WHY IT'S DIFFERENT?
Follow in the footsteps of Dracula, learn about the world famous legend and immerse yourself in the highlights of Transylvania.
Hotel of Ice
Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland at Romania's Hotel of Ice. This extraordinary hotel, crafted entirely from ice and snow, offers a truly unforgettable experience with its icy rooms, ice sculptures, and ice bar.
Salina Mine
Romania's hidden gem is a captivating underground salt mine turned amusement park. With its breathtaking salt formations and unique attractions like boating and mini-golf, it's a must-visit destination.
Visit Dracula's Castle
Perched up tall and ominous, with narrow corridors and hidden staircases, Bran Castle certainly fits as home to the legend of Dracula. It also offers some stunning views of the surrounding area.
Medieval Towns
This trip in Transylvania is filled with beautiful medieval towns from Brasov, the gateway to Transylvania to Sighisoara, the birthplace of Dracula and Sibiu which has a European capital of culture award.
Husky Sledding
After a short introduction, you'll have the opportunity to sled yourself. Feel the wind rush past you as you're pulled by your team of huskies pull you through the snow. An exhilarating and surreal experience you'll never forget.
Skiing at Poiana Brasov
Neighbouring Brasov, Poiana Brasov Romania's premier ski resort. It's the perfect location for beginners or intermediate skiers but with 24km of piste's ideal for those who might want to ski for a day or half a day.
Chios Social Lounge
Located in Cluj, this refurbished cafe is now a trendy and vibrant hangout spot with a relaxed atmosphere which is popular with locals. It serves an array of cocktails and tasty bites making for the perfect place to unwind and socialise.
Pardon Cafe
This old cafe offers a cosy and inviting atmosphere, serving delicious coffee and mouthwatering pastries. Its central location makes it the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a warm beverage while exploring the charming streets of Sibiu.
La Vatra Ardealulu
A delightful cafe and cake shop nestled in Brasov, Romania. It offers a warm and inviting ambience, delectable cakes, and a range of coffee choices. It's a haven for cake lovers seeking a cosy retreat in Brasov.
CH9 Cafe
A trendy and vibrant coffee shop known for its exceptional brews. With a hip atmosphere and friendly staff, it's the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a flavourful cup of coffee.
“Excellent, fabulous, stunning views, are all words that can be used to describe this experience but do not do it justice, we loved every second.”
T. Jones - Guest
YOUR EXPERIENCE
Embark on a journey through time with the Historic Cafes Route in Romania as you plot your way through some of Transylvania's most charming towns and lush, picturesque landscapes. Discover enchanting cafes that have been serving locals and travellers for centuries, each with its own unique atmosphere and rich cultural heritage. A coffee lover's dream come true and one of the best ways to learn and experience the region.
First, you'll arrive in Cluj where you'll have the opportunity to explore the beautiful square and cathedral and enjoy a bite to eat and a coffee. You'll then travel south towards the Avrig which is a quaint town a short drive from Sibiu. There you will stay in the elegant Brukenthal Palace which was the summer residence from 1777 for Baron Samuel von Brukenthal who was from Austria and the governor of Transylvania. The Palace's gardens were famed for their beauty, often referred to as the Eden of Transylvania and this beauty is still very much present today. The following morning you'll travel up to the start of the Transfagarasan, known as one of the most spectacular roads in the world, until you reach the cable car. Then you'll take a 10-minute ride in the cable car, enjoying the stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountain peaks covered in snow. You'll have time for activities and to explore the lake before having a magical once-in-a-lifetime dinner and drinks in the Hotel of Ice. Then keep yourself warm by having a bit of a dance in the Ice Bar and once you've drunk up enough courage you'll be ready for your unforgettable night sleeping in your Ice Room. The following morning you'll be taken to Sibiu for lunch and a tour of the old town including some of its oldest cafes before returning to Brukenthal Palace. The next day you'll be taken to Dracula's Castle where the legend will before alive as you explore the Bran Castle. Afterwards, you'll travel to Brasov Old Town where you'll stay for 2 nights. You'll be given a tour around the old town during your stay. Then for another adventure when you'll journey through the Transylvanian countryside for your morning Husky excursion. After which you'll travel to the colourful medieval town of Sighisoura, the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, who Dracula is meant to be based on. Then you'll travel to Sibiu where you'll spend the night. It's an early start with a quick coffee stop in Sibiu before travelling to Salina Mine in Turda. The mine is one the country's fastest growing attractions and one of the most spectacular in the world complete with its own amusement park - you have to see it to believe it! After that, you'll be taken to Cluj for lunch and a tour including the most historic of Cluj's many cafes! Then you'll have your final meal to reflect on all you've done. The following day you'll be taken to the airport for your departure.
