One Day Private Biking Tour in Burzenland - 'The Little Transylvania'

Description One Day Private Biking Tour in Burzenland - 'The Little Transylvania'

Discover beautiful nature and culture on this one-day bike tour. Cycle on the Baraolt mountains, then alongside the Olt river (where you can enjoy swimming and sunbathing).

---

Cross the 3 Saxon villages – Bod, Harman, and Sanpetru, where you can explore the fortified churches. Take a breather to enjoy The Cismasu Equestrian Center located near Harman village. The ranch is surrounded by the Lempes Hill, in a quiet and natural setting. It gives unforgettable memories for lovers of fishing and horse riding. Five hundred years ago, the travellers called the Land of Bârsa “another Transylvania” or “the little Transylvania”. Located at borders, “surrounded by wooded high mountains”, enriched inside by “fertile plains and delightful meadows” and looked over as “a nice cared garden”, the Land of Bârsa is nothing else, compared to Transylvania, but a small stronghold in the mountains. Inside this natural stronghold, at the borders of East and West, the ways of History and Civilisations crossed, with their astonishing ethnic and cultural infusion, with their enduring movement of people and values. The origin of the toponym “Bârsa” is in dispute. However, the version that achieved the most remarkable success discovered the origin of the name Burzenland / the Land of Bârsa from the German word Wurzel (root). We pick you up from Brasov (complimentary pick-up from your location provided) at 9:00. We then drive about 20 minutes to Bod village, also known as Brendorf in German – “The burned village”. Why is Bod called like this? In the manuscr112s describing the abominable deeds of Prince Vlad the Impaler found in Lambach (in Upper Austria), it is written that: „In 1456, he ordered the burning of Bod from Tara Barsei, along with its inhabitants, men, women, children, of all ages. He put those who did not burn in chains and took them with him to Valacchia, where he impaled them all”. We start and finish the biking tour from the Bod village. As mentioned, it is a private biking tour, so we travel with no strict schedule! Highlights: Harman Church is a Roman basilica with Gothic elements. The west tower, chapels, and water moat still maintain this era today. Inside, you can find paintings dated back to the 13th century. Sanpetru Church: The landmark of the village is the 13th-century fortified church. The original 3-nave basilica was demolished in 1794. There are still a few traces of the original 13th-century paintings on the defensive walls that surrounded the church. The Order of Cistercians received it in 1240. The fortified church was severely destroyed during a Turkish invasion in 1432. Most of the village was also destroyed then. After the invasion, the local community built an 8-meter-high defensive wall fortified with five towers and a water trench. In the 17th century, the church suffered significant damage in a large fire that also destroyed the local archives. The bell tower collapsed in 1713 and was rebuilt in 1778–82. This tower later collapsed, and in 1795, the structure was demolished, and construction on a new church was begun.

Rates:

• 219 euros for one person
• 129 euros/person for a minimum two people

The package includes:

 

• Lunch pack
• Bottled water (1/2 litre)
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Bicycle
• Helmet
• Private tour
• Transport by private vehicle
• Professional guide

Not included:

• entrance fees

Duration: about 5 - 7 h, medium, excellent view throughout the day, uphill/downhill walk: 300 m/300 m.

Guaranteed departures: from May to October, except on Mondays.

Meeting point: The History Museum Piata Sfatului Square – 9:00 AM. Our guide holds the sign "Meeting Point GUARANTEED DEPARTURES DAY TOURS”.

Necessary: Please make your booking at least 1 day in advance, up to 8 PM.

Additional info

• Dress warmly: Sturdy and waterproof hiking shoes and warm clothes are recommended
• Route may be changed without notice due to weather conditions

Required equipment for adventure

 

Important Information

• Your local contact is Active Travel Day Tours on 0040728804952.
• Please note: Complimentary pick-up is offered for this tour/activity. If you require this service, you must contact Active Travel Day Tours at
  • Locally on 0040728804952
  • By email at marian@activetravel.ro
  Please get in touch with us at least 24 days before your tour/activity date to verify your pick-up time and location. If you are not arriving within the specified timeframe, please get in touch with Active Travel Day Tours before your travels, or immediately upon arrival at your destination.
• Please be ready at least 10 minutes before departure time.

Map of visited POI's:

View route