Transfagarasan & Transalpina

Arrival in Bucharest. Pick up the car and drive to Horezu, in Oltenia land. Exit Bucharest onwards east part of the city, taking the highway A1, Bucharest – Pitesti. The road continues along the Carpathians up to Ramnicu Valcea and from there to Horezu, your first stop. Dinner and overnight in local guesthouse.

After breakfast at the guesthouse drive on towards Transalpina! First stop is at the Horezu ( Hurezu) Monstery, built in 1690 by the then ruller of Wallachia, Constantin Brancoveanu, and now part of the UNESCO sites. The Monastery, considered to be a complete work of art in the „Brancovenesc” style, is famous for its purity and architectural balance, its richness of carved details and its ornamental paintings. Visit ended, continue driving towards Transalpina, via Novaci village. One of the most beautiful roads in Romania, DN 67C, connects Oltenia and Transylvania, stretching between Novaci and Jina (near Sibiu). Transalpina (name translates as “across the mountains”), the highest road in Romania reaches an altitude of 2145 meters ( more than 7000 ft) at Urdele. It is also known as the “King’s Road”, as its first inauguration has been made in the presence of Carol II in 1935. The King and his guards have made the distance between Jina and Novaci in 8 hours. Nowadays, the 148,2 km can be easily done in 3-4 hours. It is now that the best part comes: the road is full of a series of curves, up to higher and higher places: Urdele(2145 m), Muntinu, Carbunele, Stefanu. The road descends through Obarsia Lotrului (1.361 m), crossing then on the right side the dam Oasa and then dam Tau. After a few kilometers, arrive at Sugag, only 7 km left until Jina, where Transalpina ends Continue to the village of Sibiel, passing by picturesque and remote villages. Life in Sibiel vibes at the sound of “toaca” and at the chimes of the church bell. While in Sibiel, a visit to the Icon Glass Museum is a must. Overnight and dinner in local guesthouse.

After breakfast – time to leave for Transfagarasan. Stop-over in the medieval city of Sibiu, the 2007 Cultural capital of Europe. We suggest a visit to the medieval center who has been very well preserved: the Big Square, where in past times big reunions and executions took place, the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, the fortifications, The Small Square, the Liars’ Bridge, or the Brukenthal Museum etc. Continue towards Tansfagarasan, crossing the highest mountain range in Romania – Fagaras, with Moldoveanu and Negoiu peaks reaching more than 8000 ft. The road, opened in September , 1974 was the highest in Romania, before Transalpina was built. Its length is over 92 kilometers starting from Cartisoara (Sibiu County) up to Arefu village (Arges County). Without a doubt, Transfagarasan is one of the most beautiful and spectacular roads in Europe. Driving on it combines the adrenaline caused by passing through the difficult serpentines and the outstanding landscapes. The assymetry of the land is simply breathtaking. Among the attractions in the area we would like to mention Vidraru dam, Poienari citadel, Balea Glacial Lake and Balea Waterfall. In 1932 Balea Glacial Lake has been declared scientific reservation. It is here the first Ice Hotel in Romania, and the first in the Central & Eastern Europe was built in 2006, and every year since. Balea Waterfall, another nature’s wonder, lies within Fagaras Mountains, being one of the most famous waterfalls in Romania. It is situated at an altitude of 1234 meters and the water falls from a height of 68 meters. During the winter, this water freezes and it can become a ski slope. Poienari Citadel is known as one of Vlad Tepes’s (Dracula) residences; the great fortress was built for protection against the Turks, who regularly invaded the country. It lies on a mountain top, and the panorama includes Vidraru dam and Fagaras Mountains. Over 1000 wooden steps must be climbed to reach the citadel. Vidraru Dam – built between 1961 and 1966, was, at that time, the 5th biggest dam in Europe and the 9th in the world. Today, it still belongs to the list of the Top -100 tallest dams in the world. Overnight and dinner at „ Valea cu Pesti” mountain chalet.

After breakfast, departure towards airport in Bucharest, drop off the car. Flight check-in.