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Tours in Transylvania - 11 Days Study Trip

Have fun during the best tours in Transylvania. Choose an unforgettable itinerary and then bring your group of students in the land of Dracula.
This 11-days Study Trip is a complete experience. In addition to the Vlad the Impaler related highlights, you will also visit traditional mountain villages and important historical places.

During our Study Trip, your students will discover all about Dracula - both the real person and the legendary vampire. They will also find out more about our history, culture and traditions.

This study trip includes the best highlights from our tours in Transylvania. Visit Sighisoara Medieval Citadel, a unique fortress, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This is the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the ruler also known as Dracula. Another important highlight included in your itinerary is Bran Castle, famous because of Bram Stoker's novel.

The great thing about a Study Trip is that the extra days allow us to bring you to several amazing non-Dracula related places. Discover traditional villages and talented craftsmen and then learn about our old customs and traditions.

Two special highlights of this tour are Scarisoara Cave - home to the largest underground glacier in Romania - and the Steam Train (or 'Mocanita' in our language) ride across Vaser Valley.


Tours in Transylvania  - 11 days Study Trip Highlights:

Steam Train on Vaser Valley – discover an area devoid by human population.

Snagov Monastery – where, according to the legend, Vlad the Impaler was buried after his assassination.

Targoviste, former capital of Walachia County situated on the right bank of Ialomita River, home of Vlad Tepes old court.

The Medieval Saxon city of Brasov – it was here that Vlad led raids against the Saxon merchants

Bran Castle – also known as Dracula’s Castle, a legendary Transylvanian fortress dating back to 1377.

Sighisoara Medieval Citadel – the best preserved and still inhabited medieval citadel in Eastern Europe with a UNESCO World Heritage status, Vlad the Impaler’s birth place

Poienari Fortress* – Vlad’s old and faithful citadel perched high on a cliff, more than 1,000 stairs to climb.

*Please have in mind that Poienari citadel will be closed until the end of 2023 due to some infrastructure works

Sibiu – one of Romania’s most beautiful medieval cities, the former European capital of Culture in 2007, and the place where Vlad’s son is buried

Romania’s most wonderful caves: Pestera Valea Cetatii Cave ( The Valley of the Citadel cave), Meziad cave, Pestera Ursilor (Bear’s cave), Pestera Scarisoara (Scarisoara’s cave)

Babele and Sphinx – the most popular tourist destination from the country , can be reached by cable car. A lot of walking trails are available.


Tours in Transylvania - Brief itinerary

tours-in-transylvania-11-days-study-trip
Palace of Parliament - Bucharest

Meet our guide at Otopeni Airport. After that, travel to an impressive monastic building located in the middle of a lake - Snagov Monastery, Dracula's (alleged) final resting place. Visit the monastery and then return to Bucharest.

The next day, continue your tours in Transylvania at Vlad the Impaler's old court, Targoviste. Visit the ruins of the old citadel and then travel to Sinaia.
Discover the amazing Peles Palace, the former royal residence. After that, travel to Bran Castle, also known as Dracula's Castle. Visit this impressive landmark and then continue your tour in Brasov.

After dinner, attend 'Dracula's Wedding*', a non-verbal show played by professional actors.

*This event takes place for groups of at least 5 travelers

During your Study Trip, visit impressive places in the vicinity of Bran. Admire the Valley of the Citadel Cave and Rasnov Citadel from outside. After that, discover Bat’s Cave.

On the next day of your holidays in Romania, visit Poienari Citadel*, Dracula’s old fortress. Make sure you’re physically prepared, because you need to climb over 1400 stairs to reach the top. However, the view from above makes the entire effort worth it.

*Please have in mind that Poienari citadel will be closed until the end of 2023 due to some infrastructure works

From here, head for your next objective, Curtea de Arges Monastery.

Continue your tour in Sibiel. Visit the Village Museum and then drive to Sighisoara Medieval Citadel, Dracula’s birthplace. Visit the Clock Tower museum and the Medieval Weapons Collection.

