The Prahova Valley

Wake up early and enjoy your first Romanian breakfast! We do have an early departure at 8 AM for we need to fit in a spectacular day of castles, castles, and more castles! 

 Stories of death at the monastery are plentiful. After the siege on Chiajna Monastery by the Turks, the building was to be shifted into a new purpose. It was eventually used to house individuals who had fallen sick to the bubonic plague. Sadly, suffering here was profuse and many died of their illnesses within the old church 

Our well-equipped transportation will take us to our first stop the famous Snagov Monastery.   Built in 1364, it is currently located on a tiny island in a lake, just outside of Bucharest. The Romanian ruler, Vlad the Impaler, added thick defending walls and a dungeon. There is a plaque on the floor inside the church which marks the grave with the presumed remains of the world-known count.  

Our visit to Iulia Hasdeu Museum in Campina was canceled due to the location's current unavailability to the public. 

We will head to the fairytale Peles Castle in Sinaia, the royal palace built in Neo-Renaissance style, discreetly nestled in the mountains. This summer residence was built for the first king of modern Romania and is boasting impressive interiors, being also the world's first castle fully powered by electricity. 

You’ve earned your rest, and we will stay in the beautiful Hotel Palace Sinaia, a place built in 1911 in just eight months around the same time as Peles Castle. 

PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries are subject to slight change depending on availability or weather & travel conditions. 

Bran Castle

World Vampire Day has arrived and you will be one of very few to be treated as the Supernatural Explorers as you are.

Before we do this, we will visit the imposing Cantacuzino Castle.  This castle has made a famous list of Romania's most haunted after several visitors have reported spectral appearances in the photos taken at the location. The family that owned the building has a very tumultuous history, with many family members that died under unexplained circumstances and we will have the chance to dive deeper into their stories.  

After we awe at how modern kings and queens used to live, we get a different feeling when we arrive at the Bran Castle.   With a rich and controversial history, we try to debunk the real mystery behind the fortress commonly known as “Dracula’s Castle”.  Prepare for the ultimate vampiric celebration of a lifetime!  

If survived, we rest for the night at the Casa din Bran. This is a wonderful inn with authentic local decorations, located very close to the castle.  

PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries are subject to slight change depending on availability or weather & travel conditions. 

Walking tour of Brasov

If we survive Bran, our reward is taking a short drive to splendid Brasov!  We will explore this magnificent city by strolling through more than 800 years of living history!  Soak in the legends of Brasov, which served as a former trading outpost located right in the middle of the mountains.

We walk through the narrowest street in Eastern Europe and visit the Black Church – an important turning point in religious affairs during medieval times. Afterward, we discover the Catacombs of the city said to be haunted by ghosts of German prisoners from WWII.

After lunch, visit the recently restored Lutheran fortified church in Prejmer, first built by the Teutonic Knights and today part of the UNESCO heritage list. 

For tonight's accommodations, we will be staying at the Drachenhaus, which means "Dragon's House" in German, This historical building is located very close to the city center and offers amazing morning views of the mountain Tampa. 

PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries are subject to slight change depending on availability or weather & travel conditions. 

Sighisoara

Today, this day will be divine, for all we will see are monasteries and churches, all with incredible spectral stories! 

First, we head north with our first stop at the famous mystical Sinca Veche Cave Monastery. Thought to be over 7,000 years old, these spiritual caves are steeped in mystery, with natural chapels within them.  The mysterious cave on the outskirts of the Romanian village of Sinca Veche goes by many names. “The Sinca Veche Temple Cave,” “The Monastery,” “The Temple of Destiny”. No matter what you call it, the origins and purpose of this underground chapel are simply enigmatic. Visitors can explore the mysterious church at their leisure and try and solve the mystery for themselves. 

We will then take on a delightful walking tour of Sighisoara Medieval Citadel, one of the most beautifully preserved inhabited citadels in the world! This UNESCO gem is home to medieval buildings, hidden chambers, burgher houses, towers, and ornate churches full of myths and legends. It is here that Vlad the Impaler was born, who served as inspiration for one of the biggest legends in international folklore, Count Dracula. We will walk around the cobbled streets and find out more about this medieval town which is one of the few left intact in Europe! 

Tonight, we will rest at the Saxon guesthouse right in the heart of his medieval citadel. 

PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries are subject to slight change depending on availability or weather & travel conditions. 

Cluj-Napoca

Dare we go further into the belly of Romania’s mysteries? We will start the day with a walking tour of the ancient city of Cluj-Napoca, which stirs the envy of Bucharest as the capital of Transylvania. We will stroll by iconic landmarks such as the Banffy Palace or St Michael's church, the baroque architecture will take you on a travel back in time. We will also visit some of the haunted locations of the Old Town of which only some of the locals know their true stories. 

We then proceed to Banffy Castle, considered one of the most haunted locations in Romania. Most don't know of its dark secrets, only celebrated with its popular annual music festival.  Little do the music enthusiasts know the stories that locals tell us.  Known for its terrifying disembodied screams that come from the building, it is said they belong to the German soldiers that at one time transformed this abandoned building into an improvised hospital for the wounded. 

Prepare for a most captivating experience, an evening walk into the Hoia Baciu Forest, also known as the Bermuda Triangle of Romania.  Named after a shepherd who went missing in the forest with a flock of 200 sheep, Hoia Baciu came to international attention in 1968 when Emil Barnea, a military technician, photographed what he claimed was a UFO hovering over The Clearing, which got the Communist regime paranoid over it.       

