MTB in Romania: The Carpathian Expert Ride

office@casiopeea.com

6 days cross-country & all-mountain expert tour 300km, +11000m/-11800m
64% singletrail | 33% dirt road | 3% paved road
A marathon-like selection of six very demanding trails, accross the main mountain ranges in central Romania: Ciucas, Baiului, Bucegi, Piatra Craiului. Endless singletracks and trails leading through majestic forests, on idyllic meadows and impressive high-altitude pastures, with drop dead gorgeous panoramic views over “The Transylvanian Alps.“ It’s not just about the beauty of the mountains, it’s also about the traditional life-style that still exists in these parts of Europe: the ancient sheepfolds, the old style hay making, the isolated households living a life pretty much unaware of the XXI century technologies, benefits, and problems. The tour is cross-country and all-mountain, designed for expert mountain bikers in a very good physical condition. Each day is stimulating and challenging, aimed at the physical effort and adrenaline junkies. A light-weight full suspension mountain bike would be ideal, but a hardtail would do the job just fine. The routes are normally accessible from July to October. Particularly bad weather at high altitudes (over 2000m) might force changes of itinerary for days 5 and 6. The programme on each day is designed to be “bike-in bike-out”, i.e. we leave one accommodation on bike and we get to the (next) accommodation also on bike. No time lost on endless minibus transfers.

Day 1: Arrival. Arrival at the airport, transportation to Cheia, at the foothills of Ciucas Mountain. Assembling of bikes, getting to know each-other, short warm-up ride in the area, presentation of the next-days programme. Accommodation at a pension in Cheia. Included services: transportation from airport to Cheia, dinner, accommodation.
Day 2: Ciucas Mountain round tour. Up to Bratocea pass in the morning, going through some nice gorges and uphill on a foresty road. After reaching the Bratocea ridge, it’s only singletrail bonanza all the way back to Cheia, around Zaganu mountain, Cirusca Pass, Stana Pass, Boncuta Pass, crossing the Stana Valley and the Buzaianu Ridge. Total distance 40km, +/- 1800m. Included services: breakfast, sandwiches for lunh, dinner, accommodation.
Day 3: Cheia to Azuga. Long journey today. We start by climbing Babes Mountain and then long downhill to Doftana Valley. Another epic climb brings us up to Baiului ridge with the mighty Bucegi dominating the view. The final descent to Azuga will be on everybody’s lips at the dinner table at Rhein Wine Cellar Pension. 70km, +/- 2800m. Included services: breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, dinner, accommodation, transfer of main luggage, visit at the champagne factory at Rhein Wine Cellar.
Day 4: Azuga to Sinaia. Singletrails in the forests along the foothills of Bucegi, this is on the menu for today. From Azuga we cycle up to Susai mountain hut, then descent to Predeal. We cross on the other side of the Prahova Valley and move towards the big climb of the day, at Poiana Izvoarelor. But not before enjoying some thrilling up and down singletrack sections on the Fetifoiu ridge. From Poiana Izvoarelor mountain hut to Busteni we have another feast of singletrails on the foothills of Caraiman, then through lush pine forests to Sinaia. Accommodation in a pension in Sinaia. 55km, +/- 2100m. Included services: breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, dinner, accommodation, transfer of main luggage.
Day 5: Bucegi high plateau. Shorter distance today, but technically and physically demanding. 100% alpine singletrail! In the morning we get the cable car up to 2000m, entering the Bucegi high plateau. Ascent to the highest peak of Bucegi (Omu, 2504m) with stops on the way to visit the geomorphological monuments Babele and the Sfinx. Nice pasture singletrails all the way, with a special mention for the traverse of the Cerdac. After a well deserved break at the Omu mountain hut, we follow an old trail to Padina mountain hut (1500m) on more singletrails, with a final descent of about 500m dis level. Accommodation at a mountain hut. 30km, +1100m/-1500m. Included services: the breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, dinner, accommodation, cable car tickets, transfer of main luggage.
Day 6: West of Bucegi. We leave the Bucegi high plateau through Strunga pass, a nice climb to test our techinical and physical abilities. Break half way through to visit a traditional mountain sheepfold. Long descent from Strunga pass, rocky and technical in the beginning, nice and flowing through pastures and forests later on. Another day on tricky singletrails, with nice views over the hills around Bran Castle near the destination, the village of Poarta. Distance 30km, +1100/-1600m. Included services: breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, dinner, accommodation, transfer of main luggage.
Day 7: Across Bran Country. A perfect way to end a glorious week: 65 kilometres of ascents and descents on pasture or forest singletrails and on old cart roads. In the morning the Balaban ridge will bring smiles on everybody’s faces with gorgeous views and nicely flowing descents. Quick wave in the distance to Bran Castle before starting the climb to Magura. Narrow trail descent for the adrenaline junkies down to Zarnesti gorges, then up towards Piatra Craiului through impressive rock walls. Final singletrail descent to Casa Folea, an old mountain hut in Pestera village. 65km, +/-2200m. Included services: breakfast, sandwiches as lunch, accommodation, transfer of main luggage.
Day 8: Departure. Preparations for the departure (pack the bikes, etc). If the schedule allows it, a visit to Bran Castle on the way to the airport can be included. Included services: breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, tickets for the visit at Bran Castle, transfer to the airport.