After that, head for Turda, home of the famous Salt Mine. Descend into the mine and visit the old galleries and then accommodate in a 4* Dracula themed hotel. Enjoy a vampire menu for dinner.

Holidays in Romania – Discover Apuseni Mountains

In the next part of your study trip Romania, discover Apuseni Mountains. First of all, visit unique caves such as Bear’s Cave, Meziad Cave or Scarisoara Cave. Accommodate at a local guest house.

The next day begins with a visit at one of the most spectacular caves in Apuseni, Huda lui Papara. 

After that, enjoy a stunning scenery, following the steps of Jonathan Harker (Bram Stoker 's character from Dracula novel) to Bistrita close to Borgo Pass. Accommodate in 4* hotel - Golden Crown

In the morning, drive to Sacel. Meet a traditional wood-craftsman who will teach you how to make the perfect wooden stake. Next, we included an optional visit to the Merry Cemetery.

Unique in the entire world, the cemetery is famous because of the funny epitaphs carved on the wooden crosses. Each cross also depicts the deceased in a cartoon like manner. Return to Sacel and accommodate in a 3* pension.

Your next holidays in Romania destination is Vaser Valley. Enjoy a unique experience, a reminder of past times. You will go on a 50 km travel with a Steam Train (known as Mocanita in Romania). Admire the amazing scenery around you. Take your time and snap some photos, since the train is designed to run at a slow speed. Complete your train ride and then spend the night in Sacel.

After that, head for Cluj-Napoca, where our guide drops you off at your booked hotel or at the airport.

This is an overview of your tour. For more information, please scroll up and then use the product menu to navigate and discover the complete itinerary, inclusions, exclusions and other details.


Book now!

Book this tour now and then enjoy an unforgettable tour in Transylvania, the land of Dracula!

We accept MasterCard and Visa on our on-line secure internet payment form.

  • MasterCard and Visa via fax and phone.
  • We also accept payments via PayPal and bank transfer.

  • At the moment of booking we require an advance deposit in the amount of Euro 145/person. Once the advance deposit is registered with our accounts we issue a Confirmation Letter.
  •  The final payment is due 60 days prior to tour departure. Should the booking be made within 60 days prior to tour departure, entire tour cost is requested at the time of booking.

Departures:

Departure date Price per person
(2 persons to one double room)
Single Supplement Availability
11 day tour. Departure from Bucharest

On request

Price for groups of minimum 15 people

€ 1287 € 289 Free

On request

Price for groups of 10-14 people

€ 1498 € 289 Free

Why to choose a private escorted tour

  • It is more comfortable
  • Flexible
  • Time saving
  • You can decide the pace of the tour
  • Having a tour guide helps you to have a more genuine experience

 

Available for free if:
You don’t have a reflection in the mirror,
You decompose when sunlight strikes you,
You’re over 200 years old,
Can use your wings to fly to Transylvania,
Well, this holiday is free for you! Come join your fellow vampires in Transylvania:-)
Blood treats not included!

Other mentions

  • Once you realize the price of good beer and wine you will probably not want to return to your country.
  • People speak plenty of English in Romania and you will find the locals and the other tourists are friendly and open.
  • No visa is required and you can get green card extension insurance from your insurer to cover Romania.

Transylvania's Undying Legend - 11-Days Study Trip


Media Mentions

• We’re pleased to say that Transylvania Live has recently garnered the attention of several publications and broadcasts
more details here

People were also interested in these tours:

 

Transylvania Live’s tours on national television

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Dracula Tours Highlights:


Advice for Irish tourists traveling to Romania

If you’re travelling to Romania, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has the following travel advice practical tips and useful information.

Get travel and medical insurance

Before travelling, the Department strongly recommends that you obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), available by contacting the Health Service Executive, and that you also obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. You should check any exclusions and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

Security status

Romania remains a safe country to visit. There are internal political tensions and visitors are advised to avoid large crowds and political demonstrations. We advise that all normal precautions be taken.

Summary

Romanians are friendly and welcoming people many of whom will happily converse in English

The majority of visits to Romania are trouble-free.  Serious crimes involving tourists are not particularly common and most of those that do arise are petty and do not involve violence. There is no known threat of terrorism. Nevertheless, visitors to Romania are advised to take normal personal and security precautions, particularly at night.

