From start to finish the trip was great. Overnighted at a hotel just outside Heathrow. British Airways flight from Terminal 5 couldn't have been better. BA really efficient and comfortable; Terminal 5 speedy, efficient and without hassle. Thomas, the group leader met us in Bucharest airport and the first clue about what was to come came when he announced we transfer from the mini coach to two 4x4 minibuses to ascend to the hotel. Katharine, the owner/manager of the hotel was superb. All staff were very friendly, serving excellent food and the accommodation was nice and cosily comfortable. The snowshoeing was lovely, we were blessed with good weather and in the first part of the week temperatures of about -10C/-15C which meant light fluffy snow. The walking was at times quite demanding and having undertaken the Finland trip previously (moderate) I felt Transylvania was a good moderate. I'd never visited Romania before nor the Carpathian mountains. Romania was unspoiled, "untouristy" and the mountains were beautiful. I'd happily return to the area in the Spring or Autumn to see another season. There were some serious climbers in our group, a number of whom were eager to come back and "do" some of the peaks/ridges. The whole group, which had quite an age range, got on well together with no awkward moments.
I have been on a number of cycling holidays with this tour operator but this was one of the best. The cycling was just right with a number of modest climbs but the countryside is so beautiful and unspoilt with so much to see. Mountains, wild flowers, wildlife, forests, herds of sheep and cattle. Also a lot to learn about the history of Romania which explains the fortified churches, the hilltop citadels, the extraordinary palaces, the legacy of the Soviet era. A brilliant holiday.
Carpathian Walking & Bears A truly enjoyable week of varied walking and bear spotting. The Villa Hermani is comfortable (once we got the issues with heating and hot water sorted) and the food is plentiful and delicious. It was also great to have a day sightseeing at Brasov which is a very pretty place.