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A very special, and unique opportunity to discover the real Transylvania
as a guest of Count Kalnoky in Miclosoara (Miklosvár)
LAST UPDATED
29 / 12 / 2013
29 / 12 / 2013
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This page is dedicated to the various activities available with our Touch of Class holidays. These are divided, below, into Nature and Cultural Activities and Excursions, Hiking Activities, Horse Riding Programmes, and an activity programme for guests staying at the Prince of Wales' guesthouse in Viscri.
To book your perfect holiday
contact:
01900 838570
www.travelcounsellors.co.uk
A quaity, personal service by
travel experts in your local area
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Touch of Class |
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These holidays contribute to the resoration of the castle at Miclosoara and support the local community through employment and use of local resources |
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Daily departures 3, 7. 10 & 14 nights Flights UK to Bucharest from approx. £ 100.00 incl taxes Return transfers from Bucharest Airports to Miclosoara (4 hours) £ 250.00-300.00 per car Can also be organised with flights to Cluj, Targu Mures or Sibiu Touch of Class holidays may be combined with Abother Europe, Dracula or Bucovina programmes or City Breaks in Cluj, Sibiu or Bucharest |
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Highlights |
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All-inclusive Holidays Quality Accommodation Excursions & Activities History & Culture Unspoit Nature Bird-watching Bear tracking Fossil Trails Flower Meadows Traditional Village Life Horses & Carts Fortress Churches Legends & Fairytales Horse Riding Holidays Winter Holidays Szekelerland Gelence Frescoes St. Ana Lake Vargyas ('Pied Piper) Caves Szekely Village Life Thermal Spas Burzenland Brasov Bran & Rasnov Castles Harman & Prejmer Saxon Transylvania Sighisoara (Schässburg) Viscri (Deutschweisskirch Rupea & Homorod |
" N.B. (Warwick)
"It was everything we expected and more! I can't emphasize how lovely we found the staff, & the Count of course."ZR, (London)
To book your perfect holiday
we recommend:
01900 838570
www.travelcounsellors.co.uk
A quaity, personal service by
travel experts in your local area
Travel back in time to discover a living history and an unspoilt natural history set amidst the beautiful, tranquil countryside - the mountains, forests and flower-filled meadows of Transylvania.
A wide range of cultural and nature toursis offered each week which are included in your holiday price. Therefore you can design your holiday according to your interests and length of stay. During a two-week stay, for example, you will be able to participate in nearly all the tours on offer. Mountain bikes are available for the use of the guests. For those interested in hiking, we offer walking activities (for different levels of fitness), which can also be combined with culture/nature tours to suit your preferences (please see programme for Hiking Activities). Close to Miclosoara, there are well-stocked ponds for those who fish.
Viscri (Deutschweisskirch):
Fortified Saxon Church
Fortified Saxon Church
Please note this itinerary is a GUIDE ONLY. Due to circumstances beyond our control, the following itinerary may be subject to change. In particular, some of the nature activities may vary in accordance with the season, the weather and the opportunities available to observe wildlife. No sightings of wild animals, such as wolves and bears are guaranteed, and we cannot restrict their natural movements nor indeed would we wish to.
