7 days
Duration
Bucharest, Transylvania, Wallachia
Regions
Cultural Tour, Dracula Tour, Private Tour
Tour Type
- Accommodation
- Attractions
- Dracula tour
- Exclusive Tour
- Holiday in Transylvania
- Holiday to Romania
- Meals included
- Medieval Castles
- Medieval Cities
- Mountains
- Private Tour
- Salt Mines
- Saxon Villages
- Tours in Romania
- Tours in Transylvania
- Traditional Villages
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
LEGENDS AND FICTION, HISTORY AND REALITY. THE TOUR ON VLAD THE IMPALER FOOT STEPS
This private tour will take you on an authentic discovery of the legendary medieval Prince Vlad the Impaler whose story inspired the mythical Dracula.
Visit one of the most fascinating and undiscovered regions in Eastern Europe, with an outstanding history and culture, preserving some of the most beautiful medieval towns in Eastern Europe. Experience the thrill of following Dracula’s footsteps, with an itinerary that takes you through all the places that carry the memory of the bloodthirsty Prince Vlad the Impaler. A specialist tourist guide leads this tour and will include a special lecture on Dracula. It combines history and fiction in a complete itinerary including regions of all Transylvania, but also the Fortress of Poenari, Bucharest and the Lake of Snagov, all the sites linked with the Vlad the Impaler or with Dracula.
Itinerary: Bucharest Tour – Royal Court of Targoviste – Poenari Fortress – Sibiu Walking Tour – Corvin Castle – Alba Iulia Citadel – Turda Salt Mine – Organic Smoked Bacon Tasting – Bistrita Walking Tour – Jonathan Harker Story and Hotel Castle Dracula – Exclusive Gypsy Home Visit – Sighisoara Walking Tour – Saschiz Fortified Church – Bran Castle – Brasov Walking Tour – Peles Castle – Snagov Island
| DEPARTURE/RETURN | Bucharest |
| TRANSPORTATION | Fully insured sedan/minivan with climate control |
| TOURIST GUIDE | Certified English-Speaker Tourist Guide (speakers of other languages at request) |
| 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 2 on the Tentative List | Historic Center of Sighisoara Saschiz Fortified Church (Villages with Fortified Church in Transylvania) Historic Centre of Sibiu and its Ensemble of Squares (Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage Sites) Historic Town of Alba Iulia (Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage Sites) |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS AND UNIQUE CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
- Benefit of complete flexibility of having the tour tailored on your requirements, in terms of the route, the duration and the features of the tour;
- No more than two days in the same location;
- Enhance your experience through our choices of tours to match your particular interests and traveling style;
- Enjoy the exceptional knowledge and expertise of Romania’s top rated licensed tourist guide with excellent reviews;
- Take the unique chance of meeting Gypsies in their own community in Transylvania and discover their particular culture and see what good skills they have at crafts;
- Enjoy 6 nights of accommodation at full of character, centrally located buildings;
- Make the most of your tour experience through our exclusively designed tours with all admissions included and not just only guided walks;
- Discover the truth behind the legend of Dracula and what is myth and what is reality;
- Discover the capital city of Bucharest, on a comprehensive city tour including the guided tour in the Palace of the Parliament and in the former private residence of the Ceausescu family.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN | Bucharest (it can be changed at your request) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| TRANSPORTATION | Fully insured sedan/minivan with climate control | ||||||||||||||||||||
| TOURIST GUIDE | Certified English-Speaker Tourist Guide (speakers of other languages at request) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| INCLUDED |
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| NOT INCLUDED |
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1
Day 1: Bucharest Arrival
At your arrival to Henri Coanda International Airport in Bucharest you will be greeted by your certified English-speaking tourist guide and driver who will take you to your 4* hotel located in the heart of Bucharest. On the way to the hotel, have a preview of what you are about to discover here with a panoramic tour of the city that takes you by the House of the Free Press, the Romanian Arch of Triumph, through The Victory Square, The Roman Square and finally to The University Square. The rest of the day will be at your leisure.
