Highlights of Southern Transylvania: 6-Day Private Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Bucharest - Sinaia - Brasov, Transylvania

Stop At: Peles Castle, Str. Pelesului 2, Sinaia 106100 Romania
Departing from Bucharest in the morning, you travel to Peles Palace, considered by many as one of the most beautiful castles in all Europe. The palace was built in wood, stone, bricks and marble and comprises more than 160 rooms. The representative style used is German Renaissance, but one can easily discover elements belonging to the Italian Renaissance, Gothic, German Baroque and French Rococo style. The architects used an abundance of wooden decorations, both for the exterior and for the interior of the palace, which confers a very special quality to the building.
From Sinaia to Brasov, the drive alone will prove to be spectacular, as you climb the windy mountain roads and take in the beautiful views.
Continue to the town of Brasov where you'll have a short orientation tour on the way to the hotel. Dinner at leisure in Brasov’s lovely pedestrian area of the Old Town with its many shops, traditional restaurants and outdoor cafes.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Casa Wagner, a 3*** centrally located hotel (or similar)

Day 2: Brasov and the Surrounding Area

Stop At: Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle), Str. General Traian Mosoiu nr. 24, Bran 507025 Romania
Today take a morning tour of Brasov with the Gothic Black Church with its valuable collection of Anatolian prayer rugs. Brasov has one of the best preserved medieval quarter and fortifications. The tour will include the Council Square, Schei Quarter and the First School in Romanian language, the Rope Street and Catherine's Gate. View of the Brasov 1901 synagogue.
In the afternoon you'll have a different experience, the chance to visit a medieval castle, maybe the most renowned castle in Romania: Dracula's Castle, featuring towering spires, thick stone walls and a dramatic setting atop a 60 meters high rock in the village of Bran.
Unlike palaces, which were built for enjoyment, the castles were built for strength and protection. Their main purpose was to withhold enemy attacks and keep their occupants safe. And Bran Castle is one of the best examples.
Late in the afternoon return to Brasov. The remainder of the day at leisure.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Casa Wagner, a 3*** centrally located hotel (or similar).

Day 3: Brasov - Viscri - Saschiz - Sighisoara

Stop At: Viscri Fortified Church, Viscri 507039 Romania
This morning depart Brasov for Sighisoara and along the way there will be the opportunity to stop in the village of Viscri, one of the best preserved Saxon villages in Transylvania. Visit the fortified church, listed as UNESCO world heritage site. Next, visit the traditional workshop of a blacksmith and see him at work..
Traditional home hosted lunch in a guest house in the area.
Continue to Sighisoara. The remainder of the day and dinner at leisure.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Home hosted lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight at The House with Antler, a 3*** hotel located in the main square of the citadel (or similar)

Day 4: Sighisoara - Biertan - Brateiu - Sibiu

Stop At: Biertan Fortified Church, Central Square, Biertan 557045 Romania
This morning, start with a walking tour of Sighisoara, the best preserved medieval town in Romania. See the famous Clock Tower Museum, the fortifications, the Armour Room and the Torture Room, and the house where Count Dracula/Vlad the Impaler was born in 1431.
Depart Sighisoara on the way to the impressive Biertan fortification and a UNESCO World Heritage site. As the former Seat of the Lutheran Bishops of Transylvania between 1572 and 1867, this place is proof of the important Heritage of the Transylvanian Saxons. Take a guided tour.
Next, an exclusive Visit to a Gypsy village followed by a Gypsy home visit, an unique opportunity to learn about this less known yet controversial ethnic group, about its culture, identity and lifestyle.
Continue to Sibiu. Short orientation tour on the way to the hotel and the remainder of the day at leisure.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Imparatul Romanilor/The Roman Emperor, a 3*** centrally located hotel (or similar).

Day 5: Sibiu and the Surrounding Area

Stop At: Citadel of Alba Iulia, Calea Motilor, nr. 5A, Alba Iulia 510134 Romania
Start the day with a leisurely walking tour of the old town of Sibiu (Hermannstadt), formerly the chief city of the Transylvanian Germans.. Sibiu lies on the right bank of the Cibin River, on a hill situated at about 200 m from the river. It consist of two distinct entities: the Upper Town and the Lower Town. Traditionally, the Upper Town was the wealthier part and commercial outlet, while the Lower Town served as the manufacturing area. The Great and Lesser Squares are the landmarks of the Old Town with the many merchant houses featuring ""the sleepy eye" dormers. View the old surrounding defense walls and the remaining towers belonging to the merchant guilds.
Before noon depart for Alba Iulia, in Alba County, which is one of the most important urban centers of Romania, a place of monumental historical significance, associated to the Great Union of 1918 and the coronation of the kings Ferdinand I and Mary, the first monarchs of Greater Romania. Its ancient medieval center, the Alba Carolina fortress, encloses between its walls several centuries old attractions laden with history, including Saint Michael’s Cathedral. There aren’t many cities in Romania that go back all the way to the Roman Empire, but even among the handful that do, the city of Alba Iulia – or Apulum, as the Romans called it – manages to stand out in more than one way. And one of the attractions that can indeed be traced back to almost 2000 years ago are the Roman ruins.
Late in the afternoon, on the way to Sibiu, visit the village of Sibiel, then enjoy a home hosted dinner with a local family in their own home, this being a first hand cultural interchange. Return to Sibiu.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner: Home hosted dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Imparatul Romanilor/The Roman Emperor, a 3*** centrally located hotel (or similar).

Day 6: Sibiu - Olt River Gorge - Cozia - Bucharest

Stop At: Cozia Monastery, Calea lui Traian 816, Caciulata 245601 Romania
In the morning, before departing Sibiu take a horse and carriage ride in the open-air ASTRA Museum of the Transylvanian Folk Civilization Museum.
Leaving Transylvania, you'll drive on the scenic Olt River Valley and Gorge, one of the most beautiful in Romania. Brief stop at Cozia Monastery featuring a superb late 17th century Last Judgment fresco on its Western facade.
Continue to Bucharest via Pitesti. Arrive late in the afternoon. Transfer to your hotel.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.