Haunting Dracula - Transylvania

Day 1  - Arriving in Transylvania

Pick up the international airport of Sibiu and hotel accommodation.

Late afternoon tour of the medieval town centre, which was responsible for wining Sibiu the title of European Cultural Capital in 2007.
The main sights are the Grand Square -  the heart of Sibiu, where the Brukenthal Palace is located, one of the most important baroque monuments in Romania. Also the Lesser Square reveals its best known treasure, Liar’s Bridge.

Day 2 - From Transylvania to Wallachia

After breakfast we shall embark on the tour bus and follow one of the “greatest roads in the world”, as the producers of the popular British show Top Gear have called it after using it in one of their shows. It is the Transfăgărăşan alpine road, the second highest in Romania, reaching an altitude of 2034 m, where the beautiful Bâlea glacial lake is located.

We shall stop there for lunch at Ceauşecu’s (the former communist dictator) hunting lodge, while admiring the breathtaking Bâlea glacial valley.From here the road is descending into wild Wallachia, though thick pine forests until we reach Vidraru - one of the largest dam lakes in Romania, where we will have a short stop for pictures.

Further down the road, on a bold peak, the Poienari fortress arises.
This was the second residence of Vlad The Impaler. It was built by the ruler himself, has 5 towers, and its walls are 2-3 meters thick.

Our last stop for the day will be at Curtea de Argeş, one of the former capitals Wallachia. There shall visit one of the most famous churches in Romania, through the legend of Ana, the woman inmured alive in the walls of the cathedral. Accommodation and dinner.

Day 3 - From Curtea de Arges to Sinaia

After breakfast we embark on the bus and head to Bran, where we have the chance to experience the history, the myth, the intrigue and the magic of the wonderful Bran Castle.  It was built in 1212 as a fortress and gained importance during medieval times when Bran became a customs locality between Transylvania and Wallachia. The famous torture chamber is more of a legend, while the secret passage way though which Vlad the Impaler escaped on one occasion can be visited as well as most of the castle.

After lunch, the next stop will be at Rasnov, at the Rasnov Fortress. The Rasnov fortress’ history goes back to 1211 when it begun to be built as a part of the defence system of the village. It was used as a backdrop in the Oscar winning film Cold mountain.

Day 4 - Back in Transylvania, from Sinaia to Sibiu

After breakfast we’ll be visiting the Peles Castle. The Peles Castle is the royal summer residence of Romanian kings,  built between 1873-1914 for King Charles I (former  Prince Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen) and his wife Elisabeth.

After breakfast, the rest of the afternoon is designated to the visit of Brasov, 28 km away from Bran.
The city is famous for hosting the Golden Stag International Music Festival, where some famous international artists  such as: Diana Ross, Sheryl Crow,  Tom Jones, Vaya con Dios,  Ricky Martin have sung.
The main attractions of Brasov are the Council Square, where the afore mentioned festival is held each year, the medieval, gothic style Black Church, the Rope Street, which is the narrowest street in south-eastern Europe, Brasov Fortress and many others which await to be discovered on the spot.

Day 5 - Daparture

After breakfast, departure from Sibiu Airport.