Transylvania Dracula Short Break – 3-Days Vampire Tour, Cluj-Napoca Departure
Join us on an amazing 3-days Transylvania Dracula short break. This itinerary deparst from Cluj-Napoca. There are no set dates because we organize the tour throughout the year, on request.
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Join us on an amazing 3-days Transylvania Dracula short break. This itinerary departs from Cluj-Napoca. There are no set dates because we organize the tour throughout the year, on request. Of course, this also means that we treat this journey like a private experience. Therefore, we require at least 4 people to depart. Highlights include the amazing Turda Salt Mines, Corvinesti Castle or Dracula's birthplace, Sighisoara Citadel. In Turda, enjoy a special vampire menu and attend our Ritual of Killing of the Living Dead*.
*The Ritual of Killing of The Living Dead takes place for groups of at least 4 travelers.
This tour departs on request, for a group of minimum 2 persons!
Transylvania Dracula Short Break - Highlights
Ritual Killing of the Living Dead* – Help a haunted spirit to gain his peace – attend the ritual of killing a Living Dead meant to introduce you to the genuine Transylvanian folklore – learn more.
*This event requires at least 4 travelers to take place
Corvinestilor Castle – the greatest Gothic style castle in Romania, Corvinesti. The edifice was built in the 14th Century on the site of a former Roman camp.
The Medieval Saxon Citadel of Sighisoara – Dracula’s birth place, the best preserved medieval citadel in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Vampire Treats: enjoy a Vampire dinner to find out why it’s worth killing for a meal!
Turda Salt Mine – descend to the heart of one of the biggest salt mines in Transylvania, you’ll then know you still have a soul to worry about
Transylvania Dracula Short Breaks - Brief itinerary
Meet our guide in Cluj-Napoca, an amazing Transylvanian city, probably the most developed in the area. Blending important historical places with modern buildings, the city itself is completely worth exploring. Travel to Sighisoara Medieval Citadel, Dracula's birthplace. Discover the Clock Tower history museum, the Torture Room and the Medieval Weapons Collection. After that, drive to Sibiu. Accommodate in a cozy 4* hotel and then get ready for your second day in Transylvania.
Continue your Transylvania Dracula Tour in Hunedoara. Discover the amazing Corvinesti Castle, famous for housing ruler Iancu de Hunedoara. Visit Corvinesti and then drive to Turda and accommodate in a 4* vampire themed hotel. In the evening, join us for the popular Ritual of Killing of the Living Dead*, performed as seen on Travel Channel.
*This event requires at least 4 travelers to take place
If you survive the night, join us for the last day of your Transylvania Dracula Tour. Visit the famous Turda Salt Mines. Explore the old galleries and discover breathtaking views. After that, go on an amazing city tour and admire unforgettable landscapes such as St. Michael's Cathedral. When your tour ends, we will drop you off at the airport or at your booked hotel.
This is an overview of your tour. For more information, including the complete itinerary, please scroll up and then use the product’s menu to navigate.
Book your Transylvania Dracula Tour now!
Book your 3 Days Short Break now! Enjoy an unforgettable tour in the land of Dracula and follow into his footsteps! This is a private tour, therefore you can choose your preferred departure date.
We accept MasterCard and Visa on our on-line secure internet payment form.
- MasterCard and Visa via fax and phone.
- We also accept payments via PayPal and bank transfer.
- At the moment of booking we require an advance deposit in the amount of Euro 145/person. Once the advance deposit is registered with our accounts we issue a Confirmation Letter.
- The final payment is due 60 days prior to tour departure. Should the booking be made within 60 days prior to tour departure, entire tour cost is requested at the time of booking.
