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Giurgiu · Romania
Dracula Beyond the Legend from Giurgiu - 8D/7N
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From $2,356.37 per person
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Project Expedition
The Experience
What your day looks like
Dracula, beyond the legend or the cinematic appeal of a bloodthirsty vampire, reveals real-life characters who had heroic yet nonetheless dramatic destinies. One such character is Vlad Tepes, the medieval Romanian prince whose unparalleled cruelty earned him the name of Dracula. Discover his story on an 8-day tour through Romania, which will take you to some of the places related to the infamous ruler, such as his birthplace (Sighisoara), his castle (Poenari Castle), the place where he was allegedly imprisoned (Corvin Castle), and his final resting place (Snagov Monastery).
Highlights
Why travelers choose this experience
- Visit the legendary Dracula Castle in Transylvania
- Explore iconic heritage and sightseeing landmarks
- Follow a wellorganized daybyday itinerary
- Discover myths, legends, and medieval history
- Experience the mysterious spirit of Transylvania
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Bucharest
City/Town Tour at Palace Of The Parliament. Welcome to "Dracula Tour"! Bucharest City Tour: Breakfast. On the first day of your Dracula tour, our tour guide will pick you up at 09:00 AM from your place for a city tour of Bucharest. Our capital is the place where the cultures of Western and Eastern Europe merge beautifully. Beyond this exotic mix, one can undoubtedly feel the inescapable influence of the communist regime. Your day tour of Bucharest begins with the most distinctive building in the city, dating back to the communist period, the Palace of the Parliament. Also known as the House of the People, the impressive edifice entered the Guinness World Records as the second-largest building in the world after the Pentagon. As you step through imposing marble rooms, your tour guide will share with you the grim details that enabled its construction.
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Bucharest
Sightseeing at Bucharest Old Town. Bucharest's Old Town: Lunch. At your expense. Your day in Bucharest continues with a sightseeing tour of Bucharest's Old Town, which shelters several historical sites, architectural gems, and representative buildings. In the surroundings, you can sightsee Curtea Veche (the Old Court), the first royal court in Bucharest and one of Vlad Tepes's residential places. In the middle of the ruins, you can see the bust of Vlad the Impaler. Dinner: At your expense. Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish.
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Bucharest
Overnight in Bucharest.
Day 2
Târgoviște
Sightseeing at Chindia Tower. Bucharest – Târgoviște Royal Court – Poenari Castle - Transfagarasan Highway: Breakfast: At the hotel The tour from Bucharest continues with a trip to Târgoviște, the former capital of Wallachia. Târgoviște served as a Saxon colony throughout the 13th century, and due to its economic growth, it became a secondary residence for Wallachian princes during the 14th century. The Royal Court was moved from Curtea de Argeș to Târgoviște in 1431, and it was refurbished continuously over the years. The princely court was rather small before Vlad the Impaler restructured it to stand against enemy attacks, later on constructing the Tower of Chindia. In 1395, the city was attacked and set on fire by Bayezid I, and in 1462, the Ottoman invasion was only stopped from reaching the town by Vlad the Impaler's Night Attack. Târgoviște city tour, together with the Princely Church and Chindia Tower, is an introduction to the life and background of Vlad Tepes. Lunch: At your expense
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Bucharest
Local Flavor at Poenari Castle. Poenari Castle: *In the wintertime (November to July), the trip to Poenari Castle and Transfagarasan Highway will be replaced with a visit to Curtea de Arges Monastery and an overnight in Sibiu. Next, you will head to Poenari Fortress, built in the 13th century. It was restored by Vlad the Impaler and became one of his main fortresses. The citadel is located at an altitude of over 800 m, and to reach it, there are more than 1400 steps to climb. Often called Vlad Tepes’s "Eagle's Nest," the fortress has been a strategic point thanks to its location.* Due to renovations, Poienari Fortress is closed and cannot be visited until 2024. Your day concludes with arriving at your accommodation, a hotel located near the Transfagarasan Highway. There you can relax and get ready for a new day of your Dracula Tour. Dinner: At your expense at the hotel.
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Bucharest
Overnight on Transfagarasan.
Day 3
Sibiu
Sightseeing at Fagaras Mountains. Transfagarasan Highway – Sibiu: Breakfast: At the hotel At the beginning of your day, you can admire some stunning landscapes as you travel across the Carpathian Mountains. Transfagarasan Highway goes across Fagaras Mountains, the tallest mountains in Romania, reaching 2042m. From there, spectacular sceneries are visible, and some unique photographs can be taken as there are enchanting landscapes all around.
