Fairytale Castles and Railways of Translyvania by Air

Fairytale Castles and Railways of Translyvania by Air

Join us on an exciting journey by coach and rail into the heart of Transylvania. Uncover a tumultuous history as we walk through the streets of beautiful medieval cities. Discover a fascinating multi-cultural heritage and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Venture into the wilderness aboard historic steam trains and explore timeless rural landscapes for a gentler glimpse into the ancient Romanian way of life. Surrounded by breathtaking nature, Transylvania’s fairy tale castles lend an aura of legend and mystery to this magical tour.

What's Included:

• Return flights from London to Bucharest with one checked piece of luggage per person
• Airport transfers in Romania
• 10 nights hotel with continental breakfast
• 10 dinners including 1 at Bran Castle and a farewell dinner with entertainment and a glass of wine
• 2 lunches
• Services of an experienced Tour Manager
• Coach transfers for excursions

Day 1: London - Bucharest

Make your own way to London Heathrow airport for your flight to Bucharest. On arrival, we’ll meet our local guide and transfer by coach to our hotel for an overnight stay. This evening’s dinner, including wine, will be served in a local restaurant where you can enjoy traditional entertainment.

Includes Dinner

Day 2: Sibiu & the steam Traiin Musuem

After breakfast we transfer by coach to the town of Calimanesti and board the train for the first of our rail journeys. Sit back and enjoy views of the Olt River and beautiful scenery of the Carparthian mountains as the train heads to Sibiu, one of the largest cities in Transylvania. On arrival we’ll experience some locomotive history at Sibiu’s Steam Train Museum, now home to a collection of retired standard-gauge and narrow gauge steam locomotives and engines. We travel by coach to your hotel where we will stay for two nights

Includes Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3: Sibiu

Founded by German colonists at the end of the 12th-Century, Sibiu is one of the oldest cities in Transylvania. Its Old Town has many famous squares and we’ll enjoy a guided walking tour. This evening, we board our coach and travel to Sibiel where we join the locals for a traditional dinner including homemade wine and brandy.

Includes Breakfast and Dinner

Day 4: Hunyadi Castle, Alba Lulia & Turda

After breakfast, we board our coach and travel to Hunyadi. Once the residence of Hungarian Kings, Hunyadi Castle is often called one the of the ‘Seven Wonders of Romania’. This fairytale castle, with towers, balconies and oriel windows, is a place where legends turn to life. After a fascinating visit, we’ll journey by coach to Alba Lulia and enjoy free time to explore this city steeped in history, with a star-shaped Citadel at its heart. Our next stop is Turda where we visit one of the world’s oldest salt mines. Tonight’s dinner is served in our hotel in Cluj-Napoca.

Includes Breakfast and Dinner

Day 5: Cluj-Napoca, Baia Mare & Sapanta

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Cluj-Napoca was the capital of Transylvania when it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. We travel there by coach and join our guided walking tour, taking in the two main squares. We will see the Catholic Cathedral of St. Michael, the equestrian statue of King Mathias Corvinus, the Orthodox Cathedral and National Theatre. We continue by coach to the famous region of Maramures and enjoy a short panoramic tour of Baia Mare. In the small village of Sapanta we visit the ‘Merry Cemetery’, where the small wooden crosses are painted in bright colours with scenes from the life of the deceased. Tonight, we'll enjoy a traditional dining experience in the village of Vadu Izei, where you’ll also sample homemade brandy.

Includes Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6: Narrow-Gauge Steam Train Ride & the Wooden Churches of Maramures

Today we travel by coach, board a narrow-gauge steam train and journey on the last remaining forestry railway in Europe. The Vaser Valley winds its way through a wilderness passing over bridges and through tunnels along the river. We’ll enjoy a barbecue lunch before visiting the wooden churches of Barsana and Bogdan Voda. Tonight, we stay in Bistrita.

Includes Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Moldovita Monastery, Narrow-Gauge Steam Train Ride & Voronet Monastery

This morning we travel by coach to visit Moldovita Monastery, one of eight painted churches included on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Its external walls, covered with frescos representing complete religious cycles, are a masterpiece inspired by 15th and 16th century Byzantine art. We then enjoy a leisurely ride through gorgeous mountain scenery on the newly restored, narrow-gauge steam train that runs alongside the Moldovita River. After lunch with homemade blueberry brandy, we’ll visit Voronet Monastery. Built at the end of the 15th century in less than 4 months, it is also known as the ‘Sistine Chapel of the East’ for its magnificent fresco ‘The Last Judgement’. We then travel by coach to our hotel for an overnight stay.

Includes Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Targu Mures

Today we travel by coach to one of the most interesting towns in Transylvania, Targu Mures. The baroque-style Apollo Palace, 18th century Old Prefecture building, Teleki Palace and Orthodox Cathedral are just some of the city landmarks we’ll see during our guided tour. After seeing the birthplace of Count Dracula and the Church on the Hill, we’ll board a local train to Brasov. We are then transferred by coach to our hotel.

Includes Breakfast and Dinner

Day 9: Brasov & Bran Castle

This morning we enjoy a walking tour of Brasov, known as the ‘Crown of Transylvania’. We’ll explore the beautiful centre on foot starting in Council Square. See narrow Sforii Street and the impressive Gothic-style Black Church seriously damaged by the great fire of 1689 that destroyed much of the city. We continue to Bran by coach and visit the castle widely known as the setting of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Dinner is served in Bran Castle Tea House. We then transfer by coach back to the hotel.

Includes Breakfast and Dinner

Day 10: Sinaia & Bucharest

Today we are transferred by coach to the train station and travel by rail to the mountain resort of Sinaia, alighting at the Royal Train Station, which is also a stop for the famous Orient Express. We’ll visit this masterpiece of German new Renaissance architecture, undoubtedly one of the most stunning castles in Europe. After time at leisure in Sinaia, we continue by coach to Bucharest for a panoramic tour, showing us the Arch of Triumph and Kisseleff Boulevard. At a local restaurant in the Old Town, we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner with entertainment and a glass of wine.

Includes Breakfast and Dinner

Day 11: Bucharest & Return Home

Return home.

Please note: You don't have to worry about travelling with your luggage throughout the holiday, as our coach will transfer this for you.