FULL-DAY TOURS, TRANSPORT-BASED
The following tours are designed for tourists accommodated in Brasov.
Pick up & drop off: your Brasov hotel.
TOUR #1: THE TEUTONIC KNIGHTS’ LEGACY: BRAN CASTLE, RASNOV CITADEL, PREJMER FORTIFIED CHURCH
All three places were originally fortresses built by the Teutonic Knights, during their stay in Transylvania between 1211-1225.
The Castle of Bran (Törzburg) was used by Vlad the Impaler during his reigns, and by the Royal Family of Romania as a summer residence between the two World Wars.
The Citadel of Rasnov (Rosenau) was later fortified by the local people as a defensive point against invaders in the area.
The Church in Prejmer (Tartlau) was fortified with high defensive walls which included rooms on four levels for all families in the village. Prejmer fortified church is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
DURATION: 6 hours.
NOTE: PREJMER FORTIFIED CHURCH is closed on Monday.
TOUR #2: THE ROYAL TOUR: SINAIA & BRAN
The tour will introduce you to the history of the Royal Family of Romania between 1866 when young Prince Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen came to the throne of Romania (Wallachia and Moldova) and 1947 when King Michael was forced to abdicate by the communist regime.
Also meet Queen Mary and the people of BRAN who offered her the Castle as a sign of gratitude for her great contribution to WWI and the unification of all Romanian provinces, thus creating Great Romania in 1918.
You will admire the richly ornated Peles Castle in SINAIA, built by Carol I, the first King of Romania, as a summer residence of the Royal Family, and also enjoy the exhibits from the Habsburg Family’s private collections in Bran Castle.
OPTIONAL VISIT: Sinaia Monastery (the Old Church & the New Church)
AVAILABILITY: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
DURATION: 6 hours.
TOUR #3: UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES
The medieval citadel of SIGHISOARA is the only one still inhabited in SE Europe. The two-hour walking tour includes the famous Clock Tower, Vlad the Impaler’s birthplace, the Venetian House, the Schoolchildren’s Wood-Covered Staircase, the Church on the Hill, the Church of the Monastery, the Roman-Catholic Church. Some free time for shopping.
OPTIONAL VISIT: The fortified church of BIERTAN used to be the Lutheran Bishop’s place in Transylvania for about 300 years. Highlights: the poliptic altar, the organ, the door lock of the sacristy, the family prison, the shame stone etc.
DURATION: 6-8 hours.
AVAILABILITY: April-October.
MIND that the Church in Biertan is closed from November to April.
TOUR #4: SIBIU – EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE IN 2007
Sibiu was founded by German colonists in the 12th century and became one of the most flourishing towns in Transylvania, and its capital in the 18th and mid-19th centuries. Nowadays, one of Romania’s most important town, Sibiu was European Capital of Culture in 2007.
SIBIU Walking tour highlights: the Big Square (the Roman Catholic Cathedral, the Brukenthal Palace/Arts Museum, the City Hall, the Blue House, the Council Tower); the Small Square (buildings of former guilds, Museum of Pharmacy, Luxemburg House, the Liers’ Bridge); Huet Square (the Lutheran Cathedral, the German high school, the Passage of Stairs); the Orthodox Cathedral.
OPTIONAL VISIT: BRANCOVEANU MONASTERY at Sambata de Sus, the largest Orthodox monastery in Transylvania.
DURATION: 8 HOURS.
AVAILABILITY: Monday through Sunday, all year round.
TOUR #5: TRANSFAGARASAN ROAD – THE SPECTACULAR ROAD ACROSS THE FAGARAS MOUNTAINS
We’ll drive on one of the most spectacular roads in the world, according to the Top Gear Team in 2009!
The Transfagarasan Road is 150 km long (about 100 miles) and it goes up to over 2000 m altitude (6000 ft). It was built between 1970-1974 as a strategic route crossing the Fagaras Mountains , which are the highest mountains in Romania, 2544 m high (7000 ft).
We’ll stop at Balea Lake for a nice view and enjoy a walk in the beautiful area. Optional lunch.
DURATION: about 8 hours.
AVAILABILITY: mid-July to mid-October.
The Transfagarasan Road is closed between November and June!
NOTE: All these tours can be made separately if you are staying in Brasov, OR CAN BE JOINED AS TWO- to FOUR-DAY TOURS with overnights in Brasov / Sighisoara / Sibiu.
BUCHAREST & BRASOV PRIVATE TOURS 