Halloween in Transylvania

Day 1:  We depart Frankfurt on a morning flight that takes us to Romania, Dracula’s homeland, unforgettable experience. After arriving in Bucharest, we board our motor coach and embark on a short introductory tour of Bucharest, visiting the Eastern Orthodox Patriarch’s Church, followed by a stop to see the outside of the Palace of Parliament, one of the most famous buildings in Romania. The palace, also universally known as Casa Poporului - The House of the People, was built during the darkest days of the Ceausescu’s regime and is the second biggest administrative building in the world! We check in to our modern hotel in the bustling city of Bucharest with time to freshen up before we enjoy our first traditional Romanian Dinner.

With the evening still young and with Halloween just around the corner, tonight we will discover “Spook-arest”, the dark side of Bucharest on a “Ghosts and Vampires” tour. More than 2000 years ago, the town bore witness to some of the bloodiest deaths, which haunt the land. Listen to stories of the undead, witchcraft, spells, hauntings and feel the presence of restless spirits, forever damned, to roam in the shadows. Tonight may be filled with tricks, but there won’t be sweet treats to ease the fear and hair raising horrors you may encounter.

Day 2: Your first full day in Transylvania is action-packed so be sure to eat well at breakfast before we get underway! Today, we head north, travel deep into Transylvania, directly to Bran Castle, “Dracula’s Castle,” originally built as a stronghold by the Knights of the Teutonic Order in 1212. Vlad Tepes, also known as Vlad the Impaler, used Bran Castle as headquarters for his incursions into Transylvania. The castle is home to a rich collection of Romanian made and foreign furniture as well as a collection of artwork from the 14th-19th centuries.

We continue on to Sighisoara where our visit here starts with an excursion to a hill top Monastery, one of the town’s most important landmarks. Next, we tour the home where the famous Vlad the Impaler was born, which was one of the more stately houses of it’s time in the 15th century. This evening we will celebrate with an unforgettable Halloween dinner at the rustic and traditional restaurant “Casa Vlad Dracul” in town. The Halloween Party will continue back at the hotel where we will stay up howling at the moon.  Bring your favorite Halloween costume so you are not an easy target for those creatures roaming the night during the festivities that are sure to continue deep into the night.

Day 3: Today we get to sleep in before enjoying a well-deserved hearty breakfast, and continue our journey to Brasov. The town is which is framed by a halo made up of the surrounding Carpathian Mountains. A guided tour through the city shows you the highlights of Brasov, one of three major centers of Transylvania established in Vlad’s time. It was in Brasov that Vlad enjoyed his meals while hundreds of villagers died on stakes at the base of Timpa Hill. We check into our hotel and have some free time to relax or freshen up before the evenings activities begin.  Tonight we spend the evening visiting a regional mountain farmer’s lodge where we will savor a delicous traditional Romanian meal and accompanied by our host entertaining us with some charming Romanian folksongs played on his acoustic guitar.

Day 4: After checkout and breakfast, we will continue back towards Bucharest. Along the way we stop at Sinaia where we visit the Grand Palace of Peles. The exterior of this magnificent building, looks like an enchanted Carpathian Fairytale Castle. Despite the formal palace title, it is commonly referred to as a castle due to the romantically inspired blend of Neo-Renaissance and Gothic Revival architecture similar to Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. A visit to this enchanted Fairytale Castle is not only a rare delight but is certain to make you the envy of any castle enthusiasts you know! 

After a thorough visit of the famous castle, it’s time to relax during the drive into Bucharest (3.5hrs). Upon arrival we check in to our hotel, with a chance to settle in and freshen up before we enjoy one last dinner along with a traditional folklore show at a local Bucharest restaurant. 

Day 5: Bitten or not, after a last breakfast in Bucharest our transfer to the airport awaits you and it is time to say goodbye to the land of Dracula.

• Round trip flights Frankfurt – Bucharest – Frankfurt
  (Flight departs Frankfurt airport, details provided within 6 weeks of departure)
• Transfers in Romania: Airport – Hotel – Airport
• Airport Taxes
• 1 piece, 23 kg (50lbs) luggage allowance
• 2 overnights in an upper-class tourist Hotel in Bucharest
• 1 overnight in an upper-class tourist Hotel in Sighisoara
• 1 overnight in an upper-class tourist Hotel in Brasov
• 4 Breakfasts provided at hotels
• 2 Dinners provided at hotels
• 1 Romanian Dinner featuring regional cuisine 
• 1 Halloween dinner with festivities and folklore show
• Ghosts & Vampires tour in Bucharest on All Hallows' Eve
• Visit to Romanian Farmer’s Lodge with outdoor fire and welcome drink
• Visit to Grand Palace of Peles
• Visit to Sighisoara Monastery
• Guided Tour of “Dracula’s Castle”
• Guided Tour of Vlad The Impaler's Birth Home
• City Tour Bucharest
• City Tour Brasov
• City Tour of Sighisoara
• Program as per itinerary
• Entrance fees according to program
• Local English-speaking tour guide
• Experienced RTT Tour escort