Travel Guides, Albums - Romania

TRANSYLVANIAN ENCOUNTER TOUR (2013/2014)


A FOUR DAY TRANSYLVANIAN HIGHLIGHTS TOUR

Contact Us - Enquire about this tour

Itinerary: Bucharest – Sinaia & Peles Castle – Bran Castle – Brasov – Harman – Sighisoara – Sibiel Home Hosted Lunch – Sibiu – Olt River Gorge – Cozia Monastery – Bucharest Panoramic Tour
Duration: 4 Days

Day 1 (Daily departures. If a Monday, the tour will be operated in reverse):
Bucharest – Sinaia & Peles Castle – Bran Castle – Brasov City Tour & Evening at Leisure

Peles Castle

Peles Castle, the most famous royal residence in Romania.

Pick up by your tour guide at your hotel or residence. Leave Bucharest for Sinaia – one of the famous Carpathian Mountains resorts. 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 Orient Express use to regularly call here and it still does once a year on its way from Paris to Constantinople. Take an orientation tour of including a view of the Casino inspired by the one in Monte Carlo and a visit to Sinaia Orthodox Monastery. Next is one of the most important tourist attractions of the country: Peles Castle and Gardens , the former royal residence of King Charles I of Romania and known as one of the most beautiful summer royal residences in Europe. Then cross the mountains into Transylvania to the village of Bran. The attraction is the medieval Bran Castle also known as Dracula Castle. The castle was built in 1377 to safeguard the trading route between Transylvania and Wallachia to later be turned into a royal residence under Queen Marie of Romania. The connections between this place and Vlad the Impaler Dracula is still under debate, but the castle is definitely worth a visit. Enjoy cheese tasting on the premises. Continue to the nearby town of Brasov, in time to see the Black Church with its valuable collection of Anatolian prayer rugs. Brasov has one of the best preserved medieval quarter and fortifications. The tour will include the Council Square, Schei Quarter and the the First School in Romanian language, the Rope Street and Cathetine’s Gate. Hotel check in. The rest of the day is at leisure. Enjoy Brasov’s lovely pedestrian area with its many shops and outdoor cafes.
B Accommodation at Casa Wagner Hotel *** in Brasov (located in the Council Square)

Brasov

Brasov is one of the most important destinations in Romania

Day 2: Brasov – Harman Fortified Church – Sighisoara – Gypsy Village Tour

Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Leave Brasov in the morning for an exclusive visit to one of the typical Transylvanian fortified churches: Harman. Its uniqueness consists in the fact that it is the only structure with dwellings attached to the church. Later drive through the picturesque Transylvanian Plateau with its quaint villages and Saxon fortifications. Arrive to Sighisoara, a World Heritage Site and the only still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe. It was developed by the German settlers as of late 12th century. It stands on a network of tunnels and catacombs and, according to one version of the myth; this is where the Pied Piper brought the children of Hamelin after their ungrateful parents refused to pay him his due. The walking tour includes the two squares of the Citadel (Upper Town), the Scholars’ Staircase, the Ducklings’ Square, the Tinsmiths’ Tower, the House with Antler and the Venetian House, the Tower with Clock (climb up for a great view), the Torture Chamber and the Weapon Museum. Sighisoara is the place where the famous Vlad the Impaler Dracula was born in 1431. The Birthplace is today a restaurant and one of the main tourist attractions. Hotel check in. The remainder of the day is at leisure OR opt for a three hour excursion to a Gypsy village where you will have the chance to meet a Gypsy family in their own home and learn about this rather unknown ethnic group.
B Accommodation in Sighisoara at The House with Antler ***
The hotel is located in the Upper Town in a historical building. Previously used by Prince Charles on his stay in Sighisoara.

