Medieval Towns, Castles and Fortresses of Transylvania Tour
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Tour ID:
1032 Tour Theme: Historic and Cultural Tours Regions: Transylvania Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights |
Introduction:
Romania is home to some of the best persevered medieval towns, castles, citadels and fortresses in Europe. Take a journey with your personal tour guide to historic Transylvania and be amazed by its rugged landscape and beautiful national monuments.
After a short tour of Bucharest we then depart for the medieval town of Sibiu by the Transfagaran Highway. Sibiu is a magnificent example of the Saxon towns in Transylvania. A walk through the old city will bring feelings of how it was in the middle ages.
Then on to Hunedoara castle, considered the greatest fortress in Romania. A spectacular Gothic style castle that served as a Fortress for the Transylvania's ruler, Iancu de Hunedoara. With 3 huge pointed towers, a drawbridge and high battlements, 5 marble columns with delicate ribbed vaults support two halls, and Knight's Hall.
The following day we will discover the ancient citadel of Sighisoara, still inhabited to this day and part of the UNESCO heritage cities. It was here were the historical Dracula, Vlad Tepes, was born. Enjoy a visit of its fortress including the Clock Tower, History museum and torture room. Next continuing to the largest of the Saxon Church-Fortresses in Transylvania, Biertan.
Next on the itinerary is the medieval city of Brasov; the historic center of Transylvania. Enjoy a guided tour of its old quarter. From here you will discover the major strong holds of the area.Starting with the famous Bran Castle, dubbed as Dracula's Castle, the main tourist attraction of the Region. One of the most picturesque castles in Romania, sitting on a hilltop with magnificent views. Containing a collection of antique furniture and an open air ethnographic museum. After we go to Sinaia where you will get a chance to visit it's the impressive Palace of Peles. Once a royalty residence, set amongst the hills with breathtaking views. Built in Renaissance style, containing 160 rooms and a collection of medieval weapons. Then onto Transylvania's historical center, Brasov. Then moving on to the peasant fortress of Rasnov before heading back to Brasov.
The above and more will be included on this privately guided tour. For more details on this tour refer to the "Day by Day Itinerary". This tour is customizable to your request so please inquire for details.Discover Medieval Towns, Castles and Fortresses of Transylvania!!!
Day by Day Itinerary:
Day 1:
ROUTING: BUCHAREST
- Your English-speaking driver/guide will pick you up from your location in Bucharest (Hotel, Airport, etc...)
- Upon arrival check in hotel
- First night at your leisure
- Overnight in Bucharest
ACCOMMODATION:
Option A: Crystal Palace ****
Option B: Venezia Hotel***
Day 2:
ROUTING: BUCHAREST - COZIA - SIBIU
- Breakfast
- In the morning a panoramic city tour of Bucharest with the main points of interest: Government Palace, House of Free Press, Royal Palace, Revolution Square, Parliament House, a.s.o. (only visits of the exterior)
- Then we start the route to Sibiu. On the way a stop for a visit at Cozia Monastery, erected by Mircea cel Bătrân in 1388 and boasting his tomb, one of the most valuable monuments of national medieval art and architecture in Romania. Wall facets' decorations with original stone rosettes and frames display early Byzantine influence. Of great value is the hospital church, 'bolniţa' (1543), with original well-preserved indoor frescoes like the votive portrait of ruler Mircea cel Bătrân and his sons. Cozia was painted between 1390 and 1931. Some of the original frescoes (1390) are still well preserved. The monastery features a museum of exhibiting old art: icons, old manuscripts and prints, embroideries and objects of worship.
- The route to Sibiu cross the Carpathians Mountains through Olt River Valley. From the road the traveller can admire the beautiful show of the mountains.
- In the afternoon/evening arrival to Sibiu and city tour. Sibiu was the European Capital of Culture in 2007. The Big Square, the Small Square, the Ursuline Church, The Franciscan Church, The staircase Tower, the Tanners Tower, the Lier’s Bridge , the House of the Butcher’s Guild and Bruckenthal Museum are the most important sights.
