Cluj-Napoca

Drive across Transylvania towards the city of Sighisoara. Here, admire the beautiful medieval cityscape in Romania. Visit the clock tower, giving you an insight in the city's history with an impressive view of the citadel, the former defensive towers and walls of the city. Admire the birthplace of the Walachian leader Vlad Dracul, who would later become known as Count Dracula. Discover his house of birth, and sample a shot of Romanian schnapps. In the afternoon, drive to Bran Castle, an impressive fortification and residence of the Romanian family. The castle is also known as Dracula's Castle. In the late afternoon, go back to Cluj-Napoca.

Enjoy a lengthy 2.5-hour walking tour through the fascinating city of Cluj-Napoca, know as Cluj for short. Visit the birth house of Matthias Corvinus, Hungary's most renowned 15th-century king, and learn fascinating stories about his life, as well as the importance of wine in the region. Continue the tour to the large Union Square to admire the classic Gothic style of the 14th-century St. Michael's Church, and the large equestrian statue of Corvinus that rests in front of it. Continue walking until you arrive at the "Street of the Intellectuals," famous for its many educational institutions, including the Babes-Bolyai University. As you walk, learn from your knowledgeable guide about the fate of the witches living in Cluj in the Middle Ages, and the formation of the Guilds. Walk past the remains of the city's defensive walls and arrive at a newer part of the old city, named the Avram Iancu Square. Admire the Orthodox Cathedral that rests here, built in the 1930s, as well as the National Theater, built in 1906 by a team of Viennese architects.

Day 1: Bucharest, Sighisoara At 10:00 AM, your English-speaking guide will collect you from Moxa Boutique Hotel. From here transfer to the Medieval Saxon Citadel of Sighisoara, founded by Saxons during the 12th century. Sighisoara is also the place where Vlad the Impaler, the Romanian ruler also known as Dracula, was born. That evening, get ready for a Halloween party. You can enjoy a delicious traditional Romanian festive dinner, washed down with fiery spirits and excellent Romanian wine. During dinner, you can enjoy a special program including the Killing of the Living Dead ritual and many more. That evening, spend the night in a 3-star hotel located in the very heart of the Medieval citadel. Day 2: Sighisoara, Brasov, and Bran Your first stop of the day will be to the Medieval Saxon City of Brasov, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe, and home to the impressive Black Church. Here you can also explore Transylvania’s famous symbol, Bran Castle, which owes its fame to both its unique charm, and to the myth Bram Stoker created around Dracula. The impressive edifice dates back to 1377, and Queen Maria of Romania, the niece of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, turned the castle into a beautiful summer residence. Cheese tasting here is strongly recommended, as the village is renowned for the delicious homemade traditional cheese assortments produced here. That evening, you can prepare for an ultimate Halloween party at Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle. You will enjoy an unforgettable night tour of the castle, meeting wicked fairies and getting lost in euphoric dance along with a glass of local red wine. Later on in the night, there will be an after-party in the castle's courtyard until 4:00 AM. Day 3: Bran and Bucharest Transfer to Bucharest Airport for your journey home, arriving in Bucharest after 5:00 PM (depending on traffic).

Drive through the Transylvanian highlands towards Sighișoara. Visit the medieval town center of Sighișoara, which is very well preserved and is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through the citadel and visit among others the emblem of the town, the Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill, the Citadel, the fortified walls and towers of the city and also the birthplace of the Wallachian leader Vlad Dracul, who later became known as Count Dracula in Gothic literature and film. In the afternoon, drive to the Biertan, a small village in a secluded Transylvanian valley. Visit the imposing fortified church in Biertan (also belonging to the UNESCO World Heritage Site). Then, return to Cluj-Napoca.

To begin this two-day tour, you will be picked up from your hotel in Cluj-Napoca by your guide and start the journey to Bukovina. On your way to Bukovina, you will make a quick stop in Bistrita, the northernmost fortified Transylvanian town. In a short walking tour through the town, you will enjoy the medieval legends and explore its narrow streets. Bukovina is especially famous for its painted monasteries, and over these two days, you will visit the most representative of all seven. During the second part of the day, you will have the chance to visit the most famous painted monastery in the world, Voronet Monastery. The frescoes of the monastery are dominated by intense shades of blue, and the southern wall depicts the best-preserved ‘Last Judgement’ fresco in Romania. The monastery was built in 1488 by Prince Stephen the Great in order to commemorate one of his victories against the Ottoman Empire. Enjoy a traditional dinner with a folkloric dance show at a nearby restaurant then stay overnight in Gura Humorului. You will start the day with a short drive to Humor Monastery, a small cross-shaped church built in 1530, dedicated to the Dormition of Virgin. Red hues dominate the exterior frescoes showing scenes from the lives of saints, as well as significant moments from the locals’ lives, such as the wars with the Turks. Moldovita Monastery is the next stop on your itinerary. The highlight of the day is Transrarau Highway. With a total length of 28 kilometers (17 miles), it is known as the Treasury Road. You will be amazed by its curves and the scenery. It goes up to 1400 meters in altitude, and from there you will have a hike through the Rarau Mountains. You will have the chance to see the rock formations that emerged from the ground millions of years ago in order to give birth to these mountains. After you have filled your lungs with fresh air it is time for lunch at a fish farm.

Depart from Cluj-Napoca and head to Turda, once the most important economic center of the region where salt, also known as “white gold,” has been extracted since the Roman age. Arrive for a guided tour at the Salina Turda salt mine and discover the history of salt mining in the town dating from the 17th century. Explore site, including the Terezia mine, Rudolf hall, and the Franz Josef Gallery.  Afterwards, spend the afternoon in the Transylvanian western mountains in the village of Rimetea. The chalk-white houses and the harmonious structure of the village have earned it several distinctions. Considered to be one of the most beautiful village in Transylvania, it received the Europa Nostra Award for its architectural preservation.  Next up, take a 1-hour hike to the ruins of the Coltesti Fortress for an impressive view of the valley below. In the evening, head back to Cluj-Napoca where you’ll be dropped off at the starting point of your tour.

