Dracula, one of the most famous characters in the world, is always linked to Romania. More precisely, with Transylvania (a Romanian province), which is believed to be a foggy mysterious land, with lots of vampires and castles. .

Dracula History... The real history tells us that Vlad the Impaler (in Romanian: Vlad Tepes) ruled in Wallachia for three times (1448; 1456-1462; 1476), the last reign ending with his death. Vlad Tepes was born in November or December 1431, in the fortress of Sighisoara, Romania. His father, Vlad Dracul, at that time appointed military governor of Transylvania by the emperor Sigismund, had been inducted into the Order of the Dragon about one year before. The order - which could be compared to the Teutonic Order of Knights - was a semi-military and religious society, originally created in 1387 by the Holy Roman Emperor and his second wife, Barbara Cilli. The main goal of such a secret fraternal order of knights was mainly to protect the interests of Catholicism, and to crusade against the Turks. There are different reasons why this society is so important to us. First, it provides an explanation for the name "Dracula;" "Dracul" in Romanian language, means "Dragon", and the boyars of Romania, who knew of Vlad Tepes' father induction into the Order of the Dragon, decided to call him "Dracul." "Dracula," a diminutive which means "the son of Dracul," was a surname to be used ultimately by Vlad Tepes. A second major role of this Order as a source of inspiration for Stoker's evil character is the Order's official dress - a black cape over a red garment - to be worn only on Fridays.

Tour Highlights:
· Dracula's Castle in Transylvania - built in accordance to Bram Stoker's imagination, on Borgo Pass where the Irish writer placed the castle of Count Dracula; accommodation, candle lit dinner and a camp fire complete with mysterious tales surrounding The Legend of Dracula.

· Ritual Killing of the Living Dead - Help a haunted spirit to gain his peace - attend the ritual of killing a strigoi. Masquerade Party afterwards to celebrate the victory or recover from defeat.

· Sighisoara Medieval Citadel - the best preserved and still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe with a UNESCO World Heritage status, Vlad the Impaler's birth place

· Bran Castle - also known as Dracula's Castle, a legendary Transylvanian fortress dating back to 1377

· Witch trial - the famous medieval Knights of Sibiu we'll introduce you to medieval rituals.

· Snagov Monastery - where, according to the legend, Vlad was buried after his assassination

· Poienari Fortress - Vlad's old and faithful citadel perched high on a cliff, more than 1000 stairs to climb.

· Meet Dracula's descendents - pay a visit to Misiuga, Baron of Dracula in his windswept tower in Bistrita Citadel and make the acquaintance of a unique spider web painter in Medias!

· Vampire Treats: indulge yourself with a Vampire dinner to find out why it's worth killing for a meal!

OUR ITINERARY:

DAY 1, Wednesday, October 29, Bucharest
THE LEGEND BEGINS Our English speaking guide connects with us at the Bucharest Airport and we're off to Snagov to visit Snagov Monastery where, according to the legend, Vlad the Impaler was buried after his assassination. The monastic establishment is located on a small island of Snagov Lake so we'll also enjoy a boat trip across the lake. Tonight we celebrate with a welcome dinner in one of Bucharest's top traditional restaurants.

Day 2, Thursday, October 30, Bucharest - Targoviste - Sinaia - Poiana Brasov
Morning drive to Targoviste, former capital of Walachia County situated on the right bank of Ialomita River, to visit the ruins of Vlad Tepes old court. Then it's off to Sinaia, the pearl of mountain resorts in Romania. Here we will explore the main point of attraction, the royal Peles Castle . Built in 1873, the castle has 160 rooms, all of them opulently decorated in leather and wood. Peleş Castle is one of the best preserved and the most beautiful royal residences in Europe.

Tonight we stay in Poiana Brasov. Situated at the foot of Postavaru Mountain , Poiana Brasov is surrounded by dense pinewood forests in a magnificent, mountainous natural setting and it is the most sophisticated winter resort in Romania. We dine medieval style tonight, in an outstanding 4* restaurant.

