Activities

Monday

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.

Tuesday

The Saxon Land: Viscri  

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.

Picnic lunch.

Wednesday

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.

Thursday

Szekely castle day

The Church of Nagyajta. The Unitarian temple of Nagyajta reminds us of the fortified churches of the Saxon land. The fortified bastions are holding a rich exhibition of local history and ethnography. The Ghotic church, hidden within the castle walls, also houses a fresco painting about the legend of St. Laszlo

Museum of Baraolt. There is a small local museum, in the heart of the region, where, in addition to the ethnographic collection, you can also visit two unique exhibitions. The first is the world's oldest preserved mastodon skeleton, and the second is a unique exhibition of lead soldiers in Romania, with thousands of pieces.

In the afternoon you will visit the Kalnoky castle at Miclosoara, The Museum of Transylvanian life.

Lunch at the guesthouse.

Friday

Lake Saint Anna and surroundings

Lake Saint Ana and surroundings Drive through mountainous scenery to reach the summit of Mount Csomad. Here you will discover St. Ann’s lake, the only intact volcanic crater-lake in Europe. A small chapel is situated close to the lake. Our guide will explain the legend of St. Ann and its association with the lake. The unique Mohos peat bog can also be found at this site (situated in a secondary crater, with glacial relics such as sundews, insectivorous plants). A local guide will accompany you to explain the unique flora and fauna which is found in the area during your walk. There is also the possibility to visit the Apor girls bath, with numerous bubbling springs and gas erruptions, as a clear sign of the still active volcano.

Picnic lunch.

Saturday

Zalánpatak village day

Visiting The King’s nature retreat - which lies nestled amongst the meadows and hills of Zalán Valley (Zalánpatak, Valea Zălanului). We take a short walk and stop at the volcanic gas exhaust called moffeta and the small public mineral water bath with fresh spring water. Even today, every household has at least one beautifully crafted glass or medicine bottle. These products were made at the former glass factory of the village. A young local resident has collected these unique objects and created a small museum along with other tools of traditional Szekler households. The visit of the exhibition is a real journey through time.

Lunch at The King's retreat.

Sunday

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. Lunch at the guesthouse. 

After lunch baking the traditional Szekler pipe (or chimeny) cake "Kürtös Kalács". 

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.

Optional day programme

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 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. Is has survived many a siege by the Turks and has retained most of its original character.