First, visit Corvin Castle, the spectacular Gothic-style castle where Dracula is said to be imprisoned, referred to by many as "one of the seven wonders of Romania". Learn about the historical importance of this medieval castle as you journey through its 3 main areas: the Knight's Hall, which was used for feasts, the Diet Hall, which was used for ceremonies, and the circular stairway. Marvel at these beautifully decorated marble halls and listen to tales and legends of Dracula and Vlad the Impaler. Next, head to Alba Carolina Fortress, the largest medieval citadel of its kind in Romania. Soak up the medieval atmosphere of this Vauban fortress and learn about its history from your English-speaking guide. After your tour of the fortress, get dropped off back at your hotel in Cluj-Napoca.

Embark on an excursion from Cluj to visit three of Transylvania's notable sites. See an underground theme park that's nestled inside the Turda Salt Mine, go for a hike through the dramatic Turda Gorge, and encounter traditional rural life in a preserved Rimetea village. Start your experience with pickup and a short drive to the Turda Salt Mine. Take a guided tour and spend some time in its unique underground theme park. Try out the ferris wheel, play a round of minigolf, or ride a boat on its underground lake. Hop back in the vehicle and head for the Turda Gorge. Marvel at the 3-kilometer long canyon, with massive walls sculpted in weathered limestone. Hike through high cliffs with steep ridges, rock towers, caves, and lots of varieties of flora and fauna. Conclude your experience with a visit to Rimetea village. Enjoy strolling amongst traditional white houses with green windows. Get a feel for Transylvanian rural life in a preserved and beautiful location.

Your tour will start in the morning when you will be picked up from your hotel and taken on a 2-hour road trip to Medias. Take a short walking tour of the city and get a glimpse of the Citadel of Light and of the beautiful medieval buildings, most of which were built in the 15th century. You will then head to Biertan in order to visit the Biertan fortified church, a monument included in the UNESCO patrimony as part of Transylvania’s villages with fortified churches. The church is surrounded by thick medieval walls which were built in the 15th century, and the front door is equipped with 19 locks and bolts. Your next stop will be in Sighisoara. The medieval Sighisoara Citadel is the only inhabited citadel in Europe and it is surrounded by 9 towers, the Clock Tower being the most important of all. The Clock Tower was destroyed by a fire, but it was rebuilt in the 16th century, and it is now home to a history museum that includes a torture chamber. The Sighisoara Citadel was built in the 12th century, and it had a significant role throughout Transylvania’s history, Sighisoara being one of its 7 independent cities. In Sighisoara, you will also visit the Hill Church, a holy site that you can reach by climbing 175 wooden steps, as well as several other buildings such as the Stag House and a Venetian House. If Transylvania were to be described in one word, the word diverse would be chosen. This historical land was home to numerous isolated villages, and you will find traces of its Romanian, Hungarian, Gypsy and German communities, all living in harmony for hundreds of years. Gypsies first settled in Romania more than 800 years ago, after being forced away from their lands by the Mongol invasion. Today, you will visit an isolated community of Gypsies who earn their living through various crafts such as copper smithing. Because they are a slightly isolated community, the access is permitted only to those accompanied by someone they trust. On your way back to Cluj, you will take a different route in order to explore some of the stunning landscape of Transylvania. You will be back in Cluj by night, the duration of the trip being affected by traffic.

Meet the people who wear their handmade traditional costumes with pride, enter their homes and get to know the culture of this region through its traditions, delicious food and simplicity. This tour has been created for nature lovers, people who love tradition, architecture, history and religion. This trip will start from Cluj. Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and you will drive north in order to reach Maramures, the land that was first mentioned in documents in 1199. Your last destination of the day will be Breb village, where you will enter through a beautiful handmade carved door, whose details have an important cultural significance, and then you will have a traditional lunch. Overnight in a beautiful, traditional house. When it comes to understanding traditions in Maramures, the most interesting experience is to enter the homes of the locals. Their home is the basis around which family, customs and traditions revolve. On this tour, you will have the opportunity to visit a traditional house, meet the locals, have a traditional lunch made with the freshest products and admire the simplicity of people’s lives. Witness several crafting activities such as wood carvings and have a taste of palinka while discussing with the locals. Besides hospitality, the people of Maramures are also known for their sense of humor, and they never cease to amazed with their funny epitaphs that you will see in one of the main attractions from this tour, the Merry Cemetery in Sapanta. Then, meet the spiritual side of the locals in Maramures, and visit some of the most interesting monasteries and churches in the region, including a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and admire the well-known wooden churches, manually carved by local craftsmen. Walk through the villages where locals keep crafting traditions alive, visit local craftsmen and admire their beautiful work, witness demonstrations and see the most ingenious natural washing machines that women used to wash their woolen rugs with the whirlpools in Maramures. To complete your experience and to make this tour more pleasant, some sightseeing have been prepared to make you feel like you are in a Lord of the Rings setting. Climb heights to admire the beautiful hill villages and fields where haycocks lie in the sun. The virgin forests in Maramures are some of the last ones in Europe that are still untouched by humans and it is the place where trees die because they are old, they fall and the wood feeds the earth for the next generations. In these woods, live trees of all ages, from hundreds of years old to just sprouted seeds, and under their branches live over 10,000 species of animals, including brown bears, wolves and deer.