A Transylvanian Immersion
After two nights in the exciting city of Bucharest, spend five days exploring Transylvania, from its fairytale castles overlooking cobbled town centres, to exquisite hills and valleys swirling with spectral mists, and quaint villages alive with time-honoured traditions.
Trip highlights
- Explore downtown Bucharest with an expert on the various art and architectural styles found here
- Unravel the secrets of Bran Castle, the home of Bram Stoker's fictional Dracula
- Spend time with the Royal beekeeper, learning about their fascinating craft
- Wander the streets of Brasov, uncovering some of the legends connected to this city
- Hike to the Oak Tree Reserve, the largest meadow with multisecular oaks in Central Eastern Europe
- Lose yourself in the storybook streets of Sighisoara, a town filled with cafes and craft shops
Bespoke trips with Jacada
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Days 1-3
Beautiful Bucharest
A city of strong contrasts, it’s impossible to fit Bucharest into any kind of box. Go exploring and you’ll discover delightful surprises in this place that straddles the line between east and west and juxtaposes the old with the new. Bucharest is best explored on foot, so you can take your time to uncover the secrets it holds.
Art and architecture tour
Go on an introductory tour of downtown Bucharest with a local expert. Learn about the colourful mix of architectural styles, the Ceausescu era of ‘systematisation’, why Bucharest earned the name of Paris of the East, and a lot more. On your way you’ll spot some of the interesting street art and grab a coffee from one of the small coffee shops hidden among the historical buildings. The tour can also include visits to the main art museums and interiors of private homes.
Days 3-7
Into Transylvania
The day-long drive from Bucharest to Transylvania is beautifully scenic. Along the way you’ll stop for a walking tour of Sinaia, a 19th-century royal rest town nestled in a fir-clad valley. You’ll also take a cable car ride up to the Bucegi Plateau to see the majestic Sphinx, one of Romania’s most striking natural landmarks. Your journey takes you all the way to Brasov. A land steeped in folklore and tradition, Transylvania invites you to explore captivating landscapes surrounded by the misty, brooding Carpathian Mountains, and ancient forests alive with diverse wildlife.
Where you could stay
Make it mine
Castle discovery
Pied Piper
Tell the bees
Bran Castle
Set off to unravel the secrets of Bran Castle, the perfect Gothic dwelling for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Unfortunately, neither Stoker nor the real Dracula, Vlad Tepes, ever visited. The castle is fully equipped with towers and turrets, medieval costumes, jewelry and weapons, a chamber of horrors and magnificent views of the Carpathians.
The Pied Piper of Brasov Tour
According to local Saxon legend, the Pied Piper of Hamelin reappeared in Brasov with his retinue of stolen children. According to the Brothers Grimm, when the Lower Saxons came to Transylvania 700 years ago, they preserved their oral traditions and recognized themselves as descendants of the children taken by the Pied Piper. This tour encompasses some of the highlights of this playful medieval city.
Saxon villages and Royal beekeeper
Visit the fortified churches and enjoy the scenic countryside. You can meet local artisans and take part in some traditional activities. The Royal beekeeper will demonstrate bee care and discuss the importance of bees in the ecosystem. The beekeeper has a royal commission from HRH King Charles III and exports almost exclusively to the British throne.
Discover more
Bison tracking
On foot
Ancient trees
Animal tracking adventure in the Făgăraș Mountains
Escape to a secluded cabin nestled high in Romania’s Făgăraș Mountains for an immersive wildlife experience, where expert trackers will guide you through the breathtaking landscapes. A highlight will be witnessing the inspiring return of the majestic European bison to Romania’s Făgăraș Mountains. On this unforgettable guided adventure you’ll be led by local experts and conservation rangers as you keep a lookout for these creatures in picturesque meadows and ancient forests.
As you explore, you’ll learn how to identify various animal tracks and signs of wildlife. You’ll also have the chance to review footage captured by motion-activated cameras. Your cabin’s location means that as night falls, you’re perfectly positioned to see and hear the forest coming to life.
Sighisoara walking tour
Sighisoara’s medieval vibe is enchanting. Perched on a hill, the town is a warren of storybook turrets, gingerbread roofs and cobblestone alleyways. Fortified walls surround Sighioara’s impressive merchant houses, now housing millennium-old cafes, hotels, and craft shops. Lurking in the shadows is the bloodthirsty history of Vlad Tepes, aka Dracula, who is said to have been born here.
Hike to the Oak Tree Reserve
From Sighisoara, start climbing up through butterfly-filled meadows, oak copses, past shepherds with their sheep and friendly dogs, and reach the Oak Tree Reserve, the largest meadow with multisecular oaks in Central Eastern Europe. There are more than 600 trees between the ages of 350 and 450 here, including some specimens that have reached the venerable age of 800.
Explore a beech tree forest
At the foot of Romania’s majestic Făgăraș Mountains, discover a village deeply connected to the ancient beech forest, where you can join a local initiative to protect these monumental trees through adoption.
During this powerful experience, which explores the balance between human life and the legacy or nature, you’ll delve into the history of the forest and learn about the environmental threats that the local communities will face if the trees are lost.
In the Forest of Ancient Beeches, several scenic trails offer the opportunity for a half-day or full-day hike. Along the way, your expert local guide will incorporate elements of wildlife tracking and tell you about the “Trees with Stories” project which aims to bring the forest to life through storytelling.
Jacada provided our family with two amazing European getaways. Hanna and Alice had everything set up beautifully down to every last detail. The excursions, hotels, and guides were all incredible. We definitely recommend them and hope to work with Hanna again for future travel!
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive Impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
