Traditional Transylvania
Traditional Transylvania (7 nights at Miklósvár – Zalánpatak)
In our opinion this offer is the perfect introduction to Transylvania with the
unique blend of Szekler, Saxon and Romanian influence – a rich mixture of history,
culture and architecture, not to mention the wide variety of habitats – from the pools
and marshes of the Olt valley to mixed woodland, unspoilt meadows, orchards and
the high peaks of the Carpathians – a wild life paradise.
Those who visit Transylvania soon forget its association with Bram Stoker’s
literary creation, Count Dracula, and instead become fascinated by its true history
and culture. Transylvania offers a dynamic visual experience from living rustic
homesteads to forts dramatically perched on mountains.
Nature lovers will feel they have stepped into an unspoilt medieval landscape
of rolling hills, lush meadows, oak forests and fence-free fields dotted with
haystacks. Traditional, wildlife-friendly agriculture makes Transylvania one of the
best places for fauna in Europe.
Transylvania is also associated with the dramatic history of the AustroHungarian Empire, well-preserved medieval villages, and excellent Romanian wines.
They invite you to discover TRANSILVANIAas their great grand parents knew it in
the 1800′s.
This 7 nights holiday introduces you to the marvels of living history and
nature in Transylvania’s first authentic heritage accommodations, includes
English speaking professional guides.
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Have a unique experience as guest of Prince Charles and Count Kálnoky.
Stay in exclusive guesthouses with an atmosphere of peace and
tranquility, taste local food and excellent Romanian wines
Get in touch with the local people, try the horse and cart and have
a barbecue picnic with traditional mulled wine
Go back in time, feel the essence of an untouched nature reserve, learn
more about eastern European culture.
Count Kálnoky together with The Prince of Wales offer accommodations and
activities allowing travelers to discover the cultural and natural diversity of
Transylvania at reasonable rates. Their guests can explore both the Saxon and the
Szekler areas in three different villages.
Accommodated in heritage cottages in Miklósvár, you will see village life firsthand. Depending on the season, you will meet cows returning home from the valley
in the evening, see farmers working in the fields with traditional tools, and even
attend a harvest festival ball and join in with traditional Szekler folk dancing.
ALIS HOLIDAYS
Cluj Napoca, P-ta MihaiViteazul nr.14/20
office@alisholidays.ro,www.alisholidays.ro
tel./fax : 0264432033
0753080061
We recommend combined stays at all 2 places,, 5 nights Miklósvár and 2 nights
Zalánpatak. At Viscri, you have a choice of different ‘Food and Culture’ activities and
several walks. At Miklósvár, we offer culture and nature excursions, one of each
taking place both days, Zalánpatak is The Prince of Wales’s nature retreat, ideal to
relax in the midst of a harmonious natural surrounding where bears still roam freely
through the fields. You will be accompanied by art historian and biologist guides.
All accommodations have been caringly restored and furnished with authentic
antiques and textiles from the region. The philosophy of the restoration is
characterized by utter respect for the textures and atmospheres of ancient buildings.
The way of restoring derelict houses is barely noticeable; rather would it seem that
the buildings have aged gently and gradually without recent renovation.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1- Arriving
Meet at the Airport or the train station and direct transfer to Miklósvár
Included meal: Dinner
Accommodation: Pensiunea Kalnoky in Miklósvár
Day 2- Viscri, UNESCO’s World Heritage village
ALIS HOLIDAYS
Cluj Napoca, P-ta MihaiViteazul nr.14/20
office@alisholidays.ro,www.alisholidays.ro
tel./fax : 0264432033
0753080061
After a delightful breakfast together with your guide you are going to discover
the medieval village of Viscri (Deutschweisskirch).
Wide gravelled streets full of life, colourful houses, with farmers are coming
home from the fields, ducks, geese, guinea-fowls, turkeys everywhere, this is Viscri!
It is one of the most impressive of the old Transylvanian Saxon villages on
UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The atmosphere of the village reminds you of your
grandparent’s tales. You will visit the fortified church on top of the hill which dates
back to 1230, the fortified walls were added in 1525 and an assortment of towers in
the 15th, 17th and 18th centuries, a place reminiscent of the middle ages. Your
guide will introduce you to the history of the fortress.
The landscape around Viscri is similar to pre-Industrial Western Europe. This
is due in part to the traditional non-intensive farming methods that continue to be
practiced in this region. Approximately 500 people live in the village, the majority of
which are involved in subsistence farming. Horses work the fields and the elegant
scythe remains a key farming tool. This makes the countryside very wildlife-friendly;
for example, bird species that are suffering a decline in Western Europe continue to
thrive in Transylvania (Black stork, Lesser spotted eagle, etc). More visibly, the
wealth of wild flower meadows that seem to coat the entire landscape in everchanging colours in the spring and summer. Have a lovely walk or horse and cart
ride up to the charcoal burners, have a picnic on the way, and arriving back to the
village don’t forget to visit the blacksmith, who is the third generation on his
profession.
