Glimpse of Transylvania

Day 1 / Giurgiu or Oltenita – Sinaia & Peles Castle – Bran Castle – Brasov
Disembark the ship in Giurgiu/Oltenita and departure by private car to Sinaia – one of the famous Carpathian Mountains towns. Visit the Peles Castle – former royal residence of King Charles I of Romania and known as one of the most beautiful summer royal residences in Europe. After this visit, enjoy a traditional lunch.
Continue 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. Built in 1377 to safeguard the trading route between Transylvania and Wallachia was later be turned into a royal residence under Queen Mary of Romania.
Then, we head to Brasov, another medieval citadel, with the first documentary attestation in 1235, and the old name Kronstadt (maybe the most important from all German medieval citadels in Transylvania). After the check-in at hotel, enjoy will be a traditional dinner. Overnight in Brasov – Casa Wagner 3* or similar. (L, D)

Day 2 / Brasov – Sighisoara – Sibiu
Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town. Departure towards the medieval citadel Sighisoara, having a documentary attestation dating back in 1280, and the old German name Schassburg, being in the present the only medieval citadel in Europe still populated (UNESCO heritage). A walking tour of the citadel & visit in The Clock Tower (for an interesting panoramic view) and the Weapon Museum, will be followed by a typical Transylvanian lunch. In the afternoon, we head to Sibiu, which was a German medieval citadel, with the first documentary attestation in 1191, and the old name Hermanstadt. Overnight in Sibiu – Hotel Imparatul Romanilor or similar (B,L,D)

Day 3 / Sibiu – Cozia – Bucharest
Breakfast at hotel. Leaving Transylvania, make a short stop to the 14th century Cozia Monastery – built in 1388 as a typical byzantine church, it shelters the tomb of the founder, Mircea the Elder, ruler of Wallachia between 1386 and 1418. Departure towards Bucharest. Enjoy a visit to the city’s most impressive sites—including the historic city center and the Palace of the Parliament, second only to the Pentagon as the largest administrative building in the world. The tour will include Cotroceni Quarter for its representative architecture. Farewell dinner at Carul cu Bere or similar – accommodation in Bucharest at hotel Berthelot 4* or similar (B, D)

Day 4 / Bucharest – departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the “Henri Coanda” Airport Bucharest.

HOTELS (or similar):
BRASOV: CASA WAGNER / BELLA MUZICA or similar
SIBIU: IMPARATUL ROMANILOR or similar
BUCHAREST: BOUTIQUE MOXA / BERTHELOT or similar

INCLUDED :

• Transport by private car/minivan
• Private English-Speaking tour guide/driver
• Accommodation 3 nights in 3* & 4* hotels – all centrally located (Sibiu – 1 night, Brasov – 1 night, Bucharest – 1 night)
• Meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
• Entrance fees to monuments/sights included in the itinerary
• 1 bottle of water/person/day

EXCLUDED :

International flight from Canada
Personal expenses
Beverages and other meals not mentioned above
Tips
Everything that is not mentioned in the paragraph “Included”