Irish nationals do not require visas for visits to Romania.

The official currency in Romania is the RON, often called Lei. Obtaining RON prior to travel can be difficult. However, on arrival cash can be withdrawn from ATMs.

Irish visitors to Romania are encouraged to register with the Irish Embassy in Bucharest.

Emergency assistance

The best help is often close at hand so if you have problems, try talking to your local contacts, tour operator representative or hotel management.

You can contact the emergency services in Romania by dialing 112.

Our tips for Safe Travels:

  • Purchase comprehensive travel insurance which covers all your intended activities.
  • Get a European Health Insurance Card
  • Add an alert for your destination within the Travelwise App.
  • Register your details with us so that we can contact you quickly if there’s an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or a family emergency.

Safety and security

Crime

There have been some reports of credit and debit cards being scanned or stolen and used illegally, as happens elsewhere.  Use of ATMs is generally safe but some precautions should be employed, such as only using those in department stores or hotel or airport lobbies.

As would be expected in large urban locations, there are occasional reports of pickpockets and bag snatchers operating in crowded areas. Confidence scams leading to theft of passports or wallets have also been known to arise where thieves claiming to be police approach visitors and ask for ID.  The Romanian police do not generally ask people for documentation without good cause and in the event of any reason for suspicion visitors should offer to go the nearest police station.

Ideally, where they are not expected to be needed, valuables and other items such as spare jewelry, passports, driving licences, credit/debit cards and excess cash should be secured in a hotel safe.

Water

While the water supply in Romania is not known to be contaminated, use of bottled or filtered water is recommended as a safer option.

Wild Animals

Although a decreasing problem, Romania has a significant population of stray dogs.  While these do not usually pose a danger it is strongly recommended to avoid contact with them as they can be agressive and some could be rabid.

The Carpathian Mountains of Romania are famous for their wilderness and beauty but are also home to large populations of bears and wolves.  While they try to avoid humans, it is recommended when visiting remote areas to travel in groups and to take expert advice locally.

Local laws and customs

Visitors are required to carry photo ID in Romania; a photocopy of passport or driver’s licence should suffice for this purpose.

Inappropriate or insensitive behaviour or activity in public is likely to offend others and risks prosecution or even a violent reaction.

Transport

Metro

Bucharest has a good Metro system.  It and other towns and cities are serviced by buses, trams and taxis which are very good value by western European standards.  Romania also has a good network of inter-city trains.  Motorways are not extensive.

Driving

Some Romanians drive erratically and at excessive speeds and vehicles are not always fully roadworthy.  Serious road traffic accidents regularly occur.  Visitors entering Romania by road or driving there should ensure that they have adequate insurance cover.  Insurance companies or brokers should be consulted in advance about this, if necessary.  Drivers in Romania must also be in possession of a driving license and car ownership documentation.

All vehicles must pay a general road toll.  This “Roviniete” ticket can be purchased at border points and at most petrol stations throughout Romania, and should be prominently displayed on the vehicle windscreen.

The traffic police are known to apply on-the-spot penalties for infringements of traffic regulations, including the retention of driving licences for up to three months in very serious cases.

In winter, drivers should ensure that vehicles are prepared for extreme weather conditions, including fitting mandatory winter tyres.

Roads, including primary roads, can be of poor standard, badly lit, pot-holed and with barely visible markings.  Appropriate precautions should be taken, especially at night.

There is zero tolerance for drink-driving and permitted blood/alcohol ratios are below those in Ireland.

In Romania, taxis are relatively inexpensive.  In general it is recommended that taxis are booked using one of the various methods available, rather than hailed on the street.  This is especially the case where vehicles do not have a meter or display fares.  Some visitors have reported incidents of overcharging, especially from airports and major train stations – some taxi drivers will offer a fixed price to the city centre which may appear reasonable but could be significantly in excess of the normal fares in Romania.  Visitors arriving at the airport are advised to decline any taxi offers in the arrivals area but instead to avail of one of the simple-to-use automated taxi ordering services in the arrivals hall.

