Tour code: Tr5.2RoMo
Departure: Cluj-Napoca |
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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 Friday, Cluj – Turda
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 Saturday, Turda – Medias – Sibiu –Sibiel
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 Sunday Sibiel –Transfagarasan Road - Fagaras -Bran – Brasov
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.
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DAY 4 Monday, Brasov – Sighisoara
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 datingback 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
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.
Drive 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.
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DAY 6 Wednesday, Borgo Pass – Sacel – Sighetu Marmatiei – Ieud
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. In the evening transfer to Ieud village, accommodate in traditional guesthouse. The first documentation of the village dates back to 1365. A charming village, proud of its ancient traditions, Ieud is also home of a UNESCO Heritage Site, the Church on the Hill
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DAY 7 Thursday, Ieud – Sapanta – Baia Mare – Cluj Napoca
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.
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If you are interested in renting a bike just click here!
Testimonials
… and to all thinking about this trip. GO, it was brilliant last year. The organizers made a real effort to make us welcome and provide a good tour and they didn't disappoint.
Mark Preston, UK
Alin -Thank you for showing us Romania. You are a great ambassador for your country!
The Three Mikes & Bert, Cambera, Australia
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Alin, group leader says:
I generally love to ride for the feeling of freedom and for the pleasure of traveling in nature. Particularly this tour contains the most special routes for a motorcyclist. |
Price and Departure
Special notes & info
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