Cultural and Natural Heritage in Wallachia and Transylvania

Jidvei
Alba Iulia
Biertan
Medias
Sibiu
Transfagarasan

8 days / 7 nights

departures on request

from 979.00 €

    Cultural and Natural Heritage in Wallachia and Transylvania

    Day 1: arrival in Romania - Bucharest

    Arrival at Bucharest International Airport.

    Welcome by your English-speaking guide.

    Transfer and check-in at your hotel in Bucharest.

    Accommodation in Bucharest.

    Day 2: Bucharest - Sinaia - Brasov - breakfast

    Breakfast.

    We will start exploring Bucharest, the capital city of Romania.

    The day begins with a panoramic city tour which take us along the following route: Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral, University Square, Revolution Square, Romanian Athenaeum (architectural masterpiece; the main concert hall for one of the most prestigious classical music festivals on Earth: George Enescu Festival) and Union Square.

    We continue with Parliament Palace visit, the second largest building on Earth, after the Pentagon, built in the ‘80’s, one of Bucharest’s landmarks.

    Departure to Sinaia, “The Pearl of Carpathians”.

    Arrival in Sinaia.

    Visit of Peles Castle, Romanian most beautiful castle, former Romanian Royal Family in Sinaia we will visit Peles Castle, Romania’s most beautiful castle, former Romanian Royal Family summer residence. Today a very rich museum, architectural masterpiece built in German style, between 1875 and 1914.

    Departure to Brasov, in the historical region of Transylvania.

    Arrival in Brasov.

    Transfer to the hotel.

    Accommodation in Brasov.

    Day 3: Brasov - Bran - Sighisoara - breakfast

    Breakfast.

    Brasov short walking city tour visiting: City Hall, Council Square, Saint Nicholas Church, Franciscan Monastery, Brasov Fortress, Rope Street (one of the narrowest streets in Europe) and The Black Church considered the icon monument of Brasov.

    The Black Church is the largest Catholic church in Romania and the largest one between Vienna and Istanbul, built in Gothic style it has one of the largest pipe organs in Romania and also a beautiful collection of oriental carpets.

    Our journey continues to Bran, the location of another magnificent castle, the famous Dracula Castle.

    Visit Bran Castle, which is listed among the most famous castles on Earth and connected to the Legend of Dracula is today one of Romania’s most prestigious tourist icons.

    The first fortified construction at the site of Bran Castle dates from 1211. Throughout the centuries, the castle had many owners, including Queen Mary of Romania. Today, the owner is the Archduke Dominic of Habsburg. Among the most famous guests of the castle, was Vlad the Impaler (or Vlad Tepes, the legendary prince assimilated often with Dracula) in 1462, on his way to Visegrad, the place where he was incarcerated for 12 years.

    Departure for Sighisoara.

    Transfer to the hotel.

    Accommodation in Sighisoara.

    Day 4: Sighisoara - Malancrav - Sighisoara - breakfast

    Breakfast.

    We will discover Sighisoara, a genuine trip back in time to explore this exquisite medieval town. Narrow passageways, cobbled streets, burgher houses and the great local atmosphere, all contribute to an amazing experience.

    Our walking tour will include: the Clock Tower, House of Vlad the Impaler (here was born in 1431, Vlad the Impaler / Vlad Tepes, the legendary prince assimilated often with Dracula), Stag House, Venetian House, School Street, Scholar's Stairs and the Church on the Hill.

    This marvelous Medieval Citadel, listed as UNESCO World Heritage, remains the only medieval citadel in Europe, entirely and continuously inhabited, since its construction.

    Afternoon visit of Malancrav village.

    In this village (like in Viscri, Valea Zalanului or Breb), Prince Charles of Wales owns a house. His Majesty’s Foundation encourages local people to work using the traditional old ways, with local products.

    Will visit some handicrafts shops.

    Return to Sighisoara

    Transfer to the hotel.

    Accommodation in Sighisoara.