Day 3, Friday, October 31, Poiana Brasov - Bran - Sighisoara....HALLOWEEN
We arrive today at Transylvania's symbol, Bran Castle. The edifice owes its fame both to its unique charm and to the myth Bram Stoker created around Dracula. Documentary evidence of the castle dates back as far as 1377. Close to the castle there is a shrine set in the wall of a mountain which once sheltered her heart. Our next stop is the Medieval Saxon City of Brasov. The most famous landmark of Brasov is the Black Church , the largest gothic edifice in South - Eastern Europe...Then we visit Sighisoara Medieval Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,. Sighisoara still stands as one of Europe 's most beautiful and still inhabited fortified cities and is the place where Vlad the Impaler, known as Dracula, was born. Tonight get ready for the ultimate Halloween Party.

ULTIMATE HALLOWEEN PARTY TONIGHT:
- The Halloween Party is without a doubt one of the most remarkable events anyone could experience in Romania. The flavour of the Romanian cuisine mingled with the melodious folk songs, unique events and unexpected surprises will prove that every legend has a little bit of truth in it!

- The guest's are welcomed with a traditional Romanian drink prepared especially for the cold season, then the Master of Ceremony, one of Dracula's many subjects, will introduce the guests to the programme of the evening making sure every one will meet his fate!


HIGHLIGHTS of the Halloween Party will include:
- The "Witch Trial" reveals the medieval rituals of judgment for a witch testing the courage of the guests. Should anyone dare to handle the sword and fight along with the knights to save the damned woman, will be anointed as a knight.

- Visit by Dracula, the Count... His majesty will join us and even make a few confessions about his wedding. "Dracula's Wedding" is a show set on stage by a professional band of actors.

- Midnight moon watch and countdown... Close to midnight will all step out to watch the moon and count down the minutes to 12 o'clock, a time of powerful magic when all bad wishes come true! (let's just say that your neighbours' cat won't bother you anymore). A glass of champagne and the traditional Rest in Peace song will delight us afterwards.

- Halloween cake, shaped as a coffin and delicious as fresh blood. This might just be the first coffin you have tried and you will like it!

- The Count's witch will be at your disposal. She'll open her office for you to be able to purchase After Life Insurances (something we know for sure you will use!)

- Costume Party and Prizes... The Best Female and Male Costumes will receive awards (Romanian genuine handcrafts to remember). The Count has also a gift prepared for the Best Howl at the Moon (after a glass of strong red wine boiled with cinnamon you won't lack courage or strength!)

- Dancing... The DJ will then take over the party! Devilish dancing to the dawn. The last person standing will receive a bottle of wine courtesy of the house and Romanian tips on how to handle the hang over.


DAY4, Saurday, November1st....Sighisoara Bistrita
Stroll around the streets of the old citadel; admire the Clock Tower, concentrating Sighisoara's history, the beautiful Church on the Hill and the unique Covered Stairs. You can even enjoy lunch in the very house where Vlad the Impaler was borne, turned today into a cosy restaurant - "Casa Vlad Dracul" Restaurant. You'll then find the answer to a question I'm sure is eating you up inside: Does Dracula have descendants? Meet Misiuga, the Baron of Dracula who looks remarkably young for an 84 year old, and be welcomed into his windswept tower, Cooper Tower in Bistrita Citadel; you'll see an interesting puppet exhibition, receive a garlic wreath and a piece of good advice from the baron himself: to stay away from Dracula's Castle in Borgo Pass! In Bistrita you can also visit Golden Crown Restaurant and taste the very meal Jonathan Harker, the main character of Dracula Novel, served when in Bistrita Citadel. Next stop is Dracula's Castle in Borgo Pass, a 3* hotel which was built in accordance to Bram Stokers imagination. After visiting Dracula's coffin you'll enjoy a candle lit dinner at the castle followed by a fire camp near by.

