- Duration: 10 days
- Location: Departure from Bucharest
- Available Seat: Please contact us!
- Price: 792 €/person
In 1431, Vlad Draculea was born in Sighisoara, son of Vlad II, knight of the Dragon’s Order in Nuremberg. He was called Vlad Dracul, drac comes from the Latin draco or dragon, devil or snake, the supernatural animal portrayed on the symbol of the Knights Order of the Dragon.
His son, Vlad III, took his name Draculea, meaning the devil’s son. The nickname Tepes (from teapa as spear) comes from his habit of punishing his enemies by running a spear through their bodies, which was quite a common practice in a time of great violence and cruelty.
The shadow of the Walachian rules is haunting his places from 500 years ago: Sighisoara – his birthplace, Bucharest – the place called Curtea Veche, where he used to reside, The Poienari fortress – his main residence built on mountain peak, Targoviste – the Walachian capital. Bran castle – his emblematic castle, Snagov – where the tomb is supposed to be.
The legend about the blood-thirsty Vlad arose following his death and is attributed to some ecclesiasts belonging to the Benedictine and Capuccine orders that refused to obey the local laws. They took refuge in the German countries where they started to invert horror stories in which fighting evil was synonymous with cruelty. The vampire Dracula and the great ruler Vlad Tepes have a common origin, but the character created by Bram Stocker and media has nothing in common with the ruler who was once loved and respected by his people.
Day 1
Bucharest
Arrival at the international airport of Bucharest. Depending on the arrival time, free time for city tour in order to admire the architecture of the surnamed “Little Paris” of the 30’s. Visit the major tourist spots: Curtea Veche (the old courtyard) where Vlad Tepes used to reside and the ruins of which can still be seen today, University Square, Stavropoleos Church, the Palace of Parliament, Cismigiu Garden, Lipscani Street (the former merchants’ street), Herastrau Park.
Welcome dinner and overnight in a 3* hotel.
Day 2
Bucharest – Snagov – Targoviste – Sinaia
Breakfast. In Snagov, use boats to reach to the Snagov Island in order to visit the monastery where, according to the legend, the decapitated Vlad the Impaler was buried. There is considered to be many underground hideaways from the monastery to Bucharest.
Continue to Targoviste and visit the Royal Court (Curtea Domneasca), capital of Wallachia. The complex has been constantly refurbished and extended. The compound was surrounded by stone walls and then a moat and a new church and a tower had been built. Vlad III Dracula later added the Chindia Tower, now a symbol of the city. Lunch in restaurant.
Arrival in the mountain resort Sinaia. Visit the impressive Peles Castle, founded by the king Carol 1st in the 19th century. Free time to relax in the charming resort Sinaia, surnamed “The Pearl of the Carpathians”. Dinner and overnight in a 3* hotel.
Day 3
Sinaia – Brasov – Prejmer – Harman – Rasnov – Bran
Breakfast. Visit the historical centre of Brasov: The Black Church (dating from 1477, acquires the name after being blackened by smoke from the 1689 great fire), The Council Square, The Rope Street, and Catherine’s Gate. If the weather allows, hike on Tampa Mountain (and visit the White Tower and the Black Tower. Lunch in a restaurant.
Afterwards, visit the peasant fortresses Prejmer and Harman dating from the 13th century.
Visit the Rasnov citadel, built at the beginning of the 13th century by the Teutonic Knight and just once conquered in its history, in 1600, by Gabriel Bathory.
Arrival in Bran. Dinner and overnight in a 3* family hotel.
Day 4
Bran – Sighisoara
Breakfast. Visit the Bran Castle erected in the 13th century by the Teutonic knight Dietrich, which evokes the atmosphere in Dracula’s century more than any other castle, with numerous interior yards, multi-stories fortifications and bleak corridors. Commonly known as “Dracula’s Castle” (and also linked to Poienari Castle and Hunyadi by Dracula’s legend), it is now a museum open to tourists, displaying art and furniture collected by Queen Marie. Lunch in a restaurant.
Departure to Sighisoara town. City tour of the Saxon edifice dating from the 12th century, one of the few inhabited citadel of its kind: The History Museum in the Clock Tower, Dracula’s house, Weapon Museum, Covered staircase, The Church on the Hill, the Venetian House etc.
Every year, in the last week-end of July, Sighisoara returns in the Middle Ages: knights in shining armor are competing in tournaments, which trials, ladies in resplendent gowns everywhere, minstrels singing in every corner, improvised plays, concerts, of medieval music and all kind of other performances. This is the Festival of Mediaeval Art!
Dinner and overnight in 3* hotel in the medieval city.
Day 5
Sighisoara – Bistrita – Tihuta Pass
Breakfast. Departure to Bistrita town. Short visit of the city: The Evangelical Church (with the highest tower in Romania – 75 m), Sugalete (complex of 13 multi-stage buildings from the 15th – 16th century, bounded through large enters forming a gallery of 20 arched roofs uphold on 21 pilasters. Lunch in the restaurant Coroana de Aur. If its name appears in Bram Stocker’s novel Dracula, the restaurant was built afterwards, in touristic purpose. Try the popular Dracula’s meals and drinks.
