LAST UPDATED
28 / 12 / 2013
28 / 12 / 2013
beyondtheforest.com provides everything you need to plan your holiday - unbiased travel information based on extensive, personal travel and an unparallelled network of local specialists.
To book your perfect holiday
contact:
01900 838570
www.travelcounsellors.co.uk
A quaity, personal service by
travel experts in your local area
A selection of flexible, tailormade holiday suggestions
including the 'Jonathan Harker Trail' up to the Borgo Pass
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Important: Please read our notes about booking holidays in Romania at the foot of the page.
"We loved Hotel Castel Dracula, it was great fun, and in a stunning location, but the horse and cart ride up through the forest was an attraction worth selling in itself. A beautiful ride and a great experience. We loved turning up to the door to the amzement of the other tourists in their cars!" D.& A.O. (East Sussex)
Click here for further testimonials
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Dracula Collection Guideline Prices 2009 |
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7 Days BESPOKE DRACULA Beauty & the Beast Bucharest - Painted Monasteries - Jonathan Harker Trail - Borgo Pass - Sighisoara - Brasov - Bucharest PRICES ON REQUEST SEE BELOW FOR FULL DETAILS 12 Days BESPOKE DRACULA Jonathan Harker PLUS Another Europe Holiday Cluj - Bistrita - Borgo Pass (Jonathan Harker Trail) - Târgu Mures - Sighisoara - Sibiu Cisnadioara - Cluj * * * Includes Another Europe: 7 nights all inclusive holiday in Cisnadioara + excursions * * * PRICES ON REQUEST LOWER PRICES MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS |
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The Dracula Trail - FICTION - |
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"Borgo" (Bargau ) Pass Hotel Castel Dracula Jonathan Harker's Journey (Carriage ride to Castel Dracula) Bistrita ("Bistritz") "Golden Krone Inn" (Hotel Coroana de Aur) Cluj ("Klausenburg") Bran Castle |
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The Dracula Trail - FACT - |
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Bucharest (Curtea Veche) Targoviste (Princely Court / Chindia Tower) Curtea de Arges Arefu Poienari Castle Ruins Sighisoara (Schässburg) Brasov Fagaras Snagov |
7 DAYS/ 6 NIGHTS - SAMPLE ITINERARY - Ex BUCHAREST
A suggested itinerary for travellers who would like a degree of independence. The "Jonathan Harker Trail" is a flexible, tailor-made tour designed for individuals or small groups, featuring an ascent by horse-drawn caleche up to the "Borgo" Pass summit and Hotel Castle Dracula, the Painted Monasteries and Sighisoara. It can be extended or otherwise modified to meet your needs.
A suggested itinerary for travellers who would like a degree of independence. The "Jonathan Harker Trail" is a flexible, tailor-made tour designed for individuals or small groups, featuring an ascent by horse-drawn caleche up to the "Borgo" Pass summit and Hotel Castle Dracula, the Painted Monasteries and Sighisoara. It can be extended or otherwise modified to meet your needs.
Arrive Bucharest;
Meet & Greet service, transfer to Bucharest Nord station; Intercity train to Suceava (1st Class) Arrives late evening
Comfortable 3-star hotel in Suceava - bed & breakfast for 1 night
DAY 2
Personal tour of the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina with a car and professional guide (full day)
Flexible itinerary - excludes entrance fees so you can choose between the Painted Monasteries - Sucevita, Moldovita, Voronet, Arbore or Humor, or even other monasteries such as Dragomârna, Putna, Agapia or Varatec
Overnight: we recommend a comfortable family-run hotel in Gura Humorului or Voronet - bed & breakfast for 1 night
Alternative: Extend your stay in Bucovina
Painted Monastery at Sucevita
To book your perfect holiday
we recommend:
0845 058 7326
www.travelcounsellors.co.uk
A quaity, personal service by
travel experts in your local area
DAY 3 'In the Footsteps of Jonathan Harker'
Transfer to station
Scenic train ride to the pretty village of Lunca Ilvei in the Bargau Mountains - the journey takes you over the
Mestecanis Pass to theh spa of Vatra Dornei then through the Suhard Mountains into Transylvania
On arrival at the station climb into your waiting cart for the unique journey up the Borgo Pass. The horses wear red tassles to ward off the Evil Eye while the driver will have garlic or a crucifix! The journey takes about 4 hours, longer if you wish to picnic en route, as you slowly ascend the Borgo Pass by tracks winding through the wolf-infested forests to reach the plateau ringed by the rugged peaks of the Suhard, Caliman, Bargau and Rodnei Mountains.
