Transylvanian Long Weekend

Our trip begins today in Bucharest, Romania's vibrant capital. Once hailed the \ Paris of the East', the city lost much of its grandeur during its harsh communist regime and an earthquake in 1977. Today, it's reemerged as a European gem, thanks to its mix of Art Nouveau and Brutalist architecture, picturesque parks and thriving cultural scene. For those arriving on time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. Due to several flights arriving into Bucharest later in the evening, our welcome meeting will take place on the morning of day two. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Bucharest at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP), which is around a 30-minute drive from the city centre. If you arrive earlier in the day, there's plenty to discover in the city's Old Town and many museums to choose from including the National Museum of Romanian History, the Military Museum and the Folk Art Museum. Please note that most museums are closed on Mondays so If you're thinking of extending your time in Bucharest with an additional night or two it may be best to book this at the start of this trip which ends on a Monday.

After breakfast this morning, we'll have a welcome meeting and then head out on a city tour of Bucharest. Situated on the Danube Plain and set amid a series of lakes and spacious gardens, remnants of more gracious days still exist to charm visitors to the capital. We'll visit some of the older parts of the city to see some of the buildings that earned it the reputation as the Paris of Eastern Europe and will also have a guided visit to the iconic Palace of Parliament; the magnificent but excessive palace of ex-President Ceausescu. After our tour, we'll have some free time for lunch before boarding our minibus and heading out of the city to the Carpathian Mountains and the region of Transylvania. It's a journey of around three hours and a popular route on holidays and at the weekends for the residents of Bucharest looking for a short break. Before reaching our accommodation, we'll stop at a forest observatory for the chance to watch brown bears in their natural habitat. The Romanian bear population is one of the few strong and healthy populations remaining in Europe and the Carpathian Mountains are home to about 43% of all European bears (approximately 6,000 individuals). This region is therefore of key international importance in the conservation of brown bears and, due to increasing human-bear interactions, it's also the focus of much research into the effective management of bears and their habitats. Bears may be active at any time of the day, but generally, they forage in the morning and evening and rest in dense woodland cover by day. We try to spot these bears from a hide at dusk when they come out to feed. Afterwards, we'll drive to the Transylvanian village of Moieciu, where we stay for the next three nights at the family-run Casa Zada Guesthouse. This small and simple rustic property offers traditionally furnished rooms over three floors, each with an en suite shower and toilet. What's lacking in the way of facilities is made up for by the warm welcome we'll receive from owner Steffi and the property's beautiful rural location. Most rooms have a balcony with views out over the surrounding fields and orchards to the Bucegi Mountains in the distance. Meals are served in the ground floor dining room and there is a kettle and tea provided on each floor. Steffi cooks us a late dinner this evening at our guesthouse of traditional Romanian fare. Please note, the bear watching might need to take place on an alternative day depending on the local forestry department's advice. Also, since the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest is still an active government building it might not always be open to visitors or possible for us to go inside. If this is the case then we'll visit Ceaucescu's house instead.

This morning, we'll drive to nearby Sinaia, known as the 'Pearl of the Carpathians' because of its stunning scenery. Our first port of call is the wonderful Peles Castle. Built for the imported Hohenzollern monarch Carol I, Peles resembles a Bavarian chateau and is richly decorated with stained glass, Persian carpets, Renaissance weapons, ebony and mother of pearl. Afterwards, we visit the adjacent Pelisor Castle, largely the creation of Queen Marie of Romania, with a fine Art Deco and Art Nouveau interior. Both are uniquely fabulous - see which one you prefer! We'll return to Moieciu this afternoon and our tour leader will take those interested and up for it for a hike in the Bucegi Mountains surrounding our guesthouse. The surrounding forest and woodland are protected as a nature reserve. After heading up through a steep section of meadow directly behind our guesthouse, the gradient later evens out and there are some fine views of Moieciu and the surrounding mountains which may be snow-capped in the Spring. The six-kilometre circular walk will take around two hours, with an overall ascent/descent of 300 metres. Decent walking shoes are recommended. If walking isn't your thing then you can relax back at the guesthouse or go for a short wander in the valley. This evening (or possibly tomorrow evening, depending on the forestry department's advice) there will be the opportunity to enjoy another session at a forest observatory for the chance to watch brown bears. Our tour leader will arrange for transport and a guide and there is a cost of €60 per person for this additional optional trip.

Today, we'll visit the castle at Bran. The truth behind Dracula's Castle is even more fascinating than its myths. In the early 20th century it was the home of the remarkable British-born Queen Marie of Romania, granddaughter of Queen Victoria. Vlad the Impaler, the infamous 15th-century ruler of Wallachia, never actually lived here and Bram Stoker never came near Transylvania. Perched on a crag in a valley between two high mountain ranges, the castle controlled an international trade route but is now a rural backwater. Exploring the village, the castle and the museum gives us a chance to unravel fact from fiction. Later this morning, we'll drive to the Medieval city of Brasov. Brasov is one of the most historic cities in Transylvania, and we spend the rest of the day exploring. The town is a gem of old buildings, cobbled streets and local atmosphere all clustered within the Medieval fortifications and overlooked by a magnificent 15th-century Gothic cathedral. Founded by German settlers to protect the routes that made their way up to the high passes over the Carpathians, Brasov is an architectural delight. There are several churches dating from the 14th through to the 18th century and we include a visit to the Black Church as part of our tour. Later this afternoon, you might like to visit one of the museums, the First Romanian School or Saint Nicolas Church in the Scheii area (the old Romanian district of Brasov).

Departing Moieciu this morning, we'll drive for around three hours to Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP), where we'll arrive at about 10.30am - this is where our trip ends. The earliest your flight can depart is 12.20pm. If your flight is departing later in the day, you might like to return to Bucharest city centre to visit some of the historic buildings or museums. Alternatively, if you fancy a change of pace, there is always the possibility of some shopping. Since the 1990s brand names and high-end stores have been pushing their way into the Romanian market. From high fashion boutiques to art galleries, shopping in Bucharest can fit any taste or budget. Stroll down Boulevard Victoria from Piata Amzei to the National History Museum of Romania for the shops or visit one of the many shopping malls favoured by the local rich and famous. If you'd like to be dropped off in the city centre rather than remaining at the airport, please discuss this with our tour leader. You can be taken to our hotel in Bucharest where you can store your luggage. To get back to the airport, you'll need to take a public bus or taxi.