One of the main assets in Romania: the people. They are ready to welcome you into their hearts and offer you hospitality throughout the visit. Rural dwellers through traditions and history, they strong exhibit folk traditions and rural practices everywhere in the countryside. During the tour we shall be told about stories, admire workshops or just notice practices of shepherding, weaving, pottery making, carpenter, tales of witches, ghosts, fairies and monsters.
About the medieval times in Wallachia: Snagov Monastery, The Royal Court of Targoviste, the Negru Voda Monastery, ruins of mountain fortifications.
Snagov Monastery. The local tradition states is the tomb of Dracula in this religious settlement placed on a tiny island from Snagov lake, not far from Bucharest. Traced back to the late 1300’s the monastery was developed by many princes of Wallachia, including Vlad the Impaler (Dracula), thus a common practice of burial in a church founded by himself. Although the evidences don’t match the reality, the monastery worth pays a visit – an important spiritual and cultural center (16th century printing press) of feudal art during the Middle Ages; after crossing the lake by a new bridge, we find inside of the church some vivid 15th century frescoes, beautifully preserved, information about Dracula and his presuming tomb by the altar.
The Royal Court of Targoviste – ruins of the old capital of Wallachia (14th – 17th centuries). Dracula’s grandfather, Mircea cel Batran prince was the first character, among some 33 which ruled at Targoviste, an important trading center, on the road between Transylvania and Wallachia, and further South. Nowadays we see the 16th century kingdom church erected by Petru Cercel prince, 1450-60’s Chindia tower, built by Dracula, ruins of the old church from Mircea cel Batran’s time, as well as of other residential and administration buildings.
The court ensemble includes the Museum of Printing and Old Romanian Book, an imposing New-Romanian style building which houses rare manuscripts about religion and school system, since the 16th century onwards, also a 18th century print.
Afternoon towards the mountains up; our sights are surprised by a church hanged up of a cliff, Cetatuia – Negru Voda Monastery, named often “Meteora of Romania”, because of its geographical position. The rock-hewn church founder is unknown, of of the theories being attributed to the first ruler of Wallachia, the mysterious 13th century Negru Voda (aka the Black King)
Evening in the Rucar-Bran mountain pass, stretched between two mountain blocks, Piatra Craiului and Bucegi: stunning nature views at our disposal for pictures.
Traditional dinner and accommodation at 3* B&B.
The medieval stories and facts about Royal Family, Dracula and the Transilvanian Saxons.
Bran Castle – strategically located at the end of the mountain pass, it was built starting to 1376 as defensive stronghold to protect the path and to collect custom taxes, at the border between Transylvania to Wallachia. Fall almost into ruins after 1700’s it rose to fame again after 1920 when it was donated to the Royal Family of Romania, becoming the summer residence of Queen Mary.
Although it was connected to the Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the real character and ruler of Wallachia wasn’t related at all with the castle. According to the book, the fictional count’s castle was located high above a valley perched on a rock with a flowing river below in the Principality of Transylvania: “on the very edge of a terrific precipice, with occasionally a deep rift where there is a chasm [with] silver threads where the rivers wind in deep gorges through the forests.”
Visit the castle and continue the drive to Brasov.
At the Hungarian kings’ invitation, Transylvania was populated massively in two stages, starting to the 11th century; one group consisting in a German population, called Saxons which occupied the southern area founding towns, including Brasov. They played later a decisive role in the town’s development, reaching its peak somewhere around the 16th century. The most important commercial and trading center from Transylvania, Brasov still preserves beautiful testimonies of the Medieval times: the 14th century Black Church (the largest Gothic religious structure from the SE Europe), also some parts of the defensive system – Catherine’s Gate (16th century), Graft Bastion, White and Black Towers, the Citadel from the Hill (Cetatuia), the refurbished Southern wall with towers and bastions; inside the medieval center we admire the Council Square with the former City Hall, then some pedestrian cobbled stone streets, resembling the old German grid construction system.
Accommodation in Brasov, downtown the medieval city, 3* hotel.
The Saxon legacy – UNESCO Heritage sites.
Viscri rural settlement – a crowning treasure of Transylvania, because of the connection with Prince Charles, the village represents a beautiful Saxon testimony that still lives in the modern time of the 21st century, although its appearance stood in the Middle Age. Each household is built in the traditional way, with pitched rooftops, aligned along the street, and a square pattern inside, with constructions on every side and a courtyard in the middle; big gates for access, with two doors, a small one for pedestrians and a big one for carts with horses.
