Day 1

Morning  departure  to  Sibiu . Located  only 170 miles northwest from Bucharest, you  will  need  two days  to take  in this city and the varied attractions the regions passed by have to offer.

Stop-over in Targoviste, former throne residence of Wallachia between 1396 - 1659. In the course of the centuries, the town was burnt down eight times. 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-17th centuries).

Continue on to Curtea de Arges for a visit to the monastery, built between 1512-1515, one of the outstanding churches in Romania, famous for its architecture, where, according to the legend, Master Manole, the builder, entombed his wife in the stone walls.

Travelling  north,  across  the  Olt  Pass  into  Transylvania, you'll reach  Sibiu  just  in  time  for  a  lavish dinner. Overnight in Sibiu.

Day 1

Morning departure for Poiana Brasov driving through Prahova Valley.

A  perfect chance to relax in this quiet mountain resort town, this two-day excursion takes you north from Bucharest and across the Carpathian Mountains into Transylvania.

En route, stop-over in 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 the 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.

A short ride from Sinaia will take you 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.

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 1

Early morning departure to Sibiu. Located only 170 miles northwest from Bucharest, you will need two days, including your travel day, to take in this city and the varied attractions the regions passed by have to offer.

Stop-over in Targoviste, former throne residence of Wallachia between 1396 - 1659. In the course of the centuries, the town was burnt down eight times. It is known for its Chindia WatchTower, built in the 15th century, during the reign of Vlad Tepes "The Impaler", nicknamed Dracula, and for the Princely Court(14th-17th centuries). Continue on to Curtea de Arges, for a visit to the Monastery, built between 1512-1515, one of the outstanding churches in Romania, famous for its architecture, where, according to the legend, Master Manole, the builder, entombed his wife in the stone walls.

Travelling north across the Olt Pass into Transylvania, you may want to stop for a look at Cozia Monastery, a historical monument of architecture 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.

Late afternoon arrival in Sibiu. Dinner and accommodations in Sibiu.