The rate $1265.00 is per person, valid for 4 passengers traveling together

Prices in CAD per person in double / twin room

INCLUDED :

• Transfer to/from Bucharest airport
• 6 nights accommodation in recommended 3*-4* hotels ( the exact names of the hotels will be known 3-4 weeks before departure)
• half-board (breakfast & dinner)
• transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with English speaking driver/guide)

EXCLUDED :

International flight from Canada
Personal expenses
Entrance fees to various sites, except the ones mentioned in ” Included”
Beverages and other meals not mentioned above
Tips
Everything that is not mentioned in the paragraph “Included”