Bucharest - Curtea de Arges Monastery - Poienari Castle - Cozia Monastery - Olt Valley Road - Sibiu

Curtea de Arges Monastery - The church at Curtea de Arges Monastery stands as one of Romania’s most exquisite religious landmarks. Constructed between 1515 and 1517 by the affluent and cultured Prince Neagoe Basarab, it boasts decorations influenced by Byzantine, Ottoman, Georgian, and Armenian art, offering a unique window into Romania’s medieval history. In the early 20th century, it was selected as the final resting place for Romanian monarchs of the Hohenzollern dynasty.

Poienari Castle - Poenari Castle, once the residence of Vlad the Impaler, is dramatically situated at the base of the Făgăraș Mountains. Survivors of Vlad’s massacre in Târgoviște were marched here to construct his fortress. Visitors can embark on a guided climb of 1480 steps to the top, with water provided if needed. The ascent takes about 30 minutes via a concrete stairway with safety railings and an electrified fence to deter bears. The fortress is perched at 850 meters (2800 feet) above sea level. Upon reaching the summit, access the fortress via a narrow wooden bridge to explore the remnants of the old keep, with the guide sharing insights into its history and legends.

Cozia Monastery - Cozia Monastery’s church is a magnificent example of medieval architecture, built by Prince Mircea the Elder, Vlad the Impaler’s grandfather, in 1388. Mircea, a devout ruler, resisted the Ottoman expansion and commissioned several churches and monasteries, choosing Cozia as his final resting place. The monastery’s picturesque setting on the Olt River and the richly painted church decorations are truly enchanting.

Olt County - The journey continues with a scenic drive along the Olt River valley, leading from southern Wallachia to Sibiu in Transylvania. Before 1918, when Romania’s three regions united, this was a major passage across the mountains. Travelers and merchants crossed north to sell goods in Transylvania’s rich, multicultural cities.

Sibiu - Biertan Fortified Church - Sighisoara

Big Square (Piata Mare) - Since 1366, this square has been the city’s vibrant heart, where citizens gathered to trade, converse, listen to speeches, or witness executions. The UNESCO-listed square showcases the city’s history, with buildings from various eras, including the 13th-century City Council Tower and late medieval houses like the Haller House and the Blue House. Visitors can explore the Brukenthal Palace, an 18th-century Baroque gem housing Baron Samuel von Brukenthal’s art collection.

Turnul Sfatului (The Tower of the Council) - Originally part of a small fortification protecting the City Council building, the Tower can now be accessed from the Small Square. It served as an observation point and refuge during attacks. Restored in the 19th century, visitors can climb 141 steps to view the clock mechanism and enjoy city panoramas.

Bridge of Lies - This pedestrian bridge, supported by four cast iron arches, connects two small city squares and is surrounded by legends explaining its name. The most popular suggests the bridge collapses if someone lies on it. Other tales claim liars were thrown over, whether deceitful merchants or untruthful young women.

Lutheran Evangelical Cathedral & Tower - Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the first church on this site dates to the 12th century. The current Gothic cathedral, with a 73-meter-high steeple, was built in the 14th century as a Roman Catholic church. After the Reformation, it served the Lutheran Protestant community. Four turrets around the central steeple indicated Sibiu’s judicial right to impose the death penalty. Note: The Cathedral is undergoing restoration, so only the exterior can be viewed.

Strada Cetatii / Fortress Street - This street features three towers from Sibiu’s medieval fortifications, maintained by guilds like potters, carpenters, and arquebus-armed soldiers, to repel invaders.

Biertan Fortified Church - Founded as a commercial hub by Transylvanian Saxons in medieval Hungary, Biertan’s church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was built in Late Gothic style with Renaissance elements between 1486 and 1524. As Ottoman raids threatened, the church was fortified with three rows of exterior defenses linked by gate towers.

Sighisoara - Saschiz Fortified Church - Viscri Village

Sighisoara Clock Tower - Sighișoara’s Old Town, perched on a rocky massif, dominates the newer areas with its leaning houses. The Clock Tower, also known as The History Museum, was built in the 14th century when craft guilds controlled Sighișoara, each financing and defending its tower during wartime. After paying the entrance fee, a guide will accompany visitors inside the old clock tower with its creaky wooden steps. Inside, explore Gothic furniture, pharmaceutical items, gingerbread molds, trade guild artifacts, and a fascinating display on Hermann Oberth, a space travel pioneer. The main reason to climb the tower is for the stunning views of the crooked lanes, houses below, and distant rolling hills. The ticket also includes access to the Collection of Medieval Arms. Note: The Tower is closed on Mondays.

