Argeș Monastery

Join us for an unforgettable journey through Romania’s historic and natural wonders in the beautiful Făgăraș Mountains. Begin your day with a visit to the architectural jewel of Curtea de Argeș. This 16th-century monastery is famed for its intricate stonework and fascinating legends. Discover the history and beauty of this spiritual site, the resting place of Romanian royalty, nestled in a serene setting. Continue your adventure with a stop to see (from outside) the imposing Poenari Fortress, an ancient stronghold dramatically perched on a cliffside. Although currently under renovation, you’ll get impressive views from below and learn about its history as one of the real-life strongholds of Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula. Next, marvel at the engineering feat of Vidraru Dam, one of the highest in Europe, and the stunning Vidraru Lake it created. Take in the awe-inspiring vistas as you stroll along the dam and capture views of the mountains reflected in the sparkling lake. Venture into the heart of the Făgăraș Mountains National Park, a region of unspoiled nature, lush forests, and alpine landscapes. This area is a paradise for nature lovers, offering a glimpse of Romania's pristine wilderness and diverse wildlife. As we reach higher altitudes, enjoy a taste of winter sports and activities in a scenic snow-covered landscape at 1,700 meters. Suitable for all skill levels, this experience lets you try sledding or enjoy the fresh mountain air and snow. Conclude your adventure with a short, easy hike on a scenic mountain trail. Take in the panoramic views, breathe in the crisp alpine air, and enjoy the serenity of the surrounding nature.

Embark on an exhilarating day trip from Bucharest featuring the Transfagarasan Road and Balea Lake: Begin your journey through the Carpathian Mountains via the Transfagarasan Highway, renowned for its stunning vistas and challenging twists. Stop at Balea Lake, a picturesque glacier lake nestled high in the mountains, where you can enjoy a short hike and take in the breathtaking scenery. En route, marvel at the Vidraru Dam, one of Europe's tallest dams, standing impressively at 525 feet high. Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to spot bears in their natural habitat, adding an unforgettable wildlife encounter to your adventure.

Ready for a journey through the clouds? Buckle up for The Transfagarasan Adventure! This trip is guaranteed to alleviate your fear of missing out and make you feel that you made the best choice for this vacation day. Immerse yourself in the peace and beauty of Arges Monastery, a serene oasis nestled in the heart of nature, catch a glimpse of the fortress where the historical character who served as inspiration for Dracula lived and terrified. All while traversing the twists and turns, relishing breathtaking panoramas of one of the most beautiful driving roads in the world. Get set for a special day, blending tranquility, history, and the thrill of nature's wonders.

Experience the historical and legendary places related to the man and the legend behind Dracula on this six-day guided tour. Visit Vlad the Impaler’s birthplace in the medieval citadel of Sighișoara, the imposing Hunyadi Castle, the ruins of Poenari Castle, Dracula Castle, and more. Day 1: Bucharest - Curtea de Argeș - Poenari Castle - Vidraru Dam - Transfagarasan Road - Capra Waterfall - Balea Glacier Lake - Sibiu - Sibiel See the Curtea de Arges Monastery and Poenari Castle from the outside. Drive to the Vidraru Dam and along Transfagarasan Road. Stop at Capra Waterfall and Balea Lake before heading to Sibiel Village. Enjoy a 3-course dinner at Ramona Pension. Savor the pension breakfast in the morning. Day 2: Sibiel - Hunyadi Castle - Alba Iulia - Sibiel Start your second day with a visit to Hunyadi Castle, or Corvins' Castle, and the star-shaped fortress, Alba Iulia Citadel. Hunyadi Castle is one of the largest castles in Europe and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of Romania. Return to Sibiel to enjoy dinner.  Day 3: Sibiel - Sibiu - Turda Salt Mine After breakfast, head to Sibiu’s old town to see the Big Square, Little Square, Bridge of Liars, Romano Catholic Cathedral, and the oldest house in town. Visit the Turda Salt mine, named one of the top 10 underground wonders in the world by National Geographic. Overnight in Turda town at Casa Ratiu. Day 4: Turda - Biertan Fortified Church - Sighisoara Enjoy breakfast and then visit the Fortified Church of Biertan, a UNESCO world heritage site. Visit Sighisoara’s medieval town, including the Clock Tower, the house where Vlad the Impaler was born, and the Church on the Hill. Overnight in Sighișoara. Day 5: Sighisoara - Prejmer Fortified Church - Bran Castle - Rasnov Fortress - Brasov After breakfast, discover the history of the Prejmer Fortified Church, Bran Castle, and Rasnov Fortress. Continue to Brasov and overnight at Casa Timar Pension. Day 6: Brasov - Peles Castle - Snagov Monastery - Bucharest Savor the pension breakfast before starting your final day with a visit to Peles Castle and Snagov Monastery. End your trip with a transfer to your hotel in Bucharest or the airport.

