Welcome to the Romanian Medieval Tour!
The Medieval Tour is dedicated to the history and landmarks of Romania, a country that has only been united for 100 years. Throughout history, its provinces have been either autonomous, partly independent, under some foreign empire’s rule or occupation, fought with each other, were allied against invasions, quarrelled, or befriended each other depending on political changes.
This tumultuous history left a vast array of influences in architecture, art, religion, cuisine, language, clothing, and all aspects of life. We will explore the buildings, taste the food, enjoy the drinks, feel the vibe of cities and admire the landscapes of Romania together. There are surprises hidden in the tour unexpected places to be seen and things to be done at every step. Let’s go!
Departure 2024
1. 23 May 2024 – Open
2. 20 June 2024 – Open
3. 25 July 2024 – Open
4. 22 August 2024 – Open
5. 19 September 2024 – Open
6. 24 October 2024 – Open
Price per person: £ 2750 – Flight ticket Included.
Day 1
Pick up from the airport, check-in at the hotel and then go out to the Old City Centre of Bucharest. The welcome dinner in a historic restaurant in the Old City Centre is included.
The restaurant called The Beer Carriage, opened in 1879 and serves traditional Romanian food as well as international cuisine. It is famous for its beautiful architecture and for operating its own brewery.
Day 2
Going for sightseeing in Bucharest: a drive along the main historic boulevards and a guided walking tour around the old city centre.
Then visiting the People’s Palace (Palace of Parliament), the second largest and the heaviest administrative building in the world. It was built by the Communist dictator Nicolae Ceau?escu after demolishing an entire neighbourhood that occupied 7 square Km, razing thousands of houses and forcing more than 40.000 families to move.
The WOW Factor: The Palace is 84m tall, has 1.100 rooms, 2.800 chandeliers, and a total area of 330.000 sqm and 220.000 sqm of carpets.
In the afternoon we head to the mountain side a 2h drive away, for dinner and accommodation in Sinaia, a small but important town for the history of Romania and for our tour.
Day 3
Visit the 300-year-old Sinaia Monastery and the Pele? Palace (home of the Romanian Royal Family, built in 1883 in a Swiss-German style). This is what it looks like on the outside, imagine the interior.
We then take a trip to Bran and a visit inside “Dracula’s Castle” – The Bran Fortress.
History: In 1377, Louis I of Anjou, king of Hungary and Poland, decided that the Bran gorge that linked Wallachia to Transylvania needed better protection against invading armies and issued a royal edict that described the place and size of the new Fortress.
Later, Bran Fortress was also used as a customs point, as trade between the two regions intensified and became a lucrative activity for the ruler. You shall find out about Vlad Dracul’s (Vlad the Impaler) connection to this Fortress as we take the guided tour.
Later in the evening, dinner, and accommodation in Bran.
Day 4
Morning visit of the Râ?nov Citadel dating back to 1335, built on the site of an old Teuton garrison that went back to 1225. Just like the Bran Fortress, the Râ?nov Citadel was meant to defend the gorge beneath it and offer shelter to several hundred villagers in case of enemy invasion.
Nature time: Short Mountain trek, walk and climb through the natural canyon 7 Ladders – around 2 hours. Medium fitness level required. Group members can also relax in a green meadow at the beginning of the trek if they don’t wish to join.
After lunch, we go sightseeing in Bra?ov City Center and visit the largest church in Romania, the Black Church, built in the Gothic style between 1383 – 1477. The church bell weighs 6.000kg and the pipe organ was famous in its heyday and it is still being used for concerts.
Later in the afternoon, a short drive will take us to the heart of the Saxon area of Transylvania.
Day 5
Sightseeing in Viscri, King Charles’ favourite village in Transylvania (UNESCO World Heritage Village). You will visit the Viscri Fortified Evangelical Church, built in the 13th Century.
Trip to the Medieval City of Sighisoara (UNESCO World Heritage Centre), sightseeing and accommodation in Sighisoara. It is the only inhabited Medieval City in SE Europe recognized by UNESCO, first attested in 1191 by German settlers.
There used to be 14 defence towers guarding the gates and the wall of the Citadel, each of them manned and maintained by a Guild (Blacksmiths, Butchers, Weavers, Rope Makers, Leather Tanners, Tailors, etc.), 9 of which are still in place.
