Testimonials 2023
Jan 2023 • Family
Amazing experience! We have enjoyed a lot with Charlie from Active Travel. We recomend you this fantastic tour. 10 from 10. Top!
Written January 2, 2023
Jan 2023 • Couples
Great experience, surely a must do if you are planning to visit Brasov! Our guide Dan was excellent, he made the tour informative and fun.
Written January 3, 2023
Jan 2023 • Family
Everything was amazing.The Pele,the Bran and the Rasnov.Charlie is the best guide with lots of humor.
Thank you Charlie for everything and thank you Viator tour for our tour
You should definitely take this tour,it's worth it!!!!
Thank you Charlie for everything and thank you Viator tour for our tour
You should definitely take this tour,it's worth it!!!!
Written January 6, 2023
Jan 2023 • Couples
This tour was a beautiful experience to visit famous transilvanian places with an expert guide who was very nice, entertaining and prepared to give us a lot of information and answers to all our questions. Recommended!
Written January 7, 2023
Jan 2023 • Family
Our guide was Charlie, he is professional, helpful, kind and funny too! Super!!!
We had a wonderful day: the castles are magnificent and Charlie guided us through each one with explanations of all the places visited.
We had a wonderful day: the castles are magnificent and Charlie guided us through each one with explanations of all the places visited.
Written January 8, 2023
Jan 2023
Hi!
It was a fun and interesting experience, just like my other tours with this company in prior years, so I keep coming back!
Tiberius was professional, kind, knowledgeable and a careful and attentive driver. He made an effort to make the tour interesting to a diverse group, from me with my strong interest in Romanian history to the nice, young parents with just general curiosity, to the two young children. We traveled in a clean, comfortable VW minivan.
Tiberius did a good job steering us around the crowds of tourists at both castles, and avoiding the insane traffic on the Bucharest road. He checked frequently to see if anyone was hungry, needed the bathroom, or wanted coffee -- which, as a coffee addict, I particularly appreciated. He recommended a nice place for an optional lunch stop, and it was reasonably priced with good food and good service.
I was delighted to spend the day at two castles and a quick survey of Rasnov and of course I would gladly return to Peles and Rasnov... for a third time. Bran Castle has, sadly, become overrun with tourists so if you go, I recommend a weekday. Tiberius is skilled at getting you through the swarms of tourists and wont lose you, but it is absolutely jammed inside Bran at some places.
Don't miss Peles and please choose the additional upstairs visit to the royal apartments. It is much, much less crowded than below, and more interesting, in particular the opportunity to see Queen Maria's beautiful crown that I have long admired and had no idea has just arrived at Peleş! Tiberius is conversant with all the relevant history and is very informative on the life, goals and personality of King Carol I.
Although the interior of Rasnov Fortress is under renovation, Tiberius was able to make a quick circuit of the fortifications worth the stop. He can describe siege warfare znd Saxon social organization knowledgeable.
His English is flawless anc colloquial.
Recommended!
It was a fun and interesting experience, just like my other tours with this company in prior years, so I keep coming back!
Tiberius was professional, kind, knowledgeable and a careful and attentive driver. He made an effort to make the tour interesting to a diverse group, from me with my strong interest in Romanian history to the nice, young parents with just general curiosity, to the two young children. We traveled in a clean, comfortable VW minivan.
Tiberius did a good job steering us around the crowds of tourists at both castles, and avoiding the insane traffic on the Bucharest road. He checked frequently to see if anyone was hungry, needed the bathroom, or wanted coffee -- which, as a coffee addict, I particularly appreciated. He recommended a nice place for an optional lunch stop, and it was reasonably priced with good food and good service.
I was delighted to spend the day at two castles and a quick survey of Rasnov and of course I would gladly return to Peles and Rasnov... for a third time. Bran Castle has, sadly, become overrun with tourists so if you go, I recommend a weekday. Tiberius is skilled at getting you through the swarms of tourists and wont lose you, but it is absolutely jammed inside Bran at some places.
Don't miss Peles and please choose the additional upstairs visit to the royal apartments. It is much, much less crowded than below, and more interesting, in particular the opportunity to see Queen Maria's beautiful crown that I have long admired and had no idea has just arrived at Peleş! Tiberius is conversant with all the relevant history and is very informative on the life, goals and personality of King Carol I.
Although the interior of Rasnov Fortress is under renovation, Tiberius was able to make a quick circuit of the fortifications worth the stop. He can describe siege warfare znd Saxon social organization knowledgeable.
His English is flawless anc colloquial.
Recommended!
Written January 8, 2023
Family with children 10 and 12. Toured Rasnov, Peles and Bran castle with Tiberiu as tour guide. There was something in it for the whole family. Tiberiu was excellent catering for both children and adults. Was a great experience and highly recommended.
Written January 8, 2023
Jan 2023 • Couples
A lovely tour that gave insight into the history of Transylvania and its beautiful architecture. Charlie was a great guide who also gave us additional suggestions for the rest of our trip in Romania.
Written January 11, 2023
Our guide, Charlie, is a really nice, sensitive, patient and caring person. He took gorgeous photos for us. We enjoyed so much in this tour! He shared a lot about the stories of Bran Castle and Romania including the culture, places, food, etc with us! We had an excellent experience with this tour!
Written January 12, 2023
Our guide, Charlie, is a really nice, sensitive, patient and caring person. We enjoyed so much in this tour! He shared a lot about the city of Sighisoara and Romania including the culture, places, food, etc with us! We had an excellent experience with this tour! I will miss Romania so much and wish to come back soon!
Written January 12, 2023
This tour was a great experience. Charlie was our guide and he was wonderful; incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the area. He speaks multiple languages and is easy going. We were picked up in a very central location in Brasov. The van was comfortable and easy to get around in. Charlie even offered to store our luggage and drop us off at the train station after the tour. Castles / fortress were amazing!
Written January 14, 2023
The guide Charlie was excellent. He knows a lot about history. He went above and beyond to make the tour memorable. Five stars to him.
Written January 16, 2023
Min guide Dan var väldigt kunnig och visste vad han pratade om. Det var bara jag och han på denna tour, så det var som att ha en privat guide. Dan har en enorm kunskap gällande historia och jag lärde mig väldigt mycket. Vi besökte några kyrkor, Castle Bran och Rasnov. Tyvärr var Castle Peles stängd denna dag. Kan starkt rekommendera denna tur till andra!
Written January 17, 2023
Aug 2022
I went with a friend to this tour in in August 2022 with Kartsi as guide. It was a very nice hike. The nature is beautiful and the canyon is much bigger than I expected. Kartsi knows the canyon like the palm of his hand and we had a great time. Totally recommended.
Written January 22, 2023
The tour was perfect! :) Albeit the constant rain and relatively cold weather (as is expected in January), we really had a blast with our tour leader Károly (Charlie).
The tour started with a visit to the Peles Castle, then proceeded to visit the Bran Castle and ended with an outside visit of the Rasnov Fortress (inside is currently closed). It was meticulously planned this way by Charlie and we managed to avoid road traffic and queues at the visiting sites.
Of course, Charlie is very knowledgeable about the history of the above mentioned castles and fortress, but he also provided us with loads of other useful historical information on the Transylvania region. His English speaking skills are top notch and he was also able to answer all of our questions.
We enjoyed Charlie's sense of humour and really appreciated his kindness and willingness to go the extra mile!
Highly recommended :)
The tour started with a visit to the Peles Castle, then proceeded to visit the Bran Castle and ended with an outside visit of the Rasnov Fortress (inside is currently closed). It was meticulously planned this way by Charlie and we managed to avoid road traffic and queues at the visiting sites.
Of course, Charlie is very knowledgeable about the history of the above mentioned castles and fortress, but he also provided us with loads of other useful historical information on the Transylvania region. His English speaking skills are top notch and he was also able to answer all of our questions.
We enjoyed Charlie's sense of humour and really appreciated his kindness and willingness to go the extra mile!
Highly recommended :)
Written January 22, 2023
Jan 2023
I can't think of a single complaint. It is clear they're experts from the informed, accommodating, and good-spirited tour. I would easily recommend this to anyone wanting to experience the beautiful mountains surrounding Brasov.
