Transylvania and Maramures photo tour

We will start the photo tour of Transylvania and Maramureș in Brașov located in the southeast corner of Transylvania, 2 hours drive from the capital Bucharest. On the first day, we can focus on wildlife, medieval castles and mountain landscapes. First, we will go to Zărnești, to the bear reservation, where the NGO takes care of over 100 bears. There we will have the opportunity to capture the bears living in the forest, playing in the ponds, climbing the trees or just sleeping in the bushes.

Then we will go to Bran Castle, where we can visit the famous medieval castle, often associated with the legend of Dracula.
On the last part of the day, at sunset hours, we will capture the charm of the villages at the foothills of the Carpathian mountains.
Accommodation: in Brasov or a picturesque village near Bran
Driving distance: 110km
Driving time: 1.5 hours

Today we will leave Brasov and head to Sibiu. On the way, we will visit a functional water mill, where we can photograph the flow of water that moves the mill wheel or the miller while preparing the flour.

Then, we will visit an Orthodox monastery, where we will be able to attend the prayer program of the monks or photograph the specific details of Romanian architecture.

On the last part of the day we will drive on the most famous mountain road of Romania, Transfagarasan. We will be able to see beautiful alpine landscapes, waterfalls, flocks of sheep and with a little luck, even marmots.

Transfagarasan road, at dusk
Overnight in Sibiu
Driving distance: 200 km
Driving time: 3.5 hours

We will wake up before sunrise and go to Biertan, a beautiful Saxon village hidden among the hills of Transylvania, to take full advantage of the morning fog, then we will go to Sighisoara where we will visit the medieval fortress.

On the way back to Sibiu, we will stop at a family of Roma coppersmiths, for some opportunities for portraits and photography during their work. We will spend the afternoon in Sibiu, to photograph the city in the afternoon light.

Overnight in Sibiu
Driving distance: 250 km
Driving time: 3 hours

Today we will venture into one of the most beautiful areas of ​​Transylvania, in the Apuseni mountains. We will leave Sibiu in the morning, and we will head to the heart of the Apuseni mountains, in Arieseni. There we will have multiple shooting possibilities: waterfalls, caves, mountain landscapes dotted with haystacks or traditional houses with straw roofs.

We can go on secondary roads, to visit the isolated mountain hamlets, where we can photograph its inhabitants during the daily routine. Finally, we can visit traditional wood craftsmen, and we will be able to admire the song of the alpenhorn, a musical object specific to the Apuseni.

Overnight in Arieseni
Driving distance: 300 km
Driving time: 4 hours

We leave the Apuseni, not before stopping for a few minutes in Rametea, one of the most beautiful villages in Romania, to photograph the traditional houses painted in white, with red geraniums on the windows.

Then, we will head to Turda, where we will descend into the most impressive salt mine in this part of Europe, more than 120 meters underground.

In the second part of the day, we will arrive in Cluj, the largest city in Transylvania, also a town with a rich history, abounding in buildings with elegant architecture, reminiscent of the period of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Driving distance: 200 km
Driving time:3.5 hours
Overnight in Cluj-Napoca

We leave Transylvania and head to Maramures. The first stop will be at a potter’s workshop, where we will be able to follow him while he makes his clay objects.

Then, we will continue our way to Sapanta, where we will visit a unique place in Romania: the Merry Cemetery. After the visit, we will head to the village where we will spend the night.

Driving distance:300 km
Driving time: 4.5 hours
Overnight: Breb

We wake up early to capture the village of Maramures in the light of sunrise. Then, we will wander through the villages in the area, to photograph people and places. Next, we will visit a popular craftsman, a woodcarver, where we will be able to photograph him at work.

In the afternoon, we will return to the village, where we have the pension, to take advantage of the last rays of light, before sunset.

Driving distance:100 km
Driving time: 1.5 hours
Overnight: Breb

Today, we will spend most of the day on the steam train, which will take us deep into the heart of the Carpathian Mountains. It will be a good opportunity to photograph the steam train, but also the landscapes that are revealed to us during the trip. We will spend almost 5 hours on the train, round trip, but we will be able to stop a few times for snacks and for a few photo sessions.

In the afternoon, we will return to Cluj, the final lap of our trip.

Driving distance:250km
Driving time: 3.5 hours
Overnight: Cluj