NEW FOR 2014 - VISIT TO LOCAL BRICKMAKERS
MONDAY |
The LAND of the SZEKLERS The eastern Carpathians is the traditional home of the Szekely, a people closely related to the Magyars who speak a distinctive Hungarian accent and cherish a special historical identity. During this excursion you will meet a family of woodcarvers and furniture painters who have been handing down their profession from father to son since the 1500s (oldest in Europe), see the totem poles in Fules graveyard, and visit a church in Biborteni (Bibarcfalva) with historic frescoes and sample natural mineral water. In the afternoon, you will visit a Unitarian fortified church in Aita Mare (Nagyajta), before returning to Miclosoara to see the Kalnoky Family Chapel and Crypt. Finally you will be taken to the Hunting Manor, where you will see the restoration work that is taking place. |
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TUESDAY |
THE BIRD WALK Today, you will take a bird walk in and around Miclosoara. Our wildlife guide will introduce you to a wide variety of habitats (forests, wetlands, riparian woods and parklands). These places harbour a multitude of different birds, including the beautiful Golden Oriole, the Great Grey Shrike, the Fieldfare (only found in the Carpathian part of Transylvania), the Little Owl, and Skylark. Black storks also nest here, as well as night-jars, bee-eaters, hoopoes, kingfishers, wall-creepers, corncrakes, and Ural owls to name but a few. Just outside the village, a protected nature reservation can be found; a wetland with important botanical value and a valuable hunting ground for birds of prey, such as the Lesser Spotted Eagle. The bird walk is suitable for anyone with an interest in nature, as well as more serious birdwatchers. |
A CASTLE and a FORT Bram Stoker immortalised Transylvania in his book Dracula, but he never actually visited the region. Castle Bran, which has become synonymous with Count Dracula, towers dramatically on a crag overlooking the village. Our culture guide will help you to sort fact from fiction. There is also a reconstructed village nearby with traditional barns and houses, which provides an insight into rural life in mediaeval Transylvania. After Bran, we will visit Râsnov, where a ruined fort founded around 1225 by the Teutonic Knights, sits high amongst fir-clad forests, commanding a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains. |
WEDNESDAY |
BRASOV, HARMAN (Honigberg) & PREJMER (Tartlau) On the way to Brasov, you will be able to visit the amazing fortified churches in Harman (Honigberg) and Prejmer (Tartlau). These buildings were used to house the populations of entire villages during invasions by the Turks, and contain numerous storerooms to hold a sufficient amount of food to survive a siege. Brasov is one of the seven major Transylvanian Saxon towns. Here you will find a plethora of architectural delight and lush colours, which contrasts perfectly with the green wooded hills that surround it. In the company of our cultural guide you will stroll around the beautiful Town Hall Square and visit the famous Black Church, take the cable car to the top of Tampa Mountain and have a coffee in the panoramic restaurant. |
VALLEYS, FORESTS & WETLANDS Today, you will explore the beautiful landscape of Transylvania in the company of our wildlife guide. This nature tour is not set in stone and the guide will discuss your particular interests. You may, for example, be taken by land rover through the spectacular Aita Valley, where you will cross the river more than ten times! You will visit the charcoal burners who continue to use a process perfected during the Middle Ages. They will provide us with charcoal, which will be used to grill meat or vegetables at the picnic on the banks of the Aita stream (with opportunities for swimming). You will be able to go for a short hike up the side of the valley where wild flower meadows and a panoramic view await you. After the picnic, we will then continue our journey through the valley where you may catch a glimpse of a Lesser Spotted Eagle or a Black Stork.. |
THURSDAY |
FOSSIL TRAIL and FOREST HIKE This walk will leads to famous fossil sites rich in Ammonites, Belemnites and different molluscs as well as beautiful countryside, secluded forests and panoramic views. It starts from Ormenis (Ürmös), the village situated o pposite Miklósvár, on the other side of the River Olt. Here you can observe the Saxon influence on local architecture. At the edge of the village there is a famous fossil site in cretacic sandy marls rich in shells and ammonites. Next, you will walk through hay meadows until you reach well-preserved woodland pastures with mature oak trees. The total length of the trip is around 20 km, but it can be shortened depending on your fitness level. This nature tour is not set in stone and the guide will discuss your walking preferences and particular interests. |
THE SAXONS Viscri is one of the most impressive of the Transylvanian old Saxon villages and is on UNESCOs World Heritage List. The fortified church on top of the hill dates back to 1230, the fortified walls were added in 1525 and an assortment of towers in the 15th, 17th and 18th centuries. The village was saved from destruction with the help of the Mihai Eminescu Trust with the support of the Prince of Wales, who owns a house in the village. You will have lunch in the courtyard of a local Saxon family. There is also the opportunity to walk through wild flower meadows after lunch. On the return journey, you will stop to visit the fortified church in the Saxon village of Homorod (Hamruden). |
