Romania and Transylvania are often linked to the legendary figure of Dracula due to Bram Stoker's novel - one of the most read books all over the world. Behind Dracula's legend is Vlad Tepes, a Romanian prince famous for his fight against pagans and thieves and for his romanticism. We invite you to discover the homeland of Vlad Tepes. You will follow the steps of Dracula in Wallachia and Transylvania.
Highlights
Dracula's castle in Bran
It has been built between 1377 and 1382, on a 60m high rock to safeguard the vital route between Valachia and Transilvania and it is known nowadays as "Dracula Castle" because of its associations with Vlad Tepes (the Impaler). The building has four towers positioned at the four cardinal points. The walls are made of stone blocks, the rooms and narrow corridors constitute a mysterious labyrinth of secret chambers, and the well in the inner courtyard is connected to an underground network. Queen Maria of Romania, granddaughter of Queen Victoria, was perhaps the castle's most famous resident- it is even said that her heart, kept in a silver box, was discovered in a niche of the building. Nowadays it houses a museum of feudal art, exhibiting valuable collections of furniture, weapons and armory.
The Huniade Castle
Founded during the 14th century and rebuild in 1453 by Iancu de Hunedoara, with a Renaissance style wing added by Matyas Corvinus and additions by Gabriel Bethlen in the 17th century.The castle is moated to a depth of 30m and approched by a narrow bridge upheld by stone piers, its roofs bristling with spikes, overlooked by multitudes of towers. Within the castle is an extravaganza of gaalleries, spiral stairways and Gothic vaulting, with an impregnable donjon and a Knights'Hall with rose-coloured marble pillars.
Peles castle
It is one of Romania's most important museums. The Castle was designed as summer Royal residence and build up between 1875 and 1883. It combines various architectural styles, notably elements of the German and gothic Renaissance. The castle has 160 rooms, opulently decorated with leather, ebony, and walnut and contains invaluable collections of art and furniture.
The medieval fortress of Sighisoara
Sighisoara is one of the last medieval fortresses in Europe still inhabited. Here stands the house where Vlad Tepes "Dracula" was born.
Medias
In 1467 Vlad Tepes was held as a prisoner for a few days in the Tailors' tower of the medieval citadel.
Cozia monastery
The oldest monastery in Valahia (the name of the South part of Romania), was build up on the banches of river Olt in 1386 by Mircea the Old (Mircea cel Batran), the grand father of Vlad Tepes.
Brasov
Raised during the 14th and 15th centuries. In the crypt there is the tomb of Mihnea the Bad, Dracula's son and voivode of Wallachia for just one year. He was stabbed to death outside after attending Mass in 1510.
Sibiu - the Evangelical church
Brasov is a town that still preserves its medieval centre. One of the main attractions is The Black Church, so called for its blackened walls as a result of a great fire, lit by an Austrian army, that swept Brasov in 1689. It seems that the murderous image of Vlad Tepes is due to the Saxon merchants of Brasov that spread a lot of rumours about him in an effort to discredit him in the face of Christendom.
Cluj
Cluj is the economic, commercial and cultural centre of Transilvania. Cluj is presented in Bram Stocker's "Dracula" under the name of Klausenburg. It's from Cluj that Jonathan Harker tries to escape to Budapest in order to put some distance between him and the dreadful Dracula's castle.
Itinerary
Saturday - BUCHAREST - COZIA - SIBIU (280 KM)
Departure from your hotel in Bucharest in the morning (around 9 a.m.). Arrival in Cozia. The monastery, the oldest in Valahia (the name of the South part of Romania) was build up on the banches of river Olt in 1386 by Mircea the Old (Mircea cel Batran), the grand father of Vlad Tepes. On to Sibiu following the picturesque Olt valley. Arrival in Sibiu, a charming town full of history. Sight seeing tour of the medieval centre with the Evangelical Cathedral, raised during the 14th and 15th centuries. It contains a fine collection of funerary plaques, a superb altarpiece, and in the crypt the tomb of Mihnea the Bad, Dracula’s son and voivode of Wallachia for just one year. He was stabbed to death outside after attending Mass in 1510 (when the building was still a Catholic place of worship). Accommodation in Sibiu – hotel 4* (Ramada / Golden Tulip Ana Tower / Forum).
Sunday – SIBIU – HUNEDOARA – ALBA IULIA – SIBIU (300 km)
Breakfast. Departure to Hunedoara. Visit of the Huniade castle. Founded during the 14th century and rebuild in 1453 by Iancu de Hunedoara, with a Renaissance style wing added by Matyas Corvinus and additions by Gabriel Bethlen in the 17th century.The castle is moated to a depth of 30m and approched by a narrow bridge upheld by stone piers, its roofs bristling with spikes, overlooked by multitudes of towers. Within the castle is an extravaganza of gaalleries, spiral stairways and Gothic vaulting, with an impregnable donjon and a Knights’Hall with rose-coloured marble pillars. On to Alba Iulia – visit of the fortress. Alba Iulia is one of the most beautiful cities in the country, with a unique Citadel and magnificent churches. There are many places of interest but the Citadel is undoubtedly the most important one. The Roman Catholic Cathedral can be found here. It is the oldest and most valuable monument of architecture in Transylvania. The Reunification Cathedral stands next to it and symbolizing the Romanian people's idea of unity. Return to Sibiu for the second night of accommodation.
