Transyvania

DAY 1

The first day stars with a drive to Sibiu (from Bucharest, Cluj Napoca or Tirgu Mures) and settle in a rural guesthouse in a nearby village.

DAY 2

The second day covers a trip to visit the Corvin (or Hunyadi) Castle in Hunedoara, the most outstanding in Transylvania. It has Gothic-Renaissance architecture and was built in the 13th century, here Vlad Țepeș (the Impaler aka Dracula) was imprisoned for 7 years.

On the way you can pass by Sarmizegetusa Regia, the capital of Dacia, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Also of interest are the fortified church in Câlnic and Alba Iulia, home to a wonderful fortress and where Transylvania united with Moldova, Wallachia and Dobruja in 1918 to form Romania.

DAY 3

Discover Sibiu with its charming medieval squares, towers and buildings. In 2007 Sibiu was Europe's Cultural Capital so it's great to learn about local culture by visiting the History, Art, Natural Science and German Saxon heritage museums.

This way you will gain a broader perspective of Transylvania's and Romania's heritage.

In the afternoon you can stroll through the Village Museum, the largest open air museum in this part of Europe, situated in the forest.

DAY 4

Rural life in Transylvania is widely preserved and many occupations have changed much for centuries like glass painting, blacksmithing, brick-making, farming and livestock raisings. These still represent a priceless heritage of Transylvania.

So we invite you to discover the quaint lifestyle by visiting locals and even getting involved: paint on glass, make some bricks, milk a cow and learn how cheese is made; your hosts can be your guide.

DAY 5

The fifth day begins with a visit to one of the best preserved fortified churches in Viscri, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here a major heritage conservation project is under way having His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Wales as its biggest supporter; he even owns houses here and visits yearly.

In the afternoon go on a horse-drawn carriage ride to a sheepfold and discover how shepherds live, tend to sheep and make cheese.

DAY 6

The first part of day 6 starts with a visit to Sighişoara, probably Europe's most beautiful medieval fortified citadel, the birthplace of legendary Vlad Țepeş (the Impaler) also known as Dracula.

The afternoon continues with a drive to Biertan to admire the most beautiful fortified church in Transylvania, a UNESCO heritage site as well and meeting place of emigrant German Saxons.

In the evening walk to the cozy village of Copşa Mare, also home to a beautiful fortified church.

DAY 7

Day 7 starts with a step on royal soil at Sinaia, home to picturesque Peleș and Pelișor castles, one of the highlights of your journey. Peleş Castle is the former residence of the Royal Family of Romania. The Castle was declared a museum in 1953. In the afternoon drive to Transylvania's most famous castle in Bran due to its association with Dracula so time to find out the truth and see it with your own eyes.

Bran Castle was built starting with 1212 and is now a museum, which also includes art and furniture collected by Queen Mary of Romania. In the evening you can visit Brasov and even hike for an hour to see a stunning panorama from above.

DAY 8

Leaving Transylvania, either going back home or continuing your journey to other regions of Romania. If you go to Cluj, you can stop by the Turda salt mine, a true wonder worth visiting today.