Suggested flights:
- Arrive Budapest Tuesday 26th August
- Ryanair depart Dublin 08:45
- Aer Lingus depart Dublin 07:45
- Depart Budapest Monday 8th September
- Ryanair depart 15:45
- Aer Lingus depart 12:30
Itinerary subject to change for 2025.
| 26-Aug |
Ireland |
Budapest |
| 27-Aug |
Budapest |
Baia Mare |
| 28-Aug |
Baia Mare |
Vatra Dornei |
| 29-Aug |
Vatra Dornei |
Vatra Dornei |
| 30-Aug |
Vatra Dornei |
Sighisoara |
| 31-Aug |
Sighisoara |
Sighisoara |
| 1-Sep |
Sighisoara |
Brasov |
| 2-Sep |
Brasov |
Brasov |
| 3-Sep |
Brasov |
Transfagarasan |
| 4-Sep |
Transfagarasan |
Transfagarasan |
| 5-Sep |
Transfagarasan |
Pecinisca |
| 6-Sep |
Pecinisca |
Timisoara |
| 7-Sep |
Timisoara |
Budapest |
| 8-Sep |
Budapest |
Ireland |
Day 1:
Departing Budapest and Hungary, we head east and northeast to the Maramureș region in northwest Romania, where age-old traditions remain integral to daily life. The residents here have remarkably preserved the rural culture and crafts of their Dacian ancestors. Maramureș villages are known for their distinctive wooden churches featuring tall spires and shingled roofs. Woodlands cover more than four-fifths of the region, making it clear why wood has historically been and continues to be the primary medium for local artisans. Intricate wood carvings adorn eaves, entryways, and windows, while hand-woven carpets and detailed embroidery embellish the traditional folk dresses still worn by the locals.
Day 2:
Starting at the Barsana Monastery, we head east from the stunning hills and valleys of Maramureș County to Bucovina. Following picturesque backcountry roads, our journey begins along a scenic river and ascends into the forests of the Maramureș Mountains. The first mountain pass offers breathtaking views and fantastic riding. We leave the forests alongside a lovely river and finish the day on charming country roads that lead us over the spectacular Rarău Mountain to Vatra Dornei. As we travel further north, we encounter numerous national parks before turning east along the Tihuța Pass—now a major tourist attraction in Bistrița-Năsăud County, famous for its mention in the opening chapter of Bram Stoker’s Dracula as the legendary “Borgo Pass.” The Bârgău Valley surrounding the pass showcases some of the Carpathians’ most beautiful unspoiled scenery, dotted with picturesque traditional villages nestled in the hills. Overall, the area provides an ideal setting for hiking, riding, and exploring the region’s rich customs, handicrafts, and folklore.
Day 3:
Today, we journey into the heart of Romania, exploring the enchanting region of Transylvania. Our adventure begins with a smooth ride along a dam beside the river, before we delve deep into the forests. Scenic landscapes and well-maintained roads await us as we meander south through the Bicaz Gorges, Praid Pass, and onward to the Bogatti forests. The road through the gorges is one of Romania’s most stunning routes, offering numerous photo opportunities and local bazaars where you can find crafts made by Romanian and Hungarian artisans. The gorge twists steeply upward for 5 kilometers, cutting through towering 300-meter-high limestone cliffs. At one point, the narrow mountain road runs precariously beneath overhanging rocks in an area known as the “neck of hell.” We conclude our long day in Sighișoara, one of the seven towns (known as “Siebenbürgen,” or seven castles) founded by German settlers in the 12th century. Sighișoara features a charming old town, and a stroll through its streets will lead you to the eerie house where Count Dracula is said to have been born!
Day 4:
Today our route takes us through some beautiful and un-spoilt villages on route to Brasov. Fringed by the peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains and resplendent with gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture, as well as a wealth of historical attractions, Brasov is one of the most visited places in Romania. Founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211 on an ancient Dacian site and settled by the Saxons as one of the seven walled citadels, Brasov exudes a distinct medieval ambiance and has been used as backdrop in many recent period films. The location of the city at the intersection of trade routes linking the Ottoman Empire and western Europe, together with certain tax exemptions, allowed Saxon merchants to obtain considerable wealth and exert a strong political influence in the region. Brasov is home to one of the narrowest streets in Europe. The Rope Streetis approximately four feet wide and it links CerbuluiStreet with PoartaSchei Street and was initially used as an access route by firefighters. A stroll around the old Town Hall Square is highly recommended where you can admire colorfully painted and ornately trimmed baroque structures. Take a peek inside the Black Church, the largest gothic church in Romania. Its name derives from damage caused by the Great Fire of 1689, when flames and smoke blackened its walls. The interior is impressive and well-kept and houses one of the largest organs in Eastern Europe.