***Optional: You can choose a traditional Romanian Welcome Dinner with Folklore Show
***Optional: You can choose a traditional Romanian Welcome Dinner with Folklore Show
2
Day 2: Bucharest City Tour with Parliament Palace and Ceausescu Residence – The Royal Court of Targoviste – Poenari Fortress – Sibiu
After the breakfast in the hotel, we will start the “Follow Vlad the Impaler – Dracula: Myth or Reality?” tour with the visit of capital city of Romania. The day starts with a visit in the Old Town of the ruins of the Old Princely Court, known as Dracula’s residence, where the legend says that Vlad the Impaler was keeping his prisoners. After the visit of the Old Princely Court next will be the visit of the Palace of Parliament, the world’s largest, heaviest and most expensive administrative building and a visit to the former residence of Ceausescu family, the last communist leader of the Socialist Republic of Romania; it was open to the public in 2016.
From Bucharest, we will go to visit the capital of Wallachia in the times of Vlad: Targoviste. We will start with a walk up to Chindia Tower, the symbol of the Princely Court of which was built by Vlad the Impaler.
Before reaching Sibiu prepare prepare to climb the steps of Poenari Fortress for a dive in the legend of the bloody Prince, this is the REAL Castle of Vlad the Impaler – Dracula. Built on a remote peak on the cliffs of the Fagaras Mountains, the 13th century ruined Fortress of Poenari in this day remains pristine and almost inaccessible.
From Poenari Castle, we will cross the mountains into Transylvania. After reaching Sibiu, brief orientation tour on the way to the hotel. Accommodation in a 4* hotel in the center of Sibiu.
Dinner on your own. A suggestion is Crama Sibiul Vechi, the best cellar – restaurant in town or La Taifas restaurant.
From Bucharest, we will go to visit the capital of Wallachia in the times of Vlad: Targoviste. We will start with a walk up to Chindia Tower, the symbol of the Princely Court of which was built by Vlad the Impaler.
Before reaching Sibiu prepare prepare to climb the steps of Poenari Fortress for a dive in the legend of the bloody Prince, this is the REAL Castle of Vlad the Impaler – Dracula. Built on a remote peak on the cliffs of the Fagaras Mountains, the 13th century ruined Fortress of Poenari in this day remains pristine and almost inaccessible.
From Poenari Castle, we will cross the mountains into Transylvania. After reaching Sibiu, brief orientation tour on the way to the hotel. Accommodation in a 4* hotel in the center of Sibiu.
Dinner on your own. A suggestion is Crama Sibiul Vechi, the best cellar – restaurant in town or La Taifas restaurant.
3
Day 3: Sibiu Walking Tour – Corvin Castle – Alba Iulia Citadel – Turda with Dinner
After the breakfast in the hotel, you will have a leisurely walking tour of Sibiu (Hermannstadt), the formerly chief city of the Transylvanian Saxons. The Great and Lesser Squares are the landmarks of the Old Town with the many merchant houses featuring the Sibiu eyes. View the old surrounding defence walls and the remaining towers belonging to the merchant guilds. Next is the Evangelical Cathedral completed in its actual shape in 1520 and the death place of a son of Vlad the Impaler, which was attending Mass and as he was leaving the service, he was stabbed by the hired assassin Dimitrije Iaksic, a Serbian partisan. Before noon, depart to Hunedoara, to Corvin Castle, one of the largest and most well preserved medieval castles of Europe, home to the mighty Corvin/Hunyadi royal family. Boasting an impressive drawbridge, a huge medieval ballroom, a beautiful interior courtyard and exceptional defensive structure, the legend says that the castle was the place where Vlad the Impaler was imprisoned for a while, and legends about ghosts haunting it still go around. After the visit to this Gothic-Renaissance castle, the next stop will be at Alba Iulia, famous for its Vauban style citadel. Alba Iulia’s citadel will teach you more about the history of Romanians since the ancient times to the present days. Alba Iulia is a town with a great importance for the Romanian people, mainly because here on first of December 1918 was signed the document of Unification of Transylvania with the Kingdom of Romania.
This evening’s accommodation in Turda is at a four-star hotel where an unashamedly vampire-inspired menu you will serve at the dinner.
