HIGHLIGHTS
* Bruckental Museum - Rubens, Tizian, Van Dyke paintings housed by Transylvania's top museum. Visit churches and significant cultural places
* Dracula's Castle in Bistrita - the one mentioned in Bram Stoker's "Dracula"
* Sighisoara - the best preserved and still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe
* Merry Cemetery - discover how a cemetery can be merry in the picturesque and traditional area of Maramures
* Famous Craftsman Grigore Tulean - will introduce you in the art of wood carving
* Turzii's Gorges - one of the most important natural reservations of the Apuseni Mountains
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1 - Budapest - Satu Mare
We begin our Transylvanian adventure from Budapest.
Our guide picks you up from the airport and presents to you the beautiful scenery unfolding before you.
We'll end our journey in Satu Mare, dinner and accommodation in an exquisite environment.
Module: Wine tasting in Tokaj, Hungary the same wine drunken by A. Dumas's musketeers.
DAY 2 - Satu Mare - Certeze - Sapanta - Sighet - Baia Mare
We begin our day in the spectacular scenery of Maramures by visiting the Merry Cemetery in Sapinta, where we can also see the highest wood church in Romania.
Our next stop is a communist prison. Accommodate in Baia Mare and enjoy a Maramuresean menu for dinner.
Tip: if you wake up early in the morning you have the chance to visit the Flea Market in Satu Mare.
DAY 3 - Baia Mare - Calinesti - Barsana - Sacel - Bistrita
The road we'll follow today is sprinkled with wood churches and very similar with the Norwegian Church road.
Drive to Sacel and be the guests of the famous craftsman Grigore Tulean.
From here we travel to Borgo Pass and visit Count Dracula's Castle! We will then visit the puppets exposition presented by Misiuga, Baron of Dracula in Dogarilor Tower in Bistrita. Accommodate in Bistrita.
Special dinner in Jonathan Harker Saloon (the main character in Dracula novel) in Golden Crown, a folk band is performing live in the restaurant.
Tip: Night life opportunity in Bistrita: casino, clubs.
DAY 4 - Bistrita - Bontida - Turda - Cluj Napoca
Today we drive to Transylvania's capital, Cluj-Napoca, on the way we stop at Banffy Castle in Bontida.
Cluj-Napoca has many things to offer: the Botany Garden, shopping session and a walk through the historic centre.
Next town on our list is Turda with its impressive Salt Mines. Turzii's Gorges Reservation will offer us a nice and challenging walk. Drive to Cluj Napoca for accommodation.
DAY 5 - Cluj Napoca - Medias - Biertan - Sighisoara - Brasov
First stop today is in Medias, with its beautiful medieval centre and its unique artist, a spider web painter.
Our next stop is Biertan, with its fortified church.
From Biertan we drive to Sighisoara, the only inhabited medieval citadel in Europe. Depart to Brasov, an important and impressive Saxon centre, where we have dinner with wine tasting and an excellent folk show in Carpathian Stag restaurant.
Module: Attend a witch trial in Sighisoara set on the street like in the old days.
Tip: in Sighisoara you can enjoy a special lunch in Casa Vlad Dracul Restaurant, the place where Vlad Dracul, the father of the one who bares the stigma of the bloody count Dracula, was born.
In Biertan you can shop in one of the finest selection of handicraft, belonging to Madam Monica Cosma.
DAY 6 - Brasov - Sibiu - Sibiel
Our day begins with a visit of Brasov's medieval centre. From Brasov we drive to Bran Castle, the residence of Count Dracula! Sibiu will be our next stop, where we'll visit the open air Village Museum, the Brukental Museum and cross over the Bridge of Liars if you wish (don't utter any lies - it might collapse).
We'll drive to Sibiel to visit the Icons on the Glass Museum. Carriage ride to your accommodation in country - inns.
DAY 7 - Sibiel - Alba Iulia - Abrud - Campeni - Oradea
Our first tourist attraction today is the Alba Iulia fortress.
From here we go to Poarta lui Ionele Cave for a traditional picnic lunch served right at the entrance of the cave.
Our next stop is the Bears Cave, which got its name from the skeletons of some very old species of bear that were found here. From here we go to visit the Open Air Museum in Chiscau with its old cars and domestic objects. Drive to Oradea for accommodation.
Tip: try a Hungarian menu in Gobe, a traditional Hungarian Country inn in Oradea! Relax in the outdoor swimming pool with thermal water of your accommodation in Oradea.
DAY 8 - Oradea - Budapest
Say good-by to Romania, depart for Budapest. Transfer to the airport.
GUARANTEED DEPARTURE DATE
For 2008 Best of Transylvania and Hungary - Sightseeing tour, Budapest departure,is guaranteed to depart on the following dates
- June the 14.2008
- August the 02. 2008
PRIVATE TOUR
Best of Transylvania, Sightseeing tour is guaranteed to depart on the dates given, as we do not insist on a minimum number of bookings before departure. However all our escorted group tours can also be taken as private journeys, so you could experience all our excellent itineraries with whom ever you want and at your preferred travel dates. We are always happy to help you customise the itinerary that you like.
Private tour prices:
USD 3369* (EURO 2579) per person, double occupancy,
based on 2 persons travelling together
USD 2359* (EURO 1799) per person, double occupancy,
based on 4 persons travelling together
Single Supplement: USD 339* (EURO 259)
Solo Traveller: USD 6369* (EURO 4869)
* price in USD is for guidance only; balance will be paid in EURO.
The prices above are based on buying the itinerary as listed on tour page. We can customize the tour to meet your exact travel needs: change hotels, shorten or lengthen the tour. For any customization implying a new base itinerary, a tailor made fee of USD 302 (+VAT), EURO 240 (+VAT) is required and will be added to the tour cost.
IMPORTANT
Our company is committed to operating a Responsible Travel Policy that is supportive of the environment.
In stead of offering you a printed brochure, we’d rather have you enjoy a refreshing summer day at the shade of a thick forest.
Should you need information, you will have our full support over the telephone, email or trough our websites.
EXPLANATION: Items marked in the tours as "Tips" represent our suggestion for a special activity or event particular for an area, that you shouldn’t miss, arranged with individual accounts.
Items marked in the tours as "Optional" are available at a small extra cost but not included because it will not appeal to everyone. Items marked in the tours as "Module" are available only if the entire group chooses them, arranged with individual accounts.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
* Accommodation: 4 nights in 3*, 2 nights in 4* hotels and 1 night country-inn
* Transportation: we meet the tourists at the airport with a luxury coach and they'll enjoy the scenery unfolding before them, the entire road will be an adventure. (a minimum of 18 tourists is required; for smaller groups by minibus or car)
* Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 dinners and one traditional picnic-lunch
* Entry fees to: Merry Cemetery in Sapinta, Sapinta Monastery, The Prison of Communist Victims in Sighet, Birsana Monastery, Craftsman Workshop, Dracula's Coffin, Dogarilor Tower in Bistrita, Banffy Castle in Bontida, Botany Garden, Salt Mines in Turda, Turzii's Gorges Reservation, Spider Web Painter in Medias, Fortified Church in Biertan, Clock Tower, Medieval Weapon Collection and Torture Room in Sighisoara, Bran Castle, Village Museum and Brukental Museum in Sibiu, Icon on Glass Museum in Sibiel, Bears Cave in Pietroasa.
Not included: photo & video tax
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