Bucharest & Transylvania for New Year

Today we fly from London Heathrow to Bucharest where we’ll meet our local guide and transfer by coach to our hotel in Bucharest for an overnight stay. This evening’s welcome dinner, including wine, will be served in a local restaurant.

This morning, you’ll transfer by coach to the central railway station and take the train to Sinaia, arriving at the Royal Train Station, the same station where the famous Orient Express Train stops.

In Sinaia, one of the finest mountain resorts of Romania, we enjoy a visit to Peles Castle. Considered by many one of the most stunning castles in Europe, the Peles Castle is a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance architecture. Commissioned by King Carol I in 1873, the castle served as the summer residence of the royal family until 1947.

After the visit, we travel to Brasov, known as the Crown of Transylvania. We’ll enjoy a walking tour of Brasov starting at the Council Square, built by the Saxons. You’ll also see one of the narrowest streets in Europe: the Rope Street. Continue to our hotel in Brasov for an overnight stay.

Included Highlights

Peles Castle Brasov

This morning we travel by coach towards Bran, where you will discover Dracula’s Castle. Hidden in the hilly forest of Bran and surrounded by an aura of mystery and legend, the castle was built by the German Saxons in the 14th century and served as customs for many centuries between Transylvania and Wallachia. In 1920, the castle became Royal Residence, offered as a gift by the people of Brasov to Queen Maria of Romania. Now widely known as the setting of Bram Stoker's Dracula, the castle is the most visited place in Transylvania.

We continue to Sighisoara, a small city founded by the Transylvanian Saxons in the 12th century. The medieval fortress, with nine towers, cobbled streets and colourful houses, is still inhabited and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our walking tour begins at the Clock Tower, which is the landmark of Sighisoara. You’ll also see the birthplace of count Dracula and the Church on the Hill.

After the city tour, we transfer to Sibiu, one of the larger cities in Transylvania where we check-in for our two-night stay.

Included Highlights

Sighisoara Bran Castle

Sibiu is one of the oldest cities of Transylvania, founded by the German colonists at the end of the 12th century. We enjoy a walking tour through the Old Town with its famous squares: Grand Square, Small Square and Huet Square, admiring some of the attractions – the Brukenthal Museum, the Town Hall, the Town Hall Tower, the Catholic Church, the Luxemburg House and the Liar’s Bridge. You will also have the opportunity of visiting the Steam Train Museum, which is located next to Sibiu Train Station. Enjoy a piece of locomotive history as you stroll through the tracks, both narrow and wide.

There will be some free time to explore the Sibiu Christmas Market, one of the largest in Romania. In the evening, we travel by coach to Sibiel, a village not far from Sibiu, and enjoy a traditional dinner with the locals including homemade wine and brandy. We return to our hotel in Sibiu.

Included Highlights

Sibiu Christmas Market Sibiu

We transfer by coach to Sibiu Train Station, from where we travel on a scenic route towards the town of Calimanesti. On arrival, we visit the 14th-century Cozia Monastery.

Later, we board the coach and travel towards Bucharest where on arrival we enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour by coach including the Triumphal Arch, the Square of the Victory, the Avenue of the Victory, the Square of Revolution and the Palace of Parliament.

This evening we enjoy a special New Year’s Eve celebration at a historical restaurant with dinner and drinks included.

Included Highlights

Bucharest Cozia Monastery

Happy New Year! Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before we join the coach for a tour of Bucharest including the Cotroceni Palace and the Military Academy. In the afternoon we include a walking tour in the Old City of Bucharest including the Stavropoleos Monastery. We enjoy our last evening meal at the hotel tonight.

Included Highlights

Bucharest

After breakfast, we transfer to Bucharest Airport for our return flight to London Heathrow.