BEST OF TRANSYLVANIA
Cluj-Napoca - Transylvania departure
Highlights
Bran Castle – also known as Dracula’s Castle, a legendary Transylvanian fortress dating back to 1377.
Rasnov Peasant Citadel - the largest peasant fortification ever built in Eastern Europe
Brasov City tour – explore the Medieval Saxon city of Brasov with its outstanding medieval atmosphere, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe
Vampire dinner – vampire menu for dinner in a 4* restaurant
Sighisoara Medieval Citadel one of Europe’s most beautiful and still inhabited fortified cities with a UNESCO World Heritage status.
Merry Cemetery - discover in the picturesque and traditional area of Maramures how a cemetery can be merry.
The European Capital of Culture for 2007 - the fortified town of Sibiu containing the largest concentrations of tourist attractions in Romania.
Stay in Dracula’s Castle on Borgo Pass – a hotel built in accordance to Bram Stockers’s imagination on the border between Transylvania and Moldavia
Day by day itinerary:
DAY 1 Friday, Cluj – Turda
Welcome to Romania! Our English speaking guide collects you from Cluj Napoca Airport. A city with an outstanding medieval atmosphere, one of the oldest settlements in Transylvania, dating back prior to the Roman period, Cluj will surely impress you with its beautiful old architecture. To better capture the essence of the area enjoy the local cuisine, a traditional Romanian lunch is strongly recommended.
From Cluj drive to Turda, a small town with an intimate atmosphere founded by the Romans under the name Potaissa. Prepare to descend to the heart of one of the biggest salt mines in the country – Turda Salt Mines, with impressive halls named after kings and queens. Delight yourself with a vampire menu for dinner in a 4* restaurant. Accommodate in a 4* hotel.
Optional: You’ll then attend the Ritual of Killing of the Living Dead. This live re-enactment is housed in the cellar of a 4* resort, designed in a genuine rustic Transylvanian style. Performed according to the old rituals of burying in Transylvania, the event is intended to reveal the fact that Transylvania, and in fact entire Romanian had no knowledge of vampires until Bram Stocker created his famous novel Dracula.
DAY 2 Saturday, Turda – Medias – Sibiu –Sibiel
Morning drive to the charming town of Medias with its beautiful medieval centre where you’ll make the acquaintance of a unique artist, the only one who uses spider web for his paintings. Continue your journey with Sibiu, the European Capital of Cultural for 2007. The fortified town of Sibiu has always been the centre of Romania's German minority since medieval times and it is one of Romania’s most beautiful cities. It contains the largest concentrations of tourist attractions in Romania. Visit one of its major highlights, The Village Museum – an outdoor exhibition of peasant settlements from all over the country offering a complete picture on Romania’s rural architecture. For dinner and accommodation drive to the traditional Saxon city of Sibiel located 20 kilometres away from Sibiu. You’ll enjoy a transfer by horse drawn cart to the country-inn you’ll overnight in. Delight yourself with a delicious traditional home cooked Saxon dinner.
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Day 3 Sunday Sibiel – Fagaras -Bran – Brasov
Visit in the morning Transylvania’s symbol, Bran Castle. Unrightfully called Dracula’s Castle, Bran owes its fame both to its unique charm and to the myth Bram Stoker created around Dracula. A former fortress guarding a commercial road, Bran dates back to 1377. In 1920, Queen Mary, the niece of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, turned the castle into a beautiful summer residence. Close to the castle there is a shrine set in the wall of a mountain which once sheltered her heart. A lunch in Bran is a delicious experience. A cheese tasting is strongly recommended as the village is part of the Rucar - Bran corridor renowned for the delicious traditional home made cheese assortments produced here (the ones smoked in pine tree bark are particularly delicious). Drive next to Rasnov to visit The Peasant Citadel. Standing on top of a hill and overlooking an incredible Transylvanian landscape, Rasnov is the best preserved peasant fortification in Transylvania and the largest one in Eastern Europe, first documented in 13 century. In the evening transfer to the medieval Saxon city of Brasov. Accommodate in a 3* hotel. Enjoy the Saxon cuisine in one of Brasov’s top restaurants.
