Being Romania’s most legendary region, Transylvania’s natural charms sweep from villages frozen in time to valleys and forests. Add medieval cities, ancient Roman ruins and hospitable people, and you’ve got a one-of-a-kind destination that continues to enchant travelers looking for a glimpse into a more traditional Europe. Explore mysterious Transylvania with Romanian Thrills and discover the country at its authentic best.
Welcome to Bucharest!
This day is reserved for your arrival and for giving you some recovery time from your jetlag. Whatever time you land, we’ll arrange a private transfer to take you from the airport directly to your charming hotel. We wrap up the day by dining in a medieval-style restaurant.
We begin with a walking tour of the Old Town and discover the 500-year old history of the city – connected to Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) himself. We explore the highlights of Romania’s capital, including the second largest building in the world, the Palace of Parliament. In the afternoon, we discover why Bucharest was formerly known as “little Paris” as we stroll through the cobblestone-paved streets and eclectic neighborhoods.
Today we head to the fairytale Peles Castle in Sinaia, the former summer royal residence, discreetly nested in the mountains. After we awe at how modern kings and queens used to live, we get a different feeling as we arrive at Bran Castle. With a rich and controversial history, we try to debunk the real mystery behind the fortress commonly known as “Dracula’s Castle”.
In the morning we gather our strength and take a quick hike up to Rasnov citadel, where we go back in time and immerse ourselves in the middle ages by experiencing hands-on the challenges of everyday life as a commoner. Next, we take a break to visit the Libearty Sanctuary nearby, which provides sustainable habitat and visiting conditions for an important part of wildlife in Transylvania – the brown bear.
The journey continues and we reach Brasov, a former trading post city located right in the middle of the mountains. Here we walk through the narrowest street in the country, we visit the Black Church – an important turning point in religious affairs during medieval times – and we discover the foundation of the very first Romanian school.
Tampa Mountain stands tall watching over Brasov and we begin our morning with a slow climb to its top for a birds-eye view of the area, reaching our very own Hollywood-like sign. After lunch, we head to Viscri, one of the most charming villages in Romania, that managed to preserve its authenticity and traditions so much that even Prince Charles visits almost every year.
The 12th-century fortified church built by the Saxon community is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the monument is remarkable for its white color walls that were strengthened several times to resist enemies’ invasions. In the evening, a farm-to-table dining experience awaits in a restored Saxon barn and we listen to the stories of their tumultuous medieval past.
Welcome to Sighișoara, one of the most beautifully preserved inhabited citadels in the world! This UNESCO gem is home to medieval buildings, hidden chambers, colorful houses, towers and ornate churches full of myths and legends. It is here that Vlad the Impaler was born, who served as inspiration for one of the biggest legends in international folklore, Count Dracula.
We continue our adventure in Transylvania’s countryside by visiting two historically important villages: Biertan and Malancrav. The first has the largest fortified church, dating back to the 15th century, that has a unique and complex door locking mechanism, a church organ with almost 1,300 pipes and a marital room where couples used to be locked until solving their problems. The second one is now home to the largest Saxon community in the country, dating back to the 14th century. Enjoy the beautiful countryside at leisure.
First stop of the day is our very own natural Disneyland found in the Turda Salt mine, used for the past 2000 years. Our next stop is the Vauban citadel of Alba-Iulia, where we take a guided tour that depicts 2000 years of history, from ancient Roman times up to Romania’s Union Day (hence the name’s similarity). People consider it the spiritual capital of the country with numerous historical events that have taken place here.
Visit Corvin’s Castle in the morning, one of the most haunted castles in Europe. Continue to Sibiu, one of the most important cultural centers in the country, being named the European Capital of Culture in 2007, Europe’s 8th most idyllic place to live in by Forbes and the European Gastronomy Capital in 2019. It was formerly the center of Transylvanian Saxons and has a rich history as a major trading center. We take a walking tour of the town’s many squares to observe the well preserved medieval fortifications, churches, German buildings, towers and bastions.
Situated between Sibiu and Brasov, we find the small village of Carta, with one of the oldest Cistercian monasteries in Europe, built in the 12th century by monks that arrived here with the Teutonic Knights. Here we find out about its histories of invasions, destruction and how it became abandoned.
On our way to the last legendary place of the tour, we drove on Top Gear’s favorite road in the world: Transfagarasan highway, the passage between Transylvania and Wallachia, an entwined road that cuts right through the mountains. At the top we make a stop to revel in the breathtaking landscape around us while having a picnic of locally sourced food.
The road finishes when we reach Poenari Fortress, the real outpost of Vlad the Impaler. This monument will make you work if you want to see it as it is reachable only after climbing 1476 steps, but the stunning views from the peak are more than worth it!
We head back to Bucharest for the last day of our tour, but not before we stop by the Princely Court in Targoviste – the medieval capital and true seat of power during Vlad the Impaler.
Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure in Bucharest and this evening we will meet for a lovely farewell dinner.
Today we’ll transfer you from the hotel to the airport or show you more around the city if you have a late flight. Depending on your schedule, we can go on a walking tour around the Old Town or arrange a visit to the Palace of Parliament, it’s your choice.
It will be hard to say goodbye but we’ll make sure to celebrate your adventure with a personalized Romanian departure gift.
Bespoke off-the-beaten-path travel itineraries
Unique 4 or 5 star, privately-owned accommodations
Authentic experiences with the locals
Premium guidance from arrival to departure
Farm-to-table exclusive dining experiences
First-class transportation
Slow-traveling to immerse into the local culture
Falling in love with Romania