Mountain biking in the “Transylvanian Alps

 www.casiopeea.com

office@casiopeea.com

6 biking days cross-country & all-mountain advanced tour, 234km, +8300m/-9700m
This tour offers an epic ride through the main mountain ranges in central Romania: Ciucas, Baiului, Bucegi, Piatra Craiului. The endless singletracks and trails will lead you through majestic forests, on idyllic meadows and impressive high-altitude pastures, with drop dead gorgeous panoramic views that will explain why those mountains were called “The Transylvanian Alps.“ And it’s not just about the beauty of the mountains, it’s also about the traditional life-style that still exists in these parts of Europe: the ancient sheepfolds, the old style hay making, the isolated households living a life pretty much unaware of the XXI century technologies, benefits, and problems. It’s a combination of cross-country and all-mountain styles, designed for advanced to expert mountain bikers with a (at least) good physical condition. Each day is stimulating and challenging in a way that will make the meal and the bear after the finish line even more tasteful. A light-weight full suspension mountain bike would be ideal, but a hard-tail would do the job just fine. The routes are normally accessible from July to October. Particularly bad weather at high altitudes (over 2000m) might force changes of itinerary for days 5 and 6. The programme on each day is designed to be “bike-in bike-out”, i.e. we leave one accommodation on bike and we get to the (next) accommodation also on bike. No time lost on endless minibus transfers.

