Castles and Palaces Of Wallachia and Transylvania

Day 1

Bucharest

 

Arrival at Bucharest international Airport. Meet your Romanian guide. Orientation tour of Bucharest: visit of the Old Princely Court and the nearby 1808 Manuc's Inn. Continue with the visit of the Palace of Parliament, the second largest building in the world in terms of surface, built by Ceausescu beginning with 1984, Revolution Square and the northern part of Bucharest. View of Ceausescu's former residence. Hotel check in. The rest of the afternoon is free. Special traditional Romanian dinner with folklore show and dances is included.

D Transfer Accommodation in Bucharest at Lido hotel**** (or similar)

 

 

Day 2

Bucharest - Curtea de Arges - Sibiu

 

Hot buffet breakfast at hotel. Start your day with the visit of the beautiful Cotroceni Palace, the main Bucharest former royal residence, today the Presidency of Romania. Continue to Curtea de Arges,former capital of Wallachia and visit the 16th century monastery and church. Lunch. Drive on one of the most scenic routes of the country, the Olt Valley. Stop at Cozia Monastery, get acquainted to the Brancovan architecture and decoration. Later in the afternoon, cross the mountains into Transylvania and reach Sibiu, a medieval Saxon town. Orientation tour including the fortifications and guilds’towers.

B.D Accommodation at Imparatul Romanilor/Continental hotel.***.

 

Day 3

Sibiu - Biertan - Sighisoara - Poiana Brasov

 

Hot buffet breakfast at hotel. Walking city tour of Sibiu, including the visit to the late 18 century Brukenthal Palace, the former residence of Baron Brukenthal, Governor of Transylvania, Evangelical Church, the Great Square, Liar's Bridge, etc. View of the Orthodox Cathedral inspired by Hagia Sofia in Istanbul. Continue on to Biertan to visit the 1516 fortified church, the seat of the Lutheran Bishops until 1867. Biertan is part of the World Heritage List. Reach Sighisoara in time for lunch, preferably in the very house where Prince Vlad the Impaler - also known as Dracula, was born in 1431. Today an World Heritage Site, Sighisoara is probably one of the best well-preserved medieval towns across Europe. Tour the citadel including the visit of the Tower with Clock and the Torture Room. Time for souvenir shopping. Continue southeast to Brasov.

B.D Dinner with show and accommodation (***) in Poiana Brasov, Romania's best mountain resort.

 

Day 4

Brasov - Bran- Sinaia

 

Hot buffet breakfast at hotel. Brasov panoramic city tour, including the best sites: the famous Black Church with its 4000 pipe organ, the Weaver's Bastion & museum, St. Nicholas Orthodox Church and the first school in Romanian. Time at leisure. Optional cable-car ride on Tampa Mountain (2400ft altitude). Lunch. In the afternoon drive to 14th century Bran Castle, known as Dracula's Castle, one of the best preserved medieval castles of Transylvania, originally built by the Teutonic Knights. Time for shopping. Continue to Sinaia, another mountain resort along Prahova river Valley. Orientation tour

B.D Accommodation. Pallas Hotel(***)

 

Day 5

Sinaia - Otopeni Airport (75 miles)

 

Hot buffet breakfast at hotel. Visit the world famous Peles Castle, built by Romania's first monarch, King Carol I, as a summer mountain residence. Optional visit to a second castle called Pelisor, located on the premises, also built by the King. Continue to Bucharest Airport, in time for your flight back home.