Transportation: On foot
Accommodation: Pensiunea Kalnoky in Miklósvár
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Sighisoara, medieval town
ALIS HOLIDAYS
Cluj Napoca, P-ta MihaiViteazul nr.14/20
office@alisholidays.ro,www.alisholidays.ro
tel./fax : 0264432033
0753080061
In the company of your guide you are driving to Sighisoara to further travel
back in time. Medieval Sighisoara is the only inhabited citadel of its kind in Europe,
and it is one of the seven major Saxon towns dating back to the 13th century and is
on the UNESCO World Heritage List. You will spend a whole day in this charming
little town Sighisoara (Schaessburg) and learn more about the history of the Saxons
in Transylvania. The old town or citadel dominates the newer quarters from a rocky
massif. It is also the alleged birthplace of VladTepes, “The Impaler”. During this tour
you will visit the Citadel, the Clock Tower, the Monastery Church and climb the
Scholar’s Stairs to reach the newly restored Church on the Hill and the atmospheric
Saxon cemetery. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in the cobbled town
square. You can taste local brandies in the local distillery.
After a pleasant day in Sighisoara you are driving to Miklósvár, your next
destination point. The manager will wait you with a glass of local caraway brandy
and homemade cake. Dinner will be served in the wine cellar, with its massive oak
beams, stoves and central fireplace, dates from the 17th century.
Transportation: By car/On foot
Accommodation: Pensiunea Kalnoky in Miklósvár
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4- Hores & cart ride
With a horse and cart you will be taken to the higher pastures to meet the
shepherds and their flock of sheep. The guide will explain the shepherd’s lifestyle,
as well as the methods used to protect their livestock from predators. There might
be an opportunity to hear some of their tales about close encounters with bears and
wolves, often only slightly exaggerated. You will also see them milking and making
cheese. Take advantage to see birds, dears and other animals during your ride.
Returning to the lower pastures, we will have a picnic and explore the beautiful wild
flower meadows before returning home to Miklósvár.
Transportation: By horse & cart/On foot
Accommodation: Pensiunea Kalnoky in Miklósvár
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
ALIS HOLIDAYS
Cluj Napoca, P-ta MihaiViteazul nr.14/20
office@alisholidays.ro,www.alisholidays.ro
tel./fax : 0264432033
0753080061
Day 5- BRASOV & Bran Castle
Today you will be taken by a private guide around some of the highlights of
Transylvania, including: the fairytale like Bran Castle, the pretty medieval town of
Brasov and the lovely area of Poiana Brasov.
Bram Stoker immortalized Transylvania in his book ‘Dracula’, but he never
actually visited the region. Castle Bran, which has become synonymous with Count
Dracula is about an hour drive from Miklósvár, your guide will help you to sort fact
from fiction. After you visited the castle you will take a shortcut to Brasov trough the
1200 meter high Poiana Brasov. Brasov City is one of the seven major
Transylvanian Saxon towns. In the company of your cultural guide you will stroll
around the beautiful Town Hall Square and visit the famous Black Church with its
display of 500 year-old Turkish carpets.
Transportation: By car/on foot
Accommodation: Pensiunea Kalnoky in Miklósvár.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch in Brasov, Dinner
ALIS HOLIDAYS
Cluj Napoca, P-ta MihaiViteazul nr.14/20
office@alisholidays.ro,www.alisholidays.ro
tel./fax : 0264432033
0753080061
Day 6- Craft`s day
During this excursion you`ll visit village workshops.
You will meet a family of wood carvers and furniture painters at Vargyas who
have been handing down their profession from father to son since the 1500s (oldest
in Europe).
The only still in function water mill is 20 km from Miklosvar. ″Etelkaneni ″ who
is running the water mill is the only lady in the region using a handloom.
Our friend who is repairing our saddles and other leather accessories for the
horses is running a small workshop in a little town on the way back from the
watermill. He is introducing the visitors in the secrets of leathers and techniques.
Also in the neighbourhood we are going to visit the tinsmith whose are making
buckets, gutters and different metal dishes.
Transportation: By car/on foot
Accommodation: The Prince of Wales`s guesthouse at Zalanpatak
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch/picnic, Dinner
ALIS HOLIDAYS
Cluj Napoca, P-ta MihaiViteazul nr.14/20
office@alisholidays.ro,www.alisholidays.ro
tel./fax : 0264432033
0753080061
Day 7- Zalánpatak
During the stay at Zalánpatak, you become part of a different world. At the
end of a tiny isolated village, little farmhouses nestling in a pristine natural
environment have been restored by Count Kálnoky for His Royal Highness The
Prince of Wales. You can spend the nights in complete comfort and harmony with
nature.You will spend the day exploring the area with our nature guide following bear
tracks, occasionally fishing for trout in the mountain stream, watching birds, admiring
flowers & have a beautiful picnic lunch with local brandy.
In the evening you can sit outside on a bench and watch the cows
come home alone to their respective gates, learn to milk a cow, and return to the
guesthouse with a handful of new skills.
Transportation: on foot/walking
Accommodation: HRH Prince of Wales guesthouse in Zalánpatak
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Departure
Private car will take you to the Airport
Included meal: Breakfast
What to Bring: Your normal travel clothing.Additional clothing suitable for outdoor
activities prepared of hot or low temperature, depending on season.
Included services:
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Accomodations in the mentioned locations
Transportation
Guide
Full board
All entrance fees
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PRICES
795 euro/ person in double room
ALIS HOLIDAYS
Cluj Napoca, P-ta MihaiViteazul nr.14/20
office@alisholidays.ro,www.alisholidays.ro
tel./fax : 0264432033
0753080061