Transylvania to the Black Sea: A Continental Railway Journey
- 13
- £999
- Romania
- Travel by rail out to Sighisoara, in the heart of Transylvania
- Head south-east to the cities of Sibiu and Brasov, where there’s an exciting excursion to Dracula’s Castle
- Stop off for a night in Sinaia and visit Constanta, a bustling port town on the Black Sea
- Bucharest – Romania’s fascinating capital city
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Return by rail or arrange a flight
- Upgrade your trains and hotels
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
- First Class rail travel with seat reservations within Romania
- Overnight sleeper in a private double-cabin from Vienna to Sighisoara
- Overnight sleeper in a private double-cabin from Bucharest to Vienna
- 12 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast in city-centre locations
- Easy-to-follow travel documentation
- Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office
Suggested Itinerary
Arrive in Vienna and check in for an overnight stay at the conveniently located Zeitgeist Hotel (or similar). You can travel here by air or, of course take the train. There are sleeper services to Vienna from Brussels, Cologne and Amsterdam or you may like to travel by day and stop off in one or two destinations along the way. Give us a call to tailor make your trip.
With a free day in Vienna before your sleeper train departs for Romania, there’s plenty of time to head out and explore. Your hotel will be more than happy to look after your bags for you while you sightsee. You may like to discover one of the city’s historic museums or perhaps take the opportunity for coffee and a slice of Sachertorte at a pavement café.
In the evening, collect your bags and make your way back to the station for your sleeper service aboard the Dacia overnight train.
Arrive into Sighisoara this morning and check in for an overnight stay at the Mercure Sighisoara Binderbubi – Hotel & Spa (or similar).
Sighisoara is the perfect introduction to Transylvania, as it’s the quintessential Transylvanian town, complete with UNESCO World Heritage listed walled Old Town. This stunning area with its colourful houses, cobbled streets and medieval towers is great for wandering. You might also like to visit the home of the infamous Vlad Tepes (otherwise known as Count Dracula) or take a walk up the covered stairway to the Church on the Hill, an evocative late-Gothic, triple-naved church.
You have another free morning in Sighisoara. Perhaps head up the pretty Clock Tower, which is home to a museum and, more importantly, panoramic views from its multi-coloured tile roof.
After lunch, return to the station and take a direct train to Sibiu, arriving in the evening. Here, check in for a 2-night stay at the Ramada Sibiu (or similar).
The beautiful city of Sibiu lies in the heart of Transylvania and houses Romania’s largest ethnic German population, which shines through in the Germanic feel to the atmosphere and architecture.
TMR RECOMMENDS: If you’re visiting in the summer, spend an extra night in Sibiu and hire a car so that you can drive along the famous Transfagarasan Highway, rated by respected auto journalists as the best road in the world.
Board a Romanian InterCity train today for the journey 90 miles or so to the east, in your comfortable First Class reserved seat.
Arrive refreshed into the heart of Romania’s most-visited city and check in for a 2-night stay at the Aro Palace Hotel (or similar). The main focal-point is the main square (pictured, left) known as Piata Sfatului, which contains an eclectic mix of modern, trendy bars and quaint pavement cafés. Take a trip to the top of imposing Mount Tampa by cable car for unforgettable panoramic views!
Bran Castle, also known as “Dracula’s Castle” is a fascinating museum located about 20 miles to the south west of Brasov.
Your day trip here will include transportation from Brasov and a visit to the museum housed in the castle itself. You will also have the opportunity to explore the grounds of the castle that is said to have inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and was so revered by Queen Marie of Romania in the early part of the 20th century.
Take a journey south this afternoon, which start off following the course of the Prahova River, through spectacular scenery. Eventually, you’ll leave the Carpathian mountains behind and continue the Black Sea, with a glimpse of capital Bucharest on the way. Arrive into Constanta and check in for 2 nights at the Hotel Carol (or similar).
Dating back 2,600 years, Constanta is not only Romania’s largest seaport but is also its oldest attested city. One of its highlights is the art-nouveau-style Constanta Casino, completed in 1911. You may also like to visit some of the city’s fascinating Roman remains including a vast complex of mosaics and a huge collection of artefacts at the National History and Archaeology Museum.
From Constanta, you can also extend your holiday by travelling to up to Tulcea. There are a choice of tours from here to explore the beautiful Danube Delta (pictured).
Take a comfortable InterCity train back across the plains of southern Romania to Bucharest. Here you will check in for a 3-night stay at the PeakTure Hotel (or similar).
Undoubtedly the most important cultural and industrial centre of Romania, Bucharest was once known as the ‘Paris of the East’ (there is even an Arcul de Triumf). Don’t miss the gargantuan Palace of the Parliament, constructed by Nicolae Ceausescu in 1984, and still plays host to the Romanian parliament today. Also not to be missed is the newly-renovated Old Town, known locally as Lipscani, with its array of bars and eateries.
Leave Bucharest today for your onward journey. You can either book a flight back to the UK or, if you would like help arranging a return journey by rail, we’d recommend the sleeper service to Vienna with onward travel via Nuremberg to London St Pancras. Call us to arrange a quote!
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Frankfurt
Located next to Frankfurt’s main station, the Metropolitan by Flemings offers luxurious accommodation and facilities. All non-smoking bedrooms come with a flat-screen TV, minibar, iPod docking station and complimentary Wi-Fi. There is also a health club with a sauna, steam room and gym as well as a brasserie and bar with an outdoor terrace.
Sighisoara
Located a short walk from the Piata Cetatii Medievale in Sighisoara’s historic centre, the Mercure Sighisoara Binderbubi Hotel & Spa has a Tyrolean-inspired décor and a vaulted wine cellar. Bedrooms are equipped with air-conditioning, tea & coffee making facilities, cable TVs and a safe. There is also an onsite restaurant serving Romanian cuisine.
Sibiu
The Ramada Sibiu is a modern hotel in the historical centre of the city, 50 yards from the pedestrian area and the large square.
There is also a restaurant and two bars to be found in this elegant hotel. Each morning, guests can start the day with a varied breakfast buffet.
Brasov
Overlooking the Tampa Mountain and the medieval historic quarter of Brasov, the traditional Hotel Aro Palace faces the Central Park.
Guests can sample Romanian and European cuisine at the hotel’s restaurant and enjoy the views over Brasov’s Citadel from the Belvedere Club, which is on Hotel Aro Palace’s top floor.
Sinaia
Hotel International boasts an exclusive and elegant pool, spa and relaxation centre, a beauty centre as well as a superb restaurant and catering facilities. The Panoramic Restaurant seats up to 450 people, the Tirol restaurant serves Tyrolean specialties and the Cucina Sofia offers Italian cuisine.
Constanta
Hotel Carol is housed in a historical building in the centre of Constanta close to the Museum of Art. The rooms are decorated with classic silk wallpaper and Victorian furniture.
Hotel Carol features a fitness room, a hot tub, and a sauna. There are massage treatments available.
Bucharest
Located in the centre of Bucharest, a 2-minute walk from the University Square and less than 10 minutes from the Old Town, the PeakTure Hotel Bucharest offers modern accommodation with free Wi-Fi internet access throughout. Guests can enjoy snacks and drinks in the on-site bistro or a work out in the well-equipped fitness centre.
Nuremberg
NH Collection Nürnberg City is located in central Nuremberg, just a 2-minute walk from Nuremberg Main Station.I t offers stylishly furnished bedrooms with free Wi-Fi internet access, cable TV and air-conditioning. There’s also a restaurant and a spa.
