Romania to Istanbul Adventure

We will first wind our way north through the Bucegi Mountains towards Peles Castle, a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance architecture, considered by many one of the most stunning castles in Europe. Transylvania's symbol, Bran Castle, is next. Surrounded by an aura of mystery and legend, Bran Castle owes its fame to the myth created around Bram Stocker's Dracula. We'll end today's ride in the town of Brasov, fringed by the peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains and resplendent with gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture.

Our ride will be shorter but enjoyable as we will take small country roads and ride through the heart of Romania. Arriving early, we will have time to explore and relax in Sighisoara, a perfectly intact 15th century gem with nine towers, narrow passageways and cobbled streets. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sighisoara is also the birthplace of Vlad Dracula, nicknamed Vlad the Impaler. It was Vlad who inspired Bram Stoker's fictional creation, Count Dracula. In the afternoon, we'll head towards Sibiu, European Capital of Culture in 2007.

Sibiu was the largest and wealthiest of the seven walled citadels built in the 12th century by German settlers known as Transylvanian Saxons. Sections of the medieval wall still guard the historic area, where narrow streets pass steep-roofed 17th century buildings with gabled overhangs. Before relaxing, the thrilling Transfagarasan Road awaits. The route climbs up to an altitude of 2.034 meters and links Transylvania with its neighboring province, Muntenia. Passing through dramatic scenery it offers spectacular views, particularly of the highest peak in Romania, Moldoveanu. 

Looking back, the passage was already built by Romans in 2nd Century AD, to conquer Dacia, area of modern Romania. The road was built and paved in 1930 under King Carol II and inaugurated eight years later by King Charles II. It is therefore known as The King's Road ("Drumul Regelui"). Highest point is 2.145 m above sea level and offers formidable views over the surrounding valleys and mountain peaks. We will end our day in Pitesti visiting famous Pitesti prison, well known for its experimental brainwashing techniques.

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This region is a producer of some of Romania's best red wines. Leaving Romania behind we'll ferry across the great Danube and enter Bulgaria. Veliko Tarnovo, the evocative capital of the medieval Bulgarian tsars, is our stop for the night. Veliko Tarnovo is dramatically set amidst an amphitheatre of forested hills, divided by the ribboning Yantra River. Commanding pride of place is the magisterial, well-restored Tsarevets Fortress, citadel of the Second Bulgarian Empire.

Today we are up for some mountainous riding. For dramatic and majestic vistas, few routes in Bulgaria match crossing Shipka Pass. We'll stop in Koprivshtitsa, a unique village filled with Bulgarian National Revival-period architecture, cobblestone streets and and bridges. By the end of the day we reach Plovdiv, vibrant city with innumerable art galleries, exuberant spirit and great nightlife. Many Thracian, Roman, Byzantine and Bulgarian antiquities can be found in Plovdiv's old town, the most being the Roman amphitheatres – the best preserved in the Balkans.

It will be a fast ride with beautiful scenery. We soon leave Greece behind and enter Turkey. Gallipoli peninsula awaits with 31 war cemeteries as the great remains of the Gallipoli Campaign during the World War I, where Turkish and Allied Australian and New Zealand soldiers are buried side by side. The peninsula is surrounded by the Aegean sea on the west side and the Dardanelles straits on the east. "Gallipoli" derives from the Greek "Kallipolis," meaning "Beautiful city."

We leave Europe behind and enter Asia Minor. Following the southern shore of the Marmara Sea, we will visit the remains of ancient Troy, site of the legendary Trojan War. The story of remarkable Trojan heroes is written in every language. We continue our way on the south shore of the Marmara Sea, passing Bursa, a former Ottoman city famous for its traditional baths and mineral water. Heading toward today's destination, a ferry will take us to the other side of the Bosphorus, meeting the mystic Istanbul. 

For nearly sixteen centuries following its reestablishment as Constantinople, it served as the capital of four empires: the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman Empires. On our first rest day we'll visit the historic center, the famous church turned into a mosque, Aya Sofya, the amazing residence of sultans, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, and many more. What a city!!!

You can explore the wonderfully colored Grand Bazar, sip Turkish coffee or çay (tea) in the local coffee shops while observing the street buzz' or simply relax in the baths of hamam. Make sure not to miss the whirling dervish show or the attractive belly dancers. But most of all, put your taste buds on alert - the food and the Turkish delights are amazing.

We'll be riding through Strandzha Mountains, passing some ancient cities and admiring the nature diversity, being surrounded by the lakes, forests and sea. On the way to Nesebar we can explore the swaths of stunning beaches and picturesque bays of Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. Nesebar's most distinctive features are the cobblestone streets, the well- preserved medieval churches and the timbered houses dating back to the 19th century. Soak in the unique combination of Bulgaria's ancient culture and modern life, or hop on the sandy beach.

Varna, our stop on the Black Sea coast, is by far the most cosmopolitan town on the Black Sea coast and a definite highlight of the region. Baroque, turn-of-the-century and contemporary architecture pleasantly blend with shady promenades and a handsome seaside garden. We end the day just outside of Kavarna in a beautiful newly built resort on the Black Sea coast. If you fancy golf, you can go for a play on what's by many described as the most spectacular golf course in the world!

We can stop for lunch in Mamaia, Romania's Monte Carlo. But we quickly continue to Tulcea in the Danube Delta, a marvelous world where water, fish and birds call the shots. Here at the end of its long journey across Europe the mighty Danube River spills into the Black Sea, creating a 4.187 sq-km wetland. We'll hop on the boat with a local fisherman and spend the afternoon exploring the labyrinth of canals and desolate fishing villages of the largest wetland of Europe.

Heading south, we'll ride among lush forests and small hilly terrain, take the ferry over the Danube River once more and head back towards the Romanian capital. We will arrive back in Bucharest with just enough time to let you walk around the city before our farewell dinner.