Welcome to Transylvania! The Tale of Two Castles:Peles & Bran

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Private tour

A private one-day tour for two or more people! No other tourists! As always, we are happy to create a specialized tour to meet your interests and requests.

This special day tour focuses on two Romanian castles: the most beautiful and the most famous. You’ll also visit the towns where the castles are located, along with important sites, giving you a peek into the history and culture of the country.

This is a moderately active tour! Most days are light to moderately paced - but two days are strenuous - with 2-8 miles of walking, lots of stairs, and hilly terrain.

Itinerary

At 08:00, we will pick you and your group up at the hotel or address where you are staying. Be ready for a full day! We’ll head in the direction of the mountains for about 1½ hours to reach Sinaia. Until King Carol I built his magnificent summer home, Peles Castle here, the spectacular mountains were territory of shepherds and hermits. Today, Sinaia is called “The Pearl of the Carpathians” and is one of Romania’s most-visited cities. During the winter, it is the country’s best ski area.

We’ll make a stop at Sinaia Monastery, founded in 1690 by a Romanian prince, after his pilgrimage to Mount Sinai. The Old Church has a beautiful painting of The Last Judgment, done when the church was built. The Great Church was started in 1842, and features frescoes of King Carol I and his family.

Peles Castle construction began in 1873, and required architects, engineers, artisans, and craftsmen from 14 countries. It’s considered the most beautiful castle in Romania. It was also the first to have electricity, elevators, and central heating. Our guided tour of Peles Castle covers 18 ground-floor rooms. During the tour, we will see the Imperial Suite, the fantastic Reception Hall, the Florentine Hall, and the Louis XIV Hall, with painting by young Gustav Klimt. You will also see Romania’s first “at-home” cinema! (NOTE: There is a fee for photography during the tour.)

Following the visit to Peles Castle, we will stop for lunch at a restaurant known for its Romanian cuisine. If you have not tried venison before, this is your chance! (NOTE: Because each person has individual tastes, you are free to order as you like. This cost is not included in the tour.)

Next, we will return to our vehicle and go to Transylvania, which translates as “the country beyond the forest.” Our first stop will be at Bran Castle, one of the world’s most famous castles, now known for its legend of Count Dracula. “Vlad the Impaler,” the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s novel, was only briefly imprisoned here. The castle does look foreboding, but once we’re inside, you find it’s cheerful. Today, it is a museum dedicated to Queen Marie of Romania.

Brasov itself is a delightful town, with Medieval watchtowers and Gothic spires. According to legend, this is where the Pied Piper led the children of Hamlin. Your guide will direct you to a choice of attractions: The Black Church, Rope Street, Council Square, and Council Tower. We encourage you to visit The Black Church, the largest Gothic structure in Eastern Europe, but wherever you go in this charming town, you will find travel memories.

Later, we’ll gather for the ride back to Bucharest. We will return you to your hotel or any other address you wish. What a memorable day!

Tour Highlights 1

A visit to Sinaia, “The Pearl of the Carpathians”

A visit to Sinaia Monastery, founded in 1695

A guided tour of the Peles castle; find out about the amazing legacy of the Roman monarchs

A visit to the famous“Dracula’s castle”, Bran castle

Unveil the wonderful medieval city of Brasov, where you will have the chance to visit The Black Church, The Rope Street, The Council Tower and the Council Square, to name a few

From 80 Euro/person

Included:

Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or address
Fully-insured private car, van, or mini-bus, with climate-control
Fuel and parking fees
Professional English- or Spanish-speaking guide. Other languages may be available for an additional fee. Please contact us for more information.
VAT and local taxes

Not included:

Lunch, snacks, and beverages for tour members
Admission fees to sites (about EUR 20 per person)
Photography fees during tours
Personal purchases
Gratuities, if desired (In Romania, 10-25% is standard.)

General information and terms:

Duration: 10 hours (401km or 249 miles)

Start time: 08:00 Please be ready at 07:45 to allow for traffic conditions.

Cost:

Private group of 2-3 people: €125/person

Private group of 4-5 people: €105/person

Private group of 6-8 people: €80/person

Children between 7-12 years old: 15% discount

Children between 2-7 years old: 30% discount

NOTE: A minimum of 2 people is required for this tour.

Start and end: Bucharest

Operating period: Year-round. See information below regarding Peles Castle.

Information about Peles Castle seasonal hours:

16 September to 15 May, Peles Castle is open Wednesday-Sunday only. If your tour is on Monday or Tuesday, we will visit Cantacuzino Castle.
2 November to 1 December, Peles Castle is closed for annual cleaning. During this month, we will visit Pelisor Castle, a smaller version on the castle grounds.

IMPORTANT! The fine print: Cosmo Travel is the company that arranges the Welcome to Transylvania! Two Famous Castles Day Tour. It is not responsible if sites on the itinerary are closed without prior notification, or for any reason the day of your tour.

Museums may be closed on public holidays.
Schedule may change or be extended due to traffic, road construction, or circumstances beyond our control. Weather conditions may affect or cancel any of the planned activities.
On weekends (Friday-Sunday) this itinerary may not be possible. We recommend visiting only the two castles, or choosing one castle and Brasov.
The itinerary we suggest is flexible, so please contact us if you’d like to modify it. We want your tour to fit your interests!