BEST OF TRANSYLVANIA
Cluj-Napoca - Transylvania departure
Highlights
Transfagarasan -the most crooked and challenging of Europe's roads for
motorcyclists
Bran Castle – also known as Dracula’s Castle, a legendary Transylvanian fortress
dating back to 1377.
Rasnov Peasant Citadel - the largest peasant fortification ever built in Eastern
Europe
Brasov City tour – explore the Medieval Saxon city of Brasov with its outstanding
medieval atmosphere, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe
Sighisoara Medieval Citadel one of Europe’s most beautiful and inhabited fortified
cities with a UNESCO World Heritage status.
Merry Cemetery - discover in the picturesque and traditional area of Maramures
how a cemetery can be merry.
The European Capital of Culture for 2007 - the fortified town of Sibiu containing
the largest concentrations of tourist attractions in Romania.
Stay in Dracula’s Castle on Borgo Pass – a hotel built in accordance to Bram
Stockers’s imagination
Day by day itinerary:
DAY 1 Cluj – Turda
about 60 km/ 37 miles – 1h riding
Welcome to Romania! Our English speaking guide, a motorcycle
enthusiast and a 100% Transylvanian, collects you from Cluj Napoca
Airport. A city with an outstanding medieval atmosphere, one of the oldest
settlements in Transylvania, dating back prior to the Roman period, Cluj will
surely impress you with its beautiful old architecture. To better capture the
essence of the area enjoy the local cuisine, a traditional Romanian lunch is
strongly recommended. From Cluj transfer to Turda, a small town with an
intimate atmosphere founded by the Romans under the name Potaissa.
Prepare to descend to the heart of one of the biggest salt mines in the
country – Turda Salt Mines, with impressive halls named after kings and
queens. Accommodate in a 4* hotel.
Optional: You’ll then attend the Ritual of Killing of the Living Dead. This
live re-enactment is housed in the cellar, designed in a genuine rustic
Transylvanian style. Performed according to the old rituals of burying in
Transylvania, the event is intended to reveal the fact that Transylvania, and
in fact entire Romanian had no knowledge of vampires until Bram Stocker
created his famous novel Dracula.
DAY 2 Turda – Medias – Sibiu –Sibiel
about 195 km/ 121 miles – 4h riding
Morning ride to the charming town of Medias with its beautiful medieval centre where you’ll make the
acquaintance of a unique artist, the only one who uses spider web for his paintings.
Continue your journey with Sibiu, the European Capital of Cultural for 2007. The fortified town of Sibiu has always
been the centre of Romania's German minority since medieval times and it is one of Romania’s most beautiful
cities. It contains the largest concentrations of tourist attractions in Romania.
Visit one of its major highlights, The Village Museum – an outdoor exhibition of peasant settlements from all over
the country offering a complete picture on Romania’s rural architecture.
For accommodation ride to the traditional Saxon city of Sibiel located 20 kilometres away from Sibiu.
DAY 3 Sibiel –Transfagarasan Road - Fagaras -Bran – Brasov
about 210 km/ 130 miles – 4h riding
The most crooked and challenging of Europe's roads for motorcyclists is
called the Transfaragasan (Transfagarasan Pass has about 6800 feet
high). Built between 1970 and 1974 as a military route, by comunist dictator
Ceausescu (after the Soviet invasion of Cehoslovakia in 1968) it snakes up
the tallest peaks of the Carpathians.
Visit Transylvania’s symbol, Bran Castle. Unrightfully called Dracula’s
Castle, Bran owes its fame both to its unique charm and to the myth Bram
Stoker created around Dracula. A former fortress guarding a commercial
road, Bran dates back to 1377. In 1920, Queen Mary, the niece of Queen
Victoria of Great Britain, turned the castle into a beautiful summer
residence. Close to the castle there is a shrine set in the wall of a mountain
which once sheltered her heart. A lunch in Bran is a delicious experience.
A cheese tasting is strongly recommended as the village is part of the
Rucar - Bran corridor renowned for the delicious traditional home made
cheese assortments produced here (the ones smoked in pine tree bark are
particularly delicious). Ride next to Rasnov to visit The Peasant Citadel.
Standing on top of a hill and overlooking an incredible Transylvanian
landscape, Rasnov is the best preserved peasant fortification in Transylvania and the largest one in Eastern
Europe, first documented in 13 century. In the evening transfer to the medieval Saxon city of Brasov.
