Explore historical sights in Romania

Heritage of Transylvania

Tour Description: Guided

Transylvania is not only the most famous part of Romania thanks to the legend of Dracula, but it is also the most romantic and inspiring of all country's provinces. Settled over a plateau area (1,000-1,600 feet/305-488 m high) in the north-west of Romania, it is among the most advanced regions of the country.

You will visit well-known medieval towns dating from the 14th century as Brasov, Sighisoara and Sibiu. High-roofed wooden churches, citadels, legendary castles, troubled history, splendid mountain scenery and alpine peaks, and scattered villages are just a few of the entire region's assets!

And since no visit to Transylvania would be complete without visiting the castle of the literary Count Dracula, the dramatic Bran Castle is also one of the stops.

Tour Description: Self-guided

Transylvania is not only the most famous part of Romania thanks to the legend of Dracula, but it is also the most romantic and inspiring of all country's provinces. Settled over a plateau area (1,000-1,600 feet/305-488 m high) in the north-west of Romania, it is among the most advanced regions of the country.

You will visit well-known medieval towns dating from the 14th century as Brasov, Sighisoara and Sibiu. High-roofed wooden churches, citadels, legendary castles, troubled history, splendid mountain scenery and alpine peaks, and scattered villages are just a few of the entire region's assets!

And since no visit to Transylvania would be complete without visiting the castle of the literary Count Dracula, the dramatic Bran Castle is also one of the stops.

Highlights: Guided

• Brasov, a beautiful city nestled in the Carpathian mountains
• Dracula's Castle in Bran 
• Sighisoara, an UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Sibiu, Cultural capital of Europe in 2007
• Transfagarasan road, the highest asphalt road in Romania at 6,600 feet (2,034 m)

Highlights: Self-guided

• Brasov, a beautiful city nestled in the Carpathian mountains
• Dracula's Castle in Bran 
• Sighisoara, an UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Sibiu, Cultural capital of Europe in 2007
• Transfagarasan road, the highest asphalt road in Romania at 6,600 feet (2,034 m)

Daily Program: Guided

Day 1: Sibiu
Arrival at Bucharest Airport and bus transfer to Sibiu.
Overnight in Sibiu.  

Day 2: Bran - Poiana Brasov Resort - Brasov (24 miles/40 km)
After a visit to the magnificent Peles Castle in Sinaia, you are transferred to Paraul rece. You cycle down on mountain road to Bran castle where you stop for a visit and lunch. Later you drive to the Rasnov and start biking through Postavarul Mountains to Poiana Brasov ski resort (3,380 feet/1,030 m). A pleasant descend by meadows and great views to Brasov awaits you. 
Overnight in Brasov.

Day 3: Rasnov Castle - Brancoveanu Monastery (43 miles/70 km)
In the morning you visit the imposing Rasnov castle from the 13 century. From there you will be transferred to Zarnesti town. You start biking at the end of Zarnesti with a climb to a 2,500 feet (770 m) pass through nice forested area among small mountain villages and pastures followed by a downhill ride in a nice valley. You reach the foothills of the majestic Fagaras Mountains and continue cycling through many small villages and farmlands on a flat terrain with great views to the numerous valleys and ridges of the mountains. You finish cycling at Statiunea Sambata mountain resort where you stay overnight. Nearby is Brancoveanu Monastery dating back from 17 century. 
Overnight in Statiunea Sambata Mountain Resort.

Day 4: Iacobeni Fortified Church - Sighisoara (55 miles/90 km)
Today you start exploring the hilly area of Sibiu, Sighisoara region famous for its Saxon fortified churches. You will pass by numerous small villages and the fortified churches of Cincu, Dealu Frumus, Agnita, Iacobeni, Bradeni and Apold. You end up in Sighisoara which old town is considered to be one of the most beautiful and well preserved inhabited citadels in Europe (UNESCO World heritage site). 
Overnight in Sighisoara.

Day 5: Biertan Fortified Church - Sibiu (47 miles/77 km)
After breakfast you continue exploring the hilly region with fortified churches west of Sighisoara. The cycling starts 15 miles (25 km) from Sighisoara on a small peaceful road passing through agricultural lands, small villages and 4 fortified churches – Biertan (UNESCO World heritage site), Rechis, Alatana and Hosman dating back from 14–16th centuries. Today you finish cycling in the beautiful city of Sibiu, the European capital of culture 2007. Free time for walks in the old town.
Overnight in Sibiu.

Day 6: Astra Open Air Museum - Transfagarasan Road - Balea Iac (21 miles/35 km)
In the morning you walk through the second biggest open air village museum in Europe near Sibiu, Astra Open Air Museum. Short transfer to Cartisoara village brings you to the foothills of Fagaras Mountains where you start biking on the spectacular Transfagarasan road. First we climb through nice coniferous forests, reach the cabin lift station where you can have lunch in a small restaurant. Once you reach the tree line at about 5,200 feet (1,600 m) the alpine landscapes of Fagars Mountains will reveal its beauty to you. You will pass nearby the cascade waterfalls Balea and continue cycling on the numerous serpentines climbing gradually in the valley until you reach the picturesque region of Balea lake at 6,600 feet (2,030 m), where you stay overnight. Free time for afternoon hikes around the lake. 
Overnight in Balea Iac.  

