10 Days in Romania - Motorcycle Round Trip

We start from our APUSENI LODGE in Avram Iancu (Vârfurile) at the foot of the Apuseni Mountains and even on this first stage we can already happily guess what awaits us in the next few days. The well-paved road winds its way up to the Vârtopu and into the first secret valley. Passing the Belis Fântânele reservoir, we then ride along the flank of the Munte Blidarului to the Turda region, where we spend the first night.

There is hardly any other place in Transylvania, which is rich in historical places, where the past can be traced as well as in the upper town of Sighișoara (Schäßburg), which is characterized by colorful authenticity. Sibiu (Hermannstadt) is no less attractive, ideal for strolling on the beautiful market square and for shopping in the numerous shops. We visit these two important cities on the second and third day of our trip and especially at our stage destination Sighișoara there is enough time to visit the old town or the eponymous Schäß Castle. Now it's off to the Bicaz region and through the magnificent Cheile Bicazului (Bicaz Gorge) to Brașov (Kronstadt). We spend the well-deserved rest day (subject to availability) in a great wellness hotel & spa. Depending on your mood, you can use the day to relax, visit the Black Church in Brasov, the Peasant Castle in Râsnov, or take a trip to the nearby Bran Dracula's Castle or visit the Brasov Zoo. The Prejmer Fortified Church, built in the 13th century in the village of the same name, is also easy to reach.

Voluntary supporting program on the rest day:

- On the rest day you can join us for a day trip to Băile Seiche. There is the 'Mini Transylvania Park' where you can see more than 90 models of historical monuments and medieval castles in Transylvania. You can also take a tour on the Mini Szekler Steam Locomotive and visit the Orbán Balázs Visitor Center. (Cost of fee: EUR 15.00/person; entrance ticket to the park RON 30.00/person, approx. EUR 6.00).

- Or we can visit together the world's largest bear sanctuary, a little closer by, where over 100 bears rescued from adverse circumstances and from captivity have found a new home in a huge free-roaming enclosure. Separated from them only by an electric fence, you are here on foot in the kingdom of the bears. Visits to the reserve are only possible with a guide. We donate the contribution towards expenses that you pay to us in full to the bear sanctuary, which is supported exclusively by donations and depends on them. (Cost contribution: 10.00 EUR/person; entrance ticket to the park 65.00 or 70.00 RON/person, approx. 13.00 or 14.00 EUR).

Finally, the Transfăgărășan awaits us as another highlight of our trip and of course we have planned enough time for photo stops and hopefully also bear pictures. In the further course of our journey we visit an orthodox monastery, touch Râmnicu Vâlcea and finally ride over the Transalpina pass road into the historical region of small Wallachia in the foothills of the Southern Carpathians near Târgu Jiu. Via a wonderfully winding road, which hardly any motorcyclist knows and rides, we reach Sebeș, where we spend the night one last time before we return to the Apuseni Mountains on the last day of our journey and finally return to our starting point Avram on the usual winding roads Iancu goes.

You will receive detailed information on motorcycling in Romania with the booking confirmation.

- We reserve the right to make program, hotel and route changes. -

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Tour itinerary:

Day 1: We start at 09:30 from APUSENI LODGE Romania® and ride through the Apuseni Mountains on winding roads. Even this first 270 km long stage gives an idea of what we can look forward to in the next few days. With a view of the Cetatea Trascăului, a fortress built in the 13th century, we end the first day of our adventure.

Day 2: We continue through the Apusenian mountain range, past Alba Iulia to charming Sibiu (Hermannstadt), today's stage destination and geographical center of Romania. In recent years, Sibiu has developed into one of the most beautiful cities in Romania. With its medieval city center, long history and important monuments, Sibiu is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Romania. Numerous shops invite you to go shopping and on the beautiful market square you can stroll and take in the atmosphere.