Departures: on request, for a group of minimum 2 persons.
| Departure date | Price per person (based on double occupancy for 2 people travelling together ) | Price for Single traveller | Availability |
| 3 day tour. Departure from Hotel Transilvania, 10.00 am (GMT +02:00) | |||
| Departs on request for a minimum of 2 persons | € 569 | € 666 | limited spaces |
Why to choose a private escorted tour
- It is more comfortable
- Flexible
- Time saving
- You can decide the pace of the tour
- Having a tour guide helps you to have a more genuine experience
Available for free if:
You don’t have a reflection in the mirror,
You decompose when sunlight strikes you,
You’re over 200 years old,
Can use your wings to fly to Transylvania,
Well, this holiday is free for you! Come join your fellow vampires in Transylvania:-)
Blood treats not included!
Other mentions
- Once you realize the price of good beer and wine you will probably not want to return to your country.
- People speak plenty of English in Romania and you will find the locals and the other tourists are friendly and open.
- No visa is required and you can get green card extension insurance from your insurer to cover Romania.
3-Days Vampire tour, Cluj-Napoca departure - Itinerary Map
Media Mentions
• We’re pleased to say that Transylvania Live has recently garnered the attention of several publications and broadcasts
more details here
People were also interested in these tours:
Transylvania Live’s tours on national television
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Vampire Tours - Highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_EaI2FCK8E
Advice for Irish tourists traveling to Romania
If you’re travelling to Romania, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has the following travel advice practical tips and useful information.
Get travel and medical insurance
Before travelling, the Department strongly recommends that you obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), available by contacting the Health Service Executive, and that you also obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. You should check any exclusions and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.
Security status
Romania remains a safe country to visit. There are internal political tensions and visitors are advised to avoid large crowds and political demonstrations. We advise that all normal precautions be taken.
Summary
Romanians are friendly and welcoming people many of whom will happily converse in English
The majority of visits to Romania are trouble-free. Serious crimes involving tourists are not particularly common and most of those that do arise are petty and do not involve violence. There is no known threat of terrorism. Nevertheless, visitors to Romania are advised to take normal personal and security precautions, particularly at night.
Irish nationals do not require visas for visits to Romania.
The official currency in Romania is the RON, often called Lei. Obtaining RON prior to travel can be difficult. However, on arrival cash can be withdrawn from ATMs.
Irish visitors to Romania are encouraged to register with the Irish Embassy in Bucharest.
Emergency assistance
The best help is often close at hand so if you have problems, try talking to your local contacts, tour operator representative or hotel management.
You can contact the emergency services in Romania by dialing 112.
Our tips for Safe Travels:
- Purchase comprehensive travel insurance which covers all your intended activities.
- Get a European Health Insurance Card
- Add an alert for your destination within the Travelwise App.
- Register your details with us so that we can contact you quickly if there’s an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or a family emergency.
Safety and security
Crime
There have been some reports of credit and debit cards being scanned or stolen and used illegally, as happens elsewhere. Use of ATMs is generally safe but some precautions should be employed, such as only using those in department stores or hotel or airport lobbies.
As would be expected in large urban locations, there are occasional reports of pickpockets and bag snatchers operating in crowded areas. Confidence scams leading to theft of passports or wallets have also been known to arise where thieves claiming to be police approach visitors and ask for ID. The Romanian police do not generally ask people for documentation without good cause and in the event of any reason for suspicion visitors should offer to go the nearest police station.
Ideally, where they are not expected to be needed, valuables and other items such as spare jewelry, passports, driving licences, credit/debit cards and excess cash should be secured in a hotel safe.
Water
While the water supply in Romania is not known to be contaminated, use of bottled or filtered water is recommended as a safer option.
Wild Animals
Although a decreasing problem, Romania has a significant population of stray dogs. While these do not usually pose a danger it is strongly recommended to avoid contact with them as they can be aggressive and some could be rabid.
The Carpathian Mountains of Romania are famous for their wilderness and beauty but are also home to large populations of bears and wolves. While they try to avoid humans, it is recommended when visiting remote areas to travel in groups and to take expert advice locally.
Local laws and customs
Visitors are required to carry photo ID in Romania; a photocopy of passport or driver’s licence should suffice for this purpose.
