Experience a walking holiday in Transylvania like no other!
Transylvania is a land of dramatic mountain scenery, idyllic rural countryside, lush pastures, wildflower meadows, Saxon medieval towns and villages, and of course vampires! Travelling around Transylvania has been described as ‘the last truly medieval landscape in Europe’. You start your trip in Bucharest with two nights bed and breakfast. Romania’s cosmopolitan capital is well known for its wide boulevards and fine pre-World War I buildings that gave it the name of Little Paris.
There is much to see, including a walking tour down Calea Victoriei – Bucharest’s most famous avenue, which leads to the beautiful Romanian Athenaeum, the Royal Palace and Revolution Square and further through the Old Town. The second part of the trip will take you to your main base in the medieval merchant town of Brasov with ornate Saxon churches and townhouses. Local legend has it that when the Pied Piper lured away the children from Hamelin they re-emerged near Brasov’s main square, Piata Sfatului, in the heart of the medieval quarter. It is one of the finest Baroque squares in Romania, with its 15th century Town Hall and its quaint Trumpeter’s Tower on top, and the Lutheran Black Church – the largest Gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul with a 6 tonne bell and a huge organ with 4000 pipes.
Also, included is a visit to the famous Dracula’s Bran Castle, on a rocky outcrop guarding the entrance to a mountain pass. The castle was built by the Saxons in the late 14th century to defend Brasov from invasion by the Turks. Inside you’ll find displays of rich Western European furniture, which Queen Marie, grand-daughter of Queen Victoria purchased in the 1920’s when the castle was used as a royal residence.
At a glance
Holiday Highlights
- Three nights bed & breakfast in Bucharest
- Four nights bed & breakfast in Brasov
- Walking tour of Bucharest
- One included dinner in Brasov
- Local knowledgeable walking guides
- Four guided walks
- Packed lunches on all walking days
- Entrance to Bran Castle – home of Dracula
- Cable car ride from Tampa Mount to Brasov
- Climb 7 Ladders Canyon (Optional)
- Flights included from your local airport
Itinerary
Day One – Flight to Bucharest
Transfer to your hotel in the centre of the city for two nights bed and breakfast accommodation. There are plenty of restaurants in downtown Bucharest to suit all tastes and budgets.
Day Two – Mid-morning walking tour of Bucharest
The tour will concentrate on Calea Victoriei – Bucharest’s most famous avenue, which leads to the beautiful Romanian Athenaeum, the Royal Palace, Revolution Square and further through the Old Town. Bucharest is also known for its stark Communist- era architecture, exemplified in Ceausescu’s monster House of the Republic, now known as the Palace of Parliament. A guided tour will show you some of 1,100 rooms of the world’s largest civilian administrative building.
Day Three – Travel north through the Southern Carpathians to Brasov
Travel north through the Southern Carpathians to Brasov, stopping en route in Sinaia where you visit beautiful Peles Castle, a royal palace set in a large park, landscaped in the English fashion. It was built in the late 19th century for Romania’s first monarch, King Carol I, and took 39 years to complete. It has over 100 rooms richly decorated in ebony, mother of pearl and leather, and each room is styled on a particular country. Romania’s first cinema was established in one of the castle’s rooms. Continue to Brasov where your walking guide will conduct a short orientation walk before your included dinner at a local restaurant.
Day Four – Walk 1
8 MILES – 270M ASCENT/DESCENT Across the Transylvanian hills – Coach transfer to Mesendorf for the start of the walk. This 8-mile walk (270m ascent/descent) takes you over the hills and through the meadows to Viscri. A combination of bulldozing by the Ceausescu regime and the exodus of the German-speaking population after the fall of Communism threatened to wipe out the centuries-old Saxon rural heritage in Transylvania. With the help of benefactors, including King Charles, restoration and preservation schemes have helped save many villages and Viscri is the most famous example. After the walk, there is an included lunch in a local house, time to explore the village and have a tour of Viscri’s UNESCO-listed fortified church.
Day Five – Walk 2
7 MILES – 350M ASCENT/400M DESCENT Piatra Craiului and visit Bran Castle – Today you explore the eastern hills of Piatra Craiului, a 25 km long beautiful mountain range of southern Carpathians. The whole range is part of the Piatra Craiului National Park. You will cross through Zarnesti Gorges and the beautiful mountain village of Magura renowned for famous Dracula’s Castle in Bran. Today’s walk is 7 miles, with an ascent of 350m and descent of 400m.
Day Six – Walk 3
8 MILES – 80M ASCENT/310M DESCENT Postavaru and Tampa: Postavaru boasts a network of well-marked hiking trails, you will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and neighboring Bucegi, Piatra Mare and Piatra Craiului mountains. You will continue through the forest toward Tampa Mount that offers a spectacular view over the old part of Brasov. From Tampa you can either walk or descend by cable car down town to Brasov. 8 miles, 80m ascent/ 310m descent.
Day Seven – Walk 4
2.5 MILES – 350M ASCENT/ 100M DESCENT Piatra Mare and 7 Ladders Canyon (alternate route available): You come to the end of your holiday and move on to Bucharest again for one more night today, but before this your final walk will allow you to explore the Piatra Mare mountain range, a small mountain range located South East of Brasov. The highlight of today will be the Seven Ladders Canyon, 160m long and 55m high with 7 main stairs, which you will ascend with the mountain guides. After the walk, you set off by coach for Bucharest, where you shall stay for the remainder of the holiday. There will be some free time after your arrival for you to settle in and get re-aquainted with your surroundings. 2.5 miles, 350m ascent/ 100m descent. Please note an alternative route is available for those who do not wish to take the seven ladders.
Day Eight – Departure Day
Free time until your departure for the airport and your flight home.
Accommodation
Bucharest – 3 Nights
TV, Free Wi-Fi, Hairdryer, Toiletries, Room Safe, Restaurant, Bar
Located in the heart of Bucharest, Hotel Capitol is close to numerous businesses, shops and museums. In less than 2 minutes’ walk away you can reach the pedestrian area of the Old Town, also called the heart of Bucharest’s entertainment. Hotel Capitol has a unique identity of the Bucharest hotels. Built in 1901, the hotel is a living legend, its name being synonymous with history, comfort and impeccable service. Called in the past the Louvre Hotel, the 5-storey building houses a renowned restaurant and café, a favorite meeting place for many writers, musicians and artists.
Hotel Features
Prinz Gregor, a charming 3-star hotel located in the heart of Brasov, offers guests a relaxing and comfortable stay in one of Romania’s most beautiful tourist destinations. Ideal for both business travellers and tourists, the hotel combines affordability with warm hospitality, ensuring a pleasant experience for all visitors. With its central location, guests at Prinz Gregor can easily explore the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Brasov. Whether visiting for work or leisure, the hotel provides the perfect base for discovering the city’s historical landmarks and picturesque landscapes.
Hotel Features
Dates & Prices
No available dates at this time. Please try again later.
You might be interested in
Walking in Poland
Walking in Lanzarote
The island of Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands off the coast of West Africa is known for its year-round warm weather, beaches and volcanic landscape.
Walking The Sierra de Mijas
Sprawled across a mountain slope some 1,475 feet (450 metres) above the Mediterranean Sea the white washed centre of Mijas Pueblo still has the look of an old Andalucian village.