Transylvania to the Black Sea
Holiday Highlights
- Brasov Old Town
- Bran Castle of Dracula fame
- "Libearty" Bears sanctuary
- Peles Castle
- Sightseeing in Bucharest
- Optional excursions can be arranged and this holiday can be altered to suit your interests
- 8 days from £1,645pp
Series 5, Episode 1, Great Continental Rail Journeys. With Bradshaw's 1913 Continental Railway Guide in hand, Michael Portillo ventures east through Romania. He encounters a bloodsucking vampire in Transylvania and brown bears in the Carpathian forest before visiting a fairy tale castle with modern conveniences in Sinaia, striking oil in Ploeşti, tapping into the nation's musical soul in Bucharest and loading cargo from a 100-foot crane in Constanta.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Fly to Bucharest
Take a morning flight from London Luton to Bucharest. After a private transfer to your hotel the evening is at leisure to begin exploring. Please ask about upgrading to the 5-star Continental Hotel mentioned in Bradshaw’s guide.
Day 2 – Train to Brasov
Morning train from Bucharest to Brasov to spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the city. Why not take the cable car to the summit of Mount Tampa, or the more energetic may wish to walk up and enjoy the views over the old town.
Day 3 – Bran Castle and Bears
A private guide will take you by road to Bran Castle, which owes its fame to its imposing towers and turrets as well as to the myth created around Bram Stocker's Dracula. Your guide will also take you to "Libearty" – one of the largest animal welfare projects in Europe where over 70 bears are enjoying a new life in 70 hectares of oak and hazel forest in the Carpathian Mountains above the Transylvanian town of Zarnesti.
Day 4 – Peles Castle
Return to the rails today as you make a day trip to Sinaia, just over an hour from Brasov,to visit Peles Castle. If the 30 minute walk to the castle doesn’t appeal to you there will be taxis at the station. Peles Castle is a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance architecture, considered by many to be one of the most stunning castles in Europe.
Day 5 – Ploeişti
Another rail journey today from Brasov will take you through the Ploişti oil fields back to Bucharest for a 2-night stay.
Day 6 – Bucharest
A private guide will show you Romania’s “Arcul de Triumf”, the Cantacuzino Palace, Ceausescu’s Parliament Palace and Mihai Voda Church. If there is anything specific you wish to see in Bucharest just ask.
Day 7 – Constanta
Continue your journey across Romania with a morning train to the Constanta, an ancient metropolis and Romania's largest sea port. While the Casino is closed to the public the pedestrian area around it is a sought-after destination for couples and families, especially at sunset. You may prefer to travel 3 miles north along the coast to Mamaia, one of the most sought-after resorts on the Black Sea coast, and a favourite weekend get-away for locals.
Day 8 – Returning Home
Flights from Constanta to Luton are late in the evening, arriving at 11:30pm, if you would prefer to take the train back to Bucharest, from where there is a greater choice of flights, please enquire.
Selected Hotels
Ibis Bucharest Gare de Nord, Bucharest
Bella Muzica, Brasov
Belle Epoque Boutique Villa, Constanta
Please note - hotels can be subject to change
Price Includes
- Flights with Wizzair from Luton to Bucharest and back from Constanta to Luton
- Rail travel as specified in standard class
- Private guide and transport to Bran Castle and Libearty
- Private tour of Bucharest
- Airport transfer in Bucharest
- Accommodation in good quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
Price per person
From £1,645 per person sharing
Please note flights from Constanta to Luton are not daily and excursions mentioned may have limited opening times
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