Inappropriate or insensitive behaviour or activity in public is likely to offend others and risks prosecution or even a violent reaction.
Transport
Metro
Bucharest has a good Metro system. It and other towns and cities are serviced by buses, trams and taxis which are very good value by western European standards. Romania also has a good network of inter-city trains. Motorways are not extensive.
Driving
Some Romanians drive erratically and at excessive speeds and vehicles are not always fully roadworthy. Serious road traffic accidents regularly occur. Visitors entering Romania by road or driving there should ensure that they have adequate insurance cover. Insurance companies or brokers should be consulted in advance about this, if necessary. Drivers in Romania must also be in possession of a driving license and car ownership documentation.
All vehicles must pay a general road toll. This “Roviniete” ticket can be purchased at border points and at most petrol stations throughout Romania, and should be prominently displayed on the vehicle windscreen.
The traffic police are known to apply on-the-spot penalties for infringements of traffic regulations, including the retention of driving licences for up to three months in very serious cases.
In winter, drivers should ensure that vehicles are prepared for extreme weather conditions, including fitting mandatory winter tyres.
Roads, including primary roads, can be of poor standard, badly lit, pot-holed and with barely visible markings. Appropriate precautions should be taken, especially at night.
There is zero tolerance for drink-driving and permitted blood/alcohol ratios are below those in Ireland.
In Romania, taxis are relatively inexpensive. In general it is recommended that taxis are booked using one of the various methods available, rather than hailed on the street. This is especially the case where vehicles do not have a meter or display fares. Some visitors have reported incidents of overcharging, especially from airports and major train stations – some taxi drivers will offer a fixed price to the city centre which may appear reasonable but could be significantly in excess of the normal fares in Romania. Visitors arriving at the airport are advised to decline any taxi offers in the arrivals area but instead to avail of one of the simple-to-use automated taxi ordering services in the arrivals hall.
Health
Travel Insurance
We can’t pay for emergency medical repatriation, repatriation of remains, or for expenses as a result of a personal emergency while you are abroad. If you buy an appropriate travel insurance policy, these costs will be covered, provided you haven’t broken the terms and conditions.
Buying comprehensive travel insurance can save you and your family a lot of money if something goes wrong. It will also ensure that you get the medical attention you need, when you need it. Hospital bills can quickly run into thousands of euro, and a medical evacuation back to Ireland can cost thousands more.
Not all policies are the same, and the cheapest one might be cheap for a reason. Make sure your policy covers all the activities you plan to do on your trip. Insurance Ireland recommend that you purchase a policy that provides a minimum medical cover of €1 million.
Emergency expenses
Your policy should cover:
- All medical care abroad, including evacuation by air ambulance, or other emergency procedures, and any other costs associated with an unexpected longer stay.
- Your entire trip, from departure to return. Consider an annual multi-trip policy if you’re making more than one trip in the year.
- 24-hour emergency service and assistance.
- Personal liability cover (in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property).
- Lost and stolen possessions.
- Cancellation and curtailment.
- Any extra activities you intend to do that are excluded from standard policies (e.g. water sport activities such as jet skiing or other extreme sports).
Exclusions: You should know most insurance policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents.
European Health Insurance Card
As an Irish resident you are entitled to get healthcare through the public system in countries of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland if you become ill or injured while on a temporary stay there. Ensure that you get or renew your EHIC (the new name for the E111) before you go, and remember, you need one for every person travelling in your group.
The EHIC is not a substitute for proper travel insurance provided by a reputable insurer. It doesn’t cover medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. Also, some private hospitals may not accept the EHIC, so you should check with the hospital administrator beforehand.
Embassy Contact
In case of a genuine consular emergency while the Embassy is closed, please leave a message with name, location and telephone number at +4021 310 2131 and the Duty Officer will call you back.
