Cycling through Europe - Part 7: Romania - Transylvania region

Beginning in May 2016, we commence a 3-4 month cycling tour of Europe. Starting in Geneva, we plan to cycle through Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary and Romania, before crossing the Black Sea and picking up the trail in Georgia. We plan to depart Georgia for South Korea in early August and continue our cycling trek through Asia.

Part 7: Romania - Sinaia to Szeged (Hungary)
Time: 9 days + 1 rest days in Bran
Route: Transylvania Region via Peles and bran Castle then crossing from east to west toward Hungary
Trains: Bucharest to Sinaia then we wanted to take one train from Sibiu to Budapest in Hungary but this train doesn't accept unpacked bicycle so we had to join Budapest via a combination of cycling and train - train from Sibiu to Sebes, Deva to Arad and Szeged to Budapest
Difficulty: easy, appart between Sibiu and bran, most of the cycling is via relatively quiet roads passing beautiful rural village, fortified churches and medieval towns. We used road map to plan our trip day by day.

Transylvania was where we received a fascinating insight into the life of Vlad the Impaler, the infamous historical figure behind Bram Stoker’s legendary Dracula! Surviving Bran Castle, we made our way through rural Romania, visiting the township of Sinaia, the location of the majestic Peles Castle, constructed during the reign of King Carol I of Romania. We were impressed with the highly detailed and beautiful wood carvings found in the interior of the castle. Back on our bicycles, we ride to the town of Brasov, a former trade city on intersecting routes between the Ottoman Empire and Western Europe. With its remnant city wall and numerous medieval sights, the town makes for an interesting afternoon self-guided tour!

Back on the road again after leaving Brasov, we venture into rural Romania, making our way through the medieval towns of Sighisoara, Biertan and Sibiu. On route, we pass many smaller villages, of which many preserve fortified churches, typical of this region of Romania. As a remnant example of early settlement, and constructed to defend against sporadic attacks from the Ottomans and the Tatars, these churches were typically used to store and protect valuables, food stores and provide security and shelter for the German colonists who were settled there by the Kings of Hungary. Between the rural settlements are areas of vast forest, and we manage to find a quiet place to wild camp. We are even lucky enough to be granted a very comfortable night in a farmer's field!

Photos and more info on our website: www.upsidownearth.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln4jSdrRI30