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Romania's Wine Country and Castles by Bicycle

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Day 1: Bucharest – Dealu Mare | Vineyards and First Tastes

We pick you up from your hotel in Bucharest and begin our journey toward the Dealu Mare wine region. You should plan to arrive in Bucharest the night before the tour begins to ensure a smooth start. En route, we stop for a short private visit at Crama 1777, Romania’s historic wine museum, offering an introduction to the country’s winemaking heritage. From here, we continue to Gura Vadului and check in at your wine hotel, set among the surrounding vineyards. In the afternoon, we head out for an easy introductory ride through the vineyards, covering approximately 15 km on gently rolling terrain, with a stop for lunch among the vines. Returning to the hotel, a welcome glass of sparkling wine awaits, followed by a private guided visit and tasting hosted by the winery team. In the evening, we gather for a welcome dinner and the first night in Dealu Mare. Please let us know if you need assistance with airport transfers or pre-tour hotel bookings.

Licorna Wine Hotel or similar
Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Bike & Wine in Dealu Mare

After breakfast with views over the vineyards, we head out for a day of cycling through the heart of the Dealu Mare wine region. Today’s ride follows vineyard roads and quiet rural routes, covering approximately 28 km on gently rolling terrain. The pace is relaxed, with time to enjoy the scenery and stop along the way. Dealu Mare is widely regarded as Romania’s most established wine region, particularly known for its red wines. The area is especially associated with Fetească Neagră, Romania’s flagship grape, alongside international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Riding through the vineyards offers a close look at the landscapes and conditions that shape these wines. During the day, we stop for a boutique winery visit and tasting, providing insight into local winemaking styles and traditions. The ride continues through the vineyards before returning to the hotel by bike. The day concludes with dinner in the vineyards, rounding out a full immersion into the wines, landscapes, and relaxed rhythm of Dealu Mare.

Licorna Wine Hotel or similar
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Toward the Mountains & Royal Castles

We leave the Dealu Mare wine region and transfer toward the mountains, travelling via Azuga. The drive takes approximately two hours, marking a gradual transition from vineyard landscapes to the foothills of the Carpathians. In Azuga, we stop at Azuga Rhein Cellars for a tasting of historic sparkling wines and an introduction to the area’s long-standing wine tradition. From here, we continue on to Sinaia, a historic mountain resort that became the preferred summer retreat of Romania’s royal family in the late 19th century, and stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we enjoy a guided visit to Peleș Castle and Pelișor Castle, two of Romania’s most important royal residences, built at the turn of the 20th century and set within forested grounds beneath the Carpathian Mountains. After the visit, the remainder of the day is at leisure, allowing time to explore Sinaia at a relaxed pace. Dinner is on your own this evening before settling in for the night.

Hotel Anda Sinaia or similar
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Departure or Onward Travel

After breakfast, the morning is at leisure in Sinaia. If you are continuing on to Romania: Touring Transylvania by Bicycle, we transfer to Tălișoara, where the next journey begins (approximately 2.5 hours). If you are not joining the next tour, you can travel onward by train to Brașov or Bucharest, depending on your plans. Please let us know how you wish to continue, and we’ll be happy to assist with onward arrangements where needed.

Breakfast

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.

Romania's Wine Country and Castles by Bicycle
Tour CodeROU-WIN
4Days
3Nights
DestinationsRomania
Tour MeetsBucharest, Romania
Tour EndsSinaia, Romania
Fly in toHenri Coandă International Airport, Bucharest
Fly out ofHenri Coandă International Airport, Bucharest
Group Size4-14 riders
Minimum Age18 (on scheduled departures)

Activity Profile

2Cycling days
43kmTotal cycling distance
22kmAvg distance / day
278mAvg climbing / day

Pricing

PriceUS$ 2,490
Bike Hire (Hybrid Bike)US$ 110
Bike Hire (E-Bike)US$ 170
Single SupplementUS$ 240
*E-bikes are in limited supply, please enquire to reserve one.