FRIDAY |
SHEPHERDS With a horse and cart you will be taken to the higher pastures to meet the shepherds and their flock of sheep. The guide will explain the shepherds lifestyle, as well as the methods used to protect their livestock from predators. There might be an opportunity to hear some of their tales about close encounters with bears and wolves, often only slightly exaggerated. You will also see them milking and making cheese. Returning to the lower pastures, we will have a picnic and explore the beautiful wild flower meadows before returning home to Miklósvár. |
THE VOLCANIC LAKES After breakfast, we will drive through spectacular mountainous scenery to reach the summit of Mount Ciumatu. Here you will discover St. Anas lake, the only intact volcanic lake in Europe. A small chapel is situated close to the lake. Our culture guide will explain the legend of St. Ann and its association with the lake. The rare Tinovul Mohus peat bog can also be found at this site (situated in a secondary crater, with glacial relics such as Drosera 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 remarkable sulphur caves. |
SATURDAY |
VILLAGE LIFE IN MICLOSOARA You will spend the day with the people in Miklósvár, who will welcome you into their homes and introduce you to local activities. You will visit the local bee-keeper, make some of that lovely honey, and of course taste it. For those with a culinary interest, a lady who also lives locally will be happy to show you how to make the traditional Szekler pastry KürtRskalács, which will then be served after lunch. See the blacksmith at work and give him a hand in the afternoon and return to the guesthouse with a handful of new skills. In the evening you can sit outside the main guesthouse on a bench and watch the cows come home alone to their |
THE PIED PIPER'S CAVE Around 25 km north of Miclosoara is the Almasch cave in the gorge of the Varghis river, a system that continues for 7.3 km on four levels and where the Pied Piper legendarily surfaced with the children of Hamlin (who became the Saxons colonists of Transylvania). This is one of Transylvanias most important speleological sites. After traversing the river, we will enter and explore the cave, with its impressive halls populated by colonies of bats. Our guide will explain the history and unique structure of the cave and the habits of these fascinating animals. For those interested in hiking, it is possible to climb the summit and walk through wild flower meadows with panoramic views of the gorge. |
SUNDAY |
BRANDY DISTILLERY You will be taken by a horse-cart to a neighbouring village and have the opportunity to visit one of the most famous brandy distilleries in the area, the Köpecbánya Distillery, proudly owned by Mr. Dénes. About 20 years ago when the coal mine closed down the brandy he makes became his only source of income. In a reed-roofed shack you will discover how Szekler brandy (Pálinka) is made, maybe lend a helping hand to make it, and be able to sample it before returning home to Miklósvár. As a hobby Mr. Dénes also manufactures brooms and his son is a bee-keeper.. |
SIGHISOARA
In the company of our cultural guide, you will visit Sighisoara and learn about the history of the Saxons in Transylvania. Sighisoara is one of the seven major Saxon towns dating back to the 13th century and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is also the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, The Impaler. The old town or citadel dominates the newer quarters from a rocky massif. During this tour you will visit the Citadel, the Clock Tower, the Monastery Church, some of the fourteen Guild Towers, and climb the Scholars Stairs to reach the newly restored Church on the Hill and the atmospheric Saxon cemetery. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in the cobbled town square.
NATURE ACTIVITIES
CUTURAL ACTIVITIES
NEEDS TO BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE OF YOUR VISIT
Additional Activities
If you would like to do something, which you cannot find in the programme, please ask, as we will endeavour to assist. For example if there is somewhere you would like to visit in the region which is not on the list, or if you have a relevant specific interest which is not covered we will try to accommodate you. We have recently organised special trips to visit the steam forestry railway at Covasna-Comandau, and to Peles Castle at Sinaia. These may cost extra and will depend on availability of transport and guides - special requests are more easily fulfilled outside the busy season of May - September. Bird ringing programmes are also available from time to time please ask for further details and dates, and for comprehensive lists of bird species observed in the region. We have also catered for special events such as birthdays, anniversarys or for honeymoons. A candlelit meal or party cand be arranged in advance at most times of the year, or we could adapt a programme for a small group.
