Bucharest - Peles Castle - Bran Castle - Rasnov Fortress - Brasov.

National Military Museum Bucharest (Muzeul Militar National) - As you depart Bucharest, enjoy the stunning city center.

Peles Castle - Departure at 9 am from your hotel in Bucharest. The first stop is the charming town of Sinaia, home to Peles Castle, the summer retreat of the former Romanian royal family.

Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle) - The next destination is the renowned Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle, where the truth behind the legends awaits! The journey takes you through Prahova Valley, offering breathtaking natural beauty, with the most spectacular views from Busteni, where the peaks of the Bucegi Mountains can be admired. A traditional lunch can be arranged in Bran village.

Rasnov Citadel: Garden and Panoramic View - Head to Rasnov town, where the charming streets with medieval houses are beautifully arranged. The stunning Rasnov Fortress, one of Transylvania’s best-preserved peasant fortresses, offers a magnificent panorama over Barsa Land from its summit.

Brasov Historical Center - Transfer to Brasov, arriving around 6 pm. Overnight stay at Casa Timar Pension or a similar accommodation, with an en-suite room and breakfast included.

Brasov - Viscri - Sighisoara - Brasov.

Viscri Fortified Church - After breakfast, pick-up at 9 am from Casa Timar.

Visit Viscri, an authentic Transylvanian village featuring the oldest fortified church in Transylvania, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking through this enchanting village feels like stepping back in time! Even Prince Charles of Wales was captivated by the area’s beauty and purchased a house here a few years ago. Time is allocated for photography and exploring the village. Your guide will lead you to the best spots!

Centrul Istoric Sighisoara - Explore Sighisoara medieval town, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. Enjoy a walking tour of Sighisoara Citadel. The pastel-colored buildings, cobblestone lanes, and medieval towers of Sighisoara are so stunning, you’ll be amazed. Fortified walls encircle Sighisoara’s vibrant merchant houses, now home to cafes, hotels, and craft shops. Visit Sighisoara medieval town, including The Clock Tower, The Church on the Hill, and the house where Vlad the Impaler was born.

Brasov - Transfagarasan Road/ Ohaba - Lisa - Lippizan Horse Farm - Fagaras Fortress - Brasov.

Fagaras Fortress - After breakfast, pick-up at 9 am from Casa Timar Pension. In Ohaba village, visit a historic water mill that remains operational. Visit Lisa village to learn about traditional wool carpet making. Visit Lippizan Horse Farm and the impressive Fagaras Fortress, the best-preserved fortress in Romania! Return to Brasov around 5 pm, with drop-off at Casa Timar Pension, en-suite room, breakfast included.

Moara cu Noroc - In Ohaba village, visit a historic water mill that is still in use today by locals and those who prefer traditional wheat grinding methods. Discover the mill owner’s fascinating stories about wheat grinding. This family has maintained the water-powered mechanism for generations, making them the best storytellers of this place’s secrets.

Brasov - Bears Sanctuary - Snagov Monastery - Bucharest.

Libearty Bear Sanctuary Zarnesti - Visit The Bears Sanctuary, located in the forest near Piatra Craiului Mountain. It spans 69 hectares of forest, streams, and ponds, home to around 100 brown bears. It is the largest sanctuary of its kind in the world. Get your cameras ready!

Snagov Monastery - Approximately 45 kilometers north of Bucharest, on an island in the middle of Snagov Lake, lies the monastery of the same name. Built during the time of Vlad the Impaler’s grandfather, Mircea the Old, the monastery is renowned as the burial site of the Wallachian king who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

There are many mysteries surrounding the life of Vlad the Impaler. While his life has been celebrated and his heroic battles against the Turks highly praised, little is known about his final hours. It is believed that Vlad’s decapitated body was found in the woods around Bucharest by the monks of the Snagov monastery and brought here for burial, as both Vlad and his father had donated to the church. However, Snagov was also a place of punishment. In a small cell, Vlad the Impaler invited his victims to kneel before an icon of the Virgin Mary. Suddenly, a trap door would open, sending his guest into a pit below where stakes awaited to pierce their bodies. Decapitated skeletons found here serve as evidence of these horrific acts.

Another legend suggests that after a battle with the Turks in 1476, during which he died, Vlad the Impaler’s body was secretly buried in a Christian manner inside one of the churches. In one version, Vlad was murdered in a nearby forest, and the monks of the monastery found his body. Perhaps the monks felt indebted to Vlad for the additions he insisted on for their abode, most notably the prison and torture chamber. Whatever the reasons, the monks dressed the body richly and laid it to rest in front of the church altar.

Locals speak of the “hidden treasures” of the Impaler. Sensing his end, Vlad had cast-iron barrels made to hold silver, gold, and precious jewels; he then ordered a river’s course to be diverted by a dam (possibly the Dambovita river). After disposing of the riches, he allowed the river to flow freely again, and all the peasants involved were impaled!

Visitors who cross the lake by boat or bridge reach the serene, secluded monastery that brings the legend to life! One can pay respects at Dracula’s tomb, located at the altar’s steps, and admire the beautiful frescoes, some dating back to the 15th century. Locals tell tales of a different church that once stood here, which fell into the lake with its steeple during a storm. When the wind blows, they say you can hear a chime rising from the lake’s depths.

Despite superstitions, the monastery has faced its share of misfortune: floods, earthquakes, the burning of the bridge connecting it to the mainland during the 1821 revolution, and its transformation into a prison in the 19th century. Although there is much debate about Vlad the Impaler’s true tomb, whether you are a Dracula fan or not, the Snagov monastery is worth a visit! It was once a significant center of cultural and monastic life, hosting a printing shop and a mint. Visitors understand why it served as both a refuge and a prison. For vampire hunters, what better place to conclude a trip to Romania than the legendary burial site of the count of all counts: Count Dracula?!

Transfer to Bucharest City to your hotel, arriving around 4 pm.

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Private tour with air-conditioned vehicle
• Complimentary breakfast
• Skip-the-line privileges
• Live commentary onboard
• 3-night accommodation in Brasov
• Expert driver/guide on hand

• Lunch and dinner
• entrance fees to castles, church, historic centers
• Gratuities

Embark on a 4-day return journey from Bucharest to Brasov with our Best of Romania tour. Experience a thrilling drive on the Transfagarasan Road, renowned as the world’s finest road (accessible only from July to October). Enjoy the convenience of hotel pick-up and drop-off in Bucharest. Delight in guided tours of Brasov, wander around the antique town of Sighisoara, and trace the trails of Vlad the Impaler. Uncover the birthplace of Vlad Dracula and visit the spectacular Peles Castle, Fagaras Fortress, and the famed Bran Castle to unveil the stories that lie beneath the myths! Pay a visit to The Bears Sanctuary, the world’s most extensive brown bear sanctuary, and get your camera ready for some spectacular shots! Learn about the enigmatic tales surrounding Rasnov Fortress! Stop by Snagov Monastery and behold the grave of Vlad the Impaler. Experience the authentic Romanian lifestyle in the villages of Ohaba and Lisa. The package includes a 3-night stay in Brasov.

• Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
• A moderate amount of walking is involved, comfortable shoes recommended
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• The Bears Sanctuary and Peles Castle is closed on Mondays. Peles Castle is closed all November. Peles Castle is closed on Tuesdays from September 15th to May 15th.
• Transfagarasan Road is only open between July and October. Outside these dates we go to Ohaba and Lisa villages, Lippizan Horse Farm and Fagaras Fortress.

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.