Written January 22, 2023
Charlie was an excellent guide- friendly, easy-going, helpful, and knowledgeable. Balea Lake was absolutely gorgeous, also visited the ruins of a monastery, and an Orthodox Church. What an incredible day!
Written January 23, 2023
Jan 2023 • Couples
We had an amazing time with Charlie. His expertise hand friendliness made the trip really pleasant! We had the impression that he was showing us the places not only because they are touristic, but because they have a significant relevance for Romanian history. Charlie was also able to bring us through Peles, Bran and Rasnov, avoiding tourists peak times and making the experience more intimate and enjoyable! We also enjoyed how funny he is :)
Written January 30, 2023
Great experience, our guide was the nicest person he tell us the history, fun facts and recommendations, he also take very good photos, we are very happy with the tour.
I highly recommend go on winter time the views are perfection, also in a week day you have the castle just for you pretty much.
I highly recommend go on winter time the views are perfection, also in a week day you have the castle just for you pretty much.
Written February 2, 2023
Jan 2023
My partner and I really enjoyed this guided tour, Charlie was excellent, he really knew his history about Romania and the castles. The castles were beautiful in the snow! We would highly recommend this tour!!
Written February 5, 2023
Feb 2023 • Friends
Me and Eyal booked a 4 day hike and we got Isti as our guide. We had an amazing time with him!
We went to crazy locations, hiked mountains through the snow and crazy weather, reached Shalets which are like cabins for mountain hikers, reached 1800 meters high, he took funny pictures of us along the way and made the experience a thousand times better.
He also taught us how to ski even though it was not originally included in the plan which is incredible!
He has a lot of knowledge, shared funny insights and helped us with everything we needed in Romania, even after the trip.
We certainly recommend Active Travel and you should most definitely ask for Isti specifically to be your guide!
We went to crazy locations, hiked mountains through the snow and crazy weather, reached Shalets which are like cabins for mountain hikers, reached 1800 meters high, he took funny pictures of us along the way and made the experience a thousand times better.
He also taught us how to ski even though it was not originally included in the plan which is incredible!
He has a lot of knowledge, shared funny insights and helped us with everything we needed in Romania, even after the trip.
We certainly recommend Active Travel and you should most definitely ask for Isti specifically to be your guide!
Written February 11, 2023
Had a tight timeline to hit Peles and Bran before our afternoon train. Charlie picked us up from our hotel in the morning, took us to Peles, ahead of the crowds, guided us through a quick but informative & interesting tour of all the floors of Peles, then briefly for a photo at Nevermore, and finally to a tight tour at Bran Castle. He even dropped us off at the train station in plenty of time. Highly recommend.
Written February 15, 2023
Feb 2023 • Couples
Really fun and informative adventure around the area! Dan was a great tour guide and you can tell he's very knowledgeable about the history of the area, and he's funny!
Written February 18, 2023
Feb 2023
I recently went on a guided tour of a historical castles and fortress, and I can confidently say that it was an absolutely fantastic experience! The guide, Tibu, was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the city's history and culture, which made the tour engaging and informative. Tibu was able to answer all of our questions and shared fascinating stories and details that we would have never discovered on our own.
Written February 19, 2023
Feb 2023 • Solo
I booked this on the Friday for Saturday so it was a last minute decision and I’m so glad I did. Dan was the perfect guide. He was very considerate to our whole group, nothing was any trouble and he was very knowledgeable so it was a fantastic day out.
The benefits of doing this trip rather than going on your own are:
* Cost…great value and much cheaper if you tried to get there any other way.
* The craic and chat when travelling to the sites and Dan pointed out many interesting facts.
* Queue jumping as the guide is known at the sites so just goes right to the front.
* The knowledge is second to none and having the experience at each location (we did Pele’s too) was great. Many times I could see independent travellers listening to our guide as he was very informed.
* Hacks for best places to park, eat, toilets etc.
All in all, we had a fun day and I learnt a lot. Thank you, Dan.
The benefits of doing this trip rather than going on your own are:
* Cost…great value and much cheaper if you tried to get there any other way.
* The craic and chat when travelling to the sites and Dan pointed out many interesting facts.
* Queue jumping as the guide is known at the sites so just goes right to the front.
* The knowledge is second to none and having the experience at each location (we did Pele’s too) was great. Many times I could see independent travellers listening to our guide as he was very informed.
* Hacks for best places to park, eat, toilets etc.
All in all, we had a fun day and I learnt a lot. Thank you, Dan.
Written February 19, 2023
Feb 2023
Une belle et vraie découverte de cette magnifique région avec Karoly qui nous a fait aimer la Transylvanie. Nous avons apprécié la délicatesse de notre guide et sa profonde culture.
Written February 20, 2023
Feb 2023 • Couples
My boyfriend and I really loved this trip. Our tour guide was Charlie, who was so knowledgable and funny and really interesting to chat to. He knew so much about Bran Castle and Rasnov castle the towns we went through, and we learnt so much. Would highly recommend, really wonderful morning trip.
Written February 21, 2023
Good tour. Knowledgeable guide. Very personable. Enjoyed the experience. Dan was on outstanding. Learned alot.....
Written February 21, 2023
Feb 2023 • Solo
We had Balazs as a guide - he was excellent! It was an informative day, but he kept it light and made it a fun experience. 10/10 would book again if I came back to Brasov. Thanks for a great day.
Written February 22, 2023
La recogida fue excelente directamente en nuestro hotel, Marian es excelente guía, super paciente, busco la manera de ayudarnos a comprender todas las explicaciones ya que nuestro inglés no es el mejor, verás los más bellos paisajes, no puedes perderte esta actividad, necesitas algo de condición física, zapatos impermeables e ir abrigado. Super recomendable. No te lo puedes perder, ah disfruta de una sopa en el refugió y un ron caliente
Written February 23, 2023
Feb 2023
It was an amazing visit and tripo to Bran Castle and Rasnov Fortress. Dan ( my guide) its probably best guide i ever met in my life. He really helps you to dive in Romanian history and specifically, regarding transilvania, into this places
Hes gentle and his knowledge its quite impressive
Bran castle really worth your time and already all landscapes from the tour was amazing
Looking forward to next time to visit Peles!
10/10
Hes gentle and his knowledge its quite impressive
Bran castle really worth your time and already all landscapes from the tour was amazing
Looking forward to next time to visit Peles!
10/10
Written February 24, 2023
Excelente, hermosos paisajes, increíbles vistas, la caminata es tranquila, requiere un poco de condición física, Charlie el guía es muy simpático y amable, tiene mucho don de gente.
Written February 26, 2023
Mar 2023
Husband first time visited Brasov, Romenia. So we took part in a tour to visit catsles with some advises from my friend.
As a result, it was right! Our guide Charlie was excellent! Knows well and friendly, also so healpfull. ( Even we are not good English spakers...) We had a amazing time with him.
Many years ago I personally visited Bran catsle, but highly recommend to take these tours. It's definitely twice or more as interesting with guides.
As a result, it was right! Our guide Charlie was excellent! Knows well and friendly, also so healpfull. ( Even we are not good English spakers...) We had a amazing time with him.
Many years ago I personally visited Bran catsle, but highly recommend to take these tours. It's definitely twice or more as interesting with guides.
Written March 3, 2023
This tour was amazing, and my tour guide Dan explained everything about the castles and transilvania, bran castle and peles castles were amazing places to visit.
I really enjoyed my day trip.
I really enjoyed my day trip.
Written March 3, 2023
Mar 2023
We found the Castles tour through Romanian friend and could not be any happier! Karoly was an exquisite guide who was so knowledgeable and made the whole experience 100x better! Karoly knew the castles so well and could easily predict how busy they would be, so planned the day perfectly to make sure we could beat the crowds at all sites! He also takes amazing photos as a bonus! Karoly also was very willing to go off route slightly to show us a few extra highlights, we could not recommend enough!
