Romania

Adventures in the Land of Dracula

Price

1,445 EUR

Duration

6 Days

Level

easy-moderate

Date

August 18, 2023

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Overview Itinerary Details What’s Included Get Inspired

6 days

1,445 EUR / 515 KWD / 6,355 AED / 6,545 SAR

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Overview

Romania’s natural beauty, stretching from its mountainous areas to the Danube Delta, is so spectacular that a few days are not enough to explore it. The country has experienced significant economic growth over the past two decades, attracting many businesses and individuals mostly from Europe; still, it remains an unexplored tourist destination, inviting you to be one of those few who venture into its countryside. At the same time, most of the cities maintain their medieval ambience, with ancient fortresses and renowned castles, while the villages, picturesque and serene, keep alive old rituals, stories, and traditions.

In this itinerary, we have combined the charm of Brasov, the cosmopolitan flair of Bucharest and the mystery of the Dracula Castle with a series of exhilarating activities on the Carpathian Mountains that will allow you to delve into the heart of Romania, connecting both with its wilderness and legends. Prepare to be amazed by some of the most pristine corners of Europe and rejoice that you added this unique Balkan country in your traveling bucket list.

Trip Highlights:
Get ready to:

Explore the medieval city of Brasov.
Visit the famous Dracula Castle, listening to folklore tales that have inspired hundreds of books and movies.
Hike through the Bucegi Natural Park and the Piatra Craiului National Park surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains and the lush valleys of the Romanian countryside.
Ride on horseback in the broader Brasov area.
Enjoy an exhilarating paragliding adventure, marveling at the natural beauty of Romania from above.
Explore Bucharest, especially its Parliament Palace (the largest in the world) and the Museum of Senses.

Share this trip:

Activities: cultural interactions, cultural sightseeing, hiking/trekking, horse riding, nature watching, Paragliding

Itinerary Details

Day 1 (18th August 2023): Arrival in Bucharest – Transfer to Brasov – Walking tour in the town (D)

Upon your arrival at the International Airport of Bucharest, you will be welcomed by a Rahhalah representative who will transfer you to Brasov (approx. a 3-hour drive).

Note: There will be only 2 group transfers upon arrival: their respective timings will be announced closer to date. You may choose the most convenient one, depending on your flight details.

Brasov is one of the most visited towns in Romania and for a good reason. Fringed by the peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains, it offers a wealth of historical attractions and beautiful examples of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture, enough to delight any visitor. It was founded in 1211 on an ancient Dacian site by the Teutonic Knights and was inhabited for centuries by the Saxons as one of the seven walled citadels. The town exudes a distinct medieval ambiance and, as such, has featured in many modern films.

Depending on your arrival time there, you will first embark on a walking tour around the old town of Brasov, spending the rest of the day at leisure.

In the evening, the group will re-assemble for a briefing meeting with the guide over dinner.

Accommodation: Belfort Hotel (3-star) or similar.

Day 2 (19th August 2023): Visiting Dracula’s Castle – Hiking in the Bucegi Natural Park (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you will leave Brasov to visit (after a 40-min drive) the most renowned attraction of Romania: Bran Castle, otherwise known as Dracula's Castle. Countless Dracula legends, reinforced by books, movies, and stories, echo in this impressive castle perched on the Carpathian Mountains. A professional guide will take you through the rooms and the estate, highlighting details of the defensive architecture, and recounting some of the local tales that have been kindling for decades the imagination of the world.

You will then head to the Bucegi Natural Park: a protected mountainous area that includes several caves, canyons, ridges, sinkholes, valleys, waterfalls, pastures, and forests, offering shelter to a variety of flora and fauna. You will hike on the northern part of the mountain which is wilder and no so touristic. On the way, you will see the Devil's Mill Waterfall and a local sheep farm where you will stop for a Shepherd's lunch.

At the end of the trail, the car will wait for you to transfer you to a guesthouse in the Bran area where you will settle and enjoy a well-deserved dinner.

Hiking details:
Duration: 5-6 hours.
Difficulty level: Medium.
Altitude difference: uphill 500 m / downhill 500 m.

Accommodation: Guesthouse in Magura Mountain village – Pepino guesthouse or Villa Hermani.