Day 7: Vidrau Dam - Poienari Fortress - Bucharest (43 miles/70 km)
After breakfast and a short transfer through a tunnel in the mountains, you start biking downhill exploring the Southern slopes of Fagaras Mountains. After we leave the alpine landscapes, you enter the green gorge of Arges river and reach the spectacular Vidraru dam, which boasts a 540 feet (165 m) high dam wall. Nearby is the Poienari Fortress, former residence of Vlad Tepes also known as Dracula, and the sculpture of Prometheus. You finish cycling before Curtea de Arges. Transfer to Bucharest. 
Overnight in Bucharest.

Day 8: Departure
Transfer to the airport for departure.

Daily Program: Self-guided

Dates: Guided

Jul 7; Aug 11; and Sep 8, 2012

Dates: Self-guided

Packages and Prices: Guided

Tour package (guided)
Per person, double occupancy €770 Single room supplement (1 person/1 room) €125 Bike rentals (included in tour price) Mountain bike, 24-speed Ram HT 1 €0 Hybrid touring bike, 24-speed, Drag Grand Canyon €0 Rear saddle bag (per week) €10 Equipment included free with all rentals €0

Packages and Prices: Self-guided

Included Services: Guided

• Accommodation in family pension and hotels with en-suite facilites
• English-speaking guide/driver with a support vehicle
• All ground transfers
• Luggage transfer
• Map 
• Bike and helmet
• Technical support
• Breakfast

Please note that this tour is guided, in that a driver/guide meets the participants several times each day, but there is no ride-along guide. 

Included Services: Self-guided

Hotels: Guided

Family pensions and hotels with en-suite facilities. Boarding is based on bed and breakfast (7 nights). Luggage is taken care of throughout the whole trip. It is possible to skip some of the stages and to take the bus with the luggage instead.

Day 1 and 2: Hotel Economat, Sinaia
hoteleconomat.apps.ro/home/
3 star hotel next to Peles and Pelisor castle, built in Saxon style, restaurant

Day 2: Pension Ambient, Brasov
www.pensiuneambient.ro
modern and cozy 3 star pension, just 10 minutes from Brasov downtown, Wi fi

Day 3: Hotel Diana, Sambata de Sus
www.hoteldiana.ro/indexen.php
situated near Sambata monastery, one of the first hotels in the area with traditions in good services, Wi fi

Day 4: Hotel Casa Wagner, Trigrad
www.casa-wagner.com
right on the main square of Sighisoara citadel the hotel is set in 300 years old house - a monument of culture

Day 5: Happy Day Pension, Sibiu
www.pensiuneahappyday.ro
a 3 star pension 5 minutes walk from Sibiu center, modern and cozy with nice lounge, Wi fi

Day 6: Hotel Balea Lac,
www.balealac.ro
basic and charming hotel with ecocnmy rooms with private facilities right at the banks of Balea lac at 2034 m altitude surrounded by the sharp peaks of Fagaras mountains

Day 7: Hotel Venezia, Bucharest
www.thhotels.ro/hotel-venezia
Modern and stylish 4 star hotel in the center of Bucharest. 

Hotels: Self-guided

Family pensions and hotels with en-suite facilities. Boarding is based on bed and breakfast (7 nights). Luggage is taken care of throughout the whole trip. It is possible to skip some of the stages and to take the bus with the luggage instead.

Day 1 and 2: Hotel Economat, Sinaia
hoteleconomat.apps.ro/home/
3 star hotel next to Peles and Pelisor castle, built in Saxon style, restaurant

Day 2: Pension Ambient, Brasov
www.pensiuneambient.ro
modern and cozy 3 star pension, just 10 minutes from Brasov downtown, Wi fi

Day 3: Hotel Diana, Sambata de Sus
www.hoteldiana.ro/indexen.php
situated near Sambata monastery, one of the first hotels in the area with traditions in good services, Wi fi

Day 4: Hotel Casa Wagner, Trigrad
www.casa-wagner.com
right on the main square of Sighisoara citadel the hotel is set in 300 years old house - a monument of culture

Day 5: Happy Day Pension, Sibiu
www.pensiuneahappyday.ro
a 3 star pension 5 minutes walk from Sibiu center, modern and cozy with nice lounge, Wi fi

Day 6: Hotel Balea Lac,
www.balealac.ro
basic and charming hotel with ecocnmy rooms with private facilities right at the banks of Balea lac at 2034 m altitude surrounded by the sharp peaks of Fagaras mountains

Day 7: Hotel Venezia, Bucharest
www.thhotels.ro/hotel-venezia
Modern and stylish 4 star hotel in the center of Bucharest. 