What's Included

  • SpiceRoads jersey
  • Water bottle
  • Support vehicle
  • Guide(s)
  • Meals (as indicated)
  • Hotel pick up
  • Accommodation
  • Snacks and drinks
  • Entrance fees

What's Excluded

  • International flights
  • Domestic flights
  • Airport pick up
  • Airport drop off
  • Visa fees
  • Alcohol
  • Tips

Departures

14 May - 17 May 2026
11 June - 14 June 2026
17 September - 20 September 2026
15 October - 18 October 2026

Trip Profile

We ride a total of 43 km over 2 cycling days. The cycling takes place in Romania’s Dealu Mare wine region and focuses on short, relaxed rides through vineyard landscapes and rural areas. Daily distances are 15 km on Day 1 and 28 km on Day 2, with gentle elevation gain spread across rolling terrain rather than sustained climbs. The riding is designed to complement the wine, cultural, and culinary experiences, with frequent stops and generous time off the bike.

Your guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain ensures you always know what is coming up in terms of distance and difficulty. This makes a tremendous difference, as does the constant supply of water and refreshments along the way.

Suitability: This tour is suitable for cyclists who are comfortable riding short daily distances on rolling terrain. With rides ranging from 15 to 28 km and a total elevation gain of approximately 555 m across both days, the experience is approachable and unhurried. There are no long or sustained climbs, and the pace allows time for winery visits, tastings, and cultural stops. This trip is best suited to guests looking for a relaxed cycling experience rather than a physically demanding ride.

Biking Conditions: The cycling takes place on a mix of vineyard roads, village roads, and quiet countryside roads typical of rural wine-growing regions. Road surfaces may vary, and riders should expect a combination of well-maintained sections and more rustic rural roads, particularly in vineyard areas. Traffic levels are generally low and consistent with small villages and agricultural regions. While much of the route follows quiet roads, we will occasionally share the road with local vehicles. We generally ride rain or shine, but based on the guide’s discretion or your level of comfort, modifications to the planned route can be made. It’s all part of the adventure!

Hotels: We have carefully selected comfortable hotels that reflect the character of the regions we visit and provide a welcoming place to relax after each day’s activities. In the Dealu Mare wine region, we spend two nights at a wine hotel set among the vineyards, offering a peaceful setting and close proximity to the surrounding wineries. In Sinaia, we spend one night at a mountain resort hotel, well suited for time in the town and visits to the royal castles. All hotels are chosen for their atmosphere, convenience, and suitability for a relaxed cycling and cultural journey.

Day 1: Bucharest – Dealu Mare | Vineyards and First Tastes

We pick you up from your hotel in Bucharest and begin our journey toward the Dealu Mare wine region. You should plan to arrive in Bucharest the night before the tour begins to ensure a smooth start. En route, we stop for a short private visit at Crama 1777, Romania’s historic wine museum, offering an introduction to the country’s winemaking heritage. From here, we continue to Gura Vadului and check in at your wine hotel, set among the surrounding vineyards. In the afternoon, we head out for an easy introductory ride through the vineyards, covering approximately 15 km on gently rolling terrain, with a stop for lunch among the vines. Returning to the hotel, a welcome glass of sparkling wine awaits, followed by a private guided visit and tasting hosted by the winery team. In the evening, we gather for a welcome dinner and the first night in Dealu Mare. Please let us know if you need assistance with airport transfers or pre-tour hotel bookings.

Licorna Wine Hotel or similar
Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Bike & Wine in Dealu Mare

After breakfast with views over the vineyards, we head out for a day of cycling through the heart of the Dealu Mare wine region. Today’s ride follows vineyard roads and quiet rural routes, covering approximately 28 km on gently rolling terrain. The pace is relaxed, with time to enjoy the scenery and stop along the way. Dealu Mare is widely regarded as Romania’s most established wine region, particularly known for its red wines. The area is especially associated with Fetească Neagră, Romania’s flagship grape, alongside international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Riding through the vineyards offers a close look at the landscapes and conditions that shape these wines. During the day, we stop for a boutique winery visit and tasting, providing insight into local winemaking styles and traditions. The ride continues through the vineyards before returning to the hotel by bike. The day concludes with dinner in the vineyards, rounding out a full immersion into the wines, landscapes, and relaxed rhythm of Dealu Mare.