Day 1: Arrival. Arrival at the airport, transportation to Cheia, at the foothills of Ciucas Mountain. Assembling of bikes, getting to know each-other, short warm-up ride in the area, presentation of the next-days programme. Accommodation at a pension in Cheia. Included services : transportation from airport to Cheia, dinner, accommodation.
Day 2: Ciucas Mountain round tour. We start the day by climbing from Cheia to Rosu mountain hut and then to Ciucas mountain hut. We get back to Cheia on a round trip along Zaganu mountain, Cirusca Pass, Stana Pass, Boncuta Pass, crossing the Stana Valley and the Buzaianu Ridge. Total distance 30km, +/- 1200m. Included services : breakfast, sandwiches for lunh, dinner, accommodation.
Day 3: Cheia to Azuga. Long journey today. We start by climbing Babes Mountain and then long downhill to Doftana Valley. Another epic climb brings us up to Sorica ridge with the mighty Bucegi dominating the view. The final descent to Azuga will be on everybody’s lips at the dinner table at Rhein Wine Cellar Pension. 50km, +/- 2100m. Included services: breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, dinner, accommodation, transfer of main luggage, visit at the champagne factory at Rhein Wine Cellar.
Day 4: Azuga to Busteni. Singletrails in the forests along the foothills of Bucegi, this is on the menu for today. From Azuga we cycle up to Susai mountain hut, then descent to Predeal. We cross on the other side of the Prahova Valley and move towards the big climb of the day, at Poiana Izvoarelor. But not before enjoying some thrilling up and down singletrack sections on the Fetifoiu ridge. From Poiana Izvoarelor mountain hut to Busteni we have another feast of singletrails on the foothills of Caraiman. Accommodation in a pension in Busteni. 44km, +/- 1400m. (The last part of the tour can be cut, if needed.) Included services: breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, dinner, accommodation, transfer of main luggage.
Day 5: Bucegi high plateau. In the morning we cycle down to Sinaia through some nice forest trails. We get the cable car up to 2000m, entering the Bucegi high plateau. Ascent to the highest peak of Bucegi (Omu, 2504m) with stops on the way to visit the geomorphological monuments Babele and the Sfinx. Nice pasture singletrails all the way, with a special mention for the traverse of the Cerdac. After a well deserved break at the Omu mountain hut, we follow an old trail to Padina mountain hut (1500m) on more singletrails, with a final descent of about 500m dis level. Accommodation at a mountain hut. 40km, +1300m/-2200m. Included services: the breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, dinner, accommodation, cable car tickets, transfer of main luggage.
Day 6: West of Bucegi. We leave the Bucegi high plateau through Strunga pass, a nice climb to test our techinical and physical abilities. Break half way through to visit a traditional mountain sheepfold. Long descent from Strunga pass, rocky and technical in the beginning, nice and flowing through pastures and forests later on. Another day on endless singletrails, with nice views over the hills around Bran Castle near the destination, the village of Poarta. Distance 30km, +900/-1600m. Included services: breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, dinner, accommodation, transfer of main luggage.
Day 7: Across Bran Country. A perfect way to end a glorious week: 32 kilometres of ascents and descents on pasture or forest singletrails and on old cart roads. In the morning the Balaban ridge will bring smiles on everybody’s faces with gorgeous views and nicely flowing descents. Quick wave in the distance to Bran Castle before starting the climb to Magura. Narrow trail descent for adrenaline junkies down to Zarnesti gorges, then up towards Piatra Craiului through impressive rock walls. Final singletrail descent to Casa Folea, an old mountain hut in Pestera village. 40km, +1400/-1200m. Included services: breakfast, sandwiches as lunch, accommodation, transfer of main luggage.
Day 8: Departure. Preparations for the departure (pack the bikes, etc). If the schedule allows it, a visit to Bran Castle on the way to the airport can be included. Included services: breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, tickets for the visit at Bran Castle, transfer ar the airport.

4-Day Snowmobile Trip: Bucharest - Sinaia - Zarnesti - Plaiul Foii / Piatra Craiului Mountains - Bran Castle

Upon your arrival in Romania, you'll be greeted by our experienced guides. They will lead you on some of the most spectacular snowmobile trails in the Carpathians.

The package includes:
- accommodation (2 nights 7 CRAI , 1 night TH hotels Bucharest)
- snowmobile rental (1.5 days)
- transfers
- lunch in Moeciu
- lunch at 7 CRAI
- visit to the Bran Castle
- transfer to the airport

899 euro/person

Day 1

Arrival at Otopeni airport. Meeting with the driver for transfer to Plaiul Foii. Our aim is to reach the snow-coated Carpathians for the ultimate snowmobile experience. We'll set up our base at Plaiul Foii/Piatra Craiului mountains.

We’ll follow the route Otopeni airport – Sinaia – Zarnesti – Plaiul Foii (about 200 km).

The journey takes you from the flat plains of Wallachia where many different crops are cultivated to the foothills of the Bucegi Mountains where forests and rolling meadows predominate. Stop in Sinaia located  at the foot of the fir-clad Bucegi Mountains in the narrow Prahova Valley, and is dubbed "Pearl of the Carpathians". This small town is full of charm and compliments its scenic surroundings. In Sinaia we can see the wonderful Peles Castle, the former summer residence of the royal Romanian family, continue to Plaiul Foii. Dinner and accommodation at the “7 CRAI “ Hotel .

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Day 2

After breakfast, start our snowmobile program (3 hours). The vast frozen valley offers a great practice opportunity for the casual snowmobile rider. The terrain is fairly easy, so you can enjoy a pleasant ride while admiring the amazing silver landscape. Break for  lunch on the way (lunch boxes will be given to each one)(soup tea and coffee will be given by our guides). We’ll continue our snowmobile journey (3 hours) through the dense forest of Piatra Craiului Mountain. Then, we will return to Pliaul Foii for dinner and accommodation at the „7 Crai” Hotel.

