Bucharest & Enchanting Castles of Transylvania

History, intrigue and legend accompany you on this fascinating tour of Romania's wonderful highlights. Transylvanian castles, medieval villages, forested landscapes and ancient monasteries all have a tale to tell as you take a round trip from its capital, Bucharest. Your sightseeing here takes in Unification Square, the Patriarchal Cathedral and the Arch of Triumph. Next, you'll journey into the historical region of Transylvania to Sibiu, stopping to admire Cozia Monastery en route. After a tour and a visit to the ASTRA Museum, an open-air complex of buildings telling the history of the area, you'll head to the mountain village of Sibiel. Here you'll join a local family for dinner and free-flowing wine and brandy. Next stop is Sighisoara, the medieval citadel where Vlad the Impaler was born. You then continue on to Brasov, stopping at the Saxon village of Viscri on the way. A tour here is sure to take you back in time and after lunch, you'll enjoy a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. One of Transylvania's most popular attractions is your next port of call, Bran Castle, also known as Dracula's Castle. A tour is followed by the chance to take a bicycle ride into the Carpathian Mountains if you're feeling energetic. Before heading back to Bucharest, you'll visit another architectural masterpiece, Peles Castle, and Sinaia Monastery, named after Saint Catherine's Monastery on Egypt's Mount Sinai.

What's Included:

• Just You Tour Manager as your host
• Return flights from Bristol
• 7 nights in 4-star hotels
• 12 meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners including folklore dinner
• Welcome drink
• Overseas transfers & other transportation
• Porterage
• Dedicated Just You representative to greet you al all UK airports
• Audio Guide

Included Excursions:

• Sightseeing tour of Bucharest
• Explore the medieval town of Sibiu
• Dinner in Sibiel with a local family
• Tours of medieval Biertan & Sighisoara, with brandy tasting
• Explore Viscri on foot & by horse-drawn carriage plus walking tour of Brasov
• Bran Castle, also known as Dracula's Castle
• Visits to Peles Castle & Sinaia Monastery

Day 1: UK - Bucharest

After flying to Bucharest, we'll transfer you to your hotel. This evening we'll gather as a group and head into the Old Town. Here, dinner will be served in an atmospheric restaurant housed in an historic building which boasts a carved wooden interior and stained glass windows.

Day 2: Bucharest

This morning we're off on a sightseeing tour of Bucharest, which will introduce all its highlights. We'll start at Unification Square and the 17th century Patriarchal Cathedral, and visit University Square, whose four corners are home to remarkable architectural masterpieces. Admire the Arch of Triumph, which towers to 89 feet, before heading to Revolution Square. It was from here in December 1989 that Communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu would have his final moments in power before he was deposed. We then take a scenic drive into the historical region of Transylvania, in the centre of Romania. Before reaching our new base of Sibiu, we'll stop to admire Cozia Monastery, one of Romania's most important historical treasures.

Day 3: Sibiu

We're going to start our day of exploration with a walking tour of Sibiu, a walled citadel built in the 12th century by German settlers. Highlights include Great Square, Little Square and St Mary's Evangelical Church, a Gothic masterpiece with a huge, towering steeple. We'll also head to the Bridge of lies but be careful, legend has it that the bridge will collapse if anyone on it tells a lie!

After free time to explore at your own pace, we're heading to the ASTRA Museum, an open-air complex of more than 300 historic buildings, watermills and windmills. This afternoon we'll also find out a little more about 'We Help!' – a Just You Cares initiative which helps disadvantaged children.

We'll spend the evening at the idyllic mountain village of Sibiel, where you'll be welcomed in traditional style with a bread and salt greeting ceremony. We'll also meet a family here and enjoy a dinner served with free-flowing local wine and brandy.

Day 4: Biertan & Sighisoara

Today we're heading to Sighisoara, where we stay overnight. Our scenic journey takes us through a beautiful landscape to the medieval village of Biertan. The UNESCO-listed church here is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Transylvania. Perched on a hill, it is encircled by three tiers of defensive walls connected by towers and gates, making it impenetrable to invaders.

We'll arrive in Sighisoara this afternoon. This medieval citadel is where Vlad the Impaler, the supposed inspiration for Bram Stoker's Count Dracula, was born. It's a delightful place to explore, and we'll do so on foot. Highlights include the Church on the Hill and the house where the bloodthirsty 15th century ruler of Wallachia spent the first four years of his life. A great way to end our tour is with a tasting of brandies in one of the town's wine cellars.

Day 5: Viscri & Brasov

The Saxon village of Viscri is our first stop today, and as we stretch our legs here we'll find ourselves stepping back in time. Its peaceful streets are home to traditional Saxon-style houses, and an impressive fortified church keeps watch from a hillside. The surrounding landscape, a patchwork of meadows and oak and beech forests, is also a beautiful sight. It's no wonder HRH the Prince of Wales owns a farm and guesthouse here!

After our walk we'll enjoy lunch with some of the villagers before we are taken on a further tour, but this time it's by horse-drawn carriage.

On arrival in Brasov, our base for two nights, we'll set off on a walking tour. The historic Black Church we'll see is the greatest Gothic church in Transylvania, and inside there is a remarkable collection of carpets from Asia Minor. We'll also be able to peer down Europe's narrowest street, Rope Street, which is little more than the width of one person.

Day 6: Bran Castle

This morning we're heading to the most popular visitor attraction in Transylvania, Bran Castle. Nestled in dense forest and surrounded by legend and mystery, it is also known as Dracula's Castle, and is one of the locations linked to the fictional vampire. Built in the 14th century, the castle actually doubled as an administrative building until it was gifted to Queen Marie of Romania in 1920.

Day 7: Peles Castle & Sinaia Monastery

​Another magnificent castle is in our sights today as we drive to Sinaia. Peles Castle, a masterpiece of German New-Renaissance architecture, is considered by many to be one of the most stunning in Europe. Commissioned by Romania's first monarch, King Carol I in 1873, this was the summer residence of the royal family until 1947. Next we visit the Sinaia Monastery before continuing to Busteni.There's time at leisure in this beautiful alpine resort, located beneath the Carpathian Mountains, before we head back to Bucharest.

Day 8: UK

Why not head into Bucharest for a stroll or some last-minute shopping before we transfer you to the airport for your flight back to the UK. ​