The essence of Saxon Transylvania - 3-day tour of its citadels

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Bucharest - Cozia Monastery - Sibiu
2 stops
1
Cozia Monastery
We meet at your hotel in Bucharest or at the airport and start our 3-day tour by car, through the scenic Olt River’s Valley. Our first stop is Cozia Monastery founded in 1388 by Mircea the Elder – a brave middle ages Wallachian Prince, and grandfather of the most notorious Vlad the Impaler.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
Sibiu
After a quick lunch and a short rest, we have a guided tour of the old city of Sibiu. A great sight over Sibiu rewards our effort of climbing the medieval stairs of the Council Tower. We stroll the old streets of Sibiu and it’s most important plazas: the Grand Square, the Small Square, and the Albert Huet Square (the oldest square, dating from 12-th century). We also pay a visit to the Orthodox Cathedral (discovering the similarities with the Saint Sofia’s Basilica of Constantinople) and to the impressive Evangelical Church.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Sibiu - Biertan - Sighisoara - Brasov
5 stops
3
Biertan Fortified Church
From Sibiu we head towards the medieval city of Sighisoara through the Hartibaciu Valley road, crossing old Saxon villages and passing through deep forests. Our first stop is at Biertan fortified Church – a UNESCO World Heritage monument. Biertan village was for centuries the seat of the Lutheran bishopric and that is why the local church is protected by so impressive fortifications. Built from 1486 to 1524, Biertan church has impressive defense walls, a beautiful nave ceiling, a collection of tombstones of former bishops and notabilities.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
4
Centrul Istoric Sighisoara
The medieval citadel of Sighisoara – UNESCO site – is close to Biertan. It takes about two hours to visit the citadel: the Clock Tower of Sighisoara, the Church on the Hill, the Stairs, the fortifications and their towers. Sighisoara was also the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler – the grandson of Mircea the Elder (the founder of the Cozia Monastery we visited the day before). After our lunch in Sighisoara, we leave for Brasov.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
5
Saxon Church
In our way from Sighisoara to Brasov we gaze at Saschiz fortified church - UNESCO World Heritage monument - built at the end of XVth century with a tower reminding us the Clock Tower of Sighisoara we have just seen.
Admission ticket free
6
Cetatea Rupea
In our way from Sighisoara to Brasov, after Saschiz fortified church, we also catch sight of the Rupea fortress, one of the oldest fortifications in Romania (built over preexisting Roman and Dacian fortresses).
Admission ticket free
7
Brasov Historical Center
With a strong industry during the past century, Brasov was a magnet for people from all around the country and has become one of the most vibrant Romanian cities. This booming city has been developed around the initial fortress established in 1211 by the Teutonic Knights and later on, after a quarrel between the knights and the king, by German settlers. Once in Brasov, after the check-in, we visit the impressive Black Church – a 14-th century Gothic monument, the fortifications, bastions and towers of the medieval fortress, the curious Rope Street (maybe the narrowest street in the world).
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Brasov - Bran Castle - Peles Castle - Bucharest
3 stops
8
Rasnov Citadel: Garden and Panoramic View
On our way from Brasov to Bran we admire from afar the Rasnov fortress, built on XIII century, probably during the short ruling of the area around Brasov by the Teutonic Knigths (1211-1225).
Admission ticket free
9
Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle)
We visit the Bran Castle, built in the 14th century to guard the strategic commercial route between Walachia and Transylvania. ”Built on the corner of a great rock, so that on three sides it was quite impregnable, on the very edge of a terrific precipice”, the Bran Castle was quickly identified as the place of the nefarious actions of Count Dracula.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
10
Peles Castle
Early afternoon we arrive at Sinaia, just in time to visit the Peles Castle, built at the end of 19-th century. This flamboyant castle is in such a stark contrast with the austere character of its founder: the first King of Romania, the sober Carol I of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (1839-1914), of German origins. Fully committed to the modernization of Romania, Carol I ruled for 48 years, ”wearing the crown even while he was sleeping”, as his Queen, Elisabeth, said.
2 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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