Picnic lunch en route.
Overnight at Hotel Castle Dracula - bed & breakfast for 1 night
Transfer to station
Scenic train ride to the pretty village of Lunca Ilvei in the Bargau Mountains - the journey takes you over the
Mestecanis Pass to theh spa of Vatra Dornei then through the Suhard Mountains into Transylvania
On arrival at the station climb into your waiting cart for the unique journey up the Borgo Pass. The horses wear red tassles to ward off the Evil Eye while the driver will have garlic or a crucifix! The journey takes about 4 hours, longer if you wish to picnic en route, as you slowly ascend the Borgo Pass by tracks winding through the wolf-infested forests to reach the plateau ringed by the rugged peaks of the Suhard, Caliman, Bargau and Rodnei Mountains.
Picnic lunch en route.
Overnight at Hotel Castle Dracula - bed & breakfast for 1 night
Guided tour/ transfer by car via Bistrita (Bistritz) to Sighisoara
Overnight: Sighisoara - bed & breakfast for 1 night We recommed one of the family-run or boutique hotels situated in the romatic, mediaeval citadel - near the birthplace of the real Dracula - Vlad the Impaler
Your journey can include a stop at the Golden Krone Hotel in Bistrita for lunch.
Alternative: Extra nights in Sighisoara with excursions to visit and explore the remote villages and fortress churches of Saxon Transylvania;
Upgrades to new 5-star boutique hotels possible
It is possible to travel by car to Bistrita then train to Cluj (3 hours; early morning or mid-aftrenoon), then by train to Sighisoara (4-5 hours). However, unless you leave Castel Dracula at the crack of dawn the connections mean spending an additional night in Cluj.
DAY 5
Explore Sighisoara in the morning; train to Brasov in the afternoon
Overnight Brasov - bed & breakfast for 2 nights; recommend one of the historic 3-star hotels near the pedestrain zone, on the main Piata Sfatului (Council Square) - just minutes from the bars, restaurants and boutiques of old Brasov, and the imposing Black Church.
DAY 6
Free time to explore mediaeval Brasov; optional: taxi or bus to Bran Castle (45 minutes)
Alternative: Car and driver may be organised to explore Bran and Rasnov fortresses or the Carpathians; extend your stay and take a day trip to the mediaeval city of Sibiu (Hermannstadt) - European City of Culture 2007 - by train. Or take a cable car to Tampa Hill or from the resort of Busteni into the Caraiman Mountains
DAY 7
Morning Inter-city train to Bucharest; Transfer to Airport if required. Departure.
Alternative: extra nights in Bucharest - visit the excellent National Peasant Museum, Ceausescu's monstrous Palace of the People or even a day trip to lake Snagov where the headless corpse of Dracula is reputedly buried beside the monastery on the island
(Note: it is not always easy to reach Snagov, and local boat owners tend to charge exhorbitant rates to ferry you over to the monastery)
Dracula: Jonathan Harker PLUS
12 DAYS/ 11 NIGHTS - SAMPLE ITINERARY - Ex CLUJ
This itinerary is designed to fit in with the Wizz flights from Luton to Cluj.
However, it can be adapted for any travel connections to Cluj, or even to Targu Mures or Sibiu
12 DAYS/ 11 NIGHTS - SAMPLE ITINERARY - Ex CLUJ
This itinerary is designed to fit in with the Wizz flights from Luton to Cluj.