Licorna Wine Hotel or similar
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Toward the Mountains & Royal Castles

We leave the Dealu Mare wine region and transfer toward the mountains, travelling via Azuga. The drive takes approximately two hours, marking a gradual transition from vineyard landscapes to the foothills of the Carpathians. In Azuga, we stop at Azuga Rhein Cellars for a tasting of historic sparkling wines and an introduction to the area’s long-standing wine tradition. From here, we continue on to Sinaia, a historic mountain resort that became the preferred summer retreat of Romania’s royal family in the late 19th century, and stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we enjoy a guided visit to Peleș Castle and Pelișor Castle, two of Romania’s most important royal residences, built at the turn of the 20th century and set within forested grounds beneath the Carpathian Mountains. After the visit, the remainder of the day is at leisure, allowing time to explore Sinaia at a relaxed pace. Dinner is on your own this evening before settling in for the night.

Hotel Anda Sinaia or similar
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Departure or Onward Travel

After breakfast, the morning is at leisure in Sinaia. If you are continuing on to Romania: Touring Transylvania by Bicycle, we transfer to Tălișoara, where the next journey begins (approximately 2.5 hours). If you are not joining the next tour, you can travel onward by train to Brașov or Bucharest, depending on your plans. Please let us know how you wish to continue, and we’ll be happy to assist with onward arrangements where needed.

Breakfast

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.

Nuts & Bolts

Bikes

Because some guests prefer to travel with their own bicycle, bikes are not provided as standard on this tour. However, bicycles can be hired locally for the price listed in the tour pricing section. If you choose to bring your own bike, it should be a road or touring bike in good mechanical condition, suitable for riding on paved and rural countryside roads. E-bikes are also available for hire in limited numbers and sizes. Please contact us in advance to check availability.

Bike Repairs

Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.

Safety

Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.

Guides

You will be led by a local English-speaking guide and if the group is 9 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.

The Nitty Gritty

Passports and Visas

Passports and Visas Romania is an easy country to enter. It is part of the EU and the Schengen Zone, so easy to access for Europeans. Most countries in the Americas including U.S. and Canadian as well as Australian and British citizens may enter and remain in Romania without a visa for up to 90 days total. It is essential when entering Romania to present a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months from the date of entry into the country. .

Health

Health conditions in Romania are good, especially in the cities. In recent years, the range of health services has increased and become more modern. Hospitals and clinics provide proper care, but we recommend taking out travel insurance. There are no compulsory vaccinations for entering Romania. ~~~

Weather

Romania has a temperate climate, similar to the northeastern United States, or some parts of northern Europe, with four distinct seasons. Spring is pleasant with cool mornings and nights and warm days. Summer is quite warm, with extended sunny days. The hottest areas in summer are the lowlands in southern and eastern Romania but temperatures are always cooler in the mountains. Autumn is dry and cool, with fields and trees producing colourful foliage, much like New England. Winters can be cold, especially in the mountains. While not the rule, abundant snowfalls may occur throughout the country, from December to mid-March. Our trips typically start in May and run until October and you should expect temperatures as low as 15C/60F in Spring/Fall (Autumn) with cool mornings and evenings but warm in the daytime. You should pack some warm and waterproof clothes if travelling at this time of the year as it can rain and probably want arm-warmers, gilet and long pants and bring a few layers and a jacket for the evening. Daytime temperatures in Spring or Fall can vary between 7c (44F) – 17c (65F). Summer is warmer and can get quite hot with longer daylight hours and maximum temperatures of 35c (90F) in August and an average of 23c (73F). Expect to be cycling in shorts and short sleeves.

