Transylvania

Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu, Sighisoara11 days

About

Explore Transylvania’s rich and diverse past in this fascinating tour through a broad and mountainous region full of medieval Saxon towns, pretty villages, National Parks, fairy-tale castles, impressive forts, and romantic countryside. You will see Romania’s most exquisite castle, Peles Castle, a royal palace perched on a rolling green hill set against the stark beauty of the Carpathian Mountains – you could almost be in a Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale.

You should experience it because...

You will take a step back in time on your journey through Saxon Transylvania - past villages untouched by modern hands, past churches, castles, monuments and buildings with their medieval architecture intact, and sampling delicious traditional Romanian fare along the way that is sourced locally and farmed organically.

Medieval towns and castles

Peles Castle is a masterpiece of German renaissance architecture full of hidden passages, fairy-tale turrets, tall galleries and classical statues.

Sighisoara is a Unesco-protected citadel with pretty cobblestone streets, colourful 16th century houses with gingerbread roofs tumbling down to pretty cafes.

Climb the 172 steps to the Church on the Hill at Sighisoara – a 17thcentury Lutheran church and the town’s highest point.

Wander through Bucharest’s Carol Park and see the eternal flame that burns for an unknown soldier and a 20m black granite mausoleum that is topped with five arches.

Places covered 11 Days

Day 1 Bucharest sightseeing and attractions
Day 2 Brasov sightseeing and attractions
Day 3 Brasov sightseeing and attractions
Day 4 Sibiu sightseeing and attractions
Day 5 Sibiu sightseeing and attractions
Day 6 Sighisoara sightseeing and attractions
Day 7 Sighisoara sightseeing and attractions
Day 8 Depart – or extension to Marmaris, Turkey

Days Details
1 Bucharest sightseeing and attractions Bucharest is home to Romania’s best museums, from the Museum of the Romanian Peasant that showcases traditional country life, to the Palace of Parliament (the world’s second-biggest building) that reflects the country’s communist era. Orientate yourself with a Bucharest city tour – a double-decker bus that runs every 15 minutes along the major north-south route from Piata Unirii – one of the largest squares in central Bucharest, to the National Village Museum. Buy tickets on board. Take in famous sights such as the National Art Museum - housed in a 19thcentury Royal Palace, the National History Museum, Dambovita Quay with the beautiful Palace of Justice, and the historical centre – the area called Lipscani. Stroll through Bucharest’s most historic street – Calea Victoriei – that was built in 1692 and connects the city’s two main squares, Piata Victoriei and Piata Revolutiei. Shop at the Museum of the Romanian Peasant Gift shop for beautifully made woven rugs, table runners, ceramics and other local crafts. End the day with traditional song and dance at Caru’ cuBere, Bucharest’s oldest beer house, with a colourful belle-epoque interior and dazzling stained-glass windows.
2 Brasov sightseeing and attractions On to the old town of Brasov (Kronstadt) at the foot of Mount Tampa. The town was founded by the Saxons in the 12thcentury when they were invited to Transylvania to guard the mountain passes. Legend has it that the Pied Piper re-emerged from Hamelin in Brasov. This is a charming Austro-Hungarian medieval village set in the Carpathian Mountains, with fairy-tale turrets, cobbled streets, gingerbread roofs, medieval spires and Soviet flat-tops. Stroll through the medieval streets, and visit the Black Church – Europe’s most eastern Gothic church. Take a 25-mile trip to the village of Bran and the spectacular 60m tall Bran Castle – home of Dracula. With its complex history, the castle is now a museum and still owned by the Hapsburg family.
3 Brasov sightseeing and attractions Locals and tourists use Brasov as a base for skiing in nearby Poiana Brasov, trekking in the Piatra Craiului National Park, castle watching at Bran, and spiraling road drives on the Transfagarasan Road. Relax at a café in Piata Sfatului – a wide square full of cafes, with a central landmark of the 1420 council house, topped by a Trumpeter’s Tower. For a panoramic view of Brasov and the surrounding Carpathian Mountains take the cable car to Postavarul Peak in Poiana Brasov.
4 Sibiu sightseeing and attractions Drive west to the town of Sibiu – the first city founded by the Saxons in Transylvania – and nicknamed The Red Citadel. It was the spiritual and political centre for the Saxons and the most solidly German of all Saxon towns in Transylvania. Instantly charming with a maze of cobbled streets and baroque squares, Romania’s cultural gem has a magic of its own. In 2007 the city was voted European Capital of Culture. Wander past the rugged medieval houses with their thick walls and steep red-tiled roofs – the walls are painted in a wonderful variety of bold colours and their dormer windows are shaped like eye slits. The city has three main squares – Craftsmen’s Square, Huet Square and Goldsmith Square.
5 Sibiu sightseeing and attractions Visit the open-air Astra Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation with its dazzling array of traditional dwellings including mills and churches brought from around the country. There are watermills and windmills, gigantic wine, fruit and oil presses, and mills and forges arranged in graded walks over large areas of parkland. See the Gothic Biserica Evanghelica dating back to 1300, and the Council Tower climb to the top and marvel at the views. Visit Brukenthal Museum with one of the most charming galleries in Romania. It opened in 1817, seven years earlier than the National Gallery in London. See collections there dating back to the 15thcentury. Take a trip to Mosna with its impressive fortified church. Visit an organic family farm here where the Schuster family produces delicious local fare including a variety of cream cheeses containing herbs, fruits and berries.
6 Sighisoara sightseeing and attractions On to Sighisoara, a Unesco-protected citadel with pretty cobblestone streets, colourful 16thcentury houses with gingerbread roofs tumbling down to pretty cafes. The medieval city is perched on a hill with a 14th century defensive system surrounding the entire hill. Today, only 9 towers, 2 artillery bulwarks and part of the wall are still preserved, however many of the town’s medieval buildings are still lived in. See the Clock Tower – now a History Museum – that has an excellent collection of WW1 memorabilia. And climb from the walkway to thetop of the tower that offers superb views over the town and beyond.
7 Sighisoara sightseeing and attractions It was here, in the Piata Cetatii, that Vlad Tepes (Dracula) was born in 1431. The Casa Dracula, his home until he was four, is now a restaurant. Hidden away behind the Church of the Dominican Monastery is a statueof Vlad Tepes. Walk up to the Church on the Hill – a gothic Lutheran church that is dedicated to Saint Nicholas and dates from the 14thcentury. The Cositorarului Casa restaurant offers beautiful views of the old town and some delicious homemade lemonade. Or try the family-run Café International that serves delicious pies, cookies, quiche and cakes and where friendly staff wear traditional Saxon outfits. The daily market has a good selection of fruits, vegetables and cheese.
8 Depart – (or extension to Marmaris, Turkey)

