Itinerary

Day 1

ROUTING: BUCHAREST
- Your English-speaking driver/guide will pick you up from your location in
Bucharest (Hotel, Airport, etc...)
- Upon arrival check in hotel
- First night at your leisure
- Overnight in Bucharest
ACCOMMODATION:
Option A: Crystal Palace ****
Option B: Venezia Hotel***

Day 2

ROUTING: BUCHAREST - COZIA - SIBIU
- Breakfast
- In the morning a panoramic city tour of Bucharest with the main points of
interest: Government Palace, House of Free Press, Royal Palace, Revolution
Square, Parliament House, a.s.o. (only visits of the exterior)
- Then we start the route to Sibiu. On the way a stop for a visit at Cozia
Monastery, erected by Mircea cel Bătrân in 1388 and boasting his tomb, one of
the most valuable monuments of national medieval art and architecture in
Romania. Wall facets' decorations with original stone rosettes and frames
display early Byzantine influence. Of great value is the hospital church, 'bolniţa'
(1543), with original well-preserved indoor frescoes like the votive portrait of
ruler Mircea cel Bătrân and his sons. Cozia was painted between 1390 and 1931.
Some of the original frescoes (1390) are still well preserved. The monastery
features a museum of exhibiting old art: icons, old manuscripts and prints,
embroideries and objects of worship.
- The route to Sibiu cross the Carpathians Mountains through Olt River Valley.
From the road the traveller can admire the beautiful show of the mountains.
- In the afternoon/evening arrival to Sibiu and city tour. Sibiu was the
European Capital of Culture in 2007. The Big Square, the Small Square, the
Ursuline Church, The Franciscan Church, The staircase Tower, the Tanners Tower,
the Lier's Bridge , the House of the Butcher's Guild and Bruckenthal Museum are
the most important sights.
- Overnight in Sibiu
ACCOMMODATION:
Option A: Hotel Ramada Sibiu ****
Option B: Zorba Pension ****
B

Day 3

ROUTING: SIBIU - SEBES - DEVA - HUNEDOARA
- Breakfast
- In the morning depart enroute to Hunedoara.
- Stop on the way to visit Calnic Castle (Unesco site). The castle, first
mentioned in 1269, is very well preserved. Built as a noble's residence, it was
bought in 1430 by local peasants and fortified.
- Arriving at Hunedoara and visit the Hunyad's Castle. The most representative
castle in this part of Transylvania, built in 14th century and became famous as
a property of Iancu of Hunedoara, the great ruler and fighter against the
Ottoman Empire at that time. Built in the 14th century, on the place of an old
fortification, on a rock below which flows the small river Zlasti, the castle is
a large building, with tall and diversely colored roofs, towers, windows and
balconies adorned with carvings in stone. In February 2007, Hunyad Castle played
host to the British paranormal television program Most Haunted for a three-night
live investigation into the spirits purported to be haunting the castle.
- Overnight in Alba Iulia
ACCOMMODATION:
Option A & B: Rusca Hotel ***
B

Day 4

ROUTING: HUNEDOARA - ALBA IULIA - MEDIAS - BIERTAN - SIGHISOARA
- Breakfast
- Depart from Hunedoara and continue to Alba Iulia. The modern city is located
near the site of the important Dacian political, economic and social centre
named Apulon (believed by many archaeologists to be the Dacian fortifications on
top of Piatra Craivii). In the roman period the city was known as Apullum. In
1918, tens of thousands of Romanians gathered in Alba Iulia on December 1, now
commemorated as the National Day of Romania, to hear the proclamation of the
union of Transylvania with the Kingdom of Romania. In 1922, Ferdinand of Romania
was symbolically crowned King of Romania in Alba Iulia in an act which mirrored
the achievement of Michael the Brave.
- Visit the old citadel, The Reunion Cathedral, The Reunion Hall and Museum, The
Catholic Cathedral (host to the grave of Iancu de Hunedoara - the famous ruler
of Transylvania)
- Continue our route to Medias and visit the beautiful Margareta church from XIV
century and the main tower with 47m high slant. This tower was included in top
10 the most slanted towers in the world.
- Then visit Biertan fortified church (included in the Unesco Heritage List), a
fortified medieval church, one of the biggest from Transylvania with three
defensive inner walls.
- In the evening arriving at Sighisoara
- Overnight in Sighisoara
ACCOMMODATION:
Option A: Hotel Sighisoara ***
Option B: Casa Saseasca***
B

Day 5

ROUTING: SIGHISOARA - PREJMER - BRASOV
- Breakfast
- Visit the citadel of Sighisoara, one of the most preserved medieval city from
Europe. Situated in Mures County, on the valley of the Tarnava Mare river,
Sighisoara (former Dacian settlement and also called "the pearl of
Transylvania") was founded by the German immigrants in the second half of the
12th century and it was turned into a city in 1407. Its medieval aspect may be
found both in the centre of the city and inside the Fortress of Sighisoara. In
this area, houses are built very close to one another, giving a sense of
"crowdedness" (in order to occupy the least space possible).
- Then we cross a region with important Saxon influence. You can admire the
architecture of Saxon's villages, the fortresses from Rupea, Saschiz and Rotbav.
- The next stop will be at Prejmer. Visit Prejmer Fortified Church, one of the
best preserved of its kind in Eastern Europe. The church is modeled after
churches of Jerusalem, built in the style of Late Gothic churches from the
Rhineland.
- End the day in Brasov with a visit in the Old City Center. Main attractions
are: Black Church.- a major symbol of Braşov, and a museum open to visitors of
the city center, Weaver's Bastion, Black and White Towers, Ecaterina's Gate,
Concil Square.
- Overnight in Brasov
ACCOMMODATION:
Option A: Casa Wagner***
Option B: Flamingo Guesthouse***
B