This evening’s accommodation in Turda is at a four-star hotel where an unashamedly vampire-inspired menu you will serve at the dinner.
4
Day 4: Turda Salt Mine – Panoramic Cluj-Napoca Tour - Organic Smoked Bacon Tasting with Home-made Lunch – Bistrita and the Jonathan Harker Story – Hotel Dracula Castle with Dinner
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit Turda Salt Mine, a real history museum of salt exploitation. Discovered first by the Romans, the Turda Salt Mine became an important exploitation center during the Habsburg’s control of Transylvania. After the visit we continue our tour to Cluj-Napoca, with a panoramic city tour that include St Michael’s Cathedral, the Fellner & Helmer Opera House as well as the City Hall and Old Center.
After the panoramic tour we will drive north and have a stop in a traditional 20th century village where you will have the chance to taste home-made smoked bacon and cheese and see how to smoked bacon is made. Besides the tasting, you will have a home-made lunch served here, while you will attend a short lecture on Dracula and Jonathan Harker trip in Transylvania.
Next is Bistrita, one of the seven fortified cities built by the Saxons. We take a short walking tour in order to visit the city center where we can see the church with the tallest tower in Transylvania, the Coopers Tower, the Silversmith’s House, the Great Square, the Union Square and the Orthodox Church. Remember Jonathan Harker diary notes in Bistrita and follow the steps of Jonathan Harker the night before going to the count’s castle, at the Golden Crown Hotel. After the tour remake Harker’s road to the castle and arrive on Borgo Pass to meet your unearthly host at the “Dracula Castle” Hotel. In the evening,you will go in a search of Dracula visiting the Dungeon of the castle. Next, you will serve the dinner like Dracula was doing.
After the panoramic tour we will drive north and have a stop in a traditional 20th century village where you will have the chance to taste home-made smoked bacon and cheese and see how to smoked bacon is made. Besides the tasting, you will have a home-made lunch served here, while you will attend a short lecture on Dracula and Jonathan Harker trip in Transylvania.
Next is Bistrita, one of the seven fortified cities built by the Saxons. We take a short walking tour in order to visit the city center where we can see the church with the tallest tower in Transylvania, the Coopers Tower, the Silversmith’s House, the Great Square, the Union Square and the Orthodox Church. Remember Jonathan Harker diary notes in Bistrita and follow the steps of Jonathan Harker the night before going to the count’s castle, at the Golden Crown Hotel. After the tour remake Harker’s road to the castle and arrive on Borgo Pass to meet your unearthly host at the “Dracula Castle” Hotel. In the evening,you will go in a search of Dracula visiting the Dungeon of the castle. Next, you will serve the dinner like Dracula was doing.
5
Day 5: Borgo Pass – Targu Mures Citadel – Exclusive Gypsy Home Visit – Sighisoara Walking Tour - Dinner in Dracula’s Restaurant
After breakfast, we will leave Borgo Pass and head to Targu Mures Citadel, built in the 15th century at the order of Prince Stefan Bathory that ordered for a castle-fortress to be built around the Franciscan monastery and church. The structure of the towers and the fact that they are square-shaped are indicative of a medieval type military architecture. After the short walking tour you have the chance to visit a Gypsy home, on this exclusive home visit you will have the unique opportunity to learn about this less known yet controversial ethnic group, about its culture, identity and lifestyle.
In the afternoon, we will arrive in Sighisoara, the birthplace of count Dracula and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. The Saxons settled Sighisoara in the 13th century and it is one of the few still inhabited medieval fortresses in the whole world, being also protected by UNESCO. During the walking tour you will visit the two squares of the Citadel, the Scholars’ Staircase, the Tinsmiths’ Tower, the House with Antler, and the Tower with Clock. In the evening, enjoy dinner at Dracula’s restaurant, set in the very house where the Count was born. Accommodation in the Upper Town.
