Halloween with the Count
001

Departure:
Every Saturday during May 05 to October 27, 2008

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Welcome to my land! Your friend, Dracula (D)
Arrive in Bucharest, capital of Romania, city first mentioned by this name in a document dated September 20, 1459 and signed ‘Prince Vlad Dracula’. Tonight you shall enter the domains of The Count (as a first initiation step) at his residence in Bucharest, not far from the ruins of his court. Tonight, the Count’s Chief inspired by his master’s most feared enemy or servants.
- Arrive in Bucharest airport; transfer to your hotel
- Welcome dinner at Count Dracula Club on Dracula specific dishes
- Overnight in 3* centrally located hotel in Bucharest (Opera or similar)


Day 2 - Vlad the Impaler: the ruler (B, D)
Visit the "House of the People" (today known as the Parliament's Palace), an enormous building built by the order of the last communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu - often compared to a vampire for his thirst of power. Many human lives and historic buildings were sacrificed for the erection of the palace. Your next initiation step takes place in the vaulted cellars under the ruins of prince Vlad Impaler's palace in Bucharest. The earth talk, our ancestors lie there, the roots of our houses, our daily food - the earth is within ourselves in more than the obvious ways. Drive to Sinaia, located at the foots of Bucegi mountains, on Prahova Valley, Sinaia has charmed the young German Prince Carol I of Hohenzollern who was to become the king of modern Romania.
- Sightseeing tour of Bucharest including visits to Princely Court and Parliament's Palace
- Visit the historic city center of Bucharest: old commercial streets and churches
- Dinner and overnight in Sinaia 3* hotel (Sinaia or similar)


Day 3 - The real Dracula Castle? (B, D)
More than a century ago Peles Castle took shape and substance from fairy tales and dreams about royalty. This exquisitely detailed landmark, set amidst sculpture gardens and fountains, was the summer residence of a Romanian Royal family. Inside you'll see beautiful collections of medieval weaponry, stained glass, silk rugs and furniture. Then cross the mountains into Transylvania - this ancient Romanian lands stormed under so many legends and stories that it lost its eartly contour and passed into a utopian utopian perception. The next initiation takes us to Bran castle, built in 1377, at the edge between history and fiction. It is like a mirage placed to prevent the reach of the real Dracula Castle in Northern Transylvania. The rest of the day finds us driving to Sighisoara — the birth place of Prince Vlad Dracula and one of the best preserved inhabited medieval citadels in Europe.
- visit Peles Castle in Sinaia
- cross the Carpathians and visit Bran Castle
- drive to Sighisoara via Brasov
- dinner and overnight in Sighisoara within citadel walls in 3* hotel (Wagner House or similar)


Day 4 — Beyond Count Dracula’s domain (B, 0)
One of the most impressive fortified churches in Southern Transylvania is Biertan, built in 1302 as a Hungarian border fortification. Biertan is better known as the residence of the Lutheran Transylvanian Bishops for almost 300 years but is also connected to VIad the lmpaler’s life. In 1459 has been appointed to the prince when it was restored for the last time. Visit Sibiu, one of the most romantic cities of Romania with its Council Tower, Small Square and Liars Bridge. Return to Sighisoara in the afternoon for another revelation. Optionally witness a Witch-trial, a page in our history as humans, using Sighisoara itself as a setting.
- visit the UNESCO fortified church of Biertan
- tour mediaeval Sibiu city: Council Tower, Small and Large squares, Liars Bridge, Brukenthal Museum
- return to Sighisoara Optional “Witch Trial” show performed by local actors
- dinner and overnight in Sighisoara within citadel walls in 3* hotel (Wagner House or similar)


Day 5 — Sighisoara of Prince Vlad(B, D)
Sighisoara is the best-preserved 15th century walled town in Europe. On the present ‘Hill of the Citadel’ (‘Dealul Cetatii’), the upper town, was erected a stronghold in the 2nd half of the 12th century, used by the population as a shelter in hard times. Nowadays, Sighisoara is synonym to the European Middle Age in Ronmnia. Here lived, between 1431-1435, VIad Dracul (Viad the Devil), future Prince of Wallachia. thus called because the German Emperor knighted him as Knight of the Dragon. He was VIad the Impaler’s father known as Dracula Ithe son of the Devil), born most probably here in Sighisoara, on 1431 The actual 5th century house where Prince Vlad Dracul was born has been turned into a restaurant and museum full of interesting flavours and artefacts.
- visit medieval Sighisoara: Clock Tower, Hill Church, Vlad the lmpalers native house, Wooden covered staircase
- leisure time in the afternoon in Sighisoara citadel (on the Halloween tour, prepare for party)
- dinner and overnight in Sighisoara, 3* hotel (Wagner House or similar)


Day 6 - Epilogue (B, D)
Drive south, two hours away to the medievalt city of Brasov. Driving through the main roads, you’ll discover its beauty and picturesque, the combination between new and old, blackend stone buildings and red brick chimneys above the colored tile roofs, over the crenels and buttresses. Tour Brasov with its landmark — the Black Church, famous for its 4000 pipes organ and a collection of Oriental rugs. Visit the Old City Hall Square and the Schei District before heading to Bucharest.
- drive to Brasov
- tour Brasov; Black Church, Schei District, Old City Hall Square
- transfer to Bucharest
- farewell dinner and overnight in a 3* centrally located hotel in Bucharest (opera or similar)


Day 7 - Good-bye Romania (B)
We hope you have enjoyed your Transylvania tour and we look forward to welcome you again in Romania.
- transfer to Bucharest Airport

Services Included:

  • 6 night accommodation (placed in a double room) on breakfast basis in 3 star hotel
  • 6 dinners (including Halloween party on the Halloween tour)
  • Transportation by air conditioned car/minibus/bus
  • Arrival/departure transfers
  • Polyglot guide assistance
  • Entrance fees to museums included in the program
  • VAT and local tax

Services Not Included:

  • Arrival/departure flights
  • Health insurance
  • Personal expenses of any kind, hotel services like phone calls, laundry, minibar, room service
  • Soft and alcoholic drinks with the main meals unless otherwise specified

Optionals:

  • Witch Trial Show in Sighisoara: $292.50 (applicable to min 2 paying pax)
Departure Dates Cost Per Person Supplements

Every Saturday during May 05 to October 27, 2007

$935.00 $292.50

Rates are in US dollars per person based on double occupancy
Subject to availability and change due to currency fluctuation