Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Trekking in the Calimani Mountains (2100m)

Destination: Calimani Mountains

Duration: 6 days

Price: €399

Available: Spring- Fall/according to the weather

Minimum of participants: 4

Pick up/Drop off: Targu Mures Airport

Activity: Trekking

Difficulty: Medium

Equipment: Hiking boots (water resistant if possible), gaiters (even in summer for protection), backpack, rain poncho, compass, proper clothes (obligatory), and water container (min. 2l.)

If you are an outdoor person, hiker or just like nature this package is definitely for you! Explore and discover largest volcanic complex of the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, the Calimani Mountains. It covers an area about 2000 square km; it forms the largest inactive crater in all Europe, about 10 km in diameter. The visited place has two protected areas: Calimani National Park and the Mures Gorge National Park. In this trekking package you will see virgin forests, cross beautiful clearings with rare wildflowers, if lucky, see wild animals, breathe taking panoramas from the top of the Calimani Mountains, geocaching and a lot more awaits discovery. Accommodation in a meteorological stations refuge.

*Due to limited space at the meterological station the accommodation you will be sharing the rooms with other hikers from your group.

Package Nr.1 (ONLY in Favorable weather condition)

Schedule:

Day 1

Arrival and transferred to the accommodation.

Day 2

Breakfast and drive to the Mures River’s Superior Valley, then to the Zebrac Valley on a forest road at Stanceni village. The luggages will be taken up the mountain on a different route by a 4×4 and we will hike up to the Retitis Peak (2020m) with a light backpack (take1-2 sandwiches and 2 l water). Towards the end of the Valley a forest road deviates to the right and climb through the forest until reaching the Zebreac clearing.Crossing the clearings we head up north, to the Retetis Peak (2020m), on the way we can see a lot of rare wild flowers and if we are lucky wild animals ( squirrels, birds, eagles, deers, lynxes andcarnivores: bears, wolves). This will take about 5-6 hours of walking through valleys, clearings and mountains (altitude difference will be about 1300m and 10km of alpine/grass fields). The accommodation will be in the meteorological station refuge, dinner and free time.

Day 3

Breakfast, we pack a few sandwiches, energy bars, water and go up to the Pietrosu Peak (2100m). This hike is about 7 km long on the mountain ridge, a not so difficult terrain, with high alpine grass and rocks; the track: Retitis Peak (2020)-Negoiu-Negoui Peak-Pietrosul Peak (2010m). From the Pietrosu Peak we have amazing view towards: W- Bistrita Mountains, West Calimani region, God’s Chair; S- Mures Valley, Gurghiu Mountans; E- Ceahlau Mountains, N- Rodnei Mountains. Return to the meteorological station refuge, dinner and a presentation of the Eastern Carpathian Mountains, Calimani Mountains. Activity: geocaching.

Day 4

Breakfast, pack a few sandwiches, energy bars, water and we will go to the Calimanul Cerbului Peak (7km/high grass and rocks), return to the refuge, dinner and a ecotourism presentation.

Day 5

Breakfast, pack a few sandwiches, energy bars, water and we will go to the Iezer Lake, a protected area of national interest including the Călimani National Park. The Nature Reserve covers an area of 322ha, and is natural dam lake with rarespeciesof flora and fauna: mammals,birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians specific Carpathians. Activity: presentation of survival techniques (navigation techniques, fire-making, constructing shelter, locating wild edibles and finding water). Return to the refuge, dinner and free time.

Day 6

Breakfast and descend to south in the Big Ilva Valley meet up with the minibus and drive to Targu Mures.

Package Nr.2 (In case of BAD weather condition)

Day 1

At arrival the tourists will be transferred to the accommodation and have dinner.

Day 2

Breakfast, pack a few sandwiches, energy bars, water and drive to the Mures River’s Superior Valley, than to Lunca Bradului village and accommodation. At noon we will go to Salard Village, climb up to the Saracini Cliffs, see tree trunk caves and on the way up we can see World War II trench and machine gun nest remains. Return back to Lunca Bradului, dinner and presentation about the Eastern Carpathian Mountains, Calimani Mountains.

Day 3

Breakfast, pack a few sandwiches, energy bars, water, hike up to the Zespesel Peak (1278 m), the trail climbs steeply up from the Swartz Clearing which follows up to the Zespesel Peak. Here we have a superb view of the Calimani and Gurghiu mountains. Return to the accommodation, lunch and an ecotourism presentation, followed by free time.