Embassy of Ireland
50-52 Buzesti St
3rd Floor, Sector 1
Bucharest
Romania
Tel: +40 21 3102131
Fax: +40 21 3102181
Monday to Friday 09:30 to 12:30; 14:00 to 17:00
Please check your itinerary below:
Itineraries
Day 1
Cluj - Sighisoara - Sibiu (251 km, 4h 12 min driving)
9:00 AM - Welcome to the Transylvania! Our English speaking guide collects you from Cluj Napoca - centrally located hotel.
Drive to Sighisoara, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Submerge yourself in the medieval atmosphere by visiting Sighisoara’s main attractions: The Clock Tower – built in 1360 and standing 60 meters tall on top of the citadel's hill, it hosts a museum and offers a great view over the citadel. The Torture Room –this small but interesting museum is housed at the foot of the Clock Tower in the same room where prisoners were tortured and confessions were extorted during the Middle Ages. Some of the amazing torture instruments and methods are on display. The Medieval Weapon Collection – very small but it contains an interesting selection of medieval weapons (swords, arrows, etc.).
Optional: Enjoy a lunch in the house where Vlad Tepes was born, turned today in a cozy restaurant.
Head next to the impressive medieval town of Sibiu. 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. Accommodate in a 4* hotel, enjoy a traditional Saxon dinner in one of the best restaurants in Sibiu.
Day 2
Sibiu - Hunedoara - Turda (272 km, 3h 17 min driving)
Morning drive to Hunedoara.Visit the greatest Gothic style castle in Romania, Corvinesti castle. The edifice was built in the 14th Century, on the site of a former Roman camp. It served as a fortress until the mid 1400's, when it became the residence of Transylvania's ruler, Iancu de Hunedoara. Iancu upgraded the fortress and it soon became the most beautiful castle in Transylvania.
From Hunedoara drive to Turda, a small town with an intimate medieval atmosphere, home to one of the oldest Salt Mine in Romania. Accommodate 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! The Ritual of Killing of the Living Dead is followed by an Evening sitting, the Romanian term is Sezatoare.
Day 3
Turda - Salina Turda - Cluj-Napoca (40 km, 40 min driving)
Prepare yourself to descend to the heart of one of the biggest salt mines in the country – Turda Salt Mines. Cluj will surely impress you with its beautiful old buildings, Saint Michael’s Cathedral is a must see.
Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
Tour Leader
Professionally trained English speaking guideAccommodations
2 nights in a 4* hotelMeals
2 breakfasts and 2 dinners (out of which a Saxon Dinner and a Vampire Dinner)Transportation
Entire land transfers by standard European car, microbus or coach, depending upon the number of travelersEntry fees to the following tourist attractions
Corvinesti Castle, Clock Tower & Medieval Weapon Collection & Torture Room in Sighisoara Citadel, Turda Salt MinesSpecial events
The Ritual of Killing of the Living Dead* *Please have in mind that this event will take place for a group of minimum 4 persons.Please note that, a minimum of 2 seats to be sold is required in order for this tour to take place.
- Plane ticket
- Airport fees
- Photo & video tax
- Accommodation in the last day of the tour
- Other not mentioned.
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Reservations are required. We recommend booking early as tours are often sold out well in advance. You can make a reservations on-line. In case of making reservations by phone please call toll-free: 808 101 6781 (UK); 866 376 6183 (US). You can also make reservations by fax - download and complete the booking form and send it by fax to: 0040-364-405641 or by e-mail!
We require an advance deposit in the amount of Euro 145/person. When you make the reservation online you will be required to pay the deposit. You will receive an automatic response with your Holiday Booking Reference. Once the advance deposit is registered with our accounts we proceed with the reservation for the requested services and issue the Confirmation Letter + Paid Invoice (once the amount is registered with our accounts).
The final payment is due 60 days prior departure. ( After the final payment is made we will issue Travel Voucher). Should the booking be made within 60 days prior to tour departure, entire tour cost is requested at the time of booking. To read Transylvania Live’s Terms and Conditions please visit us on line at: http://www.visit-transylvania.co.uk/terms.html .