***Optional: Transylvanian wine tasting in a 500-year old cellar in Sighisoara
In the afternoon, we will arrive in Sighisoara, the birthplace of count Dracula and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. The Saxons settled Sighisoara in the 13th century and it is one of the few still inhabited medieval fortresses in the whole world, being also protected by UNESCO. During the walking tour you will visit the two squares of the Citadel, the Scholars’ Staircase, the Tinsmiths’ Tower, the House with Antler, and the Tower with Clock. In the evening, enjoy dinner at Dracula’s restaurant, set in the very house where the Count was born. Accommodation in the Upper Town.
***Optional: Transylvanian wine tasting in a 500-year old cellar in Sighisoara
6
Day 6: Sighisoara – Saxon Village of Saschiz with the Fortified Church – Bran Castle – Brasov Walking Tour
After the breakfast, we continue our journey south to Bran Castle with a stop in Saschiz Village (UNESCO World Heritage Sites) with the imposing clock tower and the fortified church, which is the most important landmark of the village. The Late-Gothic fortified church from Saschiz is one of the strongest constructions of this type from Transylvania, widely considered one of Transylvania’s most beautiful medieval monuments, this is the main tourist attraction of the village. On the route, enjoy an exclusive tasting of organic Transylvanian “like Grandma used to make” jams.
After the visit, we head to the village of Bran. Here you will visit the most famous castle in Eastern Europe – the Dracula Castle. The surroundings of Bran Castle represent the element that inspired the Irish writer, Bram Stocker, to set his vampire fiction in Transylvania in the first place. After the visit, you will have time for buying souvenirs and have an exclusive natural cheese sampling.
Remain of the day is spent in Brasov, another of the important Saxon cities with a rich heritage and one of the oldest in Europe, dating from 1235. The Brasov people were a big enemy of Vlad the Impaler, the guide will tell you why. The tour will reveal the Old Town with the magnificent Black Church – largest Gothic style church in South-Eastern Europe and featuring a collection of over one hundred Muslim prayer rugs, Council Square, Catherine’s Gate, the Guild Towers, Schei Quarter with the First School in Romanian language and the narrow Rope Street.
The last day of the “Follow Vlad the Impaler – Dracula: Myth or Reality?” night will be in in the lovely pedestrian area of the Old Town with its many restaurants and outdoor cafes.
After the visit, we head to the village of Bran. Here you will visit the most famous castle in Eastern Europe – the Dracula Castle. The surroundings of Bran Castle represent the element that inspired the Irish writer, Bram Stocker, to set his vampire fiction in Transylvania in the first place. After the visit, you will have time for buying souvenirs and have an exclusive natural cheese sampling.
Remain of the day is spent in Brasov, another of the important Saxon cities with a rich heritage and one of the oldest in Europe, dating from 1235. The Brasov people were a big enemy of Vlad the Impaler, the guide will tell you why. The tour will reveal the Old Town with the magnificent Black Church – largest Gothic style church in South-Eastern Europe and featuring a collection of over one hundred Muslim prayer rugs, Council Square, Catherine’s Gate, the Guild Towers, Schei Quarter with the First School in Romanian language and the narrow Rope Street.
The last day of the “Follow Vlad the Impaler – Dracula: Myth or Reality?” night will be in in the lovely pedestrian area of the Old Town with its many restaurants and outdoor cafes.
7
Day 7: Peles Castle – Snagov Monastery – Bucharest
After the breakfast at the hotel, we will drive through Predeal, Romania’s highest town. Named after St. Catherine Monastery on Mount Sinai, Sinaia became the unofficial capital of the Kingdom of Romania towards the end of the 19th century. The orientation tour of the resort includes a view of the famous Casino building, with its architecture inspired by the one in Monte Carlo. Then take a guided tour of the Peles Castle, the royal residence of King Carol I of Romania and known as one of the most beautiful summer royal residences in Europe. Once the famous Orient Express train use to regularly call here and it still does once a year on its way from Paris to Constantinople.
After some free time at leisure, we head towards South, to the mysterious island of Snagov Lake, where it is said that Dracula was buried. After the visit of the monastery and the stories of the empty tomb, we will drive to Henri Coanda International Airport for your afternoon return flight.
