IMAGE: GETTY
WEEKENDER
Hit the trail A long-distance route, the Via Transilvanica carves an 870-mile path across the country through wildflower-filled meadows, dense forests and time-capsule towns. The website provides plenty of helpful guidance for hikers or cyclists looking to tackle one or more of the itinerary’s seven sections. viatransilvanica. com
Left: View of Biertan from its fortified church
THREE MORE SAXON VILLAGES
Biertan Eight centuries ago, the Saxons were invited to settle in Transylvania by Hungary’s King Géza II, who sought their help in defending his territory against Tatar and Turkish invasions. Predominantly Lutheran Christians, they built their villages around heavily fortified churches — and the one in the village of Biertan, the most important religious centre of the Transylvanian Saxons for almost three centuries, is among the best in the region. Protected by three concentric walls, sturdy turrets and imposing battlements, the building is part of a UNESCO-listed group of fortified churches; spot it high on its own hilltop perch, right in the middle of the village.
52
Mălâncrav Situated in a curve of the Mălâncrav valley is a village that’s home to over 100 Transylvanian Saxons — the largest ethnic German community left in the region. They live alongside their Roma and Romanian neighbours in pastel-coloured houses bleached by the sun. Through restoration and cultural preservation projects, the Mihai Eminescu Trust has helped turn Mălâncrav village into a living museum, where craftspeople, from brickmakers to wickerworkers, uphold their traditions, and horse-drawn carts clip-clop along dusty roads. Stay in Apafi Manor, a guesthouse run by the Trust that was formerly the family home of the village rulers.
mihaieminescutrust.ro
NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC.COM/TRAVEL
Saschiz The Târnava Mare area in southeastern Transylvania is known for its rolling pastureland, wildflower meadows and bucolic scenes of preindustrial agricultural life. All this makes the local village of Saschiz a picturesque spot for a picnic. Stock up on supplies at Pivniţa Bunicii (‘Grandma’s Cellar’), a Saxon-style shop whose artisanal jams, juices and chutneys are made using locally sourced produce from small-scale organic farms. The village is also known for its traditional cobalt-blue ceramics, made here since the 18th century. Be sure to visit the Saschiz Pottery Workshop, for hands-on wheel classes with local craftspe ople.
pivnitabunicii.com
fundatia-adept.org
HOW TO DO IT Wizz Air flies direct from Luton to Brașov in 3h20m. Alternatively, numerous airlines fly to Bucharest or Sibiu; you can then transfer to Brașov by train.
wizzair.com Regent Holidays has a tailored, three-night Transylvania Weekender Tour from £1,195 per person, including flights, transfers and some meals.
regent-holidays.co.uk Rooms at Schuster Boarding House, Brasov from 550RON (£93), B&B.
schusterhotel.ro Rooms at Casa Georgius Krauss, Sighișoara from €100 (£84), B&B.
casakrauss.ro romaniatourism.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196
