Transylvanian Citadels

DAY 1

Arrival transfer from airport to hotel in Bucharest. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Bucharest. (D)

DAY 2

Breakfast at the hotel.

Half day sightseeing tour of Bucharest - a perfect way to familiarize yourself with the five-century-old capital of Romania. The tour includes a visit to the Village and Folk Art Museum - the largest in Europe, containing over 110 houses and old wooden churches and 11,000 objects of folk art, transported from all over the country - and a visit to the Metropolitan Church. Drive by the Romanian Athenaeum, the former Royal Palace, the Town Hall, the Opera House, Cotroceni Palace, the Military Academy. During this tour, a short walk will take you to the Princely Court, dating back to Vlad the Impaler time. Visit the Palace of Parliament - the second largest building in the world, being surpassed only by the Pentagon building in Washington(3 h ½). Drive by University Square and the Arch of Triumph,  which gives the city a taste of Paris. Lunch in a local restaurant. (Optional visit to the  Cotroceni Palace – 1 h – Euro 11.-/person)  Welcome dinner and overnight in Bucharest. (B, D)

DAY 3

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today, start your adventure deep in Romania’ s history. Early morning departure to Sibiu - located only 170 miles Northwest from Bucharest. Stop over in Targoviste, former throne residence of Wallachia, between 1396–1659. It is known for its Chindia Watch Tower, built  in the 15th century, during the reign of Vlad Tepes, "The Impaler" (alias Dracula), and for the Princely Court (14th - 17thcenturies).

Travelling north across the Olt Pass into Transylvania, stop for a look atCozia Monastery, a historical monument built by Mircea the Old, ruler of Wallachia (1386-1418), a remarkable warrior and prince, who is buried here. The monastery was built between 1387-1388, having frescoes from the 14th and 18th centuries. Afternoon arrival in Sibiu, just in time for a brief walking tour of the old part of the city, Europe’ s Cultural Capital in 2007. Dinner and accommodation in Sibiu. (B, D)

DAY 4

Breakfast at the hotel.

Last evening, wandering through the narrow streets of Sibiu, you will find out that this is one of Romania's most romantic cities, an old citadel founded by Saxons, a great place for history and art lovers. It is home to a beautiful Evangelical Cathedral, an imposing Catholic Church, to Brukenthal Museum of Art and History, one of the largest in Romania and to Dumbrava Folk Art Open Air Museum -the largest open air ethnographic exhibition in Europe. Late morning departure to Sibiel village, to see its renowned collection of handmade glass icons, and to enjoy lunch in a peasant house.

Afternoon return to Sibiu. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Sibiu.

DAY 5

Breakfast at the hotel.

Leave Sibiu for a day of travelling and visits, of blending medieval and ancient history. First, visit the imposing Huniazi Castle, dating back to the 14th century, a beautiful monument, well kept, built on the site of a royal castrum. And because the area is full of Dacian and Roman ruins, let’ s reach Ulpia Traiana Sarmisegetusa, founded by the Romans, about 1990 years ago. Lunch en route. The afternoon will have you at your Hotel/ villa in Deva area, for a short rest before dinner. (B, L)

DAY 6

Breakfast at the hotel.

Early morning departure to Alba Iulia. One of the oldest settlements in Romania, known in ancient time as Apulum, Alba Iulia served as the largest cultural, administrative and commercial center during the Roman

occupation. The “Route of the Three Fortifications”  - unique historic site in  Europe – is a real travel through two millennia old citadels, from fortifications built along three consecutive periods on the same location,

each new one including the older one: the Roman Castrum (106 AD), the Medieval Fortress (16-17th century) and Alba Carolina Citadel(18th century). Other important sites to visit: the Roman Catholic Cathedral, the Batthyaneum Library, the Orthodox Cathedral of the Reunification, the National History Museum of Unification, the Union Hall, the Apor Palace, the Princely Palace, and the University of Alba Iulia. Time allows only the visit to the cathedrals. Lunch en route.

Continue on to Sighisoara, with stop over to Biertan fortress church, one of the most impressive medieval strongholds in Transylvania. Perched on top of a hill, the church is the heart of a fortress with 3 defense walls and 6 towers.

Afternoon wandering on your own through the most beautiful and best preserved inhabited medieval citadel in Europe, Sighisoara. Overnight in Sighisoara. (B, L)

DAY 7                                                                                             

Breakfast at the hotel.