- Overnight in Sibiu
ACCOMMODATION:
Option A: Hotel Ramada Sibiu ****
Option B: Zorba Pension ****
B
Day 3:
ROUTING: SIBIU - SEBES - DEVA - HUNEDOARA
- Breakfast
- In the morning depart enroute to Hunedoara.
- Stop on the way to visit Calnic Castle (Unesco site). The castle, first mentioned in 1269, is very well preserved. Built as a noble's residence, it was bought in 1430 by local peasants and fortified.
- Arriving at Hunedoara and visit the Hunyad’s Castle. The most representative castle in this part of Transylvania, built in 14th century and became famous as a property of Iancu of Hunedoara, the great ruler and fighter against the Ottoman Empire at that time. Built in the 14th century, on the place of an old fortification, on a rock below which flows the small river Zlasti, the castle is a large building, with tall and diversely colored roofs, towers, windows and balconies adorned with carvings in stone. In February 2007, Hunyad Castle played host to the British paranormal television program Most Haunted for a three-night live investigation into the spirits purported to be haunting the castle.
- Overnight in Alba Iulia
ACCOMMODATION:
Option A & B: Rusca Hotel ***
B
Day 4:
ROUTING: HUNEDOARA - ALBA IULIA - MEDIAS - BIERTAN - SIGHISOARA
- Breakfast
- Depart from Hunedoara and continue to Alba Iulia. The modern city is located near the site of the important Dacian political, economic and social centre named Apulon (believed by many archaeologists to be the Dacian fortifications on top of Piatra Craivii). In the roman period the city was known as Apullum. In 1918, tens of thousands of Romanians gathered in Alba Iulia on December 1, now commemorated as the National Day of Romania, to hear the proclamation of the union of Transylvania with the Kingdom of Romania. In 1922, Ferdinand of Romania was symbolically crowned King of Romania in Alba Iulia in an act which mirrored the achievement of Michael the Brave.
- Visit the old citadel, The Reunion Cathedral, The Reunion Hall and Museum, The Catholic Cathedral (host to the grave of Iancu de Hunedoara – the famous ruler of Transylvania)
- Continue our route to Medias and visit the beautiful Margareta church from XIV century and the main tower with 47m high slant. This tower was included in top 10 the most slanted towers in the world.
- Then visit Biertan fortified church (included in the Unesco Heritage List), a fortified medieval church, one of the biggest from Transylvania with three defensive inner walls.
- In the evening arriving at Sighisoara
- Overnight in Sighisoara
ACCOMMODATION:
Option A: Hotel Sighisoara ***
Option B: Casa Saseasca***
B
Day 5:
ROUTING: SIGHISOARA – PREJMER - BRASOV
- Breakfast
- Visit the citadel of Sighisoara, one of the most preserved medieval city from Europe. Situated in Mures County, on the valley of the Tarnava Mare river, Sighisoara (former Dacian settlement and also called "the pearl of Transylvania") was founded by the German immigrants in the second half of the 12th century and it was turned into a city in 1407. Its medieval aspect may be found both in the centre of the city and inside the Fortress of Sighisoara. In this area, houses are built very close to one another, giving a sense of "crowdedness" (in order to occupy the least space possible).
- Then we cross a region with important Saxon influence. You can admire the architecture of Saxon's villages, the fortresses from Rupea, Saschiz and Rotbav.
- The next stop will be at Prejmer. Visit Prejmer Fortified Church, one of the best preserved of its kind in Eastern Europe. The church is modeled after churches of Jerusalem, built in the style of Late Gothic churches from the Rhineland.
- End the day in Brasov with a visit in the Old City Center. Main attractions are: Black Church.- a major symbol of Braşov, and a museum open to visitors of the city center, Weaver’s Bastion, Black and White Towers, Ecaterina’s Gate, Concil Square.