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Sibiu
Local Flavor at Astra National Museum Complex. Astra Museum: Sibiu is one of the medieval cities where, more than 600 years ago, the story of Dracula started to spread through the noblemen and merchants that inhabited the city. Meanwhile, there, you will visit the Astra Museum, an open-air museum that is home to original Romanian monuments. There, you can take a ride in a traditional wooden carriage as well. The museum is home to more than 300 traditional buildings and thousands of classic household objects, structured in five large sectors. Lunch: At your expense
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Sibiu
City/Town Tour at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Sibiu. Sibiu : Poenari was one of Dracula’s strongest fortresses, but it is also the site of one of his greatest tragedies. In 1462, the Ottoman Turks put Vlad’s brother in charge of a massive army and surrounded the castle. There seemed to be no way out for Vlad the Impaler, not even his wife believed in him, and she threw herself off the tower to her death. But Vlad would not surrender. According to the legend, Vlad disappeared into escape tunnels carved into the side of the mountain and, with the help of the locals, fled to the nearby province, known as Transylvania. After escaping from Poenari Castle, he was arrested in Corvin’s Castle. Transfagarasan road passes through the Southern Carpathians via the tallest mountains in Romania, Fagaras, reaching heights of 2042 meters. This is the perfect opportunity to take some stunning photos of the surrounding area. Lunch Later, we reach the city of Sibiu, where, about 600 years ago, helped by Gutenberg's intervention, the noblemen and merchants spread the history of Dracula. A carriage drive through one of the greatest open-air museums in Europe is the perfect opportunity to see local customs and architecture.
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Sibiu
Overnight in Sibiu.
Day 4
Sibiu
Sightseeing at Corvin Castle. Sibiu – Corvin Castle – Sarmizegetusa Regia – Densus – Deva: Breakfast: At the hotel. The fourth day of your Dracula Tour will begin with visiting one of Dracula's castles in Transylvania, Corvin Castle (or Hunyadi Castle). According to the legend, Vlad the Impaler was imprisoned here for seven years. Corvin Castle is one of the largest medieval castles in Eastern Europe. It displays an impressive Renaissance-Gothic architecture, an inner courtyard, and gorgeous soaring towers and bastions. Vlad the Impaler spent his childhood with the future king of Hungary, Mathias Corvin. Corvin Castle was their home while getting their military education.
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Sibiu
Archaeological Exploration at Sarmizegetusa Regia. Sarmizegetusa Regia: You will then head on to the Orastie Mountains to visit the ruins of Sarmizegetusa Regia, a famous Dacian fortress. Sarmizegetusa Regia was the leading military, religious, and political center of the Dacian Empire 2000 years ago. The fort had residential areas, workshops, and a sacred zone. The sacred zone is one of the most significant Dacian Sanctuaries, its layout being similar to Stonehenge. On the site were discovered seven temples: two round and five rectangular temples, and an andesite altar. However, only the foundations of these monuments have been preserved until today. Lunch: At your expense.
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Sibiu
Local Flavor at Densuș Church. Densus village: The guided tour continues with a trip to Densus village. Once there, you will visit Densus Church, considered one of the oldest churches in Romania. The church is supposedly constructed sometime in the 7th century, and the murals inside date from back in the 15th century, portraying Jesus Christ wearing traditional Romanian clothing. One hypothesis claims that Densus Church was a pagan temple because of the altar that is closer to South than East, the roof that is shaped like a dove, and the lion statues that are united by their tails. Another hypothesis is that the church was built as a mausoleum to the Roman general Longinus Maximus. Dinner: At the hotel at your expense.
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Sibiu
Overnight in Deva
Day 5
Alba Iulia
Sightseeing at Alba Iulia Citadel. Deva – Alba Carolina – Turda Salt Mine – Cluj-Napoca: Breakfast: At the hotel Your day will begin with a guided tour of Alba Iulia, a city situated at the center of Romania. A famous landmark is Alba Carolina Citadel, the largest medieval citadel in Romania, built between 1715 and 1738. The site was previously home to the other two fortifications: the Roman Castle of Legio XIII Gemina and the Bălgrad Medieval Citadel.The medieval fortress was part of a fortification system created by Prince Eugene of Savoy designed to ensure the defenses of the newly conquered provinces of the Habsburg Empire. Alba Carolina Citadel is, therefore, one of the most representative Vauban bastion fortifications in Transylvania. It is one of the Roman Empire's main fortifications in the area as well. Lunch: At your expense
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Turda
Sightseeing at Salina Turda. Turda: The next stop will be at Turda, where you will visit the salt mine that covers an area of almost 45 kilometers. Turda has been used for salt mining for hundreds of years, mentioned for the first time in 1075. Today Turda Salt Mine is a touristic destination being one of the most fascinating underground places in the world. The mine is the perfect location for a fun family trip. Mini-golf, ping pong, bowling, Ferris Wheel rides, boat rides on the underground lake, all these entertainment activities are available at Turda Mine. Dinner: At your expense. Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish.
