Romania Unveiled with Dacre Stoker

Kick off the adventure in the morning together with your local guide Nora Vintila, during a combined walking and panoramic bus tour of Bucharest. Get a concise overview of Romanian history, from Vlad the Impaler to dictator Ceausescu, to discover how this country became a crossroads of Eastern and Western culture. Next, you will travel to Ceptura in the Dealu Mare wine region at the foothill of the Carpathians. Along with a light lunch and a fascinating wine tasting at one of the most renowned vineyards of Ceptura, we explore the history of Romanian wine. The afternoon continues with a visit to the cellars of Stoker Wines. Later, we will check in and have dinner at a charming vineyard manor.

Travel from Ceptura towards Transylvania to explore its legendary castles. Your first stop is the royal Peles Castle, right where Wallachia borders "the land beyond the forest". A delicious lunch is served at a nearby restaurant. In the afternoon, enjoy an exclusive guided visit to the iconic Bran Castle, known as Dracula's Castle for reasons that your tour host, Dacre Stoker, will reveal to you. The castle was built in 1377 and restored by Queen Marie of Romania in the 1920s. You are welcomed at a quaint boutique hotel, within walking distance from the castle. The day concludes with an exclusive presentation by Dacre: "Stoker on Stoker," and a delectable dinner

ander through the enchanting streets of Brasov, led by Nora, who will reveal the local legend of Kathrina Siegel, alleged mistress of Vlad Tepes. Lunch is served in an iconic setting of the town. The adventure continues as you explore an incredibly well preserved fortified church, a medieval structure built to protect against invaders. We experience the ancestral country life in Viscri, a Transylvanian village that charmed King Charles III so much that he purchased a little traditional house here back in 2006. Dinner is served at a local inn, in the village. At dusk, we leave towards the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage city of Sighisoara. We spend the night in an historical hotel close to the medieval walls of the city. The next morning, Today Nora will take you through the hidden paths of the colorful streets of Sighisoara. This isn't your average historical tour. You'll explore the fascinating connections that link Sighisoara to some of the world's most enduring tales and even modern-day science. As we wind through the city's crooked alleys, you'll hear about the real-life inspirations for the Brothers Grimm's dark fairytales, often rooted in the harsh realities of medieval life. Beyond renowned figures like Vlad Dracula, you’ll find out about other fascinating personalities who inhabited this time-capsule of a town. The afternoon is free for you explore on your own. We gather again in the evening for dinner at the house where Vlad Dracula is said to be born.

You continue your adventure through Weinland, the region where the settlers from the Rhine and Mosell areas brought their ancient vine tradition from the early 13th century. Your first stop is one of the genuine Transylvanian Saxon villages, where you'll be welcomed with a delightful, slow-cooked family-style meal. The adventure continues to Reichau Inn for a relaxing evening under the stars, complete with a cozy bonfire, an atmospheric guitar recital, and readings of contemporary vampire stories. The next day, you’ll explore Sibiu, a town brimming with captivating history. Enjoy the majestic architecture, from the Large and Small Squares to the legendary Bridge of Lies. With Dacre and Nora, you’ll dive into the life of Emily Gerard, a literary trailblazer who once lived here. It was within these very streets that she wrote tales of Transylvania's superstitions, coining the term "Nosferatu", which provided a lot of the dark folklore for Bram Stoker's Dracula. Hermannstadt is famously called the "Town of a Thousand Eyes," a place where the unique dormer windows on the rooftops stare back at you from every angle. This evening, enjoy an insightful lecture by Dacre before dinner, followed by a special movie night, back at the traditional inn of Reichau. Start the following day with a visit to the awe-inspiring Corvinus Castle, a gothic masterpiece steeped in legend and intrigue. After exploring its formidable halls and visiting the torture chamber, you'll be treated to a traditional Romanian soup lunch and a walking tour of Alba Iulia. Travel in time, from the dusk of the Roman Empire, later remembering the medieval era by paying respects at the final resting place of the János Hunyadi, and admiring the Habsburg grandeur of the 1700's. The evening’s grand finale: a delicious dinner within the walls of the Mühlbach citadel, followed by a thrilling medieval knights' show. Unwind and savor your final day at Reichau. The morning is yours to enjoy a last dip in the pool or relax in the soothing salt room. In the afternoon, get hands-on with a cooking class where you'll learn to prepare traditional Romanian specialties. The day culminates with a memorable farewell dinner served in the garden (weather permitting). Check-out will be on the next day after breakfast, when Dacre and Nora are saying “La Revedere!”