We can also add on extra days in other parts of Romania such as the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina, or the mediaeval town of Sibiu for example. Perhaps you would like to spend a day shopping on your own in Brasov, we can request transfers for you. Please ask us for ideas or a quotation.
Touch of Class: Horse Riding Programmes
Please call us for details of fully inclusive one week riding holidays. These start and end in Miclosoara and cover the region of eastern Transylvania. They are available on request during the Spring and Summer months only.
One or Two day riding programmes are alsoavailable which explore the beautiful, untouched region of the former Kalnoky Domains. The rides take you between between the Kalnoky summer castle at Miklosvar (Miclosoara) and the family seat, the castle at Kalnok (Calnic). These may be booked in cojunction with your normal Touch of Class holiday. Please enquire for further details.
One or Two day riding programmes are alsoavailable which explore the beautiful, untouched region of the former Kalnoky Domains. The rides take you between between the Kalnoky summer castle at Miklosvar (Miclosoara) and the family seat, the castle at Kalnok (Calnic). These may be booked in cojunction with your normal Touch of Class holiday. Please enquire for further details.
Sighisoara (Schässburg) - the clocktower
Touch of Class: Winter Holidays
Count Kalnoky's Guesthouses
The 'castle' in winter
* Candlelit meals beside a roaring log fire in the cosy wine cellar *
* Horse-drawnSleigh rides through a winter wonderland *
*Skiing in the Carpathians on the slopes of Poiana Brasov *
* Strolling through a Romantic Winter Landscapes with snow shoes*
*Tracking animals such as bears or wolves*
* Cultural rambles through Mediaeval Towns *
* Discover the ice stalacmites of the Almasch Caves *
* Christmas Shopping Expeditions *
* Village Traditions *
Of course snow and ice can never be guaranteed but wintertime in a Transylvanian village is always a fasciniating experience. When the snow sets in it can lie very deep, even at Miclosoara, and night time temperatures can plummet well into minus double figures so wrap up warm. Roads and railways remain clear under these conditions as in Alpine countries so transfers and excursions are rarely a problem
Skiing can be organised with very reliable snow conditions on the slopes at Poiana Brasov (1900 m) from January to March. Our normal prices apply for the holidays with extra (local) costs only for ski-hire and lift passes if skiing is chosen as an optional activity.
All rooms are very well heated, many with under-floor heating and all beds have extra soft goose-down duvets for the coldest of winter nights.
Christmas and New Year are very special holidays in Transylvania with music, dancing, age-old folk traditions and merry-making. A £ 30.00 (GBP) surcharge is levied to cover festive meals at this time.
Touch of Class: Hiking Holidays
A programme of walks from east rambles to tough mountain hikes
This section is dedicated to the Hiking Activities - please also refer to the separate Cultural and Nature programme above.
The two programmes can be combined if required
Hiking activities take place in the countryside surrounding Miclosoara, which offers the walker a diverse variety of landscapes, including open hillsides with wild flower meadows, rolling woodland pastures, deciduous and coniferous forests, dramatic gorges and mountains. We cater for the experienced hiker, as well as those wishing for gentle walks. Those with an interest in history, nature and earth sciences will find these hikes of interest. Hiking activities take place throughout the year, including the winter period. If snow cover is deep enough in some areas, cross-country skiing is possible (we provide the necessary equipment, skis, boots and poles).
At the Kalnoky Guesthouses you will be provided with a hearty breakfast early in the morning and a dinner on your return in the evening. A days hiking activity includes an information pack (information, maps), transportation to the drop-off point, a picnic lunch (with vegetarian options), and collection at a designated pick-up point. You will also be provided with a mobile phone to be used during emergencies. If you would like to be accompanied by a hiking/nature guide, this can also be arranged for selected hikes.
WHAT YOU ARE EXPECTED TO BRING WITH YOU
Walking boots, a waterproof jacket (and trousers) and a rucksack are essential. Hikers might want to bring along their own compass (maps are provided in the hikers information pack), as well as a torch. Depending on the season, you should also consider packing some warm clothing. Information on the temperatures expected will be provided prior to your visit. Those with an interest in wildlife should bring along their binoculars, as well as nature guides to help with the identification of birds, plants, mushrooms, and animal tracks. Insect repellent is also useful.