Bike Rentals: Guided

The available bikes on this tour are a touring road bike or mountain bike:

Road bike – Drag Marathon
Touring road bike excellent for long distance cycling on asphalt roads with light aluminum frame and 28” rims. 21 gears, front suspension “Zoom” (30 mm travel), “Shimano” components (shifters, crank, chain, V-brakes), back luggage carrier with double-sided rear panniers. 

Mountain bike - RAM – HT 1
Lightweight hardtail mountain bike with aluminum frame suitable for mountain biking and road cycling. 24 gears, “Rox shocks Dirt 1” front suspension (80 mm travel), “Avid” V-brakes, “Truvativ” crankset, “Sram” shifters and derailleur, “Mavic” 26” rims. 

Bike Rentals: Self-guided

The available bikes on this tour are a touring road bike or mountain bike:

Road bike – Drag Marathon
Touring road bike excellent for long distance cycling on asphalt roads with light aluminum frame and 28” rims. 21 gears, front suspension “Zoom” (30 mm travel), “Shimano” components (shifters, crank, chain, V-brakes), back luggage carrier with double-sided rear panniers. 

Mountain bike - RAM – HT 1
Lightweight hardtail mountain bike with aluminum frame suitable for mountain biking and road cycling. 24 gears, “Rox shocks Dirt 1” front suspension (80 mm travel), “Avid” V-brakes, “Truvativ” crankset, “Sram” shifters and derailleur, “Mavic” 26” rims. 

Surface and Terrain: Guided

This tour follows mostly two-way roads (one band per direction) with an asphalt covering. The country roads are quite peaceful, sometimes without any cars. Horse-driven carts are a usual sight. Rarely some of the stages pass along highways, where the traffic is somewhat heavier, with cars passing and buses or trucks are very seldom. Along most of the stages are low hills, lands under cultivation and fields that are generally flat. Mountains with gradual inclines, beech and coniferous woods are common only on Day 7.

Approximately 70% of the tour is on quiet roads and 30% on roads shared with traffic. This tour is appropriate for mountain and road bikes. 

This tour is rated Leisure and is for cyclists in average physical condition. 

Surface and Terrain: Self-guided

This tour follows mostly two-way roads (one band per direction) with an asphalt covering. The country roads are quite peaceful, sometimes without any cars. Horse-driven carts are a usual sight. Rarely some of the stages pass along highways, where the traffic is somewhat heavier, with cars passing and buses or trucks are very seldom. Along most of the stages are low hills, lands under cultivation and fields that are generally flat. Mountains with gradual inclines, beech and coniferous woods are common only on Day 7.

Approximately 70% of the tour is on quiet roads and 30% on roads shared with traffic. This tour is appropriate for mountain and road bikes. 

This tour is rated Leisure and is for cyclists in average physical condition. 

How To Get There: Guided

Tour Start and End
Nearest airport: Bucharest, Romania
Nearest train station: Bucharest, Romania

How To Get There: Self-guided

Tour Start and End
Nearest airport: Bucharest, Romania
Nearest train station: Bucharest, Romania

More about Romania: Guided

Romania's rich and varied history is full of triumph and tragedy, and it’s gorgeous natural landscapes will charm you. The Danube River and the Carpathian mountains are two of the most impressive natural landmarks of Romania. The Transylvania region, made famous by Bram Stoker's "Dracula" story, is also a popular destination.

The old-world charm of Bucharest, known as the "Paris of the East," can be witnessed in the blend of old and new – many of the buildings from the Soviet era still stand side-by-side with newer buildings. The fall of the Iron Curtain revealed to the world a victorious and vibrant country that has become a top destination in Eastern Europe.

More on bicycling in Romania > 

View all Romania bike tours >

More about Romania: Self-guided

Romania's rich and varied history is full of triumph and tragedy, and it’s gorgeous natural landscapes will charm you. The Danube River and the Carpathian mountains are two of the most impressive natural landmarks of Romania. The Transylvania region, made famous by Bram Stoker's "Dracula" story, is also a popular destination.

The old-world charm of Bucharest, known as the "Paris of the East," can be witnessed in the blend of old and new – many of the buildings from the Soviet era still stand side-by-side with newer buildings. The fall of the Iron Curtain revealed to the world a victorious and vibrant country that has become a top destination in Eastern Europe.

More on bicycling in Romania > 

View all Romania bike tours >

Tour Company Background: Penguin Travel: Guided

Penguin Travel is founded in 1989 and has offices in Denmark, Bulgaria, Sweden and Russia. The company is specialized in hiking, cycling and mountain biking, horse riding, bird watching tours, cultural and religious bus tours and other special interests programs. Their staff consists of young, energetic people with great knowledge who are committed to travel and focused on their clients. 

With more then 20 years of experience, Penguin Travel includes a large fleet of cars and buses used for the tours, 22 bikes owned by the company, experienced guides and flexibility. 

