Transylvania Walking Holiday
Holiday Highlights
Trek through alpine meadows, across craggy hilltops and alongside crystalline glacial lakes with us on this guided walking holiday. We’ll spend 5 nights in the charming town of Brasov and, over the course of 5 walking days, explore some of the breathtaking mountain ranges that make up the Carpathians including the Fagaras, Piatra Mare, Piatra Craiului and Bucegi Mountains. Encounter unusual rock formations and rugged canyons, and marvel at magnificent views out across some of Romania’s most impressive landscapes. Of course, no stay in Transylvania would be complete without a visit to the imposing medieval fortress of Dracula’s Castle and the country's captivating capital city, Bucharest. With a perfect mix of outdoor activity and cultural sightseeing, this holiday is the best way to discover Romania’s highlights. This holiday is a leisurely walking level. The average daily walking distance on leisurely walks is between 4km – 13km, with a maximum daily walking duration of 4 hours.
What's Included
Flexibility to make your own way there
3&4* Half Board Accommodation
Fully Guided
Offer terms and conditions **This exclusive offer to Radio Times readers from Travel Department and TD active Holidays valid for all new bookings made between 16th of May and 15th of July 2022. Offer is £75pp off any new 2022 or 2023 bookings for holidays of 8 nights or more using the code RT75, £50pp off any new 2022 or 2023 bookings for holidays of 5-7 nights using the code RT50, and £25pp off any new 2022 or 2023 booking for holidays of 4 nights or less. Offer can be redeemed on bookings made online or by phone using the specific promotional code detailed above. Offers are non-transferable, subject to availability, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and has no cash value. ^ Please note this From price was correct at 03/06/22 and are subject to change. We reserve the right to change our product's prices at any time
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Upon arrival in Bucharest, you will be met by your friendly local guide who will assist you in the transfer to your hotel in Brasov, a city in the Transylvania region of Romania. Surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, Brasov is well known for its medieval Saxon walls and bastions, the towering Gothic-style Black Church and its lively cafes.
Day 2: Join us for a short orientation meeting this morning before our adventures begin. Today we will explore Piatra Craiului, a 25 km long beautiful mountain range of southern Carpathians. The whole range is part of the Piatra Craiului National Park, an area protecting hundreds of species of flora and fauna / fungi, lichen and mosses, endemic flowers and herbs, spiders, butterflies, amphibians and reptiles as well as over 110 species of birds, 15 species of bat, big mammals such as chamois , wolves, brown bears and lynx. From here, we will visit the famous Dracula’s Castle in Bran. This castle was created by the Saxons in the late 14th century to defend Brasov from invasion by the Turks. Its interior displays rich medieval furniture, which Queen Marie purchased in the 1920's when the castle was used as a royal residence. Difficulty level: Leisurely / Length: 8.5km / Incline: 335 m / Decline: 385 m / Duration: 4 hours In the late afternoon, we will take a city tour with a local guide to discover the major and most beautiful sights of Brasov. Brasov’s main square, Piaţa Sfatului, is situated in the heart of the medieval quarter and it is one of the finest Baroque squares in Romania. Here you can visit the 15th century Town Hall, with its quaint Trumpeter’s Tower on top, and the Lutheran Black Church, the largest Gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul. Another interesting attraction is the Museum of First Romanian School which displays some of the first textbooks written in the Romanian language and printed in Brasov back in the 16th century.
Day 3: After breakfast, transfer to Viscri for a morning hike over the hills of Transylvania towards Mesendorf. Viscri is famous for the few traditional houses that the Prince of Wales bought, restored and converted into guesthouses for tourists, contributing in this way to a better and sustainable future for the people of rural Transylvania. You will have free time for lunch in the village of Viscri. Difficulty level: Leisurely / Length: 13km / Incline: 250 m / Decline: 240 m / Duration: 3.5 hours
Day 4: Today you will enjoy a mountain walk across the Bucegi Mountains, the number one destination for mountain lovers in Romania. The walk consists of a cable car transfer up Bucegi Plateau, where wind and rain have turned the rocks into spectacular figures such as the Sphinx and Babele. You will then descend to the town of Sinaia, known as the “Pearl of the Carpathians” due to its magnificent mountain scenery and Royal Castle. Difficulty level: Leisurely / Length: 7.6 km / Incline: 160 m / Decline: 320 m / Duration: 2.5 hours
Day 5: Enjoy a full-day guided walking tour of Balea Lake in the Fagaras Mountains, the highest and one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in Romania. Balea Lake is a glacier lake that is situated at 2,034m above sea level. You will reach the lake by coach through the scenic Transfagarasan highway, a spectacular mountain road built in the 70’s by dictator Nicolae Ceausescu as a military road connecting the historic provinces of Wallachia and Transylvania. Difficulty level: Leisurely / Length: 4.6 km / Incline: 350 m / Decline: 350 m / Duration: 3 hours
Day 6: Today’s walking tour takes you to Piatra Mare, a small mountain range located south east of Brasov and very close to the resort of Predeal, a well-known Romanian ski resort. The mountain range is a very popular recreation and hiking area with beautiful panoramic views. During the walk you will reach the Seven Ladders Canyon, which is sure to be the highlight of the day. Seven Ladders Canyon is 160m long and 55m high with 7 main stairs, which you will ascend. The hike will continue towards Piatra Mare Hut, before descending through the forest, back towards the starting point at Dimbu Morii. Difficulty level: Leisurely / Length: 8.5 km / Incline: 550 m / Decline: 550 m / Duration: 3.5 hours After your walk in the Piatra Mare Mountains you will continue to Bucharest, which will be your base for the remainder of your time in Romania. Upon arrival, you will have the remainder of the day at leisure to settle in.
Day 7: Today you will explore Bucharest during a half-day guided walking tour. Bucharest’s old city centre is well known for its wide Parisian-style boulevards and fascinating Pre-World War I buildings that gave the city the nickname of “Little Paris” in the 1900’s. Spend your afternoon at leisure strolling along Calea Victoriei, Bucharest’s most famous avenue where the beautiful Romanian Athenaeum, the Royal Palace and the Revolution Square are located. In the evening, a farewell dinner at a local restaurant is included.
Hotel Casa Wagner
Casa Wagner is a historic townhouse-style property in the heart of Brasov, directly on the main square. Guests can enjoy the nearby cafes, bakeries and Brasov's most popular attractions which include the Biserica Neagră Church. The hotel is housed in a classified building dating back to 1477 and retains beamed ceilings and original woodwork. Each charming, well-equipped guest room has its own individual layout, which may involve steps and varying levels within the accommodation. Due to the historic nature of Casa Wagner, there is no lift. This hotel may not be suitable for guests with restricted mobility. Please ask for further details if required.
Hotel Capitol
Located right in the heart of Bucharest on the famous Calea Victoriei, Hotel Capitol is close to the city's most important attractions. This hotel was recently re-graded from 3* to 4* and is within a two minute walk is the pedestrianised Old Town district, home to a variety of bars and restaurants. Combining historic charm with attentive service, this traditional hotel is an ideal base for discovering Bucharest.
Le Boutique Hotel Moxa
Le Boutique Hotel Moxa is located on Calea Victoriei, one of Bucharest’s oldest streets. Offering guests boutique style accommodation, rooms are spacious yet stylish. This hotel is within walking distance of many tourist attractions, restaurants and bars, making it the ideal base from which to explore Romania’s bustling capital city.