Saxon Transylvania Tour

Day 1 - Bucharest - Brasov

Arrival in Bucharest, capital of Romania. Transfer from Bucharest to Brasov (Kronstadt). Established on an ancient Dacian site at the beginning of the 13th century by Teutonic Knights, today's Brasov is a shining testimony of Saxon architectural splendor and one of the most-visited cities in Romania. Welcome drink in the evening - we get to know each other and discuss the travel program. Spend two nights at the Bella Muzica hotel 3*.

Day 2 - Bran - Prejmer - Brasov

Visit to Bran Castle (Torzburg), also known as Dracula's Castle, a favorite among fans of romantic Transylvanian castles. Bran Castle is in excellent condition and its crenulated towers are a picturesque sight from miles away. It was built by the knights of the Teutonic Order in the 14th century to protect the trade route between Transylvania and Wallachia.  

Continue to Prejmer (Tartlau), an unspoiled Saxon town, first settled in 1240. Well deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage Site status, the Saxon fortified church at Prejmer, was the most powerful peasant fortresses in Transylvania. Its outer defensive wall - 4.5m thick - is the thickest of all the remaining Saxon churches.
  
In the afternoon, we enjoy a walking tour of Brasov. (B)

Day 3 - Viscri - Saschiz - Sighisoara

Traveling into the heart of Saxon Transylvania, you will be stunned by the untouched beauty of the countryside, as intimate pastoral scenes give way to grand vistas and mountains thickly wooded with beech trees stretch into the distance.

Reach the charming villages of Viscri (Deutschweiskirch) and Saschiz (Keisd), recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Discover a little more about the local culture, by taking a tour through the villages. We visit the fortified churches and a local farm and look around the interior of a traditional Saxon house - a true rarity nowadays. We enjoy a traditional Saxon lunch and after take a walk through wildflower fields and hay-meadows.

Sighisoara (Schasburg) is the next destination. 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. Saxon colonists settled here from the 12th century and built it into a thriving crafts and trading town. There are a thousands corners to discover here. We take a walking tour of the citadel. Spend two nights at the Sighisoara hotel 3*, within the citadel. (B, L)

Day 4 - Malancrav - Biertan - Sighisoara

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.

Drive to Malancrav (Malmkrog), way off even the unbeaten track, the village with the highest proportion of Saxons. We visit the fortress church and see traditional weaving and carpet making in the village. We also have the opportunity to visit an organic orchard with ancient varieties of apple, pear, plum and walnut and taste wonderful organic apple juice. Continue to Biertan (Birthalm), the highlight on any fortified church route. Looming massively over a small Transylvanian village, Biertan fortified church was the Episcopal Seat of the Evangelical Church from 1572, for almost three centuries. Return in Sighisoara. Afternoon at leisure to further explore this exciting medieval town and enjoy the excellent dining opportunities. (B, L)

Day 5 - Valea Viilor - Sibiu

Traveling through the idyllic landscape of Transylvania, we stop to visit the beautiful 14th century fortified church in Valea Viilor (Wurmloch), among the most beautiful in the area.

Continue to the charming city of Sibiu (Hermannstadt), the most important town in Saxon Land in medieval times and European Capital of Culture in 2007 and enjoy a walking tour of the historic centre. The meandering, narrow, cobblestone streets twisting out of view, the picturesque courtyards provide an ephemerally romantic ambience. Overnight at the Ramada Sibiu hotel 4*. (B)

Day 6 - Cisnadie - Cisnadioara - Sibiu

Visit another two impressive fortified churches in Cisnadie (Heltau) and Cisnadioara (Michelsberg). The fortress on the hill at Cisnadioara is one of the oldest monuments preserved since the period of the arrival of the Saxons in Transylvania and is of key importance for medieval architecture in Romania. We stop in a local Saxon family-run workshop that makes wonderful Transylvanian pottery and stove tiles, based on original Saxon motifs.

Afternoon at leisure to enjoy Sibiu on your own or take an optional excursion (extra cost) to the Astra Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization, the largest open-air museum in Europe and one of Romania's finest. Stay another night at the Ramada Sibiu hotel 4*. (B)

Day 7 - Rucar - Bran corridor

Breathtaking mountainous terrain awaits as we voyage towards Brasov. You will spend the night in a beautiful mountain chalet and enjoy traditional hospitality, high comfort and mountain views at their best. A choice of optional activities is offered: visit to Rasnov Citadel, nature walks or a visit to the bear sanctuary, hiking and climbing treks, horseback riding or more sightseeing in the area. You may meet Romanian shepherds with their flocks of sheep. 

A special festive dinner will be arranged in your last evening in Transylvania. Accommodation in Rucar-Bran corridor. (B, D)

Day 8 - Bucharest

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