Transylvania Traverse

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Flight to Cluj Napoca

Afternoon flight from London for a late evening arrival in Cluj. Short transfer to Turda for a 3-night stay in a guest house. (All our guest house accommodation has been converted for tourist use with en-suite facilities).

Day 2 – Abrud & Gold Mining

Drive to Abrud following the route of one of the many old narrow gauge railways that once ran in this area before the fall of Communism. The area was also once settled by the Romans who exploited the gold found in the region. We visit the Rosia Montana mine which is now a museum.

Day 3 – Saxon Villages

A salt mine, a wine tasting and a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Saxon village of Rimetea whose lovingly restored white houses are the highlight of the day.

Day 4 – Mediaş

Train from Campia Turzii to Mediaş, one of the Saxon “Seven Towns” of Transylvania. After lunch and a short guided walk we drive to the village of Veseud for a 2-night stay.

Day 5 – Sibiu & a Heritage Railway

The old Saxon city of Sibiu has been beautifully restored and we explore the traffic-free central area with its two large squares and two cathedrals. A narrow gauge railway once ran from here to Agnita and part of this from Cornăţel to Hosman has been restored as a diesel heritage line.

Day 6 – Sighişoara Medieval Fortress

We visit the fortified citadel of Sighişoara, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and birthplace of Vlad the Impaler (better known as Count Dracula), then continue by train to Rupea for 2 nights in yet another Saxon village, Crit.

Day 7 – Viscri

Viscri is perhaps famous amongst all the Saxon villages as the one where the Prince of Wales has a house. It also has some other nicely restored properties and a lovely fortified church which we visit.

Day 8 – Across the Carpathians

Leaving Saxon Transylvania, we drive eastwards across an area settled by Hungarians to the junction station of Siculeni. Here we catch a train across the Carpathians to the furthermost part of Transylvania at Ghimeş.

Day 9 – The Trotus Valley

A return train journey from Ghimeş down the valley into the province of Moldavia completes the Transylvania Traverse. Overnight once more in Ghimeş.

Day 10 – Return to Cluj Napoca

We re-cross the Carpathians by train and continue to Cluj for our last night in Romania.

Day 11 – Cluj to London

Transfer to the airport for the flight to London, arriving early afternoon.

Due to the limited number of rooms in “homestay” accommodation, this tour will be limited to 12 persons.