Transylvania Traverse
Holiday Highlights
- Stunning mountain and forest scenery
- Remote villages with a traditional way of life
- “Homestay” accommodation, full of character yet with all necessary facilities
- Sighişoara medieval citadel
- Sibiu and its heritage railway
- UNESCO World Heritage Rimetea and Viscri
- Many meals from locally sourced organic produce
- 11 days from £2,550pp
Tour Dates:
Tuesday 11 October to Friday 21 October 2022
UK’s Leading Specialist Operator to Romania
Legend portrays Transylvania as a region of dark forests and brooding mountains, but it is also an area steeped in history with fortified churches, villages and towns built by Saxon settlers and where rural life has remained largely unchanged.
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.
Tour Route
Selected Hotels
Casa Ratiu, Turda
Veseud 11, Veseud
Casa cu Zorele, Crit
Deaky Guest House, Ghimeş
Grand Hotel Napoca, Cluj Napoca
Please note - hotels can be subject to change
Price Includes
- Flights in Economy Class by scheduled airline
- Rail travel as specified
- Other travel by private mini-coach
- Hotel accommodation in Cluj
- Other accommodation in good quality guest house or family “homestay” with en-suite facilities
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 8 evening meals
- Admissions to fortified churches and other attractions listed
- Airport and other transfers
- Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour plus local professional Romanian guide
Price per person
| Escorted holiday: | £2,550 |
| Single room supplement: | £315 |
| Deposit for this holiday: | £200 |