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Day 3

After a copious breakfast, we resume our snowmobile adventure riding towards Piatra Craiului  area (3 hours) the routes are easy to moderate, so we have the opportunity to fully enjoy the wonderful scenery. Return to Plaiul Foii  and departure by car/minibus to Moeciu village for lunch at a traditional restaurant. Continue with a vist at the Bran Castle, also known as Dracula Castle, very well preserved since 1377.

Transfer  to Bucharest and  accommodation at Th Hotels (central) .

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

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Day 4

Breakfast.

Free time for a walking tour/shopping in Bucharest.

Transfer to the airport .

Halloween in Transylvania

Everyone knows that the idyllic Romanian region of Transylvania with its tormenter ruler Vlad the Impaler has inspired Bram Stoker to create the scariest character of all time – Dracula. Because of that, Bran Castle, the place where he supposedly lived has become one of the world’s most famous Halloween destinations. Well, sorry to disappoint you, but this is a catchy urban legend with just a grain of truth within it. However, what most of you don’t know is that despite these controversies, Transylvania is indeed an amazing place to spend Halloween.

No matter how hard other places will try, it’s difficult to compete with such a gorgeous region of rugged mountains, rolling hills, picturesque timberlands and crystalline streams. With over 118 castles, many many citadels, from which some of them are still inhabited (Sighisoara), timeless villages, cultural old towns (Sibiu), quaint piazzas and cosmopolitan cities (Brasov, Cluj), Transylvania looks like a fairytale realm. Add to all these the strongest sense of authenticity, rich culture, everlasting traditions, mouthwatering cuisines, charming local festivals and a turbulent past which gave birth to a variety of myths and legends and you will certainly have one of the best Halloween destinations in Europe.
If you expect fancy pumpkin decorations and costume extravaganza, you’ll probably end up being disappointed of your Halloween in Transylvania, but if you hope for an authentic experience in a magical setting where people still believe in legends and live their lives guided by ancient traditions, you’ll have a blast. The Saxon citadels of Transylvania, the Gothic castles and the medieval windy streets meandering through the mountains will take you back in time, will let you discover their shadowy past and they will endow you with the most accurate illusion of what we call paranormal activity.
All in all, Transylvania is not for those who crave for a traditional Halloween, although there are plenty of creepy tours and themed parties hitting up the local atmosphere, but for those in the hunt for a Halloween with a difference.

Romania In The Fall 

Romania used to have a temperate climate with four seasons, but for several years things have changed a bit. Summers began to be increasingly longer and the winters increasingly frosting, so those four seasons have somehow turned into two. Considering that today is the first day of autumn, I decided to share with you a few things about Romania in the fall.

The weather is beautiful

My childhood’s autumns were characterized by three months of gloomy skies, long rains, crispy winds, thick sweaters and inviting scents of plum jam. Now the temperatures are high, the days are sunny and the sweaters are often replaced by swimsuits. September looks like an extension of summer with up to 30 Celsius degrees throughout the day. Only after mid-October, autumn takes root and the temperatures begin to drop quite suddenly.

Romania prepares for the winter with lots of delicacies

We are a nation of gourmands, we like to eat and most of all, we like to cook our own food, therefore fall is the season when we preserve vegetables, make pickles and prepare all kinds of jams, compotes, juices, sauces and stews for the winter. This is probably the most beautiful thing about autumn in Romania. Moreover, September kicks off the vintage season and most of the households deal with the preparation of wines.

The streets come to life

Romania is not a touristy country, so summer here is pretty uncrowded with empty streets and locals gone to spend their holidays abroad. Well, once with the beginning of autumn everyone comes home, children return to school, the stores, supermarkets, bars, theatres and cinemas are taken by storm and colorful groups of people wearing brand-new clothes swarm the streets of Romania. It’s a beautiful animated picture which gives you hope, energy, courage, desire to work, power to start new projects and craving for life.

How does your country/city look like in the fall?

