Transylvania Short Hiking Tour - The Southern Carpathians and the Wonders of Transylvania

  Romania

Brasov

Dates: Every Friday

Description: Day by day itinerary:

Day 1 Bucharest - Predeal

Welcome to Romania, connect with our English speaking guide at North Railway Station (Gara de Nord). Take the train to Predeal, a well renowned ski resort in Romania, located at an altitude of 1040 m, the highest altitude town in the country. Accommodate in a welcoming 3* villa.

Day 2 Predeal - Busteni - Babele Hut - Omu peak 2505 m - Busteni - Predeal

Morning drive to Busteni, one of the most spectaculars resorts on Prahova Valley, offering the breath taking view of the huge east side walls of Bucegi mountains with peaks over 2400m in altitude. Take the cable car up to Babele Hut, the name of the stone formation in the near by area is Babele (Old Women), the wind and the rain shaped the stones into the form of a group of old women. Hike up to Omu Peak 2505 m altitude, the highest peak from Bucegi Mountains and admire the beautiful Carpathian scenery unfolding before your eyes. Descend to Babele Hut, take the cable car down to Busteni and enjoy some free time in the resort. Return to the accommodation in Predeal.

Day 3 Predeal - Brasov - Bran - Brasov - Predeal

Explore today the mysterious Bran Castle. In the morning take the bus to Brasov, then drive to Bran. Dating back to 1377, Bran castle owes its fame both to its unique charm and to the myth Bram Stoker created around Dracula. In 1920, Queen Mary, the niece of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, turned the castle into a beautiful summer residence. Close to the castle there is a shrine set in the wall of a mountain which once sheltered the heart of Queen Marie of Romania. After lunch return by bus to Brasov, located at the foot of Tampa Hill and visit this well preserved medieval Saxon city famous for its impressive gothic monument the Black Church. Return to the accommodation in Predeal.

Day 4 Predeal - Bucuresti

In the morning take the train to Bucharest. Enjoy a short sightseeing tour of the Romanian capital, once surnamed the little Paris, including the Parliament Palace (out side view only), the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon and the largest administrative building in Europe. Say good by, depart home.

You can enrich your daily program each day with the following Optional activities:

Visit Peles Castle - the main point of attraction of Sinaia resort, known as "the Carpathian Pearl". The edifice was built in 1873, on the order of Carol de Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen - King of Romania from 1866 - and is an architectural mixture of the German School and neo-renaissance style. The castle has 160 rooms, all of them opulently decorated in leather and wood from the most valuable tree species. Peles Castle is one of the best preserved and the most beautiful royal residences in Europe. The castle also served as the retreat residence of most of Romania's monarchs.

ATV rental in Predeal USD 39 / hour (EURO 30 / hour)
Special Dinner with vine tasting and traditional folk show in Brasov USD 26 / person + transportation USD 32,5 / group (EURO 20 / person + transportation EURO 25 / group)

Highlights:
* Omu Peak - 2505 m altitude, the highest peak from Bucegi Mountains.
* Bran Castle - also known as Dracula's Castle, it owes its fame both to its unique charm and to the myth Bram Stoker created around Dracula. The imposing edifice dates back to 1377.
* Brasov Saxon Medieval City - a city with an outstanding medieval atmosphere. Three quarters of the city is surrounded by mountains, and it is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe.
* Babele, Sinxul and Omu - rock megaliths shaped by wind and rain into human forms.
* Bucharest - walking tour of the capital city of Romania, once surnamed the little Paris.

Cost in US$: 631

Price includes:
- English speaking guide services
- Transportation: all transfers inside the tour by common transport
- Meals: 3 breakfasts
- Entry fees to: Bran Castle, cable car from/to Busteni resort
- Not included: plane ticket, airport fees, all lunches and 5 dinners, photo & video tax and other not mentioned

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Transylvania Live, Tour Operator and Member of American Society for Travel Agents's Mission Statement: Transylvania-Live it is simply the most spectacular way to discover Transylvania. Our aim is to introduce you to genuine Transylvania. Helping preserve beautiful traditions, thousands of years old, keeping alive the culture of different areas by introducing you to locals, assuring that Transylvania will always welcome you with pine flavor and thick forests, making sure that in a village "grandmother" waits you with a slice of traditional pie is not at all difficult. We are the only Romanian tour operator offering the possibility of enjoying Transylvanian Festivals live, both making use and preserving Transylvanian traditions and mythology! Our offer includes cultural holidays that take you to genuine Transylvanian Festivals to celebrate together our songs, dances, see the work of the shepherds, admire the mastery of our craftsmen. Transylvania Live appeals only to the help of local guides both in Romania and Hungary; we work only with local suppliers, so that money will stay where needed. We're supporting "Saint Daniel's Foundation" program which already built a house for the elderly and now is trying to build the second one for both old people and children in the program entitled - "A grandfather for a nephew - A nephew for a grandfather". Sustaining our region through involvement in civic projects is another priority for us. Transylvania Live is co initiator of the "Tourism Information Centre" in Turda, sponsor of belles-lettres national magazine "Echinox" and student's theatre festival "Alterego" as well as sustainer of "Transylvania Riders" motor club.

Year Founded: 1995