DAYS
9
TOUR CODE
TRAN-27
COST
£3475
DAYS
9
TOUR CODE
TRAN-27
COST
£3475
This tour to present-day Romania will offer an unparalleled opportunity to explore some of the fascinating churches and fortresses constructed by the Transylvanian Saxons, in the company of expert art historian Alex Koller.
Overview
The Transylvanian Saxons – a group of German-speaking artisans, farmers and merchants – were first invited to settle in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains by the Hungarian Crown in the 13th century. In response to raids in the late Middle Ages, fortresses were erected around their churches, and our tour to present-day Romania will feature visits to a specially selected number of these fortified structures.
Visits will include the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Prejmer, where the early Gothic Church of the Holy Cross was walled in the 15th century, and Biertan, with its late Gothic complex dating from circa 1522.
We will investigate the wooden churches of the Maramureș region, characterised by their slim clock towers, and the walled town of Sighișoara. Dominated by a hill overlooking a bend in the River Târnava, the town is another superb reminder of the architectural ingenuity of the Transylvanian Saxons. The narrow streets have conserved much of the town’s medieval fabric: not just an impressive citadel and defensive towers but also the houses of the local craftsmen who were responsible for developing Sighișoara’s prosperity.
Medieval Brașov was formerly one of Eastern Europe’s most important trading towns and later a source of the Reformation in Transylvania. Sibiu is home to the Brukenthal Palace, the main 18th century residence of the Governor of Transylvania, and is noted for its series of interlocking squares and covered passages with an extensive stock of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture.
A further highlight of our itinerary will be an opportunity to visit the King’s House in the UNESCO-listed village of Viscri, to learn about its links with King Charles III. The King’s Foundation has transformed this traditional Saxon property into a site celebrating, in the words of its Administrator, Mihai Grigore, “The King’s passion for traditional architecture, sustainable agriculture, the protection of biodiversity and our valuable cultural heritage – in other words, His Majesty’s love for Romania”. The house contains an exhibition space housing a collection of botanical art, intended to inspire the preservation of Transylvania’s unique flora.
Tour Director
Alex Koller
Alex Koller is an expert in art and architectural history and an accomplished linguist, with extensive experience developing and leading study tours for ACE.
This tour will be led by Alex Koller, PhD, an expert in art history and architecture. Alex has lived and studied in Vienna, Salzburg and Cambridge, where he gained his PhD in History of Art from Magdalene College. An experienced lecturer and ACE Tour Director, Alex is also a linguist, numbering German, French, Italian and Russian amongst his languages. He looks forward to introducing another ACE group to the compelling history of the Transylvanian fortified churches.
– ACE customer on a previous Citadels of Transylvania tour led by Alex Koller
Our Accommodation
We will stay at hotels of three and four-star standard throughout the tour, in Sibiu, Cluj-Napoca, Baia Mare, Sighișoara and Brasov.
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart London Heathrow 0600 on Austrian Airlines via Vienna, arriving Sibiu 1255. Two nights at Hotel Ramada, Sibiu. **Owing to our early departure time on May 5 (Day 1), ACE is pleased to offer a complimentary overnight stay at a Heathrow Airport hotel on the night of May 4. Please let the Sales team know if you would like to take this up when you make your booking**
Day 2
Morning visits in Sibiu: Upper Town, Huet Square, Lower Town, Bridge of Lies, Goldsmiths’ Square and Brukenthal Palace followed by open-air Astra Museum. Afternoon excursion to Cisnădie (15th century fortified church) and Cisnădioara (St Michael’s fortress church with 13th century west portal).
Day 3
Morning: Miercurea Sibiului (Saxon fortified church), UNESCO-listed Câlnic Castle and Sebeș for Fortress and Lutheran Church (Renaissance triptych). Afternoon: Alba Iulia (former Roman camp, huge Baroque fort). Continue to Cluj-Napoca for overnight at Courtyard by Marriott Downtown.
Day 4
Morning in Cluj-Napoca: old town, 14th century Church of St Michael, Bánffy Palace (with art museum), birthplace of Hunyadi Mátyás, and Catholic, Calvinist and Unitarian churches. Continue to wooden church of Șurdești (weather permitting), followed by Baia Mare for overnight at Hotel Rivulus.