Written March 4, 2023
Feb 2023
What a great day we had visiting these beautiful places in Brasov. Charlie our tour guide was great fun, and super knowledgeable. We really enjoyed our day with him, and it was the highlight of our trip to Brasov.
Written March 6, 2023
Mar 2023 • Friends
We choose the Bran Castle and Rasnov Fortress tour. The tour guide Charlie was very very good! We had a great time ,he drove us all around these locations and always explained us in detail what were seeing. He knows a alot about Romanian history. He is very kind,polite with great sence of humor. Once again we had a great time! Im gladd we booked this tour. So 5***** , dont hesitate to book this tour with this company! RECOMMENDED!!!
Written March 7, 2023
Mar 2023 • Solo
The tour was amazing. I had an amazing guide: Tiberiu Simon from Active Travel, and he explained the history of the places we visited. I enjoyed it a lot. I recommend this tour 100% if you come to Brasov.
Written March 10, 2023
Mar 2023 • Friends
Increíble experiencia por los Cárpatos. Aunque el tiempo no acompañaba, la experiencia mereció completamente el tiempo dedicado. Vistas y parajes increíbles y una agradable estancia con almuerzo en refugio de montaña. Nuestro guía, Bogdan de 10, muy gracioso, en hizo todo lo posible para que estuvieramos cómodos.
Written March 11, 2023
Mar 2023 • Couples
Tiberiu was a brilliant guide! He was so nice and also told us recommendations about other cities and restaurants. It was excellent
Written March 14, 2023
Tiberiu (our tour guide) is one of the best tour guides I be ever met. He was very helpful with everything and he answered every question that we had with a lot of details. Very cheerful guy with a lot of knowledge. He took us from the meeting point next to our apartment and eventually left us at the end of the tour at the train station. He also helped us picking the best food to eat during the trip. I would definitely recommend this tour to everyone!!!
Written March 15, 2023
Nice day with Tiberiu you drove us to the castle of Peles (one of the most beautiful in Europe according to me), to the Bran Castle and the fortress of Rasnov. Great way to see and learn a lot within one day !
Written March 16, 2023
Mar 2023 • Solo
Very good Guide bogdan for the hike. Very much knowhow. Nice route trough the show covered mountains
Written March 20, 2023
We were fortunate to book our tour, last minute, and pleasantly surprised to be picked up near our hotel in a spacious, pristine van. Leaving Brasov, it wasn't long before our guide, "Charlie" (Balazs Karoly) impressed us all with his historical knowledge (he is a native of the area), his humor and his candor (in excellent English). By the time he finished Peles Castle (first of the day), we relaxed and were very happy when we learned he was also our guide for the next day to Sighisoara. A great two days!
Written March 21, 2023
Happily, we had both the Sighisoara and Peles/Bran day tours with the same guide, "Charlie" (Karoly). Both days were moderately strenuous with lots of walking with stairs, cobblestone roads and elevation changes. Throughout, Charlie ensured that all members of our small group (4) were safe and comfortable, assisting whenever possible; no one fell. He was very cautious on the extended drives, too.
Adding to that Charlie's encyclopedic historical knowledge and detailed narration at all the sites visited (accomplished English skills) made for the best tour experience. If we return to the area, we'll look Charlie and Active Travels.
Adding to that Charlie's encyclopedic historical knowledge and detailed narration at all the sites visited (accomplished English skills) made for the best tour experience. If we return to the area, we'll look Charlie and Active Travels.
Written March 21, 2023
Mar 2023 • Solo
I booked this tour and added on the optional Peles Castle visit (honestly this is a must). Charlie was incredibly knowledgeable, humorous and exceptionally good at hosting. We were also fortunate enough to visit Sinaia Monastery as we were early. I really enjoyed myself and highly recommend this tour and Charlie if you’re in Braşov and thinking about visiting these 3 major spots. My only regret is not budgeting enough time for a separate tour to Sighişoara (also run by this team).
Written March 22, 2023
We had a great time and had the pleasure to spot the bears. What an amazing experience. Would definitely recommend it to others
Written March 24, 2023
Mar 2023
We had two days of tours from Charlie (Károly B). The first day was a castle tour to Sinaia, Bran and Râșnov, to visit Peleș Castle, Castle Bran and Râșnov fortress. The second day was a trip by car through the Transylvanian countryside, through its fortified towns, taking in their colourful squares and medieval churches. Amongst
them, Rupea fortress, Viskri village including Charles' house and the white church, Sighișoara's hilltop church and the walled old town including the birthplace of Vlad Țepeș Dracula, where he lived until he was 4 years old.
Our guide, Charlie, was polite, courteous, punctual, very knowledgeable and had a fantastic sense of humour! And mulţumesc for the cozonac secuiesc!
them, Rupea fortress, Viskri village including Charles' house and the white church, Sighișoara's hilltop church and the walled old town including the birthplace of Vlad Țepeș Dracula, where he lived until he was 4 years old.
Our guide, Charlie, was polite, courteous, punctual, very knowledgeable and had a fantastic sense of humour! And mulţumesc for the cozonac secuiesc!
Written March 29, 2023
This trip was Awesome! I was fortunate enough to sign up the day before and A time Travel was so flexible, accommodating and friendly…. And my tour guide Tiberiu was over the top…! He was so friendly, knowledgeable and helpful and his English was great…! But perhaps what stands out most is that he is such a genuinely good person who has a real passion for teaching and explaining the history of the area…. I was only able to visit Dracula’s castle because of time constraints, but would love to see more next time…. If you want to know more about the history and the people of Brașov and the surrounding area this is what you’re looking for…!!!
Written March 30, 2023
Petit groupe, excellent guide. Vraiment un moyen tres confortable de visiter les incontournables en un minimum de temps
Written March 30, 2023
Mar 2023 • Solo
An excellent tour of 3 Castles. I added Peles Castle as an optional extra and would highly recommend this Gem.
Our guide, Charlie, has great knowledge, he is very informative, funny and has good English.
He could not have been more helpful.
10 out of 10 Active Travel
Our guide, Charlie, has great knowledge, he is very informative, funny and has good English.
He could not have been more helpful.
10 out of 10 Active Travel
Written March 30, 2023
Apr 2023 • Couples
Our tour guide was Tiberio. He can speak Italian so he helped us understanding everything we need in our native language. He is such a good person!
Written April 1, 2023
Mar 2023 • Solo
This tour was a fascinating look into the history of Transylvania from royalty to rural people. I was expecting it to be mainly about Dracula, but that was just a small part of it. Charlie was the best guide possible from the moment he picked me up from my hotel to when he dropped me back in Brasov to sample Sarmal (stuffed cabbage - traditional Romanian dish).
Charlie was so knowledgeable about everything from history to literature to politics and was happy to answer any of my questions. He was also funny and the day went very quickly. Thanks Active Travel for a great trip.
Charlie was so knowledgeable about everything from history to literature to politics and was happy to answer any of my questions. He was also funny and the day went very quickly. Thanks Active Travel for a great trip.
Written April 3, 2023
We had two day trips on successive days with Charlie, and both were fun, informative and a genuine pleasure. He is a kind, thoughtful, knowledgeable and funny guide, and we thoroughly enjoyed everything we saw thanks to his sustained effort and care. Highly recommended.
Written April 5, 2023
Apr 2023 • Couples
Our tour guide was Charlie. Charlie is very knowledgeable, charming and helpful. We visited Peles, Bran and Râşnov (from outside due to renovation). Peles was our favourite and definitely worth adding onto the trip. I would highly recommend the tour. It was a fantastic day which didn’t feel rushed or exhausting. It’s also a perfect sized group for the day.
Written April 7, 2023
Apr 2023 • Friends
Charlie was absolutely fantastic. My friend and I had a great time touring the castles with him, and he made it an unforgettable trip. He was extremely knowledgeable and friendly, and I would love to have him as a guide again if I come back to Romania.
Written April 7, 2023
Amazing and perfectly organised tour. The guide Tiberiu was super friendly and highly knowledgeable. Transylvania and its castles.. breathtaking!
Written April 7, 2023
Apr 2023
Our guide was Tiberio and he was fantastic! Very knowledgeable about Romania's history and he really made the experience!