The client is at all time entitled to cancel the Travel Contract, but must pay Transylvania Live - Expert in Transylvania a cancellation charge as stipulated below: 89 days or more prior to departure 90 EURO per person / per tour cancellation fee; 88–61 days, loss of deposit. 60–31 days will be subject to 50% of tour price; 30 days or less will be subject to 100% of tour price.
Please check with the airline company. Anyway is good to pack light, some of the hotels – historical buildings do not have elevators.
Our tours include the services of English-speaking guides. German, French, Hungarian and Hebrew-speaking guide are also available.
We can design an itinerary at a time that suits you, to your own comfort levels and within your own budget. Please send your request by e-mail or by fax.
Yes, most of our tours operate even if there’s only one person. Due to socialization reasons our special tours for couples require a minimum of five couples.
The tour has a general audience as it targets people interested in history, culture, customs and beliefs. Group size can be between 4-26 people. Transylvania Live is member of the responsible travel network and we are committed to operating a travel policy that is supportive of local economies, cultures and the environment. We operate our tours with small groups in order to minimise the negative impact on the environment and allow our guests to interact more easily with the locals, facilitate the communication with the guide. The average age of group is, most of the time, between 35-45.
We do not provide individual tickets for rail, air, boat or ferry.
A minimum age of 10 years is required on non-family programs, unless otherwise indicated on the individual tour page. A client under 18 years of age and travelling alone during the tour period shall provide Transylvania Live with written consent of his/her guardian. Clients under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. On “for couples” tours a minimum age of 20 years is required.
We only accept VISA and MASTERCARD. Please select only these two types of credit cards for the online payment.
If you pay on-line using our secure internet booking form your credit card can hold any type of currency, the amount of money to be taken will be exchanged in EURO by your bank, at their rates. We accept USD and EURO for offline credit card payment and wire transfer.
Yes, we do offer discounts provided they travel as a group; Contact us
Yes, depending on the number of your group. Contact us
On-line bookings and payments are processed by Romcard, authorized agent for Mastercard and Visa in Romania and secured by Rapid SSL , the leading secure sockets layer (SSL) Certificate Authority enabling secure e-commerce and communications for Web sites. As a tour operator we are governed by the consumer and financial regulations of Romania and of the European Union. Romania’s legislation compels tour operators to protect tourists in case of insolvency.
Our prices include the online secure payment commissions. However depending on your bank some commissions may occur for international money transfer. Please check with your bank!
In case we’ll have a full house situation at one of the hotels, an accommodation of an equal classification or better will be booked for you. In case of closed roads due to bad weather, working situations or dangerous weather conditions the itinerary could suffer changes.
If you follow our recommendation on How to arrive (heading found for any of our holidays at the Special notes and info section at the end of the tour page. Our guide will expect you with a Transylvania Live sign. In the unfortunate case of a flight being lost or delayed and prevent you in this way from getting to your meting point in good time, please call 0040 723 565 255.
Our tour fares are based on two in one hotel room. For occupancy by one person, the "single supplement" cost specified in each itinerary will be required.
If you travel alone you have to book the tour with a single supplement; if you wish to book a double room which you want to share with another traveller, we’ll do our best to make all arrangements, but in case this is not possible, you’ll have to pay the single supplement; however it is our strongest recommendation to book the tour with a single supplement when travelling alone.
A welcoming country house, not necessarily decorated in a peasant like style; you’ll stay under the same roof with your Romanian host! In most cases dinner and breakfast are included, and rates are based on two guests per room. They offer one bathroom for two rooms; the bathroom can be situated on the hallway. Staying at a “traditional Maramuresean country-inn” or “a typical Hungarian-Sekler country-inn” will prove to be an unique experience.
Yes, also gluten-free, vegan. When you make the reservation of your tour please do not forget to fill in this information at Dietary Restrictions section.
American citizens do not require a visa for Romania (Romania is a member of the European Union so it shares the same legal legislation – a passport is all you need)
To check the list of the countries that require a visa please see the web site page of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at www.mae.ro.