    Day 5: Sighisoara - Biertan - Medias - Sibiu - breakfast

    Breakfast.

    Departure to Biertan, one of the most famous Saxon villages in Transylvania. It was the religious capital of the Transylvanian Saxons for almost 300 years, between 1572 and 1867. We will visit the local Fortified Church part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

    Departure to Medias, one of the seven „Sieben Burgen”: Medias (Mediasch), Brasov (Kronstadt), Sibiu (Hermannstadt), Cluj-Napoca (Klausenburg), Bistrita (Bistritz), Orastie (Grossau), Sighisoara (Schassburg) plus Reghin (Sachsisch Regen) and Sebes (Mullbach).

    Medias short walking tour: Cathedral, Stephan Ludwig Roth College, Covered Stairs, Castle Square, Maria’s Tower.

    Our journey continues to Sibiu, a former European Capital of Culture in 2007.

    Visit of Astra Museum, one of the richest Ethnographical Museums in the world.

    Transfer to the hotel.

    Accommodation in Sibiu.

    Day 6: Sibiu - Alba Iulia - Jidvei - Sibiu - breakfast

    Breakfast.

    Departure to Alba Iulia, where modern Romania’s Union took place in 1918.

    We start the city tour in Alba Iulia visiting: the Reunification Cathedral, also called Coronation Cathedral, built between 1921 and 1922. This is the Cathedral, where on 15 October 1922, were crowned Ferdinand and Mary, as King and Queen of United Romania, called Great Romania. After that, we will visit the Catholic Cathedral of Alba Iulia, Princely Palace and Equestrian Statue of Michael the Brave.

    We will then visit Alba Carolina, a medieval citadel, masterpiece of Vauban style.

    We will complete the tour of the 3 gates and, if we will have chance, maybe we’ll be able to attend the changing of the guard.

    At the end of the tour, we will visit the prison cell where the heroes of Horea, Closca and Crisan Revolt were incarcerated, in 1784.

    Departure for Jidvei or Cetatea de Balta, famous Romanian vineyards in Tarnava Valley.

    We will attend a wine tasting ceremony.

    Return to Sibiu.

    We’ll start exploring the city of Sibiu, with a walking tour: Large Square, Little Square, Huet Square, Evangelical Church, Catholic Cathedral, The Lutheran Cathedral of Saint Mary, Orthodox Cathedral, Bridge of Lies, Craftsmen’s Square, Goldsmith Square, City Hall, City Hall Tower and Bruckenthal Museum, outside visits only.

    Transfer to the hotel.

    Accommodation in Sibiu.

    Day 7: Sibiu - via Olt Valley - Cozia Monastery / via Transfagarasan - Curtea de Arges - Bucharest - breakfast, dinner

    Breakfast.

    Today you have to choose between:

    Period A: via Olt Valley - Cozia Monastery

    Departing Sibiu, we will use the Olt river valley as our route back to Bucharest, crossing the Carpathian Mountains.

    We discover Cozia Monastery, founded in 1388 by the Prince Mircea the Elder, the monastery is one of the oldest and most complex historical and art monuments in Romania. The Monastery, built in a classic Byzantine style, one of the most important Romanian Monasteries.

    Period B: via Transfagarasan - Curtea de Arges

    Breakfast.

    Departure to Curtea de Arges, via Transfagarasan, crossing The Alps of Transylvania, at 2042 meters altitude, one of the most spectacular alpines routes in Europe.

    Brief stop for pictures.

    Before arriving to Curtea de Arges, we will pass Poienari Citadel, built by Prince Vlad Tepes, between 1456 and 1462, on a top of a mountain.

    We arrive finally in Curtea de Arges, the first capital of Wallachia, until 1396, when the capital moved to Targoviste.

    Visit of the Curtea de Arges Monastery, built between 1512 and 1517. Legend says that a local craftsman named Manole had to sacrifice his wife Ana, to complete the construction, building her in the walls of the monastery.

