Viamigo

10 days, escorted tour, HB, from $ 2019/ £ 1019 / € 1549- Budapest departure (Hu4.3RoHa)

Everyone knows and fears Dracula; still everyone wants to travel to Transylvania. If you come to think about it, Dracula is actually a pretty normal, a man that parties all night long, spends all days sleeping in a coffin – (some futurist furniture don’t you think?), never says no to a (bloody) drink. Should you want to learn the truth, be charmed by the legend and enjoy the best Halloween party ever you’re invited to join our tour.

Highlights:

Ritual Killing of the Living Dead - Help a haunted spirit to gain his peace - attend the ritual of killing a vampire in this Dracula tour.

Wine Tasting in Tokaj - It was the Tokaj wine that Dracula used to serve his guests with. Also a favourite tipple of the Dumas’s musketeers.

The Magic World of Romanian Folklore - A live presentation offered by a famous Romanian ethnographer, your travel to Transylvania will enrich you’re universe with more fantastic creatures than you could ever have imagine.

Introducing Unique Characters - Meet the Vampire Wooden Stake Specialist, the famous woodcraftsman Grigore Tulean from Maramures, a VIP of your Dracula tour. Be aware that the ancient ritual of preparing the dead with a stake or needle through the heart is still practiced in some remote regions. Discover Dracula's descendents - pay a visit to Misiuga, Baron of Dracula in his windswept tower of Bistrita citadel.

Vampire Treats: Enjoy Jonathan Harker’s Menu - The same meal Bram Stoker’s hero ate when in Bistrita citadel, and indulge yourself further with a Vampire menu with a dinner in Turda to find out why it’s worth killing for a meal!

Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania - Bram Stoker’s imaginary castle where, in Borgo Pass, he placed the Bloody Count Dracula; accommodation, candle lit dinner and a camp fire with all the right stories.

Halloween Party in Sighisoara Citadel - Dracula’s birth place; lunch in the house where Vlad the Impaler was born and enjoy the best Halloween party ever.

Bran Castle, Peles Castle and Corvinesti Castle - Legendary castles in Transylvania with plenty of good stories for a Halloween tour.

Day by day itinerary:

DAY 1, October 27, Budapest - Tokaj - Satu Mare

Welcome to your Dracula Tour, a Halloween in Transylvania with Vlad the Impaler! Our English speaking guide picks you up from Budapest Airport and prepares you for your travel to Transylvania.

Stop for a glass of excellent wine in Tokaj, Hungary. It was the Tokaj wine that Dracula used to serve hisguests with! For a little Dutch-courage and, for sure, with higher spirits you’ll reach Romania and stop in Satu Mare for accommodation in a 3* hotel.

Along with a welcome dinner, you’ll receive your talisman: a cross carved by a famous popular craftsman to keep your body safe and your spirit alive, as well as a survival certificate (which you’ll have stamped as you progress through the itinerary) to recognize your courage!

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DAY 2, October 28, Satu Mare - Sapinta - Sighetul Marmatiei - Ieud

Your first morning in Romania! Drive to Sapanta, close to the Ukrainian border, home of the merriest cemetery in the world! Unique in the world: the Merry Cemetery owes its name to the wood-carved memorial crosses, not only decorated in vivid colors depicting the deceased in a cartoon like manner, the epitaphs candidly recite biographies of the deceased using limerick-style poetry.

Next stop is Sighetul Marmatiei where Mihai Dancus, a famous ethnographer, will take you into the magical world of Romanian folklore on your visit to the Village Museum. You’ll spend the evening in a country-inn in Ieud, a welcoming ‘peasant house’ where you can enjoy a Maramuresean home cooked meal. Try on the traditional Maramuresean clothing and enjoy a carriage ride by torch light up to the village church; delight yourself with stories of the haunted houses of that area to better catch the spirit of this Halloween tour!

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DAY 3, October 29, Ieud - Rozavlea - Sacel - Bistrita

In Sacel you’ll make a truly necessary friend: Grigore Tulean, a famous woodcraftsman. He’ll teach us how to make the perfect wooden stake which, in Turda, will be used in order to kill a vampire! Travel to Bistrita next and step into Jonathan Harker’s shoes.

TIP: Dare to step back in time! Enjoy your lunch in the Jonathan Harker Saloon, a reference point for the Halloween tour, and feast yourself with the same menu as

he did before meeting the Bloody Count Dracula of Transylvania. Isn’t this menu great for a Halloween wedding idea? You’ll then find the answer to a question I’m sure is eating you up inside: Does Dracula have descendants?

Meet Misiuga, the Baron of Dracula who looks remarkably young for an 84 year old, and be welcomed into his windswept tower; you’ll see an interesting puppet exhibition, receive a garlic wreath and a piece of good advice from the baron himself: to stay away from Dracula’s Castle in Borgo Pass! Of course we won’t listen and we’ll head straight for the castle. It could be a perfect Halloween party idea. We’ll stay in Dracula’s Castle, a 3* hotel which was built in accordance to Bram Stokers imagination. After visiting Dracula’s coffin we’ll run out the castle, not admitting we’re afraid and saying, “we’re going shopping for souvenirs.” A candle lit dinner at the castle is followed by a fire camp near by with all the right stories for a night to remember.

