Oct. 27, Tue. DAY 1 / BRIEFING TIME

Welcome in Romania, in Bucuresti - its capital!
There is a cocktail and a briefing waiting for you at the hotel (for your metaphysical safety). And a "Transylvanian Diploma" which will be stamped along the route - or who is going to believe you, otherwise?
You are now in the province of Valahia, ruled - in the 15 century, by Prince Vlad Dracula - the Impaler, the man whose name was appropriated by Bram Stoker to baptize his vampire-count.

• arrival in Bucharest
• transfer to hotel (4-star)
• welcoming cocktail, briefing, Q & A
• dinner and overnight in Bucharest
• optional: casino, night-clubs, disco etc.

Oct.28, Wed DAY 2 / IN THE FOOTSEPTS OF THE HISTORICAL DRACULA

It is a bit confusing to have two Draculas on hand, but this is a society tour which does not cheat - passing innocent castles as Dracula's, or a historic character for a supernatural one (for lack of any knowledge about supernatural entities). These are the only tours providing access to the information gathered by the TSD at its yearly conferences, on both Draculas.

Morning:

Start a sightseeing tour of Bucuresti touching the walls erected by Prince Vlad Dracula 550 years ago. The city (2 million) has many stories to tell and treasures to show, but the October days are short and we need to reach the mountains, the Valahian side of the Carpathians.

Afternoon:

Leave the city of Bucuresti after lunch and visit the weird Castle of Hasdeu, in Campina – said to negotiate communications with Beyond (initiation step).

• the essential Bucharest - sightseeing tour
• lunch (on your own)
• after lunch, drive to Castle Hasdeu, in Campina
• dinner and overnight in Sinaia – 4 star hotel

Oct. 29, Thur. DAY 3 / THE HISTORICAL DRACULA

In the morning, visit the beautiful castle Peles of Sinaia, the former Romanian royalty resort.

Across the vast Danubian plain, lies the entrance to the Gorge of the river Arges – guarded from above by fortress Poienari – the historical fortress Dracula. Few mortals have seen this eerie site. The legends match the landscape in dramatism.

In 1462, Prince Vlad, his wife and a few soldiers took refuge here, besieged by the Ottomans. Vlad sent for help across the hill, in the village of Aref. His wife did not believe escape was possible and threw herself into the river. Under cover of night, the Arefeans managed to take the Prince to safety, across the high Carpathians, into Transylvania. On the crest, Vlad made them owners of 16 mountains (a documents issued 100 years later reconfirms the donation).

• visit the Castle Peles of Sinaia – the most beautiful castle (as the tourists claimed)
• lunch in on the way
• departure to fortress Poienari
• case 1: with groups under 15 persons – overnight in the village of Aref (private farm-houses: bathrooms, TV, heat)
• case 2: group over 15: overnight in hotels near- by
• dinner, folk-show

Oct.30 Fri. DAY 4 / TRANSYLVANIA

("There is no way to enter Transylvania and leave unchanged")

A TSD survey showed 8 out of 10 Americans disbelieving that Transylvania exists. And who could blame them, when fiction books and films in their hundreds chose Transylvania as a setting? Mankind needs magic-generators and this ancient Romanian province is one of them. Cross, therefore, into Transylvania. - along the spectacular Pass Rucar-Bran.

Continue to Sighisoara in the centre of Transylvania - the best-preserved 15 century walled-town in Europe, birthplace of Vlad Dracula (1431). Witness a Witch-trial. Jules Michelet said that some 200,000 women and men perished as witches or wizards across Catholic Europe between the 15-th and the 18-th centuries. The last such trial in Transylvania occurred in 1753. This is a dramatic page in our history as humans, and yet another initiation step for you. Should the witch outlive the trial (it happened) we shall ask her for some herbs, potions or charms. After all, the witch and the vampire share a lot in common: supernatural powers, shape-shifting, flight...

OPTIONAL: Tonight, prepare to see the secret election of Lady Transylvania - who shall turn into Countess Dracula during the Halloween night (everything comes at a price). You may also take part in the contest (why not?).

How comes the serious, scholarly Transylvanian Society of Dracula busies itself with such a thing as "Lady Transylvania" pageant? The answer is overly simple: you know how the Count is - always on the look-out for the fairest maiden. Well, he has to do that at night, of course, peering into houses, as a bat - knocking TV aerials, wires and telegraph poles. Fed up, he ordered his society to organize a pageant, a beauty contest (something the society loathes) and thus save the bumps on his forehead.

• climb the fortress Poienari
• cross into Transylvania
• sightseeing of Sighisoara
• the Witch-trial show in Sighisoara
• optional – attending the contest “Lady Transylvania”
• overnight in Sighisoara – 3 star hotel

Oct. 31, Sat. DAY 5 / HALLOWEEN at the CASTLE of the VAMPIRE-COUNT SUPERNATURAL VAMPIRE-COUNT

As we leave Sighisoara, Prince Vlad dims out into history; Count Dracula, the vampire, arises from nightmares and fright - as we approach mediaeval Bistrita, crossing a buffer-zone of unmistakable nature (some, turned around).

One hundred and fifteen years ago, in the pages of Bram Stoker's novel, "Dracula", an young English solicitor, Jonathan Harker, boarded a train from London to "the post-town of Bistritz" - on his way, and doom, to Castle Dracula in the Borgo Pass, N-E Transylvania. The Count directed him to the "Golden Krone" hotel in Bistrita. We must carefully follow into Harker's footsteps - as the only known way to the lair of the Count.

