Première Inn to Inn ✦
7 days ✦ Moderate
Join us for a 7-day journey by cycling through an extraordinary region of Europe on our Romania bike tours. Encounter pristine landscapes, explore well-preserved medieval villages, and enjoy excellent food and wine on this trip through Transylvania! Which has kept its history alive in old mansions and unspoiled villages with churches very unique to Transylvania.
On the Transylvania Bike Tour, you will experience the historical and cultural landmarks of this fascinating region, situated within a breath-taking and dramatic terrain. Cycle through the Postavarul Mountains, with splendid panoramic views and lush pine forests, to the famous Bram Castle, home to Dracula. Visit a fortified church and learn about the resiliency of the local community in the face of Turkish sieges. Travel rural roads where traditional ways of life persist and try your hand at old-fashioned brick and tile making. Along your trip, you will spend your days in fortresses and citadels and your nights in luxurious estates and resorts, dining on feasts fit for traditional noblemen and home-cooked recipes from local villagers.
Première Inn to Inn: from €2950
This tour is available from mid-April until mid-October, with May, September & October being the best times of year.
1: Meet Bucharest, walking tour of Brasov
Your group of adventurers will meet at Bucharest's airport, then transfer to Brasov. Here you will stroll through the historic centre, explore the most important landmarks of the town, discover one of Europe's narrowest street and visit the gothic Black Church. Dinner in one of the best traditional restaurants of Brasov follows, accompanied by a short introduction of the tour and a welcome package.
Meals: L D
2: Cycle to Draculas Castle, visit Prejmer Fortified Church
After a wholesome breakfast, we start our day cycling up to Poiana Brasov ski resort (1030 m) on a panoramic road through Postavarul Mountains and with splendid views over the town of Brasov. After a pleasant descend through pine forests, we visit the dramatic Bran Castle, commonly known as Dracula’s Castle. From Bran you will be transferred first to Prejmer Fortified Church, part of the the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Transylvania, for a guided tour of this amazing fortification. Here you can be amazed by the powerful surrounding walls, the great architecture of the church and the incredible stories about how successful and well-organized was the local community in surviving the many Turkish sieges. Overnight and dinner in the authentic Mikes estate in the Szekely village of Zabola where you can relax and dine like a Transylvanian nobleman.
Cycling: 20 mi / 32 km, Terrain: 600 meter climb, mountainous, Meals: B L D
3: Cycling the Haromszek region, museums, craftshops
Your day starts with flat cycling through the Haromszek region, first we visit the the church from Ghelin?a dated from the 14th century and famous for its Gothic mural paintings, then historical center and the Crafts Museum in Targu Secuiesc. We continue our journey towards the village of Cernat where in the past more than 30 watermills operated to serve the needs of many villages in the region. We visit Szekeyland's biggest open-air museum, learn about the folk culture and architecture of the Szakelys, then we have a break at a cultural center built around a more than 150 years old watermill. Enjoy a home-cooked lunch prepared by the local women based on traditional recipes and learn about the old craft of milling. Finish our day climbing up to Balvanyos Resort to enjoy the mineral springs and a relaxing evening.
Cycling: 40 mi / 65 km, Terrain: flat then gradual climb, Meals: B L D
4: Cycling Mohos Peat-bog Natural Reserve and the Land of Woods
Today we head for the Baraolt region, known as the Land of Woods. Our first stop is the Mohos Peatbog Natural Reserve where we be introduced to its medicinal and carnivorous plants and St Anne Lake, where perhaps weather permitting a swim is in order. Descending from the crater rim, we ride through forests and along remote rural roads where locals still lives traditional lives. We will visit with an 80 year old lady and her working water mill, rest at the fizzy mineral water springs and bath of
Batanii Mici or pay a visit to the local traditional brick and tile making workshop in the neighboring village.
Cycling: 32 mi / 51 km, Terrain: flat, Meals: B L D
5: Cycle to Racos Geological Complex and Saxon villages
Today first we visit the Racos Geological Complex, then say farewell to Szakelyland as we depart to explore the medieval heritage of the Saxon settlements located in the south-eastern part of Transylvania. After 1.5 h ride we reach Racos village where the mining activities revealed huge geologic sections (over 50 m height and 200 m in length) allowing you to observe the system's geological structure. From Racos we head towards Rupea fortress on paved country roads with optional stops at the ruins of the Hungarian Sukosd-Bethlen Castle and the Saxon fortified church of Homorod. Next is the beautiful Saxon village of Viscri. Upon arrival, we can visit the wool felt shop and its UNESCO-designated fortified church.
Cycling: 36 mi / 59 km, Terrain: flat, Meals: B L D
6: Ride the Saxony Bike Trail, explore the medieval citadel of Sighisoar
Today we cycle part of a network of trails which link Viscri with the other two neighboring villages of Mesendorf and Crit. In Mesendorf you can visit the Peasant Citadel, dating from 14-15thcenturies, while in Crit meet Mr Emil Pandrea, a skillful beekeeper, who has recently become the British Royal Court's honey provider and find out how he earned this position whilst sampling this sweet delicacy. We bod the bikes good bye in Crit and transfer to the medieval citadel of Sighisoara where a guided walking tour through the UNESCO protected citadel and to the Lower old center awaits you. During this tour you will have the chance to learn more about how nature and the territory influences the local food and the characteristics of the local gastronomy in the oldest school of Sighisoara. Try some typical cheese from the Tarnave area of the Transylvanian Highlands and taste some delicious pork specialties and some local white wines. Gather for a finale dinner tonight at our luxurious inn.
Cycling: 15 mi / 24 km, Terrain: flat, Meals: B L D
7: Farewell
We bid farewell to Transylvania and transfer back to the Bucharest Airport.
Meals: B
Pedalers provides Cube hardtail mountains bikes, but the road are all paved.
As a safe health measure, guests are asked to bring their own helmets and waterbottles for cycling. If necessary these can be purchased in Romania.
Bella Muzica - Brasov
Zabola Estate - Zabola
Grand Hotel Balvanyos - Balvanyos
Castle Hotel Daniel - Talisoara
Viscri 125 Guesthouse - Viscri
Fronius Residence - Sighisoara
Tour meets in Bucharest, Romania (OTP), fly in before noon on Day 1.
Tour ends in Bucharest, Romania (OTP), fly out after 10 am on Day 8.
Passports required for all guests. Visas maybe required depending on citizenship.
You, your family & friends, your preferred date
Première Inn to Inn: from €2950
This tour is available from mid-April until mid-October, with May and September being the best times of year.