Cluj-Napoca – Transylvania departure

Highlights of this Transylvania holidays

Bran Castle – a must see in a Transylvania holidays, also known as Dracula’s Castle, a legendary Transylvanian fortress dating back to 1377.
Rasnov Peasant Citadel – the largest peasant fortification ever built in Eastern Europe
Brasov City tour – explore the Medieval Saxon city of Brasov with its outstanding medieval atmosphere, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe
Vampire dinner – vampire menu for dinner in a 4* restaurant
Sighisoara Medieval Citadel one of Europe’s most beautiful and still inhabited fortified cities with a UNESCO World Heritage status.
Merry Cemetery – discover in the picturesque and traditional area of Maramures how a cemetery can be merry.
The European Capital of Culture for 2007 – the fortified town of Sibiu containing the largest concentrations of tourist attractions in Romania.
Stay in Dracula’s Castle on Borgo Pass – a hotel built in accordance to Bram Stockers’s imagination on the border between Transylvania and Moldavia



Day by day itinerary:

DAY 1 Friday, Cluj – Turda
Welcome to Romania! Our English speaking guide collects you from Cluj Napoca Airport. A city with an outstanding medieval atmosphere, one of the oldest settlements in Transylvania, dating back prior to the Roman period, Cluj will surely impress you with its beautiful old architecture. To better capture the essence of the area enjoy the local cuisine, a traditional Romanian lunch is strongly recommended. From Cluj drive to Turda, a small town with an intimate atmosphere founded by the Romans under the name Potaissa. Prepare to descend to the heart of one of the biggest salt mines in the country – Turda Salt Mines, with impressive halls named after kings and queens.
Delight yourself with a vampire menu for dinner in a 4* restaurant. Accommodate in a 4* Dracula themed hotel in this Transylvania holidays.
Optional: You’ll then attend the Ritual of Killing of the Living Dead. This live re-enactment is performed according to the old rituals of burying in Transylvania, the event is intended to reveal the fact that Transylvania, and in fact entire Romanian had no knowledge of vampires until Bram Stocker created his famous novel Dracula.

DAY 2 Saturday, Turda – Medias – Sibiu –Sibiel
Morning drive, in this Transylvania holidays, to the charming town of Medias with its beautiful medieval centre where you’ll make the acquaintance of a unique artist, the only one who uses spider web for his paintings. Continue your journey with Sibiu, the European Capital of Cultural for 2007. The fortified town of Sibiu has always been the centre of Romania’s German minority since medieval times and it is one of Romania’s most beautiful cities. It contains the largest concentrations of tourist attractions in Romania.
Visit one of its major highlights, The Village Museum – an outdoor exhibition of peasant settlements from all over the country offering a complete picture on Romania’s rural architecture.
For dinner and accommodation drive to the traditional Saxon city of Sibiel located 20 kilometres away from Sibiu. You’ll enjoy a transfer by horse drawn cart to the country-inn you’ll overnight in. Delight yourself with a delicious traditional home cooked Saxon dinner.

Day 3 Sunday Sibiel – Fagaras -Bran – Brasov
Visit in the morning Transylvania’s symbol, Bran Castle in this Transylvania holidays. Rightfully called Dracula’s Castle, Bran owes its fame both to its unique charm and to the myth Bram Stoker created around Dracula. A former fortress guarding a commercial road, Bran dates back to 1377. In 1920, Queen Mary, the niece of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, turned the castle into a beautiful summer residence. Close to the castle there is a shrine set in the wall of a mountain which once sheltered her heart. A lunch in Bran is a delicious experience. A cheese tasting is strongly recommended as the village is part of the Rucar – Bran corridor renowned for the delicious traditional home made cheese assortments produced here (the ones smoked in pine tree bark are particularly delicious). Drive next to Rasnov to visit The Peasant Citadel. Standing on top of a hill and overlooking an incredible Transylvanian landscape, Rasnov is the best preserved peasant fortification in Transylvania and the largest one in Eastern Europe, first documented in 13 century. In the evening transfer to the medieval Saxon city of Brasov. Accommodate in a 3* hotel. Enjoy the Saxon cuisine in one of Brasov’s top restaurants.

