Dracula and Medieval Castles

Breakfast. We will start the day with a panoramic Bucharest city tour where you can see The Arch of Triumph, Victoriei street with Enescu Museum, former National theater, Atheneum, Royal Castle, Cretulescu Church, Hanullui Manuc, visit the Parliament Palace and Patriarchal Church. We will continue to Azuga, the only Royal Cellar in Romania, where we will have an amazing champagne tasting. After that we will remain in the royal spirit and visit the Peles Castle which is located in Sinaia, “the pearl of the Carpathians”, the private residence of the royal family of Romania. Check in and dinner in the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. This day is dedicated to meet the legend of the dark prince, Dracula. We will try to find him in his Castle, the Bran Castle which is one of the most visited sightseeing in Romania. The romantic castle, which in the inter-war was the residence of the Romanian Queen Maria, is now a museum. Back to Brasov where we are going to visit the old city center, the Black Church, the Rope Street, one of the narrowest streets in Europe, the city gates. Free time for lunch and shopping. Drive to Predeal for accommodation and a Festive Dinner with Folklore program.

Today we are going to better understand the history of Transylvania by visiting 2 fortified churches of Prejmer and Harman. Both are included in the 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Romania. The largest fortified church in southeastern Europe, Prejmer was built by Teutonic knights in 1212-1213.The powerful surrounding walls are 40 feethigh and 10-15 feet thick. Historical records attest that in its 500 years of existence, the fortress was besieged 50 times. Located in the heart of Harman, (meaning Honey Castle) village, this fortified church dates back to the 13th century when Saxons built the original structure. Strong walls and bulwarks surrounded the church, and, on its sides, massive towers were added.

Breakfast. Then we will see another fortress, Fagaras. Built in 1310 on the site of a former 12th century wooden fortress (burned by the Tartars in 1241), Fagaras was enlarged between the 15th and 17th centuries and was considered one of the strongest fortifications in Transylvania. The fortress was surrounded by a deep moat which, in times of war or social unrest, could easily be filled with water from a nearby mountain brook. A bridge over the moat provided the only access point. The fortress boasts three floors and five towers. Sibiu is known as a city of culture, characterized by the centuries-old traditions of different peoples, which was also one of the main reasons for the appointment to the European Capital of Culture in 2007.

Most of the buildings, squares, towers and basements of the city are testimony to a history that dates back a century and a half, when German-speaking settlers founded the town. You will get to know the Big and Small Ring, with various markets and craft houses, the cathedrals. Church from the monarchy and, of course, the evangelical town parish church from Huet Square, where the son of Dracula is buried. We will continue to Sibiel, where we will have a traditional Romanian dinner home at the peasants.

We leave towards Sighisoara. A XIIth century citadel, intact and still inhabitated, Sighisoara too was part of the defense system of Transylvania and also an important commercial city. It is also the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, also known as Vlad Dracul (Vlad the Impaler).

Other attractions include: the Church on the Hill, the Church of the Dominican Monastery, the Scholars’ Stairs, the Townhall, the History Museum with the Medieval Weapons rooms, the Torture room and the Clock Tower. Free time for lunch. After lunch we head towards Biertan, home to one of the largest and most impressive medieval strongholds in Transylvania.

Breakfast. Departure for Bucharest with a stop and visit the Cozia monastery, inside the church there is the tomb of the creator, Mircea the Elder and the one of the mothers of another great prince, Michael the Brave. Continue our quest for culture in Wallachia province by visiting the necropolis of the Royal family of Romania and Curtea de Arges home to the legend of Manole, the engineer who had to make a human sacrifice, his pregnant wife, in order for this building to be finalized and to stand the test of time. Arrival in Bucharest. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast. Visit or free time for shopping. Transfer for the airport (depending on the flight schedule).