Itinerary - Transilvania Express: On the road in the land of Count Dracula

Flights to/from Italy are not included in the package, so you can decide where to leave from, at what time and with the airline you prefer... This is to give you maximum freedom of choice.

Our adventure begins in the capital of Romania: after the entry formalities, we are ready to immerse ourselves in the local culture of Bucharest, choosing between a visit to the imposing Parliament building or immersing ourselves in one of the city's markets to try one of the local specialties .

Then we can continue our tour through one of the streets in the historical center of Lipscani, one of the most frequented neighborhoods by locals. Here our first dinner together awaits us, tasting traditional Romanian food to the rhythm of folk dances!

Our road trip officially begins… we pick up our rental cars and drive north to the first stop on our adventure: Peleș Castle , a majestic royal residence in neo-Renaissance style and considered one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. The castle is located in a secluded area at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains surrounded by high mountains and lush vegetation.

We continue our journey to one of the most iconic places in Transylvania, Bran Castle , better known as Dracula's Castle , is the fictional setting of Bram Stoker's 1897 Dracula novel. Not far from here, the "Libearty" Bear Sanctuary is worth a visit, the largest European park for the rescue and care of the brown bear. Here, over 130 bears have been saved from owners who held them hostage or even used them as a tourist attraction.

Our long day ends in Brasov , a picturesque city with its well-preserved old town, the spectacular Black Church and the majestic Fortress on Tampa Mountain, reachable by cable car, where you can admire the panoramic view of the city.

It's been a long day, but we gather our energy because in these parts the night is alive, they say it's not difficult to meet vampires... so what better location than Brasov to participate in a Halloween Party? Remember, keep the garlic handy ;)

We continue our journey first to the Saxon village of Viscri to visit the fortified church and then to the medieval town of Sighișoara , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its cobbled streets and colorful houses. A visit to the Clock Tower and the birthplace of Count Dracula is a must!

The house is now a museum that tells the story of the historical figure and legend of Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia.

After a lunch break, we get back in our cars to reach a natural spectacle, the Salina Turda, a salt mine transformed into an underground mining park at a depth of 120 meters!

Salina Turda is a unique place that offers a combination of history, nature and recreational attractions. In fact, in the Spa Hall there is a saltwater lake where you can rent rowboats to sail on the lake. In the Dolomite Hall instead there are huge dolomite rocks that create a surreal environment.

Our last day could only be dedicated to Sibiu , probably the most fascinating city in Transylvania. We spend the whole morning visiting its historical center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from the Great Square ( Piata Mare) crowded with people and all kinds of places, to the Brukenthal Museum, which houses an exceptional art collection, up to the Bridge of Lies (Podul Minciunilor), a covered bridge with an interesting history.

In its medieval center with open squares, medieval walls, towers and centuries-old churches you can breathe the history and the centuries-old tradition of this region. This city offers a wide choice of restaurants where you can taste the typical dishes of Transylvania, such as Sarmale, cabbage rolls filled with meat and rice, seasoned with spices and often accompanied by polenta. Let's recharge our batteries before getting back on the road.

After lunch, we set off again towards the capital, Bucharest, but if we have some time left, we could stop to take some pictures of one of the most beautiful panoramic roads in the world, Transfăgărășan! Yes, the name is unpronounceable, but the view of its hairpin bends at over 2,000 meters above sea level is really worth it… look at the pictures to believe it!

*from 01/11 of each year this road is closed to cars until May due to weather issues. The road can be visited all year round via a cable car that takes you to the highest point, Lacul Balea. After so much nature and medieval history, we return to Bucharest...it's time to toast to all the beauties seen in these intense days. Bucharest's nightlife offers many possibilities...based on the energy we have left, we decide what to do for this last night together!

For those who have booked a late return flight (yes, that's a tip!), we could continue exploring Bucharest or head near the airport where one of the largest thermal complexes in Europe is located.

Therme Bucharest has numerous thermal pools, both indoor and outdoor, with hot thermal waters from natural springs as well as a wide selection of saunas, both traditional and steam, where we can relax after many hours of driving. Slides and water attractions, ideal for fun and adrenaline.