On the foot steps of Dracula

 

The idea of Dracula, and of vampires in general derives from many films and a few books. You may be well informed, but naturally, there are likely to be many unanswered questions on the subject. For example: Why did the Irish novelist Bram Stoker baptise his vampire-count with the name of a 15th Century Romanian prince? Who was this man? What was he like? How much did Bram Stoker really know about him? You will have the opportunity to discover where the legend of Dracula comes from and follow the Prince's footsteps through Transylvania and Valachia.

Vlad Tepes was the son of Vlad Dracul, one of the most important landlords of Valachia. On the first two monetary coins, Vlad used his emblem; the dragon, therefore, the Romanians whose word 'stock' is mainly Latin, nicknamed him Dracul - Dracula (from Latin Draco - onis). In Romanian, "Drac" means Devil, which confused things even more. This nickname turned into surname for his descendants, Vlad, his son being known as such. Vlad Tepes ruled Valachia from 1456 to 1562 and nowadays he is known also as Prince Dracula.

Therefore, this tour of the most important places related to Vlad the Impaler, best known under the name of Count Dracula, is not meant to be a scary horror tour, but a pleasant, enjoyable walk through the history of Romania.

During this trip we'll also focus on the monuments and historical places that were mostly connected with Vlad the Impaler, but also other cultural monuments of the country. We'll walk through the medieval towns of Brasov, Sibiu, Sighisoara and Cluj -Napoca. We'll visit the castles of Bran and Rupea, the Royal Palace of Peles, Poienari Castle ruins and many more! Those who have enough courage can taste some adrenaline paragliding or climbing rocks!

  

Day 1: Arrival in Cluj-Napoca

            City tour of Cluj-Napoca

            Accomodation and dinner in Cluj-Napoca

Day 2: Visit the Salt Mine in Turda

            Visit Biertan, one of the many fortified churches in the nearby Saxon villages

            City tour of Sighişoara, the only medieval citadel inhabited today, designated a

            World Heritage Site by UNESCO

            Optional dinner in "Dracula House" restaurant; Vlad the Impaler was born in this

             house in 1430

            Accommodation and dinner in Sighişoara

Day 3: Departure to Braşov

            City tour of Braşov

            Visit Harman and Prejmer fortified churches

            Visit Peles Royal Castle situated in Sinaia in a beautiful landscape

            Overnight in Sinaia or Braşov

Day 4:  Visit Bran Castle, the most famous " Dracula Castle”

             Visit Curtea de Arges Monastery, where the Mason Manole entombed his beloved

             wife into the monastery walls to make the construction last forever

             Departure to Poienari - the ruins of historical Dracula Castle, on the top of a hill,

             1450 steps to climb, climbing is optional

             Overnight in Sibiu

Day 5:  City tour of Sibiu enchanting medieval city mentioned for the first time in

             documents dating 1192

             Optional paragliding in Uroi in Metaliferi Mountains

             Visit Alba-Iulia Citadel, the Cathedral and the Union Museum

             Overnight in Cluj-Napoca

Day 6:  Visit Cheile Turzii gorge, optional climbing rocks or paragliding

             Visit Rîmetea village, optional paragliding or climbing

             Launch in the Rîmetea village

             Overnight in Cluj-Napoca

Day 7:  Transfer to the airport for your flight home

 

Note: The programs are flexible according to your time of departure, the weather conditions and nevertheless, your own suggestions. You are doing the extreme sports on your own responsibility.