Top City Break Destinations In Romania 

Have you ever considered a city-break in Romania? I bet you haven’t, although the East European country prides itself with a couple of exciting destinations to choose from whether you’re looking for fun, rich culture, vibrant nightlife, leisure or a romantic weekend.
When it comes to city breaks most travelers are heading for famous cities such a Rome, Paris, Prague, London or Amsterdam, never taking into account other delightful corners of Europe. Even with the latest development of tourism in the former Soviet Bloc, Romania has remained among those few less-visited destinations.
And if however the scenic Carpathian Mountains with their lovely resorts, breathtaking views and ski slopes manage to bring some overseas visitors in Romania during the winter and the Black Sea Coast greets them with plenty of sunshine and beach parties throughout the hot summer months, not many know that Romania has a great potential of delivering some very interesting city breaks as well.
Let’s take a look at Romania’s major and most beautiful cities and find out together which one of them suits you the best:

Timisoara

Located in western Romania in the Banat region, Timisoara is a cosmopolitan metropolis, an architectural splendor, the symbol of Romania’s democracy and one of the most beloved cities in the country.
The best kept secret in Romania, maybe in Europe, Timisoara’s cultural and architectural richness can be easily compared with those in Prague, Paris or Vienna, so I don’t think it will take too long before tourists actually burst inside.
These being said, Timisoara is the place where various cultures blend together nicely, where the relatively young inhabitants appreciate equally a pleasant afternoon at the museum and a crazy night out and where most of Romania’s festivals take place.
A city-break in Timisoara will surprise its visitors with its sophisticated society, its elegant appearance, its vibrant character and its world-class nightlife.

Sibiu

Located in the charming Transylvania, the medieval Sibiu with its small town feel in a big-city format is the gothic fairytale of Romania. After enjoying a year in the spotlight in 2007 when it was elected the cultural capital of Europe, Sibiu’s fame has been celebrated with great fanfare all over the country.
The city’s cultural heritage doesn’t need any presentation, nor do its famous squares and the windy streets crossing the Old Town, but the lovely Christmas Market taking place here in the winter, the medieval festivals in the fall, the blooming trees’ fragrance shrouding Sibiu in the spring or the lovely summertime over this ancient settlement are some delightful experiences that need to be witnessed and relished by any traveler to Romania.

Cluj

The second largest city of Romania, Cluj-Napoca or simply Cluj is an ancient metropolis with a young soul located in the heart of Transylvania. With a rich history, plenty of medieval castles, fortified churches, museums and a highly artistic sense, it’s no wonder Cluj is the poetic city of Romania, a very elegant and romantic one.
Nicknamed “The Treasure City”, Cluj boasts an impressive baroque and neoclassical architecture and a remarkable cultural life due to the 11 universities that enliven its spirit each year with tones of exultant students.
The city lies in the province of Ardeal, one of the most picturesque, traditional and genuine corners of Romania, a place where locals, honest and peaceful love their land more than anything, where deep-rooted traditions are still alive and where the food has a special taste.
The city’s historic character makes it an ideal city-break destination for romantics, for culture devotees, for gourmets and for travelers aiming to discover Romania as it is – charming and distinctive.

Brasov

Brasov is another medieval chapter of the charming Transylvania, an excellent European city ideally located in the mountains.
Featuring the narrowest street in Europe (Rope Street), a plethora of towers, bastions and cathedrals, a first-class architectural spectacle, an animated lifestyle and the most beautiful landscapes in the country, Brasov is a big stylish city with something for everyone.
Famous for its sparkling nightlife, the lovely medieval design and its perfect setting nearby Romania’s finest alpine resorts, Brasov is the best choice for mountain enthusiasts, party haunters, culture aficionados and everything in between.

Bucharest

Bucharest is that city whom most people, including artists, mistake for Budapest. In fact, Bucharest is the capital of Romania and it has nothing to do with the Hungarian city of Budapest. This being cleared, let’s see what Bucharest has to offer to its visitors.
We used to call it “Little Paris” once, then it became the city of malls, but the eclectic Romanian capital is definitely much more than that. Just think about it: vibrant nightlife, striking architecture, plenty of parks, gardens, galleries, museums and a charming Old Town lined-up with stylish cafes, all waiting to be explored and discovered.
While in Bucharest, make sure you won’t miss the breathtaking historical center or the outdoor Village Museum, a charming sanctuary representing the history of Romania’s rural architecture.
Besides the fast-growing process of modernization, the city still keeps the elegance of the past decades, which gives it a truly unique atmosphere. Therefore, Bucharest is a great city-break destination for those in love with history, architecture, shopping, social activities and …nightlife.