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DAY 4, October 30, Bistrita - Cluj Napoca - Turda

Aren’t you happy to see the light of the day again? Morning ride to Cluj, admire here the impressive Saint Michael’s Cathedral. Optional: How about a genuine Dracula tattoo? It’s hard to believe, but here in the heart of Transylvania you can find the best Turkish kebab, that we strongly recommend for your lunch, in spite of the irony – a Turkish specialty in Vlad Dracul’s country, given the fact that he was the worst enemy the Turks could have had. From Cluj we drive to Turda, the place where you’ll put your existence to the test! Here you’ll descend into the heart of one of the biggest salt mines in the country – Turda Salt Mines. The Mine ends in a narrow tunnel at the end of which a mirror is placed. Should you see your reflection in the mirror, you will know you still have a soul to worry about! Delight yourself with a vampire menu for dinner, a delicious reason to travel to Transylvania! Still, an evening to fear, you’ll attend the killing of a vampire; you’ll be part of the crowd seeking to take the bloody creature to a special place where the ritual can begin!

Module: Enjoy a Magic Show, - performing the talented Transylvanian illusionist - Belloni, Maestro Belloni!

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DAY 5, October 31, Turda - Medias - Biertan - Sighisoara

The culminating point of your adventure in Transylvania! In Medias, become acquainted with a unique artist, the only one in the world who uses spider webs for his paintings. As you probably know, spiders are creatures happily tolerated by the count, so you’ll have further proof of how they are not merely reminiscent of delights' past. The next stop of your Romania travel is Biertan, visit the impressive fortified church and shop at Madam Monica Cosma’s for souvenirs which offer a superlative selection of Romanian handicrafts. Drive to Sighisoara, the best preserved and still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe and a UNESCO heritage site, but probably most important for you it is Vlad Dracula's birth place! TIP: For your lunch we recommend ‘Vlad Dracul’s House’, the very place where Dracula was born, turned today into an exquisite restaurant wherein you can find frescoes dating back to the 14th century. It’s time for your Halloween party, put on your costume and get into the mood, this is the reason for your travel to Transylvania. Plenty of opportunities for you tonight: buy After-life Insurance, attend a witch trial, the Count's Fortune-teller will be at your disposal, witness the apparition of Vlad Tepes performed by a witch and listen to your guide’s good advice, and you might just escape without being impaled! The best Halloween party idea, don’t you think? If you survive, you’ll find refuge in a 3* hotel.

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DAY 6, November 1, Sighisoara - Poiana Brasov

Getting up in the morning after a party is always a hard thing to do! But the program for your travel in Romania today is worth the effort. November 1st is in fact the Romanian Halloween, so here comes round two! Drive to the medieval Saxon city of Brasov to visit the historic town centre and its famous gothic Black Church, the best-known monument in the city.The edifice holds the largest organ in Europe, which was partially destroyed during the great fire of 1689. It was here, in the city of Brasov where Vlad led raids against the Saxon merchants. In this context you can only expect a medieval dinner in the heart of the citadel.

Afterwards your Romania travel takes you in the vicinity of a cemetery to witness how some Romanians commemorate their lost ones on “Luminatie”.

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DAY 7, November 2, Poiana Brasov - Sibiu

You’ll travel today to Sinaia, the pearl of mountain resorts in Romania; visit Peles Castle, one of the most beautiful royal residences in Europe. The custodians report a strange smell of violets whenever the ghost of the Queen Maria (the niece of Queen Victoria of Great Britain) returns to her beloved play-ground. If you think you can’t see stranger things than what you’ve already seen, you are wrong! Today you’re introduced to the famous Bran Castle in Transylvania. The castle owes its fame to its unique charm, its history and to the myth Bram Stoker created around Dracula. Not far from here is the Horror Castle, a special treat dedicated for the strong-hearted! For a walk on the famous Bridge of Liars you’ll travel to Sibiu, a city with a wonderful medieval charm, excellent views of the surrounding landscape and great food. Accommodate in a 3* hotel. Enjoy a traditional dinner in one of the oldest restaurants in Sibiu.

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DAY 8, November 3, Sibiu - Deva - Hunedoara - Arad

Today you’re invited to pay a visit to another legendary castle in Transylvania, Corvinesti Castle. In the morning visit Sibiu - if you have some courage to spare you’ll cross the Bridge of liars and make a confession. Shall you utter any lie, the bridge will collapse! Drive to Hunedoara where the legendary Corvinesti Castle is waiting for your visit. The greatest Gothic style castle in Romania, Corvinesti was built in the 14th Century, and it was here that Vlad the Impaler, Dracula was brought up. TIP: For your lunch we recommend you choose Corviniana restaurant in Hunedoara, with a house specialty: absolutely delicious grilled “Corviniana schnitzel” with cheese sauce. Spend the evening in Arad, accommodation in a 4* hotel.

