MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF TRANSYLVANIA
Discover the rural charm of Romania in 10 magical days
INTRODUCTION
Being Romania’s most legendary region, Transylvania's natural charms sweep from villages frozen in time to valleys and forests. Add medieval cities, ancient Roman ruins and hospitable people, and you've got a one-of-a-kind destination that continues to enchant travelers looking for a glimpse into a more traditional Europe. Explore mysterious Transylvania with Romanian Thrills and discover the country at its authentic best.
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*This is a sample tour. Please contact us for your very own tailored and hassle-free authentic journey with Romanian Thrills.
Day 1 |
Bucharest
We begin with a walking tour of the Old Town and discover the 500-year old history of the city – connected to Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) himself. We explore the highlights of Romania’s capital, including the second largest building in the world, the Palace of Parliament. In the afternoon, we discover why Bucharest was formerly known as “little Paris” as we stroll through the cobblestone-paved streets and eclectic neighborhoods. We wrap up the day by dining in a medieval-style restaurant.
Day 2 |
Sinaia and Bran
Today we head to the fairytale Peles Castle in Sinaia, the former summer royal residence, discreetly nested in the mountains. After we awe at how modern kings and queens used to live, we get a different feeling as we arrive at the Bran Castle. With a rich and controversial history, we try to debunk the real mystery behind the fortress commonly known as “Dracula’s Castle”.
Day 3 |
Brasov and Rasnov
In the morning we gather our strength and take a quick hike up to Rasnov citadel, where we go back in time and immerse ourselves in the middle ages by experiencing hands-on the challenges of everyday life as a commoner. Next we take a break to visit the Libearty Sanctuary nearby, which provides sustainable habitat and visiting conditions for an important part of wildlife in Transylvania – the brown bear. The journey continues and we reach Brasov, a former trading post city located right in the middle of the mountains. Here we walk through the narrowest street in the country, we visit the Black Church – an important turning point in religious affairs during medieval times – and we discover the foundation of the very first Romanian school.
Day 4 |
Brasov and Viscri
Tampa Mountain stands tall watching over Brasov and we begin our morning with a slow climb to its top for a birds-eye view of the area, reaching our very own Hollywood-like sign. After lunch, we head to Viscri, one of the most charming villages in Romania, that managed to preserve its authenticity and traditions so much that even Prince Charles visits almost every year. The 12th-century fortified church built by the Saxon community is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the monument is remarkable for its white color walls, that were strengthened several times to resist enemies’ invasions. Here, we have the opportunity to meet local artisans such as blacksmiths or bakers and to engage in a hands-on workshop with them. In the evening a farm-to-table dining experience awaits in a restored Saxon barn and we listen to the stories of their tumultuous medieval past.
Day 5 |
Sighisoara medieval town
Welcome to Sighisoara, one of the most beautifully preserved inhabited citadels in the world! This UNESCO gem is home to medieval buildings, hidden chambers, burgher houses, towers and ornate churches full of myths and legends. It is here that Vlad the Impaler was born, who served as inspiration for one of the biggest legends in international folklore, Count Dracula. A must-see event that takes places every year here is the medieval festival, when, for a week, the old town is packed with knights, princesses, dances, performances and music. Also, on our way from Viscri to Sighisoara, we make a quick stop in Saschiz to visit the fortified church, also part of UNESCO Heritage List.
Day 6 |
Saxon villages (Biertan and Malancrav)
We continue our adventure in Transylvania’s countryside by visiting two historically important villages: Biertan and Malancrav. The first has the largest fortified church, dating back to the 15th century, that has a unique and complex door locking mechanism, a church organ with almost 1,300 pipes and a marital room where couples used to be locked until solving their problems. The second one is now home to the largest Saxon community in the country, dating back to the 14th century. We stop by to speak with local women artisans who specialize in weaving textiles and old stories.
Day 7 |
Alba Iulia and Corvin Castle
Our next stop is the Vauban citadel of Alba-Iulia, where we take a guided tour that depicts 2000 years of history, from ancient Roman times up to Romania’s Union Day (hence the name similarity). People consider it the spiritual capital of the country with numerous historical events that have taken place here. A major point of interest are the local reenactment festivals of the Roman period, with displays of gladiator fights or live slave auctions. Later in the day we travel to Corvin Castle, the largest medieval castle in Romania and one of the most beautiful in Europe, built over 6 centuries ago in Renaissance-Gothic style. There are many legends linked to this place, one of it being the place where Vlad the Impaler was held prisoner by the Hungarians.
Day 8 |
Sibiu
Sibiu is one of the most important cultural centers in the country, being named the European Capital of Culture in 2007, Europe’s 8th most idyllic place to live in by Forbes and the European Gastronomy Capital in 2019. It was formerly the center of Transylvanian Saxons and has a rich history as a major trading center. We take a walking tour of the town’s many squares to observe the well preserved medieval fortifications, churches, German buildings, towers and bastions. This city is home to Astra National Museum of Folkloric Traditional Civilization, a startling travel through time, founded to define our own ethnic culture within the Austro-Hungarian Empire multiculturalism.
Day 9 |
Transfagarasan and Poenari Fortress
Situated between Sibiu and Brasov, we find the small village of Carta, with one of the oldest Cistercian monasteries in Europe, built in the 12th century by monks that arrived here with the Teutonic Knights. Here we find out about its histories of invasions, destructions and how it became abandoned. On our way to the last legendary place of the tour, we drive on Top Gear’s favorite road in the world: Transfagarasan highway, the passage between Transylvania and Wallachia, an entwined road that cuts right through the mountains. At the top we make a stop to revel in the breathtaking landscape around us while having a picnic of locally sourced food. The road finishes when we reach Poenari Fortress, the real outpost of Vlad the Impaler. This monument will make you work if you want to see it as it is reachable only after climbing 1476 steps, but the stunning views from the peak are more than worth it!
Day 10 |
Targoviste and Bucharest
We head back to Bucharest for the last day of our tour, but not before we stop by the Princely Court in Targoviste – the medieval capital and true seat of power during Vlad the Impaler.
Meals: Breakfast
Starting at 2395 EUR pp
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Bucharest
Sinaia and Bran
Brasov and Rasnov
Brasov and Viscri
Sighisoara medieval town
Saxon villages
Alba Iulia and Corvin Castle
Sibiu
Transfagarasan and Poenari
Targoviste and Bucharest
OUR PROMISE
Bespoke off-the-beaten-path travel itineraries
Authentic experiences with the locals
Farm-to-table exclusive dining experiences
Slow-traveling to immerse into the local culture
Unique 4 or 5 star, privately-owned accommodations
Premium guidance from arrival to departure
First-class transportation
Falling in love with Romania