Dracula's Transylvanian Halloween

After arriving in Romania, you will spend four days exploring the Carpathian mountains of Transylvania, home of the infamous Wallachian prince. This trip takes you to many sites associated with Vlad Dracula, including his birthplace, as well as attending Romania’s premiere Halloween event, a spooky night tour of “Dracula” Castle, immediately followed by the Halloween party in the Gala Tent in the castle gardens! But that's not all! Your package also includes four overnights in 4 star hotels, daily breakfasts, city and historical tours, delicious themed dinners, admission to many attractions, as well as round trip airfare and an included airport shuttle service to and from Pulaski Barracks.

This spooktacular Halloween trip sells out every year! Available spaces on this trip will vanish like a vampire does when it smells garlic.  Don't lose your space!  Download your registration packet and contact Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation today to make your travel arrangements.

Estimated Itinerary

Thursday: Check in and fly to Romania - Transfer to Brasov

After check in you will depart for your flight to Romania. Don’t worry about paying for parking at the airport, or an expensive airport shuttle, you can park at Outdoor Recreation for free and ride our shuttle bus* directly to Frankfurt Airport for no extra cost. After a short flight, you will find yourself in Romania, where you will meet your tour guide and bus driver.  Once you arrive in Brasov, the capital of Transylvania, you will find dinner* waiting for you at your four star hotel.

Friday:  Free time or Sighisoara, Dracula’s Birthplace - Traditional Dacian Dinner

Get a preview of Halloween by visiting Sighisoara, the birthplace of the legendary Vlad the Impaler. The entire walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and your walking tour of the citadel* visits not just Dracula’s Birthhouse*, but will also allow you to get to the top of the 64 meter high Clock Tower*, with its impressive views of both the old town and the modern city, and the Church on the Hill*, one of the most valuable architectural monuments of the city.

After your return to Brasov, you will have a short break before departing for the mountain top resort of Poiana Brasov, where you will experience a warm welcome at the Dacian’s Barn. Named after Romania’s ancient inhabitants, this rustic restaurant features friendly hospitality, a cozy environment, live music performed by an authentic Roma family and a delicious dinner* featuring local ingredients and timeless recipes.

Saturday: Free time or Brasov, Prejmer and Halloween Party at Dracula Castle

Today will start with a visit to Prejmer Fortified Church*, where the villagers of Prejmer would take refuge from Turkish invaders.  Although the village was destroyed over 50 times between the 13th and 17th centuries, the heavily fortified church was never taken and could offer shelter to over 1500 villagers in the event of an attack. After visiting this impressive architectural and historic monument you will take a walking tour of Brasov*.  You can use the afternoon hours to ride the cable car to the Brasov sign on Mount Tampa, visit the Black Church which was partially destroyed by fire in 1689, or return early to the hotel to get your costume put together before dinner*.

Tonights party is a gala event taking place in the castle gardens at Dracula Castle. The fun will start with a night-time visit to Bran Castle*, followed by what is most likely the largest Halloween party in Romania** in the castle gardens!

Sunday: Sinaia, Peles Castle and Bucharest

On your way back to Bucharest, Romania’s capital city, you will stop at the mountain resort town of Sinaia to visit Peles Castle*, the beautiful neo-renaissance palace built for King Carol I.  Romania’s fairytale castle is sure to inspire your imagination and is a gorgeous and romantic contrast to Bran Castle.  Arriving in Bucharest in the afternoon, you will check into another centrally located four star hotel before taking an evening walking tour* of the lively old town followed by a farewell dinner* at one of Bucharest’s historic restaurants featuring traditional music and dancing before free time to explore the city’s diverse and varied nightlife. 

Monday: Bucharest, People’s Palace and Return to Kaiserslautern

On your way to the airport, you will take a panoramic bus tour* of the historic sites and buildings of Bucharest, culminating with a visit to the People’s Palace*, the world’s third largest administrative building, smaller than only the Pentagon and China’s Long'ao Building.  Built at a cost of 3 billion Euro, this enormous monument to the ego of Nicolai Ceausescu is sure to make you feel insignificant as you tour its enormous chambers, most of which are empty. After your visit to the palace is complete, you will arrive at the airport for your afternoon return flight to Kaiserslautern.

*   Included
** Castle tour is open to all ages, but party admission is limited to adults 18 years or older by Romanian and EU laws.

Price:

• Double Occupancy: $1499 per person
• Single Occupancy: $1699

• One child of any age under 12 on an extra bed in a double room with 2 paid adults: $999
• Children under 6 sharing a bed with 1 or 2 paid adults in a single or double room: $499 p.c.
• Family rooms/Quads available upon request, with price based on ages and required room configuration
   
• Room assignments for families will be determined by the hotels based on their specific capacity and available room types.
• Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation will request family rooms for families with small children, but does not guarantee the requested room configuration will be assigned by the hotel.

Deadlines and Discounts:

• Lufthansa initial ticketing deadline is Friday, August 23
• Airline price supplements may apply to reservations made on or after Saturday, August 24

Trip Includes:

• Round trip transportation including local airport shuttle, airfare and local transportation
• 4 total overnights
  • 3 nights at Ramada Brasov**** or equivalent
  • 1 night Capitol Hotel**** or equivalent
• Daily breakfast and dinner
  • Festive dinner at a Traditional Restaurant in Poiana Brasov with entertainment
  • Farewell dinner at a Historic Restaurant in Bucharest with entertainment
• Guided walking tours of Brasov, Bucharest, and Sighisoara
• Panorama bus tour of Bucharest
• Night visit of Bran Castle (all ages) and Bran Castle Halloween Party (18+)
• Admission to Dracula’s Birthhouse, Sighisoara Clock Tower and Church on the Hill
• Admission to either Peles or Pelesor Castle
• Admission to Prejmir Foritified Church
• Admission to People’s Palace
• QuietVOX Audio Guide
• Free digital travel guidebook downloaded from Army Libraries
• Souvenir at end of tour

What to Bring:

• Comfortable, weather appropriate shoes and clothing
• Credit/Debit card or Romanian Lei
• Military ID and Passport
• Halloween costume and props/makeup

Departure:  6:30 a.m. from Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation, Pulaski Barracks, bldg. 2905

Return: Around 7 p.m. on Monday