A day dedicated to the visit of the old citadel of Sighisoara, with origins dating back to the 12th century; visit the Clock Tower Museum, climb the covered wooden steps to the church on the hill, visit  Vlad Dracul House, one of the oldest buildings in town, where Prince Vlad Tepes was born. The house has been turned into a restaurant and a museum, full of interesting flavours and artifacts.

Departure to Brasov, with a short road diversion to Fagaras Citadel, built it in 1310 on the former place of a 12th century wooden fortress, strengthened by earthen wall fortifications. Fagaras Fortress and Castle were completely built in brick. At present, the castle has 80 rooms, and the fortress is still surrounded by a deep and wide moat. Since 1954, the castle has housed the Museum of Fagaras County; it comprises sections of archaelogy, history - Roman artifacts and a collection of medieval weapons - and etnography. The museum also hosts a beautiful collection of glass painted icons.

Another loop road will take you to Harman Fortress, located in the middle of Harman, a village 8 km far from Brasov. It dates back to the 13th century, when the Saxons built the original church. Strong walls and bulwarks surrounded the church and the sides were protected by massive towers.

Late afternoon arrival in Brasov, a medieval trading center, the second largest city in Romania, strategically situated at the meeting point of the three Romanian principalities: Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania. If time allows, you may want to discover, on your own, the beauties that the main square and  the nearby streets with attractive boutiques and small restaurants have to offer. Return to the hotel to get ready for a special dinner in Poiana Brasov. This resort town is awaiting you to enjoy the flavors of Romanian cuisine, the folk music and the atmosphere of local, traditional decorations. Overnight in Brasov or Poiana Brasov. (B, D)

DAY 8

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning sightseeing tour of Brasov; together with Poiana Brasov resort, it is regarded as the chief tourist area of Romania. You may visit the loftyBlack Church, so called because of a 1689 fire. It is famous for its imposing Gothic architecture, its 4000 pipe organ and the valuable collection of Anatolian carpets of 17th and 18th centuries. Drive slowly to old Schei District of Brasov, to visit St. Nicolas of Schei Church, built between 1518-1598, great asset of the Romanian cultural heritage, where you can see actual 16th century books and documents of great value, as well as the first printing machines.

Continue on to the fabled Bran Castle, also known as Dracula's Castle, built at the beginning of the 13th century by  Knight Dietrich of the Teutonic Order. In 1377, the people of Brasov built a new citadel here to protect the way of access to their town. Later on it was fortified, its walls enlarged, and between 1920-1930, the castle was used by the Romanian royal family, namely by Queen Maria (a niece  of  Queen Victoria of England). Only in 1958 Bran Castle was turned into a museum and opened to visitors.

Winding your way southwards, stop at Sinaia mountain resort, well-known as the "Pearl of the Carpathians". Situated on the outskirts of this resort city, amidst sculpture gardens and fountains, Peles Castle is an exquisitely detailed landmark. Rivaling the castle itself is the beautiful natural setting in which it stands. Once summer residence of Romania's kings, this spectacular castle, built at the end of the 19th century, is now one of Romania's most beautiful museums. Boasting priceless collections of weaponry, hand woven silk rugs and furniture, Peles Castle is a unique look back at life under the monarchy.

Early afternoon has you back in Bucharest just in time to get ready for a farewell dinner. Overnight in Bucharest. (B, D)

DAY 9

     Breakfast at the hotel. Departure transfer to the airport.

                                                                                   

Transylvanian Citadels  Tour Features:

·         8 overnights in  3/4 star hotels as specified (3 nts in Bucharest in a 4 star hotel, 2 nts in Sibiu in a 3 star hotel, 1 nt in Deva area in a 3 star hotel/villa, 1 nt in Sighisoara in a 3 star hotel/guest house, 1 nt in Basov/Poiana Brasov in a 4 star hotel)

·         Half Board: Buffet Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner Daily (3 course menu, mineral water, coffee)

·         Entrance fees to the tourists sites as per the above program (bold lettered sites)

·         Transportation throughout itinerary by car/minibus

·         R/T airport transfers

·         English speaking guide assistance throughout itinerary

·         All local taxes included (luggage handling is not included)

2013 rates / person in EURO: 

       

                                              2 person     3-6 person    7-12 person

- sharing a double room          1,386.-      1,084.-          765.- 

- single room supplement         510.-

Note:      - Museums are closed on Mondays.

                - Peles Castle is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

                - The Black Church is closed on Sundays.

- The Palace of Parliament, due to international conferences or meetings, could be closed without prior notice. We arrange the visit of the Cotroceni Palace instead.

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