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Draculas’ castles tour

6 Days
  • Private minibus
  • 3 and 4 Stars Hotels
  • Bucharest
  • All year round
  • Sightseeing
  • All meals
  • English,
  • Easy to Moderate
  • 2-6

Overview

Step into the fascinating world of Prince Vlad Dracula on our exciting Dracula tours! Forget what you know about the fictional Dracula and discover the truth about the man who ruled for just 6 years but still leaves a lasting impression 600 years later.

Get ready to explore the dramatic life of a true war genius and learn about how he defeated one of the strongest armies of his time through fear and terror. Our tours promise to provide a fresh and captivating look at the life of Prince Vlad Dracula, making it a journey you won’t forget. So, come join us and uncover the untold stories of this legendary figure!

Highlights

  • Poenari Castle - the real castle of Dracula
  • Snagov monastery - Dracula's grave
  • Bran Castle

Itinerary

If you arrive on DAY 1 of the tour we can pick you up from Bucharest Airport.
Explore Bucharest – the city became the capital of Wallachia during the reign of Vlad the Impaler, AKA Dracula

Visit the ruins of the Old Court of Bucharest – the real residence of our famous prince – Vlad Dracula

Dinner in the historic center of Bucharest

Overnight in 4**** Hotel in Bucharest.

As proof that Dracula’s spirit still lives in Romania, we will visit the Parliament Palace – a megalomaniac’s work of art. This is the second largest building in the world erected by the Communist leader Ceausescu

Drive to Targoviste, the royal court of Wallachia, until 1459 when Dracula decided to set his royal court in Bucharest. The noblemen of Targoviste supported a different prince on the country's throne, therefore, being hostile to Dracula. This was punished by the newly crowned prince Dracula. All his opponents from Targoviste were arrested on Easter day of 1457 and forced to work as slaves on the construction of the Poenari Fortress – the one we will see on day 3 of the tour.

Spend the night in the little town of Curtea de Arges a few minutes away from the most spectacular castle of Dracula – Poenari

Visit the ruins of Poienari Castle – perched high on a rugged crag over the Arges river gorge. The 1480 stairs lead us to Dracula’s “vulture nest” fortress.

In 1462 Prince Vlad was besieged here by the Turks. He sent to the village of Arefu across the hill for help but his wife, fearful of capture, threw herself into the river far below.

The villagers came at night and smuggled the Prince across the high Carpathian Mountains to Transylvania's safety. In return, he gave them 16 mountains as pastureland, a reward they still remember, more than 500 years later!

Transfagarasan Highway – on our way to Sibiu we will make a 1.5 hours detour on the most spectacular road in Romania, the Transfagarasan highway. The breathtaking road was built in the ’80s by the communists, using over 4000 tons of dynamite in just 4 years. (please note that the road is only open from July to October)

In the evening we arrive in Sighisoara a magnificent living medieval fortress, UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is where Vlad Dracul (the father) lived in exile when his son Vlad Dracula was born.

Dinner at Dracula’s House The very house where the prince was born still exists, and we will have the chance to dine there

We spend the night in the old citadel of Sighisoara in a 400 years old hotel, across the street from Dracula’s birth house.

Explore Sighisoara, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe
Vlad Dracul – the father – was appointed governor of Transylvania in 1452 and he based himself in the prosperous citadel of Sighisoara. The princely family is lodged in a large house next to the Clock Tower, and a fresco depicting Vlad Dracul and Sighisoara's major at the time is still visible in the main saloon of the house.
This is where our hero, Vlad, is born.
You will walk the tiny cobbled streets of Sighisoara. Discover the stories of the 9 towers that still guard the old Sighisoara.
Don’t miss the superb panorama from the Clock Tower and the quaint little shops and cafes hidden in centuries-old houses
The next stop is the impressive Rasnov Fortress. Erected on a commanding hilltop, 700 years ago, by the Teutonic Knights, the fortress was featured among the 10 snow castles in the world by the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler
Overnight in Bran, in a picturesque location.

Visit Bran Castle (1377), the Castle where Bram Stoker placed Count Dracula in his novel – a castle in a pass in the Carpathian Mountains. Legends say that Dracula was imprisoned in this castle after being captured by the Hungarians in 1462. Nevertheless, Bran Castle was a strategic point in that era, and Dracula might have passed many times through the castle, but for sure, it was never his castle.

Brasov a medieval town. As a young fugitive prince, Dracula spent several years in Brasov, an important community whose support was crucial to his return to the throne of the neighboring country, Wallachia (at that time Wallachia and Transylvania were separate countries)

We will explore the main landmarks of Brasov: the impressive Black Church, the narrowest street ever “Rope Street”, the superb Council Square, and the fairy tale Ecaterina Gate. Outside of the city walls, we get to the Black Tower for an amazing view over the old Brasov.

Return to the hotel in Bran.

Snagov Monastery – in 1476 Price Vlad Dracula was killed near Bucharest. The Monks of Snagov Monastery recovered his headless body and buried it inside their church on the little island of Snagov.

Dracula was controversial even after his death. His death is still an enigma, where some sources indicate he was assassinated by the Turks, while others claim that Dracula was killed in a “friendly fire” (complicated story, but you will learn it on the tour)

The tour ends in Bucharest at about 2 PM

End of services

Cost

The Cost Includes

  • Accommodation - 5 nights in hotels (3*** and 4 ****)
  • Meals - All Breakfasts | All Lunches | All Dinners
  • Entrance fees - All entrance fees to all the castles and
  • museums from the itinerary
  • Transport - All transportation with private air-conditioned minibus
  • English Guidance - English-speaking guide will assist you
  • throughout the entire tour

The Cost Excludes

  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Airfares

FAQs

How fit do I need to be to do this trek?

Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.

How long do we walk every day when doing Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.

What is the highest altitude reached in this trek?

The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.

What about battery charging and hot shower facilities?

Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.

Are there ATMs on the way to Annapurna Base Camp?

No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.

What about internet access?

Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.

Is it necessary to hire Guides/trekking agency for Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.

It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Draculas’ castles tour
From $990
/ Adult
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  • Professional Local Guide