Short Break to Transylvania: History, Food & Traditions

Please check all our proposals for 
PRE / POST RIVER CRUISE TRIPS

We can start this tour from Giurgiu, the port on the Danube River where the river cruise boats are disembarking or from Bucharest, if your cruise package includes a night in this city.
In the morning you’ll meet our tour guide at the established starting point and you’ll start your post cruise tour in Romania.
We will drive on the route towards Transylvania and we’ll pass the beautiful Carpathians mountains via a scenic route – Prahova Valley, which includes charming small mountain towns. We will stop at one of them – Sinaia, to visit the Peles Castle, built at the end of 19th century to be a royal summer residence for the Romanian kings. The visit will impress you with castle collections, wooden carvings, stained glass windows and very modern technologies at the time of construction.
In the afternoon we’ll arrive at Brasov, one of the most important cities from Transylvania, a city with a rich history dating since 13th century. Discover it having a walking tour of the Brasov’s Old Town: Council Square, Black Church, Weaver’s bastion, Rope’s street, Ecaterina’s Gate, medieval wall and towers. Along the walk you can see buildings dating since the medieval time and also more decorative architecture of the imposing houses built or re-decorated in 19th century.
Dinner will be served in a nice Romanian Restaurant from the Old Town. (2 courses meal, plus water, beer or local wine).
Accommodation in a 4 stars hotel in Brasov.
Meals included: dinner

Breakfast. In the morning we’ll go to visit a unique place, the kind of structure which combine the religious and defensive purposes: Prejmer Fortified Church (UNESCO). Find more about these types of defensive systems which can be seen only in Transylvania.
Next we’ll drive to one of the most charming Transylvanian villages – Viscri. The village preserves the authentic architecture of the houses, old way of life, traditions and crafts. It is considered a great sample of the Saxon / German Heritage of Transylvania. Enjoy a walk through the village and visit the Viscri Fortified church (UNESCO).
We’ll have a lunch served in Viscri in one of the local guesthouse with a menu based on local Transylvanian Saxons Cuisine.
We’ll continue heading to Sighisoara. On the route we’ll see from the road the impressive Rupea Fortress, built in 14th century. It is known as a Peasant Fortress, had an important role in the Transylvanian administration due the Middle-Age. Today it impresses with its top hill position and powerful fortified walls.
Next we’ll pass through the Saschiz village, also an UNESCO site hosting two impressive monuments:
The Saschiz Church. Built in 1493 in Gothic style it is one of the nicest old churches from Transylvania. The complex was surrounded by a powerful defensive wall, the perimeter of which is today marked by a fence.The only surviving portion is the northern tower, which was fitted with a prominent spire in 1677
Saschiz Peasant Fortress. Was built in the 14th century and it is also called "the Giants castle" following a local legend.
In the afternoon we’ll arrive at Sighisoara (UNESCO) the best preserved medieval town of Transylvania. The main sights: Clock Tower and History Museum, Birth place of Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler), Covered stairs, Church on the Hill, towers and fortifications. Enjoy a walk on the narrow streets paved with river stones.
Dinner will be served in an iconic building (nowadays a restaurant) in the old town, the birthplace of the famous Vlad Dracula ( 2 courses, water, beer / local wine)
Accommodation in a 3 stars hotel located in the UNESCO town of Sighisoara.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Breakfast. We’ll continue our experience in Transylvania visiting the biggest medieval castle – Corvin’s castle, built in 15th century and a former residence for the Transylvanian Governors.
Next will drive to one of the traditional and pastoral rural areas from Romania known as “Marginimea Sibiului”. It is an area with old mountain villages, used to be inhabited mostly by shepherds and an area which preserves very well the rural way of life, organic farming and excellent food.
We’ll spend the afternoon in Sibiel village. We’ll start with a horse driven wagon trip in the village and its surroundings. It is a way to find more about the locals living and farming. We’ll visit a local household. Next you can join a short cooking class and learn how to prepare a Romanian Traditional dish, “cabbage rolls” or similar. The ones which don’t want to participate can enjoy a time to relax in the garden or having a drink.
Enjoy a tasty home-made dinner in the Romanian style, served in a local guesthouse, a type of agro-tourism developed in the area years ago. The ingredients used are mostly coming from our host garden or from local farmers. If you want, it is our way to support the locals and to have sustainable tourism.
End the day in Sibiu. Accommodation in a 4 stars hotel
(Please note that on your request we can stay overnight in the village in a local guesthouse. This is if you want a better and longer village experience.)
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner

Breakfast. In the morning we’ll go to Sibiu and we’ll have a walking tour of Sibiu's Old Town. Dating since the end of 12th century, Sibiu is one of the largest and most prosperous medieval towns. In the mid 17th century it had the same size as Vienna. Our tour of Sibiu will include the big Square, the Little Square, Towers and fortifications. Transylvania is a multicultural region where several nations and religions have been living together since old times. In Sibiu we will see three important cathedrals belonging to the three most popular Christian nominations in Transylvania: Evangelical - Lutheran Cathedral,  Catholic Cathedral, Orthodox Cathedral.
We’ll continue on the route to Bran castle, also known as Dracula’s castle, it is one of the most famous castles from Europe, built in 14th century to secure the border of Transylvania and to be a custom point.
You can have a time at your leisure to explore the souvenir market and / or to have a quick lunch in the castle area.
Continue to Bucharest, where we’ll arrive in the evening. Drop-off at your hotel
On request we can book a hotel for you and we can add airport transfer the next day.
Meals included: breakfast

We are presenting here just few ideas about how to spend some days in a post cruise extension in Romania. But we can always customize, change our proposal in order to fit your traveling plans, your interests and how you feel comfortable to travel. We have been offering private tours since 2005 so we know how important it is that your vacation to be designed exactly as you want. So please if you have any ideas, requests or questions feel free to tell us and help us to build the perfect trip for you.
Send us your query at office@visittransilvania.ro or click on the book/request button and fill the form.
Our tour designers will reply in the shortest time possible. They are all tour guides also, with a lot of experience In the field” and they will be able to design a route which is possible to be done and be comfortable for you. You’ll avoid the risk of having a tour designed by a person sitting in the office only and probably who has never been to those locations.
Let’s build together your pre / post cruise tour in Romania and let’s leave you to enjoy a great journey and experience of Romania!