Tour Company Background: Penguin Travel: Self-guided

Penguin Travel is founded in 1989 and has offices in Denmark, Bulgaria, Sweden and Russia. The company is specialized in hiking, cycling and mountain biking, horse riding, bird watching tours, cultural and religious bus tours and other special interests programs. Their staff consists of young, energetic people with great knowledge who are committed to travel and focused on their clients. 

With more then 20 years of experience, Penguin Travel includes a large fleet of cars and buses used for the tours, 22 bikes owned by the company, experienced guides and flexibility. 

Terms and Conditions: Penguin Travel: Guided

The following Booking Conditions, together with all information relating to your chosen holiday contained on our website or in our relevant brochure, form the basis of your contract with Penguin Travel (operating in Bulgaria through its brand names TrekkingBulgaria, CyclingBulgaria, BirdwatchingBulgaria, HorseridingBulgaria, BulgariaCarRent, Ski- BG, SofiaGuest, PlovdivGuest, TransferBulgaria, etc.).

1. Cancellation by you

Should you or any member of your party need to cancel your chosen holiday once it has been confirmed, the party leader must immediately advise us in writing by recorded delivery post or fax. Your notice of cancellation will only be effective when it is received in writing by us at our offices. If we receive your notice 8 weeks or more before departure, we will retain your deposit (NB this includes all amounts due at the time of booking in respect of any flight(s). Such amounts could equal the full cost of the flight(s). If we receive it less than 8 weeks before departure, the following charges will be payable per person cancelling except where these represent less than the deposit(s) paid at the time of booking per person cancelling - in this case the deposit(s) paid will be retained by us by way of cancellation charge and not the percentage shown below. The charges set out below are shown as a percentage of the total cost payable by the person(s) cancelling excluding insurance premiums and any amendment charges, according to the period before departure within which written notification of cancellation is received by us.

- > 30 days - 30%
- 29 - 15 days - 50%
- 14 - 8 days - 70%
- 7 days or less - 100%

If any member(s) of your party is/are prevented from travelling, the person(s) concerned will be able to transfer their place to someone else (introduced by you) providing the following requirements are complied with. We must be notified of the transfer(s) in writing (giving full details of the original and substitute party member(s)) not less than two weeks before departure. A transfer will not be possible if there is a waiting list for places in which case the available place must be offered to the next person on that list. For flight inclusive bookings, you must pay the charges levied by the airline concerned. As most airlines do not permit name changes after tickets have been issued for any reason, these charges are likely to be the full cost of the flight.

2. Changes and cancellation by us

We start planning the holidays we offer many months in advance. Occasionally, we have to make changes to and correct errors in brochure, website and other details both before and after bookings have been confirmed and cancel confirmed bookings. Whilst we always endeavour to avoid changes and cancellations, we must reserve the right to do so. Most changes are minor. Occasionally, we have to make a "significant change" before departure, such as: a change of accommodation to that of a lower official classification or standard for the whole or a major part of the time you are away, a change of accommodation area for the whole or a major part of the time you are away, a change of outward departure time or overall length of time you are away of twelve or more hours, alterations to your confirmed place of departure that add more than 100 miles to any single leg of your journey. If we have to make a significant change or cancel, we will tell you as soon as possible. If there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of the following options:

(a) accepting the changed arrangements or 
(b) purchasing an alternative holiday from us, of a similar standard to that originally booked if available. We will offer you at least one alternative holiday of equivalent or higher standard for which you will not be asked to pay any more than the price of the original holiday. If this holiday is in fact cheaper than the original one, we will refund the price difference. If you do not wish to accept the holiday we specifically offer you, you may choose any of our other then available holidays. You must pay the applicable price of any such holiday. This will mean your paying more if it is more expensive or receiving a refund if it is cheaper or 
(c) cancelling or accepting the cancellation in which case you will receive a full and quick refund of all monies you have paid to us.

3. Making your booking

Once we have received your booking request an invoice will be issued and sent to you, which is actually a confirmation for the services required. As soon as we receive the deposit and rest payment, mentioned in the invoice, we will send you the vouchers for all services, stated in the invoice. Contact us immediately if any information which is presented on any document appears to be incorrect or incomplete as it may not be possible to make changes later.

4. Payment

In order to confirm your holiday, a deposit of 100,- Euro per person must be paid at the time of booking (or within a week after that, but not later). In order to secure particular flight fares, we may require a higher deposit than normal to be paid at the time of booking. This may include an amount up to the full cost of the flight(s) concerned. We will advise you of this before you confirm your booking.

The balance of the holiday price must be received by us not less than 5 weeks prior to departure. If we do not receive all payments due (including any surcharge where applicable) in full and on time, we will send you a written reminder. If you do not pay all payments due in full within 7 days of receiving this reminder, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled by you.

5. The cost of your holiday

We reserve the right to make changes to and correct errors in advertised prices at any time before your holiday is confirmed. If there are any changes to the published prices, these will be confirmed at the time of booking. We will advise you of any error of which we are aware and of the then applicable price at the time of booking.

