Day 1 Sat Arrive Brasov.

Arrival in Brasov where you can stroll around the ‘Ratsplatz’, surrounded by Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Visit the gothic ‘Black church’ with the world famous Buchholz organ. In the evening you may attend an organ concert and have dinner in the historic square.

Day 2 Sun Round trip from Zarnisti 27 miles.

A short transfer to Zarnesti and then you cycle to Dracula castle with splendid views of the Bucegi Mountains. You also visit Risnov castle, built by the German knights, with views to the Postavarul and Piatra Craiului mountains.

Day 3 Mon Zarnisti to Fogarasch 36 miles.

Cycle around the Piatra Craiului massive, a National Park with the highest concentration of bears and wolves in Europe, along a beautiful valley between two mountains to Fogarasch. Visit the pretty, recently restored Renaissance castle owned by the Hungarian Wojwodes who ruled Transylvania.

Day 4 Tue Fogarasch to Sighisoara 39 miles.

You cycle through quite a remote area with astounding views of the Transylvanian Alps passing numerous church castles and meeting only horse-drawn carts, cows and sheep on the road. For the church castles you have to get the key in one of the farmhouses. If you are lucky you may see a gypsy street wedding on your way. Also you may visit Trappold castle that is looked after by a German artist. Cycle further to Sighisoara, the birth place of Count Dracula. The town castle is the biggest lived-in castle in Europe and part of the Unesco Cultural Heritage. You may have a good Hungarian meal or game in your very good hotel or in the ‘casa cerbul’ the house with the deer antler, where normally the Prince of Wales dines when he is visiting.

Day 5 Wed Sighisoara to Biertan 25 miles.

Today have a stroll around the town castle and visit the 'church on the hill' before you begin your cycle ride to Biertan The town has one of the most impressive castles in Transylvania.

Day 6 Thu Biertan to Marpod 30 miles.

Today you cycle through the remote Harbach valley with beautiful views to the Transsylvanian Alps. You are likely to meet horse drawn wagons loaded with hay and ride through villages in which time seems to have stood still. The farmers are still using scythes and sickles. Overnight in Marpod.

Day 7 Fri Marpod to Sibiu 21 miles.

Leaving Marpod you make a detour to Hosman castle with its interesting Gothic sculptures before arriving in Sibiu. Stroll through the medieval town squares with beautifully restored Gothic and Baroque churches. In the afternoon you may cycle through the Erlenpark through the ‘Peasant museum’ and have a meal with Romanian specialties in the Hanul Rustic.

Day 8 Depart from Sibiu to Bucharest station.

An early start is needed to return by train to Bucharest. (dep 06.20; arr 12:20)