Day 4 Monday, Brasov – Sighisoara

Explore today Brasov, a city with an outstanding medieval atmosphere which has played a vital role in Romania’s history, both old and new. Three quarters of the city is surrounded by mountains, and it is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. Visit, in this Transylvania holidays, the most famous landmark of Brasov, the Black Church, the largest Gothic edifice in southern Europe dating back to 14th century. Initially called St. Virgin Mary the church was renamed after the great fire in 1689 that blackened its walls. It hosts the largest bell in the country as well as a collection of oriental carpets dating from the 15th and the 18th centuries. Transfer next to the medieval citadel of Sighisoara. Founded by Saxons during the 12th century, Sighisoara still stands as one of Europe’s most beautiful and still inhabited fortified cities with UNESCO European heritage site status. Sighisoara is also the place where Vlad the Impaler, known as Dracula, was born. Dinner in Casa Vlad Dracul Restaurant, the very place where Vlad the Impaler was borne, turned today into a cosy restaurant where you’ll taste the delicious Count’s dishes. Accommodate in a 3* hotel located in the heart of the medieval citadel.
Optional: For a unique experience you’re invited to enjoy a helicopter ride over Bran Castle.

Day 5 Tuesday, Sighisora – Bistrita – Borgo Pass
Submerge yourself in the medieval atmosphere by visiting Sighisoara’s main attractions: The Clock Tower – built in 1360 and standing 60 meters tall on top of the citadel’s hill, it hosts a museum and offers a great view over the citadel, The Torture Room, The Medieval Weapon Collection, Covered Stairs, the Church on the Hill.
Drive next to Bistrita Citadel.
Head next for Dracula’s Castle on Borgo Pass, built in accordance to Bram Stoker’s imagination on the border between Transylvania and Moldavia.
To test your courage, visit Dracula’s Coffin in the dungeon of the castle.
Accommodation and dinner at the Dracula castle hotel.

Day 6 Wednesday, Borgo Pass – Sacel – Sighetu Marmatiei – Baia Mare
Explore today the magical traditional land of Maramures, renowned for the art of wood carving in this Transylvania holidays.
Drive to the picturesque village of Sacel and visit the work shop of a renowned woodcraftsman.
For lunch drive to Barsana and enjoy delicious traditional dishes prepared by the nuns of Barsana Nunnery.
One of the highest wood constructions in Europe, the nunnery is located in gorgeous natural setting close to the banks of Iza River. It is considered one of the most beautiful monasteries of Maramures. In the evening transfer to Ieud village, accommodate in traditional guesthouse. The first documentation of the village dates back to 1365. A charming village, proud of its ancient traditions, Ieud is also home of a UNESCO Heritage Site, the Church on the Hill.

Day 7 Thursday, Ieud – Sapanta – Baia Marea – Cluj Napoca
Explore in the morning the merriest cemetery in the world, transfer to Sapanta to visit the renowned Merry Cemetery. It owns its name to the vivid colours of the headboards on which are painted scenes narrating the biography of the deceased. The images are accompanied by lyrical, ironic simple rhyming stanzas. Drive next to Baia Mare, the capital city of Maramures county, located at the foot of Eastern Carpathians, one of the most important urban centres in North Romania. Overnight in Cluj Napoca, accommodate in a 3* hotel.
Day 8 Cluj Napoca
With a lot of memories and surely some regret say good bye to Romania. Transfer to Cluj Napoca Airport for the return flight. End of this Transylvania holidays .

Testimonials I just wanted to let you know that we all enjoyed the trip very much. Our guide, Sorin, was very knowledgable with a great sense of humor, and our driver, Stephan, was very skilled, and also very personable. As I mentioned, all in all, we had a wonderful time and are very happy that we chose Transylvania Live. I will be sure to recommend you to any friends who might ask about Romania. Thank you again for all of your help, and most of all your patience with all of my many questions!!! Multumesc!!!! Damon B. New York, USA

Your guide Sorin Udroiu Over 20 years of experience as a guide recommend Sorin as a perfect travel companion. From cultural, sightseeing tours to private journeys, Sorin has always managed to leave his guests with a unique impression of Romania I enjoy guiding very much; it’s more than a job or hobby, it is a real passion. Romania is a great country with a fascinating history and it’s a great satisfaction for me to see that, at the end of a tour, tourists feel the same! Sorin

Price and Departure

*a minimum of 2 people required


We accept MasterCard and Visa on our on-line secure internet payment form, by fax and by phone. We also accept payments bybank transfer and Western Union.

