Transylvania wine tour

We will start the trip in Sibiu, with a walking tour in the old town. Then, we will head to Alba-Iulia, where we will visit the fortress. We will see the state of the art defences system specific to 18th-century fortifications, deep moats, beautifully decorated gates, the Roman ruins, the Gothic Catholic Cathedral and the UnificationCathedral, the place where the second royal family had their coronation festivity after WW1.

Aerial view of Alba Iulia

Then we will head to Alba vineyards, where we will visit one of the oldest cellars in Transylvania, in a small village, located at the foothills of the Apuseni mountains. Built in 1784, at 25 meters underground, the cellar of Țelna Winery is unique in the region. Having the shape of the letter “U”, it is 150 meters long and 6 meters wide. There, the temperature (10-11 degrees Celsius) and humidity (98-100%) are constant throughout the year thanks to the noble mould and the natural ventilation in the three-meter high stone vault.

Inside the cellar

After tasting the best wines, we will head to Rametea, one of the most beautiful villages in Transylvania. Located in a valley at the foothills of the Trascau mountains, the villages preserved untouched the architectural heritage from centuries ago. We will have a stroll in the village, to admire the white houses with green window frames and red flowers pots. We will then head to our accommodation, a mansion, located in the neighbouring village of Coltesti.

The village where we will spend the night

Driving distance: 150 km
Driving time: 2.5 hours
Overnight: Coltesti village

The next day we will head to Turda, where we will visit the Salt Mine, an impressive network of cavities dug a few centuries ago in a salt massif, more than 100 meters underground. The place, transformed into a tourist attraction, amazes visitors with the subtle play of lights introduced after the tourist arrangement of the former mine and with the small lake that is on the bottom of the deepest cavity.

Turda Salt Mine

Then we will head to Jidvei, which is the largest wine producer in Transylvania. We will visit the winery’s castle, built in the 16th-17th centuries, and then we will have lunch accompanied by wine tasting and followed by a walk through the vineyards.

Bethlen-Haller Castle – photo source jidvei.ro

After visiting the vineyard, we will head to Sighisoara, where we will have a guided tour of the medieval fortress. One of the 7 Saxon cities in Transylvania, Sighisoara is the only one on the UNESCO list, due to the relatively unchanged look of the fortress perched on the promontory dominating the Tarnava valley.

Sighisoara

Driving distance: 150 km
Driving time: 2.5 hours
Overnight: Sighisoara

We leave Sighisoara and head to Brasov, the beautiful Saxon town located at the foot of the Carpathian mountains. We will have a city tour after which we will leave Transylvania and head to Sinaia, where we will visit Peles Castle, the residence of the first king of Romania, Carol I.

Peles Castle

Then we will head to Azuga, where we will visit the Rhein wineries, the old champagne supplier of the Royal House. We will visit the winery and discover each stage of the champagne production process. In the end, we will be able to taste 3 types of champagne and can serve lunch at the winery restaurant.

The champagne cellars

As this is the last day of our Transylvania wine tour, we can drop our guests either in Bucharest or in Brasov. We can also extend the trip with 2 extra days, so being able to thoroughly explore Transylvania and its wines.

Driving distance: 170 km
Driving time: 3 hours

The optional day can be inserted after day 1 of our standard tour. We will start the day with a walking tour of Cluj-Napoca, the largest city in Transylvania, the most dynamic and with a rich cultural and historical heritage. Then we will head to Lechinta wine region, where we will visit and have a wine tasting at Liliac winery.

View over the village of Batos

Then, in the afternoon, we will head to Targu Mures, where we will have a walking tour of the city, admiring the beautiful secession style buildings, the city is known for. Then, we will head to Sighisoara, where, we will spend the night.

Targu Mures

Driving distance: 250 km
Driving time: max. 4 hours
Overnight: Sighisoara

The optional day can be inserted after day 2 of our standard tour. We will start the day heading to a small cheese factory in Transylvania, where we will learn more about the secrets of cheese making and then we will head to Biertan, to visit the fortified church. The village, a UNESCO site, is hidden in a picturesque valley of the Transylvanian highlands, and while visiting the fortified church we will be able to see the former vine terraces from the western slopes.

View over the Biertan

Then, we will head to the nearby village, where we will visit a family who will prepare lunch for us and will offer to taste their locally produced wine. In the afternoon, we will visit Medias, one of the seven Saxon towns, before returning back to Sighisoara.

Driving distance: 100 km
Driving time: 2 hours
Overnight: Sighisoara