Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest
Your guide meets you at Henri Coanda International Airport and takes you to your hotel in Bucharest. If you arrive with time to spare, head into Old Town to see the mix of Western, Eastern European, and communist-era architecture. The Palace of Parliament is worth seeing, it's the second-largest building in the world. Then walk through Curtea Veche, the Old Court, which was Bucharest's first royal court and where Vlad the Impaler once lived. The evening is yours to shop, check out museums, or just wander around the city.
- Start point
- Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP), Calea Bucureștilor Nr. 224E, Otopeni, Ilfov 075100, Romania (Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP), 09:00 - 20:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Palace of Parliament (House of the People)
- Exploration of Bucharest's Old Town
- Visit to Curtea Veche (Old Court)
Optional Activities
- Visit to Vlad the Impaler bust
- Shopping
- Museum visits
- Strolling around the city
Landmarks Palace of Parliament Curtea Veche (Old Court) Bucharest Old Town - Day 2
Targoviste
Travel to Targoviste, which used to be Wallachia's capital and has deep historical connections to Vlad Tepes. See what remains of the royal court that Vlad rebuilt and reinforced, including the Chindia Tower. Visit the Princely Church and the tower to learn about Vlad's time ruling here. After lunch, you can head to Poenari Fortress high in the mountains, known as the Eagle's Nest, though it's currently closed for renovations and should reopen in 2024. Dinner is on your own, and you'll stay near the Transfagarasan Highway for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Targoviste
- Visit to Princely Church
- Visit to Chindia Tower
Optional Activities
- Visit to Poenari Fortress (currently closed for renovation, reopening 2024)
Landmarks Chindia Tower Princely Church Poenari Fortress 
- Day 3
Transfagarasan Highway to Sibiu
This morning you'll drive through the Carpathian Mountains on the Transfagarasan Highway, passing through peaks that reach 2042m. Later, you'll get to the medieval city of Sibiu and tour the Astra Museum, an open-air site with over 300 traditional buildings, original Romanian monuments, and thousands of household objects from the past. Spend the rest of the day walking through Sibiu to see the Brukenthal Museum, the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cathedral, and Huet Square with its Evangelical Church. You'll have a couple hours to explore on your own. Overnight in Sibiu.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel through Carpathian Mountains on Transfagarasan Highway
- Guided tour of Astra Museum
- Walking tour of Sibiu
- Visit to Brukenthal Museum
- Visit to Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cathedral
- Visit to Huet Square with Evangelical Church
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Sibiu
Landmarks Transfagarasan Highway Carpathian Mountains Astra Museum Brukenthal Museum Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cathedral Huet Square Evangelical Church 
- Day 4
Sarmizegetusa Regia - Densus Church - Deva
Start with Corvin Castle, a medieval fortress with Renaissance-Gothic style where Vlad the Impaler was held for seven years. Walk through its courtyards and towers. From there, head into the Orastie Mountains to find Sarmizegetusa Regia, an ancient Dacian fortress from over two thousand years back. You'll see the remains of seven temples and an andesite altar. After lunch on your own, visit Densus Church, one of Romania's oldest churches, built where an ancient pagan site once stood with unique architecture and 15th-century murals. Overnight in Deva.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Corvin Castle
- Visit to Sarmizegetusa Regia
- Visit to Densus Church
Landmarks Corvin Castle Sarmizegetusa Regia Densus Church 
- Day 5
Turda Salt Mine - Cluj Napoca
Head to Alba Iulia to see Alba Carolina Citadel, a medieval fortress built between 1715 and 1738 that protected Habsburg provinces. Next, go to the Turda Salt Mine in Turda, Cluj County, an extraordinary underground mine dating back to the Roman era with salt mining evidence from the second century. The mine covers over 45 hectares with depths reaching 120 meters, and it has an underground lake, amphitheater, Ferris wheel, and mini-golf. The salt-rich air is thought to help with respiratory issues. Dinner is your choice, and you'll stay in Cluj Napoca.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Alba Carolina Citadel
- Visit to Turda Salt Mine
Optional Activities
- Underground lake exploration
- Amphitheater visit
- Ferris wheel ride
- Mini-golf at Turda Salt Mine
Landmarks Alba Carolina Citadel Turda Salt Mine 
- Day 6
Biertan Fortified Church - Sighisoara
Begin at Hoia Baciu Forest, known for its natural beauty and folklore that draws nature lovers and those curious about unexplained events. Continue to Biertan Fortified Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with late-gothic architecture and defensive walls. Then venture into Sighisoara, also UNESCO-listed and the only inhabited medieval citadel in Europe. Walk the cobblestone streets, see the Clock Tower with its medieval weapons display, and check out historical buildings. The citadel dates to the 12th century and was fortified in the 15th. Overnight at Casa Wagner Hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Hoia Baciu Forest
- Visit to Biertan Fortified Church
- Guided tour of Sighisoara
- Visit to Clock Tower
Optional Activities
- Exhibition of medieval weaponry at Clock Tower
Landmarks Hoia Baciu Forest Biertan Fortified Church Sighisoara Clock Tower 
- Day 7
Rasnov Fortress - Brasov
Start at Bran Castle, known as Dracula's Castle, a medieval fortress on a 60-meter cliff. Though famous for vampire stories, learn its real history including ties to the Romanian royal family and Queen Mary. Explore the architecture and heritage. Then go to Rasnov Fortress, a strong medieval structure from 1335. Continue to Brasov for a guided city tour through atmospheric streets, including the narrow Rope Street. See the gothic-style Black Church and Council Square with its historical significance. Overnight in Brasov.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bran Castle
- Visit to Rasnov Fortress
- Guided tour of Brasov
- Visit to Black Church
- Exploration of Council Square
Optional Activities
- Exploration of Rope Street
Landmarks Bran Castle Rasnov Fortress Black Church Council Square Rope Street 
- Day 8
Bucharest
Visit Snagov Monastery on Snagov Island, believed by some to be where Vlad the Impaler is buried, though his actual burial place remains a mystery. Explore the quiet monastery and learn about the legends surrounding Vlad's fate and tales of monks secretly burying his body. Reflect on the mysterious stories and what they mean historically. After the visit, you'll be driven to your hotel in Bucharest or to the airport to end your trip.
- End point
- Bucharest, Romania (Drop you off in Bucharest city at your hotel or at the airport if your departing day coincide with he last day of the tour)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Snagov Monastery
Landmarks Snagov Monastery Snagov Island
