Sighișoara

Designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, this perfectly intact 16th century gem with nine towers, cobbled streets, burgher houses and ornate churches rivals the historic streets of Old Prague or Vienna for atmospheric magic. It is also the birthplace of Vlad Dracula, also known as Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler), ruler of the province of Walachia from 1456 to 1462. It was he who inspired Bram Stoker's fictional creation, Count Dracula. Stops / Cultural objectives to be visited: - The House with the Deer Antler - The Venician House - The  Church of the Convent - The Clock Tower  - The Catholic Church - The Tailors’ Tower - The Furriers’ Tower - The Butchers’ Tower - The Butchers’ Bastion - The Covered Staircase - The School Hill - The Church on the Hill (inside visit) - The German Cemetery - The Tin Moulders’ Tower - Vlad the Impaler’s birth house - Citadel’s Market place - The House with the Deer Antler

Drive across Transylvania towards the city of Sighisoara. Here, admire the beautiful medieval cityscape in Romania. Visit the clock tower, giving you an insight in the city's history with an impressive view of the citadel, the former defensive towers and walls of the city. Admire the birthplace of the Walachian leader Vlad Dracul, who would later become known as Count Dracula. Discover his house of birth, and sample a shot of Romanian schnapps. In the afternoon, drive to Bran Castle, an impressive fortification and residence of the Romanian family. The castle is also known as Dracula's Castle. In the late afternoon, go back to Cluj-Napoca.

Visit Sighisoara, founded by Transylvanian Saxons during the 12th century. Depart from Sibiu in the morning and set off for Sighisoara, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore this perfectly intact 16th century gem with nine towers, cobbled streets, burgher houses and ornate churches which could rival the historic streets of Old Prague or Vienna. It is also the birthplace of Vlad Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler, ruler of the province of Walachia from 1456 to 1462 and the figure who inspired Bram Stoker's fictional creation, Count Dracula.  On your way back to Sibiu, you will cross Biertan village, one of the most important Saxon villages with fortified churches in Transylvania. Learn about this fascinating region from a specialized English-speaking guide. Visit the fortified church in Biertan, with its beautiful and mysterious atmosphere. Hear about its history as a seat of the Lutheran Evangelical Bishop in Transylvania between 1572 and 1867. After an exciting day of discovery, sit back and relax as your are transferred back to Sibiu. 

Meet your guide in front of the Clock Tower museum to start your tour. After a quick introduction to the history of the Old Town, head up towards the Church on the Hill and walk through the Covered Stairs or the Stairs of the Scholars. Stroll through the narrow streets of this medieval site until you reach the old city walls to marvel at the incredible old towers and bastions that still stand and are extremely well-preserved. Listen to your guide’s in-depth description about the evangelistic church located just feet away from two of the major attractions in the city, the Clock Tower and Dracula’s house. Dracula’s house is the place where the famous Wallachian king was born in 1431, learn about the tales of the world’s most well-known vampire. The tour ends with an explanation of the Clock Tower’s history, and a recommendation from your guide for local restaurants and bars for you to spend the evening at, tasting local cuisine and meeting the locals.

Meet your guide in front of the historic Clock Tower museum to begin the tour. Together, wander through the narrow streets of the old citadel and admire the colorful houses as you learn about the rich history of the city. Walk through the Covered Stairs to the visit the Church on the Hill, famous for its beautiful frescoes. Then, explore the old city walls to see some of the oldest towers and bastions still standing. Listen to your guide tell you all about the tales of the area and the secrets hidden within the city walls. Next, visit the place where Vlad III Dracula was born, and learn about the dynasty of kings that he was part of. At the end of the tour, receive a ticket for the Clock Tower to climb to the top and admire the amazing view across the city.

