Transylvania: Cycling Through Legends and Landscapes

1100 €, 8 Days

Experience the best of Transylvania on a bike. Transylvania is not only the most famous part of Romania thanks to the legend of Dracula, but it is also the most romantic and inspiring of all country's provinces. Settled over a plateau area (305-600 m high) and part of the magnificent Carpathian mountains range (rising at above 2000m) in the north-west of Romania, it is among the most advanced regions of the country. We visit here well known medieval towns dating from the 14th century as Brasov, Sighisoara and Sibiu. High-roofed wooden churches, citadels, legendary castles, troubled history, splendid mountain scenery and alpine peaks, scattered villages …these are just a few of the entire region's assets! The top of the cherry is the magnificent Transfagarasan road climbing up to 2000 and crossing the highest mountains in Romania. And since no visit to Transylvania would be complete without visiting the castle of the literary Count Dracula, the dramatic Bran Castle is also one of the stops there.

Highlights:
♦ Sinaia - is a famous mountain ski resort and is well known as "The Carpathians Pearl". It has been a residential area of several Romanian monarchs. A must see is the stunning Peles castle built in Neo - Renaissance style.
♦ Bran castle is no doubt one of the milestones when travelling in Transylvania. Towers, narrow corridors, hidden premises - the castle offers many interesting facts and stories, mysterious enough to incite the legend lovers.
♦ Sighisoara - A European treasure, Sighisoara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located on the Tarnava Mare River, the town was built by Saxons between the 12-th and 17-th centuries and is one of the few medievael citadels in Europe that are still inhabited
Transfagarasan road - built as a strategic military route, it is the highest (2034m) and most dramatic paved road in Romania. It runs North to South across the highest sections of the Carpathian Mountains.

Itinerary:

Day 1. Sinaia
Arrival at Otopeni Airport in Bucharest and transfer to Sinaia for overnight.

Day 2. Rasnov castle - Poiana Brasov resort - Brasov
After a visit of the magnificent Peles Castle in Sinaia we are transferred to Paraul rece. You cycle down on mountain road to Rasnov castle where we stop for a visit and lunch. Later we start biking through Postavarul mountains to Poiana Brasov ski resort (1030m). A pleasant descend by meadows and great views to Brasov awaits you. We stay overnight in Brasov.
Cycling distance: 40 km

Day 3. Bran - Brancoveanu Monastery
In the morning we visit the imposing Bran castle ( Dracula's castel) Transfer to Zarnesti town. You start biking at the end of Zarnesti with a climb to a 770m pass through nice forested area among small mountain villages and pastures followed by a downhill ride in a nice valley. You reach the foothills of the majestic Fagaras mountains and continue cycling through many small villages and farmlands on a flat terrain with great views to the numerous valleys and ridges of the mountains. You finish cycling at Statiunea Sambata mountain resort where we stay overnight. Nearby is Brancoveanu Monastery dating back from 17 century.
Cycling distance: 70 km

Day 4 . Iacobeni fortified church - Sighisoara
Today we start exploring the hilly area of Sibiu – Sighisoara region famous for its Saxon fortified churches. You will pass by numerous small villages and the fortified churches of Cincu, Dealu Frumus, Agnita, Iacobeni, Bradeni and Apold. We end up in Sighisoara which old town is considered to be one of the most beautiful and well preserved inhabited citadels in Europe (Unesco World heritage site).
Cycling distance: 90 km

Day 5. Biertan fortified church - Sibiu
After breakfast we continue exploring the hilly region with fortified churches west of Sighisoara. The cycling starts 25 kilometers from Sighisoara on a small peaceful road passing through agricultural lands, small villages and 4 fortified churches – Biertan (Unesco World heritage site), Rechis, Alatana and Hosman dating back from 14 – 16 century. Today you finish cycling in the beautiful city of Sibiu (European capital of culture 2007). Free time for walks in the old town.
Cycling distance: 77 km

Day 6. Transfagarasan road - Balea lake
Short transfer to Cartisoara village brings us at the foothills of Fagaras mountains where we start biking on the Transfagarasan road. First we climb through nice coniferous forests, reach the cabin lift station where we can have lunch in a small restaurant. Once you reach the tree line at about 1600 m the alpine landscapes of Fagars mountains will reveal its beauty to you. You will pass nearby the cascade waterfalls Balea and continue cycling on the numerous serpentines climbing gradually in the valley until you reach the picturesque region of Balea lake at 2030m where you stay overnight. Free time for afternoon hikes around the lake.
Cycling distance: 35 km

Day 7. Vidraru dam - Poienari fortress - Bucharest
After breakfast and a short transfer through a tunnel passing through the mountains we start biking downhill exploring the Southern slopes of Fagaras mountains. After we leave the alpine landscapes we enter the green gorge of Arges river and reach the spectacular Vidraru dam (165m high dam wall) Nearby is the Poienari Fortress (former residence of Vlad Tepes also known as Dracula) and the The sculpture of Prometheus. finish cycling before Curtea de Arges. Transfer to Bucharest for overnight.
Cycling distance: 70 km

Day 8. Departure
Transfer to the airport for departure.

Good to know:
♦ Arrival: Please consider airport arrival not later then 16:00 on the starting day of the tour or overnight in Bucharest on the previous day
♦ Bikes: hardtail mountain bike or hybrid bike
♦ Road conditions: We use mostly two-way roads (one band per direction) with an asphalt covering. The country roads are quite peaceful, sometimes without any cars. Horse-driven carts are usual sight. Rarely some of the stages pass along national roads, where the traffic is busier. The terrain along most of the stages represents low hills, lands under cultivation, fields, generally flat. Days 6 and 7 include biking on roads with gradual incline and decline at highest elevation 2034m (Transfagarasan road).
♦ Guide/driver: The guide with the supporting vehicle and the luggage inside checks several times a day if everything is OK with the group, waiting by crossroads, accompanying them for breakfast, lunch and dinner and giving them talks by the most interesting sites en-route

Necessary equipment: We strongly recommend you wearing a helmet during the cycling. You can bring your own helmet or use one of ours. Cycling gloves, breathable clothes, waterproof gear, cycling shoes/trainers. (for list with recommended items see “General” in the trip dossier)

Price Includes:
accommodation in family pensions and hotels with en-suite facilities on BB (7 nights)
English-speaking guide/driver with a supporting vehicle
all ground transfers
Luggage transportation
map
technical support

Not Included:
transfer to the airport on the day of departure
Bike rental
Rent of pannier bags
flights
travel insurance
entrance fees► lunches and dinners
alcohol drinks
tips
personal expenses

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