The food and wine tour of Transylvania

We will start our tour with food and wine in Transylvania in Sibiu, a beautiful Saxon city, located in southern Transylvania, at the foot of the Carpathian mountains. In the first part of the day, we will explore the old city of Sibiu, learning more about the history of Sibiu and Transylvania. We will see the most important sights of the old town, such as Liars Bridge, Little Square, Council Tower, Large Square, Bruckental Palace (optional visit inside), Luthern Cathedral (optional visit inside), the Orthodox Cathedral and the medieval walls and towers of the southside of the city.

Walking on the main pedestrian street in the old town, we can have a first encounter with the street food in Transylvania: doughnuts and bagel shops. At the end of the walking tour, we can go to the daily farmers market, to have an introduction on seasonal ingredients used by Romanian cuisine.

Then we will go to a traditional Romanian village from Marginimea Sibiului, where we will have a Romanian home-cooked meal, using mainly local ingredients. The menu will include soup, a cold platter with meats and cheese from the regions and the main dish assorted with local wine a plum brandy.

The day will end with a tour of a local brewery, where after visiting the site, we will have a beer-tasting session.
Then, we will return to Sibiu where we will spend the night.
Driving distance: 50 km
Driving time: 1 hour.

Today we will visit Corvin Castle, the largest gothic castle in Transylvania, built in the 15th century by the Governor of Hungary, who was born in the area. After the visit, we will have lunch in a new restaurant opened in a former industrial facility near the castle.

Overnight in Sibiu.
Driving distance: 300 km
Driving time:3 hours

We will drive to Turda, where we will visit a complex of old mines transformed into a tourist attraction. The visit is really impressive because we will descend into an enormous block of salt, more than 120 meters underground. The mines, which date back to Austro-Hungarian times, are bell-shaped and connected by a transport gallery. Inside the mines, there is a small amusement park with mini-golf, table tennis or a Ferris wheel. At the bottom of the oldest mine, there is a small lake where tourists can rent boats.
After visiting the salt mine, we will have lunch at the restaurant in the nearby vineyard, being able to enjoy a new wine tasting session with the wine produced there.

Next, we will drive to a quaint Szekler village, hidden on a narrow valley, bordered by the Carpathian Mountains. We will have a short walk in the village admiring the white houses with green window frames and beautiful red flowers at every window. Then, we will have our culinary experience, lunch at a mansion in the next village, with traditional Szekler menu. Overnight at the Coltesti mansion or a nearby guesthouse.

Overnight at the Coltesti mansion or a nearby guesthouse.
Driving distance: 250 km
Driving time: 3.5 hours

We leave Coltesti and after an hour of driving, we arrive in Biertan, the beautiful Saxon village hidden among the hills of Transylvania. The village was included on the UNESCO list due to the impressive fortified church from the 16th century.

After visiting the church and its defensive system we will head to a small village nearby, for a sheepfold and farm visit, and later, a small feast prepared by our hosts. All products will be from their own farm, and normally, we will be able to taste all their cheeses.

Next, we will head for another vineyard visit and a new session of Transylvanian wine tasting. We will end the day in Sighisoara where we will spend the night.

Overnight in Sighisoara
Driving distance: 250 km
Driving time: 4 hours

After a walking tour in Sighisoara, we will head to Mesendorf, a small Saxon village hidden among the hills of Transylvania, where we will have a tasting of artisan cheese directly from the producer. In addition, our guests will prepare a lunch made with first-hand ingredients from their own garden or that of their neighbours.

Next, we go to Viscri, a traditional Saxon village that manages to keep its charm unaffected by modernity. We will stroll through the wide cobbled streets of the village, admiring the traditional Saxon architecture and the atmosphere of the village. We will visit the fortified church and then drive to Brasov.

Then, we will head to Brasov, where we will explore the old town during a guided walking tour. In the afternoon we will head to Rasnov, where we will visit a palinka distillery, having the occasion to taste the famous Transylvanian brandy.

The night will be spent in a beautiful natural setting, at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains..

Driving distance: 80 kilometres.
Driving time: 1.5 hours.

On the last day of our food and wine trip, we will visit the most popular tourist attractions in Romania: Bran Castle and Peles Castle. The first will be Dracula’s castle, located a short distance from our hotel. Then, we will go to Sinaia, to visit the residence of the kings of Romania, Peles Castle.

We will end the tour with a visit to the champagne cellars of the royal family supplier, where we will see the whole process of making the sparkling drink, and at the end, we will enjoy a tasting session.

This being the last objective of our trip, from here we can go either to Bucharest or to Sibiu, depending on your next destination.

Driving distance: 120 kilometres.
Driving time: 2.5 hours.