Romania: Transylvania Bike
Eight days and seven nights. Cycling on paved roads across easy terrain, becoming hillier near the end. From Bucharest you will ride across the Transylvanian Plateau to the Carpathian Mountains.
This ride takes you into a well-preserved slice of the past. There are horse-drawn wagons, inhabited castles, and ancient culture. Transylvania is famous for the legend of Dracula, and is the most romantic and inspiring province of Romania. You will visit a scattering of tiny villages and well known 14th century medieval towns like Brasov, Sighisoara and Sibiu. You will see their wooden churches, citadels, and castles, while learning about their troubled history and enjoying a backdrop of splendid mountain scenery and alpine peaks. You will ride on the magnificent Transfagarasan road through the highest mountains in Romania, where an essential stop is the dramatic Bran Castle – home of the literary Count Dracula. Read the book, then steel yourself for this amazing ride!
Day 1: Sinaia
16:00 meeting at Otopeni Airport in Bucharest for a transfer to Sinaia in time for dinner. Sinaia is a ski resort well known as "The Carpathians’ Pearl". It has been a residential area of several Romanian monarchs. You must see the stunning neo-Renaissance Peles castle.
Pensiunea Andree, Sinaia
Day 2: Bran - Poiana Brasov Resort – Brasov, 40km/25 miles
Visit the magnificent Peles Castle in Sinaia, then transfer to Paraul Rece. Ride down the mountain road to Bran castle for a visit and lunch. Towers, narrow corridors, hidden premises - the castle provides many interesting stories and mysterious legends. Later, drive to the Rasnov and ride through Postavarul mountains to Poiana Brasov ski resort (1030m) before descending through meadows with great views of Brasov ahead.
Chambers n' Charms; or
Hotel Belvedere, Brasov
Day 3: Rasnov castle - Brancoveanu Monastery, 70km/44 miles
Morning visit to 13th century Rasnov Castle, then transfer to Zarnesti to begin riding toward the foothills of the Fagaras Mountains. There are many small villages and farmlands, and wonderful mountain views. Finish near the 17th century Brancoveanu Monastery and Statiunea Sambata Mountain Resort.
Hotel Diana, Sambata de Sus
Day 4: Lacobeni fortified church – Sighisoara. 90km/56 miles
Explore the hilly area of the Sighisoara region, famous for its Saxon fortified churches. You will pass through several small villages and the fortified churches of Cincu, Dealu Frumus, Agnita, Iacobeni, Bradeni, and Apold. Your destination – the UNESCO listed old town of Sighisoara, is considered one of the most beautiful and well preserved inhabited citadels in Europe. Located on the Tarnava Mare River, the town was built by Saxons between the 12th and 17th centuries and is one of the few medievael citadels in Europe that are still inhabited.
Hotel Casa Wagner; or
Casa Saseasca, Sighisoara
Day 5: Biertan fortified church – Sibiu. 77km/48 miles
Start riding 25km from Sighisoara on a peaceful little road through small villages and farms, to four fortified churches from the 14th c. Biertan (UNESCO listed), Rechis, Alatana, and Hosman. Finish in the beautiful city of Sibiu, called the European capital of culture in 2007, in time to explore the old town on foot.
Pension Happy Day, Sibiu
Day 6: Astra Open Air Musem; Transfagarasan Road - Balea Lac. 35km/22 miles
Start with a short walk in the Astra Open Air Museum – the second biggest open air village museum in Europe. A short transfer to Cartisoara village allows you to start in the foothills of Fagaras mountains on the spectacular 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. You will climb gently through coniferous forests to have lunch just below the tree line. After lunch, the views become expansive and particularly beautiful. You will ride by the Balea waterfalls enroute to Balea Lake, where you will have time for a walk around the lake before dinner.
Balea Lac Hotel, Fagaras mountains
Day 7: Vidraru dam - Poienari fortress – Bucharest. 70km/44 miles
Start with a descent of the Southern slopes of the Fagaras mountains, and into the green gorge of Arges river toward the Vidraru Dam. Visit the nearby Poienari Fortress, former home of Vlad the Impaler, or Dracula. Transfer to Bucharest in time for dinner.
Hotel Opera, Bucharest
Day 8: Departure
Breakfast and farewells. Morning transfers to the airport can be arranged.
| Start: | Bucharest airport, 16:00 day one |
| Finish: | Bucharest, 09:00 day eight |
| Guided Cost: | $2995 (per person, includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, luggage handling, van and guide support, maps, route notes) |
| Self-Guided Cost: | $2495 (per person, includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, luggage transfers, maps, route notes) |
| Single Occupancy: | $485 |
| Bicycle Rental: | Hybrid/Mountain: $195 |
| 2012 Guided Dates: | Sep 29 - Oct 6. Add your own dates (learn more) |
| 2013 Guided Dates: | By Request. See website for current details. Add your own dates (learn more) |
| Self-Guided Dates: | You choose! Best months are May to September. We confirm within 48 hours. The following dates are already confirmed: |
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
