Transylvania to the Black Sea: A Continental Railway Journey

With a free day in Vienna before your sleeper train departs for Romania, there’s plenty of time to head out and explore. Your hotel will be more than happy to look after your bags for you while you sightsee. You may like to discover one of the city’s historic museums or perhaps take the opportunity for coffee and a slice of Sachertorte at a pavement café.

In the evening, collect your bags and make your way back to the station for your sleeper service aboard the Dacia overnight train.

Arrive into Sighisoara this morning and check in for an overnight stay at the Mercure Sighisoara Binderbubi – Hotel & Spa (or similar).

Sighisoara is the perfect introduction to Transylvania, as it’s the quintessential Transylvanian town, complete with UNESCO World Heritage listed walled Old Town. This stunning area with its colourful houses, cobbled streets and medieval towers is great for wandering. You might also like to visit the home of the infamous Vlad Tepes (otherwise known as Count Dracula) or take a walk up the covered stairway to the Church on the Hill, an evocative late-Gothic, triple-naved church.

You have another free morning in Sighisoara. Perhaps head up the pretty Clock Tower, which is home to a museum and, more importantly, panoramic views from its multi-coloured tile roof.

After lunch, return to the station and take a direct train to Sibiu, arriving in the evening. Here, check in for a 2-night stay at the Ramada Sibiu (or similar).

The beautiful city of Sibiu lies in the heart of Transylvania and houses Romania’s largest ethnic German population, which shines through in the Germanic feel to the atmosphere and architecture.

TMR RECOMMENDS: If you’re visiting in the summer, spend an extra night in Sibiu and hire a car so that you can drive along the famous Transfagarasan Highway, rated by respected auto journalists as the best road in the world.

Board a Romanian InterCity train today for the journey 90 miles or so to the east, in your comfortable First Class reserved seat.

Arrive refreshed into the heart of Romania’s most-visited city and check in for a 2-night stay at the Aro Palace Hotel (or similar). The main focal-point is the main square (pictured, left) known as Piata Sfatului, which contains an eclectic mix of modern, trendy bars and quaint pavement cafés. Take a trip to the top of imposing Mount Tampa by cable car for unforgettable panoramic views!

Bran Castle, also known as “Dracula’s Castle” is a fascinating museum located about 20 miles to the south west of Brasov.

Your day trip here will include transportation from Brasov and a visit to the museum housed in the castle itself. You will also have the opportunity to explore the grounds of the castle that is said to have inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and was so revered by Queen Marie of Romania in the early part of the 20th century.

Take a short journey south this afternoon, following the course of the Prahova River, through spectacular scenery. After an hour or so, you’ll reach the town of Sinaia, one of Romania’s most sought-after holiday resorts, popular with locals and overseas visitors alike. Check in for an overnight stay at the International Hotel (or similar).

One of the undoubted highlights of the city is the Neo-Renaissance Peles Castle, inaugurated by King Carol I in 1883. Containing over 170 rooms devoted to a plethora of world cultures, the palace is home to the one of the finest collections of art in south east Europe.

Spend another morning in Sinaia. Climb up into the surroundings by means of the city’s ski lifts or pay a visit to the stunning Sinaia Monastery (pictured) with its Byzantine style architecture and gold mosiac paintings.

in the afternoon, say goodbye to the Carpathian mountains and make the journey to the Black Sea, with a glimpse of capital Bucharest on the way. Arrive into Constanta and check in for 2 nights at the Hotel Carol (or similar).

Dating back 2,600 years, Constanta is not only Romania’s largest seaport but is also its oldest attested city. One of its highlights is the art-nouveau-style Constanta Casino, completed in 1911. You may also like to visit some of the city’s fascinating Roman remains including a vast complex of mosaics and a huge collection of artefacts at the National History and Archaeology Museum.

From Constanta, you can also extend your holiday by travelling to up to Tulcea. There are a choice of tours from here to explore the beautiful Danube Delta (pictured).

Take a comfortable InterCity train back across the plains of southern Romania to Bucharest. Here you will check in for a 3-night stay at the PeakTure Hotel (or similar).

Undoubtedly the most important cultural and industrial centre of Romania, Bucharest was once known as the ‘Paris of the East’ (there is even an Arcul de Triumf). Don’t miss the gargantuan Palace of the Parliament, constructed by Nicolae Ceausescu in 1984, and still plays host to the Romanian parliament today. Also not to be missed is the newly-renovated Old Town, known locally as Lipscani, with its array of bars and eateries.

You have another morning to explore Bucharest today before your Transylvanian adventure comes to an end and you make your way back to the station for your overnight sleeper service back to Vienna.

Arrive into Vienna this morning and catch a train back across the German border to Nuremberg. Here, check in for an overnight stay at the NH Nuremberg City Hotel (or similar).

You have a whole afternoon to discover the sights of Nuremberg or you may prefer to relax and enjoy the facilities of your hotel.

It’s time to leave Nuremberg this morning for the final leg of your journey, taking you back via Cologne to Brussels and then onto the Eurostar bound for London.