"-Egészségedre
or Salut!!" We have lunches in traditional barns. Here
we say toast in Hungarioan and Romanian.
The
incredible saltmine of Praid
Parliament
- Bucharest
Peles
Royal Palace (Sinaia)
Tree-toed
Woodpecker
Flowery
meadows (typical scenery of inner Seclerland)
Pine
forest at night
Evangelic
church (Sincrau)
Turda-gorge,
one of the best hiking and birding spot of Transylvania
The hidden
face of Transylvania
(Romania: Transylvania, the Saxon lands) +
"painted monasteries" extension
Summary and recommendation: A 14 day Transyvanian hiking-trekking
holiday with cultural highlights. Planned for families, friends
or couples primarily with an interest in nature and culture.
"...On
his first visit to Transylvania, Prince Charles was immediately
struck by the precious legacy of this area and said he was
“totally overwhelmed by its unique beauty and its extraordinarily
rich heritage"...”
Destination country: Romania. Arrive and
depart Bucharest.
Next schedules: Upon
request.
Duration: 14 days (extensions available;
see below!)
Price:Ask!
We are sorry, but exchange rates are so hectic, that we can't
give fix prices here. Price includes: accommodations
and meals (lunch is typically picnic!), drinking water, vehicle
hire with fuel and driver guide, park entrance fees and ranger
guides. The price exclude: bank transfer loss, international
flight, visa, tips, drinks, personal travel insurance and
any other activities of personal request e.g. laundry, toalet
fees, phone calls, etc. Accommodation:
Three-star
hotels with all rooms en suite. 5 star luxurious version available
with the best hotels and restaurants of the country. Numbers:
Upon request.
Transport:
4WDs or minivan, upon request.
Description: "...We
visit medieval Saxon fortresses and the original scenery of
the Dracula legend, together with superb mountain scenery
and a diverse palette of the culture and cuisine of the various
ethnic groups found here. The trip is excellent choice for
families and couples where members have different levels of
interest in nature and culture, birding and cuisine, but are
looking for a balanced mix to suit both tastes..."
Trip outline:
Day
"0":Pre-extension.
Day 1:
Arrive Bucharest. Sightseeing
in Bucharest at Herastrau Park, Open Air Village Museum, the
Parliament building, Cotroceni Palace, the Calea Victoreii,
and Snagov.
Day 2:
Curtea
de Arges and Lake Vidraru.
Day 3:
Transfagaras Highway to Sibiu.
Day 4:
Sightseeing in Sibiu, Alba Iulia
and the beautiful valley at Rimetea.
Day 5:
Rimetea. We start with
a trek to the Secler rock and mediaval fortress at Trascau.
Then we step into the local Moc-world and visit old and new
orthodox monasteries. This is one of the most remote corners
of Romania where many villages are still without electricity.
The local cooking is sure to please with chimney cakes on
the menu and a delicious campfire meal to end the day.
Day 6:
Turda Gorge hike and birdwatching.
After to Sovata with an en-route stop at the ruined castle
of Sinpaul where we shall meet
a local Gypsy family. At Sovata
we visit in the thermal lake and fascinating salt rocks.
Day 7:
Praid. This is the largest
deep salt mine in Europe. From here we visit Bicaz
Gorge, a top site for Wallcreepers. The afternoon
ends with a cruise on Lake Gyilkos.
Day 8:
Shopping in Korund village,
where more than 5000 local artisan live. We also visit the
remote traditional Inlaceni
unitarian village, another World Heritage
Site.
Day 9:Mt. Harghita
trekking and mountain birdwatching. This peak is sacred to
the local Seclers. We also visit a village remowned for it's
100 wooden gates carved in the unique Secler style.
Day 10.
Sighisoara: sightseeing
in the old medieval city which is now a World Heritage Site,
followed by a visit Dracula's birthplace (now a pub) and Biertan,
another town famed for it's fortified Saxon church which is
also another World Heritage Site.
Day 11.
Miercurea-Ciuc: excursion
to the nearby sacred hill. We also visit St.
Anna lake and moor which lie on a top of a
hill inside an extinct volcanic crater.
Day 12.
We visit the unique landscape and habitats of Rétyi-Nyír
Nature Protection Area before we arrive at
Prejmar and Hermani
medieval fortified Saxon churches.
Day 13.
Brasov sightseeing:
The first Romanian School, Orthodox Churches, and the huge
Gothic Black Church. From here we travel to nearby Risnov
with it's high fortress and finally to Bran,
site of the Royal Castle, the legendary home of Count Dracula
(Vlad Dracul).
Day 14.
To Bucharest with en-route
stops at the Monastery and Royal Palace at Sinaia.
Depart Bucharest or post-trip extension.
Bucovina extension:
Day 15: Drive to
Bucovina from Bucharest.
Day 16:Painted monasteries
of Bucovina 1.: Neamt Monastery (PT), Humor and Voronet Monastery
(Iasi).
Day 17:Painted
monasteries of Bucovina 2.: Suceava:
Putna, Sucevita, Moldovita monasteries, old jewish cemetery. Day 18:
Travel day to Bucharest,
en route stops at various places.
Further
extensions: -Danube Delta and Dobrodgea
(+3-7 days).
As a sample, please see our birding tinerary >>>
Black square=Bucharest
Red dots=Base-trip stations
Yellow dots=Trip extension