Food

While not well known abroad, Romanian cuisine is a near-perfect reflection of the country's agrarian roots and cosmopolitan history. Dishes borrow heavily from neighbouring (and occasionally occupying) cultures – Turkish, Hungarian, Germanic and Slavic. The Turks brought meatballs (perișoare in a meatball soup), from the Greeks there is mussaca, from the Austrians there is the șnițel, and the list could continue and some recipes can be traced to the Romans, as well as other ancient civilizations. One of the most common meals is the mămăligă, the precursor of polenta, served on its own or as an accompaniment. Pork is the main meat used in Romanian cuisine, but also beef is consumed and a good lamb or fish dish is never to be refused. Wherever we eat the results are always excellent with a wonderfully rustic, homemade quality, built around staples such as pork, chicken and lamb, but made special through the addition of ample, organic fruits and vegetables. We will make sure you sample a wide range of local cuisines and make sure we visit or stay at lodges with excellent food. Dinners are usually quite meat-oriented with pork or beef and sarmale cu mamaliguta which is a traditional Romanian dish made of minced pork wrapped in pickled cabbage leaves and served with polenta and a chilli. Vegetarians and vegans and other dietary requirements can be catered for but please let us know in advance. ~~~

Drink (Riding and Recreational)

Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy restoring local fruit and soft drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. You may also want to bring electrolytes in powder or tablet form. Alcoholic drinks are available everywhere but are not included. It needs to be pointed out that Romania is one of Europe’s biggest wine producers, and while much of the output is aimed at the budget, student end of the market, quality is improving and several wines – both white and red – are worth looking for. The best winemaking regions for whites include the Târnave plateau, north of Sibiu, and Cotnari, near Iaşi. For reds, look for Dealu Mare (south of the Carpathians, near the Prahova Valley). Murfatlar, near the Black Sea, and Odobeşti, in southern Moldavia, produce both quality reds and whites. Drăgăşani, in southern Romania, is home to one of the country’s most promising new wineries, the Casa Isărescu. Another new and highly regarded winemaker is the Nachbil winery, located in the northwest of the country, near Satu Mare. And if that's not enough, pretty much every household makes their own Tuica (pronounced “tsweeka”) which is a spirit usually made from plums and flavoured with herbs from their garden or the surrounding area. This is usually drunk whilst being welcomed into the house and after dinner. ~~~

Solo Travelers

SpiceRoads does not require you to pay a surcharge for travelling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your single room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above. ~~~

Extra Expenses

We recommend that you tuck away a few extra US Dollars for possible incidentals that might arise. It is always wise to have some paper currency in case of ATM absence or credit card problems. This will save you a lot of unnecessary worries. It is also customary to tip local tour guides and drivers; however, the amount you give should be dependent on the level of service you receive. ~~~

Money

The Romanian leu is the currency of Romania. It is subdivided into 100 bani, a word that means "money" in Romanian. ATMs that accept major credit cards can be found in all sizable towns and cities. It’s best to use credit cards as a backup for cash. There are many foreign exchange offices in every city and town and at major attractions. The best currencies to take are EUROS. Costs in Romania are generally much lower than in western Europe or North America and you will find your hard currency will buy you a lot of drinks in Romania. ~~~

Be Aware

Romania remains generally safe, and it’s unlikely that you’ll have any problems; violent crime against tourists is almost nonexistent and petty crime is much less than in most Western countries. However, take the usual precautions about avoiding rowdy political demonstrations, not flashing money around and being aware of pickpockets in crowded places.

General booking info

If this is the tour for you here's what you need to do to confirm your place:

FLEXIBLE BOOKING CONDITIONS

Booking a SpiceRoads cycling adventure is easy and we try to do everything possible to make sure you have full flexibility and peace of mind. We do not require a deposit to hold your place on a tour and once full payment has been made your money is protected in our client account and you have the flexibility to cancel or change your booking if needed.

CONFIRMING YOUR BOOKING

Just complete our online booking form or send your booking details offline (email or post), and we will confirm your participation. No deposit is needed to confirm your place on a SpiceRoads tour.