Sighisoara

Part of UNESCO list, Sighisoara is one of the prettiest and best preserved inhabited citadels in Europe. Home of notorious Vlad the Impaler, the character who inspired Bram Stocker’ Dracula, the city depicts a mythical bygone world, with locals carrying their lives through an indefinite time, a story frame with surreal candy houses and legends entwined between its towers, ramparts and cobblestone alleys.
I would recommend Sighisoara to anyone in search of an authentic experience, no matter your cultural or artistic preferences, no matter your age or your style.

Iasi

In the beautiful city of Iasi every stone, museum, monastery, park or memorial house talks about the past. Located in northeastern Romania as the former capital of Moldavia, Iasi stretches over seven rolling hills just like Rome, offering visitors a charming landscape and a valuable lesson of history.
Iasi is also the city that gave birth to some of the most important Romanian writers, and the place that is praised most often in their works, that is why I always link this city to my country’s literary value.
From a royal court which wrote some glorious pages in the history of Romania, Iasi became a multicultural city where the past and the present, the ancient inns and the funky lounges cohabit remarkably.
I don’t know about others, but for us, Romanians, Iasi is a national treasure, a place that urges us to dream and to contemplate about life, it has the power of transforming us into philosophers and poets and I guess this is the main reason why we love it so much.
If you want to learn about Romania’s history and to experience a relaxing but memorable city-break, I recommend you to visit the beautiful Iasi.

Constanta

Constanta is situated in southeastern Romania on the Black Sea shoreline as the largest port and coastal city in the country.
Founded under the name of Tomis by the Greek colonists from Miletus in the VII century BC, Constanta, with its Roman, Greek and Turkish influences features some of the most valuable archaeological sites existing on the Romanian territory.
After experiencing a miraculous evolution, the port city became a cosmopolitan center and an ideal place to spend the summer.
A city break in Constanta will offer you all the advantages of a big city plus the opportunity to explore the sundry Black Sea coast from its rural, off the beaten paths destinations to the charming fishing villages, hippie towns, luxury resorts and world-famous beaches.

What is your favorite city in Romania?

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Properties in Romania

 

Properties in Romania

Zalánpatak (Valea Zălanului) was founded about 400 years ago by the Kálnoky’s as a glass manufacture in the middle of the forest. The manufacture was closed in the early 1900s but around 150 persons still live there today. The Prince of Wales owns the property that had originally been built for the former ‘judge’ who was overseeing the manufacture and the village. It is composed of several buildings, and has a patch of forest and extensive flower meadows with mineral springs and small brooks belonging to it. The property is characterized by its rich biodiversity of plants, mushrooms, insects, birds and large mammals including bears (sometimes crossing the back yard). Wolves can be heard howling at times in winter nights.

Guests are being looked after by discreet staff and the resident ecologist. Activities depend on the season and range from bear-tracking over horse & cart excursions, wild flower botany, mushroom picking, hiking, etc… to simply relaxing in one of the most harmonious surroundings. 

The property has 5 double rooms with en-suite bathrooms, a drawing- and dining room with a large fireplace and a 7m high ceiling, several terraces, outside benches and tables, a breakfast barn, etc… 

Viscri

 

In the village of Viscri (Deutschweißkirch), The Prince of Wales owns a traditional Saxon house. When it became a guesthouse, we used the original features to recall the atmosphere from times when the previous inhabitant was still alive, and arranged the courtyard in a similar way. We added little more furniture, some rugs, and three beds. We tried to make the house comfortable enough to be used as a guesthouse, yet keeping it in line with what it may have been like previously. We even repaired the old radio so that it is working again.

The house has now three double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a kitchen. There is also a terrace with benches and a long table.

We offer accommodation, transfers, activities including hiking.

On  the occasion of the opening of HRH The Prince of Wales’s property to the public, we are glad to announce the following introductory offer:
30% on all B&B bookings in Viscri.

For more information, please send your enquiries to:office@casiopeea.com