Romanian currency is Lei (written symbol Ron). All the places in Romania trade lei (pronunciation: lay). You can bring some of the local currency from USA or you can change here the amount of money you need (advisable due to the lower exchange rate). Credit cards are accepted in large hotels, restaurants and malls. ATM machines are available at banks, airports and shopping centers all over the country. (except in remote areas or villages). Foreign currencies may be exchanged at banks or authorized exchange offices. International airports and larger hotels also offer currency exchange services. The tour guide is also responsible for helping clients with money exchange; recommend the exchange offices which charge the lowest commission.
Local Costs in a 3* restaurant: Soft Drink: $1.3; Beer: $1.7; Bottle of Wine: $8.7 - $18, 3 course dinner: $13.28 - $18.11. In shops these products can be 50% cheaper.
ATMs are available in all the cities; near by hotels, our guide will come with good advice and recommendations. MasterCard ATM Locater– Search by address and by airport https://www.mastercard.com/atmlocator/index.jsp atm locator Visa ATM Locator– Search by airport, city and country https://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global/jsp/SearchPage.jsp
In Romania electric power in use is of 220 voltages, AC, usually 2 pronged.
Romania enjoys warm summers and cold winters. In summer, cool cottons are best and in the winter a warm jacket or alike is recommended. Autumn is dry and cool, with fields and trees producing beautifully colored foliage. The weather in October-November is very unpredictable, with daytime temperatures between 6°-17° Celsius (42.80 - 62.60 Fahrenheit), and night time temperatures between 3° - 10°Celsius (37.40 - 50 Fahrenheit); but it is very much possible that you will see some snowfall especially in the mountain areas.
Romanian time is EET (Eastern European Time, two hours ahead of GMT, seven hours ahead of New York and ten hours ahead of Los Angeles. Check right now what time is in Bucharest, the capital city of Romania: https://time.is/Bucharest
The dress code in Romania is the same as all over Europe (think France, Germany, UK or Italy). Wearing jeans, t-shirts/sweatshirts and athletic shoes is standard casual in Romanian. Plenty of designers’ shops are to be found in major cities: Bucharest, Cluj, Brasov, Sibiu, where people are a bit too pretentious when it comes to their outfits. Dorobanti Boulevard in Bucharest can easily be compared to Chaps Elysees in Paris when it comes to “fashionists” (costs are similar too). The malls are well supplied with designers’ clothes and with respect to the prices, a great deal of our clients found the Romanian costs to be more acceptable then the ones in US. With regards to the restaurants’ dress code, something casual is sufficient. You can wear whatever you would wear at home. To satisfy dress codes for churches and monasteries, men and women are requested to cover their arms and legs (no shorts above the knees or sleeveless garments).
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7 Day(s) 6 Night(s)
Timothy Neil-Leeds– :
An eye-opening introduction to a beautiful country inhabited by wonderful people.
I spent 3 days touring Romania – mainly Transylvania – in the company of five American tourists and our wonderful driver/guide Mr Claudiu, whose encyclopedic knowledge or Romanian history and traditions illuminated the entire trip.
Sibiu Turda, Brasov and Sighisoara are all beautiful old towns with a wealth of history.
It was thoroughly enjoyable and I heartily recommend it.
The Romanian people are kind, warm, honest and generous.
Jennifer Van Egdom and Devan Sewell– :
I just wanted to thank you before I go to sleep for a wonderful evening!
We had so much fun!!
Many people asked us if we weren’t enjoying it because we didn’t dance, but for us we are not very enthusiastic (or good!) dancers – it was nothing to do with having a bad time!
It was great food, shows, people, music and atmosphere ?
Thanks again, and I hope next time we visit we will be able to stay longer and see more of the country!
Jose Luis Camacho– :
First of all, I would like to thank you for the great tour.
I really had a great time with your staff.
Everything was awesome!!!
The guide was funny and very informative.
Once again, thank you so much for everything.