• Arival/Departure by plane
• Bus tour
• 9 Days
• Focusing on German heritage in Transylvania and Banat

Transylvania and Banat are two important regions of our country. In the past, a large number of Germans lived here (Transylvanian Saxons and Swabians in Banat). In fact, this region is known for its multi-ethnicity: here we find Romanians, Germans, Hungarians, Serbs, Bulgarians, Slovakians, and Czechs. The Saxons settled in Transylvania around 12^th – 13^th century. The Swabians (which is actually a general name for all the Germans who settled down in Banat) came to Romania in 1722. The Swabians, as well as the Transylvanian Saxons, had a strong influence on Romanian life, mentality and culture. Due to their legacy, Transylvania is nowadays one of the most romantic and inspiring regions in Romania.

Day 1: Arrival in Cluj-Napoca

Arrival in Cluj-Napoca. Transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Cluj-Napoca.

Day 2: Cluj-Napoca – Sighișoara

In the morning, we take a city tour through Cluj-Napoca. We see the historical Old Town, the Orthodox Church, the opera house, the university, Matthew Corvin’s birthplace and St. Michael’s Church (built in the German Gothic style). Then, we go to Târgu Mureș, a city that was once the capital of a kind of self-governing region until 1967 when Ceaușescu denied the region’s right to autonomy. We see here the ruins of the star-shaped fortress. Then, we drive to Sighișoara. Dinner and overnight stay in Sighișoara.

Day 3: Sighișoara – Brașov

In Sighișoara we admire the most beautiful medieval town-scape in Romania. We visit the Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill, the Citadel, the fortified walls and towers of the town and also the birthplace of the Wallachian leader Vlad Dracul who later became known as Count Dracula in Gothic literature and film. Then, we visit the former bishop’s seat in Biertan, where we find a carefully restored fortified church that was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. On our way to Brașov, we make a stop to see the village of Viscri, where Prince Charles runs the Mihai Eminescu Trust. Dinner and overnight stay in Brașov.

Day 4: Brașov and Its Surroundings

In Prejmer and Hărman we see two of the most impressive defensive systems in Transylvania. During our tour in Brașov we see the square and the historic monuments of the city. The main attraction is the Black Church, built in the 14^th century in the Gothic style. Here, we also find a large collection of Oriental carpets which is quite unusual for a Protestant church. Dinner and overnight stay in Brașov.

Day 5: Brașov – Sibiu

Today we travel along the most beautiful side of the Carpathian mountain range to get to a historically valuable monastery called Sâmbăta de Sus; a shop with glass icons will be open here. After visiting the Cistercian abbey of Cârța (built in 1202), we drive to Sibiu. During our city tour we see the Old Town (divided into the Upper Town and Lower Town) and the historic buildings that create that special medieval atmosphere. Dinner and overnight stay in Sibiu.

Day 6: The Fortress-Churches

In the valley of the Hârtibaciu River, each village is dominated by a fortified church (examples include Hosman, Agnita, Apold). The former settlements, now partially uninhabited, create a wistfully romantic picture. In the evening, we have dinner at a family in Sibiel, a charming village with rich traditions. Overnight stay in Sibiu.

Day 7: From Transylvania to Banat

After breakfast, we continue our journey to Sebeș; here, we visit the Evangelical Church that has a historically valuable altar. Then, we travel to Deva along Mureș River. Here, we make a short trip to Hunedoara to visit the Gothic castle of the Corvins. Afterwards, we leave Transylvania and head for Banat. The Turkish wars left the region of Banat devastated and uninhabited. The first colonists were soldiers or Swabians who colonised this swampy region with great sacrifices. Dinner and overnight stay in Timișoara.

Day 8: Timișoara and the Swabian Villages

In Timișoara we see St. George’s Cathedral (the Dome) designed by J.E. Fischer von Erlach, the Plague Column, the city hall, and the place where Prince Eugen of Savoy lived for a while. In the afternoon, we travel through the former Swabian villages and we arrive in Lenauheim. Here, we visit the birthplace of the poet Nikolaus Lenau, an interesting memorial museum, and an exposition of dolls dressed in traditional costumes. Also worth mentioning is that Bela Bartok composed his famous ‘Hungarian Dances’ here. Dinner and overnight stay in Timișoara.

Day 9: Journey Home

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport. Return flight.

Included services:

– All 8 overnight stays with halfboard;

– All entry fees;

– Transport with bus according to the programm;

– English speaking tour guide;