Transylvania
Enchanted Saxon Transylvania | classic Journey
The Saxon villages of southern Transylvania are set in a bucolic landscape in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains in central Romania. It is a land that has been called an 'outpost of medieval Europe.'
When to go
Apr to Oct
Price from
£2,985
From the moment you touch down in Romania, everything is included so that while you are with us you can forget about your wallet, relax and enjoy your time in the hills of Transylvania.
Duration
5 - 6 nights
Scheduled journeys
Travel privately
Journey highlights
- Discover the charming architecture and fascinating history of this most surprising region.
- An opportunity to move at your own pace through a land of staggering natural and cultural beauty.
- The magical forests and meadows, disappeared from much of Europe, are very much alive in Transylvania
- Our customary attention to detail. You will never be better cared for on holiday.
- Farm to table cuisine, in local homes. Oh, and fantastic wines and spirits.
on the move
From the moment you arrive at the guest house on your first night, you do not need to get in a car. This is a journey by electric bike and on foot that provides a deep immersion into an extraordinary part of Europe.
Oli says . . .
itinerary
Enchanted Saxon Transylvania
Our 5-night itinerary, taking in the charming Saxon villages, ancient oak and beech forests and famous wildflower meadows of southern Transylvania, is described below. We are happy to offer shorter or longer options for private groups.
Those arriving on the flight we recommend will be met at the airport by one of our guides and transferred 3 hours to Copsa Mare. A beautifully restored 17th century cottage is your home tonight. Before bed, though, there will be a chance to meet the rest of our guiding team, explore the village and enjoy dinner, freshly prepared by your host, Giovanna.
Cycling 25 kms – Walking 2 hours
We will set off from Copsa Mare to Nou Sasesc either by foot or by bike, depending on the weather conditions. There we’ll have a picnic. In the afternoon we will walk over a series of forested ridges to Malancrav, where we will stay in a sumptuous 15th Century Hungarian mansion and a series of restored village houses. Our evening will be spent dining at the manor house.
Cycling 39 kms
After visiting the fortified church in Malancrav, home to some of the best frescoes in Romania, we will spend the morning cycling to Stejareni for a picnic lunch in the meadows. In the afternoon we’ll climb to Breite, a sprawling Saxon planted oak forest, and continue to Sighisoara’s celebrated citadel, the alleged birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. Supper is close to the citadel and you will stay at an elegantly restored Gothic townhouse.
Cycling 30 kms – Walking 2 hours or 17 kms cycling
We will walk through Sighisoara in the morning, exploring the citadel’s history, before setting off on trails to Saschiz for lunch with our friends Anca and Charlie, some of the first members of Slow Food Transylvania. The trails give way to a long descent through forests into Crit, for dinner in the simple home of Rozi, Nicu and family. Nicu will cook a mean barbeque in their apple orchard. Another beautifully restored house is our home tonight.
Walking 2 hours – Cycling 20 kms
We will walk to perfectly situated Mesendorf for lunch with Adi and Oana in their barn (in the autumn, if conditions allow, a truffle hunter and his dogs will accompany us). Then it is back in the saddle for an incredible ride across Transylvania’s finest sheep grazing country. Our last night is in a comfortable traditional guesthouse in Viscri, the village that first attracted King Charles to the region, and where he owns a house.
After a morning spent exploring Viscri’s UNESCO fortified church we will take you for a farewell lunch before we say goodbye and send you on your way to the airport.
HOW TO BOOK
There are two ways to travel with us. You can either travel on a set-date Scheduled Journey or put together your own private party.
MAKE NEW FRIENDS
Scheduled Journeys
A wonderful opportunity to explore a fascinating part of the world, to meet like-minded travellers and make new friends in a group of Slow Cyclists assembled by us.
TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS
Private Journeys
If you love the look of Transylvania and would like to experience it in a small group of family or friends, get in touch and we will explain how we can make it happen.
