EXCURSIONS

EXCURSIONS

THE STEPS OF DRACULA IN TRANSYLVANYA – 4 days

Day 1. BUCHAREST – CURTEA DE ARGES
Meet with your guide at Airport or your hotel in Bucharest. Leave from Bucharest for Curtea de Arges, the former second capital of Wallachia. The strongholds rebuilt in the 14th century. Visit the Princely Church (mid of 14th century) and its frescoed interior which is one of the first examples of Romanian paintings. The Episcopal Church (the monastery) which is a recreation of the original built in 1512 -1517 by Prince Neagoe Basarab (rebuilt in 1875 – 1885). Overnight at 4* hotel in Curtea de Arges.

Day 2. CURTEA DE ARGES – POIENARI - SIBIU
Breakfast. Then we’ll continue our route to Poienari Fortress standing on a cliff now in ruins, this is known as the real place of Vlad the Impaler. To get to the top you must climb up its 1400 steps (takes approx. 1 hour). Once you arrive up to the Citadel you will find that the citadel is surprisingly small, one third has collapsed down the mountainside in 1888. Entering through a narrow wooden bridge, you come across the crumbling remains of two towers within; the prism shaped one was Vlad's (Dracula's) residential quarters, from here, according to the legend, The Impaler's wife flung herself out from the window, declaring that better this way than be captured by the Turks, who were besieging the castle. Legend has it that Vlad himself escaped over the mountains on horseback.
The route will continue climbing on the highest road from Romania (2000 m altitude) called “Transfagarasan”. The breathtaking views over the Carpathians Mountains will toward you all the time. On the highest point a stop at a glacier lake (Balea Lake) will be a delightful break.
In the afternoon arriving in Sibiu and we’ll make a city tour. Sibiu was the European Capital of Culture in 2007. The Large Square, the Lesser Square,The staircase Tower, the Tanners Tower, the Liar’s Bridge, the House of the Butcher’s Guild and Bruckenthal Museum are the most important sights. Leisure and accommodation at 4*Hotel.

Day 3. SIBIU – SIGHISOARA – BRAN - BRASOV
Breakfast. Go on route that crosses beautiful Saxon villages. One can admire the fortified churches in the Transylvanian Saxons villages from Saros pe Tarnave, Axente Sever or passing through a small community of gypsies (copper makers) from Brateiu. Optional stop to Medias for a visit to a local open market. After this stopover we'll drive to Biertan a UNESCO Monument and one of the first settlement founded by the Saxons arrived in Transylvania. A unique facility is still preserved in the upper fortified enclosure, the village being known as one with no divorces. The church preserves an interesting door with a unique locker to protect the vestry room. Leave Biertan and arrive to Sighisoara , also called “The Pearl of Transylvania”. The old medieval city is included on UNESCO's Word Heritage List and is the only one still inhabited in Europe.
In 1431 a boy was born here, called Vlad, who, in later earned the title of The Impaler, abroad better known as Dracula, derived from Dracul or the Dragon – referring to his father Vlad Dracul, whom the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg, king of Hungary created a military knight order called The Order of The Dragon (Ordo Draconis) in. The Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill, the Scholar’s Stairs, The Monastery Church, the towers of the citadel (originally fourteen), The Shoemakers Town, the Tailor’s Tower, the Tinsmiths Tower are only a few of the marvels of this place called Sighisoara. Than go on route that crosses beautiful Saxon villages and hills. One can admire the fortified churches from Rotbav, Feldioara and the Fortresses from Rupea and Saschiz. Continue towards Bran and visit the 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. The first documents about the Bran Castle appeared in 1377. Along the history, the Castle had a strategic mission being situated at the border between Transylvania and Wallachia. First it was under the rule of the King of Hungary Sigismund of Luxembourg, of the Romanian voivodes Mircea cel Batran and Vlad Tepes and later on it came under the jurisdiction of the City of Brasov. In the XX century the castle was donated to the royal family and became a royal residence. The museum preserves the furniture and objects from that period. End the day in Brasov. Overnight to a 3* Hotel - located in the Old District area or similar.

Day 4. BRASOV – SINAIA – SNAGOV – BUCHAREST
Breakfast. Brasov is one of the most important cities from Romania and a very powerful medieval citadel during the history. Short tour of the medieval center of Brasov (2 hours) and includes – Council Square, Black Church, White and Black Towers, Weaver’s Bastion and Ekaterina’s Gate.
We’ll depart to Sinaia and visit the Peles Castle; former summer residence of the kings of Romania, the Peles Castle is 44 kilometers far from Brasov, in Sinaia, a well-known mountain resort as well. Nowadays the Castle is one of the most important museums in Romania where one can admire furniture and ornamental objects, carpets, tapestry, sculptures, paintings, collections of weapons from the 15th up to the 19th centuries.
On the route to Bucharest we’ll go to Snagov, a small village 40 km north of Bucharest, with its beautiful sixteen kilometer long lake; In the center of the lake is an island occupied by a monastery, built in 1519. The Snagov monastery is situated on the island of the lake with the same name.
Visitors come here to see the tomb of Dracula sitting in the front of the church altar. Vlad's murder is believed to have occurred in the forests nearby, where the monks took his body, since both Vlad and his father had both given money to the monastery. In the evening arriving at Bucharest and drop off.

Price from 450 euros/person (based on double occupancy)
* NOTE: Booking necessary at least 7 days (low season) 30 days (peak season) ahead

Included:
• 3 night accommodation in double rooms
• Daily breakfast – except the day of arrival
• Transport by car / minibus
• Tour guide / driver – English language.
• Entrance tickets at the monuments mentioned in the itinerary.
• Local taxes

Not included:
- Medical insurance
- Flight tickets
- Other services not specified on the itinerary
- Photo or video fees at monuments
- Banking or e-payment fees
- Gratuities

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