Day 1: Bucharest, Sighisoara At 10:00 AM, your English-speaking guide will collect you from Moxa Boutique Hotel. From here transfer to the Medieval Saxon Citadel of Sighisoara, founded by Saxons during the 12th century. Sighisoara is also the place where Vlad the Impaler, the Romanian ruler also known as Dracula, was born. That evening, get ready for a Halloween party. You can enjoy a delicious traditional Romanian festive dinner, washed down with fiery spirits and excellent Romanian wine. During dinner, you can enjoy a special program including the Killing of the Living Dead ritual and many more. That evening, spend the night in a 3-star hotel located in the very heart of the Medieval citadel. Day 2: Sighisoara, Brasov, and Bran Your first stop of the day will be to the Medieval Saxon City of Brasov, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe, and home to the impressive Black Church. Here you can also explore Transylvania’s famous symbol, Bran Castle, which owes its fame to both its unique charm, and to the myth Bram Stoker created around Dracula. The impressive edifice dates back to 1377, and Queen Maria of Romania, the niece of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, turned the castle into a beautiful summer residence. Cheese tasting here is strongly recommended, as the village is renowned for the delicious homemade traditional cheese assortments produced here. That evening, you can prepare for an ultimate Halloween party at Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle. You will enjoy an unforgettable night tour of the castle, meeting wicked fairies and getting lost in euphoric dance along with a glass of local red wine. Later on in the night, there will be an after-party in the castle's courtyard until 4:00 AM. Day 3: Bran and Bucharest Transfer to Bucharest Airport for your journey home, arriving in Bucharest after 5:00 PM (depending on traffic).

Drive through the Transylvanian highlands towards Sighișoara. Visit the medieval town center of Sighișoara, which is very well preserved and is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through the citadel and visit among others the emblem of the town, the Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill, the Citadel, the fortified walls and towers of the city and also the birthplace of the Wallachian leader Vlad Dracul, who later became known as Count Dracula in Gothic literature and film. In the afternoon, drive to the Biertan, a small village in a secluded Transylvanian valley. Visit the imposing fortified church in Biertan (also belonging to the UNESCO World Heritage Site). Then, return to Cluj-Napoca.

Discover Sighisoara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its medieval fortress, which is still inhabited to this day. Learn about the fortress’ history, from its construction in 1280 to the history of the site it was built upon. View the former Saxon settlement and its famously well preserved walled Old Town, which earned Sighisoara its distinction as a UNESCO site. Experience the beauty of Rupea Fortress, recently restored in 2014 and originally built by the Saxons and first documented in the 1300s. Learn about the history of the surrounding site, one of the oldest archaeological sites in Romania, where signs of human settlement date back to 5500 BC - 3500 BC. Travel to Viscri (Deustchweisskirch), known throughout Europe because Prince Charles purchased a house in the village in 1996. Visit the village, which attracts 15,000 tourists annually and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take in Viscri’s beautiful sights while learning about its history as a former Saxon village. See the famous Viscri fortified church, originally built in 1100.

Your tour will start in the morning when you will be picked up from your hotel and taken on a 2-hour road trip to Medias. Take a short walking tour of the city and get a glimpse of the Citadel of Light and of the beautiful medieval buildings, most of which were built in the 15th century. You will then head to Biertan in order to visit the Biertan fortified church, a monument included in the UNESCO patrimony as part of Transylvania’s villages with fortified churches. The church is surrounded by thick medieval walls which were built in the 15th century, and the front door is equipped with 19 locks and bolts. Your next stop will be in Sighisoara. The medieval Sighisoara Citadel is the only inhabited citadel in Europe and it is surrounded by 9 towers, the Clock Tower being the most important of all. The Clock Tower was destroyed by a fire, but it was rebuilt in the 16th century, and it is now home to a history museum that includes a torture chamber. The Sighisoara Citadel was built in the 12th century, and it had a significant role throughout Transylvania’s history, Sighisoara being one of its 7 independent cities. In Sighisoara, you will also visit the Hill Church, a holy site that you can reach by climbing 175 wooden steps, as well as several other buildings such as the Stag House and a Venetian House. If Transylvania were to be described in one word, the word diverse would be chosen. This historical land was home to numerous isolated villages, and you will find traces of its Romanian, Hungarian, Gypsy and German communities, all living in harmony for hundreds of years. Gypsies first settled in Romania more than 800 years ago, after being forced away from their lands by the Mongol invasion. Today, you will visit an isolated community of Gypsies who earn their living through various crafts such as copper smithing. Because they are a slightly isolated community, the access is permitted only to those accompanied by someone they trust. On your way back to Cluj, you will take a different route in order to explore some of the stunning landscape of Transylvania. You will be back in Cluj by night, the duration of the trip being affected by traffic.

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. Visit the Biertan fortified church which was the see of the Lutheran Evangelical Bishop in Transylvania between 1572 and 1867 and has one of the largest Saxon populations in the region. Next, you will travel to Malancrav, small village dating from the early years of the 14th century and an absolute must for the travelers curious to discover a place, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, where time almost stands still. You will also visit a fortified church here. You will return in Sighisoara in the aftermoon.