Day 5 – Rest Day with optional ride-out to Bran Castle and Bucegi Mountains
Bran Castle – Surrounded by an aura of mystery and legend and perched high atop a 200-foot-high rock, Bran Castle owes its fame to its imposing towers and turrets as well as to the myth created around Bram Stocker’s Dracula. A little history. Although Stoker never visited Transylvania, the Irish author relied on research and his vivid imagination to create the dark and intimidating stomping ground of Count Dracula, leading to persistent myths that it was once the home of Vlad Tepes (also known as Vlad the Impaler or Vlad Dracul), ruler of Walachia. While the association with Dracula is sketchy at best, the castle continues to hold a strong attraction for all fans of the Count. Because Bran Castle is the only castle in all of Transylvania that actually fits Bram Stoker’s description of Dracula’s Castle, it is known throughout the world as Dracula’s Castle. From 1920 to 1957 Bran served as royal residence, a gift of the people of Brasov to Queen Marie of Romania. The castle is now a museum open to tourists, displaying art and furniture collected by Queen Marie. Narrow winding stairways lead through some 60 timbered rooms, many connected by underground passages, which house collections of furniture, weapons and armor dating from the 14th to the 19th centuries. Well worth the tour!
Day 6
Arguably the two main reasons why most people travel to Transylvania are on offer today as we traverse the Bran – Rucar Pass and the magnificent Transfagarasan road. More than 150 kilometres in length the Transfagarasan Highway is Romania’s most spectacular and best known road and, thanks to an appearance on BBC Top Gear in 2009, now one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions. Fully open only from June to October, the road’s highest point is at 2042 metres: the tunnel which links the northern and southern sides at Lake Balea (Balea Lac). The Transfagarasan was built between 1970 and 1974 by military forces. After the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Soviets, Nicolae Ceausescu had it built as a strategic military route to cross the mountains in the event the Soviets attempted a similar move into Romania. The builders used 6000 tons of dynamite to clear a path for the road on the northern side of the mountains (this is the most spectacular) and on the tunnel. 40 soldiers lost their lives during construction. Facts and figures tend to vary but you get the jist.
Day 7 Rest Day – with optional rideout
The highlight today is a motorcyclists dream as we traverse the TransAlpina, known locally as ‘the Kings Road’ and sometimes referred to as ‘The Devils Path’. The TransAlpina road (DN67C) is the highest road in Romania and one of the famous Romanian high altitude roads. With a length of 146 km, it crosses the Southern Carpathian Mountains and reaches a maximum altitude of 2,145m above sea level at PasulUrdele. It is considered one of the most spectacular roads of the Carpathian Mountains and offers breathtaking views together with an exhilarating ride.Arguably the oldest road over the Carpathian Mountains, TransAlpina was built at the beginning of the 2nd Century AD by the Roman legions during their war campaign to conquer Sarmizegetusa – the capital of Dacia (modern-day Romania). After the conquest of Dacia, the Romans used the TransAlpina to transport gold to Rome extracted from Transylvania.
Sibiu, voted Cultural European Capital in 2007, was the largest and wealthiest of the seven walled citadels built in the 12th century by German settlers known as Transylvanian Saxons.Sibiu’s Old Town retains the grandeur of its earlier days when rich and powerful guilds dominated regional trade. Like Sighisoara and Brasov, it has a distinctly Germanic feeling. Sections of the medieval wall still guard the historic area, where narrow streets pass steep-roofed 17th century buildings with gable overhangs before opening into vast, church-dominated squares such as Great Square and Little Square. Renowned composers Strauss, Brahms and Liszt all played here during the 19th century, and Sibiu has stayed at the forefront of Romania’s cultural scene through its festivals of opera, theatre and film, as well as rock, jazz and more. The country’s first hospital, school, library and pharmacy were all established here, and locals are justly proud of the spirit of enterprise that endures to this day.
Day 8
Today, we ride through several national parks as we reach the southernmost point of our tour, where the majestic Danube serves as a natural border between Serbia and Romania.
Day 9
Today we follow the banks of the Danube west and north through more national parks on route to Timisoara.
Day 10
After a short ride to the Hungarian border, we leave Romania behind in pursuit of Budapest. For those looking to relax or extend their holiday, we highly recommend spending a couple of days in Budapest either before or after the tour.
Divided by the Danube, the city features Buda on one side, known for its Ottoman-era thermal baths at the foot of the stunning Gellért Hill, the royal palace, and Matthias Church, all exuding a sense of calm. On the other side is Pest, vibrant and lively, home to a wealth of museums rich in cultural and historical treasures, remarkable Secessionist architecture, and the majestic Parliament building, considered one of the most magnificent in the world. Saint Stephen’s Basilica, surrounded by pedestrian streets, and the recently renovated Jewish Quarter and Palace District add to its charm. Beyond its historical significance, Budapest boasts a thriving cultural scene with world-class festivals, theaters, museums, concert halls, and sporting events. For those seeking relaxation and nature, Margaret Island serves as the city’s “green heart,” regarded by many as one of Europe’s finest city parks, perfect for strolling, various sports, swimming in outdoor pools, or soaking in thermal baths and spas. Food lovers will not want to miss the celebrated delights of Hungarian cuisine!
We will be providing a more detailed itinerary on arrival to include hotel info and GPS co-ordinates.
Please note that this is an outline route and maybe subject to change.
