Transfagarasan – ride on the most crooked and challenging of Europe's roads for motorcyclists

Transalpina – one of the most spectacular roads of the Carpathian Mountains (2 145m above sea level)

Sighisoara Medieval Citadel one of Europe’s most beautiful and inhabited fortified cities with a UNESCO World Heritage status.

Turzii’s Gorges – the most important reservation of the Sunset Mountains

Scarisoara Glacier Cave – the biggest cave of this kind in Romania

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Motorcycle Riding Centre - Carpathian Mountains Itinerary

Day 1

Cluj Napoca - Turda

Welcome to Transylvania. Meet our English speaking guide at the airport and transfer to Turda for dinner and accommodation in a 4* Hotel.

Day 2

Turda – Cheile Turzii – Belis – Turda (205 km – 6h riding)

A ride in the mountains today starting with a visit at the Turda Salt Mines, with impressive halls named after kings and queens. Turzii’s Gorges, the most important reservation of the Sunset Mountains are your next destination. Continue riding to Belis Lake, where, if you are lucky to get a dry summer season, the ruins of a 14 century church can be seen emerging out from the cold waters. Spend the evening in Turda, dinner and accommodation

Day 3

Turda – Bilea Lac – Turda, Transfagarasan Road (425 km – 7 h riding)

Enjoy an amazing ride on Transfagarasan Road (2,034 meters altitude), the most crooked and challenging of Europe's roads for motorcyclists. The second highest road in Romania, the Transfagarasan was built between 1970 and 1974 as a military route, by communist dictator Ceausescu (after the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968). The road snakes up the tallest peaks of the Carpathians. Accommodation and dinner in Turda.

Day 4

Turda – Medias – Sighisoara – Turda (280 km – 5 h riding)

Ride to Biertan, with its impressive fortified church. Drive to Sighisoara, the best preserved and still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe and a UNESCO heritage site, but probably most important for you it is Vlad Dracula's birth place!

TIP: For your lunch we recommend ‘Vlad Dracul’s House’, the very place where Dracula was born, turned today into an exquisite restaurant wherein you can find frescoes dating back to the 14th century.
Evening in Turda, dinner and accommodation.

Day 5

Turda – Scarisoara – Turda, Sunset Mountains (230 km – 4h30min riding)

Ride to Sighisoara Glacier Cave along Ariesului Valley River. The Sunset Mountains will reward you with traditional villages, winding roads, and breathtaking scenery. Visit Scarisoara Glacier Cave, the biggest cave of this kind in Romania, with a mass of ice of 75.000 mc. Return to Turda for dinner and accommodation.

Turda – Rinca – Turda, Transalpina Road (400 km – 7h riding)

Ride to Alba Iulia Citadel, a fortress with seven bulwarks, a star shaped citadel, common to Vauban fortresses. An incredible ride for you – Transalpina Road, one of the most spectacular roads of the Carpathian Mountains and the highest mountain road in Romania. With its highest point at Urdele Pass – 2,145m above sea level, the road is also called The King's Road by the locals, the road was built under the rule of King Carol II of Romania and rebuilt during World War II by German troops. Accommodation and dinner in Turda.

Turda – Cluj Napoca

Say good bye to Transylvania. Transfer to Cluj Napoca Airport to catch your flight back home.

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Motorcycle Riding Centre Carpathian Mountains - Map

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Special notes & info

Duration of the tour: 7 days
Riding days: 5 days
Total distance: Approximately 1730 km/ 1075 miles
Skill level: intermediate
Lodging type: good quality Hotels
Rides: on paved roads as well as on sections of gravel roads
What to bring: Complete motorcycle gear with integral or flip up helmet

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Other mentions:

• Once you realize the price of good beer and wine you will probably not want to return to your country.
• Plenty of English is spoken and you will find the people are friendly and open.
• No visa is required and you can get green card extension insurance from your insurer to cover Romania.

Media Mentions  We’re pleased to say that Adventure Motorcycle Tours – Transylvania Live has recently garnered the attention of several publications and broadcasts more details here

Where you’ll stay in this motorcycle tour

click here to see the selection of hotels we use during our motorcycle tours. The accommodation is chosen either for its convenient location in the centre of the city or  in nature with amazing views.