Forget about legends and travel to see Vlad the Impaler's Royal Court and his Fortress in Poienari village, where Vlad use to hide the country's gold. Stop to see Curtea de Arges Monastery, a real beauty of the Royal Family, and where the graves of the Romanian Kings are located. See the biggest dam in Romania nearby, Vidraru Dam, and get ready to take pictures. You will travel by private car and have your own guide while visiting some of the most historical and interesting sites in the area. Travel to Targoviste Fortress, one of the most important medieval monuments in Romania with a history that goes back to the 15th century. Explore the former princely court, that was used as a residence by some of the most famous princes of Southern Romania, including Constantin Brancoveanu and the legendary Vlad the Impaler who built the emblematic Chindia Tower. Learn the history of Tragoviste, from its small beginnings as a fortress to its expansion to a princely residence by Vlad Dracul. Move on with a walk up to Chindia Tower, the symbol of the princely court of Targoviste. Admire the view from the tower’s balcony, especially the ruins of the two princely palaces, and also observe the silhouette of a church dated back to 1415. Finish walking around what remains of the palace and visit the two churches that still survive in the area, the small Holly Friday Church and the Great Princely Church, the only monument built in the 15th century in Southern Romania still conserved in its original form. Reach the old town of Curtea de Arges, with its rich and eventful history, and see the ruins of the Wallachian princely court, the 13th century Royal Church, as well the famous Arges Monastery. Learn the interesting and sad history of the sites from the guide. Enjoy visiting Poenari Castle, a perfect stop for history lovers and fans of Dracula. Experience the perfect chance to discover the wildlife in Transylvania.

Drive to the former capital of Wallachia, Targoviste, and visit the remains of the court of Vlad the Impaler, better known as Dracula. Next stop is in Curtea de Arges where you’ll visit one of the most beautiful churches in Romania, also the burial site of the first Romanian kings. From this holy place keep on driving to the ruins of Poenari Castle, Dracula’s fortification which overlooks the Carpathian Mountains.  Experience the Transfagarasan Road, built by Ceausescu with the help of the army. It offers a breathtaking view and takes you all the way up to the summit of the mountain where you can discover the astonishing glacial lake of Balea. From here, start your long but beautiful drive back home.

Discover the top attractions in Romania on this guided tour. You’ll see the resting place of kings, Curtea de Arges Monastery, visit the true home of Dracula, Poienari fortress, see wild brown bears waiting by the road, and more. The tour will start with a visit to Curtea de Arges Monastery, found in the former capital of Romania, Arges. You’ll see the ruins of the Wallachian princely court, the 13th century Royal Church, as well as the famous Arges Monastery. Learn all about this important historical monument and its interesting, but sad story, from your guide. Next up is one of Romania’s top attractions, Poenari Castle. This was the original castle of Vlad the Impaler, who inspired the story of Dracula. As you climb up the 1480 stairs that lead up to the castle, you’ll be walking in the steps of Dracula! From there, it’s on to Vidraru Dam, which forms Lake Vidraru. Completed in 1966 on the Argeș River, the arch dam was primarily built to produce hydroelectricity. The dam's height is 166 meters, the arch length 305 meters, and it can store an incredible 465 million cubic meters of water. Near Vidraru Dam is the final sight of the day: wild brown bears! You’ll be amazed by these great animals, calmly relaxing by the road. Finally, you’ll be driven back to your accommodation, your mind filled with all the incredible sights from the day.

Day 1: Bucharest – Curtea De Arges – Vidraru Dam – Transfagarsan Road - Sibiu (430 kilometers) This tour begins with a morning pick-up from your hotel in Bucharest. Start your journey with a stop at Curtea de Arges Monastery, an important pilgrimage site in the southern part of Romania located at the foot of Fagaras Mountains. During the visit, you will also be told the amazing legend associated with the building of this monastery. The visit will be followed by a stop for lunch at a traditional Romanian restaurant. After lunch, you will reach the beginning of Transfagarasan Road and enjoy a short stop at Vidraru Dam, an impressive engineering feat, being the first arch valley dam in Romania built during the Communist period. These days, it is a favorite place for people passionate about extreme sports. Driving along Vidraru River, you will leave behind the region of Wallachia and head to the region of Transylvania. On your way to the next stop, Balea Glacier Lake, take in gorgeous landscapes and amazing mountain scenery as you cross the longest tunnel in Romania. Surrounded by the stunning mountain peaks of the Fagaras Mountains, Balea Lake will be the perfect location for some beautiful photos. Continuing your journey through the northern part of Transfagarasan Road, the tour guide will tell you more about its construction and how Transfagarasan Road came to be considered the most beautiful high altitude road in the world by British “Top Gear” in 2013. By the end of the first day, you will reach the city of Sibiu, one of the seven German medieval citadels in Transylvania. Spend the evening in Sibiu. Day 2: Sibiu – Cozia Monastery - Bucharest (280 kilometers) In the morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Sibiu. After breakfast, the tour guide will lead you on a short walking tour through the old city center of Sibiu, where you will see the Large Square, the Small Square, Huet Square, the Council Tower, Brukenthal Palace, the Liars Bridge, the Stairs Passage, the Evangelical Cathedral, and hear exciting stories about a town that was declared a "European Capital of Culture" in 2007. On your way back to Bucharest, you will also make a stop at Cozia Monastery, a valuable monument of Romania’s architecture and culture erected between 1386-1388 by the ruler Mircea the Elder. In the evening, arrive back to your hotel in Bucharest.