Transylvania Pearls Christmas Markets Route
Tour Program
Istanbul - Kapikule
17:30 Kadıköy Evlendirme Dairesi Entrance
18:00 Next to Mecidiyeköy Ziraat Bank
18:30 Bakırköy İncirli Ömür Plaza
19:30 TEM Selimpaşa Metro Facilities
20:30 TEM Çorlu Metro Facilities
22:30 Kapıkule
After meeting our guests at the specified points, we proceed to the Kapıkule Border Gate. After customs and passport procedures, we enter Bulgaria.
Kapıkule - Sinaia - Bran - Brașov
After crossing into Bulgaria in transit, following the procedures at the border gates in the morning, we will take a breakfast break along the way and, after breakfast, continue to Romania’s Transylvania region. We begin our tour with a visit to Peleș Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Europe, which combines magnificent natural and historical beauty. After visiting here, we head to the town of Bran and visit the mysterious Dracula Castle, famous from Count Dracula films and known in Ottoman history as Vlad the Impaler, where the vampire legend was born. Our guests can taste the famous smoked cheese (kaşkaval) here and do some shopping at the souvenir shops. We then head to Brașov, a city famous for its historical charm and cafés. In this beautiful city, where historical buildings built in the medieval German Rococo style stand, the Black Church, preserved narrow streets, and colorful buildings are among the main places we will see. After the city tour, we visit the Christmas market in the square. Then we proceed to our hotel. Overnight in Brașov at our hotel.
(Museum entrance fees are payable by the guests.)
Brașov - Sighișoara - Turda Salt Mine - Cluj
After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Sighişoara, one of the most beautiful towns in the heart of Transylvania. Sighişoara, where the influences of German architecture can be seen, was for long periods one of Romania’s most important regions both militarily and diplomatically. Among the places we will see are the Clock Tower, the Guild Tower, the Venetian House built in the 13th century, Dracula’s House, now used as a restaurant, the Horns House, and the Church. After our city tour, we depart for Turda Salt Mines. Here, after visiting the Salt Mines, one of the largest salt mines in the world and now converted into a museum, we head to Cluj, the second largest city in Romania after Bucharest. Having hosted many civilizations and nations, Cluj, founded by the Dacians in the 1st–2nd century A.D., is one of the most important cities in Transylvania historically. Known through history as Klausenburg by the Germans, Kolosvar by the Hungarians, and Koloşvar during the Ottoman period, it took the name Cluj-Napoca in 1970. During our Cluj city tour, the main places we will see include Piata Unirii (Union Square), Mikail Church (St. Michael’s), the second largest church in Transylvania, the statue of Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus, the Pharmacy Museum, the Transylvania History Museum, Museum Square, the Obelisk, the Monastery Church (Franciscan), and Matthias Corvinus House. After our city tour, we visit the Christmas market. Then we arrive at our hotel and check in. Overnight stay at our hotel in Cluj.
(Museum entrance fees are the responsibility of the guests.)
Cluj - Alba Iulia - Sibiu
After breakfast at our hotel, we head to Alba Iulia, also known in the Ottoman period as Belgrad Erdeli. Following a panoramic city tour, we go to Sibiu, which was chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2007. The city is famous for the most expensive castle of its era, built by the Saxons in the 12th century. Also among the places to be seen are Sibiu Church, Brukenthal Palace, the Great Square, and the Cathedral. After the city tour, we allow free time at the Christmas market. Following the tour, we proceed to our hotel. Overnight in our hotel in Sibiu.
(Museum entrance fees are the responsibility of the guests.)
Sibiu - Bucharest
After breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we depart for Bucharest, the capital of Romania. Upon our arrival in Bucharest, we begin our city tour of Bucharest, also known as the “Paris of the East.” Among the panoramic sights to be seen are Revolution Square, University Square, the National Theater, the Parliament Palace built by Ceaușescu, the statue of our founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Garrison Building, and the Bucharest History Museum. After our city tour, you will have free time at the Christmas market. Following free time, we transfer to our hotel. Guests who wish may join the optional Romanian Night (€55), which will be organized in the evening. After dinner, we return to our hotel. Accommodation will be at our hotel in Bucharest.
(Museum entrance fees are the responsibility of the guests.)
Bucharest - Veliko Tarnovo - Istanbul
After breakfast at our hotel in Sabah, we begin our journey back to Istanbul. After departing Romania and entering Bulgaria, we arrive in Veliko Tarnovo, the first capital of Bulgaria. To get to know the historic city of Veliko Tarnovo, built on the Yantra River, more closely, we will take a city tour. Following our panoramic city tour, there will be free time for lunch. After the free time, we continue along the Dimitrovgrad – Haskovo – Kapıkule route and arrive at the Kapıkule Land Border Gate. After passport and customs procedures there, we enter Turkey. With necessary breaks along the route, we arrive in Istanbul. We drop off our guests at the points included in the tour program (along the return route) and conclude our tour. We hope to meet again on our next organizations…
What's Included
- Transportation by Bus
- Turkish Guidance Service
- 4 Nights Accommodation with Breakfast Included
Not Included
- Departure tax
- Visa fee
- International Travel Health Insurance
- Lunch and dinner
- Extra tours not included in the program
- Museum and archaeological site entrance fees