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Airlines with direct flights from UK to Cluj-Napoca

London  Cluj Wizz Air (Luton)

Liverpool Cluj Wizz Air

Doncaster Cluj Wizz Air

The closest connection from Northern Ireland is Dublin Cluj Blue Air

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Advice for British citizens traveling to Romania

According to British government most visits to Romania are trouble-free.

There were no cases of terrorism attacks in Romania but as the country is part of European Union terrorist attacks in Romania can’t be ruled out.

If you need to contact the emergency services in Romania call 112.

If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British embassy from Bucharest 24 Jules Michelet,  010463 Bucharest, Romania General enquiries+40 (21) 201 7200 Consular enquiries+40 (21) 201 7351 British Embasy Bucharest website

Urgent assistance

If you’re in Romania and you need urgent help (for example, you’ve been attacked, arrested or someone has died), call +40 (21) 201 7200. If you’re in the UK and worried about a British national in Romania, call 020 7008 1500.

Get an emergency travel document

You can apply for an emergency travel document if you’re abroad and your passport has been lost or stolen, damaged or expired, and you can’t get a new or replacement passport in time to travel. You can apply online for an emergency travel document. If the person needing the emergency travel document is under 16, a parent or guardian should apply on their behalf.

Safety and security Crime

Maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as in the UK. There is a risk of petty theft in large towns, especially Bucharest. Pickpockets and bag snatchers operate in crowded areas, particularly near exchange shops and hotels, on public transport (especially to the airport), in the main railway stations and inside airport terminals. Organised attacks by groups can occur. The most common method by distracting victims while several people, often children, attempt to snatch watches and jewellery from pockets or from around the neck and wrist. Valuables including passports have been stolen from hotel rooms. Use the hotel safe and carry a photocopy of the information pages of your passport as ID. There have been reports of credit or debit cards being ‘copied’ when used for payment in some bars and restaurants.

Road travel Licences and documents

If driving in Romania, make sure you have with you all documentation, including your full, valid driving licence, proof of insurance/green card (third party or above), proof of ID (passport) and proof of ownership (V5C Certificate). If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, driving licence rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020. If there’s no deal, you will need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) to be able to drive in some European countries as a visitor after the UK has left. Check this guidance page for full information. You should also check guidance on driving in the EU after Brexit for information on other additional documents you may need to carry. If you’re living in Romania, check the Living in Guide for information on requirements for residents.

Driving regulations

You’ll need to pay a road toll ‘Rovinieta’ to use the national roads. You can buy the vignette (sticker) at border points and at most petrol stations. The minimum cost is 3 euros for 7 days. Failure to display the sticker may lead to a heavy fine. You can find out more about prices by using the website Roviniete.ro. Observe the speed limit at all times. Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy. It’s illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol. The drink drive limit is zero. Carry the following equipment: first aid kit, fire extinguisher, red warning triangles and a fluorescent jacket. If your vehicle is damaged before you arrive in Romania, ask a Romanian customs officer or police officer to write a report on the damage so that you have no problems when leaving. If any damage occurs inside the country, a report must be obtained at the scene of the accident.

Road safety

In 2018 there were 1,867 road deaths in Romania (source: Department for Transport). This equates to 9.6 road deaths per 100,000 of population, (witch is similar with USA) and compares to the UK average of 2.8 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2018. Road conditions are variable and secondary roads can be in a bad state of repair. Driving standards can be poor. Look out for double parked cars, people suddenly braking to avoid a pothole, horse-drawn carts, livestock and stray dogs, particularly in rural areas, running in front of the vehicle. Equip your car for extreme conditions in winter.

Local laws and customs

It is illegal to change money on the streets. You should change money only in recognised exchange shops, banks and hotels.

The Romanian authorities treat all drug-related and sex offences very seriously. The age of consent is 18. If you are convicted, you can expect a prison sentence.

Homosexuality has been legal in Romania since 1996. The country has made significant progress in LGBT rights legislation since 2000 including wide–ranging anti-discriminatory laws, equalising the age of consent and laws against homophobic hate crimes. Bucharest’s annual Pride, usually accompanied by a LGBT film and art festival, has grown in recent years and is gaining the support of more public figures. Since 2017, a Pride event has also been held in the city of Cluj. The country remains generally socially conservative resulting in the majority of LGBT people not being openly gay and there being very few gay bars or clubs in Bucharest or the other main cities. You can find local information on LGBT issues in Romania on the website of ACCEPT. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel.

