Bucharest – Sinaia – Bran – Brasov – Bucharest – 373 Km/232 miles
In the morning, you will be met at your hotel by your private guide and head North, for the Carpathian Mountains.
After about 2 hours of driving, we arrive in Sinaia, a picturesque mountain resort, which has always been linked to the Romanian Royal Family. Established in the 17th century by the rulers of Wallachia, Sinaia grew in importance after the 1860’s, when Carol I, Romania’s first king, decided to build here the Peles Castle, that was to be used as a Royal Residence. The castle took 39 years to complete, since it was a very complex architectural entity, and one of the most modern buildings of its time (it had electricity, central heating, electrical elevator and an integrated vacuum cleaning system, all this in the 1880’s. After the guided visit of the castle you will have a bit of free time in the castle garden, an excellent opportunity to take some photos of the flower arrangements or the statues.
We will afterwards continue our journey by visiting what is probably Romania’s most famous landmark, the Bran Castle, also known as the Dracula Castle (entrance included).
The castle was built in the 14th century by the Transylvanian merchants as a military fortress to defend the area against the frequent Turkish attacks. After 1900, it was donated to the Romanian Royal Family and it became the favourite place of Queen Maria. Extensively renovated, it became a residence, and later a museum.
In the Communist times, it became associated with the myth of Dracula, and the number of visitors grew dramatically. This helped a great deal with the development of the tourism industry in the area, and at this moment, the town boasts a great number of family run motels, as well as a good selection of souvenir shops. After the guided tour of the castle, we will enjoy some free time for souvenir shopping.
After about half an hour drive, we will reach the city of Brasov and we will enjoy a stroll in the OldTown. Brasov is one of the seven cities founded by the Saxon colonists in Transylvania, some 800 years ago.
Thanks to its location on the Transylvanian border, Brasov became a trade center for the region. Most of the Saxon architecture is still present and, the Black Church, the largest Gothic church in South-Eastern Europe, is definitely worth a closer look.
Late in the afternoon, we will start driving back to Bucharest.
You private guide will escort you tot the hotel.
Included features:
* air conditioned car for the above mentioned route, gasoline price and parking fees;
* guided tours and entrance fees for the sights included in the itinerary;
* a professional private English speaking guide/driver, at your disposal throughout the trip;
* guide’s expenses;
* all transfers;
* VAT and local tax;
Not included:
* meals other than the ones included in the program;
* individual travel insurance;
* photo and video fees;
* gratuities;
Click on the map to enlarge
Built between 1385 and 1477 on the site of an earlier church (destroyed by Mongol invasions in 1242), the construction of the Marienkirche, as it was known in German, was hampered by extensive damage caused by Turkish raids in 1421. The church was given its new name after disaster struck again in 1689, when the Great Fire leveled most of the town, blackening the walls of the church. Restoration took almost 100 years. Of two towers planned, only one was finished.
The Black Church is the largest gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul.
Built on the site of a Teutonic Knights stronghold dating from 1212, the castle was first documented in an act issued by Louis I of Hungary on November 19, 1377, giving the Saxons of Kronstadt (Brasov) the privilege to build the Citadel.
Although Stoker never visited Transylvania, the Irish author relied on research and his vivid imagination to create the dark and intimidating stomping ground of Count Dracula, leading to persistent myths that it was once the home of Vlad Tepes, ruler of Walachia.
Fringed by the peaks of the Carpathian Mountains and resplendent with Gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture, as well as a wealth of historical attractions, the medieval city of Brasov, located just three hours north of Bucharest, provides a great introduction to the region. Among Brasov’s best know historical and cultural attractions are the Council Square, the beautiful St. Nicholas Church, the Black Church – the largest Gothic church east of Vienna.
Located at the heart of old medieval Brasov and lined with beautiful red-roofed merchant houses, the Council Square, known to the Saxon population as the Marktplatz, is a nice place to rest and soak in the beautiful scenery.
In the center of the square stands the Old Town Hall, now home to Brasov's History Museum, while the southeast corner is dominated by the town's most famous landmark, the Black Church.
Peles Castle a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance architecture, considered by many one of the most stunning castles in Europe.
Commissioned by King Carol I in 1873 and completed in 1883, the castle served as the summer residence of the royal family until 1947. Its 160 rooms are adorned with the finest examples of European art, Murano crystal chandeliers, German stained-glass windows and Cordoba leather-covered walls.