Continue through Bargau Valley on Jonathan Harker’s trail to the Dracula Hotel at Piatra Fantanele, in Tihuta Pass. The landscape on the way fits almost perfectly in Bram Stocker’s description of Count Dracula’s Castle.
Vampire dinner and overnight in the 3* hotel and beware of Dracula!
Day 6
Tihuta Pass – Cluj-Napoca – Alba Iulia
Breakfast. Departure to Alba Iulia passing through Cluj-Napoca city. Short visit of the city: The Botanical Garden, Saint Michael’s Church (built in the 14th century in a Gothic style), The Orthodox Cathedral, The National Theatre, Palace of Justice, Iuliu Maniu street (also known as The Street in the Mirror). Lunch in a restaurant.
In Alba Iulia, visit the Citadel Alba Carolina, improved by Carol the 6th. The fortress in Vauban style with 7 bastions in a star shape was built in the 18th century. It is the most impressive on its kind in south-east of Europe, especially for its triumphal gates for the access in the fortress, initially six. Dinner and overnight on a 3* hotel.
Day 7
Alba Iulia – Deva – Hunedoara
Departure to Hunedoara. Stop in Deva and visit the Citadel built in the 13th century and the city’s tourist attractions: the Art Theatre, the Old Centre, and the Citadel Par. Lunch in a restaurant.
Arrival in Hunedoara. Visit the castle known as Corvins’ Castle or Hunyadi Castle. The impressive size and architectural beauty sets it among the most impressive monument of medieval art, with subsequent developments added Gothic and then Renaissance and Baroque.
Dinner and overnight in a 3* hotel.
Day 8
Hunedoara – Sibiu
Breakfast. Departure to Sibiu city. Visit the medieval city founded in 1191 by the Saxons, especially the historical center: The Council Tower (mentioned even in the 14th century), Brukenthal Palace (which shelters valuable art collections, being the first museum in the country), the Bridge of Lies (the first cast iron bridge in Romania), the Evangelist Church (with a 73 m tall tower – the tallest in Transylvania), The Passage of the Stairs (which runs alongside medieval walls and connects the Lower City with the Upper City through stairs, passages, corridors and bastions, a great touristic attraction).
Lunch in a restaurant. Visit the ASTRA National Museum Complex, the largest open-air museum ethnographic in Romania that offers over 96 ha a great demonstration of pre-industrial folk technology and development.
Dinner and overnight in a 3* hotel.
Day 9
Sibiu – Transfagarasan – Poienari – Curtea de Arges – Bucharest
Breakfast. Drive to Curtea de Arges, following the road called Transfagarasan, (if the period allows), the second-highest road in Romania. You’ll pass between the highest peaks in the country, Moldoveanu and Negoiu. Stop at Balea Lake in order to admire the surroundings and eventually climb on the ridge for a better view.
After Vidraru Lake, visit Poienari Citadel, related to Dracula’s history and legend. After climbing 1480 steps for about 20-30 minutes on a trek of almost 1 km, prepare to admire remarkable scenery over the mountains. Erected at the beginning of the 13th century, Poienari Citadel was abandoned until Vlad the Impaler repaired and consolidated the structure, making it his main fortress in the 15th century. Lunch in restaurant.
In Curtea de Arges visit the Cathedral of Curtea de Arges. Built in the early 16th century with pale grey limestone and decorated inside with frescoes, the monastery is a masterpiece of the Byzantine style, with Moorish arabesques. The legend of the church’s builder and his sacrifice in order to finish his masterpiece is impressive.
Arrival in Bucharest. Farewell dinner and overnight in a 3* hotel.
Day 10
Bucharest
Breakfast. Last visits and shopping. Departure.
HIGHLIGHTS
* Bucharest city
* Dracula’s Tomb in Snagov Island
* Royal Court in Targoviste
* Peles Castle in Sinaia
* Brasov city
* Prejmer and Harman strongholds
* Rasnov citadel
* Bran Castle
* Dracula’s Birth House and Sighisoara medieval citadel
* Dracula’s restaurant in Bistrita
* Bargau Valley and Dracula’s Hotel
* Cluj-Napoca city
* Alba Carolina fortress in Alba Iulia
* Deva Citadel
* Corvins’ Castle in Hunedoara
* Sibiu medieval city
* Transfagarasan Road and Balea glacial lake
* Dracula’s Poienari Citadel
* Curtea de Arges Monastery
PRICE:
Organized groups: 792 €/person
Special! Private tour: 1 440 €/person
*191 €/person SGL Supplement
Included:
- Accommodation 9 nights in 3* hotels
- Full board (check-in with dinner and check-out with breakfast)
- All transport and round transfers
- Fuel, road and parking taxes
- Entry tickets for the visits in the program
- English speaking attested guide
- Telephonic emergency call and support 24/7
Not included:
- Air tickets
- Taxes for cameras and filming
- Driver for the private tour
- Drinks off the boarding
- Tips
NOTE:
- The program in the present form is available if Day 1 is Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, according to the opening hours of some visits or activities in the tour. If Day 1 differs, they will be replaced or cancel.
- Rates do not apply during the main holidays (Easter, Christmas and New Year) and during great events (festivals, concerts, fairs).