Day 6

ROUTING: BRASOV - SINAIA - BRAN - RASNOV - BRASOV
- Breakfast
- Depart to Sinaia and visit the Peles Castle, former summer residence of the
kings of Romania, the Peles Castle is 44 kilometres far from Brasov, in Sinaia,
a well-known mountain resort. Nowadays the Castle is one of the most important
museums in Transylvania where one can admire furniture and ornamental objects,
carpets, tapestry, sculptures, paintings, collections of weapons from the 15th
up to the19th centuries.
- Continue our visit at Bran and it's famous Bran castle. Also called Dracula's
Castle, it is situated not far from Brasov (25 kilometers) at the entrance in
the Bran - Rucar passage. The castle got its fame from Dracula's legend written
in 1897 by Bram Stoker and later on made into a film by Francis Ford Coppola.
The first documents about the Bran Castle appeared in 1377. Along the history,
the Castle had a strategic mission being the border between Transylvania and
Wallachia. First it was under the rule of the King of Hungary Sigismund of
Luxemburg, of the Romanian voievodes Mircea cel Batran and Vlad Tepes and later
on it came under the jurisdiction of the City of Brasov
- Next stop at Rasnov and visit the old citadel. Built in 1331, the Fortress had
a defense role and it was a shelter for the inhabitants of Rasnov in case of
enemy attacks.
- In the middle of the courtyard there is a well 146 metres deep and the ruins
of an 11th - 12th century - Orthodox church were discovered here.
- Nowadays the Fortress houses an interesting museum
- Overnight in Brasov
ACCOMMODATION:
Option A: Casa Wagner***
Option B: Flamingo Guesthouse***
B

Day 7

ROUTING: BUCHAREST - AIRPORT or GIURGIU* (*Romania/Bulgaria border crossing)
- Breakfast
- Transfer to Bucharest Airport and final good-bye from your Romanian Specialist
Tour Guide (about 2h.30min driving) or continue this tour to Bulgaria with our
partners

Extra Information

Inclusions -

6 nights accommodation described in the itinerary , Transportation by private car or minivan , English-Speaking Specialist tour guide for the duration of the tour , Credit Card Transaction Fee** , Local Taxes

Exclusions -

Airfare , Entrance fees , Lunches or Dinners , Alcoholic drinks , Gratuities , Extra charges of hotel, eg. Laundry, telephone or fax charges, room service, etc.. , Insurance

Extras -

Romania is home to some of the best persevered medieval towns, castles,
citadels and fortresses in Europe. Take a journey with your personal tour guide
to historic Transylvania and be amazed by its rugged landscape and beautiful
national monuments.

After a short tour of Bucharest we then depart for the medieval town of Sibiu by
the Transfagaran Highway. Sibiu is a magnificent example of the Saxon towns in
Transylvania. A walk through the old city will bring feelings of how it was in
the middle ages.

Then on to Hunedoara castle, considered the greatest fortress in Romania. A
spectacular Gothic style castle that served as a Fortress for the Transylvania's
ruler, Iancu de Hunedoara. With 3 huge pointed towers, a drawbridge and high
battlements, 5 marble columns with delicate ribbed vaults support two halls, and
Knight's Hall.

The following day we will discover the ancient citadel of Sighisoara, still
inhabited to this day and part of the UNESCO heritage cities. It was here were
the historical Dracula, Vlad Tepes, was born. Enjoy a visit of its fortress
including the Clock Tower, History museum and torture room. Next continuing to
the largest of the Saxon Church-Fortresses in Transylvania, Biertan.

Next on the itinerary is the medieval city of Brasov; the historic center of
Transylvania. Enjoy a guided tour of its old quarter. From here you will
discover the major strong holds of the area. Starting with the famous Bran
Castle, dubbed as Dracula's Castle, the main tourist attraction of the Region.
One of the most picturesque castles in Romania, sitting on a hilltop with
magnificent views. Containing a collection of antique furniture and an open air
ethnographic museum. After we go to Sinaia where you will get a chance to visit
it's the impressive Palace of Peles. Once a royalty residence, set amongst the
hills with breathtaking views. Built in Renaissance style, containing 160 rooms
and a collection of medieval weapons. Then onto Transylvania's historical
center, Brasov. Then moving on to the peasant fortress of Rasnov before heading
back to Brasov.

The above and more will be included on this privately guided tour. For more
details on this tour refer to the "Day by Day Itinerary". This tour is
customizable to your request so please inquire for details.
Discover Medieval Towns, Castles and Fortresses of Transylvania!!!