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Cluj-Napoca
Overnight in Cluj-Napoca
Day 6
Cluj-Napoca
Local Flavor at Biertan Fortified Church. Cluj-Napoca – Biertan church – Sighisoara: Breakfast: At the hotel You will depart from Cluj and head to Biertan Fortified Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is located in a nearby Saxon village. Surrounded by three tall defensive walls, the church dates back from the 13th century and features a late-gothic architecture, representing a stunning medieval masterpiece.
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Sighisoara
Sightseeing at Sighișoara Clock Tower. Sighișoara: The guided tour continues with the medieval citadel of Sighisoara, the only inhabited medieval fortress in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Take a walk along the fortress's winding cobblestone streets lined with historical buildings until you reach the Clock Tower, the symbol of the city. The tower is home to a well preserved medieval weapon museum and a torture chamber. The citadel was built in the 12th century and further fortified in the 15th century. Lunch: At your expense. For those interested in Dracula's birth, Sighisoara medieval citadel is known to be the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. In this small town of Transylvania, in the house of Vlad Dracul, his son Vlad spent the first years of his life. Therefore, you will have time to visit the place where the ruthless Wallachian ruler lived the first years of his life. Dinner: At your expense. Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish.
Continued
Sighisoara
Overnight in Sighisoara
Day 7
Brasov
Sightseeing at Black Tower (Brasov). Sighisoara – Brasov – Bran Castle – Snagov Monastery: Breakfast: At the hotel The first destination for the day is the city of Brasov. Once there, you will take a city tour to discover some of Brasov's numerous attractions. You will go on a walk on one of the narrowest streets in Eastern Europe, Rope Street, explore the Council Square, and delve into the secrets of the gothic style church, the Black Church. The city of Brasov was one of the wealthiest medieval cities in Transylvania and today one of the main touristic sites in Transylvania.
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Bran
Sightseeing at Bran Castle. Bran Castle: The tour continues with visiting the world famous Bran Castle, or Dracula's Castle. It is one of the spookiest medieval castles in Europe - often referred to as the home of Dracula. Bran Castle was built in the 13th century on a 60-meter cliff, guarding the most important access route into Transylvania. Here will find out more about the Romanian royal family, the connection with the Queen Mary, and the new age stories about the castle. You will depart from the Castle of Dracula and head back to the historical region of Wallachia - the land reigned by Vlad the Impaler. If the time allows, will see on the way to the "Dracula castle," another fortress that dominates the surroundings: Rasnov fortress, first dated in medieval documents in 1335. A Hollywood sign marks the hill where the fortress is today, and invite the tourists to a castle tour. Lunch: At your expense.
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Bucharest
Sightseeing at Snagov Monastery. Snagov Monastery: The final stop for the day is Snagov Monastery, located on the small Snagov Island, where Vlad the Impaler is supposedly buried. *The place where Vlad was buried is uncertain, and many stories and legends are hovering around. According to the legend, Vlad the Impaler was not killed by the Otomans, but he was freed by his daughter and brought to Italy. The most widely accepted legend depicts that Vlad the Impaler could not be Christianly buried after his assassination because of the rival aristocratic families. As a consequence, the monks from Snagov Monastery stole his body in secret, to bury him in a proper traditional way. Dinner: At your expense. Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish.
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Bucharest
Overnight in Bucharest.
Day 8
Bucharest
Bucharest – Departure: Breakfast: At the hotel The airport transfer will take place according to the schedule. We hope you had an amazing experience!
Planning Details
Before you go
Included
Professional English-speaking guide Entrance fees for the sights included in the itinerary Accommodation for 7 nights in centrally located hotels Transportation with a modern vehicle Airport pick-up and drop-off
Not Included
Health insurance Airplane tickets Photography fees Meals, other than those included in the itinerary Entrance fees to sights other than those included in the itinerary
What to Bring
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
Restrictions
An adult must accompany children You MUST confirm and obtain any visa requirements prior to border crossing. All visa requirements are the sole responsibility of the traveler. Hotel pickups commence prior to this time
Meeting & Pickup
Pickup in Giurgiu.
Planning Notes
Minimum age: 12 Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business
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