Transylvanian Fortifications Route - Cycling

Name: Transylvanian Fortifications Route - Cycling
Start: 2024-10-20T09:00:00+03:00
End: 2024-10-26T16:00:00+03:00
Location: Braşov

Schedule

Sun Oct 20 2024 at 09:00 am to Sat Oct 26 2024 at 04:00 pm

UTC+03:00

Location

Braşov | Bucharest, BU

From Brasov to Sibiu, we are visiting the most apreciated sites of the Saxon heritage in Transylvania. Th tour is suitable for gravel bikes, touring bikes, and trekking bikes.
Our will is to offer not only the most important sites, but also the hidden treasures of the middle age heritage. Fortresses, churches, and museums are part of this valuable heritage, but in our tour we would like to show you the local artisans, the landscapes, the gastronomy and the living traditions, having similar importance.
We are looking forward to guide you in a unique journey through the Transylvanian wilderness, showing you the hidden treasures we want to keep only for our guests.
Our tour includes visits to local crafts, culinary experiences, as well as spectacular landscapes and rides through endless forests
Detailed program:
DAY 1: Meeting in Bucharest and transfer to Brasov by car or train (180 KM transfer)
Our first day is the “get together” day in Bucharest and transfer to Brasov. On the way we will have a short stop in Sinaia for lunch and visit the historical Peles Castle – the former royal summer residence.
Time to check our bikes, visit the city of Brasov, and meet the local cuisine
Overnight in Brasov.
Meals: L, D.
DAY 2: Brasov to the old manors area (60 km ride)
After breakfast we are leaving Brasov by bike, following a quiet road along the villages. We will have picnic lunch on the way, then continue the route to Varghis area, where few manors and historical houses which survived the communist era are renovated and transformed into guesthouses with high level of comfort. We will accommodate one of them and visit few historical places and a local blacksmith – an artisan which is still using traditional methods for creating unique pieces of art from iron.
Overnight in a historical manor or traditional guesthouse.
Meals: B, L, D.
Total bike distance: ~60 km on asphalted road. Rolling hills.
Day 3: Varghis to viscri along Olt River (70 km bike ride)
After our breakfast we will leave our hosts for a wild route along Olt River. After 24 km on gravel road we will visit the most recent volcano in Romania – Racos. Here we can still see the remains of the volcano, the “emerald lake” and the basalt columns made from the lava of volcano. We are continuing our route and have lunch at the base of a former military fortress during the middle age in Rupea. In the afternoon we will reach Viscri – the success story of Transylvania, a village who managed to survive the communism era and not is totally transformed into a touristic site. The whole site and the fortified church are included in the UNESCO World Heritage, and Prince Charles of Wales is the owner of a house in this village. The locals are promoting the traditional crafts, the local cuisine and the natural landscape of the place – as it is one of the last European areas where the traditions are still maintained. We will accommodate the local houses, visit the bricklayer and the fortified church, and then have a well-deserved dinner in the yard of a local house.
Overnight in one of the local guesthouses in the village.
Meals: B, L, D.
Total bike distance: 30 km gravel, 40 km asphalted road.
DAY 4: Viscri to Saschiz, then transfer by car to Sighisoara (40 KM single trail BY BIKE)
We will start in the morning our ride following the “Transylvanian hills cycling route”. Keen cyclists can do the whole route from Viscri to Sighisoara (55 km single trail), but we can also perform a second option – from Viscri to Bunesti, then Crit, Cloasterf and Saschiz. From Saschiz we will be transferred to Sighisoara by car.
Depending our arrival in Sighisoara we can have a short visit in the citadel before dinner
Overnight in Sighisoara, in the old city center. Dinner on your own.
Meals: B, L.
DAY 5: Sighisoara to Carta (80 km ride)
Today we are experiencing two different emotions: a new project in a small village, where foreign students are trying to bring back to life the village of Movile; then, experience a middle age fortified city which is still inhabited, one of our architectural jewelry – Sighisoara, part of UNESCO World Heritage.
On our way we will cross “the center of the country”, close to Dealu Frumos village.
The total ride is 75 km, out of which 10 km off road, just before Movile village.
In Movile we will have the lunch organized by the locals. After lunch we can visit the curious landscape of Movile (100 hils).
In the afternoon we will arrive in Carta – once an important place due its Cistercian Monastery – currently in ruin, but still to be visited. We are accommodating the old parish house, near Olt River.
Overnight in Carta, near the old monastery. Dinner organized by our hosts.
Meals: B, L, D.
DAY 6: Carta to Sibiu (45 km ride)
From Carta to Sibiu we have 45 km along Olt River. Our route is parallel with Fagaras Mountains, a spectacular view of this beautiful mountain chain. The climb from Olt River to Cornatel village is also spectacular, offering the chance to admire the river from above. Then we are descending to Sibiu, the former European Cultural Capital, back in 2007. We will visit this beautiful city and have a memorable farewell dinner in the city center.
Picnic lunch on the way.
Overnight in Sibiu. Farewell dinner.
Meals: B, L, D.
DAY 7: DEPARTURE
After breakfast it is time to say goodbye.
Optional – Transfer by car or train from Sibiu to Bucharest.
Meals: B
INCLUDED
ACCOMMODATION
6 nights of accommodation in old renovated manors, old refurbished guesthouses and 4* hotels
MEALS
One dinner on your own. Full board for the rest of the journey
On our trip we are offering you the choice of sampling the local gastronomy
SUPPORT
Detailed trip description and program, maps, GPS maps (on request)
The knowledge, support, and camaraderie of experienced guides (Romanian, English, French or German speaking possible)
All luggage transfers and transportation during the trip, vehicle assistance during the day
Comprehensive trip literature and complimentary branded merchandise
BIKES AND EQUIPMENT
Gravel or hybrid bicycles
Bike helmets
ACTIVITIES
Entrance fees for all group events/activities
Tickets to several cultural and historical sights included in the itinerary
Local Taxes
NOT INCLUDED
Airfare cost
Additional gear equipment (available on request)
Alcoholic and additional drinks or meals during the program
On select trips some meals are not included so you can explore the local cuisine at your leisure
Lodging before and after the trip
Tips for your cycling guide (5-10% trip price) or at restaurants (5-10% of the bill)
Extra charges for laundry telephone or fax charges, room service, etc.
Individual travel Insurance for the trip (compulsory in order to be accepted for the tour)
Individual insurance for special activities (recommended)
Optional activities not scheduled in the program
All the other conditions are presented in the “Terms and conditions” document
Prices:
1,460 EUR (bicycle included)
1,370 EUR (bicycle not included)
Single supplement: 190 EUR
Registration form:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y5DQ9DW
For more info, please contact us:
[email protected]
See you in the woods!