Today, it is declared that it is one of the most haunted forests in the world, second only to Japan's Suicide Forest. Visitors report strange symptoms – nausea, anxiety, the feeling of being watched – and the failure of electronic devices. “Ectoplasms” are routinely seen by joggers brave enough to enter. We will try to separate facts from fiction during our walk with a local guide who specialized in both physics and psychology.

We will end the day with a restful overnight at the Vila Siago. Located in the city center, this cozy and chic villa offers all the comfort necessary for a good night's sleep after a long walk. 

PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries are subject to slight change depending on availability or weather & travel conditions. 

Corvin's Castle

After a refreshing night of sleep, we will then start our morning visiting the Turda Salt Mine.  This is a stunning example of a salt mine and exploitation going on since Roman times. Voted in "25 of the most beautiful, hidden tourist attractions in the world" by Business Insider, today it has been turned into a beautiful recreation center where a few hours spent there will make you feel energized and healthier than when you arrived! 

We will then take a walking tour of Alba Iulia Citadel, which depicts 2000 years of history, from ancient Roman times up to Romania’s Union Day (hence the name similarity). People consider it the spiritual capital of the country with numerous historical events that have taken place here.

Prepare for the magnificent Corvin's Castle,  where we will discover the stories behind the tombstones of the builders of Corvin's Castle, located in the Roman-Catholic church located inside the citadel.   Also known as the Hunyad Castle, it is the largest medieval castle in Romania. Built over six centuries ago in the Renaissance-Gothic style, many consider it one of the most beautiful in Europe. 

There are many legends linked to this place, one of them is the place where Vlad the Impaler was held prisoner by the Hungarians, leaving behind his phantom that lurks within its dungeon.

Tonight we will take in a night's rest at the Villa Corviniana.  Situated along the Cerna River, this relaxed art nouveau-style guesthouse is a 5-minute walk from Corvin Castle, while bringing back the charm of the old days. 

 PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries are subject to slight change depending on availability or weather & travel conditions. 

Sibiu 

It’s time for our long journey home through spectacular mountain regions, Our first stop will take in a walking tour of Sibiu.  Sibiu is one of the most important cultural centers in the country, being named the European Capital of Culture in 2007, Europe’s 8th most idyllic place to live in by Forbes, and the European Gastronomy Capital in 2019. It was formerly the center of Transylvanian Saxons and has a rich history as a major trading center. We take a walking tour of the town’s many squares to observe its unique architecture (the buildings have eyes!), different churches and medieval walls, towers, and bastions. 

We will then explore one of the most beautiful churches in Romania, Arges Monastery, home to the tombstones of the former royal family. This church has a very interesting legend at its foundation, the story of Manole, that had to put his alive wife within the walls of the church while building it. 

Due to current restoration efforts, the Poenari Fortress is closed to the public and therefore not available on our tour. 

As an alternative, we will take a boat ride on Vidraru Lake, the largest artificial lake in Romania. Created in 1965, it lies in the shadow of the  Făgăraș Mountains. It is said, a village lies submerged at its bottom.  It is enclosed by the Vidraru Dam (on the Arges River), cited to be "One of 25 most beautiful Places to Visit in Romania".

Tonight we stay at La Cetate Guesthouse. 

We will  check in at the Cetate Guesthouse.  Flanked by forest along the National Road, this rustic, unassuming inn has a view of the Poenari Fortress, a ruined 13th-century stronghold noted for its connection to Vlad the Impaler. 

PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries are subject to slight change depending on availability or weather & travel conditions.  

Return to Bucharest

This day will capture all that has been experienced and challenge our core. Our first stop is Comana Monastery, a sanctuary founded by Vlad Tepes in 1461.  This place is considered the final resting place of Vlad the Impaler because a body without a head was found on its premises with many historians making the connection with Vlad's final battle when he was beheaded. Visit also the memorial for the soldiers that died in Comana in the First and Second World War. 

We will proceed to the Chiajna Monastery.  Built in the late 1700s, it was doomed never to fulfill its purpose. Before the church could be adequately consecrated it was attacked by the Turks. They had been monitoring the construction of the church for some time and had mistaken it for a fortress. This was the first dark event in a sequence of many, which would lead locals to believe that the church was cursed. 

Do not keep still. For we will then take you to the experience of a lifetime when we help each other reach the Pădurea Boldu Crețuleasca (Witches' Pond). This will be a special celebratory ritual, one which you will never forget!  The inconspicuous Witches Pond has a fierce reputation well known amongst Romanian locals. It is not a popular site for them to visit and many believe that the pond’s water is cursed.

Though many are wary of the pond’s alleged powers, others are drawn to the area. 

The Witches Pond is named for the many witches who gather in the area. It has become a very popular place for Romanian witches as well as others from all over the world who have made the pilgrimage to visit the powerful pond. The pond is rumored to contain great energy that causes any spell to be cast near it to cast successfully. This is why the site is popular amongst the Wiccan and why it is visited on sacred celebration days.

We will return to the Cismigiu Hotel in Bucharest.  After you get cozy, we invite you for an orientation dinner in one of the symbol-restaurants of Bucharest, designed in a neo-gothic and art-nouveau style more than a century ago. Here you'll get introduced to Romanian cuisine while we'll go over your travel plans, helping you with anything else you might need. 

 
PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries are subject to slight change depending on availability or weather & travel conditions.  

Our Departure 

Today we'll transfer you from the hotel to the airport or show you more around the city if you have a late flight. 

Together, we will bid farewell to Romania, a land we will keep treasured in our hearts forever. As they say in this magical land, "Toate cele frumoase, poartă și ponoase." (English translation: "All that is fair must fade.")