Health

Travel Insurance

We can’t pay for emergency medical repatriation, repatriation of remains, or for expenses as a result of a personal emergency while you are abroad. If you buy an appropriate travel insurance policy, these costs will be covered, provided you haven’t broken the terms and conditions.

Buying comprehensive travel insurance can save you and your family a lot of money if something goes wrong. It will also ensure that you get the medical attention you need, when you need it. Hospital bills can quickly run into thousands of euro, and a medical evacuation back to Ireland can cost thousands more.

Not all policies are the same, and the cheapest one might be cheap for a reason. Make sure your policy covers all the activities you plan to do on your trip. Insurance Ireland recommend that you purchase a policy that provides a minimum medical cover of €1 million.

Emergency expenses

Your policy should cover:

  • All medical care abroad, including evacuation by air ambulance, or other emergency procedures, and any other costs associated with an unexpected longer stay.
  • Your entire trip, from departure to return. Consider an annual multi-trip policy if you’re making more than one trip in the year.
  • 24-hour emergency service and assistance.
  • Personal liability cover (in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property).
  • Lost and stolen possessions.
  • Cancellation and curtailment.
  • Any extra activities you intend to do that are excluded from standard policies (e.g. water sport activities such as jet skiing or other extreme sports).

Exclusions: You should know most insurance policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents.

European Health Insurance Card 

As an Irish resident you are entitled to get healthcare through the public system in countries of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland if you become ill or injured while on a temporary stay there. Ensure that you get or renew your EHIC (the new name for the E111) before you go, and remember, you need one for every person travelling in your group.

The EHIC is not a substitute for proper travel insurance provided by a reputable insurer. It doesn’t cover medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. Also, some private hospitals may not accept the EHIC, so you should check with the hospital administrator beforehand.

Embassy Contact

In case of a genuine consular emergency while the Embassy is closed, please leave a message with name, location and telephone number at +4021 310 2131 and the Duty Officer will call you back.

Embassy of Ireland
50-52 Buzesti St
3rd Floor, Sector 1
Bucharest
Romania

Tel: +40 21 3102131
Fax: +40 21 3102181

Monday to Friday 09:30 to 12:30; 14:00 to 17:00

https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/romania/

Please check out the tour itinerary below:

Itineraries

Day 1

Bucharest - Snagov Island - Bucharest (81 km, 1h 35 min driving)

Connect with our tour guide at the airport
Highlights : Visit Snagov Monastery , Bucharest city tour by foot
Meals : Welcome dinner
Accommodation : 3* accommodation in vicinity of the old centre of Bucharest

* Snagov Monastery where, according to the legend, Vlad was buried after his assassination. The monastic establishment is located on a small island of Snagov Lake. The architectural style of the monastery follows the architectural pattern that is characteristic to the monasteries on the Holy Mount Athos in Greece . Your first day in Romania ends with a welcome dinner in one of Bucharest ’s top traditional restaurants.

Day 2

Bucharest - Targoviste - Sinaia - Bran - Brasov - Bran (256 km, 5h 23 min driving)

Highlights : The ruins of Vlad Tepes old court, Peles Castle , Bran Castle, the medieval city of Brasov
Meals : Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Special Dinner – medieval menu in a Dracula Themed restaurant, 4* Accommodation : 3* accommodation in Bran
Special Events : Dracula’s Wedding- is a show set on stage by a professional band of actors. This is a non verbal performance. It’s very easy to understand that Dracula did not need words to charm a girl. The first time they met he appeared as a respectable noble, the second meeting revealed his true dark nature… Find out if the story has a happy ending.

*Targoviste, former capital of Walachia County situated on the right bank of Ialomita River, home of Vlad Tepes old court.

* Peles Castle . The edifice was built in 1873 and is an architectural mixture of the German School and neo-renaissance style. The castle has 160 rooms, all of them opulently decorated in leather and wood from the most valuable tree species. Peleş Castle is one of the best preserved and the most beautiful royal residences in Europe.

