Duration: 7 nights/8 days

Type: fly & drive

Route: Rumania – Bucharest, Baile Govora, Sibiu, Sighisoara, Brasov, Sinaia, Bran, Snagov

 

Day 1:

Arrival in Bucharest.

The rented car is delivered for you at the airport.

Accommodation at hotel Opera 3*+ /Venezia 4*/Central 4* - situated in the city center. Small hotels with charm. www.thhotels.ro.

Bucharest: Romania's capital is a city that offers a variety of architectural styles: French from the early 20th century, communist and modern.

The city was mentioned for the first time in 1459 in connection with Vlad the Impaler.

Called "the little Paris", the city surprises with its monuments and various buildings.

Important places:

- The Revolution Square - where the Revolution of 1989 happened, that led to the change of the communist system.

- The old building of the Communist Party, the Royal Palace, the Romanian Athenaeum, the University, the University Square, the National Theatre, the Military Centre, the Opera, Cotroceni Palace, the Academy of Military Studies

- The Parliament - the second largest building in the world, after the Pentagon

- The Arc of Triumph, the House of the Free Press, parks, Victoria Square, Romana Square etc.

The old town with the ruins of the former palace of princes, where Vlad the Impaler lived, Hanul lui Manuc, very lively streets today, with historic buildings.

 

Day 2:

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Leave Bucharest and cruise the North of Walachia and enter the heart of Transylvania, heading to the city of Baile Govora.

Dracula related sites on route, following secondary national roads:

- The city of Tirgoviste, where Vlad the Empaler had his main residence. You can visit the fortress and Chindia Tower.

- Poenari fortress, where Vlad build his fortress. Although the castle was used for many years after the death of Vlad, in 1476, it was abandoned again until the first half of the seventeenth century. 1356 stairs must be climbed to reach today's ruins.

Possible stop in Curtea de Arges, where the kings of Romania where buried and legends stil exist. The city houses a various number of medieval churches. Important churches are Biserica Domneasca (The Royal Church) build by Mircea The Brave, monarch of Walachia who reigned between 1386-1418. The structure resembles a stone fortress, connected through catacombs with a watchtower situated on a nearby hill.

Curtea de Argeş is a city of varied cultural activities with various festivals of music and poetry. To the north are the ruins of Poienari Castle.

After Pitesti, head on national roads until Ramnicu Valcea, then follow the direction of Baile Govora.

Possible visits in the region:

- The village of Horezu – Famous for its typical ceramics. There are workshops and shops. The main sites of the village are the ceramics workshops and Hurezi monastery.

- The Monasteries in the region: Bistrita, Dintr-un lemn (The legend tells that a monk found an icon of the Virgin inside a tree. A voice told him that he has to build a church in that place ...).

Accommodation at hotel Belvedere 3* or Palace 3* in the spa based hotels in Baile Govora. 

http://bailegovora.ro/ 

Distance: Bucharest – Baile Govora → 200 km, without detours vor extra visits.
 

Day 3:

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure from Baile Govora, taking the valley of the river Olt, some of the most interesting crossings of the Carpathians. It is 47 km long, being the longest gorge of Romania.

En route, you can visit the monastery of Cozia, one of the oldest in the region.

Arrival in the city of Sibiu.

Sibiu: city with medieval centre, one of the most "alive" places in the country. It was the European Capital of Culture in 2007 and remains a centre for many events of all kinds.

The city has modern and charming accommodation facilities and restaurants with specific Romanian atmosphere at night.

The visit of the city is done on foot and includes: The Big Square, the Haller House, the Teutsch House, the Small Square, the Bridge of Lies, the Huet Square, the Evangelical Church, the Metropolitan Church, the Walls of the fortress, the Schiller Square.

Day 4:

Breakfast at the hotel.

Visit the city of Sibiu and leave in the direction of Sighisoara. Typical villages of the German community are crossed.

Possible visits in the region:

- the town of Medias - medieval character. Mediaş has preserved well its architectural heritage, which presents a rich range of styles: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical and Modernist Secession style. In addition, the city has also conserved a good part of its fortifications.

- the fortified church of Biertan, the most important so-called Saxon village that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO

- the medieval fortress of Sighisoara - 12th century.

Arrival in Sighisoara and installation in a hotel with charm inside the fortress - Sighisoara or Casa Wagner 3 * - hotels with charm, medieval character, typical furniture. www.casa-wagner.ro, www.sighisoarahotels.ro.

Visit the interior of the fortress. This city is also known as the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler - the prince who gave birth to the legend of Dracula.

Sighisoara is a medieval fortress of the 12th century, UNESCO listed.

The Clock Tower keeps the entrance in the Fortress that has a system of walls of almost 1 km, 9 defense towers, 160 houses, churches and a long history. Sighisoara has a unique charm, it is the gateway into a medieval world.

http://infosighisoara.ro/

http://www.sighisoara-transilvania.ro/index.php?option=com_frontpage&lang=en

 

Day 5:

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure towards Brasov.

Possible visits en route:

- fortified churches, some UNESCO listed - Saschiz (massive church, built in stone, Gothic style), Viscri (it is one of the most spectacular German churches, being listed UNESCO)

- in the vicinity of Brasov: the peasant fortresses of Prejmer (the best preserved peasant fortress in Eastern Europe) and Harman (fortified church) etc.