The fortified church from the hill was built starting to the 12th century and become Lutheran in the 16th century, following the Reformation. Inside the walls we find the museum with embroidered textiles, pottery, handmade agricultural tools, as well as traditional clothing and furniture. From the main tower we have a perspective over the village and further, the beautiful rolling hills and meadows of Transylvania.
In the village we discover the result of Prince Charles Foundation and villagers work, regarding facades refurbishing and particular brand creations: fern slippers, wool socks, jam, honey and brandy. Some offers workshops (brick makers, blacksmith), or carriage rides.
Afternoon in Sighisoara – UNESCO (1999), the last European citadel which is still inhabited. With a non-stop history that goes back to the end of the 13th century, the old center of Sighişoara has mostly preserved its - over time, the organization of the urban space - street network, plots, as well as the architectural quality of the buildings that are part of. Founded by German merchants and craftsmen it played an important and strategic role in the center of Transylvania for many centuries during the Middle Age.
Here we discover the fortification system with 9 towers well conserved, several beautiful and rich decorated churches under different religions – Roman-Catholic, Lutheran, and a large variety of households – majority monuments of architecture (gothic, new-gothic, eclectic, baroque, aso); among them we notice the yellow building by the Clock Tower, the place where Dracula’s father have lived for a few years, most probably the birth place of Vlad the Impaler, in 1431.
Accommodation in the medieval citadel, 3* traditional Saxon style hotel.
The landscape of Transylvania with the rural Saxon heritage.
We continue with another UNESCO (1993) fortified church – Biertan. There is a very picturesque landscape, due to the presence of church on the top of hill in the center of the community, as well as vineyards, agricultural lands and fruit gardens, located on the surrounding slopes.
Over the centuries, the village of Biertan was an important winegrowing and handiwork center, with trades being kept nowadays, too. The first mention about the place dates since 1283; the church was built a century later, in the Gothic style, with Romanesque influences, and for almost 300 years (1572 – 1867) it was the see of the Transylvanian Lutheran Church.
The road continues through the spectacular land of Transylvania, passing through small Saxon settlements, each of them having its own fortified church, some almost in ruins, and others with well-maintained religious structures.
We reach Sibiu city in the afternoon. Sibiu has something to offer every guest. Gastronomic tourism destination (European designated in 2019) - the only city in Romania to be awarded 3 Michelin stars, Sibiu is also a destination for history buffs, outdoor activities fans, photographers, hikers or Instagram lovers.
A great number of cultural monuments, a diversity of museums, and various artistic and cultural events make up the pillars of a complex cultural profile. Founded in 1191, the Sibiu became the most important administrative city of the Saxons over the centuries in the Middle Ages. There is a large variety of sites worth to pay a visit here: the squares, the pedestrian cobbled alleys, the walls and defensive towers, the churches (resembling the religious tolerance), other massive households from different period of time, thus the rich architecture.
Evening in the outskirts of Sibiu, getting to Marginimea Sibiului area – an important rural region inhabited by Romanians from immemorial times, a place built and nurtured with traditions, culture, and religion – assets that defines its inhabitants, despite many centuries of foreign occupancy that Transylvania had known.
Dinner and accommodation in Sibiel village at a rural B&B, traditional food.
From Transylvania back to Wallachia, across the mountains.
We’re taking the most scenic road of Romania, across the highest Carpathian mountains – the Transfagarasan. A short break close to the main ridge, at Balea glaciar lake reveals the beauty of the road, with large, spectacular loops meandering deep in the valley.
Across the mountains, down in Wallachia, then. At the foothills we find Curtea de Arges Monastery. Built in a Byzantine style with elaborate arabesque and Moorish influences, the site represents a marvelous architectural gem from the 16th century from the time of Neagoe Basarab (1512-1521), the Wallchia prince which is the founder, as well. No wonder, the Royal family of Romania has chosen the monastery as the necropolis of its members. The church has been rehabilitated several times, the last action being performed under the surveillance of the Royal architect, the French Lecomte de Nouy in 1875-1885.
Arrival in Bucharest by evening. End of tour.
Note: Transfagarasan road is open only during the season (July, 1st - October, 30th). In the off-season the route follows Oltului valley.