Day 3 (20th August 2023): The beauty of the Piatra Craiului National Park (B, L, D)

Many areas in Romania are famous for their natural beauty; among them, the Piatra Craiului National Park stands out as one of the most enchanting regions the country can offer. You will spend the day there, hiking through snaking trails, crossing the Zarnesti Gorge, and reaching the Curmatura hut at an elevation of 1470 m.

Hiking details:
Duration: 5-6 hours.
Difficulty level: Medium.
Altitude difference: uphill 800 m / downhill 800 m.

Accommodation: Guesthouse in Magura Mountain village – Pepino guesthouse or Villa Hermani.

Day 4 (21st August 2023): Horse-riding and Paragliding adventures (B)

After breakfast, you will head to a valley near the town of Rasnov for a one-hour horse-riding experience (accompanied by an instructor) through the beautiful Romanian countryside.

Then, you will drive for one hour to reach the area of your paragliding adventure (the activity is subject to weather conditions). Paragliding will be done in tandem nearby Brasov, at the foot of Piatra Mare Mountain. You will take a cable car for about 10 minutes, and from the top, with the help of a licensed instructor, you will fly over to the valley, marveling at the beauties of Romania from above.

Accommodation: Belfort Hotel (3-star) or similar.

Day 5 (22nd August 2023): Exploring Bucharest (B)

Finally, this is the day to explore the Romanian capital. After breakfast, you will drive to Bucharest (approx. a 3-hour drive), and upon arrival, you will go on a sightseeing tour, passing by the Parliament Palace and Museum of Senses.

The Parliament Palace has a surface of 365.000 sq.m. and is, according to the Guinness Book of Records, the largest administrative building (for civil use). It is the most massive and most expensive building in the world and will definitely impress you with its size.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, discovering the secrets of Bucharest at your own pace, perhaps even visiting Therme Bucharest: the largest, thermal wellness center in Europe.

Accommodation: Moxa Boutique Hotel (4-star) or similar.

Day 6 (23rd August 2023): Departure from Bucharest (B)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Bucharest International Airport for your flight back home.

Note: There will be only 2 group transfers to the airport: their specific timings will be announced closer to date. You may choose the most convenient one, depending on your departure details.

Notes

This cost is based on Double Occupancy. Single Supplement amounts to 380 EUR.
The cost is based on a group of min 4 people. Rahhalah reserves the right to change the price if the trip runs with fewer participants.
All services stipulated above are subject to availability at the time of booking/reservation. All prices are subject to change.
All accommodation is subject to change to a similar one depending on availability.

The Price Includes:

5 nights’ accommodation as described in the itinerary.
Meals as described in the itinerary (B, L, D).
Two group transfers from the Bucharest airport to Brasov (Day 1) and from the hotel in Bucharest to the airport (on Day 6).
Private transportation/transfers as described in the itinerary.
English-speaking mountain guides (Day 1 to Day 3).
English-speaking tour guide in Bucharest (Day 5).
Horse-riding and paragliding activities.
Entrance fees at Bran Castle, Piatra Craiului National Park, Bucegi Natural Park, the Parliament House and Museum of Senses (the standard tour).

The Price Excludes:

International airfare.
Airport taxes.
Visa fees.
Covid PCR Test and quarantine expenses, if needed.
Travel insurance.
Meals not included above.
Beverages.
Additional/optional activities.
Single Supplement cost.
Personal expenses.
Tips.

Important: The itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, road challenges or operating conditions. At any moment, the guide has the RIGHT to change the program for the safety and convenience of the travelers.

Also, the trip's price does not cover expenses that may occur due to conditions beyond Rahhalah's control (force
majeure). Such cases include but are not limited to extreme weather conditions, flight cancellations or delays, and natural phenomena (earthquakes, volcano eruptions, hurricanes, etc.). We, the Rahhalah team, both in our HQ and on the ground, will do our best to assist you with alternative arrangements (like new accommodation and/or transportation arrangements, revised itinerary and activities etc.), but ALL NEW COSTS incurred because of force majeure are to be covered by the traveler.

We strongly recommend that, before your departure, you purchase travel insurance that covers trip cancellation costs, loss of baggage or personal items, medical emergencies, and other unexpected circumstances that cannot be controlled by Rahhalah or any traveler