*Transylvania’s symbol, Bran Castle . The edifice owes its fame both to its unique charm and to the myth Bram Stoker created around Dracula. Documentary evidence of the castle dates back as far as 1377. Close to the castle there is a shrine set in the wall of a mountain which once sheltered the heart of Queen Maria of Romania .

Day 3

Bran (52 km, 1h 12 min driving)

Highlights : Valley of the Citadel cave , Rasnov citadel, from the outside : Bat’s cave, explore Bran area – great walking trails,
Meals : Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Homemade dinner
Accommodation : Pension or Guest house – very good quality accommodation

* Valley of the Citadel cave – one of the most beautiful cave of Europe , you can attend great clarinet concerts
* Rasnov Peasant Citadel - the largest peasant fortification ever built in Eastern Europe
*Bat’s cave – closed to the public, it is an impressive cave with numerous colonies of bats. We can visit just at the entrance

Day 4

Bran - Poienari (126 km, 2h 36 min)

Highlights : Poienari citadel (*Please have in mind that Poienari citadel will be closed until the end of 2023 due to some infrastructure works), Curtea de Arges Monastery
Meals : Breakfast, Packed Lunch, traditional Romanian dinner
Accommodation : 4*hotel- pension Valley with fish – The former holiday house of Nicolae Ceausescu’ s son ( the Romanian dictator ). Your accommodation is located on Transfagarasan road- The most crooked and challenging of Europe's roads, loved by motorcyclists. Built between 1970 and 1974 as a military route, by comunist dictator Ceausescu (after the Soviet invasion of Cehoslovakia in 1968) it snakes up the tallest peaks of the Carpathians.

*Curtea de Arges Monastery. Curtea de Arges, one of the oldest Romanian cities, founded in the 14th century by the Romanian ruler Neagoe Basarab. According to the legend, after building the monastery the mason, Manole was sacrificed by the Romanian Ruler, to make sure that there will be no other monastery built to challenge in beauty the one in Curte de Arges. The monastery is unbelievably beautiful.
*Poienari Citadel - Vlad’s old and faithful fortress. The fortress located close to Fagaras Mountains , on a canyon formed by Arges Rives isperched high on a cliff, in fact a steep precipice. To visit the impressive fortress and admire the unique and breathless view from the top you’ll need to climb over 1400 stairs.

Day 5

Poienari - Sibiu - Sibiel (122 km, 2h 31 min driving)

Highlights : Village Museum , stroll the street of the old village of Sibiel
Meals : Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Homemade dinner
Accommodation : Guesthouse – very good quality accommodation

* Village Museum - the largest open-air museum in Eastern Europe. It is famous all over Europe for its size and especially for all the traditional old houses, built after customs from all regions of the country (Maramures, Moldavia, Valahia, Danube Delta – Dobrogea, Transylvania), each one with its characteristics.

Day 6

Sibiu - Sighisoara - Turda (214 km, 3h 36 min driving)

Highlights : The medieval citadel of Sighisoara – UNESCO World Heritage, The clock tower and Medieval Weapon Collection, Salt mine in Turda - one of the biggest saline in Romania , it has impressive halls named after kings and queens
Meals : Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Vampire menu for dinner
Accommodation : 4* Dracula themed boutique hotel

*Sighisoara Citadel : Stroll around the streets of the old citadel; admire the Clock Tower, concentrating Sighisoara’s history, the beautiful Church on the Hill and the unique Covered Stairs. You can even enjoy lunch in the very house where Vlad the Impaler was born, turned today into a cosy restaurant “Casa Vlad Dracul” Restaurant. Special events: The Ritual of Killing of the Living Dead (performed according to the old burying rituals in Transylvania), this event is meant to reveal who was dwelling the magic realms of Transylvania before Bram Stoker created the vampire legend – the event was recently presented by Travel Channel in the Hunt for Dracula episode as we have assisted them on a documentary based on Transylvania’s darkest legends.