Day 4

Breakfast, hike up to the God’s Chair Peak, (1381 m) the track is about 5-6 hours, 850m elevation gain, the trail begins to climb grassland, we pass near impressive rocks and a beautiful view back towards the Mureş River. After a series of climbs we arrive to a beautiful clearing, from here we have about 3 km; we traverse a forest area and arrive to the Gods Chair. The view from above fully repays the effort. Return to accommodation, lunch and a big campfire.

Day 5

After having breakfast we will go in the woods and learn some basic surviving skills, navigation techniques, fire-making, constructing shelter, locating wild edibles and finding water. Return to the accommodation, lunch and bounding in front the campfire.

Day 6

Breakfast and drive back to Targu Mures, accommodation.

Package includes:

-All transports (minibus/bus/shuttle)(8+1/16+1)

-Shuttle services from Transilvania Airport to accommodation

-Accommodation (pension/hotel3*/refuge

- Meals

-Professional Mountain Guide

-Equipment: knife, magnesium bar, aluminum survival sheet, tourist map

Package does NOT include:

-Plane tickets

-Shuttle services from other Airports (if requested it can be arranged)

-Dinner first evening in Targu Mures

- Health insurance

*This package will be assisted by professional mountain guides from the local Mountain Rescue Team, guiding is in English.

*The schedule(s) are subject to change due to inclement weather, traffic and/or other circumstances.

Trekking in the Calimani Mountains (2100m)

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Rustic Transylvania

Destination: Rupea, Saschiz, Sibiu, Sighisoara, Tarnaveni, Viscri

Duration: 5 days

Price: €499

Available: All year round

Minimum of participants: 4

Pickup / drop-off: Targu Mures Airport

Activity: sightseeing

Discover with us the Transylvanian Saxon roots dating back to the 12th century, well preserved medieval villages, fortifications, citadels, castles and cities. Within this package you will “travel back in time” in the unspoiled countryside, see how people managed to keep their traditions, habits in the Viscri village and its surroundings and visit preserved fortified churches, citadels. We will travel to the Sighisoara citadel which is still inhabited and Sibiu, the most important cultural center of Transylvania. You will visit The Astra National Museum, most important ethno-museum institute of Romania. Located in the middle of a dense forest and surrounded by a beautiful lake, with more than 300 buildings as well as watermills and windmills, structures representing village architectural styles from many parts of Romania. Later you will have the possibility you will also savor the culinary of Transylvanian traditional foods and wines from Tarnaveni area with traditions dating back to the XVIII century.

Schedule:

Day 1

Arrival (Targu Mures Airport) the tourists will be transferred to the accommodation

Day 2

Breakfast and drive from Targu Mures to Sighisoara (1,30 hours and 55km) Saxon medieval fortified town, also known as the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, Dracula. A guide will present: the History Museum, the Weapon Museum, the Clock Tower, Dracula House where we will have lunch; the Wooden Stairs, the School Museum, the Church on the Hill and the Cemetery. In the afternoon we will drive to Viscri, known for the highly fortified church, originally built around 1100 and part of the villages with fortified churches in Transylvania, designated in 1993 as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Here we will be accommodated and have dinner.

Day 3

After having a Transylvanian traditional breakfast we will visit the Viscri Fortified Church, look at Prince Charles’ traditional Saxon house and Rupea Citadel. We will learn to make traditional bread in an outside oven and lunch, later horse-drawn cart trips to local craftsman and dinner.

Day 4

Traditional breakfast, we pack a sandwich since a long road awaits us. We will drive to Sibiu (120km, 2h),one of the most important cultural centers of Romania, designated the European Capital of Culture for the year 2007 and ranked as “Europe’s 8th most idyllic place to live”. Visiting the Astra Museum, known as the Open Air Village Museum, is situated in the Dumbrava Sibiului Natural Reservation, an impressive collection aiming to give you a good overview of the traditional Romania by displaying households from across the country. We will have lunch in the city center, free time for shopping and in the afternoon we will drive back to Viscri and have dinner.

Day 5

Breakfast from organic and healthy ingredients, drive to Saschiz Village, visiting: the Tower and jam factory which uses only local and organic fruits. In the afternoon we will participate at a wine tasting at Transylvania’s well known wine region, Tarnaveni with traditions dating back to the XVIII century. In the late afternoon we will drive back to Targu Mures and will be accommodated.

