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Map of Halloween in Transylvania (Northbound) including Romania

Spend your spookiest Halloween ever in haunting Romania

Even without its bloodcurdling myths of Dracula, werewolves, haunted castles and gypsy curses, Romania is an atmospheric destination. And no more so on the spooky holiday of Halloween. Let us introduce you to the beauty of ancient Bucharest, the haunting beauty and mythology of Sighisoara, and spooky Bran Castle (aka Dracula’s castle) in Brasov. For a spine-tingling adventure this Halloween, don’t look past this adventure in Transylvania. Mwahahaha.

Start
Bucharest, Romania
Finish
Cluj Napoca, Romania
Destination
Romania
Style
Original
Theme
Festivals and Events
Code
WMSM
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Transylvania conjures up images of haunted castles, gothic churches and vampires. Where better to spend time around Halloween than in the 12th-century town of Sighisoara, the birthplace of Count Dracula? Things are about to get medi-evil

  • Break out your scariest costumes for a spooky Halloween party in Cluj Napoca, the former capital of the historical principality of Transylvania

  • Protect yourself against devils and demons with a visit to the Turda Salt Mines, a fascinating museum showcasing the history of salt in the region complete with an underground amusement park

  • Delve into the communist past and the thriving, artistic present-day vibe of Bucharest, a city often underrated by travellers. The grand architecture of the 1980’s Palace of the Parliament is particularly awe-inspiring

  • A stopover in the traditional Saxon village of Viscri exposes you to Romanian hospitality and some finger-licking home-cooked food

Is this trip right for you?

  • Autumn weather in Romania can be cooler than expected, especially at higher altitude. Please consider the time of year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

  • Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together if you'd like to get cosy. Also, please note that many hotels and guesthouses only offer shared bathrooms rather than en-suite facilities.

  • This trip takes place around Halloween in October. If you would like to visit Romania during a different time of year you may want to check out our trip 'Budapest to Bucharest' (trip code WMSB) or the epic 'Eastern Europe Explorer' (trip code WMSEC), which continues further south into Bulgaria.

Sighisoara, Transylvania, Romania with it's famous medieval fortified city
The medieval fortress Sighisoara city, Transylvania, Romania
Dracula Castle in Transylvania, Romania. The castle is located on top of a mountain.

Itinerary
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Bună Ziua! Welcome to Bucharest. Often called the 'Little Paris of the Balkans', Romania's capital is known for its Belle Epoch architecture, thumping nightlife and communist sites. After the welcome meeting this evening, you might like to get a head start and explore the city by night, or perhaps head out for a group dinner to get a first sample of Romania's unique cuisine.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Bucharest - Bike Tour - EUR25
  • Bucharest - Palace of Parliament Tour - RON60
  • Bucharest - Village Museum - RON30
  • Bucharest - Former Ceauşescu Residence - RON55
  • Bucharest - Romanian Athenaeum - RON10
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm today. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.

This morning meet your local guide for a private tour of Bucharest. After taking in the recently restored old town of Bucharest, visit some of the more significant sites of the revolution of 1989, which culminated in the ousting and execution of communist leader Ceausescu, and the end of Romania's 42-year communist rule. Bucharest likes big things – the tour will also stop by the huge Piata Unirii, one of Europe's largest squares, and continue on to the ‘Ceausima’, Bucharest's 12-storey Palace of Parliament. The palace is the second largest building in the world (after the Pentagon). The former dictator ordered the construction of this monster, a building of staggering scale and opulence that includes 1,100 rooms and 4,500 chandeliers. In the afternoon, travel by train to the 13th-century Saxon city of Brasov. Also known by its German name of Kronstadt, this town flanked by mountains and city walls was once a major medieval trading centre.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bucharest - Walking Tour with Local Guide
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

No trip to Romania would be complete without a visit to the famous Bran Castle. The castle was built by the Saxons in 1382 to defend the Bran pass against the invading Turks. With its fairy-tale turrets and whitewashed walls, it's far from menacing and spooky, but is undeniably impressive, perched on a high cliff top and surrounded by pine trees. Afterwards, return to Brasov and enjoy a guided walk around town, checking out the ornate churches, townhouses, old city walls, and squares surrounded by gingerbread-roofed merchants' houses. Visit Brasov's main attraction, the gothic Black Church (Biserica Neagra), which took its name from its blackened appearance after a fire in 1689.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bran Castle - Tour
  • Brasov - Walking Tour with Local Guide
Optional Activities
  • Brasov - The Black Church - RON15
  • Brasov - Cable Car to Mt Tampa - RON25
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

