Cluj-Napoca city break

Day 1 / Cluj-Napoca – arrival

Arrival at Cluj-Napoca airport and transfer from airport to your hotel. After check-in at the hotel, enjoy a walking tour of Cluj-Napoca: see the Gothic Cathedral of St. Michael with its impressive spire towering 80 meters above which dominates the downtown market then follows the Banffy Palace host of the National Art Museum, the Old Town Hall and the so-called Mirror Street where the buildings situated on the right are the reflection of the ones on the left side. At the end of the street you can admire the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral from the outside and visit the National Theatre. Overnight in Cluj-Napoca.

Day 2 / Cluj-Napoca – Alba Carolina – Turda Salt Mine – Cluj-Napoca
Breakfast at the hotel. Head to Alba Iulia on the way to discover the city which was the largest Roman castrum and its star shaped fortification Alba Carolina. Situated in the heart of Transylvania, over the time, this settlement was marked by the German and Hungarian populations which made this town culturally diverse. Because of the influences imprinted over centuries you will be able to observe that the buildings and churches have different architectural styles: Baroque, Romanesque and even Babylonian. The citadel surrounded by 12 km of walls in order to protect the center of the city won’t seize to amaze you. At its beginnings the fortification was first a Roman fort, afterwards a fortress during the Middle Ages and later a Vauban type citadel provided with 7 bastions.
After the tour, free time for lunch.
Next on our trip is the Transylvanian salt mine in Turda. You will see the results of the place where the romans began exploiting over 2000 years ago in the mine where deposits were formed 13 million yeas ago. In the depths of the mine you will find a little lake and you can also enjoy a boat ride in the salty environment. The views will offer you spectacular images which you won’t forget and you can enjoy an astonishing overview of the mine from a glass elevator. The temperature is between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius in the winter and also in the summer. The salty air has proven therapeutic properties, especially for people with respiratory problems. Return to Cluj-Napoca and overnight. (B)

Day 3 / Cluj-Napoca – Biertan – Sighisoara – Cluj-Napoca
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we will visit the Biertan Fortified Church, whose spectacular image could be used as a source of inspiration for a fantasy novel. The religious edifice surrounded by thick medieval walls was built in the 15th century, and the front door is equipped with no less than 19 locks and bolts.
The main attraction of the day is the Sighisoara Medieval Citadel, the only inhabited citadel in Europe. Passing through the cobblestone narrow streets and surrounded by colorful buildings will reveal the 9 towers of the Citadel, each one built by a different medieval guild (The Butchers’ Tower, The Tanners’ Tower, The Ironsmiths’ Tower, etc.). The most important of all is The Clock Tower, which was built in the late 13th and early 14th century. The Clock Tower was destroyed by a fire, but it was rebuilt in the 16th century, and it is now home to a history museum that includes a torture chamber.
The Medieval Citadel was built in the 12th century, and it played a significant role in Transylvania’s history, being one of its 7 independent cities. Besides the Citadel and its 9 towers, Sighisoara is also home to The Hill Church, a church that you can reach by climbing 175 wooden steps, a Venetian House built in the 13th century, and the Stag House, which belonged to the elite of the city. Overnight in Cluj-Napoca.(B)

Day 4 / Cluj-Napoca- departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Cluj-Napoca airport.

INCLUDED :

• Transfer to/from Cluj-Napoca airport
• 3 nights accommodation in recommended 3* hotel in Cluj-Napoca
• Half day walking tour of Cluj-Nappoca, with English speaking guide
• Full day private tour to « Alba Carolina – Turda Salt Mine » with English-Speaking tour guide/driver
• Full day private tour to « Biertan & Sighisoara » with English-Speaking tour guide/driver
• Entrance fees to monuments/sights included in the itinerary
• Daily breakfast

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”