Day 7

Turda - Chiscau - Garda de Sus (Apuseni Moutains) - 271 km, 4h 30 min driving

Highlights : Bear’s Cave, Meziad Cave, Scarisoara’s Cave - it hosts the largest underground glacier in the world
Meals : Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Homemade dinner
Accommodation : Guesthouse - very good quality accommodation

*Bear’s cave : is made out of 4 main galleries: Bones Gallery, Emil Racovita Gallery, Candles Gallery and Scientific Gallery. The access in the Scientific Gallery, located at the end of the Emil Racovita Gallery and accessible through a 30 m pit, is only opened for professional speleologists. In the 3 main galleries of Bears’ Cave accessible to the public, you will be able to discover the remains of the bear cave, through a great number of fossils, which have also given the name of the cave, but also various impressive natural formations, as stalactites and stalagmites, some of which have been given names due to the characteristics they showcase, such as: the Enchanted Castle, the Dwarfs House, the Water Lilly Lake, the Old Men’s Council and so on.
*Meziad Cave : The Meziad Cave is one of the longest caves in Romania, with a length of nearly five kilometres and having more underground levels. Meziad is also one of the first arranged and electrified caves in our country for tourists’ access.

Day 8

Garda de Sus - Bistrita (255 km, 4h 11 min driving)

Highlights : Huda lui Papara Cave- one of the most spectacular caves from Apuseni Mountains

* Today you'll enjoy a stunning scenery, following the steps of Jonathan Harker (Bram Stoker 's character from Dracula novel) to Bistrita close to Borgo Pass.

Meals : Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation : 3* hotel

Day 9

Bistrita - Sacel (73 km, 1h 25 min driving)

Highlights : Woodcraftsman – you can learn in Grigore’s workshop how to make the perfect wooden stake!
Wonderful Optional : Merry Cemetery – find out how a cemetery can be merry

* Merry Cemetery – unique in the world, the Merry Cemetery owes its name to the wood-carved memorial crosses, decorated in vivid colours depicting the deceased in a cartoon like manner, the epitaphs candidly recite biographies of the deceased using limerick-style poetry.

Meals : Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Maramuresean dinner Accommodation : 3* Pension in Sacel

Day 10

Sacel - Viseul de Sus - Sacel (42 km, 53 min driving)

Highlights : Steam Train on Vaser Valley ( Mocanita)
Meals : Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Maramuresean dinner
Accommodation : 3* Pension in Sacel

* 50 km travel with Steam Train on Vaser Valley will be definitely a journey into the past. Maramures county is known not only for it best preserved traditions but also for its stoning natural scenery: narrow, rock lined canyons; the colourful wildlife of the mixed forests. You will emerge into aland devoid of human population, accessible only by railway.

Day 11

Sacel - Cluj-Napoca (147 km, 2h 17 min driving)

Meals : Breakfast, Packed Lunch Accommodation : not included

Tour Leader

Professional English speaking guide


Transportation

All transfers inside the tour by microbus or coach, with private driver, depending on the number of the travelers


Accommodation

10 nights:

2 nights in a 4* Hotel, 3 nights in 3* Hotels, 2 nights in Pensions and 3 nights in guest houses


Meals

10 breakfasts and 10 dinners (1 special dinner: dinner with Vampire menu) and 10 packed lunches


Entry fees to

  • Snagov Monastery
  • The Ruins of Tirgoviste Citadel
  • Bran Castle
  • Black Church
  • Clock Tower, Medieval Weapon Collection and Torture Room in Sighisoara
  • Woodcraftsmen in Sacel
  • The Village Museum in Sibiu
  • Evangelic Church in Sibiu
  • Icons on Glass Museum in Sibiel
  • Ruins of Poienari Citadel
  • Pestera Valea Cetatii Cave (The Valley of the Citadel cave), Meziad cave, Pestera Ursilor (Bear’s cave), Pestera Scarisoara (Scarisoara’s cave)

Special events included

  • The Ritual of Killing of a living Dead*
  • Dracula’s Wedding**

*The Ritual of Killing of The Living Dead takes place for groups of at least 4 travelers.
**Dracula's Wedding takes place for groups of at least 5 travelers.

One place free of charge (single occupancy) for tour conductor.