However, it can be adapted for any travel connections to Cluj, or even to Targu Mures or Sibiu
Arrive Cluj at 12:30 (suggested arrival with Wizz Air)
Meet & Greet service, transfer to Bistrita (2 hours) via the Somes Valley
Overnight: Hotel Coroana de Aur (Golden Krone), Bistrita (Bistritz) - bed & breakfast for 1 night
Alternative: transfer then afternoon local train from Cluj to Bistrita
DAY 2 'Jonathan Harker Trail'
Personal transer via the Carpathian Mittelland and the orchards above Bistrita to the woodworking village of Lunca Ilvei (2 hours)
Transfer to your waiting cart for the unique journey up the Borgo Pass. The horses wear red tassles to ward off the Evil Eye while the driver will have garlic or a crucifix! The journey takes about 4 hours, longer if you wish to picnic en route, as you slowly ascend the Borgo Pass by tracks winding through the wolf-infested forests to reach the plateau ringed by the rugged peaks of the Suhard, Caliman, Bargau and Rodnei Mountains.
Picnic lunch en route.
Overnight at Hotel Castle Dracula - bed & breakfast for 1 night
Alternative: direct road transfer by main road to Castel Dracula (1 hour), or local train to Bistrita Bargaului the a transfer.
DAY 3
Guided tour/ transfer by car via Bistrita and Târgu Mures to Sighisoara; a scenic journey via the Bistrita Valley and the Transylvanian Highlands.
Time for sightseeing in the old town of Târgu Mures where you can visit the citadel and the beautiful art nouveau Palace of Culture
3-star hotel, Sighisoara - bed & breakfast for 1 night
Your hotel is situated in the romatic, mediaeval citadel of Sighisoara - birthplace of the real Dracula - Vlad the Impaler
Alternative: Extra nights in Sighisoara
Meet & Greet in the morning. Explore Sighisoara then drive to the delightful Saxon Village of Cisnadioara vis the fortress churches at Biertan and Mosna, the ruined castle at Slimnic and Sibiu
Another Europe holiday programme - 7 nights (Click here for further details about these options)
Fully inclusive programme with excellent cuisine (full-board) and guided activitoies and excursions.
Many can include a Dracula theme - for example trips to Brasov and Bran Castle, Fagaras or Corvinesti Fortress at Hunedoara. You can even venture deep into the High Carpathians to reach Curtea de Arges and the ruined castle of Vlad the Impaler, high above the Arges Gorge - extra charge of £ 20.00 per person. Other days can be spend exploring the mediaeval town of Sibiu, salt spas, the Cindrel Mountains and fairytale region of Saxon Transylvania.
Alternative: stay in Cisnadioara can be reduced or extended. Recommend a minimum of 5 nights.
Winter: you can combine your winter stay in Cisnadioara with a night at the ICE HOTEL, high in the Fagaras Mountains
close to Balea Lake, the legendary home of the Scholomancers (The Devil's students)! Open January to April.
Sibiu: The Liars' Bridge
Extended transfer to Cluj Napoca, the former imperial capital of Transylvania, now a thriving university city. You can visit either the spectacular Turda Gorge in the Apuseni Mountains or the Ferdinand Saltmines en route, and arrive in Cluj for a brief tour in the late afternoon.
Overnight at Hotel Fullton, Cluj - bed & breakfast for 1 night
DAY 12
Early morning transfer to the airport for your flight home (if required)
Alternative: Extra nights in Cluj
Bespoke Dracula Guideline Prices 2011
Inclusive guideline prices for the above Bespoke Dracula Holidays (excluding flights):
| 7 days / 6 nights Beauty & the Beast (from Bucharest) | PRICES ON REQUEST per person |
| 12 days / 11 nights Jonathan Harker Trail + Another Europe (from Cluj) | £995.00-1145.00 per person |
These are guideline prices based on tailor-made holidays through reputable travel agents and subject to availility of all guide services
Price variation due to guides and accommodation available.