Once the price of your chosen holiday has been confirmed at the time of booking then, subject to the correction of errors, we will only increase or decrease the price, subject to the conditions set out in this clause, if our costs increase or decrease as a result of transportation costs (e.g. fuel, scheduled airfares and any other airline surcharges which are part of the contract between airlines (and their agents) and the tour operator) or dues, taxes or fees payable for services such as landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports or airports increasing or decreasing. We will not change the confirmed price of your holiday due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. We will absorb increased costs up to a total amount equivalent to 5% of the cost of your confirmed holiday. Only if the increased costs exceed this 5% will we ask you to pay the difference. If any increase is greater than 5% of the cost of your holiday, you will be entitled to cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all monies paid to us (except for any amendment charges) or alternatively purchase another holiday from us.

6. Changes by you

Should you wish to make any changes to your confirmed holiday, you must notify us in writing as soon as possible. Whilst we will endeavour to assist, we cannot guarantee we will be able to meet any such requests.

7. Force majeure

Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, we regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by, or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss as a result of, "force majeure". In these Booking Conditions, "force majeure" means any event which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events outside our control.

8. Our liability to you

(1) We promise to make sure that the holiday arrangements we have agreed to make, perform or provide as applicable as part of our contract with you are made, performed or provided with reasonable skill and care. This means that, subject to these booking conditions, we will accept responsibility if, for example, you suffer death or personal injury or your contracted holiday arrangements are not provided as promised or prove deficient as a result of the failure of ourselves, our employees, agents or suppliers to use reasonable skill and care in making, performing or providing, as applicable, your contracted holiday arrangements. Please note it is your responsibility to show that reasonable skill and care has not been used if you wish to make a claim against us. In addition, we will only be responsible for what our employees, agents and suppliers do or do not do if they were at the time acting within the course of their employment (for employees) or carrying out work we had asked them to do (for agents and suppliers). We will not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss (for example loss of enjoyment), damage, expense, cost or other sum or claim of any description whatsoever which results from any of the following:

(a) the act(s) and/or omission(s) of the person(s) affected or any member(s) of their party or
(b) the act(s) and/or omission(s) of a third party not connected with the provision of your holiday and which were unforeseeable or unavoidable or
(c) 'force majeure'.

We cannot accept responsibility for any services which do not form part of our contract. This includes, for example, any additional services or facilities which your hotel or any other supplier agrees to provide for you where the services or facilities are not advertised in our brochure or website and we have not agreed to arrange them. Please note, we cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any description (1) which on the basis of the information given to us by you concerning your booking prior to our accepting it, we could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if we breached our contract with you or (2) which did not result from any breach of contract or other fault by ourselves or our employees or, where we are responsible for them, our suppliers. Additionally we cannot accept liability for any business losses.

(2) The promises we make to you about the services we have agreed to provide or arrange as part of our contract - and the laws and regulations of the country in which your claim or complaint occurred - will be used as the basis for deciding whether the services in question had been properly provided. If the particular services which gave rise to the claim or complaint complied with local laws and regulations applicable to those services at the time, the services will be treated as having been properly provided. This will be the case even if the services did not comply with the laws and regulations of the UK which would have applied had those services been provided in the UK. The exception to this is where the claim or complaint concerns the absence of a safety feature which might lead a reasonable holiday maker to refuse to take the holiday in question.

(3) Where any claim or part of a claim concerns or is based on any travel arrangements (including the process of getting on and off the transport concerned) provided by any air, sea, rail or road carrier or any stay in a hotel, the maximum amount of compensation we will have to pay you will be limited. The most we will have to pay you for that claim or that part of a claim if we are found liable to you on any basis is the most the carrier or hotel keeper concerned would have to pay under the international convention or regulation which applies to the travel arrangements or hotel stay in question (including, for example, the Warsaw Convention as amended or unamended and the Montreal Convention 1999 for international travel by air and/or for airlines with an operating licence granted by an EU country, the EU Regulation on Air Carrier Liability No 889/2002 for national and international travel by air and the Athens convention for international travel by sea). Please note: Where a carrier or hotel would not be obliged to make any payment to you under the applicable International Convention or Regulation in respect of a claim or part of a claim, we similarly are not obliged to make a payment to you for that claim or part of the claim. When making any payment, we are entitled to deduct any money which you have received or are entitled to receive from the transport provider or hotelier for the complaint or claim in question.

(4) You must provide ourselves and our insurers with all assistance we may reasonably require. You must also tell us and the supplier concerned about your claim or complaint as set out in below. If asked to do so, you must transfer to us or our insurers any rights you have against the supplier or whoever else is responsible for your claim or complaint (if the person concerned is under 18, their parent or guardian must do so). You must also agree to cooperate fully with us and our insurers if we or our insurers want to enforce any rights which are transferred.

9. Complaints and problems

In the unlikely event that you have any reason to complain or experience any problems with your holiday whilst away, you must immediately inform the hotelier, carrier or other supplier in question. Any verbal notification must be put in writing and given to them as soon as possible. If the complaint or problem is not resolved to your satisfaction straight away, you must contact us with full details by telephone or fax within 48 hours. Until we know about a problem or complaint, we cannot assist. Most problems can be dealt with quickly. If you remain dissatisfied, however, you must write to us within 28 days of your return back to your home giving your booking reference and full details of your complaint.