Package includes:

All transports (minibus/bus/shuttle)(8+1/16+1)

Shuttle services from Transilvania Airport to accommodation

Accommodation (pension/hotel3*/local house)

Breakfast

Traditional meals in Viscri Village (3 days)

Entrance fees

Guiding is in English

Package does NOT include:

Plane tickets

Shuttle services from other Airports (if requested it can be arranged)

Health insurance

Meals in (Targu Mures: 2 nights, Sighisoara and Sibiu)

* This package will be assisted by a professional guide from the Transylvanian Dreams Tourism Agency.

*The schedule(s) are subject to change due to inclement weather, traffic and/or other circumstances.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Bear Safari

Destination: Brasov, Transylvania, Zarnesti

Duration: 2 days

Price: €159

Price:159E/699 Lei

Available: May-September

Minimum of participants: 7

Pickup / drop-off: Targu Mures Airport

Activity: Bear watching, visiting and adrenaline park

Join us on a weekend trip of wild and adrenaline full adventure in Transylvania to show you Europe’s biggest carnivore, the Brown Bear ! Transylvania where the biggest bear population is located. Within this package we will go bear watching to Brasov area to one of two bear observatories, to a bear sanctuary (park) and finally on Sunday we will have fun at a really nice adventure park.

Package includes:

All transports (minibus/bus/shuttle)(8+1/16+1)

Shuttle services from Transylvania Airport to accommodation

Accommodation (pension/hotel3*/local house)

Breakfast

Entrance fees

Package does NOT include:

Plane tickets

Shuttle services from other Airports (if requested it can be arranged)

Health insurance

Meals

*The schedule(s) are subject to change due to inclement weather, traffic and/or other circumstances.

Monday, February 2, 2015

Danube Delta Holiday Package

Destination: Danube Delta

Duration: 5 days

Price: €499

Destination: Danube Delta

Duration: 5 days/4 nights

Price: 5 people:545E/ person // 10 people:499E/ person

Available: June-Julie-August-September

Minimum of participants: 6

Pickup / drop-off: Henri Conda Airport (Bucharest Romania)

Activity: bird watching, boat trip, fishing, kayaking, visiting

The mighty Danube River flows 1,788 miles from its springs in Germany’s Black Forest to the Black Sea. Just before reaching the sea it forms the second largest and best preserved of Europe’s deltas: 2,200 square miles of rivers, canals, marshes, tree-fringed lakes and reed islands. The Danube Delta is a wildlife enthusiast’s (especially a bird watcher’s) paradise.

Package includes:

All transports (minibus/bus/shuttle) (8+1/16+1)

Accommodation (3* Boat)

Breakfast

Package does NOT include:

Plane tickets

Shuttle services from other Airports (if requested it can be arranged)

Health insurance

Lunch and Diner

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Salt Therapy Holiday Package

Europe’s Heliothermic and Salt Pearl

Destination: Sovata, Praid

Duration: 7 days/6 nights

Price: €399/1775 Lei

Available: July and August

Minimum of participants: 8

Pickup / drop-off: Targu Mures Airport

Activity: Health Care, therapy, swimming

Discover Transylvania’s salt treasure, unique in the world, one of the best known balneotherapy resort in Europe. The region’s main salt therapy highlight is the Bear Lake (Lacul Ursu) in Sovata, and Praid’s salt mine.

Sovata located at the foothills of Gurgiului Mountains surrounded by dense forest, creates a balneotherapyc paradise. Bear Lake, is known as Europe’s biggest heliothermal Lake, formed in 1875 by Mother Nature, and has a therapeutic effect which can heal or prevent numerous disease like (metabolic diseases rheumatism, neurological problems).

You will have the chance to visit Praid Salt Mine, this unique microclimate helps in different diseases. The healthy people can benefit the relaxation, the beautified skin and the refreshment caused by our air composition.

Salt Therapy Holiday Package includes 7 days of recreation, which includes 3 visits to the salt mine, one visit to Praid salty baths, 3 relaxing days at the Bear Lake, all transportation, accommodation and breakfast.

Package includes:

All transports (minibus/bus/shuttle) (8+1/16+1)

Shuttle services from Transilvania Airport to accommodation

Accommodation (pension/hotel3*)

Breakfast

Entrance fees (Lake, Mine)

Package does NOT include:

Plane tickets

Shuttle services from other Airports (if requested it can be arranged)

Health insurance

Lunch and Diner

Salt Therapy Holiday Package

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Valentines Day it's coming!

Destination: Bran, Transylvania, Viscri

All inclusive Valentines offer !!!

