Day
1: BUCHAREST – TARGOVISTE (140 km)
Arrival on Bucharest International Airport. Meeting with Romanian
car and guide (& driver, english speaking). Sightseeing tour of
Bucharest, including the Palace of Parliament, also called the House
of the People – the second largest building in the world, after
the US Pentagon building, the Archbishop Complex, Calea Victoriei
(formerly called “Podul Mogosoaei”), and the Village Museum
(established in 1956 by D. Gusti). Transfer to Targoviste. Accommodation
and dinner at 3* hotel.
Day
2: TARGOVISTE-SIBIU (250 km)
Breakfast. Visit the Chindia Tower (built by Prince Vlad as a watch
tower and prison) and the ruins of the former Princely Court of Wallachia.
Continue our way to Curtea de Arges, another former capital of Wallachia
during 14th century, where we visit the Monastery and Master Manole’s
well (architectural jewels from 16th century). Continue our way to
Sibiu, once the richest town in Transylvania, passing through one
of the most spectacular and beautiful areas in Romania – the
Olt Valley (narrow pass). On the way, visit Cozia Monastery, erected
in 14th century by Mircea the Old, Dracula’s grandfather.
Accommodation at 3* hotel in Sibiu. Festive dinner in “the Old
Sibiu” wine-cellar.
Day
3: SIBIU - SIGHISOARA (85 km)
Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of the mediaeval fortress by foot, including
the former palace of the governor of Transylvania, Samuel von Brukenthal,
nowadays sheltering one of the best art galleries in Romania. On the
way to Sighisoara, visit the three-rounded walls church of Biertan,
included on UNESCO’s List of World Heritage.
Departure to Sighisoara, the only medieval citadel in Europe that
is fully inhabited; mentioned in 1280 as “Castrum Sex”;
sightseeing tour of the city, including the Clock Tower Museum, the
Cover Stairs and the Church on the Hill. Is also included a visit
in the house where Vlad “Dracula” was born, now a cozy
restaurant, and two mediaeval attractions: the Torture room and the
Mediaeval Weapons Collection. Dinner and accommodation at 3* hotel
in or near Sighisoara (B, D).
Day
4: SIGHISOARA – TARGU MURES - BISTRITA (200 km)
Visit the Palace of Culture in Targu Mures city, well known because
the impressive collection of mirrors and glass-painted icons. Visit
the Orthodox Catedral in Targu Mures. Free time for lunch in Targu
Mures. Drive forward to Bistrita, another medieval German town
Accommodation and dinner at 3* hotel in Bistrita. (B, D)
Day
5: BISTRITA – DRACULA CASTLE – VATRA DORNEI – CAMPULUNG
MOLDOVENESC – MOLDOVITA - VAMA (200 km)
Crossing the mountains, we are going to Dracula Castle, built on the
top of Bargau mountains, where one can hear the legend of Dracula
told in the depths of Dracula’s crypt. In Campulung Moldovenesc,
one can visit the woodcraft museum, with great local exhibits.
Following the trails to Bucovina, see the magnificent monastery of
Moldovita, the first outdoor oainted monastery in the area, awarded
with the greatest UNESCO trophy – Golden Apple.
Accommodation and Romanian dinner at 3* guest-house/mansion, in Vama
(Bucovina area). (B, D).
Day
6: MONASTERIES TOUR (200 km)
Breakfast. Today we visit, in a full-day trip, the most important
UNESCO monuments: the monasteries of Sucevita, Humor and Voronet.
The last one was surnamed the Sistine Chapel of the East due to its
western wall paintings called “the last judgment”.
Also included: visit to the black pottery masters workshop in Marginea
village.
Accommodation and dinner at 3* hotel Central in Piatra Neamt. (B,
D).
Day
7: PIATRA NEAMT-BRASOV-SINAIA (285 km)
After breakfast, transfer by coach to Bicaz Gorges, following some
of the most impressive mountain trails in the Carpathian Mountains,
as you head back to Transylvania. Stop at Lacu Rosu, a cozy mountain
resort with its natural dam lake, unique in Romania. Continue through
the mountains to Brasov, one of the most visited cities in Romania,
and from there to Sinaia, a popular Romanian winter ski resort town
for your dinner and overnight accommodation. (B, D) .
Day
8: SINAIA (100 km)
Today is the day of the Castles. Home to the splendid Peles Castle,
Sinaia is located at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains. Although the
Sinaia monastery has exised here since the 17th century, Sinaia becomes
famous at the end of 19th c., when became the summer residence of
the first king of Romania, Carol I, which popularized the town. Visit
Peles Castle, a fine example of German Renaissance style of architecture,
with elaborately-decorated rooms.
Your next stop is Bran Castle, in fact a medieval fortress since 13th
c. well known as the real residence of Vampire Count Dracula. After
some free time this afternoon return to the hotel to relax. (B, D)
.
Day
9: SINAIA - BUCHAREST (125 km)
This morning journey back to Bucharest. Check in to your hotel and
enjoy some free time for last-minute shopping before meeting the guide
for a final festive farewell dinner with folk singers and dancers.
(B, D)
Day
10: BUCHAREST (30 km)
Your tour arrangements end this morning after breakfast. You will
be transferred to the airport or train station according to your individual
itinerary. (B)
Total
distance: ~
2000 km.
Included
objectives:
• Bucharest: The Palace of Parliament, the Archbishop’s
Palace and the Village Museum
• Targoviste: The Chindia Tower and the former princely court
of Wallachia
. Cozia Monastery
• Sibiu: the Art Museum Bruckental; the medieval fortress, the
Main Square of the citadel
• Sighisoara - the Tower Museum; the Covered Stairs Passage,
the Church on the Hill, the Vlad Dracul House
• Campulung Moldovenesc - the Museum of Woodcraft;
• UNESCO Monuments: Voronet Monastery (outdoor blue frescoes;
called “the Sistine Chapel of East”); Moldovita Monastery
(outdoor red frescoes); Sucevita Monastery (outdoor green frescoes);
• Bicaz Gorges – the most impressive gorges in Romania
• Lacul Rosu - natural lake, unique in Romania
• Brasov – sightseeing tour
. Sinaia – Peles castle
. Bran – Bran Castle