2 independent reviews for Romania cycling vacation
Reviews for Romania cycling vacation
Helen Murrell review 10 Sep 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Dramatic views over the Apuseni mountains from the Casa Traditionale that we stayed in and on the rides themselves. The sunsets were amazing. One of the caves, the Crystal cave was totally amazing. I have travelled a lot and never seen anything like it. The "Palinka" (plum brandy) that we drank every night and the local cherry brandy as well as the Transylvanicum a herbal spirit were all wonderful. We saw people driving horses and carts and stooking hay, hoeing fields by hand. 2 black squirrels and a water snake as well as a salamander larvae.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take a puncture repair kit and some tools and a bottle cage to fit on the bike yourself unless you cycle with a camelback. A sheet sleeping bag or even sleeping bag if you go after the 1st week in September, as we were just given blankets. ( it may be that we should have known about this, but the link to the traditional casa website didnt work, fortunately we had taken towels which also were not provided)The bikes were good mountain bikes, well maintained. We didn't get a puncture, it is just they expected us to bring these things and we had to do some minor repairs with our own tools.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes the house where we stayed is beautiful and was moved there from nearby to preserve the traditional architecture but was then modernised inside so it had double glazing and a shower and kitchen, but a traditional wood-burning stove with tiles that stayed warm 25% of the money went to further conservation. The guide and driver were involved in conservation work particularly with bats and invertebrates in the caves they look after. All the food we ate was grown within 200 yards and local women cooked it. The tracks we rode on were not signposted but were gravel tracks or small roads.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Wonderful. The guide was friendly, knowledgeable about Romania, the countryside and edible fruits and we tried a few. The caves and little museum we visited were fascinating. The weather was poor the first 2 days but this did not spoil it for us as it was so lovely to be there. many beutiful pots and wooden spons in the house.Daniel Jacusiel review 31 Oct 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The Maramures area is beautiful but not spectacular. Some biking and some trecking. Expect the biking to be rather hard because of the trails and hills.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be careful and very specific about the schedule and accommodations.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
No4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Good. This is a rather low cost destination and worthwile overall.Read the operator's response here:
Thank you very much for your feedback. We’ve taken it onboard and will look into the issues that you have raised. In regards to question 3 and how your vacation benefited the local community, you stayed in family run guesthouses, your meals where made from local & organic ingredients, your trip was organized locally by a local conservation NGO (and the margin they gain is reinvested in their conservation programs) and all the craftspeople you have visited received a small payment for their effort to show you their craft.
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