Dracula: the man behind the legend
Day 1: Bucharest – Sinaia – Brasov – Poiana Brasov , 240 km
Start the tour with the panoramic sightseeing of Bucharest – the capital of Romania, a city which was attested for the first time in an official document issued by Vlad Dracula – the ruler of Valahia in 1459. Through this document, Dracula moves the summer-capital of Valahia to Bucharest. During the city tour, you will stop at the Arch of Triumph, the Revolution Square, the impressive House of People and the Old Princely Court, which was used by Vlad Dracula as his residence. After the city tour, drive north towards Transilvania. While crossing the Southern Carpathians, stop in Sinaia for lunch and to visit one of the most beautiful castles in Europe – the famous Peles Castle, which was built by King Carol the I’st as his summer residence. Drive through the village of Bran to Brasov, the largest city in Transilvania. In Bran, visit the so called Dracula Castle, the place where Dracula was imprisoned before he was taken to Budapest. Continue to Brasov. Dracula was betrayed here by the rich merchants of Brasov and because of this betrayal he ended up to be imprisoned for 12 years in Pesta and Visegrad by his cousin – Mathias Corvinus, King of Hungary. Dinner with folklore show at a local restaurant and overnight at a 4* hotel in Poiana Brasov.
Day 2: Poiana Brasov – Brasov - Sighisoara, 135 km
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, tour the old city of Brasov. You will visit the famous Black Church – the largest gothic style church in Eastern Europe, the St. Nicolae Church and the First Romanian School, an outpost of Romanian culture in the middle age Hungarian province of Transilvania. Then drive to Sighisoara, the birth place of Vlad Dracula. Sighisoara is the best preserved early middle age fortress-town in Europe, and therefore considered World Cultural Heritage. Take lunch in the Casa de Vlad Dracul restaurant – the actual house where Dracula was born and lived up to the age of four. After lunch, take a stroll through the old cobbled streets of Sighisoara and let yourself filled with the middle age charm of this wonderful place. Dinner and overnight at a 3* hotel inside the old citadel.
Day 3: Sighisoara – Biertan – Bistrita – Borgo Pass, 190 km
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we leave the historical figure – Dracula and start dealing with the legend – Count Dracula the Vampire. But first, you will take another close look at the remains of middle-age Transilvania. You will visit the Fortress Church of Biertan – World Cultural Heriatge site and the largest fortress church in Transilvania. This church, surrounded by three rows of fortifications, was built by the German peasants in Transilvania and was used for nearly 300 years as the residence of the Transilvanian Archbishop. Then drive north again, to enter the land of legends – today’s journey will end on the Borgo Pass, the place where Jonathan Harker, the hero of Bram Stoker’s Dracula Novel entered Transilvania. On the way, stop for a late lunch in Bistrita, at the Golden Crown Hotel. You will take lunch in the Jonathan Harker Saloon. After lunch and a brief tour of Bistrita, start towards the mountains on the Borgo river valley. After crossing the centuries old forests of the Eastern Carpathians, you will reach the Borgo Pass – Dracula Menu dinner and overnight at the Dracula Castle 3* hotel.
Day 4: Borgo Pass – Cluj Napoca, 150 km
Breakfast at the hotel (if still alive…). Carrying a specially issued diploma, given only to the survivors of the night, your journey will take you back to the center of Transilvania – the citadel of Cluj. Cluj Napoca is the place where Dracula’s cousin, Mathias Corvinus was born. Mathias Corvinus became king of Hungary, and he was the one who imprisoned Vlad for 12 years in Pesta and Visegrad. This betrayal was staged with the help of the rich merchants in Brasov. Cluj is nowadays one of the most important cultural centers in Romania. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will enjoy the afternoon in one of the oldest and also one of the liveliest Romanian cities. Dinner and overnight at a 4* hotel in Cluj.
Day 5: Cluj Napoca – Jidvei – Sibiu – Sibiel - Sibiu, 250 km
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive south towards Sibiu – another old German Fortress Town, the place which was the residence of the Transilvanian governor for centuries. On the way, stop in Jidvei to see the beautiful Bethlen-Haller Castle, built in French Renaissance style in XVIth century, with a baroque style gate. After the visit, have a snack during the presentation of the famous vineyard at Jidvei and enjoy the excuisite wine-tasting. Once in Sibiu, take a walking-tour of Sibiu – you will visit the Brukenthal Art Museum – the oldest art museum in Romania, based on the collection of Samuel von Brukenthal – one of the most important governors in Transilvania – and the Evangelic Cathedral – the place where Mihnea Cel Rau – Dracula’s son is buried.
In the late afternoon – drive to the nearby village of Sibiel to see the worlds largest Glass Icons collection. Home hosted dinner at one of the local families in Sibiel. Overnight at a 4* hotel in Sibiu.
Day 6: Sibiu – Curtea de Arges – Bucharest, 282 km
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, cross the mountains on the Olt River – one of the most spectacular valleys crossing the Southern Carpathians. Have lunch in Curtea de Arges – the first capital of Valahia and visit the old Princely Court and the Manole Monastery – the place where tree of the four Romanian Kings are buried. Dracula moved the summer capital of Valahia from here to Bucharest in 1459. In the afternoon drive to Bucharest where our tour will end at your hotel or depending on the time of your flight – at the Otopeni International Airport.
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