Passing through the ski resorts of the Carpathian Mountains, you’ll stop and visit Peles Castle, one of the most astonishing royal residences of Europe. Undeterred by its sinister reputation, you then cross into Transylvania, the mythical land named by the Romans and hectically fought over by Romanians, Hungarians, Ottoman Turks and Austrians. In the nearby walled city of Brasov, you will walk through the streets of the Medieval old town and be dwarfed by its majestic 14th century Gothic cathedral. Proceed with the UNESCO peasant-built multi-story fortification complex of Prejmer, where the foremost local families had a refuge room to run to during the frequent invasions. In the early evening, after entering the Hungarian ethnic enclave of Covasna, check into an old baron’s estate turned into a cozy luxury hotel. Take a swim or just have some rest, waiting for your carriage ride over the fields to a sheepfold, where you will join the shepherds for a memorable dinner of their self-made cheese, moonshine and steaming lamb stew around the open fire.
