Romantic Transylvania

TRAVEL PROGRAM

Day 1 - Sun. Bucharest

Arrival in Bucharest, capital of Romania. Transfer from airport to the Athenee Palace Hilton hotel 5*. Short sightseeing tour that will give you an overall impression of the most significant sights in Bucharest. In the evening, savor a romantic 4-course dinner in the renowned Caru cu Bere Restaurant, Bucharest's oldest beer hall, dating from 1875, with Romanian folk music and dances. (D)

Day 2 - Mon to Day 3 - Tue. Miclosoara

Discover Transylvania's fascinating medieval towns, legendary castles, fortified churches and dramatic mountains peaks. Spend two nights as a guest of Count Tibor Kalnoky, a genuine Transylvanian count, in the remote ethnic Hungarian village of Miclosoara (Miklosvar), in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. The guesthouses date back to the 1800s and have been carefully restored in order to preserve their original Transylvanian charm and character and offer a unique combination of rural elegance and modern comfort. Enjoy candlelit dinners with generous quantities of good wine in front of a large Transylvanian fireplace.

According to your interests, you may choose: guide-led tours of the local countryside, including animal tracking and bird watching, day long hikes in areas of scenic beauty, horse-cart driving through rolling pastures to the edge of the forest, traditional picnic on the nearby hills, riding trips without ever crossing a road or a fence. The Count's staff is always happy to offer advice and recommend activities. (B, D)

Day 4 - Wed. Sighisoara

Travel deep into the heart of Transylvania and reach Sighisoara. The best preserved and continuously inhabited medieval city in Europe, Sighisoara Citadel will make you feel like you are floating through another time and space. There are a thousands corners to discover here. Spend the night at the Sighisoara hotel 3*, in the citadel. (B)

Day 5 - Thu. Saxon Villages

If Sighisoara is enough of a surprise, it is nothing compared to the dozens of villages that Saxons built in the area and which survive almost entirely untouched to this day, surrounded, in most cases, by equally untouched ancient landscape. Spend a day walking a rarely traveled route in the heart of Saxon Transylvania and reach Biertan, Malancrav and Viscri. These are one of the villages that the Prince of Wales visited, when he came in Transylvania in 1998. Since then, he has visited the country regularly, bought and restored two 18th Century Saxon houses, in order to protect the unique way of life that has existed for hundreds of years. Stay another night at the Sighisoara hotel 3*. (B)

Day 6 - Fri. Sibiu

Drive to Sibiu, one of the most beautiful and well preserved historical towns in Transylvania and European Capital of Culture in 2007. The meandering, narrow, cobblestone streets twisting out of view, the picturesque courtyards provide an ephemerally romantic ambience. You have the opportunity to enjoy Sibiu's nightlife. Overnight at the Ramada Sibiu hotel 4*. (B)

Day 7 - Sat to Day 8 - Sun. Brasov

More breathtaking mountainous terrain await near Brasov at the Inn of Balaban for two nights. Located on a hilltop with dramatic 360 views of Carpathian Mountains vistas, this one-of-a-kind inn is a splendid gateway to Romanian mountain nature and culture. Rustic in style and decorated with hand-painted Saxon furniture, the inn offers traditional hospitality, high comfort and mountain views at their best.

A choice of activities is offered: visits to Brasov, Rasnov fortified village and Bran Castle, nature walks or a visit to the bear sanctuary, hiking and climbing treks, horseback riding, sightseeing in the area.  You may meet Romanian shepherds with their flocks of sheep. (B, D)

Day 9 - Mon. Bucharest

Return to Bucharest. A last opportunity for city sightseeing and shopping (your own arrangements). Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)