Târgoviște Citadel (Chindia tower)

Join our offer of day trips from Bucharest, and discover the Citadel of Targoviste! Mentioned in that time’s papers, ever since 1427, it is presumed that the citadel was built around 1396, when there already existed strong fortifications. For a long time Târgoviște was declared the capital of Țara Românească (Valahia). The royal court in Târgoviște is also temporary attested, even from the period during Mircea cel Bătrân’s reign, the grandfather of the future ruler of Valahia, the renowned Vlad Țepeș (famous under the name of Dracula). Later, during his time, Vlad Țepeș strenghtens the walls and the fortifications of the citadel, builds the tower of Chindia, the majority of these constructions being preserved until today. However, the glory period of Valahia’s kings’ citadel reached its peaks later, during the reign of the king Matei Basarab (1653), the founder of Snagov monastery, which will become the favourite place of pilgrimage for Vlad Țepeș and where he will find his place of rest in the end. During Matei Basarab’s reign the walls of the citadel were strengthened, there were built 10 new defense towers, 7 of these remaining preserved until our days. An incredible history with an attractive charm, all blended with the enigmatic story of the legend of Dracula!

Poienari Fortress

Another beautiful place to visit whilst on our day trips from Bucharest is the Poienari Fortress. It is placed on the highest cliff around Arges at 850 meters, surrounded by a spectacular landscape and, in order to get here, you will have to climb up the 1480 steps. The first documents mentioning the Poienari Fortress are from the 14th Century, when it was only a surveillance tower. In 1457 Dracula used the unfaithful landowners to rebuild it. On Easter Day he trapped them at the religious service in the church and forced them to walk to Poienari. Once there, he raised his sword toward the old fortress ruins and ordered them to repair and consolidate it in 1 week.
It’s hard to believe this can be the truth, but the legend says that the people preferred hard work instead of being impaled. Lots of them had lost their lives there as they had to climb the steep hill, but they finished the construction in 1 week, as ordered. All those alive were forgiven by Vlad Tepes because he decided they had learned their lesson. There are more legends about this place and Dracula but you’ll hear them all on this tour.

Brasov – Peles Palace(or Cantacuzino Castle) – Slanic Prahova Salt Mine – Bucharest(or Otopeni Airport)

You arrive into the village on an unpaved road, and when the road conditions are bad, you take a horse drawn cart that was designed for these roads a few hundred years ago. The little houses lining the 2 or 3 roads are the original Saxon houses, many of them lovingly restored, and painted pale blue, typical of Saxon villages. As you walk down the road, chickens are happily roaming the yards and pecking for food, residents are spotted working on some type of archaic implement that is still used for their farming…

Read More: Brasov – Peles Palace(or Cantacuzino Castle) – Slanic Prahova Salt Mine – Bucharest(or Otopeni Airport)

Brasov – Peles Palace(or Sinaia Monastery) – Dracula’s Tomb – Bucharest(or Otopeni Airport)

Spend half a day exploring the narrow corridors of the world famous Bran Castle with our guided tour.In 1866 the prince Carol of the Hohenzollern – Sigmaringen arrives to Romania to claim the throne. He choses Sinaia to build the royal residence. Today the summer residence of the royal family, Peles Castle is considered to be the most beautiful from Europe. It was the first castle with elevator and own heating and warm water system from the north-eastern Europe…

Read More: Brasov – Peles Palace(or Sinaia Monastery) – Dracula’s Tomb – Bucharest(or Otopeni Airport)

Brasov – The Real Dracula’s castle – Royal Court Arges – Bucharest(or Otopeni Airport)

Most people know Bran Castle as “Dracula’s Castle”, from Bram Stoker’s novel. This story is loosely based on Vlad Tepes who ruthlessly defended this part of Transylvania, and in the process, the legend of his rather gruesome killings inspired the story of Dracula…

Read More: Brasov – The Real Dracula’s castle – Royal Court Arges – Bucharest(or Otopeni Airport)

Brasov – Full Transfagarasan highway Day Trip – Bucharest(or Otopeni Airport)

When you gonna return home from the journey to Romania, this road will be the most representative memory about our country. How can you not admire the Transfagarasan road, when it’s considered the most spectacular alpine road from Europe? Or how Jeremy Clarkson, from the Top Gear tv show, said: “maybe this road is the best road in the world, endless …

Read More: Brasov – Full Transfagarasan highway Day Trip – Bucharest(or Otopeni Airport)