Compare On the high peaks of Transfagarasan by Eastern European Experience vs Private stay at Haena Beach House, Kauai by Audley Travel

1st day-Bucharest, Poienari, Peles Castle, Bran Castle and Brasov

Departure from Bucharest and drive towards the Poienari Castle, a legend and to many, a confusing mixture of truth, history and fiction due to the convolution between the novel “Dracula” and the factual history of Vlad III Dracula “The Impaler”, whose name inspired the book. Drive towards Sinaia, where you will visit Peles Castle, used as a summer residence by the kings of Romania. It was built at the wish of the first Romanian king, Carol I, after the plans of architects Johannes Schultz and Karel Liman and decorated by JD Heymann from Hamburg, August Bembe from Mainz and Berhard Ludwig from Vienna, hence the similarity to German castles. Peles Castle is a unique construction, one of the most important monuments of its kind in 19th century Europe. Discover one of the most famous legend in Romania, Bran Castle, commonly known as Dracula`s Castle and source of inspiration for Bram Stocker. First built in 1377 for safeguarding the trading route between Transylvania and the Ottoman Empire. It was restored later to finally become a gorgeous summer royal residence in 1920. For many years now, it has been an interesting medieval art museum. Fringed by the peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains, Brasov is one of the most visited places in Romania. Founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211 on an ancient Dacian site and settled by the Saxons as one of the seven citadels, it has been used as a backdrop in many recent period films. The city is surrounded by legends of vampires and medieval stories. We will have a walking tour so you can discover the old town center, the Black Church, the Council Square and the Hirsche House.

Afternoon at leisure in Brasov and overnight in one of the hotels from the Old Town Square.

2nd day-Sighisoara, Biertan and Sibiu

Departure from Brasov and move drive towards Sighisoara. One of the best preserved medieval citadel in Europe remains one of the most beautiful medieval city in Europe. It is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is as well the birthplace of Vlad Dracula, also known as Vlad Tepes, ruler of the province of Walachia from 1456 to 1462. He is the one who inspired the Bram Stoker`s fictional creation, Count Dracula. After this, we will be heading to Sibiu with a short detour to visit Biertan, a fortified church built in the 15th century by the Saxons. It is part of the Unesco Heritage since 1993 and it boasts beside religious objects also a matrimonial prison. Next on our „to see list” is Sibiu, one of the oldest town in Transylvania. In 2007 was awarded with the title of European Capital of Culture. The main attractions are the Evangelical Church, the Orthodox Cathedral, the Roman Catholic Church, the Stairs tower and the Council Tower.

Overnight in Sibiu.

3rd day- Avrig, Transfagarasan, Vidraru, and Bucharest

After you have enjoyed your breakfast, we will depart towards Avrig and we will visit the summer residence of Baron Samuel von Bruckenthal. Built on Vienese model (the Schonbrun Palace), keeps the collection of 212 paintings and 129 engravings of the baron. Moving forward on our way to Transfagarasan, we will be having Fagaras Mountains on the West to East border of Romania with peaks from Moldoveanu(2544m) and Negoiu(2535m). A little bit more on the west, Olt river has managed to make a passage across the mountains, from Sibiu to Rimnicu Valcea. As this was the only road crossing the country from north to south ,it born the idea of having a road that went over the Balea lake on the north side that came all the way to south in Arges County. Before 2011, this road was the highest in Romania with its length to over 92 km. That being said, Transfagarasan is one of the most beautiful and spectacular. Next on our way is the Vidraru arch dam on the bank of the Argeş River in Romania, an engineering jewel. Built in 1966 to create hydroelectricity, it was the fifth largest dam in Europe at the time. It required 42 kilometers of tunnels, over a million hard rocks extracted from underground and nearly a million cubic meters of concrete to build, plus the loss of about 80 builders’ lives. Catch a glimpse of a statue of Prometheus watching over the dam from the top of Plesa Mountain, holding a flash of lightning in his hand to symbolize electricity. The ancient Titan—who in Greek mythology stole fire from Mount Olympus and gave it to humans—looks like a modern-day superhero back dropped by the Frunţii Mountains and Ghiţu mountains that surround Lake Vidraru.

Drive back to Bucharest and drop off at your hotel.

Day 1: Oahu

Accommodation: Turtle Bay Resort

On arrival in the Hawaiian islands meet your drivers who can help with luggage and show you to your private SUVs for the transfer to Turtle Bay Resort. The journey sees you leave the bustling Waikiki area and head into the lush countryside, weaving between spiny mountain ranges before meeting the Pacific on the North Shore. This surfing Mecca where giant rollers are framed by swaying palms is home for the next couple of days.

Day 2: Oahu

Accommodation: Turtle Bay Resort

Meet your private guide to discover Oahu. Using a spacious private vehicle visit Pearl Harbor to learn the story of how the United States was drawn into the war before exploring downtown Honolulu and learning about indigenous Hawaiian history, including about the royal family.

Day 3: Kauai

Accommodation options: Haena Beach House, Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kauai by Outrigger & Koa Kea Hotel and Resort

Your private drivers will come and pick you up in plenty of time for the trip back to the airport to take a short flight from Oahu to Kauai. Here pick up two rental cars to fit everyone and the luggage in, and set off towards Haena Beach and your private beach house. The hour long journey follows the winding coast.

Day 4: Kauai

Accommodation options; Haena Beach House, Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kauai by Outrigger & Koa Kea Hotel and Resort

Lace up your walking boots and meet your local private guide to explore some of Kauai's forests and mountains. Your guide will be able to point out eucalypts and orchids and the crumpled mountain ranges that make up the island's interior. Cool off with a splash in a mountain stream.

Day 5: Kauai

Accommodation options: Haena Beach House, Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kauai by Outrigger & Koa Kea Hotel and Resort

Haena Beach House is only a few minutes' drive from Hanalei, one of Kauai's best kept secrets, where there is a choice of good local restaurants and shops. It's worth heading into town for a stroll around and to grab some lunch.

Day 6: Kauai

Kauai

Accommodation options: Haena Beach House, Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kauai by Outrigger & Koa Kea Hotel and Resort

Day 7: Kauai

Accommodation options: Haena Beach House, Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kauai by Outrigger & Koa Kea Hotel and Resort

Haena Beach House perches right on the edge of the Pacific so today take advantage of the house's various decks and sitting areas to relax and enjoy the sound of the waves.

Day 8: Return home

Leave yourself time to take a leisurely drive back to the airport before your flight.