Written April 7, 2023
Apr 2023 • Friends
We had the best time! I’m very happy that Charlie was so considerate and gave us the most wonderful experience of Peles, Bran and the Rasnov citadel. He is knowledgable and kept us informed. Even took us to spots where we could get great pictures. He made sure we were happy and comfortable throughout the tour. The best. I can really recommend this tour.
Written April 8, 2023
Although not that much advertised on the Internet, the places included in this tour are absolutely worth visiting! Thanks to Active Travel we discovered these UNESCO patrimony gems and thanks to our guide Tiberiu we learned a lot about Romania, its history and its local culture! Highly recommended!
Written April 8, 2023
Apr 2023 • Couples
Our tour of the Bran castle and Fortress with guide Charlie was excellent. His deep knowledge of both the history of the castle and fortress was brilliant. Charlie also had a great understanding of the wider history of Romania and he had a very friendly and positive demeanour. We would recommend this tour to anyone whom may be in the Brasov vicinity and we would gladly take this tour again when we are back in Romania.
Written April 10, 2023
Apr 2023 • Couples
This was a superb trip. Alex could not have been more professional and helpful. We were collected from our hotel and driven to a hide to wait and watch. Alex told us many interesting facts and we were very lucky to see 3 bears. We felt totally safe throughout and very lucky to have had this experience.
Written April 10, 2023
Apr 2023 • Solo
The guide gave a detailed description about the history and architecture of Romania as well as the culture of Romania. The tour was worth it and he also picked up good places for photos.
Written April 11, 2023
Apr 2023 • Couples
The tour that Charlie guided today was one of the best tours we've gone. Charlie was very accommodating, especially when I brought up my motion sickness. He was very knowledgeable and shared many interesting facts throughout the trip. But the best part was how much fun we all had as a group.
Written April 12, 2023
Apr 2023 • Friends
This tour was absolutely fantastic! Our guide Charlie was welcoming, friendly, hilarious and extremely knowledgeable. We have honestly had one of the best tours today ever, let alone in Romania. I would recommend this tour and this company to anyone- they were very accommodating and we had a really fun day- thank you to Charlie and the company.
Written April 14, 2023
Apr 2023 • Couples
The tour was amazing, but our guide Dan truly stood out as our favourite part of the whole experience. He told us everything we wanted to know about the sites, answered our obvious questions, and was lots of fun the whole way through. We were treated to many a great song in the car, as well as excellent jokes (Oedipus) and frivolities. To conclude, we would recommend the tour and we love Dan.
Written April 14, 2023
Apr 2023
Débutant avec la visite intimiste de la grotte aux chauves souris, nous nous rendons ensuite au sein de terres magnifiques avec des vues exceptionnelles sur les plus hautes montagnes de Roumanie, où l'on peut, tout au long du parcours, faire de belles rencontres tant bien humaines qu'animales avec les habitants du coin.
On peut également admirer d'authentiques maisons traditionnelles, avec leur délicat travail du bois. Le calme et la mélodie réparatrice de la nature nous accompagne tout au long du voyage.
L'étape à l'auberge pour le déjeuner nous a permis de goûter à des plats locaux et de faire davantage connaissance avec Tiberiu, notre super guide, qui nous a transmis beaucoup de connaissances sur la vie locale, sur la faune des Carpates mais aussi l'histoire de la région.
Cette randonnée tout à fait abordable pour des marcheurs occasionnels est tout à fait mémorable, je recommande à 100% !
On peut également admirer d'authentiques maisons traditionnelles, avec leur délicat travail du bois. Le calme et la mélodie réparatrice de la nature nous accompagne tout au long du voyage.
L'étape à l'auberge pour le déjeuner nous a permis de goûter à des plats locaux et de faire davantage connaissance avec Tiberiu, notre super guide, qui nous a transmis beaucoup de connaissances sur la vie locale, sur la faune des Carpates mais aussi l'histoire de la région.
Cette randonnée tout à fait abordable pour des marcheurs occasionnels est tout à fait mémorable, je recommande à 100% !
Written April 15, 2023
Apr 2023 • Couples
Absolutely amazing experience. We saw 2 young brown bears after waiting for about 20 minutes. Very well organised tour which includes transfer from Brasov
Review of: Small-Group Brown Bear-Watching Experience from Brasov
Written April 19, 2023
Written April 19, 2023
Apr 2023 • Couples
Our one day trip was amazing. We visited Rupea Fortress, Viscri and Sighisoara and our guide Charlie explained everything very well. He also took us to a fantastic restaurant.
Written April 21, 2023
Journée très bien en tres petit comité! Super guide (encore merci Charlie!)
Je me suis laissé guider et vraiment un sans faute sur toute la ligne! Depuis la réservation jusqu'au retour ! Encore merci !
Je me suis laissé guider et vraiment un sans faute sur toute la ligne! Depuis la réservation jusqu'au retour ! Encore merci !
Written April 23, 2023
Apr 2023 • Solo
Cälin war ein super Guide. Wir erfuhren viel über die Bären in Rumänien. Es war sehr spannend und aufregend. Ein super Erlebnis. Gutes Service von Active Travel Brasov um 275.- RON. Kann diese Tour absolut empfehlen.
Written April 24, 2023
Apr 2023
Absolutely fantastic trip to Peles Castle, Bran Castle and Râşnov Fortress. Our guide, Charlie was excellent and really made the trip special. Charlie shared so much knowledge at every stop and during the journey and made sure everyone in the small group was ok and didn’t make us feel rushed at any point. Each of the stops of the trips were magical and views stunning. This is is very beautiful area of the world and a must visit!
Written April 24, 2023
Apr 2023
This was our second trip with Active Travel and we were so pleased to have the same guide again, Charlie. This trip was amazing to Viscri, a small village that is untouched and so beautiful it feels like stepping back in time truly made all the more special that people live there. The views from Rupea were beautiful and so peaceful. The highlight of the day was visiting the beautiful Sighisoara and our friendly guide Charlie telling us all about Romania. It felt like we were on a day out with a friend, Charlie took his time with us and encouraged us to go into the clock tower and we are glad we did and the views were spectacular. I would recommend this trip and this company to everyone!
Written April 24, 2023
Apr 2023 • Couples
Hicimos una excursión de medio día a las iglesias fortificadas de Prejmer y Harman y fue una muy bonita experiencia. Dan, nuestro guía nos explicó muchas cosas de historia y de la vida de Rumanía y disfrutamos mucho la excursión. Las iglesias son preciosas y se nos hizo muy fácil y muy didáctico hacer esta excursión!sin duda la recomiendo!
Written April 26, 2023
Apr 2023 • Friends
Great experience to see the bears in their own world. Alex en his colleague did a great job. Go and see them
Written April 28, 2023
Apr 2023 • Friends
Thank you, the trip was amazing! We were so happy to see amazing fortress and beautiful city (: Charlie is the best (:
Written April 30, 2023
I booked this tour through Viator. The tour operator got in touch to coordinate and I met the guide, Dan, in Brasov's central square. Dan drove me around the region, providing lots of great insights into the history of the small towns. Bran Castle and Rasnov Fortress were very nice, and we also stopped for some snacks. That said, for me the highlights were the beautiful scenery (see image) and Dan's lifelong knowledge of the region and friendly demeanor!
Review of: Bran Castle and Rasnov Fortress Tour from Brasov with Optional Peles Castle Visit
Written May 2, 2023
Written May 2, 2023
Apr 2023 • Family
Très belle expérience, nous avons vu trois jeunes ours. Toutefois il faut être patient, nous avons attendu presque 2 heures. Notre guide nous a bien expliqué les habitudes des ours et les mesures de sécurité.
Written May 2, 2023
We had an amazing day out with our guide Bogdan. Amazing views. We are not experienced hikers nor of the best fitness level. Managed to complete the route regardless. Bogdan took care of us pacing the hike to our abilities and helping us through the climbs. There are options in the routes for ability levels but it does require a minimum fitness level. Although there is food at the midway point at the hut, bring water and light snack to fuel up. A must do.