Not included:
  • plane ticket
  • airport fees
  • photo & video tax
  • other not mentioned.
    Add-on program with Transylvania Live Choose activities you can perform before or after your tour and then visit our partners’ site. Available experiences include: BUCHAREST
  1. Jennifer Knaus – College of New Jersey:

    To see and be in the same places described in Stoker’s “Dracula” was an amazing feeling.
    Even learning about the culture of Romania was very eye opening.
    Stefan was a fantastic guide!
    His knowledge and passion for history truly made travelling around Romania even better than I could have imagined!

Add a review

Reservations are required. We recommend booking early as tours are often sold out well in advance. You can make a reservations on-line. In case of making reservations by phone please call toll-free: 808 101 6781 (UK); 866 376 6183 (US). You can also make reservations by fax - download and complete the booking form and send it by fax to: 0040-364-405641 or by e-mail!

We require an advance deposit in the amount of Euro 145/person. When you make the reservation online you will be required to pay the deposit. You will receive an automatic response with your Holiday Booking Reference. Once the advance deposit is registered with our accounts we proceed with the reservation for the requested services and issue the Confirmation Letter + Paid Invoice (once the amount is registered with our accounts).

The final payment is due 60 days prior departure. ( After the final payment is made we will issue Travel Voucher). Should the booking be made within 60 days prior to tour departure, entire tour cost is requested at the time of booking. To read Transylvania Live’s Terms and Conditions please visit us on line at: http://www.visit-transylvania.co.uk/terms.html .

The client is at all time entitled to cancel the Travel Contract, but must pay Transylvania Live - Expert in Transylvania a cancellation charge as stipulated below: 89 days or more prior to departure 90 EURO per person / per tour cancellation fee; 88–61 days, loss of deposit. 60–31 days will be subject to 50% of tour price; 30 days or less will be subject to 100% of tour price.

Please check with the airline company. Anyway is good to pack light, some of the hotels – historical buildings do not have elevators.

Our tours include the services of English-speaking guides. German, French, Hungarian and Hebrew-speaking guide are also available.

We can design an itinerary at a time that suits you, to your own comfort levels and within your own budget. Please send your request by e-mail or by fax.

Yes, most of our tours operate even if there’s only one person. Due to socialization reasons our special tours for couples require a minimum of five couples.

The tour has a general audience as it targets people interested in history, culture, customs and beliefs. Group size can be between 4-26 people. Transylvania Live is member of the responsible travel network and we are committed to operating a travel policy that is supportive of local economies, cultures and the environment. We operate our tours with small groups in order to minimise the negative impact on the environment and allow our guests to interact more easily with the locals, facilitate the communication with the guide. The average age of group is, most of the time, between 35-45.

We do not provide individual tickets for rail, air, boat or ferry.

A minimum age of 10 years is required on non-family programs, unless otherwise indicated on the individual tour page. A client under 18 years of age and travelling alone during the tour period shall provide Transylvania Live with written consent of his/her guardian. Clients under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. On “for couples” tours a minimum age of 20 years is required.

We only accept VISA and MASTERCARD. Please select only these two types of credit cards for the online payment.

If you pay on-line using our secure internet booking form your credit card can hold any type of currency, the amount of money to be taken will be exchanged in EURO on our expense. We accept USD and EURO for offline credit card payment and wire transfer.

Yes, we do offer discounts provided they travel as a group; Contact us

Yes, depending on the number of your group. Contact us

On-line bookings and payments are processed by Romcard, authorized agent for Mastercard and Visa in Romania and secured by Rapid SSL , the leading secure sockets layer (SSL) Certificate Authority enabling secure e-commerce and communications for Web sites. As a tour operator we are governed by the consumer and financial regulations of Romania and of the European Union. Romania’s legislation compels tour operators to protect tourists in case of insolvency.

Our prices include the online secure payment commissions. However depending on your bank some commissions may occur for international money transfer. Please check with your bank!

In case we’ll have a full house situation at one of the hotels, an accommodation of an equal classification or better will be booked for you. In case of closed roads due to bad weather, working situations or dangerous weather conditions the itinerary could suffer changes.

