good for you

In the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, roughly three hours drive from Bucharest, lies the remote village of Miklósvár. Unlike other corners of Europe, Romania still feels wonderfully untouched and in Miklósvár, little seems to have changed over the past century.

It's a place where farmhouses are adorned with outsize, ornate wooden gateways, horse and carts totter along the cobblestone roads, and bats fly along unlit streets at night. Given the fairytale setting, there's only one place to stay here and that's in a genuine Transylvanian Castle.

Visitors are guests of a Count; after 50 years of exile, Count Tibor Kalnoky returned to Romania and set about acquiring all the family property that had fallen into disrepair. He's now offering accommodation and tours to tourists - eight antique-filled rooms in four traditional cottages, decorated in the traditional village style - to pay for the restoration of buildings in the village as well as the family's ancestral home.

good for transylvania

Just as Miklósvár has remained largely untouched by modern progress, it has also remained poor. In addition to preserving the region's architectural heritage by restoring the family estate and buildings within the village that had fallen into ruins during the Communist regime in Romania, Count Kalnoky is committed to rebuilding a life in this minority Hungarian region of Romania. By bringing tourists to the region he's not only giving the community a much-needed cash injection but a renewed sense of pride and purpose.

Furthermore in order to avoid the harmful effects of overseas house-hunters buying up property in Transylvania as has been the case in other European countries, he has established a foundation to act as an "ethical bridge". The foundation will help those who may wish to invest in property in the area while also protecting the region's heritage.

Rooms

Food

Meals, based upon traditional local Transylvanian recipes are strong on 'comfort food' such as turnip soup and chicken stew. They are prepared in the summer kitchen, located in the garden of the main guesthouse.

All food is locally produced (with plenty of garlic to keep the vampires away!). The vegetables are mainly grown in the kitchen garden or within the village and milk and meat products come from animals bred and reared in Miklósvár.

Breakfast is served in a picturesque summer kitchen, where the food is prepared, or in the main guesthouse and consists of bread, homemade jams and locally cooked meats. Lunch and dinner is served in the wine cellar or under the vine arbour in the garden. Or, if you are out on a guided tour, then a packed lunch is provided.

Special dietary needs, such as vegetarianism, can be accommodated.

Features & Facilities

• Tea & coffee making facilities
• Sauna
• Billiard Room
• Drawing Room
• Wine Cellar
• Selection of books
• Local services and assistance (e.g. transfers, local tours etc..)
• Laundry (additional fee)
• Internet (additional fee)

See Local Info for more information on activities.

Local Info & Activities

A stay at Transylvania Castle allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in village life. There's no fixed routine as such but local guides offer plenty of optional daily tours and activities including:

culture & history tours

Visit local villages including Sighisoara, the UNESCO-listed medieval city, which recently escaped being the site of a much-derided Dracula Land theme park thanks to the personal intervention of Prince Charles. Nearby there are numerous castles, former manors and fortified medieval churches to visit as well as crumbling Saxon villages, home to members of Romania's ethnic German minority for 800 years until nearly all emigrated to Germany after the collapse of Communism.

wildlife & nature tours

A variety of nature tours are on offer at the K‡lnoky Guesthouses. These range from guide-led tours of the local countryside, including animal tracking (bears or wolves) and bird watching, to day-long hikes in areas of scenic beauty.

The village of Miklósvár is surrounded by rolling pastures, deciduous and coniferous forests, wild flower meadows, and deep valleys through which flows the River Olt and its tributaries. Wildlife includes black stork, lesser spotted eagle, bee eaters, brown bear, wolf, and lynx to name but a few of the species present.

hiking

Hiking activities take place in the countryside surrounding Miklósvár, which offers the walker a diverse variety of landscapes, including open hillsides with wild flower meadows, rolling woodland pastures, deciduous and coniferous forests, dramatic gorges and mountains. Experienced hikers as well as those wishing for gentle walks are catered for.

Those with an interest in history, nature and earth sciences will find these hikes of interest. Hiking activities take place throughout the year, including the winter period. If snow cover is deep enough in some areas, cross country skiing is possible (we provide the necessary equipment, skis, boots and poles).

horse riding

One and two-day horse riding adventures between the villages of Miklósvár and Kršspatak are offered.

One Day Ride: You will be transferred to Kršspatak by car and an English-speaking guide will lead you through the hills. Lunch will be taken as picnic or at the shepherd's place with fresh cheese. In the evening the car will bring you back to Miklósvár in time for dinner.

Two Days Ride: You will again start from Kršspatak, but reach Miklósvár in the evening on horseback. The distance is around 30km. Next morning you will start from Miklósvár back to Kršspatak on a different route. You will be taken back to Miklósvár by car in time for dinner.

insider tips

The climate in Miklósvár is that of continental Europe, with an altitude of between 500 to 800 metres. The summers are generally hot but the temperature can drop during the night so pack a warm jumper. In the winter, waterproof clothing and boots are a must, especially for those wishing to leave the fireside and venture forth into the forest!

Walking boots and a rucksack are essential if you intend to explore the surrounding countryside or participate in more adventurous activities. Hikers might want to bring along their own compass (maps can be provided). Be prepared for hot weather by packing a hat, as well as a good sunscreen. Insect repellent is also useful in certain areas. A good waterproof jacket (and possibly trousers) is also useful for those unexpected rain showers.