Written May 3, 2023
May 2023 • Couples
Had a great time, we were able to drive ourselves to the site as one of our party gets car sick. The guides were very accommodating and informative. Plus we managed to see and take pictures of some bears!
Written May 3, 2023
May 2023 • Couples
Highly recommend this tour to see some amazing sights and learn about the fascinating history of the castles (definitely include Peles!! A true highlight). Our guide Dan was so knowledgeable and even though it was a packed day it felt relaxed and not rushed. Dan even took us to some additional places and it was clear how proud he is of his beautiful home region. Thanks again for the great day.
Written May 5, 2023
Apr 2023 • Couples
Καταρχάς,τα μέρη που επισκεφτηκαμε είναι εκπληκτικά,ενώ η ιστορία τους έχει εξαιρετικό ενδιαφέρον!Αποτυπώθηκαν στη μνήμη μας εικόνες μιας μυστήριας ομορφιάς και αποκτήσαμε γνώσεις που μας βοήθησαν να την εκτιμήσουμε στο έπακρο!Ο Tiberiu,ο οδηγός μας,ήταν ακούραστος, ομιλητικός,με βαθιά γνώση του αντικειμένου του και απολαυσαμε πολύ τις συζητήσεις που κάναμε μαζί του!Απαντούσε σε όλες μας τις απορίες και δεν άφησε καμία λεπτομέρεια εκτός ξενάγησης!Η Τρανσυλβανία άξιζε την επίσκεψή μας, την ερωτευτηκαμε και πραγματικά δεν είναι ένα μέρος από το οποίο φεύγεις,αλλά ένα μέρος στο οποίο επιστρέφεις!!!!Συνιστούμε το ταξίδι αυτό μέντα χίλια!!!!
Written May 6, 2023
May 2023 • Solo
Superb excursion in the heart of Transylvania. Accompanied by Charlie a passionate guide I discovered the castle of Peles and Bran as well as the fortress. I could take advantage of a good address of the guide to have lunch in front of the castle of Bran. I highly recommend this excursion.
Written May 7, 2023
May 2023 • Couples
Amazing experience! We only got to see the one bear unfortunately but definitely recommend going! I would also advice to bring some water as you'll be in a viewing shed, and it does get hot very quickly in there.
Written May 7, 2023
Our tour guide was on time, friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. In Sighisoara, he took us down seldom trodden pathways which we would have missed on our own. This is what you want out of a tour guide!!!
Written May 7, 2023
May 2023 • Couples
The bear watching was amazing. Just be a little bit patient and see what nature has to offer. You will forget about all the stress in you daily life when you see these beautiful animals for the first time in the wild.
Written May 7, 2023
May 2023 • Solo
Great tour, very informative guide, shame the fortress is closed for a couple of years, early start is imperative for Bran castle
Written May 8, 2023
May 2023 • Couples
A tour with Zsolt was absolutely amazing! I first had the same trip booked with the other company, but they cancelled me the night before. And honestly, I do not regret it. It was such a good trip with a great guide who very obviously knows and loves the history and culture of the region and is ready to answer any stupid tourist question! So nothing like a “one script fits all” kind of guide. We’ll absolutely ask him to be out guide again for more tours next year :)
Written May 9, 2023
May 2023 • Couples
We only saw one bear, but it was a huge one. First it went to the food, then it took the road. So it was approaching and passing by the shelter. We definitely recommend the tour.
Written May 9, 2023
May 2023 • Solo
I had the 2 day Piatra Craiului hiking tour with Mihai, who is an excellent, experienced and knowledgable guide. Day 1 we had a lovely hike through meadows and woodland, mostly away from the national holiday crowds. Some lovely views and spotted some Carpathian Chamois. I spent de night in a lovely pension in Magura where I experienced rural Romania and the local cuisine. I was very well looked after by the hostess and very well fed! Day 2 hiking was superb. We had a stunning tour around the west flank of the range with extraordinarily good weather, which allowed for views for miles.
I absolutely loved it and cannot wait to return.
I absolutely loved it and cannot wait to return.
Written May 10, 2023
Apr 2023 • Solo
The Sighisoara, Rupea Fortress and Viscri day tour was a full day of places you have to see. But you’d never get to without a car. Charlie and just three of us made it a memorable really small group tour. Don’t even think of take the big bus tours.
Written May 12, 2023
Apr 2023 • Solo
Active Travel arranged all my private transfers from airports to hotels to cities within Romania. All the drivers were prompt, reliable and professional. I was updated regularly so I’d know the driver and any relevant contact information. It made my life so much easier in a country where public transit is iffy at best. These are the people to go with.
Written May 13, 2023
Our guide, Alex, was brilliant and very informative. We had to wait a long time for a bear to come for food but definitely well worth the wait (you cannot predict nature). While waiting we also saw a eagle that landed in a tree close by.
We didn't have too far to walk to the hide from the minibus, just about 5 minutes.
Remember to take binoculars if you can. A good camera is definitely an adventure too. I only had a phone so my picture weren't so good.
We didn't have too far to walk to the hide from the minibus, just about 5 minutes.
Remember to take binoculars if you can. A good camera is definitely an adventure too. I only had a phone so my picture weren't so good.
Written May 14, 2023
May 2023 • Couples
Zsolt is a great, attentive and very friendly guide. the excursion is worth it. highly recommended for people of any age
Written May 14, 2023
Jun 2022 • Solo
This review is fairly late but I really can't recommend it enough! Charlie was our amazing guide and we were lucky to have a very fun group, and even beyond the designated tour spots Charlie was very flexible and recommended us good places to take pictures, what would be good local specialties to try (both at the restaurant for lunch and at the small market near Bran Castle), and was very well-spirited all the time! The tour itself is beyond lovely, it's a great value for the price considering the commodity of the transport, the good company, and how much you get to see! It was my favourite tour in Romania by far!
I also definitely recommend the Peles Castle add-on, it's beautiful and very worthwhile, and the guide is careful to work the tour around the traffic so that we made an excellent time.
I also definitely recommend the Peles Castle add-on, it's beautiful and very worthwhile, and the guide is careful to work the tour around the traffic so that we made an excellent time.
Written May 15, 2023
May 2023 • Solo
I was on one day trip with Bogdan. It was really great, he is really experienced and knows mountains so much. So I have learned a lot - not only about mountains but Romania as well. He was really nice about talking on anything really. Only pluses.
Written May 15, 2023
May 2023 • Couples
Great day with Mihai. An excellent and knowledgeable guide. Strongly recommended for a safe and enjoyable trek experience if you are visiting this part of Romania. Our trek was 6hr. Quite steep ascent, to 1600+m. Chalet stop for lunch. Amazing views.
Written May 17, 2023
May 2023 • Couples
Awesome experience ! We saw 4 bears and our guide was super friendly and interesting. We recommend it !
Written May 17, 2023
Sehr informative und abwechslungsreiche Tour mit unserem Guide Dan! Besonders der Besuch in Viscri hat uns sehr beeindruckt. Vielen Dank für den schönen Tag :)
Written May 18, 2023
May 2023 • Friends
We went to Bran Castle and Peles
Castle. Our guide was Charlie. He managed to get us first in line for Peles Castle when there was a long line. Clever guy! He was also very accomodating when i was the only one on the tour who wanted to see the 2nd floor in the castle and he personally accompanied me.
He made sure we were all comfortable and took us to a great restaurant. Not only was he a fun guide but he made us laugh.
Five stars to Charlie!!
Castle. Our guide was Charlie. He managed to get us first in line for Peles Castle when there was a long line. Clever guy! He was also very accomodating when i was the only one on the tour who wanted to see the 2nd floor in the castle and he personally accompanied me.
He made sure we were all comfortable and took us to a great restaurant. Not only was he a fun guide but he made us laugh.
Five stars to Charlie!!
Written May 18, 2023
May 2023 • Friends
10/10 experience. Really unique and wild. Alex is a fantastic guide and you can feel the adrenaline when you hear the bears growling 10 meters from you. A must to do if you ever come to Romania
Written May 18, 2023
Great experience seeing authentic wildlife, Highly recommend it!