Accommodate in a 3* hotel.
DAY 4 Brasov – Sighisoara
about 150 km/ 93 miles – 2h30min. Riding
Explore today Brasov, a city with an outstanding medieval atmosphere which
has played a vital role in Romania’s history, both old and new. Three quarters
of the city is surrounded by mountains, and it is one of the best preserved
medieval cities in Europe. Visit the most famous landmark of Brasov, the
Black Church – the largest gothic edifice in southern Europe dating back to
14th century. Initially called St. Virgin Mary the church was renamed after the
great fire in 1689 that blackened its walls. It hosts the largest bell in the
country as well as a collection of oriental carpets dating from the 15th and the
18th centuries. Next stop is the medieval citadel of Sighisoara. Founded by
Saxons during the 12th century, Sighisoara still stands as one of Europe’s
most beautiful and still inhabited fortified cities with UNESCO European
heritage site status. Sighisoara is also the place where Vlad the Impaler, known as Dracula, was born.
Accommodate in a 3* hotel located in the heart of the medieval citadel.
Optional: For a unique experience you’re invited to enjoy a helicopter ride over Bran Castle.
DAY 5 Sighisora – Bistrita – Borgo Pass
about 200 km/ 124 miles – 4h riding
Submerge yourself in the medieval atmosphere by visiting Sighisoara’s main attractions: The Clock Tower - built
in 1360 and standing 60 meters tall on top of the citadel's hill, it hosts a museum and offers a great view over the
citadel, The Torture Room, The Medieval Weapon Collection, Covered Stairs, the Church on the Hill.
Ride next to Bistrita Citadel. Make the acquaintance of a unique character, Misiuga, the Baron of Dracula. He’ll
welcome you in his windswept Dogarilor (Coopers’) Tower. Head next for Dracula’s Castle on Borgo Pass, built in
accordance to Bram Stoker’s imagination on the border between Transylvania and Moldavia. To test your
courage, visit Dracula’s Coffin in the dungeon of the castle. Accommodation in a 3* Hotel.
DAY 6 Borgo Pass – Sacel – Sighetu Marmatiei – Barsana
about 210 km/ 130 miles – 4h10min. riding
Explore today the magical traditional land of Maramures, renowned for the art
of wood carving. Ride to the picturesque village of Sacel and visit the work
shop of a renowned woodcraftsman. One of the highest wood constructions
in Europe, Barsana Nunnery is located in gorgeous natural setting close to
the banks of Iza River.It is considered one of the most beautiful monasteries
of Maramures. Accommodation in Barsana in a traditional guest house.
DAY 7 Barsana – Sapanta – Baia Mare – Cluj Napoca
about 350 km/ 217 miles – 6h riding
Explore in the morning the merriest cemetery in the world, transfer to
Sapanta to visit the renowned Merry Cemetery. It owns its name to the vivid colours of the headboards on which
are painted scenes narrating the biography of the deceased. The images are accompanied by lyrical, ironic
simple rhyming stanzas. Ride next to Baia Mare, the capital city of Maramures County, located at the foot of
Eastern Carpathians, one of the most important urban centres in North Romania. With a lot of memories and
surely some regret say good bye to Romania.
Special notes & info
Duration of the tour: 7 days
Riding days: 7 days
Total distance: Approximately 1375 km/ 852 miles
Skill level: intermediate
Lodging type: good quality Hotels
Rides: on paved roads as well as on sections of gravel roads
What to bring: Complete motorcycle gear with integral or flip up helmet
In the last day of the tour we will reach Cluj Napoca at about 06:00 PM. Please book flights or additional nights
accordingly.
Other mentions:
– Once you realise the price of good beer and wine you will probably not want to return to your country.
– Cluj-Napoca is well known city for the night life opportunity.
– Plenty of English is spoken and you will find the people are friendly and open.
– No visa is required and you can get green card extension insurance from your insurer to cover Romania.
Explanation: Items marked in the tours as Tips represent our suggestion for a special activity or event particular for an area, that you shouldn’t miss,
Optional are available at a small extra cost but not included because it will not appeal to
Module are available only if the entire group chooses them, arranged with individual accounts.
arranged with individual accounts. Items marked in the tours as
everyone. Items marked in the tours as