Day 3: Today we ride the southern Carpathian belt on our right to the second historically important city of our trip: Sighișoara (Schäßburg). There is hardly any other place in Transylvania, which is rich in historical places, where the past can be traced as excellently as in the upper town of Sighișoara, which is characterized by colorful authenticity. That's why we have planned enough time here and reach our destination for the day after a 3-hour ride. This gives you the opportunity, for example, to visit the city's landmark, the Schäßburg, one of the best-preserved medieval fortifications in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or to explore the winding streets of the colorful upper town, some of which are still paved with medieval creek stones. Schäßburg is often associated with Dracula, who may have been born here. He is even said to have lived here between 1431 and 1436. What is certain, however, is that his father, Vlad II Dracul (the dragon) lived in Sighisoara for years. His house can still be found near the city tower and can be visited.

Day 4: Today's stage takes us a total of 227 kilometers in northeastern Romania to the Ceahlău National Park in the mountains of the same name and to the 40 km long and 2 km wide Izvorul Muntelui reservoir, where we spend the night right on the edge of the national park.

Day 5: Along the left flank of Lacul Izvorul Muntelui we ride towards Bicaz and into the Hășmaș Mountains and through the magnificent Cheile Bicazului (Bicaz Gorge), past Lacul Roşu (Red Lake) over the Pângărați Pass to Gheorgheni (Niklas Market) and down to Brasov. In the Bicaz-Chei we will probably meet a few other bikers for a change, it is a magnet for motorized two-wheelers because of its impressive beauty and the wonderfully winding road. Arrived in Brașov, a nice hotel awaits us as a good starting point for excursions on the coming rest day.

Day 6: Rest day

Voluntary supporting program on the rest day:

You can join us for a day trip to Băile Seiche. There is the 'Mini Transylvania Park' where you can see more than 90 models of historical monuments and medieval castles in Transylvania. You can also take a tour on the Mini Szekler Steam Locomotive and visit the Orbán Balázs Visitor Center. (Cost fee EUR 15.00/person; entrance ticket to the park RON 30.00/person, approx. EUR 6.00).

Or we can visit together the nearby world's largest bear sanctuary, where over 100 bears rescued from adverse circumstances and from captivity have found a new home in a huge outdoor enclosure. Separated from them only by an electric fence, you are here on foot in the kingdom of the bears. Visits to the reserve are only possible with a guide. We donate the contribution towards expenses that you pay to us in full to the bear sanctuary, which is supported exclusively by donations and depends on them. (Cost contribution: 10.00 EUR/person; entrance ticket to the park 65.00 or 70.00 RON/person, approx. 13.00 or 14.00 EUR).

Depending on your mood, you can also use the day to relax, visit the Black Church in Brașov, the Peasant Castle in Râșnov, take a trip to the nearby Dracula's Castle Bran, or try to find your way through Thread Alley (Strada Sforii), one of the narrowest streets in all of Europe. The Prejmer fortress church, which is well worth seeing, is also easy to reach.

Day 7: It lies ahead, the Transfăgărășan! In total, the road measures 148 km and is the second highest road in Romania. Hopefully the bears got up early enough and are waiting for us at the roadside. In any case, we keep our eyes open and if we see a vehicle with its hazard lights on, we can almost be sure that we will see a Carpathian bear shortly afterwards. On the Transfăgărășan you have to be careful, stay behind the tour guide and strictly follow his instructions! Because even if the bears only sit here to be fed from passing vehicles, they remain wild, unpredictable, fast and extremely strong original inhabitants of the Romanian forests.

Day 8: The Transalpina, also known as Drum național 67C, is the highest mountain pass in Romania. It crosses the Transylvanian Alps, connects Gorj County in Lesser Wallachia with Alba County in Transylvania and reaches an altitude of just over 2100m. We ride this magnificent panoramic road today! It can stay chilly up here even in summer, so don't just dress warm for the amazing experience. In the evening we reach the Târgu Jiu region and end the day as usual in comfortable accommodation.

Day 9: After two impressive days, things continue to be no less impressive. Today we cross the Carpathians a third time at a different point and ride across the Defileul Jiului National Park to Sebeș.

Day 10: The adventure is not over yet as today we pay a farewell visit to the beautiful Castelul Corviniilor (Hunedoara Castle) before heading back to APUSENI LODGE Romania. Due to its imposing beauty, the castle is now often used as a film set for national and international productions. For example, some scenes from Ghost Rider 2 starring Nicolas Cage were filmed here.

Back at the APUSENI LODGE Romania, and if you have the time at leisure, review the past few days around the campfire.