We managed to see the bears and the guide was informative
We managed to see the bears and the guide was informative
Written May 19, 2023
The trip was extremely well organised. Great communication from Marian(owner) and Charlie(guide) ! On time pick up and smooth drop off. Charlie did a fabulous job in entertaining us all and keeping us all well informed.Fantastic day out with stunning scenery. Charlie took extra care in each of our comforts and needs. Would thoroughly recommend this trip to anyone and everyone.
Written May 19, 2023
May 2023 • Solo
Calin was an exceptional guide and made sure we spot bears while informing about them. Very enjoyable and recommendable.
Calin ha sido un guía de lujo. Se ha asegurado de que vemos osos y nos ha dado mucha información sobre ellos. Súper recomendable calidad/precio.
Calin ha sido un guía de lujo. Se ha asegurado de que vemos osos y nos ha dado mucha información sobre ellos. Súper recomendable calidad/precio.
Written May 20, 2023
May 2023 • Couples
Our guide Dan was friendly, very knowledgeable, and helpful. We particularly enjoyed his vast knowledge of Romania's past histories and life. Very attentive and was able to tailor the day to our needs. Dan is a born and lives local to Brasov so his local knowledge was invaluable. Marion at Active travel was our initial contact. Marion was proactive, friendly and service immediate. Also both Marion and Dan spoke and understood English very well which was important.
Written May 23, 2023
May 2023 • Couples
Our tour was customised and Mihai our guide was excellent. He was so passionate and genuine in describing nature and the enviroment on our walk through the national park. In the car he gave a great coverage of Romania and the region. A lovely person to spend a day with. Lunch was included at the local guest house at the end of the walk in the mountain village was brilliant. Mihai gave such a good description of local food. Would totally recommend Active Travel.
Written May 23, 2023
This was an excellent experience with a helpful and courteous guide. We saw bears 3 times across 2 hours in the hide. Would recommend.
Written May 26, 2023
Really great trip, our favourite thing we did in the area. It was so cool to see the bears and our guide Calin was super knowledgeable.
Written May 26, 2023
Found this excursion because we wanted to add something different to our Transylvania itinerary. We had a very knowledgeable guide and, in the end, saw two bears! Seeing them is not guaranteed, but we lucked out!
Written May 27, 2023
May 2023 • Solo
The guide for our tour was extremely pleasant and knowledgeable and he made sure that we had a good time.
Written May 28, 2023
May 2023 • Couples
Our guide Charlie is very knowledgeable. He took the time to answer all questions in a kindly manner. amazing experience
Written May 28, 2023
Duidelijke communicatie vooraf, centraal verzamelpunt. Wat een fantastische ervaring, wij hadden het geluk dat we maar liefst ZES beren hebben gezien, waarvan eentje de berg op klom en eentje super dicht langs het observatiehutje liep. Genieten in het kwadraat!
Written May 28, 2023
May 2023 • Couples
Superbe expérience, de passage en transylvanie, nous ne voulions pas manquer ça. Un moment magique avec ces animaux, le fait de voir des ours chez eux, dans leur habitat est incomparable avec un zoo, sanctuaire etc, je recommande !!
Written May 29, 2023
What an experience! I would recommend this trip to anyone! We saw 8 bears in total, including young bears with their mother. The guide and driver was excellent and so friendly and knowledgeable. Once in a lifetime experience!
Written May 30, 2023
May 2023 • Couples
We had an excellent day. Tiberiu was a passionate and informative guide..as a small group of 3 there was plenty of opportunities to ask questions..we had options to choose where we wanted to eat and ate in viscri..food was all produced in the village and was of a really excellent quality..service was quick and friendly.
Long and busy day but well worth it.
Long and busy day but well worth it.
Written May 31, 2023
May 2023 • Solo
A magical experience to walk into a forest knowing that bears are present. And we were lucky to see two of them (and the glance of 1-2 others far away). Also the ranger did a great job - he made us feeling safe and told interesting stories and facts about the bears in Romania.
Written June 1, 2023
Zsolt was my guide and he was excellent. Very friendly and knowledgeable on everything! The tour was def worth it and I learned a ton on Romanian history! Don’t think just book this trip
Written June 2, 2023
Jun 2023 • Friends
Amazing experience for anyone on holiday who wants to see some amazing castles and views who have limited time. What an amazing day out! Fantastic tour guide, Charlie, he was amazing, so knowledgeable and enthusiastic! He was so so helpful and happy to take it at each persons pace. Peles castle and bran castle were out of this world amazing and our tour guide took us round each of the castles telling us all about the history and facts about Romania. It felt like all day we were on our own private tour. 10/10 experience and would recommend this your to anyone visiting Brasov!!
Written June 3, 2023
Jun 2023 • Couples
Uno de los motivos de venir a Rumanía era para poder ver osos en libertad.
Si os gusta la naturaleza recomiendo totalmente esta experiencia.
Si os gusta la naturaleza recomiendo totalmente esta experiencia.
Written June 5, 2023
Jun 2023 • Solo
Dan is a really nice and talkative guy. His explanations were really throughout. Everything went really smoothly and the places we visited (Bran castle and Rasnov fortress) were both worth it.
Written June 6, 2023
Jun 2023 • Solo
This small group tour was well organised by our guide Tiberiu. He is clearly very experienced and was passionate in sharing information about the history and many details.
Written June 7, 2023
We saw 5 bears and our ranger, Alex, was knowledgeable and entertaining. He made us feel safe during the 10 minute walk from the car to the hide.
Written June 7, 2023
Jun 2023 • Solo
I am so glad I did this tour. I was initially in two minds due to the price, but it was worth every penny. I had great fun and received lots of information from Dan, my guide. He went the extra mile and took me to places that were not included like a monastery and another fortified church, recommended food, music and films to complement the experience. He’s very knowledgeable and (not a minor detail) a safe driver. I would definitely recommend doing this tour over doing the same route independently!
Written June 7, 2023
Jun 2023 • Solo
Our guide was excellent! He was incredibly knowledgeable about the sites we visited and their history. We got to see a very authentic side of Romania that you won’t be able to see if you do a self guided tour. He answered all of our questions, gave us recommendations on local food to try, and suggested more activities in the area as well. I would definitely recommend this!!! This tour is also a better option than the Bucharest castle tours because you’ll be able to arrive earlier and beat the crowds.
Written June 9, 2023
Great day trip with an excellent guide! Dan really made a difference. This gentle giant is fountain of knowledge, and a very generous and caring man ❤️ Definitely go for the option with Peleš castle. This is the most impressive and memorable sight of the while tour.
As an added bonus Dan spontaniously stopped at both a ski jump site+ at a beautiful orthodox church, securing us a private tour of the latter. I even joined him at the Braşov opera after the tour. A day to remember! 10/10.
As an added bonus Dan spontaniously stopped at both a ski jump site+ at a beautiful orthodox church, securing us a private tour of the latter. I even joined him at the Braşov opera after the tour. A day to remember! 10/10.
Written June 10, 2023
Jun 2023 • Friends
Cannot recommend this trip enough. We were collected from the hotel and taken accompanied in the hike to 7 ladders canyon. Alex the guide was patient and supportive and showed us the best way to climb the ladders. He was knowledgeable about Romania and shared a lot of interesting information. The views were stunning and it was a fabulous way to spend a morning - highly recommended and good value. Thank you.
Written June 11, 2023
Jun 2023 • Family
Outstanding experience. Charly is incredibly well informed, organized and relaxed. He was also able to fine tune the day to our specific intellectual interests at very short notice. Cannot imagine a better day or guide.
Written June 11, 2023
Jun 2023 • Couples
Great excursion and made so much better with our Tour Guide, Charley!
From a message 24 hrs prior to trip to confirm meeting point and time, to actual pick up, drive to Castle and more, was just exceptional. Charley was a great story teller and his knowledge of the area and history was second to none. Charley was super friendly, funny and knew so much - he really made the tour extra special and it will be one we will never forget. Thank you Charley.
We would highly recommend this tour to all.
