Activities

Monday

The Pied Piper's Cave and Gorge

Around 25 km to the north of Miklosvár lies the Almás cave in the gorge of the Vargyas river. In its large opening at mid-cliff, hundreds of human-shaped stalagmites of ice appear in winter. It is a place of many legends, and it is said that the Pied Piper surfaced here with the abducted children from Hamelin (who became the Saxon colonists of Transylvania).

Picnic at the cave's entrance or outside.

After crossing the river on several small bridges, we will explore the entrance of the cave with its impressive halls populated by colonies of bats (mostly in winter). For those interested in hiking, it is possible to climb the summit and walk through wild flower meadows with great panoramic views of the gorge. The climb is of medium difficulty..

Tuesday

Bran castle (Törzburg, Törcsvár) and Prejmer cistercian fortified church (Tartlau, Prázsmár)  

Bram Stoker immortalized Transylvania in his book 'Dracula', but never actually visited the region. Castle Bran, which has become synonymous with Count Dracula due to its dramatic aspect, towers dominantly on a crag overlooking the valley. Known as "Dracula's Castle', Bran was actually the summer residence of Queen Maria of Romania, with rather romantic interiors.

Lunch in Bran.

The amazing fortified church in Prejmer (Tartlau), was originally built by the Cistercian Order, and later fortified by an impressive system of ring-walls sheltering several storeys of chambers as a refuge for hundreds of people from the neighbouring villages. It has survived many a siege by the Turks and has retained most of its original character.

Wednesday

Crafts day in the Székely region

The Székely (Szekler) people have their distinctive architecture, language and culture. In many of their villages, craftsmen still pass down their skills from generation to generation. We will visit workshops of weavers, wood-carvers, furniture painters and an ancient, yet functional water-mill.

Lunch at the guesthouses.

In the afternoon the cooks will help you make our traditional Szekler Chimney Cake over open fire. Your own cake will then be served for desert or tea. You can also give the blacksmith a hand, and possibly join the restoration team who are working on the heritage buildings in the village if there is some work to do.

Thursday

The volcanic crater of Rákos and its emerald lake

Alsórákos is a Székely village built on the bank of a narrow valley of the Olt river in the vicinity of an extinct volcano. Its castle is quite derelict, but the volcano offers outworldish landscapes, high columns of basalt and an emerald colour lake in its crater. In one part you will even find an abondoned filmset for a western movie ghost town.

Picnic a bit further away in the midst of a wood pasture under the country’s most ancient, 930 year old oak tree.

Drive back through the most wonderful Székely landscapes.

Friday

Székely castle day

You will visit 3 castles before lunch. Olasztelek manor has been turned into a commercial operation offering middle class accommodation, a museum, a restaurant and a spa. Vargyas’ castle once owned by the baron Daniel family is of outstanding beauty but still waiting to be restored. Further up the valley stands the Boda mansion in Erdőfüle (Forest’s Ear), which has been renovated but is not currently in use.

Lunch at Miklósvár.

In the afternoon you will be guided through the Kálnoky’s renovated hunting manor in Miklósvár.

Saturday

Horse-and-cart ride

Explore the beautiful surroundings of Miklosvár by horse and cart. We will drive through this picturesque landscape of hills and valleys, wildflower meadows and forests. Local people can be seen working on their lands, using traditional methods and tools long forgotten in the western world. You will have views on the string of villages aligned along the river Olt that flows through the valley.

Picnic / barbecue at lunchtime in a picturesque spot.

Sunday

The fascinating world of Transylvania’s Religions

Transylvania was the first country in the world to grant its population religious freedom in 1568. That is why most villages have several faiths and are so diverse in culture and traditions. We will visit churches and chapels of all faiths and sizes, including their medieval frescoes or old painted wooden ceilings and furniture, their fortifications to withstand the enemy’s assaults, all situated within the immediate vicinity of Miklósvár. You will discover the whole scale of christian faiths, from Orthodox over Roman and Greek Catholic to Lutheren, Calvinist and Unitarian.

High mass in the catholic church at 11 AM with the village community and Lunch at Miklósvár.

Optional day programme

The Saxon Land: Viscri (Deutschweißkirch, Szászfehéregyháza) and Sighișoara (Schäßburg, Segesvár). 

Viscri is one of the best preserved Saxon villages and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its fortified church is one of the most iconic Saxon fortified churches in Transylvania. The village itself was saved from decay with the help of international charities including the support of the Prince of Wales. You will visit his house which is now an educational centre for rural skills.

Lunch in Sighişoara at a restaurant on the cobbled town square.

Sighișoara is one of the seven major Saxon towns dating back to the 13th century and it is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the alleged birthplace of Vlad Țepeş, 'The Impaler'. The old citadel dominates the newer quarters of the town from a rocky massif. You will visit the Citadel, the Clock Tower, the Monastery Church, some of the fourteen Guild Towers, and climb the Scholar’s Stairs to reach the restored Church on the Hill and the atmospheric Saxon cemetery.