Cycle Romania
Cycle Romania
Cycle Romania
9 Days Starting and ending in Bucharest
Visiting: Romania
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MVF
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 14
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Transylvania is one of the most emotive place names. Much of the focus is on Bram Stoker’s creation and the bloodthirsty Prince Vlad III or Vlad the Impaler, upon whom he was loosely based. However, the region offers a fascinating mix of cultural influences, from the Saxons to the raiding Tatars and Ottomans. The natural diversity and beauty of the region is also key to capturing the imagination as castles and churches are framed by the imposing Carpathian and Faguras Mountains. The best seat from which to view all this is that of a bicycle, allowing us to soak up the tranquillity and majesty of the landscape at a pace that means we can enjoy the hidden stories and places along the way.We finish with time in Bucharest, once the seat of communist power but still with enough left to remind visitors why it was once known as ‘the Paris of the East’.
Highlights
Itinerary
Upon arrival, we will be greeted by an Exodus leader and transferred out of
Bucharest to the small town of Vulcan in Brasov County, Transylvania. This
transfer is roughly three hours long but will be broken up with a short break
en route. We should arrive in Vulcan with plenty of time for our evening meal
and will have the opportunity to visit the fortified church as well as learn
about the Saxon heritage of the area.*
*
Day 2
Once we are happy and comfortable after the bike fitting, we set off for our
first experience of cycling in this region. We begin on the flat, accompanied
by views of the snow-covered peaks of the Bucegi Mountains. Today we also
take time to visit the oldest flour mill in Romania, powered to this day by
the river by which it was built. The tale of how it survived the communist
period is also well worth our time.
Our goal is the town of Bucium however if the weather is favourable we may
take a detour to a nearby cave that served as a place of worship over two
centuries ago. At that time the local people – the Dacians – would have
prayed to Zalmoxis, a popular deity in the lower Danube region. Little is
known about Zalmoxis, thought what is known is based mainly on the writings
of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus.
Once we are happy and comfortable after the bike fitting, we set off for our
first experience of cycling in this region. We begin on the flat, accompanied
by views of the snow-covered peaks of the Bucegi Mountains. Today we also
take time to visit the oldest flour mill in Romania, powered to this day by
the river by which it was built. The tale of how it survived the communist
period is also well worth our time.
Our goal is the own of Bucium however if the weather is favourable we may
make a detour to what is known as a
If the weather is good we will make a detour to a nearby cave that served as
a place of worship over two centuries ago. At that time the local people –
the Dacians – would have prayed to Zalmoxis, a popular deity in the lower
Danube region. Little is known about Zalmoxis, thought what is known is
based mainly on the writings of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus.
Day 3
We ride to the village of Lisa, with the ridge of the highest mountain range
in Romania, the Fagaras Mountains, as our constant companion. There we visit
a wool mill to see how woollen blankets and clothes are still being made
using old methods. There is even a 100-year-old machine still in operation.
We then cycle to the village of Cartisoara and on to Carta itself and visit
the Cistercian Monastery. The oldest buildings on the site date back to
around 1205 and like many buildings in the area it has a fascinating history.
Please note that on some departures our groups stay in the town of Cartisoara
and will visit the Monastery in Carta on day 4. The distances of each day
would, therefore, change by 5km.
Day 4
Today’s ride starts with a crossing of the river Olt and continues along
quiet country roads. We cycle past the fortified church of Richis as we make
our way towards Biertan. Once in Biertan, we have a tour of the UNESCO listed
fortified church set up on a hill overlooking the vineyards and surrounding
fields. Building began in 1486 by the German Transylvanian Saxon community
when the area was part of the Kingdom of Hungary.
As a late Gothic church, it stands out thanks to the concentric ringed walls
and huge towers, and is often considered one of the most impressive of its
kind in Romania. It achieved UNESCO status in 1993 and has numerous
interesting buildings in the complex. The church contains some beautiful
Renaissance pieces, while there are also three bastions, six towers and three
rows of walls to ward of undesirables.