Grade B MODERATE
Grade C STRENUOUS
Grade D TOUGH
Grade A EASY
DAY 1 |
MICLOSOARA (MIKLOSVAR) Grade A 12 km |
A traditional horse-drawn cart will take you to your starting point in the Aita Valley, which involves crossing the stream numerous times. You will also be able to visit a traditional charcoal burner. The hike along the ridge will take you through mature beech and hornbeam forests, medieval woodland pasture with oak and wild pear good habitats for large mammals, reptiles and amphibians (including the fire salamander). You may meet Romanian shepherds with their flocks of sheep. |
DAY 2 |
THE GORGE Grade B 7 km |
A Land Rover will drive you through pretty villages and forest roads to your starting point at the dramatic Varghis (Vargyas) Gorge the Almasch Canyon from the Pied Piper legend. * The hike over the top of the gorge will take you through beech forests, a stone meadow with Steppe vegetation, and wild flower meadows good habitat for reptiles and insects (including the praying mantis). The gorge commands stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, such as the volcanic plateau of the Harghita Mountains. The ruins of a Tartars Chapel from the medieval period can also be seen. *An alternative route can be taken if you wish to see the caves and bats. |
DAY 3 |
KINGS STONE (Piatra Craiului) Grade D (or C) 20 km |
The starting point of the hike is Plaiul Foii at the foot of the Piatra Craiului Mountain, which is the most spectacular limestone massif of the Southern Carpathians. In order to reach the peak, you will have to climb steep and exposed rock faces. This hike, however, can be adapted to suit different levels of physical fitness, as there are alternative hiking routes in this area. Towards the end of the hike, you will reach a Zarnesti Gorge, where you might spot the attractive wall creeper and alpine swifts. |
DAY 4 |
FREE |
This day can be spent relaxing in and around Miklósvár village or you can join one of our nature or culture tours, which may, for example, include visiting the fortified Saxon churches or a volcanic lake. |
DAY 5 |
RIKA Grade C 22 km |
At the starting point of this hike you have the opportunity to visit what are believed to be the remains of Attila the Huns forest fortress, as well the as the burial site of his wife Rika. - This hike will take you through extensive forests of beech, hornbeam and oak. Towards the end of your hike, you will discover a basalt quarry, which is also designated as a geological site of special interest. |
DAY 6 |
BLACK MOUNTAINS Grade B 16 km |
You will start from an old iron furnace, which was used successfully to make canons used in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848-49. This hike takes you along the southern Harghita Mountains, where you will have wonderful views of the Ciuc (Csík) basin. The hike ends at a mineral water spa, Ozunca Bai (Uzonka Fürdo). |
DAY 7 |
FOSSIL Grade C 22 km |
The starting point of this hike is Ormenis (Ürmös) village, where you also have the opportunity to see a marl cliff with fossilized clams and ammonites. This hike takes you over wild flower meadows, woodland pastures, and forested hills. The views during this walk are spectacular. Miklósvár can be spotted on the other side of the Olt River. - On the hillside you can find carpets of bleached white fossils exposed from erosion. |
In case you wish to stay longer than a week, we offer as an option 3 day (2-3 night) tours by Land Rover to more remote destinations, like the famous painted monasteries of Bucovina. Our British friend and guide, Colin Shaw, of "Roving Romania" will show you around and eventually bring you back to Miclosoara.
Tour options: - The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina - Lake Békás (Bicaz) and the Mystical - Mountain of Ceahlau - Carpathian Mountain Passes
Tour options: - The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina - Lake Békás (Bicaz) and the Mystical - Mountain of Ceahlau - Carpathian Mountain Passes
There is no permanent management at Viscri because, in most cases, you will be the sole occupants. This allows for more flexibility with regards to activities. They are organised in conjunction with Fundatia Adept at Saschiz, while meals are provided as indictaed. The activities can be selected from the following options.