1. 7 day Beauty & the Beast:
- Accommodation with breakfast throughout
- Private road transfers and 1st class rail travel as per itinerary
- Personal guided tour of the Painted Monasteries
- Jonathan Harker Trail: Horse & Cart journey incl, picnic en route
- Local taxes & VAT
- Accommodation with breakfast in Bistrita, Borgo Pass, Sighisoara & Cluj
- Full-board accommodation in Cisnadioara
- Private road transfers and 1st class rail travel as per itinerary
- Jonathan Harker Trail: Horse & Cart journey incl, picnic en route
- All excursions and activities as part of the Another Europe Programme based in Cisnadioara*
- Local taxes & VAT
* Please refer to our Another Europe page for full details of these exceptional holidays
LOWER PRICES MAY APPLY FOR LARGER GROUPS.
Supplements may apply for Christmas or New year bookings
Flight prices from UK to Bucharest from £ 125.00 return including taxes (average prices are in the range £ 195.00 - £ 245.00)
Flight prtices from Luton to Cluj usually start at around £ 75.00 with www,wizzair.com plus baggage, credit card and booking fees
We can book flights with all major airlines flying to Romania - please ask for a quote for your preferred dates.
It is also possible to combine these holidays with flights arriving at Targu Mures and Sibiu.
WARNING ABOUT BOOKING DRACULA TOURS ON THE INTERNET
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is! We strongly recommend that you book your travel arrangements through a reliable, fully licensed travel agent or tour operator. You should always check ATOL licenses and bonding arrangements or travel trust schemes before booking, and you should take out adequate travel insurance. We recommend TRAVEL COUNSELLORS in the UK, Netherlands, USA, and Australia because they have unparalleled financial protection, work with a wide range of quality, fully licensed tour operators such as Cox & Kings and Sunvil, in addition to local ground operators. Their consultants also provide a superb personal service. However, there are, of course, plenty of reliable alternatives.
Please take care if booking directly with hotels or operators in Romania advertising on the web. Some of them are unlicensed or uninsured. Travel is a unique commodity because you part with your money before you receive the service. This is why it is strictly regulated and legitimate agents and operators invest heavily in licenses, bonding schemes and trust accounts where monies are held back from suppliers until you have completed your holiday. Therefore, you as a traveller are protected. It is also important to note that ATOL licenses, unlike travel trust schemes, will only cover full packages booked under one licence. For example, if you book your flights direct on the internet, then book your accommodation through a travel agency, you would not be covered under their ATOL license.
By booking direct over the internet you are always taking a risk unless you have a personal recommendation or are able to check out the operator or hotel in question. Check for a registered address, evidence of licenses and financial protection, bank account details (not only PayPal), and a fixed, rather than mobile telephone number, and for independent reviews or recommendations. We have highlighted specific problems where we have come across them. Common complaints are hotels (especially on the Black Sea) which take reservations but cancel them if a higher paying client or group comes along. Other complaints include surcharges levied on arrival, hotels that have been overbooked, transfers in unroadworthy vehicles or with dangerous drivers, and tours that so not turn out to be as advertised. Remember, Romania is a huge country. One Romanian internet company is currently advertising a Dracula Tour which finishes with a day driving from Bucovina to Bucharest via the Danube Delta and the Black Sea ... impossible, even with the fastest, most dangerous driver! So please take time to research before booking to avoid disappointment. If you are concerned about a particuar tour or operator, you can check with the Romanian Embassy or Tourist Office to find out if they are genuine.
To book your perfect holiday
we recommend:
0800 074 7800
www.travelcounsellors.co.uk
A quaity, personal service by
travel experts in your local area
beyondtheforest.com provides everything you need to plan your holiday - unbiased travel information based on extensive, personal travel and an unparallelled network of local specialists.
We also promote scheduled group departures or club and society tours from tine to time
Also refer to our TOUCH OF CLASS and ANOTHER EUROPE holidays for themed Halloween breaks
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