Price includes:
Accommodation: 1 night in a 4* hotel, 4 nights in 3* hotels and 2 nights in guest houses
Transportation: we welcome our tourists at the airport with a luxury coach to fully enjoy the scenery unfolding before them; we provide refreshments and the driver will stop when requested.
Attention: for a luxury coach a minimum of 19 tourists is required, for smaller groups the transportation is assured by minibus or car – air conditioned, depending on the number of travelers.
Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 dinners (out of which 2 special dinners: a traditional Maramureshan home cooked dinner in Ieud and candle lit dinner in Dracula’s Castle Restaurant in Borgo Pass) and one monastic lunch at the country inn run by the nuns of Barsana Monastery.
Entry fees to: Merry Cemetery, Turda Salt Mines, Woodcraftsman Work Shop in Sacel, Dracula’s castle and Coffin in Borgo Pass, Clock Tower, Medieval Weapon Collection and Torture Room in Sighisoara, the Workshop of the spider web artist, Rasnov Peasant Citadel, Bran Castle, Village Museum.

Not included: plane ticket, airport fees, photo & video taxes and other not mentioned.

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Special notes & info

• Once you realize the price of good beer and wine you will probably not want to return to your country.
• Cluj-Napoca is a well known city for the night life opportunities.
• Plenty of English is spoken and you will find that people are friendly and open to share with you the local culture.
• No visa is required and you can get green card extension insurance from your insurer to cover Romania.

Media Mentions

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

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7 days, escorted Dracula tour, HB, from € 1289 – Bucharest departure – code: RO7.BHADT

A literary Dracula Tour included by Fodor’s Travel Guide in Top 10 Must-Do Adventure, the tour includes the funniest Halloween Party in Sighisoara Citadel, Dracula’s birthplace.

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Halloween in Transylvania with Vlad the Impaler – 3 days Short Break

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Halloween in Transylvania with Vlad the Impaler – 3 days Short Break

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Furthermore, visit Transylvania’s iconic image, Bran Castle and one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe, The Medieval Saxon city of Brasov.
The itinerary is complimented by an excellent selection of medieval 3* hotels.

The Halloween Party includes a delicious traditional Romanian festive dinner washed down with fiery spirits, excellent Romanian wine.

Enjoy a special programme including the Ritual of Killing of the Living Dead, Vampire Hunting, Romanian Folk Show and many dark surprises.
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Transylvania’s Undying legend

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Halloween Party in Transylvania with Vlad the Impaler!

a party and 2 transfers from Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu or Cluj Napoca

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2 Days tour with Halloween Party at Bran Castle

2 days Short break, HB, € 349 – Bucharest departure (tour code TRB.2RoHa)

Enjoy a relaxing break in Transylvania during Halloween ! A 2 days short break including a Halloween Party at Transylvania’s iconic image – Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle.
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1 Day Halloween in Transylvania with Halloween Party at Dracula Castle in Bran

1 Day accommodation and Halloween Party at Bran Castle, starting from € 249 (code TRB.1RoHa)

Enjoy an unforgettable night tour of Bran Castle, meet the Wicked Fairies and get lost in their euphoric dance along with a glass of local red wine. Watch a horror movie projection and feel amazing being part of a great and dynamic Halloween After Party in the grounds of Bran Castle until 4:00 am.

Accommodate in a 3* hotel near Bran Castle. Enjoy a traditional dinner and then explore Bran Castle, Transylvania’s symbol. Experience the edifice’s unique charm and immerse yourselves in the myth Bram Stoker created around Dracula.

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Vintage sidecar Dracula tours from Bucharest

5 hours programme, from €264 / couple

Sightseeing of Bucharest and Dracula’s Tomb from Snagov Island. and an unforgettable evening in a Dracula Restaurant: indulge yourself with a Dracula dinner to find out why it’s worth killing for a meal!

The tours and are designed to show you the beautiful architecture and monuments of the so called “Little Paris”. The sidecar can carry two passengers, one in the sidecar and another riding pillion. We hope you’ll try the sidecar and pillion as they each offer a different perspective.

You will be chauffeured in a sightseeing tour of Bucharest with stops for pictures in the main points of attraction. This is a fabulously fun Dracula Tour from Bucharest viewed from the nostalgia of an original vintage sidecar.

Departures: from Monday to – Friday at 14.00; Saturday – Sunday at 10.30

Press about us

The prestigious Fodor’s Travel guide, placed Halloween in Transylvania with Vlad the Impaler – Dracula Tour in Top Ten Must-Do-Adventures that will make 2007 a year to remember.
read the article

The itinerary of the Vampire in Transylvania – Dracula tour was a major source of inspiration for a documentary that was broadcast-ed on Travel Channel.

