Once-upon-a-time TSD journeys

(This tour, reserved for members of the Transylvanian Society of Dracula, has – for the first time – been made available to everybody.)

Day 1 - “Every wine has a story” (my grandfather)

• Welcome in Bucuresti, capital of Romania. Did you know that “Bucurie” means “joy”?
• Transfer to your princely residence: “Lebada” (The Swan) – an old palace turned into an aristocratic hotel.
• As befits a princely atmosphere, tonight you are introduced to a wine princes have fought over for – “Cotnari” – as early as 500 years ago.
• Dinner and overnight at “Lebada”, Bucuresti.

Day 2 – The true story of holly wines

• Sightseeing of Bucuresti; lunch.
• Departure to the royal mountain resort of Sinaia.
• Tasting of Murfatlar (holly) wines – their story.
• Dinner and overnight in Sinaia. The story of the “last romantic – Queen Marie of Romania”.

Day 3 – Count Dracula’s

• Visit Peles – the most beautiful royal palace in Europe.
• Proceed to the centre of Transylvania, (lunch on the way).
• Arrive in Sighisoara, the best-preserved 15 century walled town in Europe.
• Marvels of mediaeval Sighisoara (sightseeing).
• Optional: the “Witch-Trial” show
• Tasting of Count Dracula’s spirits and wines (after sunset); hostess: Miss Transylvania.
• Dinner in the house Prince Vlad Dracula was born (1431).
• Overnight in hotel .

Day 4 – The cognac, wines, champagne of Jidvei

• Jidvei is the mightiest vineyard of Transylvania. Even the Count orders his wines here.
• Visit sections of the processing factory.
• Tasting of the 5-star cognac and of gold-medalled Jidvei wines.
• Then move to the near-by Marsh Castle (Cetatea de Balti) where thousands of champagne bottles rest in the silent coolness of the thick walls.
• Drive to Sibiu, the third mediaeval city of Transylvania.
• Dinner overnight at hotel,
• Sibiu

Day 5 – Prince Vlad Dracula’s

• Return to Valahia via the spectacular Olt Valley; lunch in Curtea de Arges.
• Visit and touch a legend: Mason Manole’s church. Proceed to the dramatic historical fortress Dracula – Poienari, and listen to its many stories.
• Arrive in the village of Aref – the only village in Romania remembering Vlad after 500 years.
• Tasting of the village plumb-brandy, of the Stefanesti wines – as Vlad must have also tasted.
• Dinner on Arefean specialties.
• Overnight in the village (up to 10 persons) or in hotel “Valea cu Pesti” or “Posada”, near-by.

Day 6 – A mediaeval choice of wines

• What did the rich merchants and nobility of Brasov drink 480 years ago?
• Proceed to Brasov, the second city of Transylvania.
• Lunch on the route.
• Wine-tasting in the 480 year-old cellars of the Guilds’ house known as the “Carpathian Stag”.
• Dinner in the same place, with folk-show; learn the step of a Romanian folk dance (optional).
• Overnight in Brasov.

Day 7 – The Chevalier wines

• Morning: visit Castle Bran (1377).
• Lunch in the best restaurant of S-E Transylvania (“The Outlaws ’Cabin”, Poiana Brasov).
• Sightseeing of mediaeval Brasov.
• Free in the afternoon (shopping, etc.).
• Optional: win yourself a nobility title, join The Order of Transylvanian Knights – if you can pass the six chivalry tests: archery, strength of arm, walking on a beam, jumping a fire, answering a riddle, dancing a minuet.
• Dinner with mediaeval floor-show at “The Citadel” (Cetate); during dinner, tasting of the “Chevalier”, Transylvanian wines.
• Overnight in Brasov.

Day 8 – Any survivors?

• Departure to the airport (2 ½ hours).
• Departure from Romania.

The land price covers: full board (drinks extra), accommodation as specified, transport, services for the guide and driver, wine-tastings, floor-shows, museums.