One of the main assets in Romania: the people. They are ready to welcome you into their hearts and offer you hospitality throughout the visit. Rural dwellers through traditions and history, they strong exhibit folk traditions and rural practices everywhere in the countryside. During the tour we shall be told about stories, admire workshops or just notice practices of shepherding, weaving, pottery making, carpenter, tales of witches, ghosts, fairies and monsters.
About the medieval times in Wallachia: Snagov Monastery, The Royal Court of Targoviste, the Negru Voda Monastery, ruins of mountain fortifications.
Snagov Monastery. The local tradition states is the tomb of Dracula in this religious settlement placed on a tiny island from Snagov lake, not far from Bucharest. Traced back to the late 1300’s the monastery was developed by many princes of Wallachia, including Vlad the Impaler (Dracula), thus a common practice of burial in a church founded by himself. Although the evidences don’t match the reality, the monastery worth pays a visit – an important spiritual and cultural center (16th century printing press) of feudal art during the Middle Ages; after crossing the lake by a new bridge, we find inside of the church some vivid 15th century frescoes, beautifully preserved, information about Dracula and his presuming tomb by the altar.
The Royal Court of Targoviste – ruins of the old capital of Wallachia (14th – 17th centuries). Dracula’s grandfather, Mircea cel Batran prince was the first character, among some 33 which ruled at Targoviste, an important trading center, on the road between Transylvania and Wallachia, and further South. Nowadays we see the 16th century kingdom church erected by Petru Cercel prince, 1450-60’s Chindia tower, built by Dracula, ruins of the old church from Mircea cel Batran’s time, as well as of other residential and administration buildings.
The court ensemble includes the Museum of Printing and Old Romanian Book, an imposing New-Romanian style building which houses rare manuscripts about religion and school system, since the 16th century onwards, also a 18th century print.
Afternoon towards the mountains up; our sights are surprised by a church hanged up of a cliff, Cetatuia – Negru Voda Monastery, named often “Meteora of Romania”, because of its geographical position. The rock-hewn church founder is unknown, of of the theories being attributed to the first ruler of Wallachia, the mysterious 13th century Negru Voda (aka the Black King)
Evening in the Rucar-Bran mountain pass, stretched between two mountain blocks, Piatra Craiului and Bucegi: stunning nature views at our disposal for pictures.
Traditional dinner and accommodation at 3* B&B.
The medieval stories and facts about Royal Family, Dracula and the Transilvanian Saxons.
Bran Castle – strategically located at the end of the mountain pass, it was built starting to 1376 as defensive stronghold to protect the path and to collect custom taxes, at the border between Transylvania to Wallachia. Fall almost into ruins after 1700’s it rose to fame again after 1920 when it was donated to the Royal Family of Romania, becoming the summer residence of Queen Mary.
Although it was connected to the Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the real character and ruler of Wallachia wasn’t related at all with the castle. According to the book, the fictional count’s castle was located high above a valley perched on a rock with a flowing river below in the Principality of Transylvania: “on the very edge of a terrific precipice, with occasionally a deep rift where there is a chasm [with] silver threads where the rivers wind in deep gorges through the forests.”
Visit the castle and continue the drive to Brasov.
At the Hungarian kings’ invitation, Transylvania was populated massively in two stages, starting to the 11th century; one group consisting in a German population, called Saxons which occupied the southern area founding towns, including Brasov. They played later a decisive role in the town’s development, reaching its peak somewhere around the 16th century. The most important commercial and trading center from Transylvania, Brasov still preserves beautiful testimonies of the Medieval times: the 14th century Black Church (the largest Gothic religious structure from the SE Europe), also some parts of the defensive system – Catherine’s Gate (16th century), Graft Bastion, White and Black Towers, the Citadel from the Hill (Cetatuia), the refurbished Southern wall with towers and bastions; inside the medieval center we admire the Council Square with the former City Hall, then some pedestrian cobbled stone streets, resembling the old German grid construction system.
Accommodation in Brasov, downtown the medieval city, 3* hotel.
The Saxon legacy – UNESCO Heritage sites.
Viscri rural settlement – a crowning treasure of Transylvania, because of the connection with Prince Charles, the village represents a beautiful Saxon testimony that still lives in the modern time of the 21st century, although its appearance stood in the Middle Age. Each household is built in the traditional way, with pitched rooftops, aligned along the street, and a square pattern inside, with constructions on every side and a courtyard in the middle; big gates for access, with two doors, a small one for pedestrians and a big one for carts with horses.
