October 15, 2015

Best of Transylvania – Motorcycle Tour

Written By Admin

DAY 1 Cluj – Turda
about 60 km/ 37 miles – 1h riding
Welcome to Romania! Our English speaking guide, a motorcycle enthusiast and a 100% Transylvanian, collects you from Cluj Napoca Airport. A city with an outstanding medieval atmosphere, one of the oldest settlements in Transylvania, dating back prior to the Roman period, Cluj will surely impress you with its beautiful old architecture. To better capture the essence of the area enjoy the local cuisine, a traditional Romanian lunch is strongly recommended. From Cluj transfer to Turda, a small town with an intimate atmosphere founded by the Romans under the name Potaissa. Prepare to descend to the heart of one of the biggest salt mines in the country – Turda Salt Mines, with impressive halls named after kings and queens. Accommodate in a 4* hotel. 
Optional: You’ll then attend the Ritual of Killing of the Living Dead. This live re-enactment is housed in the cellar, designed in a genuine rustic Transylvanian style. Performed according to the old rituals of burying in Transylvania, the event is intended to reveal the fact that Transylvania, and in fact entire Romanian had no knowledge of vampires until Bram Stocker created his famous novel Dracula.

DAY 2 Turda – Alba Iulia – Sugag – Ranca
about 200 km/ 124 miles – 5 hours of riding
Ride to Alba Iulia Citadel, a fortress with seven bulwarks, a star shaped citadel, common to Vauban fortresses. An incredible ride for you – Transalpina Road, one of the most spectacular roads of the Carpathian Mountains and the highest mountain road in Romania.  With its highest point at Urdele Pass – 2,145m above sea level, the road is also called The King’s Road by the locals, the road was built under the rule of King Carol II of Romania and rebuilt during World War II by German troops. Accommodation in Country Inns in Ranca.

DAY 3 Ranca – Curtea de Arges – Balea Lac – Brasov
about 230 km/ 143 miles – 6 hours of riding
Curtea de Arges is your next destination with its beautifull Monastery built in Byzantine style, with Moorish arabesques. Find out the legend of the monastery and continue your journey riding up to the mountains. An incredible ride for you today – Transfagarasan Highway – the most crooked and challenging of Europe’s roads for motorcyclists. Built between 1970 and 1974 as a military route, by communist dictator Ceausescu (after the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968) it snakes up into the Carpathians. Continue your journey with the medieval city of Brasov. Accommodation in a 3* Hotel.

DAY 4 Brasov – Bran – Sighisoara 
about 150 km/ 93 miles – 2h30min. riding
Explore today Brasov, a city with an outstanding medieval atmosphere which has played a vital role in Romania’s history, both old and new. Three quarters of the city is surrounded by mountains, and it is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. Visit Transylvania’s symbol, Bran Castle. Unrightfully called Dracula’s Castle, Bran owes its fame both to its unique charm and to the myth Bram Stoker created around Dracula. A former fortress guarding a commercial road, Bran dates back to 1377. In 1920, Queen Mary, the niece of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, turned the castle into a beautiful summer residence. Next stop is the medieval citadel of Sighisoara. Founded by Saxons during the 12th century, Sighisoara still stands as one of Europe’s most beautiful and still inhabited fortified cities with UNESCO European heritage site status. Sighisoara is also the place where Vlad the Impaler, known as Dracula, was born. Accommodate in a 3* hotel located in the heart of the medieval citadel.
Optional: For a unique experience you’re invited to enjoy a helicopter ride over Bran Castle.

DAY 5 Sighisora – Bistrita – Borgo Pass
about 200 km/ 124 miles – 4h riding
Submerge yourself in the medieval atmosphere by visiting Sighisoara’s main attractions: The Clock Tower – built in 1360 and standing 60 meters tall on top of the citadel’s hill, it hosts a museum and offers a great view over the citadel, The Torture Room, The Medieval Weapon Collection, Covered Stairs, the Church on the Hill. 
Ride next to Bistrita Citadel. Make the acquaintance of a unique character, Misiuga, the Baron of Dracula. He’ll welcome you in his windswept Dogarilor (Coopers’) Tower. Head next for Dracula’s Castle on Borgo Pass, built in accordance to Bram Stoker’s imagination on the border between Transylvania and Moldavia. To test your courage, visit Dracula’s Coffin in the dungeon of the castle. Accommodation in a 3* Hotel.

DAY 6 Borgo Pass – Sacel – Sighetu Marmatiei – Barsana 
about 210 km/ 130 miles – 4h10min. riding
Explore today the magical traditional land of Maramures, renowned for the art of wood carving. Ride to the picturesque village of Sacel and visit the work shop of a renowned woodcraftsman. One of the highest wood constructions in Europe, Barsana Nunnery is located in gorgeous natural setting close to the banks of Iza River.It is considered one of the most beautiful monasteries of Maramures. Accommodation in Barsana in a traditional guest house.

DAY 7 Barsana – Sapanta – Baia Mare – Cluj Napoca
about 350 km/  217 miles –  6h riding
Explore in the morning the merriest cemetery in the world, transfer to Sapanta to visit the renowned Merry Cemetery. It owns its name to the vivid colours of the headboards on which are painted scenes narrating the biography of the deceased. The images are accompanied by lyrical, ironic simple rhyming stanzas. Ride next to Baia Mare, the capital city of Maramures County, located at the foot of Eastern Carpathians, one of the most important urban centres in North Romania. With a lot of memories and surely some regret say good bye to Romania.