***Optional: Two day Black Sea & Danube Delta Extension with Danube Delta Private Cruise accompanied by certified skipper (requires extra two days)
After some free time at leisure, we head towards South, to the mysterious island of Snagov Lake, where it is said that Dracula was buried. After the visit of the monastery and the stories of the empty tomb, we will drive to Henri Coanda International Airport for your afternoon return flight.
***Optional: Two day Black Sea & Danube Delta Extension with Danube Delta Private Cruise accompanied by certified skipper (requires extra two days)
Traditional Romanian welcome dinner with Folklore Show
In the evening, you can opt to serve a traditional dinner at a local restaurant with an idyllic view, situated on the lakeshore in Bucharest’s most famous park, the Herastrau or Michael I Park. Here, you will enjoy a three-course meal dinner with wine included, and you will get a chance to discover the traditional Romanian folklore costumes while enjoying the dances of the local performers. The entire show displays authentic Romanian traditions and customs, from the sewn details on the white outfits of the dancers to the delighting music played by the local artists.
Two day Black Sea & Danube Delta Extension with Danube Delta Private Cruise accompanied by certified skipper
1
Extra Day 1: Bucharest – Constanta Walking Tour – Histria Fortress – Tulcea
Begin your extension tour of the Black Sea and Danube Delta with an early morning departure to the Black Sea Coast, to Constanta – the largest seaport on the Black Sea, established in the 4th century BC as a Greek colony. The drive from Bucharest will take approximately three hours, crossing the Danube into the region of Dobrogea and driving along the famous Danube-Black Sea Canal. The city tour of Constanta will take you to the Secession style Casino and the Genoese Lighthouse. In the National Museum of Archaeology, we will see the fabulous Glykon Serpent and the wonderfully restored Roman Mosaic – one of the largest in this part of Europe. In the afternoon drive to Mamaia – Romania’s largest sea resort, established by King Carol I of Romania in the second half of the 19th century and then continue north to the ruins of the ancient town of Histria. In the early evening we will arrive to Tulcea located right at the entrance in the Danube Delta. Hotel check in. Dinner on your own.
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Extra Day 2: Danube Delta Private Cruise with Lunch – Bucharest Airport
After the early breakfast, you will explore, in your private boat the youngest territory in the world, the Danube Delta started to form just 10,000 years ago and is still in the process of formation. On your exclusively cruise you will have the chance to admire the Danube scenic beauty and wildlife – it is known as the birdwatchers paradise, so simply relax while browsing through the narrow channels. A fauna specialist tour guide and skipper, who knows all the channels, will lead your tour. A great opportunity for you to watch birds and to admire nature. The Delta cuisine is certain to provide an interesting lunch experience, the lunch will be served on the ship.
After the tour we will drive back to Henri Coanda International Airport for your afternoon return flight.
After the tour we will drive back to Henri Coanda International Airport for your afternoon return flight.
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Tour Reviews
I booked through here because I wanted to see as much and learn as much about Dracula/Vlad the Impaler! I really enjoyed the tour and tour guide was very good and knowledgeable! I would book a tour through them again!
My wife was hesitant on this tour due to the name. We have traveled to several countries and have seen some great country and history but this tour really delivers on beauty of the Transylvania countryside and History. Our guide, Dan, not only looked after us but was very knowledgeable of all the areas we visited. The Castles and fortresses were magnificent. I know people have different tastes in what they like to see but in all of our travels this rates as the best vacation travel package we have ever taken. The memories will stay with us the rest of our lives. Dan became like a family member on this tour and and it was emotional and sad to have to say goodbye to him at the end. I highly recommend this tour to those who want to see the beauty of Romania’s Transylvania area and discover the legends behind Dracula.
My sister & I knew not what to expect, & were not only pleased, but thrilled by the informational scope & interest of the tour. Our tour was a long one, encompassing Bran Castle, Targoviste Royal Court, & Snagov Monastery. Though it was around 11 hours altogether, the sites were full of historical interest & beautiful art & architecture, & our guide, Dan, was phenomenal. He was full of energy & information, & he filled us in on many interesting tidbits. History, anecdotes, facts, & cultural practices were all topics of discussion, & he was so knowledgable that we were unable to stump him with our questions! If touring in Romania, this is the service to use!
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