Cycle Romania - Explore

Day 1 - Join Trip Bucharest
Our trip begins today in Bucharest, Romania's vibrant capital. Once hailed the \ Paris of the East', the city lost much of its grandeur during its harsh communist regime and an earthquake in 1977. Today, it's reemerged as a European gem, thanks to its mix of Art Nouveau and Brutalist architecture, picturesque parks and thriving cultural scene. Our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. Due to several flights arriving into Bucharest later in the evening, our welcome meeting will take place on the morning of day two. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Bucharest at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you will need to arrive into Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP), which is a 30-minute drive from the city centre. If you arrive earlier in the day, there's plenty to discover in the city's Old Town and many museums to choose from including the National Museum of Romanian History, the Military Museum and the Folk Art Museum.

Day 2 - Explore Bucharest, Drive to Bran Castle and on to Moieciu
After breakfast this morning, our tour leader will conduct an introductory briefing, after which we go on a city tour of Bucharest. We'll visit the old quarter of the city to see the Palace of Parliament; the magnificent but excessive palace of ex-President Ceausescu. Leaving Bucharest, we'll drive to Bran (a three-hour journey) for our visit to \ Dracula's Castle'. The truth behind the castle is even more fascinating than the myth. It was once home to the British-born Queen Marie of Romania, granddaughter of Queen Victoria. Vlad the Impaler, the infamous 15th century ruler of Wallachia never lived here and there is no connection with the novel by Bram Stoker - who never even travelled to Transylvania. Perched on a crag in a valley between two high mountain ranges, the castle controlled an important trade route, but it's now a rural backwater. After our tour, we'll make our way the short distance to our guesthouse in Moieciu, located on the eastern side of the Piatra Craiului mountains. Time permitting, we plan to do the bike distribution and fitting after check-in, with time to get familiar with the bike.

Day 3 - Cycle Piatra Craiului National Park to Bucium
Today is our first full day in the saddle. We start cycling on the edge of Piatra Craiului National Park along a beautiful forest valley. Then we cycle mainly downhill with spectacular views of the Transylvanian Alps to Bucium, where we spend the night. On the way, there is the option to stop at a wooden flour mill and Roman monastery, which gives an insight into how life would have been in days gone by. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 55 kilometres/34.1 miles, with 395 metres/1,295 feet total ascent and 525 metres/1,722 feet descent.

Day 4 - Visit The Sambata Monastery, Cycle Via Arpasu to Cartisoara
Today we continue cycling with great views of the Fagaras Mountains - the longest, highest ridge of the Carpathian Mountain range. Stopping for our picnic, we visit the ancient water barrel whirlpools, traditionally used for felting cloth and washing large fabrics. In the afternoon we plan to visit the Romanian Orthodox Sambata Monastery, dedicated to the Domitian of the Virgin Mary. Continuing by bike along the valley, we pass through Arpasu to our final destination in Cartisoara. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 53 kilometres/32.9 miles, with 340 metres/1,115 feet total ascent and 150 metres/492 feet descent.

Day 5 - Cycle The Olt River Valley to Talmaciu, Drive to Sibiu
Departing Albota on our bikes, we'll cross the plain to join the river and then use gravel tracks to follow the watercourse. Passing villages, dams and herds of water buffalo, we arrive in Avrig to visit the 18th-century Orangerie and the park of the summer residence of the former governor of Transylvania. Today's ride ends in Talmaciu, we then drive by bus (30 minutes) to the city of Sibiu for a walking tour that takes in the 15th-century city walls and bastion fortifications. Sibiu is known as the Red City due to its brick construction and is the most fortified town in the Principality of Transylvania. We then check into our accommodation. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 55 kilometres/34.1 miles, with 120 metres/393 feet total ascent and 160 metres/524 feet descent.

Day 6 - Drive to Carta, Ride Via Agnita to Dealu Frumos
After a short drive this morning, we'll arrive in Carta, an area in which time seems to have stood still. The farmers here still use traditional methods including scythes and sickles to farm their land and horse-drawn wagons to move their hay. We'll visit the ancient church and ruins of an old Cistercian Abbey. Back on the bikes, we cycle into the Hartibaciu Valley through local villages. Passing Agnita, where the fortified church still hides a few secrets from its shady past, there is a final hill climb to arrive at our accommodation for the night in a rural location 3 kilometres/1.8 miles outside Agnita. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 38 kilometres/23.6 miles, with about 385 metres/1,263 feet total ascent and 220 metres/721 feet descent

Day 7 - Cycle to Unesco Listed Sighisoara
For our final day on the bikes, you have the option to make an early start and cycle (37 kilometres/22.9 miles) to Biertan. The bus will drive to Biertan with those clients who prefer not to ride this section. There is time for an optional guided visit to the UNESCO-listed, 15th-century fortified church in Biertan. From here we ride to Sighisoara. Upon arrival, we check in to our hotel and the rest of the day is left free to allow exploration of the town on foot. The UNESCO-protected castle is thought to be one of the largest lived-in castles in Europe and other sites include the old town fortifications, the Church on the Hill, covered stairs and the clock tower. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 37 kilometres/22.9 miles, with about 450 metres/1,476 feet total ascent and 505 metres/1,656 feet descent. A further 37 kilometres/22.9 miles optional cycling is possible.

Day 8 - Visit Peles Castle, Drive to Bucharest
Today, we'll drive to Bucharest, a journey of around six hours but we'll make plenty of stops including the wonderful Peles Castle. Built for the Hohenzollern monarch Carol I, Peles resembles a Bavarian chateau and is richly decorated with stained glass, Persian carpets, Renaissance weapons, ebony and mother of pearl. Our journey ends back in the capital. We'll spend our last night in Romania here and reflect on a great week of cycling in Transylvania before heading home in the morning.

Day 9 - Trip Ends Bucharest
There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Bucharest at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP), which is a 30-minute drive from the hotel.