Day 3/strong>: Sighisoara – Biertan – Sibiel Home Hosted Lunch – Sibiu

Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. Depart Sighisoara on the way to the impressive Biertan fortified church and a UNESCO World Heritage. As the former Seat of the Lutheran Bishops transylvania2between 1516 and 1867, this place is proof of the important Heritage of the Transylvanian Saxons. Take a guided tour. Your next stop is Sibiel, a typical Romanian village in the heart of Transylvania. Visit the local icon-on-glass museum (formerly a private collection) and learn about the technique. Then enjoy a home hosted lunch with a local family in their own home: an authentic cultural interchange. In the afternoon enjoy a leisurely walking tour of the Old Town Sibiu with the Great and Lesser Squares and the surrounding defense walls and guild towers. The late Gothic Evangelical Cathedral was completed in its actual shape in 1520, but inside there is an exquisite Fresco of the Crucifixion on the north wall of the choir dating from 1445. View the Passage of Stairs linking the Upper Town to the Lower Town and the 1859 Liar’s Bridge. End your tour with the original Pharmacy Museum. Hotel check in. Dinner on own,. Suggested is Crama Sibiul Vechi, one of the best traditional cellar restaurants in town with live folklore music in the evening.
B Accommodation in Sibiu at Imparatul Romanilor Hotel ****
Hotel Imparatul Romanilor is located in the old town Sibiu near the Great Square, in a 16th century building built in traditional Transylvanian Renaissance style, a former merchant’s hall transformed into hotel in the 18th century. Famous guests: Emperor Franz Joseph II, composers Franz Liszt and Johann Strauss as well as Prince Charles & many others.

Transfagarasan is the most famous road in Romania, with differences of altitude and many curves that represent a challenge for both cars and drivers.

Day 4: Sibiu – Olt River Gorge – Cozia – Bucharest
Hot and cold buffet breakfast at hotel. One of the landmarks of Sibiu is the Bruckenthal Museum assembled by Baron Bruckenthal, the are loving Governor of Transylvania at the beginning of the 19th century and the second museum to ever open in Europe after the National Gallery in London. Before departing Sibiu visit a local fruit and vegetable market. Leaving Transylvania, you’ll drive on the scenic Olt River Valley and Gorge, one of the most beautiful in Romania. Brief stop at Cozia Monastery featuring on the best late 17th century Last Judgment fresco on its Western façade. Arrive to Bucharest in time for a panoramic city tour. With a population of approximately 2.2 million, Bucharest is the largest city between Berlin and Athens. Known as “Little Paris” this city has an incredibly mixed architecture. Your tour will be including the Arch of Triumph, the great avenues, the Revolution Square, a view of the former private residence of the Ceausescus and a view to the Palace of Parliament – the second largest building in the world. Hotel check in with the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Transfer to your hotel. (On request, the route from Sibiu to Bucharest can be taken via TransFagarasan Road , if open).
Optional: Enjoy a Romanian Dinner with a Folklore Show on the shore of Herastrau Lake in Bucharest.
B

2013/2014 Tour Price & Discounts: PLEASE CLICK HERE

Photo Album - Romania

Your Price Includes:

  • 3 nights at three and four star hotels (all centrally located)
  • fully insured sedan or minivan with climate control, for the entire distance
  • fuel & parking fees included
  • all sightseeing tours & cultural connections
  • informal talks on: Vlad the Impaler – Dracula, The Gypsies and Their Journey, Transylvanian History Overview (all by the tour guide)
  • 4 meals: 3 breakfasts, 1 home hosted lunch
  • cheese tasting session in the village of Bran
  • a Tours Of Romania® professional English speaking guide (driving) to accompany you throughout
  • guide’s expenses
  • admissions to museums, sites, churches as per itinerary
  • porterage at hotels
  • VAT and local tax
  • detailed map of Romania.

You’ll visit 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

  • Historic Center of Sighisoara
  • Historic Center of Sibiu
  • Biertan Fortified Church

Not included:

  • Other meals than stated
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Photo/video fees at sites and museums.

Request a Quote

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Subject

    Country

    Phone no (optional)

    Your Message

    (Your information is collected for reference purposes only.)