From a message 24 hrs prior to trip to confirm meeting point and time, to actual pick up, drive to Castle and more, was just exceptional. Charley was a great story teller and his knowledge of the area and history was second to none. Charley was super friendly, funny and knew so much - he really made the tour extra special and it will be one we will never forget. Thank you Charley.
We would highly recommend this tour to all.
Written June 12, 2023
The guide was very knowledgeable. It was great to visit Peles and Bran castles, and Rasnov fortress with a guide who can tell you much more about these locations than the information provided on placards.
Written June 15, 2023
Jun 2023 • Couples
We had a great tour visiting the Peles and Brann castles and finding out a lot of information about the history of Romania. Our guide, Tiberius, was excellent and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend this tour.
Written June 15, 2023
Jun 2023 • Family
We had a great time. A lot of good information. I will recommend to have this travel guide. With the tour guide you skip the long waiting lines.
Written June 15, 2023
Jun 2023 • Solo
I had an excellent time with Charlie as guide. He was knowledgable about the sites and region, so I enjoyed our conversations very much. It was possible to see everything in a relaxed way.
Written June 15, 2023
Jun 2023 • Couples
They let do the last-minute reservation, and we were driven to the point with the car. It was super nice, as because of that we had the chance to see the bears. We saw 4 or 5 bears, of different ages and gender :) The guide was knowledgeable and told us many facts about the wonderful creatures. Highly recommend!
Written June 15, 2023
Jun 2023 • Couples
Really informative and unique. We could quietly observe bears from the cabin strategically placed in a forest were many bears wander, while the guide explained some facts about bears and happily answered our questions :)
Written June 15, 2023
Jun 2023 • Solo
This was a great day out - not only did we see the wonderful sites, but through Tiberiu's knowledge and enthusiasm learned a lot about the biodiversity of the region and feasted on delicious local products at a great place in Viscri, where King Charles III has a house. Thoroughly recommended.
Written June 16, 2023
Jun 2023 • Couples
Our guide Dan was pleasant and very kind. He drove us to all the locations and kept us entertained throughout the way. We went up the cable car since the Transfagarasen was closed. We were lucky with the weather and the views were amazing. He sang Ave Maria for us inside the Cistercian abbey which was a pleasant surprise. He gave us woollens and hot coffee to keep as warm which were nice gestures that I appreciate. We would have preferred a bit more information on certain exhibits but overall it was a nice experience.
Written June 17, 2023
I went solo and met a great group on the tour. Our guide Alex was super knowledgeable, but more importantly, super entertaining! He was a blast to talk to and gave a lot of recent history of Romania as well, which really conveyed the human element of the history you can't read on Wikipedia. Definitely worth booking!
Written June 17, 2023
Jun 2023 • Couples
This is probably the best agency I have found in my travels. Quick to respond, flexible options and incredibly knowledgeable guides speaking great English. If that wasn’t enough, the organisation is kind too. My husband and I had booked a day private tour to visit the castles of Peles and Bran. During the visit I started suffering from bad migraine, Marian in the office offered to leave the rest of the tour for the following day at no extra cost. Charlie, our guide, could not have been kinder, took us to our hotel and picked us up the next morning for a day full of stories and fun. Thanks Active Travel, you made our trip to Rumania!
Written June 17, 2023
If you do nothing else in Brasov, you must do this!! Absolutely amazing experience. We saw three bears and also lots of birds.
The bears were absolutely beautiful and the guide was really informative.
They drove us out to the forest in a minibus which was really comfortable and we had a short walk through the forest to the hut. We all loved it and felt very lucky to see these amazing animals. Highly recommend this activity & guide!
The bears were absolutely beautiful and the guide was really informative.
They drove us out to the forest in a minibus which was really comfortable and we had a short walk through the forest to the hut. We all loved it and felt very lucky to see these amazing animals. Highly recommend this activity & guide!
Written June 18, 2023
Jun 2023 • Couples
This was a well organised tour. Everything was efficient. We had a great time and were lucky enough to see 5 bears. Our guide gave us lots of useful information about the bears. It was so interesting. I would recommend this tour, it was wonderful.
Written June 18, 2023
Jun 2023
Ich kann diesen Ausflug nur jedem empfehlen. Wir wurden direkt in Brasov abgeholt und sind bis zum Wald gefahren. Dort erhielten wir eine Einweisung wie wir uns zu verhalten haben und dann ging es ca. 15 Minuten zu Fuß zur Beobachtungshütte. Unser Ranger Alex zeigte uns auf dem Weg schon Bärenspuren und hatte stets einige Informationen parat. Der Aufenthalt in der Hütte dauerte etwa 2,5 Stunden und wir sahen drei Bären. Auf dem Rückweg stockte uns kurz der Atem als plötzlich ein Bär den Hang herunter kam und auf unserem Weg stehen blieb und uns beäugte. Alex reagierte ruhig und entschlossen ohne das "Bärenspray" einsetzen zu müssen. Meister Petz zog sich wieder in den Wald zurück und wir gelangten sicher zu den Fahrzeugen. Es war also ein sehr schöner, erlebnisreicher und aufregender Ausflug.
Vielen Dank nochmals... besonders an Alex.
Vielen Dank nochmals... besonders an Alex.
Written June 19, 2023
Jun 2023 • Couples
It was perfect! We got delayed on the way to the meeting point and they were flexible and adjusted time and place for us so we got plenty of time to see the bears.
Written June 21, 2023
Jun 2023 • Family
Alex notre guide était adorable un vrai bonheur, il nous a fait patienter en nous racontant des anecdotes, le comportement des ours … un vrai moment hors du temps
Written June 23, 2023
Jun 2023
Excellent tour, Tiber full of good information (and humour). Got us to Bran early ahead of the crowds, and the castle was really interesting, but we enjoyed even more the two fortified churches, which were completely fascinating (and almost deserted). Prejmer has one of the most beautiful (very plain) churches I’ve seen, and at Harmanthe tiny chapel with its 15th century frescoes was a delight. So thank you Acrive Travel, highly recommended!
Written June 23, 2023
Charlie is an excellent guide, friendly and informative, didnt rush us and we really enjoyed our intro to Brasov - good way to start a stay here.
Written June 23, 2023
Jun 2023 • Solo
Dan was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable about the area, history etc. Very friendly and easy to talk too and overall it was a lovely experience! He even shared details about where he grew up and was interested to learn about us as well. Definitely would recommend him as a guide. The tour didn’t feel rushed either. Had a great time, thanks !
Written June 26, 2023
Jun 2023 • Solo
Dan was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable about the area, history etc. Very friendly and easy to talk too and overall it was a lovely experience! He even shared details about where he grew up and was interested to learn about us as well. Definitely would recommend him as a guide. The tour didn’t feel rushed either. Had a great time, thanks !
Written June 26, 2023
We were two couples on this trip. What a fantastic time we had! Our guide Mihai was so knowledgeable and patient. We got rained out one day but made up for it the following day with an epic day up to Shepherd’s Peak. Each day (3 hiking days) was different and equally interesting and exhilarating. I can’t recommend this trek more. Also- planning it with Marian at Active Travel was so great. We did it all over Whatsapp which made it easy to get questions answered etc. She worked with us to make the perfect trip. Have to give a plug to the guesthouse where we stayed in Magura (will do a separate review). This place was organized by the tour and it was also a highlight. The village of Magura is unlike anything I’ve seen- such gorgeous mountains and small farms- forests and fields. We hope to come back one day.
Written June 30, 2023
The tour was great. Marion was punctual, knowledgeable, and a lot of fun! I can’t recommend this tour enough.
He picked us up at our hotel and drove us to the national park. He then took us on a trail that hiked through lush forest, beautiful meadows, and amazing mountains!
Halfway through the hike, we stopped at a mountain lodge and had a filling lunch. Even my wife, who is vegetarian, was stuffed from the meal and found it delicious. Also, having the ability to fill up our water bottles at the various natural springs was helpful.
Marion knew a lot about the ecosystem, local culture, and was easy to talk to. His English is impeccable. He let us go at our own pace, and often gave us choices as to which trail to take, depending on our level of fatigue. We were only wearing sneakers, but never felt like we were in over our heads on the mountain.