You are advised to read our Booking Conditions in full before you make your payment and should you require further clarifications of any of the conditions below, please email us or call our office.

TRIP STATUS

There is a minimum number of participants (usually 2) required to enable the trip to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to Depart'. Once a trip is guaranteed to depart you are free to book your flights and make other travel arrangements. If the trip status is ‘Limited’ will mean we have only a small number of spaces available for booking. If you are unsure about the trip status, please email us or call our office.

BOOKING ONLINE

From the tour page, click the 'Book Now' link. All departures for this tour will appear, just select the date you'd like to travel. For the next steps, you'll need to know the names of the people travelling. If you wish you can also provide extra details such as passport numbers, height (for bike hire), or you can add that later by logging into Manage My Trip (we'll set up an account for you automatically if you don't already have one). Our system will contact you from time to time to fill in the missing information, as it will be required before departure. However, if the trip that you are booking offers a child discount, you will have to fill out the date of birth of each rider (so we can calculate the appropriate discount).

If you are having any problems please send us an email, or give us a call (+66 026 3295) and one of our travel specialists will assist you with your booking.

BOOKING OFFLINE

Just call us or send an email indicating which trip you want to join and we will happily send you a list of questions and process your booking for you.

DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS

We do not require a deposit or full payment to book a place for you on a tour.

The balance of the tour’s cost (final invoice) will need to be paid 60 days before the departure date with fees for any bicycle rental(s), single supplement(s) and extra hotel nights.

In the case where a booking is made when there are less than 60 days until the tour departure date, the tour’s cost should be paid in full within 72 hours of receiving an invoice from SpiceRoads. Payment can be made by credit card using our online payment gateway or by bank transfer. When making payment online you will need to confirm that you have read these booking conditions during the "checkout" process, which equates to agreeing to the terms of services and stipulations as indicated in this document.

In all cases, tour fees need to be paid “in full” before participation in a tour. No person(s) will be allowed to join a tour without fully settling their invoice and receiving a confirmation number from SpiceRoads.

The exception can be made for last-minute miscellaneous fees that can be paid locally (visas, additional local hotel bookings, etc.) can be settled on the day of arrival.

FULL FLEXIBILITY FOR TOUR CANCELATIONS

If the tour is cancelled or postponed by SpiceRoads because we didn't make the trip numbers and the tour can’t run, we will make a full cash refund (by bank transfer or on your credit card).

If the tour is cancelled for any other reason, including due to Covid related travel restrictions, we will give you a full credit (with no deductions for admin or any other small-print item) to use on any SpiceRoads tour with no time limit. (Exceptions being flights, special permits and other non-refundable items and these will be advised when booking the trip).

Before paying for your tour, you can cancel your booking with no charge and up until 40 days before departure, you can change your booking to another travel date or move your booking onto another SpiceRoads tour with no charges.

If you need to cancel after you have made full payment, please see our cancellation policy.

Loyalty Riders Club

For those who have been on several long tours with us, we reward customer loyalty by offering repeat customers a special discount off the tour price (excludes single supplement and bike rental). If this is your fourth scheduled tour or more you will receive a 5% discount. If this is your eighth scheduled tour or more we will extend a 10% discount. The discount will be reflected in your online booking, but please contact us if any questions. Loyalty discounts cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Note: Only tours of 7 days or more will be applicable for a loyalty discount.

International Flights

International flights, to and from the start and finish points are not included in the tour price. Once your tour is Guaranteed to Depart you can book your flight. Please contact us for advice before arranging flights for the best arrival and departure times. We would only cancel a trip for an extreme circumstance, but in that case, where we cancel your trip, we cannot be liable for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made. Please claim any losses from your travel insurance that you acquired when you booked your holiday.

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Contact Us

145 Soi Pridi Banomyong 14 (Mee Suwan 3)
Sukhumvit 71 Road, Phra Khanong Nuea, Watthana
Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Tel: +66 (0) 2 026 3295
Email: info@spiceroads.com
Website: www.spiceroads.com