    Curtea de Arges Monastery is here we have the tombs of several kings and queens of Romania: King Carol I and Queen Elizabeth, King Ferdinand and Queen Mary, King Carol II, Kind Michael I and Queen Anne.

    Common program continues with departure to Bucharest.

    Arrival in Bucharest.

    Farewell dinner.

    Accommodation in Bucharest.

    Day 8: Bucharest - departure from Romania - breakfast

    Breakfast.

    Transfer to the airport, according with your flight schedule.
    Departure from Bucharest International Airport.

    Price per person in (€) EURO, at 5* hotels / 4* hotels / 3* pensions, available on demand for a group of 15-20 tourists:

    in double room shared           979 EUR/person

    in single room                       1239 EUR/person

    period B supplement            49 EUR/person

    Price includes:

    • 7 nights accommodation in standard double or single room, breakfast included:

      • Bucharest - 2 nights;
      • Brasov - 1 night;
      • Sighisoara - 2 nights;
      • Sibiu - 2 nights.

    *5 / 4 / 3 star service at the hotels in Romania, exact locations to be confirmed upon availability;

    **accommodation upgrades are available, if needed, please advise;

    ***the hotels are rated after local standards.

    • Transportation in dedicated modern air-conditioned car/minivan, from arrival at Bucharest International Airport until your departure from Bucharest International Airport, except the periods with time at leisure (morning, afternoon or evening);

    *transportation in modern, comfortable car or minivan, according with size of the group.

    • Meals:

      • 7 breakfasts, at your hotels;
      • 1 dinner, at local restaurants.

    *the restaurants will provide good, quality meals and service;

    **wine tasting ceremony at Jidvei or Cetatea de Balta vineyard.

    • English speaking guide;

    *guide will be also driver for group of 7 tourists or less;

    **separate driver, for group of 8 tourists or more;

    *** other languages available for the guide, upon request: French, German, Italian, Spanish or others, please contact us.

    • City tours or panoramic tours and visits in the following locations:

      • Bucharest;
      • Sinaia;
      • Brasov;
      • Bran;
      • Sighisoara,
      • Malancrav;
      • Biertan;
      • Medias;
      • Sibiu;
      • Alba Iulia;
      • Jidvei;
      • Cozia or Curtea de Arges.
    • Mentioned excursions as per program, and entrance fees for the sights to be visited;

    **subject to availability, opening hours, changing of schedule, closing days, closure due to restoration, closure for hosting events, etc.).

    • Local and government taxes in Romania (except the taxes issued by Immigration Authorities);
    • Travel assistance.

    **all services will be accommodated by professional staff that will try to ensure a great travel experience!

    Price does not include:

    • Any air tickets to Romania and from Romania as well as their airport taxes;
    • The drinks, except those mentioned express;
    • Any expense of personal nature;
    • Any optional tours or activities;
    • Camera and video camera fees, where applicable;
    • Visa fees and visa arrangements;
    • Tips/gratuities;
    • Any type of insurance;
    • Any cost element which is not expressly mentioned in the chapter “Price includes”.

    ***Important notes

    Please remember that it’s your responsibility to carry the proper travel documents. Also, make sure to see your doctor before your trip for a check-up and ensure that you have valid travel insurance.

    1.   All visa (if needed) requirements must be fulfilled and these are entirely your responsibility.

    2.   Make sure you have your passport with you at all times, some visits require presenting it upon arrival. Try to bring at least one copy of your passport and visa (if needed) and keep all documents safe.

    3.   The program can suffer changes up to 20% in case of modifications in the flight schedule, bad weather or other major force events, taking first into consideration the safety of the tourists and, if possible, without altering the general structure of the trip.

    4.   Some of the museums in Romania are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

    5.   This program will act as a contract between parties and / or will be considered as an addendum to a contract already valid.

    6.   The offer presented above and all the services proposed are subject to availability upon your firm request. No reservations have been made for your trip as of this moment. The rates presented above are subject to change without prior notice according to the regulations and currency fluctuations.