At the same "Golden Krone" mentioned in the novel, please take the same meal as Harker's ("I dined on what they call 'robbers steak' - bits of bacon, onion, and beef, seasoned with red pepper and strung on sticks, and roasted over the fire. The wine was Golden 'Mediasch'").

Leave Bistrita after lunch for the final 45 km. to the heights of the Borgo Pass and the castle. You may turn the pages of the novel and see the very places mentioned within. By sunset, we should be climbing into the majestic, wild, forested Pass. The farm-houses here are so rare that each has its own, private cemetery - living and dead within whispering distance. As you enter the gate of the castle ("freely,of your own will") remember what the Count said to Jonathan Harker: "The old centuries had, and have, powers of their own, that mere 'modernity' cannot kill".

You will be told the rules of survival at Castle Dracula. Visit the public parts (you do not wish to see the others) and answer the invitations of the guide only (no-one's else's). True, things at Castle Dracula get often out of hand (that's why the castle has its own , private cemetery), but rarely on society tours. Will the Count be at the Halloween party? Yes, to meet his new Countess (the newly-elected Lady Transylvania) - under some disguise or another. The contents of a TSD Halloween are generally reserved for the attendees, but we can tip you on a few things: the Littlle Shop from Hell (opened one night per year) will again offer the rare "After-Life Insurances" and especially the "Indulgences" - for 5 sins each; there is a prize for the "Halloweenest" costume and mask; sale and auction of exquisite Count Dracula Treasures; book a dance with Countess Dracula (if you dare); use the services of the Fortune-teller of the Count; reception ceremonies of new members into the TSD (one way to get away with it); the purifying fire.

• look at mediaeval Bistrita through the eyes of Jonathan Harker
• lunch in Bistrita
• proceed to the Borgo Pass and Castle Dracula
• Halloween at Castle Dracula, diner included
• overnight at the castle

Nov. 1, Sun. DAY 6 / WAS IT ALL TRUE? OR...

To find out, the survivors of the night should rush to stamp their "Transylvanian Diplomas" (and passports) with that unique castle-stamp.
Some of you may have lost your shadow, or reflection in the mirror - minor inconveniences of your new status. Others may loose them later.
Globe-trotters of fame said that the castle is emplaced in one of the most beautiful spots on earth. Take your last snapshots and leave the heights of the Borgo Pass for mediaeval Brasov, in another corner of Transylvania.

Your initiation continues - with more wondrous disclosures about the roots and meaning of the supernatural - of the kind treasured by the TSD. Questions and personal experiences will be invited - as we drive away from the Centre of the draculistic world.

• late departure from Castle Dracula
• dinner and overnight in Poiana Brasov – 4 star hotel

Nov. 2, Mon. DAY 7 / OF TRANSYLVANIAN WONDERS

You'll find mediaeval Brasov mesmerizing: take a sightseeing tour, to know it well, then cover it yourselves (shopping, strolls) till evening, when you are invited to the farewell diner - in mediaeval style.
Optional: get yourself a nobility title

There is a difference between Mr. or Mrs. Johnson, and Sir or Lady Johnson, wouldn't you say? This may be your lifetime chance to become a noble. No, the title is not for sale; we do not believe in that kind of nobility. You need to conquer the title, to prove yourself.

The Order of Transylvanian Knights (administered by the Transylvanian Society of Dracula) welcomes candidates on society yours (only) to try to pass 6 chivalry tests: archery, strength of arm, walking on a beam, jumping over a fire, answering riddle and dancing a minuet. The Castellan and his court of knights, ladies-in-waiting, pages - in the precincts of the citadel of Brasov, will assist and advise you .

Should you be able to pass these tests - and many could - then investiture ceremonies will be activated - oath, sword-on-the-shoulder, knighthooding diploma and coat-of-arms medallion. The Knights or Lady-knights may them employ their title and coat-of-arms on their cards and stationary, on the doors of their cars and house, enjoying protocol services from the TSD chapters, members, wherever they travel. The Euro 55 per candidate covers logistic issues, not your title.

• sightseeing of Brasov
• free in Brasov
• farewell dinner
• overnight in Poiana Brasov

Nov.3 - Tue. DAY 8 / HOW ABOUT A GRADE 2?

Early departure to the airport.
Departure from Romania - maybe as knights, or TSD members, but certainly as friends of Romania.
You have been on a tour sharing the information gathered by the Society at its congresses and symposiums, from scholars and researchers, from thousands of Dracula romantics. Many returned for a Level 2, most are in touch - and we hope to change you even more.

The price includes the cost of the "Classic" tour, of the pageant and of the Halloween party.

The price per person is: Euros 895 (sharing a double); single suppl. Euros 155.
The price includes:
* transfers from / to the airport (railway station)
* land transport by de-lux bus
* accommodation in 4 and 3 star hotels (as described in the itinerary)
* accommodation in private houses in the village of Aref (Day 2)
* breakfast and dinner (available for vegetarians too and for any request)
* Halloween party
* museums fee
* shows as mentioned in the itinerary
* guide and driver expenses (accommodation, meals, fee)

The price does not include:
* optional ("Order of Transylvanian Knights" ceremony and investiture - Euros 55 per person, minimum 4 pers)
* optional (reception ceremony in The Transylvanian Society of Dracula - Euros 75 per person: membership kit, silver pin, TSD yearly fee)
* lunch
* drinks
* refreshment

The land price covers: transfers upon arrival/departures; transport by a/c de-luxe bus; accommodation; half-board; guide services; shows - as mentioned in the program; museums.