    Client Testimonials

     

    Margery Cohen, New York, NY

    We cannot recommend Andrei Nicolau highly enough. He is a wonderful guide and also very intelligent. We had always traveled on our own but felt in Romania we would need a guide and was not sure how it would be for 15 days. Well, it was truly an outstanding experience. Andrei’s goal is to make his clients happy and to love Romania. He is extremely proud of his country and his knowledge of its history and also European history is extensive. My husband is a history buff and he and Andrei had wonderful discussions. He will alter your itinerary to meet your needs or if something interesting is happening to include that also. He is there to serve you. Andrei’s English is excellent. He is a truly unique person and we know you will love your trip to Romania.
     

     

    Dr. and Mrs. Luis G. Murillo, San Diego, California

    Our journey through your wonderful country was most enjoyable and rewarding. We thank you very much for the help you extended to us especially in customizing our tour. Our guide was a very intelligent, knowledgeable and amiable young man who contributed greatly to our sense of comfort and security. His interest and skills in photography were an additional and unexpected help. He certainly can be considered a very valuable professional. Best Regards!
     

     

    Janel Barberito and Jim Jurczyk

    My husband and I visited Romania after we e-mailed about 7 tour operators with the same request (dates, itinerary, etc). We made our decision based on the timely replies, the tour that was presented by each operator, the costs and the manner in which it was presented. There was something different about their responses and we felt good about our decision….we were not disappointed. The accommodations were superb, better than what we would have chosen. We compared the costs with the other operators and agreed that was the best deal.
     

     

    Rachelle Babij and Her Group of 42, Canada

    Once again, I wish to say Thank You for making our trip to Romania (home) so wonderful – everyone was very pleased with the tour and all had a great time.  There were many sad tears when we said good bye to each other – no one wanted the tour to end.   I am very happy to have contacted you to do this family tour for us – it was EXCELLENT!!!!!
     

     

    Helmuth and Johanna Ehrlich, Vienna, Austria

    Dear Sirs, We have arrived well in Austria. We, my wife and I, have to thank you for the excellent preparation of our journey which became a highlight. Romania is really a very interesting country to travel with much history, many sights and really nice people. The hotels chosen were all good, the food was good. Our guide was one of the best. Due to his excellent introduction and knowledge of Romanian history, geography and traditions we really became fond of your country. We parted as friends. Thank you also for your farewell gifts and palinka (noroc!). Summary: we had a super journey and whenever somebody will ask us we’ll be pleased to pass on your agency and also our guide as excellent. Best regards,
     

     

    Maria Helms, Australia

    The trip was just fabulous. Everything was the way it was supposed to be or better. We had the best tour guide in the world I feel very fortunate to have had George as our tour guide. He was very friendly, knowledgeable, organized and made things go very smoothly. We loved all his stories about the Revolution and Communist times.
     

     

    Rick Oncescu & Group, Canada

    Thank you very much for the most memorable trip you put together for us. We all enjoyed the experience of finding one of our relatives as well a seeing all of the sites and places within Romania you coordinated for our trip. Cristian was everything we could ask for in a guide/driver, he most definitely made our time in Romania interesting and entertaining, he fit right in and became one of the family. Romania is a wonderful inviting country with so much to offer, I know some if not all of us will return.
    Thanks again.
     

     

    Mr. And Mrs. Rodriguez, Los Angeles, California

    We are back home, and I think I have finally gotten my sleep cycle straightened out! I just wanted to say thank you for putting together a wonderful tour! The tour was thoughtful, insightful and well pallend and organized The guide you have assigned, Andrei,  was very knowledgeable, fun and accommodating. He was also a very experinced driver. Very well chosen hotels all along. We now have a better understanding of the culture and history of Romania. Thanks again, and I wish you all the best.
     

     

    Alexia Stern & Jack Birnbaum, NY

    Wonderful scenery and a great trip. It was beyond our expectations. Romania has  bright future. Thank you. Sincerely,