Lunch - Traditional Saxon picnic at a 'Stana" - summer shepherds camp. Horse and cart transport.
Afternoon - Visit the fortress church of Viscri, and the museum. Discover the traditional garden and courtyard activities. Visit the blacksmith and the charcoal burners.
Dinner - Evening meal in Viscri
Lunch - In the courtyard with the baker.
Afternoon - Visit Saschiz (Keisd) - another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the church and walk to the ruined citadel, or take a stroll through the village to discover the courtyards of the typical Saxon village houses.
Dinner - Viscri or Saschiz, meetinmg producers to taste their produce.
Lunch - TFree to explore on your own.
Afternoon - Visit an organic agricultural training scheme for young people from the village of Boiu. Afternoon tea - taste their organic milk, cheese and bread,
Dinner - Evening meal in Viscri.
Lunch - Village courtyard.
Afternoon - Visit Cloasterf and village. Refreshments in a village courtyard.
Dinner - Evening meal in Viscri
Lunch - Lunch with the Embroiderer or at a restaurant in Biertan.
Afternoon - Continue to Malancrav (Malmkrog), a village which retains the highest proportion of German speaking 'Saxons'. See traditional weaving and carpet making or detour to Floresti (Felserdorf) to visit a cooper (barrel maker).
Dinner - Evening meal in Viscri
1: 50 000 Scale Tourist Map
John Akeroyd (Fundatia ADEPT)
This large scale map is essential for anybody staying in the remote Saxon villages of southern Transylvania who wish to explore on foot. It covers the Tarnava Mare region from Richis and Atel in the west to Beia and Fiser in the east, and south from the Tarnava Mare river and Sighisoara to Movile and Dacia. It includes the town of Sighisoara and many of the villages where tourist accommodation is being developed, such as Viscri, Biertan, Malancrav,Crit and Cloasterf. The map is double sided with information in English and Romanian.
Fundatia ADEPT, implementing rural development and biodiversity conservation in SE Transylvania, is sponsored by Orange Romania and the Darwin Initiative. John Akeroyd is an eminent botanist who regular spneds his time in Transylvania.
Order onlinefrom: www.amazon.co.uk
Or purchase in Romania from the Fundatia ADEPT Tourist Information Office in Saschiz (near Sighisoara)
Transylvania Uncovered is working with Fundatia ADEPT to promote rural holidays in this region of southern Transylvania;
all holiday prices will include a donation towards the invaluable work of Fundatia ADEPT
John Akeroyd (Fundatia ADEPT)
86 pages; paperback; published 2006
This book introduces the remote Saxon Villages district of southern Transylvania in Romania. One of Europe's least known cultural treasures, the countryside presents a remarkable survival of medieval landscape: fortified churches, unspoilt villages, non-intensive mixed farming in ecological balance with nature and wildlife, set amongst old-growth woodland and wildflower-rich hay-meadows. Such natural beauty and richness is no mere assemblage of fragments, but an intact, integral whole - of inestimable scientific, cultural and human value. But with social and financial pressure for rural development, and as Romania enters the EU, the substance and atmosphere of this special place is gravely at threat. The special qualities of the Saxon Villages will only survive if tradition and innovation can be combined to yield a sustainable economic future and modern quality of life, while preserving a unique sense of place. Farming and quality food production, together with traditional crafts and eco-tourism, are at the heart of both sustainable development and the conservation of biodiversity. The book is aimed both at visitors - past, present and future - to the Saxon Villages, and all those interested in botany, natural history and conservation, and the history and culture of Central Europe. A Romanian edition is also available, which is being distributed to Transylvanian schools and university departments, offices of local and national government, and decision makers.
Fundatia ADEPT, implementing rural development and biodiversity conservation in SE Transylvania, is sponsored by Orange Romania and the Darwin Initiative. John Akeroyd is an eminent botanist who regular spneds his time in Transylvania.
Order onlinefrom: www.amazon.co.uk
Or purchase in Romania from the Fundatia ADEPT Tourist Information Office in Saschiz (near Sighisoara)
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