Most airports and military bases will have signs prohibiting photography. Ask permission before photographing anything potentially sensitive (eg official buildings, police cars).

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.

Visas If you hold a British Citizen passport, you don’t need a visa to enter Romania.

Parental consent when travelling with minors

Some British nationals travelling with minors who hold Romanian citizenship (irrespective of whether they hold citizenship of other countries) are prevented from leaving the country without notarised parental consent from the minor’s non-travelling parent/s. While enforcement of this may vary at borders, British nationals travelling with minors who hold Romanian citizenship should obtain notarised parental consent before departure from Romania. A list of the public notaries can be found on the website of the National Union of Public Notaries from Romania.

Healthcare

You should still get a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC entitles you to state provided medical treatment that may become necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as Romanian nationals. If you don’t have your EHIC with you or you’ve lost it, you can call the Department of Health Overseas Healthcare Team (+44 191 218 1999) to get a Provisional Replacement Certificate. The UK government has or is seeking agreements with countries on healthcare arrangements for UK nationals after the UK leaves the EU. The NHS website and this travel advice will be updated with further information on travelling to Romania as the circumstances change. If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment you should contact your insurance/medical assistance company immediately.

Money

Romania is increasingly a card economy. While a growing number of businesses do accept credit cards, it may be safer to use cash due to the risk of credit card fraud. There is now a large network of ATMs that accept standard international credit and debit cards. Check with your card provider whether you will be able to use these machines. US dollars and sterling are not always easy to exchange for local currency, especially outside Bucharest. You may have difficulties using travellers’ cheques. Scottish and Northern Irish bank notes may not be accepted in banks and bureaux de change.

Before you travel abroad for a Transylvania skiing- Romania ski holidays for families

• tell family and friends where you’re going and leave them your contact details, insurance policy details and itinerary. Store them securely online

• ensure you have access to funds to cover emergencies and unexpected delays. Take more than one means of payment with you (cash, debit card, credit card)

• find out if travellers cheques are appropriate for your destination and keep a separate record of their numbers

• invest in a good travel guide to help you plan your trip and consider using online travel forums for more detail about your destination

• check with your service provider to make sure your phone works abroad. Consider leaving your phone’s IMEI number with a friend or family member, to help block or locate the phone if there’s a problem

• if you’re going to be driving abroad, make sure your licence is current and valid and be aware of the driving laws in the country you are visiting

• if you’re travelling with children who are unaccompanied by one or both parents, check our guidance on permissions that you might need to get and check the policy of your airline or transport provider

When you’re abroad in  a Transylvania skiing- Romania ski holidays for families

• think about what you are doing at all times and trust your instincts. Don’t take risks that you wouldn’t in the UK

• don’t openly display valuables such as mobile phones or digital cameras and consider using a padlock on suitcases or backpacks

• find out how to minimise your risk from terrorism and what to do if there’s a terrorist attack

• find out about local customs and dress, behave accordingly and obey local laws. There may be serious penalties for breaking a law that might seem trivial at home

• be careful when taking photographs, videos or using binoculars. These activities may be misunderstood by local authorities, especially near military installations.

• store useful numbers on your phone such as the local police and the nearest British embassy or consulate

• whether you’re living abroad or visiting, be aware of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning, just as you would in the UK; the ‘Be Alarmed’ campaign gives practical advice on how to stay safe and lists the symptoms to look out for

• if you intend to take part in any adventure sports or water sports during your trip, only use properly licensed and insured operators. Before taking part, make sure you fully understand the operating instructions and satisfy yourself that adequate safety precautions are in place

• check import regulations for food and plants before you attempt to bring them back to the UK

Learn more on Foreign travel Advice

Please check your itinerary below.

Accommodation

6 nights of accommodation in a 4* Hotel

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Meals

6 breakfasts and 6 dinners

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Transportation

BMW Motorcycle depending on the model chosen, comprehensive insurance

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Tour Leader

English speaking guide, motorcycle enthusiast

• Gasoline
• Parking Fees
• Lunches
• Flight and airport taxes
• Beverages and other not mentioned

Tourist attractions are presented as recommendations only and are not included in the price!