Transylvania Live Dracula Tours -The world’s best vampire-spotting locations according to Lonely Planet.
read the article

Testimonials

We had a wonderful time and are very happy that we chose Transylvania Live. I also wanted to let you know that it was really nice to meet the people from Transylvania Live during our party in Turda.

I will be sure to recommend you to any friends who might ask about Romania. Thank you again for all of your help, and most of all your patience with all of my many questions!!! Multumesc!!!!

Damon B, New York, USA

Interested in reading some more opinions on Transylvania Live Holidays?  Click our Tripadvisor page here!

Halloween tours in Transylvania on the national news

Please activate Caption button to see the news with English subtitles.

Halloween Party at Bran Castle:

Advice for British citizens traveling to Romania

According to British government most visits to Romania are trouble-free.

There were no cases of terrorism attacks in Romania but as the country is part of European Union terrorist attacks in Romania can’t be ruled out.

If you need to contact the emergency services in Romania call 112.

If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact
the British embassy from Bucharest
24 Jules Michelet,  010463 Bucharest, Romania
General enquiries+40 (21) 201 7200
Consular enquiries+40 (21) 201 7351
British Embasy Bucharest website

Urgent assistance
If you’re in Romania and you need urgent help (for example, you’ve been attacked, arrested or someone has died), call +40 (21) 201 7200.
If you’re in the UK and worried about a British national in Romania, call 020 7008 1500.

Get an emergency travel document
You can apply for an emergency travel document if you’re abroad and your passport has been lost or stolen, damaged or expired, and you can’t get a new or replacement passport in time to travel.
You can apply online for an emergency travel document.
If the person needing the emergency travel document is under 16, a parent or guardian should apply on their behalf.

Safety and security for Transylvania travel
Crime
Maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as in the UK. There is a risk of petty theft in large towns, especially Bucharest. Pickpockets and bag snatchers operate in crowded areas, particularly near exchange shops and hotels, on public transport (especially to the airport), in the main railway stations and inside airport terminals.
Organised attacks by groups can occur. The most common method by distracting victims while several people, often children, attempt to snatch watches and jewellery from pockets or from around the neck and wrist.
Valuables including passports have been stolen from hotel rooms. Use the hotel safe and carry a photocopy of the information pages of your passport as ID.
There have been reports of credit or debit cards being ‘copied’ when used for payment in some bars and restaurants.

Road travel
Licences and documents
If driving in Romania, make sure you have with you all documentation, including your full, valid driving licence, proof of insurance/green card (third party or above), proof of ID (passport) and proof of ownership (V5C Certificate).
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, driving licence rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.
If there’s no deal, you will need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) to be able to drive in some European countries as a visitor after the UK has left. Check this guidance page for full information. You should also check guidance on driving in the EU after Brexit for information on other additional documents you may need to carry.
If you’re living in Romania, check the Living in Guide for information on requirements for residents.

Driving regulations Transylvania travel
You’ll need to pay a road toll ‘Rovinieta’ to use the national roads. You can buy the vignette (sticker) at border points and at most petrol stations. The minimum cost is 3 euros for 7 days. Failure to display the sticker may lead to a heavy fine. You can find out more about prices by using the website Roviniete.ro.
Observe the speed limit at all times. Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy.
It’s illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol. The drink drive limit is zero.
Carry the following equipment: first aid kit, fire extinguisher, red warning triangles and a fluorescent jacket.
If your vehicle is damaged before you arrive in Romania, ask a Romanian customs officer or police officer to write a report on the damage so that you have no problems when leaving. If any damage occurs inside the country, a report must be obtained at the scene of the accident.

Road safety
In 2018 there were 1,867 road deaths in Romania (source: Department for Transport). This equates to 9.6 road deaths per 100,000 of population, (witch is similar with USA) and compares to the UK average of 2.8 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2018.
Road conditions are variable and secondary roads can be in a bad state of repair. Driving standards can be poor. Look out for double parked cars, people suddenly braking to avoid a pothole, horse-drawn carts, livestock and stray dogs, particularly in rural areas, running in front of the vehicle. Equip your car for extreme conditions in winter.

Local laws and customs –Transylvania travel
It is illegal to change money on the streets. You should change money only in recognised exchange shops, banks and hotels.