Day 5
Visits to wooden churches and gates of the Maramureș region. Continue to Sighișoara for two nights at Hotel Sighișoara.
Day 6
Valea Viilor (early 16th century fortified church), Mediaș (St Margaret’s Church), Biertan (three-nave church with excellent Gothic west portal) and Malancrav (fortified church).
Day 7
Visits in Sighișoara: Monastery Church, Church on the Hill, Student Steps, Clock Tower with museum. Afternoon: UNESCO-listed fortified church in Saschiz and Viscri (uniquely preserved Saxon village) for King’s House. Continue to Brașov for two nights at Aro Palace Hotel.
Day 8
Morning excursion to Prejmer (founded by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century) for visit to early Gothic fortified church. Return to Brașov for visit to Black Church (famous organ of 4000 pipes and collection of Ottoman carpets) and exploration of the old town.
Day 9
Morning: 19th century Peleș Castle (final flight times permitting). Continue to Bucharest for 1540 departure on British Airways, arriving Heathrow 1710.
Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. Sites may close with little or no notice, for example owing to restoration works, and some visits may be time or weather permitting on the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
To read our full list of frequently asked questions please visit our general FAQs here.
What is the maximum group size of this tour?
What is the deposit cost for this tour?
What tour staff will be on this tour?
Am I fit enough to travel on this tour?
Fitness Requirements
The majority of ACE Cultural Tours are active in nature. To make the most of our time in a destination and provide excellent value for money, they are busy – there are often several visits included each day. As such, our tours require a certain minimum level of physical and mental fitness, mobility and stamina.
Many visits will involve navigating several steps, uneven ground, steep ascents and descents, and could involve embarking and disembarking aircraft, coaches, trains and cruise vessels. Plenty of walking, punctuated by lengthy periods of standing, is the norm. Some tours may involve long coach journeys.
It is essential that all customers are sufficiently fit and able enough to fully participate. Furthermore, every tour comprises a group of guests. We cannot allow the entire group to be negatively impacted by one participant, either holding up the pace we reasonably need to maintain or disproportionately requiring the attention and support of the tour staff.
We carefully consider the intensity, fitness and other requirements of each itinerary and describe them on the tour pages of our brochures and website. Please study these descriptions closely. When you call to book, we will reiterate those requirements and ask you to confirm that all group members are indeed fit enough and otherwise able to meet the criteria. It is your responsibility to answer fully and honestly. If it transpires that you are not able to keep pace with the tour and/or it reasonably appears you are negatively impacting (or are reasonably likely to negatively impact) the enjoyment of the rest of the group (including their ability to complete all scheduled visits), we may ask you to sit out certain days/visits, take a taxi at your own expense (if available in the location), or even, if we consider there is no other reasonable alternative, ask you to leave the tour and make your own way home.
This tour requires a good level of fitness, mobility and stamina, as we have a full itinerary making the most of our time in Romania, with some early starts, and many days will involve a significant amount of walking. It is not always possible for the coach to park right outside the sites, so some visits may involve a walk to access the entrances (particularly churches), and this may be uphill or over uneven ground so care should be taken. Some visits involve navigating steps and cobbles. There will be an opportunity to climb a fortress tower in Brașov but this will be optional. Please note that the tour will also feature some long coach journeys. Participants must meet ACE’s general fitness criteria, as outlined in our Booking Terms & Conditions.
As a minimum, participants should be able to successfully complete the following self- assessment tests:
- Walk for one hour at a reasonable pace and without needing to take a break to rest
- Climb at least two flights of stairs at a reasonable pace
- Stand unaided for at least 30 minutes
- Stand up and sit down ten times in one minute
- Carry or otherwise move your own luggage
Please ensure you have read and understand our full fitness requirements as described in our terms and conditions.
UK Government Travel Advice
For additional travel information from the UK government please consult the following pages.
Flight Information
Owing to our early departure time on May 5 (Day 1), ACE is pleased to offer a complimentary overnight stay at a Heathrow Airport hotel on the night of May 4. Please let the Sales team know if you would like to take this up when you make your booking. For customers who wish to make their own travel arrangements, ACE is pleased to be able to offer a flight reduction of £225.
Cost Details
Citadels of Transylvania
May 5 - 13, 2027
Included: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, eight breakfasts, two lunches, eight dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.
Not Included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £485.
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