10. Riding ability and itinerary (riding holidays only)

To avoid any unnecessary risk to customers, our colleagues at the riding centres must reserve the right to modify the holiday of any rider who, in their opinion, proves to be unsuitable for the ride chosen. In this unlikely event any additional costs will be borne by the customer. It is the responsibility of the customer to behave in a suitable manner at all times and to follow the advice and instructions of the guide. If local conditions, such as bad weather, dictate a change in the proposed itinerary, the decision of the guide must be accepted and no refund will be offered in such circumstances.

11. Your responsibilities

Bookings are accepted on the understanding that all persons travelling are normally in good health and able to fulfil the physical demands of the chosen holiday. Please do not take risks while on an activity holiday. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to carry correct documentation.

When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused by you or any member of your party. Full payment for any such damage or loss (including lost keys) must be paid direct at the time to the accommodation owner or manager or other supplier. If you fail to do so, you will be responsible for meeting any claims subsequently made against us (together with our own and the other party's full legal costs) as a result of your actions. We expect all clients to have consideration for other people. If in our reasonable opinion or in the reasonable opinion of any other person in authority, you or any member of your party behaves in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger, upset or distress to any third party or damage to property, we are entitled, without prior notice, to terminate the holiday of the person(s) concerned. In this situation, the person(s) concerned will be required to leave the accommodation or other service. We will have no further responsibility toward such person(s) including any return travel arrangements. No refunds will be made and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination.

12. Special requests and medical problems

If you have any special request, you must advise us at the time of booking. Although we will endeavour to pass any reasonable requests on to the relevant supplier, we regret we cannot promise that any request will be met unless we have specifically confirmed this in writing. Confirmation that a special request has been noted or passed onto the supplier or the inclusion of the request on your Booking Confirmation and Invoice or any other documentation is not confirmation that the request will be met. Unless and until specifically confirmed, all special requests are subject to availability. We regret we cannot accept any conditional bookings, i.e. any booking which is specified to be conditional on the fulfilment of a particular request. All such bookings will be treated as "standard" bookings subject to the above provisions on special requests.

13. Brochure & website accuracy

Please note, the information and prices shown on this site and in our brochures may have changed by the time you come to book your holiday. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the website, brochures and prices at the time of printing, regrettably errors do occasionally occur. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking. This website and our brochures are our sole responsibility. They are not produced on behalf of and do not commit any independent organisation/carriers whose services are featured in it.

Terms and Conditions: Penguin Travel: Self-guided

The following Booking Conditions, together with all information relating to your chosen holiday contained on our website or in our relevant brochure, form the basis of your contract with Penguin Travel (operating in Bulgaria through its brand names TrekkingBulgaria, CyclingBulgaria, BirdwatchingBulgaria, HorseridingBulgaria, BulgariaCarRent, Ski- BG, SofiaGuest, PlovdivGuest, TransferBulgaria, etc.).

1. Cancellation by you

Should you or any member of your party need to cancel your chosen holiday once it has been confirmed, the party leader must immediately advise us in writing by recorded delivery post or fax. Your notice of cancellation will only be effective when it is received in writing by us at our offices. If we receive your notice 8 weeks or more before departure, we will retain your deposit (NB this includes all amounts due at the time of booking in respect of any flight(s). Such amounts could equal the full cost of the flight(s). If we receive it less than 8 weeks before departure, the following charges will be payable per person cancelling except where these represent less than the deposit(s) paid at the time of booking per person cancelling - in this case the deposit(s) paid will be retained by us by way of cancellation charge and not the percentage shown below. The charges set out below are shown as a percentage of the total cost payable by the person(s) cancelling excluding insurance premiums and any amendment charges, according to the period before departure within which written notification of cancellation is received by us.

- > 30 days - 30%
- 29 - 15 days - 50%
- 14 - 8 days - 70%
- 7 days or less - 100%

If any member(s) of your party is/are prevented from travelling, the person(s) concerned will be able to transfer their place to someone else (introduced by you) providing the following requirements are complied with. We must be notified of the transfer(s) in writing (giving full details of the original and substitute party member(s)) not less than two weeks before departure. A transfer will not be possible if there is a waiting list for places in which case the available place must be offered to the next person on that list. For flight inclusive bookings, you must pay the charges levied by the airline concerned. As most airlines do not permit name changes after tickets have been issued for any reason, these charges are likely to be the full cost of the flight.

