Discover Medieval Transylvania Small Group Tour - 7 days

Description Discover Medieval Transylvania Small Group Tour - 7 days

Romania’s Transylvanian region provides a captivating glimpse into a bygone Europe, with medieval castles, towns, and churches that appear frozen in time. This journey takes you deep into the heart of the region for an unforgettable experience, so be sure to bring your camera to capture the unforgettable sights!

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Enjoy 20% OFF - booking validity period 24.11.24 - 31.12.24 / travel validity period 22.04.25-04.11.25 : From €1,399 €1119. Guaranteed Departures: Every Tuesday!

From Bucharest airport to Bucharest airport

Places You'll See:

Sibiu, Corvin Castle from Hunedoara, Astra Open Air Village Museum, Biertan, Sighisoara, Viscri, Rupea Castle, Brasov, Peles Castle, Bran Castle, Rasnov Forterss, Magura and Pestera mountain villages

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Physical rating: Low

Special diets catered: Vegetarians

 

Group size: 2 - 7

Age range: 12-89

Tour operated in: English

Departures: Every Tuesday

Rates:

• 1399 euro/person

Minimum people in the group: 2.

Single supplement: 200 euro

The package includes:

• 6 nights accommodation (2 nights in Sibiu at a 3* guesthouse/hotel, 1 night in Sighisoara at a 3* guesthouse/hotel, 3 nights in Brasov at a 3* guesthouse/hotel)
• 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch
• all transfers and transportation by car or minibus
• entrance fees only at Bran Castle and Peles Castle (the basic tour)
• English speaking tour guide/driver

Not included: airfare, tips, travel insurance, drinks, meals and entrance fees not listed at included section; upgrade at 3* to 5* hotels in Brasov located in the old city center (eg. Bella Muzica, Safrano Palace, Casa Chitic, Schuster Boarding House, Radisson Blu Aurum, subject of availability), upgrade at 3* to 5* hotels in Sibiu/Sighisoara (subject of availability).

What You Can Expect

Embark on a captivating 7-day small-group journey through Transylvania, where you’ll explore some of the region’s most impressive citadels and delve into its rich tapestry of myths, legends, and history. This immersive tour invites you to experience the mystique of Transylvania firsthand, with visits to iconic landmarks that tell the story of this enchanting land.

Your adventure includes a visit to Bran Castle, famously known as Dracula’s Castle, where you can explore the fascinating legends surrounding this medieval fortress. You’ll also visit two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the fortified Saxon church in the charming village of Viscri, and the impressive Biertan fortified church, both of which reflect the region’s rich cultural and architectural heritage.

Wander through the historic streets of Sighisoara, a UNESCO World Heritage town and the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the warlord who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Travel to the medieval city of Sibiu, once the capital of the Transylvanian Saxons and declared the European Capital of Culture. Sibiu is a city rich in history, home to the first hospital in Romania (1292), the first pharmacy (1494), and the Brukenthal Museum, Romania’s oldest museum, established in 1817.

Explore Corvin Castle, one of the most impressive Gothic castles in Europe, and then experience the charm of rural Transylvania with a visit to the Astra Open Air Village Museum, the second-largest open-air museum in Europe. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to stroll through a traditional Transylvanian village, getting to know the local way of life at a relaxed pace.

Throughout this journey, you'll uncover the secrets of Transylvania’s medieval past, while immersing yourself in its legends, its stunning landscapes, and its vibrant cultural heritage. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a lover of folklore, or simply in search of adventure, this tour offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore one of Europe’s most fascinating and mysterious regions.