Casa Vlad Dracul - A Halloween must-see, this three-story house in the Clock Tower’s shadow is where, according to legend, Vlad the Impaler was born in 1431 to an unknown woman. Today, the house is a restaurant, and visitors can go upstairs to see Vlad the Impaler’s alleged birthplace.

Church on the Hill - Beautifully restored, the Church on the Hill, built between 1345 and 1525, features faded murals, a vaulted ceiling, and three Gothic altars. The church’s massive buttresses served as both a place of worship and a fortified refuge during danger. Beyond the church, visitors can explore the Saxon cemetery. To reach the church, take the Scholars’ Stairs, a steep, covered wooden staircase with 178 steps and 29 landings dating from 1642.

St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church - Built in 1894 after the Franciscan Convent’s demolition, St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church is located in the citadel’s northeast.

Piata Cetatii - This site once hosted public hangings for wrongdoers and witch trials in Sighișoara.

Sighisoara - Upon entering the city, visit the fresh produce market where locals sell home-grown products daily. Most fruits and vegetables are in season, offering a delightful array of smells, tastes, and colors. There are many photo opportunities and chances to buy and taste local produce, from homemade bread to locally made cheese and forest fruits.

Saxon Church - This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates from the 15th century. Built on an older Romanesque basilica site, it was dedicated to Saint Stephen of Hungary. A 14th-century citadel was built 2 kilometers from the village, but its distance made access difficult. Thus, the church was fortified for easier refuge access.

Viscri Fortified Church - The traditional Saxon village of Viscri exudes old-world charm. Visit the area’s main attraction, the fortified church, and enjoy a traditional Romanian lunch with hearty food and fiery spirits like tuica and rachiu. End the evening relaxing in a traditional medieval Saxon house.

Viscri Village - Brasov - Bran

Black Church (Biserica Neagra) - Brașov’s most famous landmark, the Black Church, dominates the surrounding square. Allegedly the largest Gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul, it took nearly a century to complete and houses one of Eastern Europe’s largest collections of Turkish prayer mats.

Piaka Sfatului - The Council Square, Brașov’s focal point, has changed little since its 15th-century construction. It is lined with sturdy merchant houses with red-tiled roofs and shops. In the center stands the Council House, built in 1420 and topped by the Trumpeter’s Tower, where town councilors met. The square is reputedly the site of Europe’s last witch burning.

Turnul Alb - Facing Turkish attacks in the 15th century, Brașov strengthened its fortifications, assigning each bastion to a guild. The White Tower’s distinctive design offers stunning city views on clear days.

Rope Street - Strada Sforii - Presumably Eastern Europe’s narrowest street, this passageway retains medieval Brașov’s spirit and offers great photo opportunities to share with family and friends.

Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle) - Experience the ultimate Halloween adventure by visiting the famous Bran Castle! Located 28 km (18 miles) southwest of Brașov, it commands the entrance to the pass of the same name, the main route into Wallachia. The Saxons of Kronstadt (Brașov) built a castle in 1377 to safeguard this vital trade route. Vlad the Impaler’s connections are shrouded in myth. The castle may have housed Vlad for a few nights during his 1462 flight from the Turks after their Poenari fortress attack. Another story tells of his 1460 siege of the castle during his Burzenland attack. Perched on a rocky bluff, Bran Castle rises in tiers of towers and ramparts from the surrounding woodland, with many stories to tell.

Bran - Sinaia - Bucharest

Peles Castle - As an optional stop on the return to Bucharest, visit Peles Castle in Sinaia. Built for Romania’s first king, Charles I, between 1873 and 1914, the King was captivated by the beautiful scenery and purchased the land for the castle. The building combines classic European styles, primarily Italian elegance and German aesthetics, along Renaissance lines.

• Private transportation
• Lunch
• Breakfast

On our Halloween special tour, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Transylvania’s finest Medieval locations and learn about the true story of Dracula, the Romanian prince known as Vlad Tepes. We’ll guide you through key locations that played a part in his unique history and reveal how this real-life ruler transformed into a legendary figure of horror.

Prepare to be astounded by the Poienari fortress and the internationally renowned Bran castle, which we’ll explore after dark. Unwind and journey back to the Middle Ages in the medieval towns of Sighisoara (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and Brasov.

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.