The Romanian authorities treat all drug-related and sex offences very seriously. The age of consent is 18. If you are convicted, you can expect a prison sentence.

Homosexuality has been legal in Romania since 1996. The country has made significant progress in LGBT rights legislation since 2000 including wide–ranging anti-discriminatory laws, equalising the age of consent and laws against homophobic hate crimes.

Bucharest’s annual Pride, usually accompanied by a LGBT film and art festival, has grown in recent years and is gaining the support of more public figures. Since 2017, a Pride event has also been held in the city of Cluj. The country remains generally socially conservative resulting in the majority of LGBT people not being openly gay and there being very few gay bars or clubs in Bucharest or the other main cities. You can find local information on LGBT issues in Romania on the website of ACCEPT. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel.

Most airports and military bases will have signs prohibiting photography. Ask permission before photographing anything potentially sensitive (eg official buildings, police cars).

Passport validity
Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your Transylvania travel; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.

Visas
If you hold a British Citizen passport, you don’t need a visa to enter Romania.

Parental consent when travelling with minors
Some British nationals travelling with minors who hold Romanian citizenship (irrespective of whether they hold citizenship of other countries) are prevented from leaving the country without notarised parental consent from the minor’s non-travelling parent/s. While enforcement of this may vary at borders, British nationals travelling with minors who hold Romanian citizenship should obtain notarised parental consent before departure from Romania.
A list of the public notaries can be found on the website of the National Union of Public Notaries from Romania.

Healthcare
You should still get a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK.
The EHIC entitles you to state provided medical treatment that may become necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as Romanian nationals. If you don’t have your EHIC with you or you’ve lost it, you can call the Department of Health Overseas Healthcare Team (+44 191 218 1999) to get a Provisional Replacement Certificate.
The UK government has or is seeking agreements with countries on healthcare arrangements for UK nationals after the UK leaves the EU. The NHS website and this travel advice will be updated with further information on travelling to Romania as the circumstances change.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment you should contact your insurance/medical assistance company immediately.

Money
Romania is increasingly a card economy. While a growing number of businesses do accept credit cards, it may be safer to use cash due to the risk of credit card fraud. There is now a large network of ATMs that accept standard international credit and debit cards. Check with your card provider whether you will be able to use these machines.
US dollars and sterling are not always easy to exchange for local currency, especially outside Bucharest. You may have difficulties using travellers’ cheques. Scottish and Northern Irish bank notes may not be accepted in banks and bureaux de change.

Before you travel abroad in Transylvania travel
• tell family and friends where you’re going and leave them your contact details, insurance policy details and itinerary. Store them securely online
• ensure you have access to funds to cover emergencies and unexpected delays. Take more than one means of payment with you (cash, debit card, credit card)
• find out if travellers cheques are appropriate for your destination and keep a separate record of their numbers
• invest in a good travel guide to help you plan your trip and consider using online travel forums for more detail about your destination
• check with your service provider to make sure your phone works abroad. Consider leaving your phone’s IMEI number with a friend or family member, to help block or locate the phone if there’s a problem
• if you’re going to be driving abroad, make sure your licence is current and valid and be aware of the driving laws in the country you are visiting
• if you’re travelling with children who are unaccompanied by one or both parents, check our guidance on permissions that you might need to get and check the policy of your airline or transport provider

When you’re abroad in Transylvania travel
• think about what you are doing at all times and trust your instincts. Don’t take risks that you wouldn’t in the UK
• don’t openly display valuables such as mobile phones or digital cameras and consider using a padlock on suitcases or backpacks
• find out how to minimise your risk from terrorism and what to do if there’s a terrorist attack
• find out about local customs and dress, behave accordingly and obey local laws. There may be serious penalties for breaking a law that might seem trivial at home
• be careful when taking photographs, videos or using binoculars. These activities may be misunderstood by local authorities, especially near military installations.
• store useful numbers on your phone such as the local police and the nearest British embassy or consulate
• whether you’re living abroad or visiting, be aware of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning, just as you would in the UK; the ‘Be Alarmed’ campaign gives practical advice on how to stay safe and lists the symptoms to look out for
• if you intend to take part in any adventure sports or water sports during your trip, only use properly licensed and insured operators. Before taking part, make sure you fully understand the operating instructions and satisfy yourself that adequate safety precautions are in place
• check import regulations for food and plants before you attempt to bring them back to the UK

Learn more on Foreign travel Advice