Program for schools and young people

TRIP FOR YOUTH THROUGH TRANSYLVANIA

7 days / 6 nights

Day 1. – Welcome

1. Arrival to Cluj-Napoca by plane from Bucharest or from Budapest
2. The foreign language speaking guide and the driver welcome the group
3. Transfer to village Săncraiu
4. Welcome
5. The group will be put up at private houses
6. Dinner together in a big hayloft
7. During dinner local music and a small folkdance performance

Cluj-Napoca is accesible by plane, train and bus from Bucharest Otopeni Airport and Budapest Ferihegy Airport (Hungary) as well.
At arrival to Săncraiu the guests will be brought to the houses by horse carriages.
Today’s program depends on the time of the group’s arrival.

Village Săncraiu is the focus of rural tourism in Kalotaszeg. The locals have arranged a high standard of accomodation and entertaintment for visitors over recent years.

Day 2. – Idyllic tour through Kalotaszeg region by carts

1. Breakfast at the houses
2. Departure from the meeting point to Magyarvalkó/Văleni where we visit a typical Kalotaszeg church – one of the oldest in the region
3. From village Nagykalota we change transport vehicle an we ride by bus to the foot of the Bihor Mountains
4. From Havasrekettye we hike to the waterfall than continue on our way to picnic place where we enjoy the view, the sunshine with a hot mug or mulled wine and barbeque or fine hot soup at campfire
5. Back to the buses
6. Return to Săncraiu
7. Dinner together in the big hayloft
8. Village-disco

Kalotaszeg:   streches from the King’s Pass to Cluj-Napoca and is one of the two folk regions in Transylvania where village architecture, folk costumes and customs have survived most strikingly to this day. This is a traditional Calvinist area of over 40 villages, which have a majority Hungarian population. A trip through Kalotaszeg will take you past characteristic Kalotaszeg Calvinist churches with whitewashed walls, pinacled towers, turrts and wooden balconies. The most were originally built in Romanesque style in the 13th century. These churches were fortified against the Turkish and Tatar raids. The characteristic panelled ceilings, pews and balconies were decorated with Folk Renaissance motifs. Kalotaszeg is renowned for its folk costumes and embroidery. The embroidery can be seen in all Kalotaszeg churches.

   

Văleni / Magyarvalkó:   we can find the most beautiful Calvinist churches with its wooden porch, tower with four turrets, blue-painted pews, lovely carved pulpit and red and white embroidery.

The highest peak of Bihor Mountains can be seen from the carriages on way to Văleni.

After the tour trough teh villages we change our transport vehicle We take our bus to the place called Răchiţele / Havasrekettye. We will hike from here to the waterfall located 6 km from village Răchiţele.
From the waterfall we go to a field (2 km) where we can enjoy the sunshine, beauty of the nature, dishes at camp fire. Picnic on an open field in the Bihor Mountains.

In the winter there is possible to take horse-sleighs to the waterfall.

In the late afternoon we return to Săncraiu where we have our dinner together in the hayloft. After dinner vllage-disco.

Day 3. Saxon towns in Transylvania: Cluj and Sighoşoara

1. Breakfast
2. Departure to Cluj-Napoca
3. A short sigtseeing on the two main squares in the town’s centre
4. Move on to Sighişoara
5. After arrival lunch in the Castle quarter
6. Walking sightseenig tour in Sighişoara
7. Travel to Odorheiu Secuiesc
8. Accomodation at Hotel Tărnava***

Cluj-Napoca:   is a tresure trove of history and culture: its distinction range from being the birthplace of the 15th century Hungarian King Matthias, to being the final resting place og countless important characters from Transylvania’s dramatic cultural story. It is lso a lively and exiting city, mostly due to the tens of thousands of students at Babeş-Bolyai University, and many atmospheric cafes and bars which have opened in recent years for this massive student population.

Sighişoara:   is one of the nicest Saxon city of Transylvania. Géza II. located saxons in order to bear a hand by protecting eastern border as well as to revive handicraft and trade. Saxons were very successful. They built up seven castles, which mean the German name of Transylvania, called - „Seven hills” – Siebenbürgen.

After arrival we go for a walk in Castle Sighişoara. We climb the unique Clock Tower, which has got beautiful look out to the castle and the city. Construction of the Clock Tower is unexampled in Romania, where as it’s „brother” can be found in Prague. Hereafter we visit the parental house of Dracula, Evangelical Church, the stairs of the students and colorful historic civil houses.

Odorheiu Secuiesc:   has succeeded in preserving its original 19th century streetscapes. There are only a few tourist sights  however, concentrated in the area around the main square and along the Kossuth Lajos street. On our way to the city centre we also stop for a while at Jesus Chapel - the oldest monument of the town.

Day 4. – The Salt Country

1. Breakfast
2. Travel o Praid to visit Salt Mine
3. Move on to Vármező to visit troutfarm
4. Troutlunch
5. Travel to Sovata to take a walk around the Salt Lake
6. This afternoon in the Adventure Park of Sovata
7. Return to Odorheiu Secuiesc.
8. Lunch with music

Praid:     An other curiosity beside the salt lakes of Sovata is he fascinating salt mine at nearby Praid. There has been salt mining here for centuries thanks to an almost 3 km deep salt seam running under the area.
Deep in the mine, there is an Ecumenical church where services have been held since 1993. There is a small museum and a children’s playground in the salt chambers.

Vármező: the Carpathian’s biggest tout farm is located there. We will be guided round the farm to see the fishes, then the opportunity will be given everyone to put fishing to the touch. We eat what we will have angled.

Sovata:  Sovata lies in the middle of the Salt Country. There is a large seam of salt running underground, left here by the sea which once covered the area many millions of yers ago. The waer carves out caves i theis layer of salt and at the and og 1870’s, one of these caves collapsed and formed the largest of the lakes, Bear Lake, so called as it is shaped like a bearskin. Just few minutes away there are another lakes: „Nutty” Lake, Green Lake, Red Lake, Black Lake.

Day 5. – Schools, students, people, old jobs

1. Breakfast
2. Sightseeing walk in the centre of Odorheiu secuiesc, visot the small Haáz Rezső Museum
3. Visit a grammar or high school in Odorheiu Secuiesc
4. Travel to Zetelaka – where old jobs of Transylvania  will be introduced
5. Lunch in Zetelaka
6. Continue introducing old jobs
7. Dinner and meeting the local students at Fényes restaurant – farewell party with live music

After breakfast and the sightseeing walk we have opportunity to visit a high school in Odorheiu Secuiesc. There are two famous schools in the centre: the Tamási Áron grammar school and the Benedek Elek teacher training college. Two school buildings are built at the beginning of the 20th century and decorated with lively Folk Art Nouveau motifs.

Zetelaka:   a small village, located at the foot of the highest peak of Harghita range. The locals arrange group activities for visitors such as Székely gate carving, weaving and plaiting, bread baking, shoeing horses, rope making.

After activities we return to Odorheiu Secuiesc.
This evening the youth has opportunity to meet lcal student from the school that they visited in the morning. The farewell party (with live music) will be organized or in one of the best restaurant of the town or in the hotel’s restaurant.

Day 6. –  Back to Cluj

1. Breakfast
2. Travel To Cluj

Today’s program depeds on the flight. In case of a late flight the group can visit the centre of  Târgu Mureş – the Székely Land’s centre. On the main squere there are some Art Nouveau buildings to be admired.  During the short stay we will visit the Palace of Culture.
We continue our trip to the Airport of Cluj-Napoca.