DAY5, Sunday, November2nd, Bistrita Citadel Turda
Morning drive to visit the city of Cluj Napoca to enjoying a city tour revealing beautiful medieval buildings such as Saint Andrews Cathedral you can also delight yourself with the best Turkish Kebab. It's hard to believe, but here in the heart of Transylvania you can find the best Turkish kebab, that we strongly recommend for your lunch, in spite of the irony - a Turkish specialty in Vlad Dracul's country, given the fact that he was the worst enemy the Turks could have had. Optional: How about a genuine Dracula tattoo? Should you wish to permanently remember your trip to Transylvania, you have your chance. From Cluj drive to Turda, a small town with an intimate medieval atmosphere, home to one of the oldest Salt Mine in Romania. We stay tonight in a 4* hotel, often referred to as a medieval fantasy with beds. Delight yourself with a vampire menu for dinner, a delicious reason to travel to Transylvania! Still, an evening to fear, you'll attend the killing of a vampire; you'll be part of the crowd seeking to take the bloody creature to a special place where the ritual can begin!


DAY 6, Monday, November 3rd, Turda - Sibiu
Prepare to descend to the heart of one of the biggest saline in Romania, the Salt Mines of Turda, with impressive halls named after kings and queens. The Salt Mines are the place where you'll put your existence to test! The Mine ends in a narrow tunnel at the end of which a mirror is placed. Should you see your reflection in the mirror, you will know you still have a soul to worry about! Drive next to Medias. Here you'll become acquainted with a unique artist, the only one in the world who uses spider webs for his paintings. Evening in Sibiu , the European Cultural Capital for 2007. The fortified town of Sibiu has been the centre of Romania's German minority since medieval times and it is one of Romania's most beautiful cities. Tonight we stay at a 4* hotel, and enjoy a traditional Saxon dinner in one of the best restaurants in Sibiu.

DAY 7, Tuesday, November 4th, Sibiu - Bucharest Our last Romanian morning. Enjoy a morning visit of Poienari, to visit the ruins of Vlad's old and faithful fortress. The fortress located close to Fagaras Mountains, on a canyon formed by Arges Rives is perched high on a cliff, in fact a steep precipice. To visit the impressive fortress and admire the unique and breathless view from the top we.ll need to climb over 1000 stairs. Late afternoon arrival in Bucharest, past 5:00 pm.

LAND PACKAGE Cost for this "once in a lifetime" trip is $2402 * **

* double room accommodations

** plus 4% processing fee

DISCOUNT: Register a group of 5 or more and receive a $75 per person discount.

Single Supplement: $437

BUY TICKETS HERE

R/T Airfare from Washington Dulles to Bucharest, Romania at the time of this write-up was $642

DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR GUARANTEED SPACE: April 30, 2008

DEPOSIT: Reserve and hold your space with just a $250 deposit

WHAT'S INCLUDED
- English speaking guide services, experienced in escorting Dracula themed tours.
- Accommodation: 4 nights in 3* hotels, 2 nights in 4* hotels
- Transportation: r/t transfer from Bucharest airport, all transfers inside the tour by coach, minibus or car - air conditioned, depending on the number of travelers and boat transfer to Snagov Monastery.
- Meals: 6 breakfasts, 6 dinners (3 special dinners: dinner with vampire menu in Hunter Prince Restaurant in Turda, candle lit dinner in Dracula's Castle, medieval dinner in Poiana Brasov)
- Entry fees to: Snagov Monastery, Tirgoviste Citadel, Peles Castle, Bran Castle, Dogarilor Tower, Dracula's Castle, Dracula's Coffin, Salt Mines in Turda, Spider Web Artist in Medias, Poienari Citadel.
- Special Events: The Ritual of Killing of the Living Dead & Halloween Party
- Learning Escapes Escort/Facilitator with groups of 8 or more.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
R/T airfare, Halloween Costumes, lunches, photo & video taxes for the tourist attractions and anything not specifically mentioned under WHAT'S INCLUDED.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: The U.S. Government requires all guests (including U.S. citizens) to be in possession of a valid passport (expiration date at least 6 months past ending trip date) when traveling on any Carnival cruise. Foreign nationals should contact their respective governments to obtain further details.

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