Dracula Lives
Best of Transylvania Motorcycle Tour
Although many prefer the warm and comfort of a car ride some chose to travel a different way. In change the seat belt into a driving helm, the car radio into the sound of the wind blowing through the ears and the four robust wells into two agile and fast ones. These people like to be in the heart of the adventure not to look at it, to be the ones to tell the stories, not listen to them, to touch not only to see
For these people Transylvania Live – Expert in Transylvania created a motorcycles tour, using BMW F650 GS, F800 and GS 1200 a tour focused on revealing the essence of Transylvania. Departing from Cluj Napoca, one of Transylvania’s largest urban centres and a city with an outstanding medieval atmosphere, one of the oldest settlements in Transylvania, dating back prior to the Roman period, the itinerary ventures into the heart of the county offering rides trough picturesque villages, breathtaking scenery and important cultural centres. The itinerary is complimented by excellent accommodations meant not only to provide you with all the comfort but also to introduce you to the local culture and capture the specificity of the visited area.
The journey will take you throughout Transylvania and the Carpathians Mountains; these are the very best parts of Romania. The main roads are mostly quiet and on the minor roads traffic is the exception. The scenery is magnificent. Unlike anywhere in the regulated EU there are limitless possibilities for gentle off road riding where a road bike is fine and where you might see a horse and cart every half hour.
From Cluj Napoca you travel to the little town of Turda and prepare to descend to the heart of one of the biggest salt mines in the country – Turda Salt Mines, with impressive halls named after kings and queens.
The journey continues to Medias. Its beautiful medieval centre welcomes the riders to catch a glimpse of the ancestral lifestyle of Transylvania. You’ll make the acquaintance of a unique artist, the only one who uses spider web for his paintings. Visit Sibiu, the European Capital of Cultural for 2007. Visit one of its major highlights, The Village Museum – an outdoor exhibition of peasant settlements from all over the country.
Breathtaking sceneries will accompany the riders as they travel through the he most crooked and challenging of Europe's roads for motorcyclists, the Transfagarasan (Transfagarasan Pass has about 6800 feet high).
Leaving the beautiful Transfagarasan road behind, visit the enchanted Bran Castle, Transylvania’s symbol. A former fortress guarding a commercial road, Bran dates back to 1377. In 1920, Queen Mary, the niece of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, turned the castle into a beautiful summer residence.
Ride next to Rasnov to visit The Peasant Citadel. Standing on top of a hill and overlooking an incredible Transylvanian landscape, Rasnov is the best preserved peasant fortification in Transylvania and the largest one in Eastern Europe, first documented in 13 century.
The road will next take you to explore Brasov, a city with an outstanding medieval atmosphere which has played a vital role in Romania’s history, both old and new. It is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe.
Sighisoara one of Europe’s most beautiful and still inhabited fortified cities with UNESCO European heritage site status is included in the itinerary. Sighisoara is also the place where Vlad the Impaler, known as Dracula, was born. Submerge yourself in the medieval atmosphere by visiting Sighisoara’s main attractions.
After that head for Dracula’s Castle on Borgo Pass, built in accordance to Bram Stoker’s imagination on the border between Transylvania and Moldavia. To test your courage, visit Dracula’s Coffin in the dungeon of the castle.
Explore the magical traditional land of Maramures, renowned for the art of wood carving, tailoring and pottery. Discover one of the highest wood constructions in Europe, Barsana Nunnery. It’s located in a gorgeous natural setting close to the banks of Iza River. It is considered one of the most beautiful monasteries of Maramures. This journey will also take you to the Merry Cemetery; it owes its name to the vivid colors of the headboards on which are painted scenes narrating the biography of the deceased. The images are accompanied by lyrical, ironic simple rhyming stanzas. Ride next to Baia Mare, the capital City of Maramures County, located at the foot of Eastern Carpathians, one of the most important urban centers in North Romania.
After traveling over 1485 km in 7 days, it is time to ride into the sunset, leaving the enchanted lands of Transylvania behind and returning home
About the Author
A Best of Transylvania tour can be booked by calling Transylvania Live at :
USA, Canada - Toll-free: 1 886 376 6183, UK - Free-line: 0-808-101-6781, Ireland - Local number: 01 442 8523, Australia - Local number: (02) 8005 7337, España - Llamada gratuita: 900 931 391.
Detailed day by day itinerary, prices, departures and motorcycle rentals in Eastern Europe please visit http://www.motorcycle-tours.travel/
Dracula Lives
