Cozia Monastery

We meet at your hotel in Bucharest or at the airport and start our 3-day tour by car, through the scenic Olt River’s Valley. Our first stop is Cozia Monastery founded in 1388 by Mircea the Elder – a brave middle ages Wallachian Prince, and grandfather of the most notorious Vlad the Impaler.

Sibiu

After a quick lunch and a short rest, we have a guided tour of the old city of Sibiu. A great sight over Sibiu rewards our effort of climbing the medieval stairs of the Council Tower. We stroll the old streets of Sibiu and it’s most important plazas: the Grand Square, the Small Square, and the Albert Huet Square (the oldest square, dating from 12-th century). We also pay a visit to the Orthodox Cathedral (discovering the similarities with the Saint Sofia’s Basilica of Constantinople) and to the impressive Evangelical Church.

Biertan Fortified Church

From Sibiu we head towards the medieval city of Sighisoara through the Hartibaciu Valley road, crossing old Saxon villages and passing through deep forests. Our first stop is at Biertan fortified Church – a UNESCO World Heritage monument. Biertan village was for centuries the seat of the Lutheran bishopric and that is why the local church is protected by so impressive fortifications. Built from 1486 to 1524, Biertan church has impressive defense walls, a beautiful nave ceiling, a collection of tombstones of former bishops and notabilities.

Centrul Istoric Sighisoara

The medieval citadel of Sighisoara – UNESCO site – is close to Biertan. It takes about two hours to visit the citadel: the Clock Tower of Sighisoara, the Church on the Hill, the Stairs, the fortifications and their towers. Sighisoara was also the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler – the grandson of Mircea the Elder (the founder of the Cozia Monastery we visited the day before). After our lunch in Sighisoara, we leave for Brasov.

Saxon Church

In our way from Sighisoara to Brasov we gaze at Saschiz fortified church - UNESCO World Heritage monument - built at the end of XVth century with a tower reminding us the Clock Tower of Sighisoara we have just seen.

Cetatea Rupea

In our way from Sighisoara to Brasov, after Saschiz fortified church, we also catch sight of the Rupea fortress, one of the oldest fortifications in Romania (built over preexisting Roman and Dacian fortresses).

Brasov Historical Center

With a strong industry during the past century, Brasov was a magnet for people from all around the country and has become one of the most vibrant Romanian cities. This booming city has been developed around the initial fortress established in 1211 by the Teutonic Knights and later on, after a quarrel between the knights and the king, by German settlers. Once in Brasov, after the check-in, we visit the impressive Black Church – a 14-th century Gothic monument, the fortifications, bastions and towers of the medieval fortress, the curious Rope Street (maybe the narrowest street in the world).

Rasnov Citadel: Garden and Panoramic View

On our way from Brasov to Bran we admire from afar the Rasnov fortress, built on XIII century, probably during the short ruling of the area around Brasov by the Teutonic Knigths (1211-1225).

Bran Castle

We visit the Bran Castle, built in the 14th century to guard the strategic commercial route between Walachia and Transylvania. ”Built on the corner of a great rock, so that on three sides it was quite impregnable, on the very edge of a terrific precipice”, the Bran Castle was quickly identified as the place of the nefarious actions of Count Dracula.

Peles Castle

Early afternoon we arrive at Sinaia, just in time to visit the Peles Castle, built at the end of 19-th century. This flamboyant castle is in such a stark contrast with the austere character of its founder: the first King of Romania, the sober Carol I of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (1839-1914), of German origins. Fully committed to the modernization of Romania, Carol I ruled for 48 years, ”wearing the crown even while he was sleeping”, as his Queen, Elisabeth, said.