Transylvania in depth

Day 1 / Bucharest – arrival

Arrival at Bucharest airport and transfer from airport to your hotel. Overnight in Bucharest.

Day 2 / Bucharest – city tour
Breakfast at the hotel. Start your day with a private city tour of Bucharest including the Revolution Square, a guided tour of Palace of the Parliament – the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon, Cotroceni Quarter for its representative architecture and the Village Museum – one of the world’s most interesting open-air museums with century old original peasant households from all parts of Romania. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Bucharest (B)

Day 3 / Bucharest – Curtea de Arges – Cozia – Sibiu
Breakfast at hotel. Departure from Bucharest to the monastery of Curtea de Arges, built by the ruler of Wallachia Neagoe Basarab in 1514. This monastery impresses through its outstanding architecture. The exterior walls boast unique stone embroideries.
En route to 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.
Arrival in Sibiu and enjoy a leisurely walking tour of the Old Town Sibiu with the Great and Lesser Squares and the surrounding defense walls and guild towers. View the Passage of Stairs linking the Upper Town to the Lower Town and the Liar’s Bridge. One of the landmarks of Sibiu is the Bruckenthal Museum assembled by Baron Bruckenthal, Governor of Transylvania at the beginning of the 19th century and the second museum to ever open in Europe after the National Gallery in London. Overnight in Sibiu (B)

Day 4 / Sibiu – Huniady (Corvin) Castle – Alba Iulia – Cluj-Napoca
Breakfast at hotel. Continue your trip towards Hunedoara for a guided tour of Huniady Castle – one of the most well preserved Gothic castles of Transylvania and home to the mighty Huniady royal family. This is one of the less visited castles of Transylvania but a gem of Gothic architecture.
Our next stop is at Alba Iulia, a city where Romania’s history vibrated for more than 2000 years. This place was, over the years, home to a Roman Fort, a medieval defense fortress, and ultimately, a large stellar-shaped fortress with bastions in Romania, built in a Vauban style.
Drive north to Cluj Napoca, the former capital of Transylvania and one of the important university centers of the country. The panoramic city tour will include St Michael’s Cathedral, the Fellner & Helmer Opera House as well as the City Hall and Old Center. Overnight in Cluj Napoca (B)

Day 5 / Cluj-Napoca – Turda Salt Mines – Biertan – Sighisoara
After breakfast, visit of the impressive Turda Salt Mines, recently re-opened to all modern facilities. 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.
Then, drive along Valley of Tarnava to the village Biertan & visit at the biggest fortified church in Transylvania, built between 1490 – 1524, is proof of the important Heritage of the Transylvanian Saxons.
Arrive to Sighisoara, a World Heritage Site and the only still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe. It was developed by the German settlers as of late 12th century. It stands on a network of tunnels and catacombs and, according to one version of the myth; this is where the Pied Piper brought the children of Hamelin after their ungrateful parents refused to pay him his due. The walking tour includes the two squares of the Citadel (Upper Town), the Scholars’ Staircase, the Ducklings’ Square, the Tinsmiths’ Tower, the House with Antler and the Venetian House, the Tower with Clock (climb up for a great view), the Torture Chamber and the Weapon Museum. Visit a local arts & crafts exhibition. Sighisoara is the place where the famous Vlad the Impaler Dracula was born in 1431. The Birthplace is today a restaurant and one of the main tourist attractions. Hotel check in. The remainder of the day is at leisure in the Upper Town. Overnight in Sighisoara.(B)

Day 6 / Sighisoara – Viscri – Bran Castle – Brasov
Breakfast at hotel. Leave Sighisoara towards Viscri – visit the fortified church, one of the best preserved fortified church in Transylvania – Prince Charles, who owns several houses in Viscri, says « Transylvania is in my blood ».
Your tour continues 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.
In the afternoon, arrival in Brasov and brief city tour, including the 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), Schei Quarter, the Rope Street, Brasov Synagogue and Catherine’s Gate – a fairy-looking medieval tower, part of the last preserved original city gates.
Check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Enjoy Brasov’s lovely pedestrian area with its many shops and outdoor cafes. Overnight in Brasov (B)

Day 7 / Brasov – Sinaia – Bucharest
Breakfast at hotel. Morning scenic drive to Sinaia – one of the famous Carpathian Mountains towns. Panoramic tour including a view of the Casino building inspired by the one in Monte Carlo and a visit to Sinaia Orthodox Monastery. Continue with the visit of one the most important tourist attractions of the country: Peles Castle – former royal residence of King Charles I of Romania and known as one of the most beautiful summer royal residences in Europe. The tour ends in Bucharest with a transfer at your hotel. Overnight in Bucharest. (B)

Day 8 / Bucharest – departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the « Henri Coanda » Airport Bucharest.

INCLUDED :

• Transfer to/from Bucharest airport
• Accommodation 7 nights in 3* & 4* hotels – all centrally located (Bucharest – 2 nights, Sibiu – 1 night, Cluj-Napoca – 1 night, Sighisoara – 1 night, Brasov – 1 night, Bucharest – 1 night)
• Private English-Speaking tour guide/driver
• Transport by private car/minivan
• Entrance fees to monuments/sights included in the itinerary
• Meals: 7 breakfasts
• 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”