Castles of Transylvania – 8 Days
Type of tour: Guided
Level: 2
Duration: 7 Nights
Distance: 30 Miles/day average
Dates: Jun 6, Jul 18, Sep 5, 2015
Tour price: €945
Start city: Brasov, Romania
End city: Sibiu, Romania
Tour Description
Transylvania, the land “beyond the forest,” is known today through Bram Stoker’s Dracula as a land of mystery and intrigue. It remains one of Europe’s great cultural landscapes, yet is mainly undiscovered by the most tourists.
On this tour, you will cycle along the spectacular Carpathian Mountains with splendid views, lowland valleys with medieval villages untouched by time, and forests with deer, boars and even bears. On some of days you may even pass oxen drawn carts, horse and cows crossing the road, or buffalo cooling off in the rivers.
You will also visit fortified German/Saxon churches with beautiful Renaissance and Baroque altars and pulpits, the castles along the route in Bran, Risnov, Sighisoara and Fagaras and the medieval towns of Brasov, Medias and Sibiu/Hermannstadt, the cultural capital of Europe in 2007.
Highlights: Guided Daily Program: Guided Day 1: Brasov Day 2: Brasov – Zarnesti (27 mi/45 km) Day 3: Zarnesti – Fagaras (36 mi/58 km) Day 4: Fagaras – Sighisoara (25-30 mi/40-50 km) Day 5: Sighisoara – Biertan (25 mi/40 km) Day 6: Biertan – Harbach Valley (30 mi/50 km) Day 7: Harbach Valley – Sibiu (33 mi/50 km) Day 8: Sibiu Included Services: Guided Bike Rentals: Guided Equipment available with each rental: Pedals: Helmets:
After arrival in Brasov, transfer by private minibus or taxi from the aiport to the hotel in Brasov. Stroll around the beautiful town square, surrounded by Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque patrician buildings. Visit the gothic ‘Black church’ with the world famous Buchholz organ and a rare collection of Oriental carpets, which Brasovian tradesmen brought back from their trading missions in the Ottoman Empire. In the evening, you may attend an organ concert and have dinner on the historic square.
Overnight in Brasov
The day begins with a short transfer to Zarnesti at the footsteps of the Piatra Craiului Mountains. From there, you will cycle to Dracula Castle, which has splendid views of the Bucegi Mountains. It served as impressive backstage for Roman Polanski’s ‘Dance of the Vampires’ and as a salon and refuge for Queen Mary of Romania, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria I. The route then continues to Risnov Castle, where you have marvelous views to the Postavarul and Piatra Craiului Mountains.
Overnight in Zarnesti
Today you cycle along a beautiful forest valley between two mountains in the Piatra Craiului National Park, which has the highest concentration of bears and wolves in Europe. Then you continue with spectacular scenery to the Transylvanian Alps and on to Fagarasch. On your way, there should be many opportunities to see rare flowers, birds, and butterflies. Visit the pretty, recently restored Renaissance castle and museum owned by the Hungarian Woiwodes that ruled Transylvania.
Overnight in Fagaras
Today begins with a transfer to Cincu to avoid riding on a busy road. From there you cycle through quite a remote area passing numerous villages and fortified churches. You may see a street wedding on your way and hear German Blasmusik using Romanian texts and Gypsy tunes. Admire the beautiful Trappold Castle that is guarded by a German artist. The town castle of Sighisoara is the largest inhabited castle in Europe and part of the UNESCO Cultural Heritage. Have a delicious Hungarian meal in the Casa Cerbul, the ‘House with the Deer Antler’, where the Prince of Wales dines when visiting Transylvania.
Overnight in Sighisoara
Following a short transfer to Danes to avoid a busy road, you cycle to the old bishopric of Biertan, one of the most impressive castles of Transylvania and a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site.
Overnight in Biertan
Today you cycle through the remote Harbach Valley with beautiful views to the Transylvanian Alps, where you may pass horse wagons loaded with hay. You will continue, cycling through villages where time seems to stand still, as farmers on the fields still use scythes and sickles. On your way you can make a detour to Hosman Castle, featuring interesting Gothic sculptures. See the ‘Speckturm’ and bacon tower, and maybe the custodian will climb up to the top of the clock tower with you to show you its ancient mechanism. You will spend the night in a beautiful agrotouristic guest house with good food.
Overnight in Marpod
Today you will cycle to the Brukenthal summer residence and the impressive church
castle of Cisnadie. Via Cisnadiora you reach the ‘Young Forest’. Make sure you visit the peasant museum. Then a traffic-free cycling path will bring you through the ‘Alder Park’ straight to your hotel in Sibiu.
Overnight in Sibiu
Transfer to Bucharest via private minibus or taxi.
Bikes available for rent on this tour (must be reserved in advance at time of booking):
The bikes will have FLAT pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.
Helmets are not available on this tour. We recommend that you bring your own for safety and hygiene purposes.