Highlights

• Get to know one of the Transylvanian villages at a leisurely pace

• The remarkably well-preserved town of Sighisoara, so rich in history that the entire old city center is an UNESCO site

• Wander the rustic streets of the town and visit its UNESCO World Heritage-listed church

• Astra Open Air Village Museum - the second largest open-air museum in Europe

• Biertan - one of the most important Saxon villages with fortified churches in Transylvania, having been on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1993

• Corvin Castle - one of the largest castles in Europe and figures in a list of the seven wonders of Romania

• Bran Castle - a hilltop estate that conjures up visions of howling wolves and bats fluttering in the moonlight

• Get to know one of the Transylvanian villages at a leisurely pace

DESCRIPTION & FEATURES OF THE TOUR

Day 1: Bucharest airport – Sibiu

Accommodation: Guesthouse/Hotel 3*

Meals:  No

Begin your journey with a scenic transfer from Bucharest Airport to Sibiu (280 km, approximately 4 hours). Upon arrival, settle into a cozy 3* guesthouse or hotel. Once the cultural capital of Europe, Sibiu was a beacon of Transylvanian Saxon heritage. Explore its rich history as the birthplace of Romania’s first hospital (1292), pharmacy (1494), and the Brukenthal Museum, opened in 1817 as the country’s oldest museum. Stroll through its cobblestone streets and admire its medieval charm.

Day 2: Explore the Magnificent Corvin Castle

Accommodation: Guesthouse/Hotel 3*

Meals: Breakfast

Travel to Hunedoara (130 km, about 2 hours), home to the majestic Corvin Castle, also known as Hunedoara Castle or Castelul Corvinilor. This Gothic-Renaissance masterpiece is among Europe’s largest castles and a proud entry on the list of Romania’s seven wonders. Let its grandeur transport you to medieval times as you explore its impressive architecture and storied past. Return to Sibiu and enjoy an enchanting evening tour of the city illuminated by night.

Day 3 : Astra Museum, Biertan & Sighișoara

Accommodation: Guesthouse/Hotel 3*

Meals: Breakfast

Short drive to visit Astra Open Air Village Museum - the second largest open-air museum in Europe (250 acres) is located in the middle of a dense forest and surrounded by a beautiful lake. It features more than 300 buildings as well as watermills and windmills, and other structures representing village architectural styles from many parts of Romania.
Next, head to Biertan (70 km, about 1 hour driving). Biertan is one of the most important Saxon villages with fortified churches in Transylvania, having been on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1993. Featuring late-gothic architecture with heavy doors and double exterior walls, the church boasts the largest Transylvanian multi-paneled wooden altar and a remarkable wooden door which once protected the treasures in the sacristy.
Continue the tour to the remarkably well-preserved town of Sighişoara (30 km, about 30 minutes driving), so rich in history that the entire old city center is a UNESCO site. Hear about the medieval town’s legendary former resident Vlad the Impaler, a Wallachian prince and warlord who inspired Bram Stoker’s fictional character Dracula. Discover the only city in Romania which looks exactly the same way as in the XVIth century.
Accommodation at a 3* hotel.

Day 4 : Viscri, Rupea Fortress & Brașov

Accommodation: Guesthouse/Hotel 3*

Meals: Breakfast

Travel to the picturesque village of Viscri (1 hour). As we approach, admire the impressive whitewashed walls and red-roofed towers that surround the village, designed to protect early inhabitants from invading Turks. Wander the rustic streets of the town and visit its UNESCO World Heritage-listed church. King Charles, who owns a house in Viscri, says "Transylvania is in my blood".
Visit a remarkable fortress - Rupea - with three rings, dating from the 14th century, built on a basalt rock. Inside the fortress there is a well 60 m deep. The water is still drinkable.
End your day in Brașov (90 km, about 90 minutes), a city steeped in Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture. Enjoy a guided evening tour of Brașov’s Old Town, where history comes alive under the glow of lanterns. Accommodation at a 3* hotel for 3 nights.