Day 4 Monday, Brasov – Sighisoara
Explore today Brasov, a city with an outstanding medieval atmosphere which has played a vital role in Romania’s history, both old and new. Three quarters of the city is surrounded by mountains, and it is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. Visit the most famous landmark of Brasov, the Black Church, the largest gothic edifice in southern Europe dating back to 14th century. Initially called St. Virgin Mary the church was renamed after the great fire in 1689 that blackened its walls. It hosts the largest bell in the country as well as a collection of oriental carpets dating from the 15th and the 18th centuries. Transfer next to the medieval citadel of Sighisoara. Founded by Saxons during the 12th century, Sighisoara still stands as one of Europe’s most beautiful and still inhabited fortified cities with UNESCO European heritage site status. Sighisoara is also the place where Vlad the Impaler, known as Dracula, was born. Dinner in Casa Vlad Dracul Restaurant, the very place where Vlad the Impaler was borne, turned today into a cosy restaurant where you’ll taste the delicious Count’s dishes. Accommodate in a 3* hotel located in the heart of the medieval citadel.
Optional: For a unique experience you’re invited to enjoy a helicopter ride over Bran Castle.
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Day 5 Tuesday, Sighisora – Bistrita – Borgo Pass
Submerge yourself in the medieval atmosphere by visiting Sighisoara’s main attractions: The Clock Tower - built in 1360 and standing 60 meters tall on top of the citadel's hill, it hosts a museum and offers a great view over the citadel, The Torture Room, The Medieval Weapon Collection, Covered Stairs, the Church on the Hill.
Drive next to Bistrita Citadel. Make the acquaintance of a unique character, Misiuga, the Baron of Dracula. He’ll welcome you in his windswept Dogarilor (Coopers’) Tower. Head next for Dracula’s Castle on Borgo Pass, built in accordance to Bram Stoker’s imagination on the border between Transylvania and Moldavia. To test your courage, visit Dracula’s Coffin in the dungeon of the castle. Accommodation and candle lit dinner at the castle.
Day 6 Wednesday, Borgo Pass – Sacel – Sighetu Marmatiei – Baia Mare
Explore today the magical traditional land of Maramures, renowned for the art of wood carving. Drive to the picturesque village of Sacel and visit the work shop of a renowned woodcraftsman. For lunch drive to Barsana and enjoy delicious traditional dishes prepared by the nuns of Barsana Nunnery. One of the highest wood constructions in Europe, the nunnery is located in gorgeous natural setting close to the banks of Iza River. It is considered one of the most beautiful monasteries of Maramures. In the evening transfer to Ieud village, accommodate in traditional guesthouse. The first documentation of the village dates back to 1365. A charming village, proud of its ancient traditions, Ieud is also home of a UNESCO Heritage Site, the Church on the Hill.
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Day 7 Thursday, Ieud – Sapanta – Baia Marea – Cluj Napoca
Explore in the morning the merriest cemetery in the world, transfer to Sapanta to visit the renowned Merry Cemetery. It owns its name to the vivid colours of the headboards on which are painted scenes narrating the biography of the deceased. The images are accompanied by lyrical, ironic simple rhyming stanzas. Drive next to Baia Mare, the capital city of Maramures county, located at the foot of Eastern Carpathians, one of the most important urban centres in North Romania. Overnight in Cluj Napoca, accommodate in a 3* hotel.
Day 8 Cluj Napoca
With a lot of memories and surely some regret say good bye to Romania. Transfer to Cluj Napoca Airport for the return flight.
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Testimonials
I just wanted to let you know that we all enjoyed the trip very much. Our guide, Sorin, was very knowledgable with a great sense of humor, and our driver, Stephan, was very skilled, and also very personable. As I mentioned, all in all, we had a wonderful time and are very happy that we chose Transylvania Live. I will be sure to recommend you to any friends who might ask about Romania. Thank you again for all of your help, and most of all your patience with all of my many questions!!! Multumesc!!!!
Damon B. New York, USA
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Your guide
Sorin Udroiu
Over 20 years of experience as a guide recommend Sorin as a perfect travel companion. From cultural, sightseeing tours to private journeys, Sorin has always managed to leave his guests with a unique impression of Romania
I enjoy guiding very much; it’s more than a job or hobby, it is a real passion. Romania is a great country with a fascinating history and it’s a great satisfaction for me to see that, at the end of a tour, tourists feel the same!
Sorin
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Price & Departure
Special notes & info
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