€ 2,100 per person	(Prices are in Euros and exclude international flights)
Price Per Person in Twin Sharing Accomodation
(Prices are in Euros and exclude international flights)
All rates mentioned are an approximate price per person on a twin-sharing basis, and are based on a minimum of 4-6 adults travelling together. Rates are subject to change based on the number of passengers and the time of year. (Flights, visas, travel insurance, lunches & dinners, personal expenses not included. There may be some itinerary activities not included also – please ask). Inclusions : - Traditional ,Boutique or Heritage accommodation where possible or Quality accommodation (on a twin-sharing basis) in centrally located 4*Hotels . -Meals – breakfast in all destinations - Internal Travel by rail - ferries - coach as applicable -Guided sightseeing excursions as per the itinerary -First arrival and last departure transfers Most Holidays are based on Independent Travel . Holidays could be Customised to your requirements and you could choose to upgrade to Selfdrive or Exclusively Private basis .

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Eastern Europe crosses lots of boundaries and covers lots of countries - bask in Mediterranean sun one minute and ski in mountain ranges the next. Explore the southern coasts of Slovenia, Albania & Croatia in the warm summer months. Enjoy city breaks and travelling in the Czech Republic, Hungary & Poland in spring, summer and autumn, with many Xmas markets and concerts in full swing in the crisp winter. Romania’s mountain ranges are ski-tastic between December to March, and the Baltic States enjoy warm sunshine & long evenings in the spring. Not forgetting outdoor festivals galore throughout the summer.

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Freedom Holidays is passionate about creating inspirational tailor-made travel to Europe and beyond. Our business is your pleasure and our expert and dedicated team is here to listen to your travel needs down to the ‘nth’ degree, leaving you ‘free’ to enjoy your holiday of a lifetime with no gimmicks, no hassle, and no stress. What makes us different? With 14 years experience of providing quality tailor-made customised holidays with an ‘off-the beaten-track’ themed approach, we take you to well-known destinations as well as far flung locations (or a mixture of both), leaving you safe in the knowledge that you will be looked after every step of the way.

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