Day 6
A road trip to Salina Turda, a former salt mine turned into a tourist attraction for recreation and leisure, followed by lunch at a local vineyard.
We will stay overnight in a historic hotel in Alba Iulia.
Day 7
We spend the day in Alba Iulia and visit Alba Carolina Citadel (built-in 1738). Sightseeing includes the oldest (1.000 years old) and tallest cathedral in Romania, the citadel gates, and the Armory Hall. The change of guards is greeted by cannon shots.
The afternoon is free, everyone can wander about the Roman castrum, have coffee, or wine at a pretty terrace or ride electric scooters around the citadel.
We spent the night at the same hotel.
Day 8
Visiting the Hunedoara Castle, built in 1440 by Ioan de Hunedoara, ruler of Transylvania and Regent of Hungary.
After lunch, we check in at the hotel and take the rest of the day off to enjoy an outdoor pool, horseback or carriage rides, sauna, and tennis court. We deserve it!
Day 9
Sightseeing and dinner in Sibiu (European Capital of Culture 2007).
The hotel in Sibiu is a nice surprise. But then again, all accommodation in this tour is.
Visit the Museum of the Traditional Popular Civilization – ASTRA Sibiu. Here you can see huts, windmills, houses, and cottages from all around Transylvania, surrounded by ponds and meadows.
Day 10
We start the day with a visit to the ruins of a Cistercian Abbey dating back to 1205. The history of this place is just incredible (teaser ).
We then drive up the tallest mountain range in Romania and down the other side (hopefully, the weather will allow us). It was called The Best Road in The World (Top Gear said it).
Then, we have lunch at Lake Bâlea (2.035m altitude) and stop at the REAL Dracula’s Castle – The Poienari Fortress. After climbing the 1480 steps (medium fitness needed), we will see the panorama of the entire valley from the defence posts of the Fortress.
Sadly, the tour is over and, in the evening, we will head back to Bucharest and drop you off at the airport or, if you choose to spend another day in the city, at your hotel.
Details
Transport
One place in your 10-day tour will get you
One seat in a comfortable Mercedes minivan, all costs covered.
Accommodation in double or twin-bed rooms at hotels or B&B’s for 9 nights; the room will be shared with another trip companion; (for a single room, please contact us – additional costs apply); breakfast included;
All visitors’ fees for the landmarks to be visited (excluding photo or video camera tax).
NOT included.
Lunches or dinners
Drinks during nights out or any other time of the day
Extra room requirements at hotels and B&Bs, aside from the standard double/twin rooms
Personal insurance, early check-in/late check-out fees, police fines, bail money, etc.
Extra
Infants under 2 years old travel for free
Children that can share a bed with their parents + £450
Children that require an additional bed in their parents’ room + £700
Single Accommodation +£850
Accommodation
All accommodation is at old mansions, boutique hotels and countryside guesthouses, refurbished and decorated to offer an authentic taste of traditional or noblemen life.
Accommodation in double or twin-bed rooms at hotels or B&B’s for 9 nights; the room will be shared with another trip companion; (for a single room, please contact us – additional costs apply); breakfast included;
Meals
Breakfast included
Recommendation contra cost:
Meals always include traditional local food and a choice of international and vegetarian dishes. Romanian food is represented by soups and broths; local cheese, bacon and salami; grilled pork, sausages, smoked ham and meat; vegetable stew, eggplant salad, mushroom salad and many other delicious dishes. Common sides include baked potatoes with butter sauce, rice and vegetables, bean or pea stew, grilled eggplant or pickled cucumbers, peppers and cauliflower. Spicy, sweet, garlic, onion or barbecue sauces are usually available.
You are not allowed to leave Romania until you have tried the famous cabbage rolls with minced pork meat and spices (sarmale) and the fried doughnuts filled with cherry jam and sour cream (papana?i)!
Local drinks include hundreds of types of beer, world-renowned wine and home-brewed spirits made of plum, pear, apricot, sour cherry and other fruit.
During the months of March, May, June and October, the weather can be unpredictable, with clouds, wind and possibly storms, therefore we recommend that you bring a warm and waterproof jacket and water-resistant shoes. From July to September, it can be very hot, with temperatures rising to 37-39 degrees Celsius (around 100 Fahrenheit), therefore lighter clothing is recommended.
Travel Documents And Visa System