Price:

Valentines Day at Bran: 157 E/699 Lei

Valentines Day at Viscri Village: 135/599Lei

Available: 14 February

Minimum of participants: 3 Couples

Destination: Bran or Viscri

Pickup / drop-off: Targu Mures Airport/Targu Mures

Activity: Holiday

All inclusive

Make a grand gesture this Valentine’s Day and surprise your LOVED one with a trip to Bran or Viscri Village with an All inclusive (1 night/2 days) GETAWAY!

Book early to take advantage of our offers.

There’s no better time to spoil your loved one.

Package includes:

Accommodation

Dinner

Breakfast

1 Wine/ Champagne

Transport (in Transylvania)

Viscri

One of the most interesting Saxon fortified churches is located in the village of Viscri (Weisskirch in German). The name comes from the German Weisse Khirche, meaning white church.

Unlike other Transylvanian fortified churches, Viscri was built around 1100 by the Szekler population and taken over by Saxon colonists in 1185. This explains why this unique gothic church displays a plain straight ceiling rather than a traditional vaulted one. In the 14th century, the eastern section was rebuilt and around 1525, the first fortification walls with towers were added. In the 18th century, the church was endowed with a second defensive wall. Inside, you can admire a classic 19th century altar featuring a Blessing of the Children centerpiece by the painter J. Paukratz from Rupea. During 1970-1971, the fortified church underwent major renovations.

Bran

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.

Built on the site of a Teutonic Knights stronghold dating from 1212, the castle was first documented in an act issued by Louis I of Hungary on November 19, 1377, giving the Saxons of Kronstadt (Brasov) the privilege to build the Citadel.

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, 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.

www.transylvaniandreams.com/tour/valentines-day/

Monday, January 26, 2015

Vampires and Castles

Destination: Bran, Brasov, Hunedoara, Rasnov, Sibiu, Sighisoara, Sinaia

Duration: 5 days

Price: €399

Available: All year round

Minimum of participants: 4

Pick up/Drop off: Targu Mures Airport

Activity: Visiting

Join us in a journey in Transylvania, discover and experience a land of myth and legends, Vampires and Castles. Europe’s last “wildest lands” where in the night you still hear the wolves howling, a place full of mystery, magic and unchanged culture and traditions passed down to generations. The breathtaking panoramas of the mountain regions open up to extraordinary preserved medieval cities, citadels and castles rich in history and marvels.

Come and discover the legend of Count Dracula, outstanding castles, the locals’ hospitality, the gastronomy, rich culture and feel like you are traveling back in time which gives you a taste of the long- gone medieval times.

Corvin Castle

Schedule:

Day 1

Upon arrival you will be transferred to the accommodation and have dinner.

Day 2

Breakfast and drive to The Corvin’s Castle in Hunedoara, Gothic style castle built on roman ruins in the 14th century, where Vlad Tepes was imprisoned during his youth for 7 years. It features tall and strong defense towers, an interior yard and a drawbridge. Built over the site of an older fortification and on a rock above the small Zlaști River, the castle is a large and imposing building with tall and diversely colored roofs, towers and myriad windows and balconies adorned with stone carvings. Lunch near the castle and drive to Sibiu (Hermannstadt); the town was the largest and wealthiest of the seven walled citadels, built in the 12th century by German settlers known as Transylvanian Saxons (it was the European Cultural Capital for 2007), accommodation and dinner.

Corvin Castle

Sibiu

Fagaras

Day 3

After breakfast, we drive to Sinaia, have lunch and visit the magnificent Peles Castles, with its fairy tale turrets and pointed towers rising above acres of green meadows sprinkled with haystacks, built as a summer residence by Romania’s longest serving monarch, King Carol I. In the afternoon we will go to Bran, accommodate in a medieval house close to the Bran Castle .

Day 4

Breakfast, guided tour in the Bran Castle, commonly known as “Dracula’s Castle”, is marketed as the home of the titular character in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Than we will move to Rasnov Citadel built as part of a defense system for the Transylvanian Villages exposed to outside invasions. After lunch at Rasnov, at noon we will drive to Brasov, accommodate and visit the Black Church and the city center.

Day 5

Breakfast and drive to Sighisoara Saxon medieval fortified town, also known as the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, Dracula; guide will present: the History Museum, the Weapon Museum, the Clock Tower, Dracula House where we will have lunch; the Wooden Stairs, the School Museum, the Church on the Hill and the Cemetery and free time for shopping.In the afternoon we will drive back to Targu Mures, accommodation and dinner.