- Overnight in Brasov
ACCOMMODATION:
Option A: Casa Wagner***
Option B: Flamingo Guesthouse***
B
Day 6:
ROUTING: BRASOV - SINAIA - BRAN - RASNOV - BRASOV
- Breakfast
- Depart to Sinaia and visit the Peles Castle, former summer residence of the kings of Romania, the Peles Castle is 44 kilometres far from Brasov, in Sinaia, a well-known mountain resort. Nowadays the Castle is one of the most important museums in Transylvania where one can admire furniture and ornamental objects, carpets, tapestry, sculptures, paintings, collections of weapons from the 15th up to the19th centuries.
- Continue our visit at Bran and it’s famous Bran castle. Also called Dracula's Castle, it is situated not far from Brasov (25 kilometers) at the entrance in the Bran - Rucar passage. The castle got its fame from Dracula's legend written in 1897 by Bram Stoker and later on made into a film by Francis Ford Coppola. The first documents about the Bran Castle appeared in 1377. Along the history, the Castle had a strategic mission being the border between Transylvania and Wallachia. First it was under the rule of the King of Hungary Sigismund of Luxemburg, of the Romanian voievodes Mircea cel Batran and Vlad Tepes and later on it came under the jurisdiction of the City of Brasov
- Next stop at Rasnov and visit the old citadel. Built in 1331, the Fortress had a defense role and it was a shelter for the inhabitants of Rasnov in case of enemy attacks.
- In the middle of the courtyard there is a well 146 metres deep and the ruins of an 11th - 12th century - Orthodox church were discovered here.
- Nowadays the Fortress houses an interesting museum
- Overnight in Brasov
ACCOMMODATION:
Option A: Casa Wagner***
Option B: Flamingo Guesthouse***
B
Day 7:
ROUTING: BUCHAREST - AIRPORT or GIURGIU* (*Romania/Bulgaria border crossing)
- Breakfast
- Transfer to Bucharest Airport and final good-bye from your Romanian Specialist Tour Guide (about 2h.30min driving) or continue this tour to Bulgaria with our partners, for more details click here
End of tour services
Prices, Dates & What's Included:
Option A: High Standard Hotels
Group Size Double Occupancy Single Occupancy 1 Person € 2,270 (EUR) 2 People € 1,230 (EUR) € 1,470 (EUR) 3 People € 945 (EUR) € 1,190 (EUR) 4 People € 899 (EUR) € 1,140 (EUR) 5 to 6 People € 825 (EUR) € 1,065 (EUR) 7 to 8 People € 699 (EUR) € 945 (EUR) PRICE PER PERSON based on occupancy level and group size specified above. Prices are valid 01/Dec/2008 - 30/Nov/2009. All prices are in Euros.
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Option B: Medium Standard Hotels
Group Size Double Occupancy Single Occupancy 1 Person € 2,140 (EUR) 2 People € 1,155 (EUR) € 1,355 (EUR) 3 People € 875 (EUR) € 1,075 (EUR) 4 People € 825 (EUR) € 1,030 (EUR) 5 to 6 People € 755 (EUR) € 960 (EUR) 7 to 8 People € 625 (EUR) € 835 (EUR) PRICE PER PERSON based on occupancy level and group size specified above. Prices are valid 01/Dec/2008 - 30/Nov/2009. All prices are in Euros.
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For other group sizes inquire for details
To reserve or request for details on this tour please fill out the Inquire/Book It form which you can access from the button below.
The Tour Includes:
- 6 nights accommodation described in the itinerary
- Transportation by private car or minivan
- English-Speaking Specialist tour guide for the duration of the tour
- Credit Card Transaction Fee**
- Local Taxes
Not Included:
- Airfare
- Entrance fees
- Lunches or Dinners
- Alcoholic drinks
- Gratuities
- Extra charges of hotel, eg. Laundry, telephone or fax charges, room service, etc..
- Insurance