TRANSYLVANIA 2026

Day-by-day plan

DAY 1 Road to the Carpathians We leave Chisinau and head towards the Ceahlău massif and the huge Lacul Izvorul Muntelui reservoir. The first day is mostly road. Our task is to be as close to the lake as possible in the evening, so that the next morning we don’t have to go to dawn, but meet it already on the spot. Overnight: Izvorul Muntelui area. DAY 2 The lake we'll be driving around all day Dawn at Lacul Izvorul Muntelui. And then there is no rush. We will make a large circle around the reservoir, stopping at observation platforms and going down to the water where we find good light and an interesting foreground. On the way we will see the Bicaz Dam, the famous Piatra Teiului rock, the old arched viaduct and small villages around the lake. Afterwards we will travel through Cheile Bicazului, one of the most impressive gorges in Romania, to Lacul Roșu. This route is especially good in autumn: cold water, fog, rocks, forest and the tourist season has almost disappeared. After sunset we drive to Sighisoara. Overnight: Sighișoara. DAY 3 Wake up in a medieval city The main advantage of spending the night in Sighisoara is discovered in the morning. While most tourist groups are just having breakfast somewhere far from here, we will already be walking around the almost empty old city. Tiled roofs, stairs, towers, narrow streets and the first rays of the sun. After breakfast we continue our journey through old Saxon Transylvania. One of the main stops will be Biertan, with its fortified church and very special rural atmosphere. But I don’t want to describe this day only with names. Between Sighisoara and Sibiu there are many small villages and roads, where sometimes it is more interesting to stop for half an hour than to visit another famous attraction. In the evening we arrive in Sibiu. Overnight: Sibiu. DAY 4 Sibiu We're in no hurry today. We give the whole day to Sibiu. Let's start with the early city, when the streets are still practically empty. Then people will appear, cafes will open, the light will change and along with it the city. A large square, small alleys, the famous “eyes” on the roofs, courtyards, stairs, windows, people and details. We will not just look at the city, but film it in different states from dawn to evening light. DAY 5 Castle and Underworld In the morning Corvin Castle awaits us. One of the most impressive castles in Romania. Stone, bridges, towers, courtyards and very cinematic architecture. And then the picture will change completely. We will go to Salina Turda. The old salt mine today looks almost like the set of a science fiction film. Huge underground spaces, unusual light, geometry and scale that are difficult to feel from photographs. After Salina Turda we will have an evening transfer to Brasov. Overnight: Brașov. DAY 6 Brașov Another day when the bus rests longer than us. Morning Brasov, old streets, squares, courtyards, views from above, city rhythm and evening light. I like to give cities like this a whole day. Not to run through the center in two hours, but to see how it changes. And of course, there will be time to just eat, drink coffee and feel the city without a camera in front of your eyes every minute. Overnight: Brașov. DAY 7 To the mountains Today we are going to Transfăgărășan. At the end of October, the high-mountainous part of the road will most likely be closed with snow. But that is why this day can become one of the most interesting. We will go up to Bâlea Cascadă, and if the weather permits and the cable car is open, we will go up to Bâlea Lac. There may still be golden autumn below, but above there is already real winter. Snow, clouds, mountains, ice and one of the most famous roads in Europe is somewhere below us. If the weather does not allow us to rise, we will have an alternative program. For example, Cantacuzino Castle and other points in the Brasov and Bucegi area. PhotoTrip travels in a small group because we can change plans. Overnight: Brașov. DAY 8 Home Morning walk through early Brasov, heading to Chisinau. But even the last day of a PhotoTrip is rarely just a trip home. If along the way there is good light, fog, or a place where it is impossible to drive near with a camera in the trunk, then we will stop.