Legendary Tales & Trails of Transylvania

Day 1

We depart and head towards our ferry crossing across the English Channel to the continent. After our arrival, we travel to our overnight hotel in France.

Day 2

We continue our journey through Germany to our next overnight hotel in Austria, where we enjoy this evening's dinner.

Day 3

After breakfast this morning, we continue our journey into Hungary and then Romania for our first taste of Transylvania. Upon our arrival at our hotel in Timi?oara, we will meet our local guide, who will accompany us throughout our time in the country. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

Day 4

The charming cosmopolitan city of Timisoara, often referred to as "Little Vienna" is an exciting mix of historic buildings and vibrant city life, which earnt it the title of European Capital of Culture in 2023. Its main attractions were built after the city's liberation from the Ottomans in 1716 and on today's guided city walk, you'll discover it's fascinating history including countless Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings. In the afternoon, you'll have free time to explore the city at leisure and later this evening, we recommend sampling the delicious Romanian cuisine in one of the city's traditional restaurants.

Day 5

We leave Timisoara after breakfast and travel to Sibiu, one of Transylvania's most beautiful cities and a former European Capital of Culture. With free time to explore at your leisure, we recommend starting with a visit to the Grand Square in the heart of the old town, where you can find the Town Hall and the Brukenthal Palace, now home to a collection of art galleries, libraries and museums. We also recommend the Small Square and the nearby 'Bridge of Lies', a picturesque cast iron bridge with numerous local legends surrounding it. Next, we continue to Brasov, one of Romania's most popular cities to visit; overlooked by the peaks of the southern Carpathian Mountains, you'll find fine examples of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance-era architecture, where you'll be captivated by its beauty, charm, and passion! We later check into our next hotel later today, where dinner will be included this evening.

Day 6

Experience the medieval charm of Biertan and Sighisoara on a captivating journey through Transylvania, immersing yourself in the fascinating past and enduring beauty of the region. Discover Biertan's UNESCO-listed fortified church, a masterpiece of Saxon architecture, surrounded by picturesque landscapes and a tranquil village atmosphere. We continue to Sighisoara, a small, fortified medieval town with a dark secret - the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, a prince of Wallachia and a significant inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula. Stroll through the cobbled streets of this colourful medieval town on our guided tour- don't forget to a stop at the imposing Clock Tower. We return to Brasov later today with a chance to explore the culinary delights on offer this evening.

Day 7

Delve into the legend of Dracula this morning as we head to Bran Castle, the most visited attraction in Romania. Rising dramatically above the surrounding forest, the Gothic castle inspired the portrayal of Count Dracula's home with twisting towers and moss-covered stone crosses creating a spine-tingling atmosphere. After a fascinating guided tour, we continue into the Carpathian Mountains for visits to Sinaia and Peles Castle, its crown jewel. Peles Castle, a masterpiece of Neo-Renaissance architecture, is considered one of the most romantic sights in the world, delighting visitors with opulent interiors and stunning mountain scenery. After exploring the castle, enjoy free time in Sinaia, a charming destination offering a blend of natural beauty and royal grandeur found in the beautiful foothills of the Bucegi Mountains, also known as the 'Pearl of the Carpathians'; here, we invite you to wander its charming streets, enjoy the local cuisine and discover its rich history.

Day 8

After breakfast, enjoy a chance to explore Brasov in your free time today before travelling to a local winery. Discover the charm of Romanian winemaking with a guided tour at Lacerta Winery in the heart of Dealu Mare; here, you will learn the art of winemaking, culminating in a tasting of Lacerta's award-winning selections - a true delight for wine enthusiasts. From here, we continue to Bucharest, the Romanian capital with a long and turbulent history, where we check in to our hotel in time for dinner.

Day 9

Discover the best of Bucharest on today's guided walking tour and visit the city's most famous landmarks. Starting at Unirii Square, you'll marvel at the mighty Palace of the Parliament, the second-largest building in the world and explore the Old Court Church, the city's oldest, and the ruins of the former Royal Court. Our route then takes you past the medieval Old Town before jumping forward to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as you admire the beautiful French-style buildings on Calea Victoriei Street and discover why Bucharest was once known as 'Little Paris'. We conclude our tour near Revolution Square, where our guide will share the history of Romania and Bucharest under communism and how the country has changed after its 1989 revolution. Afterwards, you will have free time to explore Bucharest in your own time as well as the surrounding dining options this evening.

Day 10

We begin our return journey to our overnight hotel in Hungary.

Day 11

Continuing homeward, we cross into Germany and onto our penultimate overnight hotel.

Day 12

Today, we continue to our final overnight stop in northern France.

Day 13

We make our return ferry crossing and arrive home today.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner