Transylvania walking holiday

After breakfast you will be transferred to Bran-Moieciu area with a short stop for lunch and a visit to Peles, summer residence of King Carol and Pelisor Castle, former residence of Queen Mary (granddaughter of Queen Victoria). After visiting the castle, we will be transferred to the 1,400m altitude resort above Sinaia and have a 2 hours hiking trip. On the way we will stop at a monastery and we will have lunch at the old Royal Sheepfold – currently a restaurant. In the afternoon we will be transferred to Bran for check-in and for another hike nearby Bran Castle – in the Enchanted Forest.
The castle, which was built as a gift from Ludovic d'Anjou in the 14th century to the inhabitants of the region, had a defensive role against the migratory peoples and later it protected Transylvania from the Ottoman invasions. The castle was also associated with the prince Vlad Tepes of Walachia.

Overnight: Conacul Bratescu or similar Meals: B, L, D Activity: two hiking sessions, 3-4 hours in total

After a refreshing breakfast we will be transferred to Moieciu village, close to Bran. From Moieciu we will have a 4 hours hiking trail to the charming village of Magura, a typical mountain village in south Carpathians with a splendid view of Bucegi and Piatra Craiului Mountains. In Magura we will have a picnic lunch and then we will follow another path to descend to Moieciu.We will pass some of the country’s richest pastoral areas, dotted with shepherds’ huts, hay meadows and summer lodges .The path is following two small rivers, but also pastoral meadows with a great variety of flowers and butterflies. Later on, we will visit Bran Castle. In the evening we will return to Bran for accommodation.
Overnight: Conacul Bratescu or similar Meals: B, L, D Activity: Moieciu – Magura - ~4 hours, ~300m ascent

A short transfer (30 mins) after breakfast into the Postavarul Mountains to walk along the Sticlariei Valley and descend into the medieval old town of Brasov. We continue through the old quarter to reach the town square, surrounded by Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings, where we will take lunch before visiting the Gothic 'Black Church' with its world-famous Buchholz organ and a rare collection of oriental carpets brought back from trading missions to the Ottoman Empire.

Overnight: Vila Katharina or similar Meals: B, L, D Activity: walking tour, 3-4 hours, ~300m ascent

Today we leave the Carpathian Mountains and drive to the Transylvanian Hills, to Sighisoara, stopping along the way to explore the UNESCO-listed Saxon village of Viscri, with its impressive church castle. The beautiful old farmhouses here were bought and restored by the Mihai Eminescu Trust under the patronage of HRH the Prince of Wales. During the 3 hours we will have a tour of the village and visit the fortified church (16th century), the local blacksmith and the local bricklayer workshop. We will have a traditional lunch in one of the village houses then drive to Sighisoara, an old Saxon city, part of the “Siebenburgen” – the seven fortified cities network built in the 14th century by the Saxons colonists. We will explore the open squares and winding alleyways, admiring the medieval church, the Patrician houses and the guild towers (along with the famous clock tower).

Overnight: Fronius Residence or similar Meals: B,L,D Activity: walking tour, 3 hours

In the morning we will have a 30-min transfer to the village of Cris this morning, where we'll find the ruins of Bethlen Castle. We follow a well-marked path for a wonderful walk with views of the surrounding countryside, to Malancrav where we visit the church with its Gothic altar and original frescoes, followed by lunch at Apafi Manor (also restored under the patronage of HRH the Prince of Wales).
Another option is to start hiking from Sighisoara and l cross a century-old oak forest, which now is a protected reserve. The hiking route is 11 km (3 hours), with a 230m ascent. We will end our hiking route in another Saxon village – Stejareni.
After lunch we head to the remote village of Cund.
The old traditional Saxon houses have been renovated, bringing 3* and 4* luxury life to this hidden part of the world while maintaining the harmony of local traditions. After a short rest you are invited for a special meal with Chef and owner Jonas Schafer from Valea Verde Resort.

Overnight: Valea Verde Retreat Meals: B,L, D Activity: Two hiking sessions, 5 hours, ~350m ascent

Today we will experience the rural life around the small village of Cund. Your idyllic hike route will pass from Cund village to the next village, across the hills. Then, we will be transferred by car to Villa Vinea winery for a wine tasting session and for lunch. Later on, a transfer will take us to our final destination – Sibiu (1.5 hours drive). Sibiu is a former European Cultural Capital – in 2007. We will have a short walking tour through Sibiu (visit the Old Town, the Medieval Fortress, the Big Square and the city sites).

Overnight: old city center Meals: B, L, D Activity: Hiking 2 hours on hilly terrain, ~150m ascent

In the morning you can take a short sightseeing trip to the open-air village museum Astra. The museum is built around 3 lakes in the Dumbrava Forest and features houses, churches, and water/windmills from all over Romania.