2. Changes and cancellation by us

We start planning the holidays we offer many months in advance. Occasionally, we have to make changes to and correct errors in brochure, website and other details both before and after bookings have been confirmed and cancel confirmed bookings. Whilst we always endeavour to avoid changes and cancellations, we must reserve the right to do so. Most changes are minor. Occasionally, we have to make a "significant change" before departure, such as: a change of accommodation to that of a lower official classification or standard for the whole or a major part of the time you are away, a change of accommodation area for the whole or a major part of the time you are away, a change of outward departure time or overall length of time you are away of twelve or more hours, alterations to your confirmed place of departure that add more than 100 miles to any single leg of your journey. If we have to make a significant change or cancel, we will tell you as soon as possible. If there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of the following options:

(a) accepting the changed arrangements or 
(b) purchasing an alternative holiday from us, of a similar standard to that originally booked if available. We will offer you at least one alternative holiday of equivalent or higher standard for which you will not be asked to pay any more than the price of the original holiday. If this holiday is in fact cheaper than the original one, we will refund the price difference. If you do not wish to accept the holiday we specifically offer you, you may choose any of our other then available holidays. You must pay the applicable price of any such holiday. This will mean your paying more if it is more expensive or receiving a refund if it is cheaper or 
(c) cancelling or accepting the cancellation in which case you will receive a full and quick refund of all monies you have paid to us.

3. Making your booking

Once we have received your booking request an invoice will be issued and sent to you, which is actually a confirmation for the services required. As soon as we receive the deposit and rest payment, mentioned in the invoice, we will send you the vouchers for all services, stated in the invoice. Contact us immediately if any information which is presented on any document appears to be incorrect or incomplete as it may not be possible to make changes later.

4. Payment

In order to confirm your holiday, a deposit of 100,- Euro per person must be paid at the time of booking (or within a week after that, but not later). In order to secure particular flight fares, we may require a higher deposit than normal to be paid at the time of booking. This may include an amount up to the full cost of the flight(s) concerned. We will advise you of this before you confirm your booking.

The balance of the holiday price must be received by us not less than 5 weeks prior to departure. If we do not receive all payments due (including any surcharge where applicable) in full and on time, we will send you a written reminder. If you do not pay all payments due in full within 7 days of receiving this reminder, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled by you.

5. The cost of your holiday

We reserve the right to make changes to and correct errors in advertised prices at any time before your holiday is confirmed. If there are any changes to the published prices, these will be confirmed at the time of booking. We will advise you of any error of which we are aware and of the then applicable price at the time of booking.

Once the price of your chosen holiday has been confirmed at the time of booking then, subject to the correction of errors, we will only increase or decrease the price, subject to the conditions set out in this clause, if our costs increase or decrease as a result of transportation costs (e.g. fuel, scheduled airfares and any other airline surcharges which are part of the contract between airlines (and their agents) and the tour operator) or dues, taxes or fees payable for services such as landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports or airports increasing or decreasing. We will not change the confirmed price of your holiday due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. We will absorb increased costs up to a total amount equivalent to 5% of the cost of your confirmed holiday. Only if the increased costs exceed this 5% will we ask you to pay the difference. If any increase is greater than 5% of the cost of your holiday, you will be entitled to cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all monies paid to us (except for any amendment charges) or alternatively purchase another holiday from us.

6. Changes by you

Should you wish to make any changes to your confirmed holiday, you must notify us in writing as soon as possible. Whilst we will endeavour to assist, we cannot guarantee we will be able to meet any such requests.

7. Force majeure

Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, we regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by, or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss as a result of, "force majeure". In these Booking Conditions, "force majeure" means any event which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events outside our control.

8. Our liability to you

(1) We promise to make sure that the holiday arrangements we have agreed to make, perform or provide as applicable as part of our contract with you are made, performed or provided with reasonable skill and care. This means that, subject to these booking conditions, we will accept responsibility if, for example, you suffer death or personal injury or your contracted holiday arrangements are not provided as promised or prove deficient as a result of the failure of ourselves, our employees, agents or suppliers to use reasonable skill and care in making, performing or providing, as applicable, your contracted holiday arrangements. Please note it is your responsibility to show that reasonable skill and care has not been used if you wish to make a claim against us. In addition, we will only be responsible for what our employees, agents and suppliers do or do not do if they were at the time acting within the course of their employment (for employees) or carrying out work we had asked them to do (for agents and suppliers). We will not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss (for example loss of enjoyment), damage, expense, cost or other sum or claim of any description whatsoever which results from any of the following:

(a) the act(s) and/or omission(s) of the person(s) affected or any member(s) of their party or
(b) the act(s) and/or omission(s) of a third party not connected with the provision of your holiday and which were unforeseeable or unavoidable or
(c) 'force majeure'.

We cannot accept responsibility for any services which do not form part of our contract. This includes, for example, any additional services or facilities which your hotel or any other supplier agrees to provide for you where the services or facilities are not advertised in our brochure or website and we have not agreed to arrange them. Please note, we cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any description (1) which on the basis of the information given to us by you concerning your booking prior to our accepting it, we could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if we breached our contract with you or (2) which did not result from any breach of contract or other fault by ourselves or our employees or, where we are responsible for them, our suppliers. Additionally we cannot accept liability for any business losses.