Monday - SIBIU – MEDIAS - CLUJ– BISTRITA (300KM)
Breakfast. Continue to Medias – In 1467 Vlad Tepes was held as a prisoner for a few days in the Tailors’ tower of the medieval citadel. Panoramic visit of the town. On to Cluj – Napoca – the economic, commercial and cultural centre of Transilvania. Cluj is presented in Bram Stocker’s “Dracula” under the name of Klausenburg. It’s from Cluj that Jonathan Harker tries to escape to Budapest in order to put some distance between him and the dreadful Dracula’s castle. On to Bistrita – accommodation HOTEL 3* (Coroana de Aur / Codrisor / Diana).
Tuesday – BISTRITA –TIRGU MURES – SIGHISOARA(150KM)
Breakfast. Panoramic s/s tour of Bistrita, a little town still full of medieval buildings and preserving the legend of Dracula. From here starts the journey of Jonathan Harker in Bram Stoker’s novel. He stoped over night in the Golden Crown hotel. A hotel with the same name has been built up later on in Bistrita. We continue with the town of Tirgu Mures (the town of the roses) The town is a mix of ethnic groups (Romanians, Hungarians, Germans) , a fact that is reflected in the diversity of architecture. The central square, called The Square of the Roses, is borded by some very nice buildings in the Secession style among which we mention the Town Hall and The Palace of the Culture. In the North part of the square one can admire The Orthodox Cathedral in the neo- Byzantine style (1925-34) and the Jesuits ‘ church in Barocc style. Arrival in Sighisoara. Visit of the medieval city of Sighisoara (the Fortress) including the house where Vlad Tepes was born (situated in the heart of the old town, included in patrimonies of UNESCO). Accommodation hotel 3* (Rex / Sighisoara / Casa Wagner).
Wednesday - SIGHISOARA- BRAN - BRASOV (200 km)
Breakfast. On to Bran - – visit of the “Dracula’s castle”. It has been built between 1377 and 1382, on a 60m high rock to safeguard the vital route between Valachia and Transilvania and it is known nowadays as “Dracula Castle” because of its associations with Vlad Tepes (the Impaler). The building has four towers positioned at the four cardinal points. The walls are made of stone blocks, the rooms and narrow corridors constitute a mysterious labyrinth of secret chambers, and the well in the inner courtyard is connected to an underground network. Queen Maria of Romania, granddaughter of Queen Victoria, was perhaps the castle’s most famous resident- it is even said that her heart, kept in a silver box, was discovered in a niche of the building. Nowadays it houses a museum of feudal art, exhibiting valuable collections of furniture, weapons and armory. Departure to Brasov, a town that still preserves its medieval centre. One of the main attractions is The Black Church, so called for its blackened walls as a result of a great fire, lit by an Austrian army, that swept Brasov in 1689. The most amazing thing about this Lutheran church is that it displays a collection of Islamic prayer rugs. It is also famous for its Organ recitals on its 4000-pipe instrumen. It seems that the murderous image of Vlad Tepes is due to the Saxon merchants of Brasov that spread a lot of rumours about him in an effort to discredit him in the face of Christendom. Accommodation in Brasov – hotel Casa Wagner 3*
Thursday - BRASOV –SINAIA – BUCHAREST (200KM)
Breakfast. Departure to Sinaia. Visit of the Peles castle. Peles Castle is one of Romania’s most important museums. The Castle was designed as summer Royal residence and build up between 1875 and 1883. It combines various architectural styles, notably elements of the German and gothic Renaissance. The castle has 160 rooms, opulently decorated with leather, ebony, and walnut and contains invaluable collections of art and furniture. Departure to Bucharest. Panoramic s/s tour with the old quarter of the town. The tour ends at the hotel in Bucharest.
Departure dates
The tour starts from Bucharest each Saturday, from March till November.
Included services
5 nights BB accommodation
English speaking guide
A/Ccar /minibús /autocar / for the tour
the visits mentioned in the programme
entrances to Cozia monastery, the evangelical cathedral in Sibiu, the fortress in Alba Iulia, Huniade castle, the fortress of Sighisoara, the castles of Bran and Peles; panoramic s/s tour of Bucharest, Cluj, Bistrita, Medias and Brasov
Price
Price valid for minimum 2 persons: pax in double - 1080 €/pax
Price valid for minimum 2 persons: pax in double - 690 €/pax
sgl supl - 120 €