The fortified church from the hill was built starting to the 12th century and become Lutheran in the 16th century, following the Reformation. Inside the walls we find the museum with embroidered textiles, pottery, handmade agricultural tools, as well as traditional clothing and furniture. From the main tower we have a perspective over the village and further, the beautiful rolling hills and meadows of Transylvania.
In the village we discover the result of Prince Charles Foundation and villagers work, regarding facades refurbishing and particular brand creations: fern slippers, wool socks, jam, honey and brandy. Some offers workshops (brick makers, blacksmith), or carriage rides.
Afternoon in Sighisoara – UNESCO (1999), the last European citadel which is still inhabited. With a non-stop history that goes back to the end of the 13th century, the old center of Sighişoara has mostly preserved its - over time, the organization of the urban space - street network, plots, as well as the architectural quality of the buildings that are part of. Founded by German merchants and craftsmen it played an important and strategic role in the center of Transylvania for many centuries during the Middle Age.
Here we discover the fortification system with 9 towers well conserved, several beautiful and rich decorated churches under different religions – Roman-Catholic, Lutheran, and a large variety of households – majority monuments of architecture (gothic, new-gothic, eclectic, baroque, aso); among them we notice the yellow building by the Clock Tower, the place where Dracula’s father have lived for a few years, most probably the birth place of Vlad the Impaler, in 1431.
Accommodation in the medieval citadel, 3* traditional Saxon style hotel.
The landscape of Transylvania with the rural Saxon heritage.
We continue with another UNESCO (1993) fortified church – Biertan. There is a very picturesque landscape, due to the presence of church on the top of hill in the center of the community, as well as vineyards, agricultural lands and fruit gardens, located on the surrounding slopes.
Over the centuries, the village of Biertan was an important winegrowing and handiwork center, with trades being kept nowadays, too. The first mention about the place dates since 1283; the church was built a century later, in the Gothic style, with Romanesque influences, and for almost 300 years (1572 – 1867) it was the see of the Transylvanian Lutheran Church.
The road continues through the spectacular land of Transylvania, passing through small Saxon settlements, each of them having its own fortified church, some almost in ruins, and others with well-maintained religious structures.
We reach Sibiu city in the afternoon. Sibiu has something to offer every guest. Gastronomic tourism destination (European designated in 2019) - the only city in Romania to be awarded 3 Michelin stars, Sibiu is also a destination for history buffs, outdoor activities fans, photographers, hikers or Instagram lovers.
A great number of cultural monuments, a diversity of museums, and various artistic and cultural events make up the pillars of a complex cultural profile. Founded in 1191, the Sibiu became the most important administrative city of the Saxons over the centuries in the Middle Ages. There is a large variety of sites worth to pay a visit here: the squares, the pedestrian cobbled alleys, the walls and defensive towers, the churches (resembling the religious tolerance), other massive households from different period of time, thus the rich architecture.
Evening in the outskirts of Sibiu, getting to Marginimea Sibiului area – an important rural region inhabited by Romanians from immemorial times, a place built and nurtured with traditions, culture, and religion – assets that defines its inhabitants, despite many centuries of foreign occupancy that Transylvania had known.
Dinner and accommodation in Sibiel village at a rural B&B, traditional food.
From Transylvania back to Wallachia, across the mountains.
We’re taking the most scenic road of Romania, across the highest Carpathian mountains – the Transfagarasan. A short break close to the main ridge, at Balea glaciar lake reveals the beauty of the road, with large, spectacular loops meandering deep in the valley.
Across the mountains, down in Wallachia, then. At the foothills we find Curtea de Arges Monastery. Built in a Byzantine style with elaborate arabesque and Moorish influences, the site represents a marvelous architectural gem from the 16th century from the time of Neagoe Basarab (1512-1521), the Wallchia prince which is the founder, as well. No wonder, the Royal family of Romania has chosen the monastery as the necropolis of its members. The church has been rehabilitated several times, the last action being performed under the surveillance of the Royal architect, the French Lecomte de Nouy in 1875-1885.
Arrival in Bucharest by evening. End of tour.
Note: Transfagarasan road is open only during the season (July, 1st - October, 30th). In the off-season the route follows Oltului valley.
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