In the morning, travel by private transport to Viscri, less than 2 hours away (but it’ll feel like you’re entering another world). The small Transylvanian village of Viscri was originally inhabited by Saxons from the Luxembourg area, and the whole scene is picture-postcard rural. This idyllic village of red tiled roofs is a World Heritage site, virtually unchanged for 900 years. You’ll visit the town's fortified church (thought to be the oldest in Transylvania) and learn about the Sock Project, which supports the local Roma community. After a home cooked lunch at the house of a local family continue to the 12th century town of Sighisoara (approximately 1 hour). After a quick orientation walk you have all afternoon to explore the city.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Viscri - Fortified Church
  • Viscri - Sock Project Visit
  • Viscri - Local Home Cooked Lunch
Optional Activities
  • Sighisoara - Covered Stairway - Free
  • Sighisoara - Church of the Dominican Monastery - RON10
  • Sighisoara - Church on the Hill - RON5
  • Sighisoara - The Clock Tower - RON16
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today you will visit Viscri's Sock Project. It involves approximately 125 women knitting 10,000 pairs of socks a year earning around 45,000 Euro for the village!

Medieval Sighisoara is likely to seduce visitors more than any other place in Romania. The town is famed as the birthplace of Vlad Dracul III, better known as Vlad the Impaler, the ruler of Walachia province from 1456 to 1462 and whose name was the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s iconic Count Dracula. Walking through the town is like taking a trip back in time to the medieval age, and it’s easy to image streets crowded with vampires, evil counts, wolves, peasants riding through the untamed countryside on horse-drawn carts and crooked old men doddering along the narrow streets. After a morning of exploring Sighisoara in your own time, travel by train through pastoral fields and untouched Saxon towns to Cluj Napoca, the unofficial capital of Transylvania. Perhaps enjoy a stroll around the Gothic streets of the 2000-year-old down before getting dressed up in your spookiest costumes for a Halloween party with your group.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cluj Napoca - Halloween Party in Cluj
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that this itinerary may have multiple departures on the same date. Your group size will still be capped at a maximum of 16 participants, but at tonight's Halloween Party you will mingle with as many as 16 other travellers from concurrently running Intrepid trips. The more the merrier! In order to give your creativity free reign we recommend you bring along your own costume for the party. Costume hire opportunities on-site are very limited.

In the morning, visit the Turda Salt Mines, a former salt mine converted into an underground amusement park, complete with ferries wheel. You can even hire a row boat and play bowling. There is also a fascinating museum showcasing the history of salt mining in the region. Salt is a common protective tool against all sorts of evil beings; legend has it that if you pour an unbroken line of salt across the entranceways to your house, vampires and demons won’t be able to get in. After your salt mine visit, return to Cluj for a city tour with a local guide. The remainder of the day is yours to explore. Perhaps meet up with your group for a final dinner tonight.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Turda - Salt Mines Tour
  • Cluj Napoca - Walking Tour with Local Guide
Optional Activities
  • Cluj Napoca - Botanical Garden - RON15
  • Cluj Napoca - Museum of Transylvanian History - RON10
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Your Halloween tour ends today. There are no activities planned for the final day and you can depart your accommodation at any time. If you want to stay longer in Bucharest please check about additional accommodation when you make your booking.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
If you want to return to Bucharest at the end of the trip your leader will be able to advsie you of the train schedule, as there are several connection daily back to Bucharest. Alternatively Cluj Napoca also has an international airport with an increasing number of airlines servicing a variety of European destinations.
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Meals

6 breakfasts, 1 lunch

Transport

Train, Private vehicle, Taxi

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights)

Included activities

  • Bucharest - Walking Tour with Local Guide
  • Bran Castle - Tour
  • Brasov - Walking Tour with Local Guide
  • Viscri - Fortified Church
  • Viscri - Sock Project Visit
  • Viscri - Local Home Cooked Lunch
  • Cluj Napoca - Halloween Party in Cluj
  • Turda - Salt Mines Tour
  • Cluj Napoca - Walking Tour with Local Guide

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Halloween in Transylvania (Northbound) trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
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Important notes

1. Please note that this itinerary may have multiple departures on the same date. Your group size will still be capped at a maximum of 16 travellers, however in some locations you may overlap with other groups, such as in overnight stays, and of course at the Halloween Party itself.
2. A single supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. Please note that due to the small properties we use in Europe there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.
3. This trip travels in a northbound direction, starting in Romania's capital Bucharest and ending in Cluj Napoca in time for the Halloween Party. This trip is also available in the opposite direction, travelling southbound from Cluj Napoca, ending in Bucharest.

Essential trip information

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