Day 5
Today we have a beautiful ride through the countryside and remote villages of
Transylvania. Following the river Tarnava Mare we pass hop fields and set our
sights on Sighisoara. This truly is a place worth visiting, as one of the few
medieval citadels in Europe that is fully inhabited. Another to feature on
the UNESCO list of world heritage sites, we have a free afternoon to wander
the streets and immerse ourselves in place so wonderfully preserved and
faithful to its origins. There is even the house where Vlad Dracul, father of
Vlad the Impaler, was born.
Day 6
Today’s ride follows a lovely quiet country road through the Transylvanian
hills to Apold village. After looking around the fascinating old town before
we hop back on the bikes to continue our ride through small farming towns and
pastures. The medieval church at Bradeni will provide the backdrop to our
lunch spot. Today’s ride ends in the small town of Soars; here our
accommodation will be split over four small family houses. This is a great
opportunity to experience real Romanian rural life and get to know your
hosts. Today’s evening meal is taken as a group at the largest guesthouse
house and will be a traditional Romanian meal cooked by the family.
Day 7
After breakfast, we ride out of Soars. The day starts with a short climb
through the forest before a lovely stretch of road through several small
towns takes us to Viscri. Here we have the opportunity to explore this lovely
old town as well as visit Viscri’s well-known fortified church and meet the
brickmakers and blacksmiths who helped restore the building. The church was
restored with the help of the Prince of Wales Foundation in 1991 and is now
regarded as one of the best examples of a fortified church anywhere in the
world. There will be plenty of time to fully explore Viscri as we stay in the
centre of town.
Day 8
After breakfast we have a private transfer to Bran Castle, situated on the
border between Transylvania and Wallachia. Here we take a tour around this
spectacular building which has become known as 'Dracula’s Castle'. Inside
there are displays of art and furniture collected by Queen Marie and the
grounds feature a small open air museum displaying Romanian peasant
structures. After exploring the castle and grounds we hop back in the vehicle
and continue our journey to Bucharest. The afternoon is free to explore
Bucharest and we can go out for a final meal as a group.
*Please note.* Bran Castle is an extremely popular tourist destination and
can be very busy. Therefore our local guide will give the option to either
visit Bran Castle (as stated above) or make a quick stop to see the castle
from the outside before transferring to the spectacular though less well
known Peles Castle for a tour.
Day 9
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport and fly home.
What's Included
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Flights from London (if booking flight inclusive)
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Cycling guide throughout
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Local bike hire with one pannier bag
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All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners
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All accommodation
What's Not Included
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Visas or vaccinations
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (very limited availability)
Food
All breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches and 6 dinners are included in the price of
the trip.
Romanian cuisine has strong influences from its surrounding countries like
Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary.
We get to indulge in some fantastic home cooked meals on this trip as we
spend most nights staying with local families and in guesthouses. Breakfasts
will consist of homemade bread and cheeses as well as a selection of locally
sourced meats, salad and tea of coffee. The picnic lunches are made by our
guesthouses and will usually be sandwiches, salad, fruit and more of their
homemade cheese. Some days we will have a traditional vegetable soup for
lunch with homemade crème fraiche and bread.
Dinners are usually centred around pork or beef. Lots of guesthouses will
prepare Sarmale cu Mamaliguta which is a traditional Romanian dish made of
minced pork wrapped in pickled cabbage leaves and served with polenta and a
chilli.
It’s not all about the food though; every household makes their own Tuica
(pronounced “tsweeka”) which is a spirit usually made from plums and
flavoured with herbs from their garden or the surrounding area. This is
usually drunk whilst being welcomed into the house and after dinner.
Accommodation
For most of the tour, we stay in guesthouses and family-owned B&Bs. All the buildings are very well kept, clean, comfortable and are truly one-off places to stay. These old buildings were never designed to be hotels, this means that a very limited number of single rooms are available and only on some nights. In some locations, bathrooms will be shared between a maximum of two rooms. Our hotel in Bucharest is a modern building with good facilities in the city centre.
Single supplement is only available on five nights (days 1, 2, 5, 7, 8; limited availability). For all the other nights’ accommodation is on room-share basis.
Check out our Q&As
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.