(2) The promises we make to you about the services we have agreed to provide or arrange as part of our contract - and the laws and regulations of the country in which your claim or complaint occurred - will be used as the basis for deciding whether the services in question had been properly provided. If the particular services which gave rise to the claim or complaint complied with local laws and regulations applicable to those services at the time, the services will be treated as having been properly provided. This will be the case even if the services did not comply with the laws and regulations of the UK which would have applied had those services been provided in the UK. The exception to this is where the claim or complaint concerns the absence of a safety feature which might lead a reasonable holiday maker to refuse to take the holiday in question.

(3) Where any claim or part of a claim concerns or is based on any travel arrangements (including the process of getting on and off the transport concerned) provided by any air, sea, rail or road carrier or any stay in a hotel, the maximum amount of compensation we will have to pay you will be limited. The most we will have to pay you for that claim or that part of a claim if we are found liable to you on any basis is the most the carrier or hotel keeper concerned would have to pay under the international convention or regulation which applies to the travel arrangements or hotel stay in question (including, for example, the Warsaw Convention as amended or unamended and the Montreal Convention 1999 for international travel by air and/or for airlines with an operating licence granted by an EU country, the EU Regulation on Air Carrier Liability No 889/2002 for national and international travel by air and the Athens convention for international travel by sea). Please note: Where a carrier or hotel would not be obliged to make any payment to you under the applicable International Convention or Regulation in respect of a claim or part of a claim, we similarly are not obliged to make a payment to you for that claim or part of the claim. When making any payment, we are entitled to deduct any money which you have received or are entitled to receive from the transport provider or hotelier for the complaint or claim in question.

(4) You must provide ourselves and our insurers with all assistance we may reasonably require. You must also tell us and the supplier concerned about your claim or complaint as set out in below. If asked to do so, you must transfer to us or our insurers any rights you have against the supplier or whoever else is responsible for your claim or complaint (if the person concerned is under 18, their parent or guardian must do so). You must also agree to cooperate fully with us and our insurers if we or our insurers want to enforce any rights which are transferred.

9. Complaints and problems

In the unlikely event that you have any reason to complain or experience any problems with your holiday whilst away, you must immediately inform the hotelier, carrier or other supplier in question. Any verbal notification must be put in writing and given to them as soon as possible. If the complaint or problem is not resolved to your satisfaction straight away, you must contact us with full details by telephone or fax within 48 hours. Until we know about a problem or complaint, we cannot assist. Most problems can be dealt with quickly. If you remain dissatisfied, however, you must write to us within 28 days of your return back to your home giving your booking reference and full details of your complaint.

10. Riding ability and itinerary (riding holidays only)

To avoid any unnecessary risk to customers, our colleagues at the riding centres must reserve the right to modify the holiday of any rider who, in their opinion, proves to be unsuitable for the ride chosen. In this unlikely event any additional costs will be borne by the customer. It is the responsibility of the customer to behave in a suitable manner at all times and to follow the advice and instructions of the guide. If local conditions, such as bad weather, dictate a change in the proposed itinerary, the decision of the guide must be accepted and no refund will be offered in such circumstances.

11. Your responsibilities

Bookings are accepted on the understanding that all persons travelling are normally in good health and able to fulfil the physical demands of the chosen holiday. Please do not take risks while on an activity holiday. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to carry correct documentation.

When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused by you or any member of your party. Full payment for any such damage or loss (including lost keys) must be paid direct at the time to the accommodation owner or manager or other supplier. If you fail to do so, you will be responsible for meeting any claims subsequently made against us (together with our own and the other party's full legal costs) as a result of your actions. We expect all clients to have consideration for other people. If in our reasonable opinion or in the reasonable opinion of any other person in authority, you or any member of your party behaves in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger, upset or distress to any third party or damage to property, we are entitled, without prior notice, to terminate the holiday of the person(s) concerned. In this situation, the person(s) concerned will be required to leave the accommodation or other service. We will have no further responsibility toward such person(s) including any return travel arrangements. No refunds will be made and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination.

12. Special requests and medical problems

If you have any special request, you must advise us at the time of booking. Although we will endeavour to pass any reasonable requests on to the relevant supplier, we regret we cannot promise that any request will be met unless we have specifically confirmed this in writing. Confirmation that a special request has been noted or passed onto the supplier or the inclusion of the request on your Booking Confirmation and Invoice or any other documentation is not confirmation that the request will be met. Unless and until specifically confirmed, all special requests are subject to availability. We regret we cannot accept any conditional bookings, i.e. any booking which is specified to be conditional on the fulfilment of a particular request. All such bookings will be treated as "standard" bookings subject to the above provisions on special requests.

13. Brochure & website accuracy

Please note, the information and prices shown on this site and in our brochures may have changed by the time you come to book your holiday. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the website, brochures and prices at the time of printing, regrettably errors do occasionally occur. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking. This website and our brochures are our sole responsibility. They are not produced on behalf of and do not commit any independent organisation/carriers whose services are featured in it.