If you follow our recommendation on How to arrive (heading found for any of our holidays at the Special notes and info section at the end of the tour page. Our guide will expect you with a Transylvania Live sign. In the unfortunate case of a flight being lost or delayed and prevent you in this way from getting to your meting point in good time, please call 0040 723 565 255.

Our tour fares are based on two in one hotel room. For occupancy by one person, the "single supplement" cost specified in each itinerary will be required.

If you travel alone you have to book the tour with a single supplement; if you wish to book a double room which you want to share with another traveller, we’ll do our best to make all arrangements, but in case this is not possible, you’ll have to pay the single supplement; however it is our strongest recommendation to book the tour with a single supplement when travelling alone.

A welcoming country house, not necessarily decorated in a peasant like style; you’ll stay under the same roof with your Romanian host! In most cases dinner and breakfast are included, and rates are based on two guests per room. They offer one bathroom for two rooms; the bathroom can be situated on the hallway. Staying at a “traditional Maramuresean country-inn” or “a typical Hungarian-Sekler country-inn” will prove to be an unique experience.

Yes, also gluten-free, vegan. When you make the reservation of your tour please do not forget to fill in this information at Dietary Restrictions section.

American citizens do not require a visa for Romania (Romania is a member of the European Union so it shares the same legal legislation – a passport is all you need)

To check the list of the countries that require a visa please see the web site page of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at www.mae.ro.

Romanian currency is Lei (written symbol Ron). All the places in Romania trade lei (pronunciation: lay). You can bring some of the local currency from USA or you can change here the amount of money you need (advisable due to the lower exchange rate). Credit cards are accepted in large hotels, restaurants and malls. ATM machines are available at banks, airports and shopping centers all over the country. (except in remote areas or villages). Foreign currencies may be exchanged at banks or authorized exchange offices. International airports and larger hotels also offer currency exchange services. The tour guide is also responsible for helping clients with money exchange; recommend the exchange offices which charge the lowest commission.

Local Costs in a 3* restaurant: Soft Drink: $1.3; Beer: $1.7; Bottle of Wine: $8.7 - $18, 3 course dinner: $13.28 - $18.11. In shops these products can be 50% cheaper.

ATMs are available in all the cities; near by hotels, our guide will come with good advice and recommendations. MasterCard ATM Locater– Search by address and by airport https://www.mastercard.com/atmlocator/index.jsp atm locator Visa ATM Locator– Search by airport, city and country https://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global/jsp/SearchPage.jsp

In Romania electric power in use is of 220 voltages, AC, usually 2 pronged.

Romania enjoys warm summers and cold winters. In summer, cool cottons are best and in the winter a warm jacket or alike is recommended. Autumn is dry and cool, with fields and trees producing beautifully colored foliage. The weather in October-November is very unpredictable, with daytime temperatures between 6°-17° Celsius (42.80 - 62.60 Fahrenheit), and night time temperatures between 3° - 10°Celsius (37.40 - 50 Fahrenheit); but it is very much possible that you will see some snowfall especially in the mountain areas.

Romanian time is EET (Eastern European Time, two hours ahead of GMT, seven hours ahead of New York and ten hours ahead of Los Angeles. Check right now what time is in Bucharest, the capital city of Romania: https://time.is/Bucharest

The dress code in Romania is the same as all over Europe (think France, Germany, UK or Italy). Wearing jeans, t-shirts/sweatshirts and athletic shoes is standard casual in Romanian. Plenty of designers’ shops are to be found in major cities: Bucharest, Cluj, Brasov, Sibiu, where people are a bit too pretentious when it comes to their outfits. Dorobanti Boulevard in Bucharest can easily be compared to Chaps Elysees in Paris when it comes to “fashionists” (costs are similar too). The malls are well supplied with designers’ clothes and with respect to the prices, a great deal of our clients found the Romanian costs to be more acceptable then the ones in US. With regards to the restaurants’ dress code, something casual is sufficient. You can wear whatever you would wear at home. To satisfy dress codes for churches and monasteries, men and women are requested to cover their arms and legs (no shorts above the knees or sleeveless garments).