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DAY 9, November 4, Arad - Szeged - Budapest

The last day of your Halloween tour. Please allow your self an extra 5 minutes in bed to think about your adventure in Dracula’s kingdom, wasn’t it soul captivating? Travel to Budapest, Hungary’s capital. On the way stop to Szeged also called Sun City, enjoy a city tour. For lunch we recommend an excellent restaurant “Halaszcsarda” (Fisherman’s Tavern) for the fine fish specialties you can try here. Accommodate in 3* hotel in Budapest, central located. During your farewell dinner your survivors’ certificate will be handed over, as well as the certificate proving that Transylvania does exist and it’s not quite the Utopia people imagine.

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DAY 10, November 5

It’s time to take your soul back home ... hopefully.

Testimonials

"It is obvious that Transylvania Live goes to extraordinary lengths to make sure its clients are satisfied. We are very thankful to our guide for being not only a well-informed guide but also for being courteous, dependable, friendly, and always doing his best make sure that the trip was a pleasant experience for us, which it was".

Steve and Karen from Beverly Hills (referred to us by Let’s Travel agency from Santa Monica, California, www.letstravel-sm.com)

Sorin, group leader says: It’s a great satisfaction for me to guide this tour and share all my knowledge on Transylvania’s history and legends, and also create a special fairytale, funny atmosphere.

Price and departure

10 day tour. Departure from Budapest - Ferihegy Airport, 11.30 am (GMT +01:00)

October 27, 2008 £1019* / $2019*/€ 1549

October 27, 2009 £1019* / $2019*/€ 1549

October 27, 2010 £1019* / $2019*/€ 1549

*price in $ and £ for guidance only, all payments will be taken in €.

We accept MasterCard and Visa on our on-line secure internet payment form, MasterCard, Visa, JCB, Diners Club and American Expres via fax and phone.

We also accept payments via PayPal (by credit card, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or PayPal account), by Moneybookers, bank transfer and Western Union.

Available for free if:

You don’t have a reflection in the mirror,

You decompose when sun light 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!

Price includes:

Accommodation: five nights in 3* hotels, three nights in 4* hotels and one night in country-inns in Ieud (in fact welcoming peasant houses - one bathroom for two rooms).

Transportation: from / to Budapest airport, by coach, minibus or car - air conditioned, depending on the number of travelers.

English speaking guide services.

Meals: 9 breakfasts, 9 dinners (4 special dinners: Maramuresean traditional dinner in Ieud, dinner with vampire menu in Hunter Prince Restaurant in Turda, candle lit dinner in Dracula’s Castle, medieval dinner in Poiana Brasov) and wine tasting in Tokaj - Hungary, Halloween Party in Sighisoara.

Entry fees to: Merry Cemetery in Sapinta, Village Museum in Sighet, carriage ride in Ieud, famous craftsman Grigore Tulean, Dogarilor Tower, Dracula’s Castle, Dracula’s Coffin, Salt Mines in Turda, The ritual of killing a vampire when in Turda, artist that paints on spider web, Fortified Church in Biertan, Clock Tower, Medieval Weapon Collection and Torture Room in Sighisoara, Witch Trial in Sighisoara, Bran Castle, Horror Castle in Bran, Peles Palace, Corvinestilor Castle in Hunedoara.

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

Special notes & info

Please bring your own Halloween costume!

In Romania the weather in October-November is very unpredictable, with daytime temperatures between 15-20 grades Celsius, and night time temperatures between 5-10 grades Celsius; but it is very much possible that you will see some snowfall especially in the mountain section. However the weather is very changeable, so you should expect big temperature changing. It’s advisable to bring with you a rain coat, flash light and a pair of boots.

The garlic, cross and the survival techniques are on us!

Add-on programs

Extra nights can be booked at hotel in Budapest in the last day of the tour.

At your request we can even include a trip to Visegrad (1 hour driving from Budapest), the famous medieval Hungarian castle, standing on a hill top overlooking the Danube, which served, for 12 years, as a prison for Vlad the Impaler, also known as Dracula.

Budapest City Break programs also available click here!

Other mentions

Once you realise the price of good beer and wine you will probably not want to return to your country.

Bucharest is well known city for the night life oportunity.

Plenty of English is spoken and you will find the people are friendly and open.

No visa is required and you can get green card extension insurance from your insurer to cover Romania.

Private tours

Here is an itinerary to your taste but the departure dates are not suitable or you don’t like to travel with big groups. Don’t worry! You can take it as a private journey, with the preferred departure dates and your chosen travel companions, whether it is for a family vacation or a fun relaxing holiday with a small group of friends. For any question or inquiries about the tour please contact us!

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Transylvania Live specialises in travel to Romania and we are here to offer you a personal, flexible and highly efficient service. Therefore, if you have any other queries or you would like to adapt your Romanian package in any way, we will be pleased to offer you any assistance that you may require.

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