Day 5 : Peles Castle, Bran Castle and Rasnov Fortress day tour

Accommodation: Guesthouse/Hotel 3*

Meals: Breakfast

Discover three iconic landmarks of Romania: Bran Castle (a.k.a. Dracula's Castle) - Rasnov Fortress - Peles Castle. Drive about 45 minutes to Sinaia town for visiting Peles Castle. The expansive, Bavarian-style Peleș Castle was built among a lush forest to house Romania’s royalty in the 19th century and is among the most beautiful in Europe. A guide will lead you through many of its immaculate, ornate rooms, still adorned with luxuriant furnishings and décor. You’ll also have the chance to tour the neighbouring Pelișor Castle, a smaller royal residence decked out in art nouveau finery.
Continue the tour from Sinaia (about 60 minutes) to Bran Castle, also known as ‘Dracula’s Castle’ — a hilltop estate that conjures up visions of howling wolves and bats fluttering in the moonlight. Wander the castle’s Gothic chambers and learn about its ties to Bram Stoker’s undead antihero. Enter if you dare and wander through the castle’s many well-preserved rooms and chambers. Gothic furnishings and details help set the scene for ghastly legends of all that happened here, including the imprisonment of Vlad the Impaler. This 15th-century prince was notorious for his bloodthirsty campaigns against invading Turks and is said to have inspired Stoker’s malevolent Count Dracula.
Drive about 30 minutes to Râșnov, situated among the stunning Bucegi Mountains. Learn about the storied history of Râșnov Fortress, a walled stone compound designed to ward off attacks by the fierce Tartars and used as a refuge for local villagers during medieval warfare. Explore the time-worn courtyards, ramparts and well of the 13th-century fortress built by the Teutons. Return to Brașov in the evening.

Day 6 : Romanian Authentic Mountain Villages

Accommodation: Guesthouse/Hotel 3*

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Sustainable, local, eco tour! The beauty of Romania lies in its countryside!

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Overview:

Experience the traditional Transylvanian way of life on a small group tour from Brașov to the rural villages of Pestera and Magura. We do a walking tour in the area visiting the Bat Cave enjoying the landscapes and village life, interacting with the locals (3 - 4 hours, easy to medium, up to 12 km). Now, the Bat Cave is a national natural monument, part of the National Park “Piatra Craiului”. Cave entrance is through a narrow corridor, followed by a grotto and a gallery. You can admire the Jurassic limestone formations, formed over centuries, including so-called "tears of the earth". The cave is not electrified, in order not to change the natural habitat of the bats. Visit the oldest guesthouse in the National Park, taste several varieties of handcrafted cheese, than we have a farm-fresh cuisine. With a flexible pace and the personalized attention of your guide, it’s a unique and authentic way to experience the Romanian countryside.

Highlights

• Small group day trip to the authentic Romanian mountain villages of Pestera and Magura from Brașov
• Discover the culture of the villages, nestled in Transylvania’s Piatra Craiului National Park mountain
• Take a trek into the forests and meadows to see wild flowers and go inside of Bat cave
• Savor lunch made from fresh, simple ingredients at one of the guesthouses in the area
• Enjoy a flexible itinerary and the undivided attention of a guide on this small group tour
• In these 2 villages the people never died because of cancer or heart attack - they live an healthy life: working the land, taking care of animals (sheep and cows), preparing and eating home made food from their small farm (meat, eggs, milk), drinking fresh water from the spring and home made alcoholic drink called "tuica" made from different fruits: apples, plumps, pears!

What You Can Expect

Sample traditional Romanian cheese on a small group day trip to Magura and Pestera.

Nestled in the Piatra Craiului National Park Mountains in the Southern Carpathians, the villages of Pestera an Magura offer an authentic glimpse into rural Romanian life. Your immersive, full-day tour begins in central Brașov, where you’ll meet your local guide and board a private vehicle for the 45-minute drive to the village. Along the way, let your guide know if you have any specific interests so he or she can customize the day’s itinerary.

Learn about the history of the villages, where the traditional industries of sheep farming and cheese making are still practiced by many of the village’s. Visit the Bat Cave about 10 minutes. Next, set off into the surrounding hills and meadows of Magura village for a moderate guided hike for 2 to 3 hours. Let your guide know if you prefer to hike for longer or shorter, and go at a pace that’s comfortable to you.

Make a stop to the oldest guesthouse in the National Park. Meet some of the farmers, and sample two-three different kinds of cheese.

After working up an appetite, we have a hearty lunch. Savor simple Romanian cuisine homemade from local farm-fresh ingredients including eggs, vegetables or pork. Purchase beer or wine to top off your meal. From the guesthouse we have a walk in Pestera Village back to the car, about 1 hour. We can visit also the local church.

Relax on the scenic return drive to Brașov.

Day 7 : Transfer to Bucharest airport

Meals: Breakfast

3 hour transfer to Bucharest airport.

Map of visited POI's:

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