A handy torch is advised, as the village is poorly lit during the night (and there is also the occasional electricity cut).

Since Miklósvár is a Szekler Hungarian village, the local population speak Hungarian and few speak English; so feel free to include a phrasebook. Your efforts are most appreciated by the locals.

Sustainability

After 50 years of exile the K‡lnoky Family have returned to Transylvania. The K‡lnoky Estate is composed of buildings in two villages, Miklósvár (the Hunting Manor) and Sepsik_ršspatak (the Main Residence, located 50km from Miklósvár).

During the Communist regime in Romania, many of the buildings had fallen into ruins. The family immediately set about finding ways to save their heritage and restore the Estate and the village to its former character. Through the development of a unique tourism venture, the K‡lnoky's have started turning their vision into reality.

The family has also set up a foundation to protect the region's characterful homes being bought up by overseas investors. The foundation will act as an "ethical bridge" offering support to house-hunters looking to purchase a property in the area from those home-owners who traditionally would never sell to foreigners. The only disadvantage for the investor is that they will never be able to sell the property, and the house will revert to the foundation after 99 years. That said, it supports the local community and helps maintain the culture and heritage of the region.

The K‡lnoky Family is working to turn Miklósvár as well as the surrounding woodland into an environmental retreat and a preserve of the region's architectural heritage. They are committed to promoting and protecting the local wildlife and are lobbying for the woodland behind the village, home to such rare birds as the lesser spotted eagle, black storks and white-backed woodpeckers, to be protected under Romanian and European law.

Getting There

by train from bucharest

From Bucharest, it's a three-hour train journey through the Romanian countryside to the city of Brasov, where staff will meet you.

by car from bucharest

Miklósvár is approximately 3 to 3.5 hours by car from Otopeni International Airport (Bucharest, Romania), depending on traffic conditions. If you are driving from Bucharest, you have to pass through Brasov in the direction of T‰rgu Mures until you reach the E60. At MAIERUS leave the main road and turn right. Once you have reached the village centre, there is a sharp bend to the left; however, you should go straight on in the direction of APATA and BARAOLT.

At the end of Ap‡ca, turn right and cross first the railway track and the bridge over the Olt River, to reach AITA MARE (NAGYAJTA). Follow the main road to the left, cross over the iron bridge until you arrive in the next village, which is MICLOSOARA (MIKLîSVçR). Pass the white church and go down the hill, to your right you will see a large wooden gate in front of a large white house, nr. 186. You can park your car in the rear courtyard, which is found by turning sharp right at the side of the house.

Please note that even the most recent maps still show a bridge between Miklósvár and †rmšs, which was destroyed in the 1970s.

from budapest

The inter-city train from Budapest (Hungary) to Brasov takes approximately 9 to 10 hours. By car, it will take you a day's drive through Transylvania (650km) to reach Miklósvár.

The Transylvania Castle staff can collect you from Bucharest International, Targu Mures Transylvania TGM Airport or Brasov Train Station for an extra fee.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

Prices are in EURO per person sharing a double room and include breakfast.

accommodation

49 EUR per night / per person

Dinner or lunch: 18 EUR/person, including wine.

Discounts on this rate according to the length of your stay:

3 nights: 10%

7 nights: 15%

10 nights: 20%

14 nights: 25%

The meals (18 EUR/person) are not subject to discounts.

These include all tours, activities (with the exception of horse riding), full board with wine, restaurant meals ˆ la carte, entry fees and taxes. You will need no extra money to spend during your stay, except for tips or to purchase handicraft or other gifts.

One night - EUR 125 per person

Weekend (or any three night booking) - EUR 290 per person

One Week (7 nights) - EUR 695 per person

Ten Days - EUR 965 per person

Two Weeks - EUR 1285 per person

• A discount of 15% is applied on all bookings between:
• One week after Halloween and one week before Christmas
• One week after New Year and one week before Easter

meet & greet service & transfers

Rates are per person, one way.

Bucharest Henri Coanda or Baneasa airports: 70 EUR/pers/one way or 140 if alone. If more than 3 people the fare is calculated at 55 EUR/pers/one way. Mineral water, coffee, local brandy, sandwiches and pastry provided during the trip.

From Brasov (station): 15 EUR/pers/one way or 30 if alone (or similar distances).

From Targu-Mures (Marosv‡s‡rhely) airport: 35 EUR/pers/one way or 70 if alone.

Transfers are not subject to discounts. Children count full.

terms & conditions

• Bed & Breakfast rates are inclusive of accommodation and breakfast.
• All inclusive rates are inclusive of accommodation, all tours, activities (with the exception of horse riding), restaurant meals ˆ la carte, wine, entry fees and taxes
• Transfer rates are not included.
• 50% discount for children under 14 years. Children under 4 years are free of charge.
• Single supplement (only in case of full house): 20 EUR/person and night. Not subject to discounts.
• Bookings shorter than 3 nights and not 'all inclusive' cannot be accepted earlier than 1 month prior arrival for the summer months (May-September, incl.). For Christmas and New Year, minimum booking is 7 days, 'all inclusive'.

booking & cancelation policy

• A 40% deposit is required to confirm the reservation.
• The remaining 60% is payable at time of stay.
• Cancellations made at any time will incur a cancellation fee of 10% deposit.
• Cancellations made nearer the time of arrival will incur further cancellation fees. Full information will be provided before a booking is confirmed.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.