YOUR EXPERTS
James
The Brains Behind the Operation - Meet James
Cristina
The Wonder Woman - Meet Cristina
NEED TO KNOW
| DESTINATION | Romania |
| DURATION | 7 nights |
| GROUP SIZE | 16 people |
| ASSISTANCE | Hands on |
| AIRPORT(S) | Cluj-Napoca |
| FLIGHTS | For details of flights from the UK please see the Trip Details section. |
| VISA | No |
| VACCINATIONS | No |
A selection of our accommodation, which is subject to availability, however alternatives are always of a similar price, grade and location.
Hotel of Ice
Balea Lake, Romania
The Hotel of Ice has two different room grades, the standard Ice Hotel room or you can upgrade to an igloo room (subject to availability) which is bigger and more private. Let our team know if you are interested in upgrading.
Casa Chitic
Brasov, Romania
A charming and cosy boutique hotel. With comfortable rooms, personalised service, and a central location, it offers a delightful stay for visitors looking to explore the beautiful city.
Brukenthal Palace
Avrig, Romania
Conveniently located in the foothills of the mountains between Sibiu and the Balea Lake cable car Brukenthal Palace provides the perfect base in which to visit the Hotel of Ice. Beautiful grounds, cosy rooms and tasty food.
Hotel Transilvania
Cluj, Romania
Hotel Transilvania in Cluj offers an enchanting experience with its elegant decor, friendly staff, and convenient location. The rooms are comfortable, and the amenities are top-notch. A perfect choice for the vibrant city of Cluj!
Balea Lake Chalet
Balea Lake, Romania
For those who don't like the cold, you can always get a room in the chalet. A room is made available for guests to leave their luggage and freshen up in but for an extra fee, you can have your own room for more privacy.
WHERE YOU'RE GOING
Ask most people what comes to mind when they think of Romania and you’re likely to hear something along the lines of Dracula, vampires and the Roma. Yes, the spooky castles pitched on rocky hilltops are certainly vampire-worthy but the only real fangs you’re likely to be exposed to here are those belonging to the wild bears, wolves and lynx that roam the Carpathian Mountains. Once you place the stereotypes aside for a moment, you’ll soon understand how misunderstood, overlooked and vastly underestimated this country is.
DID YOU KNOW
FAST FACTS
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"The Historic Cafes Route offers travellers the opportunity to embark upon an enchanting thematic itinerary. Step back in time to enjoy the luxury of the cafes of the golden age, and to become acquainted with the important role they have played in the past and continue to play in the present, in shaping Europe’s cultural history. Diversity in Unity."
Reviewer
Keep Warm in the Ice Hotel
Thermals, a fleece, warm hat, scarf to cover your nose and thick socks will keep you nice and warm overnight. And remember you can always warm up in the chalet if necessary.
Be Careful on Ice
Sensible footwear with good grip is essential as unsurprisingly there is a lot of ice around! You'll need to be careful where you step and watch out for hanging icicles.
Book Flexible Flights
If you book early/late season dates then we recommend booking flexible flights to avoid disappointment as you can transfer your trip free of charge. What if the Hotel of Ice is not available?
Upgrade to Half/Full Board
For those wanting to enjoy the local traditional specialities provided by the HCR members then recommend you upgrade to full/half board. Enquire when booking for the price.
All breakfasts
As a tour operator we are not able to offer inclusive flights as part of our experiences however we are more than happy to help you find the most appropriate incoming and outgoing flights for you. All the listed airports fly directly in and out of Bucharest with multiple different airlines to choose from. We highly recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights.
UNITED KINGDOM TO CLUJ
IRELAND TO CLUJ
FRANCE TO CLUJ
GERMANY TO CLUJ
ITALY TO CLUJ
SPAIN TO CLUJ
INSURANCE
In order to be fully covered on your trip should anything happen, we suggest getting an insurance before you travel. We recommend True Traveller, designed especially for adventure travel, who will be able to tailor an insurance package based on your needs. You can find out more here.
SOLO TRAVELLERS
Our prices are based on people sharing, for solo travellers who would prefer a private room the price per person will include a solo occupancy fee.
EXTRA NIGHTS
If you wish we can also organise extra nights at either end of your trip for you.
Book your trip in a few easy steps.