The city of Braşov was through the centuries one of the most important, powerful and flourishing cities in its region. Thanks to its geographical position and its infrastructure, it allows the development of many economic and cultural activities. Points of interest:

- The museum of the First Romanian School, a museum that exposes the first books printed in Romanian language

- The Black Church - a famous church in Gothic style begun in 1384 and finished in 1477. It received the current denomination after the general fire of 1689.

- The church of Saint Nicholas - dating from the 14th century.

- The walls of the old fortifications

- Tampa Mountain

The entire region of Brasov has a German-medieval character.

Accommodation at the Casa Wagner hotel, in the Council Square – hotel with charm or Bella Muzica.

www.casa-wagner.com, www.bellamuzica.ro

Distance: Sighisoara - Brasov → 120 km, without detours for visits.

Day 6:

Breakfast at the hotel.

Day in the Brasov region with accommodation in the same hotel.

Possible visits during the day:

- Bran Castle, known as Dracula's Castle. Bran: village located at 40-45 min. from Brasov where you will find a castle named Dracula’s by tourists (www.brancastlemuseum.ro). Actually, the castle is more related to the history of the royal family of Romania, and especially to the life of Queen Mary. It is not much related to Vlad the Impaler, who gave birth to the legend of Dracula – supposedly the prince passed here or he was taken prisoner in the zone.

Visiting time indoors: 30 - 40 min. To this length of time free time is added for shopping in the area for souvenirs around the castle.

- The fortress of Risnov - one of the best preserved medieval settlements in Transylvania. It is located above the limestone hill of the city of Risnov. The oldest parts date back to the 14th century.

- The Valea Cetatii cave - new entry into the tourist circuit

- the Poiana Brasov mountain resort, famous for winter sports and its ski slopes.

Return in the afternoon and evening in the same hotel as the previous night.

Circle distance, approx. 100 km.

 

Day 7:

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure from Brasov to Sinaia.

Possible visits in the region during the day:

- the Cantacuzino Palace in Busteni, recently entered in the tourist circuit. Built in 1911, the castle has a Neo-Romanian architectural style and a great historical value. The entrance hall includes a unique heraldic collection. The surrounding park has waterfalls, fountains and a cave.

- the former royal wineries of Azuga, now owned by the English company Halewood.

You can visit the caves and make a tasting of sparkling wines.

- The Peles and Pelisor castles in Sinaia.

- The monastery of Sinaia

Sinaia: The history of the place begins with the monastery of Sinaia around which the entire city was built, today a holiday destination.

The castle of Peles in Sinaia (www.peles.ro). The castle was built between 1875 and 1914 and was summer residence of the kings of Romania, the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen family. It is considered as one of the richest castles in the German family.

The visit of the interior takes about 40 min. 

 

Continue to Bucharest.

Distance Sinaia - Bucharest: 150 km.

En route, small detour through the village of Snagov where Vlad the Impaler is supposed to be buried. Visit of the monastery on the small island. The lake is famous due to the myth that Vlad III the Impaler (famous for having inspired the character named Dracula) was buried in the monastery of Snagov on an island. However, his body was never found.

Visit of Bucharest, if not done on arrival.

Accommodation in the same hotel as the first night. www.thhotels.ro.

 

Day 8:

Breakfast at the hotel.

Return the car, according to flight schedule and end of services.

 

Points of interest in the country (and included in the trip):

Bucharest - the ruins of the old Princely Palace

Snagov (near Bucharest) - the monastery where Vlad the Impaler is supposed to be buried

Tirgoviste - former capital of Wallachia, where Vlad had his residence

Poienari - Ruins of a fortress that was built by Vlad

Sighisoara - the city where Vlad was born

Bran - the castle known today as Dracula’s

 

Other sites that are not included by distance:

- The city of Bistrita, with the hotel Corona de Aur, mentioned in the novel of Bram Stoker, www.hotel-coroana-de-aur.ro

- Bargau Pass with the hotel castle of Dracula 3 * near Piatra Fantanele. This route is also mentioned in the novel. www.hotelcasteldracula.ro

In case of special interest, you can add one night at this hotel or you can change with one of the nights in Brasov, without influencing the price and concentrating the visits of the other days.

 

Useful information:

1. Tickets are paid in RON (national currency). Sometimes merchants accept euros but not in city shops.

2. There are exchange and ATM offices in the cities.

3. You must take into account 50 km = 1 hour on the road.

4. There is an hour difference between Spain and Romania (13 h in ES = 14 h in Ro)

5. People generally understand English and Spanish and are open and friendly.

 

Quoted hotels:

Bucharest: Opera 3*+ /Venezia 4*/Central 4*, www.thhotels.ro 

Baile Govora: Hotel Belvedere 3* or Palace 3* http://www.bailegovora.ro 

Sibiu: Imparatul Romanilor 3*, www.imparatulromanilor.ro. 

Sighisoara : Casa Wagner 3* www.casa-wagner.ro, or Hotel Sighisoara 3* www.sighisoarahotels.ro.

Brasov: Casa Wagner 3*, www.casa-wagner.com or Bella Muzica 3*, www.bellamuzica.ro 

Bucharest: Opera 3*+ /Venezia 4*/Central 4*, www.thhotels.ro.