Overall, the hike was six hours, but it flew by very quickly! Thanks again, Marion!!!
He picked us up at our hotel and drove us to the national park. He then took us on a trail that hiked through lush forest, beautiful meadows, and amazing mountains!
Halfway through the hike, we stopped at a mountain lodge and had a filling lunch. Even my wife, who is vegetarian, was stuffed from the meal and found it delicious. Also, having the ability to fill up our water bottles at the various natural springs was helpful.
Marion knew a lot about the ecosystem, local culture, and was easy to talk to. His English is impeccable. He let us go at our own pace, and often gave us choices as to which trail to take, depending on our level of fatigue. We were only wearing sneakers, but never felt like we were in over our heads on the mountain.
Overall, the hike was six hours, but it flew by very quickly! Thanks again, Marion!!!
Written July 1, 2023
Jun 2023 • Family
Wow, it was brilliant. Met in Brasov then got driven to secret hide where we waited patiently in anticipation for the arrival of bears. during the wait the guide was full of information on Romanian bears, telling us tales and showing pictures and videos of previous sightings. We managed to see 3 bears over the time in the hide.... my heart skipped a beat when the 1st one at 300kg approx. walked out of the bushes....... it was so good we went back the next night. Thank you Active travel for accommodating us at short notice...... 4 bears at a different location. Wow, wow.. very professional outfit with good guides and hides....
Written July 2, 2023
Jul 2023 • Solo
We went to Bran Castle, Rasnov Fortress and Peles Castle. Our guide Charlie was really attentive, knowledgable and fun. I don't think there was any question he didn't have the answer to. He took also great care of everyone and made sure that we followed and got good service where we went. He's also a really ambitious photographer if you need someone to take your picture. Overall really interesting and fun, would highly recommend!
Written July 2, 2023
Jul 2023 • Solo
Saw a lot of bears and the guide was great. The trip was just the right amount of time. We saw 3 bears and walked through the forest.
Written July 3, 2023
Jul 2023 • Couples
We saw all the things we wanted to see in one excursion: the most beautiful scenery, bears, and Vlad’s real castle (from a distance because the castle was closed because of renovations). Our guide Dan was on time, professional, and knew a lot about the area.
Written July 3, 2023
A unique and authentic experience in Transylvanian villages. My guide was well prepared and knew a lot about the region and its history. He offered several variants of the route and we chose one according to my wishes and hiking equipment. I loved the nature and the surroundings, and the lunch in the guesthouse was big and delicious :) I would recommend this route to everyone who wants to have a genuine Transylvanian experience with a local guide.
Written July 5, 2023
Jul 2023 • Solo
A really great tour if you're interested in history, architecture or even just Dracula. Transportation is great, guide was great and experience was overall great. Would definitely recommend!
Written July 5, 2023
Jul 2023 • Solo
It was a really cool experience, we saw 2 bears (one big male and one young female). It is an easy trip from Brasov and I highly recommend taking this tour if you are a wildlife lover.
Written July 5, 2023
Jul 2023 • Solo
Brilliant trip with Charlie as guide and active travel as organising company. Weather was erratic- chucking it down one minute then bright sunshine but Charlie coped with all eventualities, umbrellas ready, and a steadying arm for any uneven terrain, steps and inclines that I would have found difficult as by far the oldest member of the group. Everything was flexible, no pressure, and thoroughly enjoyable. Highly recommended company and guide.
Written July 7, 2023
This tour was excellent! Small group, ahead of the crowds and our guide Tibi was extremely knowledgeable not only about the sites but the history of Romania in general. We learned so much throughout the day! I highly recommend!
Written July 8, 2023
Great!! It has been a success. Highly recommended.
Very well organized and having a lot of luck we have been able to observe four great specimens in freedom.
Very well organized and having a lot of luck we have been able to observe four great specimens in freedom.
Written July 8, 2023
The castles we visited are interesting, but the best about this experience was Tiberiu's (our guide) explanations. He made this tour a journey through history and I discovered so much more than what I had expected. Definetely recommend him and the agency.
Written July 9, 2023
Jul 2023 • Couples
Very nice trip! Beautiful places and our guide was professional. Would recommend that experience to other travellers.
Written July 12, 2023
Jul 2023 • Family
We did a Bran and Peles Castles with Alex. He is an excellent guide, a very informative and thoughtful guy. He told us amazing stories about the history of Transylvania and answered all our questions. It was a really memorable experience to explore a beautiful Transylvania with Alex. We will be back!
Written July 12, 2023
Although we just saw one small bear, We enjoyed the trip very much, and the way to the bears hide was very interesting and had a kind of adventure, as well as seeing the footprints of the bears, it was a beautiful experience also the guide he is knowledgable in beard. And we want to thank them because while we are in the forrest one of us didn’t continue the trip so they made a refund for her!
Written July 13, 2023
Very nice and friendly guide. Pickup punctual with a minibus. Our group consisted of 7 people. The guide did the driving, showed us where to get the tickets and also had a detailed knowledge about every stop.
We would absolutely do it again :)
We would absolutely do it again :)
Written July 15, 2023
Jul 2023 • Couples
As this was a genuine wild bear experience, we were aware that we may not see anything. Fortunately we were lucky enough to have a sighting. It was really special, watching the bear from our hide. I would recommend this trip. The guides do not interfere in the bears way of life or manage them. If you want an authentic experience this is well worth it
Written July 16, 2023
Jul 2023 • Friends
Isti was an amazing guide. He really catered to our abilities. He was very smart and shared a lot of Romania’s history with us. One of our favorite parts was sitting on the ground with a paper map while he explained the history of each region. He was very friendly and easy to talk to. We could tell he wanted to make sure we had a good hike. He knew many alternate routes to avoid the crowds. And he didn’t make us feel bad when we had to turn around sooner than he expected. He was great. We would recommend him to our friends.
Written July 16, 2023
Jul 2023 • Couples
We had an amazing two day tour with Charlie. First day we toured the Transylvanian castles (Peleș, Bran and Râșnov), and on the second we visited Sighișoara and the fortified villages.
From start to finish Charlie was incredibly accommodating and so knowledgeable. He could answer any question we had about the places we visited and just Romania in general. By the end of day two he felt more like a friend than a guide! He is such a fantastic asset to the company and anyone who gets him as their guide is in for such a treat.
From start to finish Charlie was incredibly accommodating and so knowledgeable. He could answer any question we had about the places we visited and just Romania in general. By the end of day two he felt more like a friend than a guide! He is such a fantastic asset to the company and anyone who gets him as their guide is in for such a treat.
Written July 17, 2023
Jul 2023 • Family
We had a fantastic trip and experience (2 adults and a child). We were picked up exactly when Alin told us, in Brasov.
One bear was present when we got to the hut, and in the time we were there we saw 3 more bears (although one fleetingly).
Our guide Alin was very knowledgeable about the bears, the environment and also spoke a lot about Romania and its history when we were travelling. He was so friendly and thoughtful, and even let us use his binoculars (everyone else had some and we didn't). When we were waiting in between bears (and also two foxes!) he would tell us more things quietly and share some of his experience.
We had looked at other cheaper tours but we are so glad we paid extra to go in a small group. We felt so lucky to see that amount of bears, it was magical and my son and the adults loved every minute.
Thanks for looking after us and keep up the good work!
One bear was present when we got to the hut, and in the time we were there we saw 3 more bears (although one fleetingly).
Our guide Alin was very knowledgeable about the bears, the environment and also spoke a lot about Romania and its history when we were travelling. He was so friendly and thoughtful, and even let us use his binoculars (everyone else had some and we didn't). When we were waiting in between bears (and also two foxes!) he would tell us more things quietly and share some of his experience.
We had looked at other cheaper tours but we are so glad we paid extra to go in a small group. We felt so lucky to see that amount of bears, it was magical and my son and the adults loved every minute.
Thanks for looking after us and keep up the good work!
Written July 17, 2023
It was our first time seeing bears in the wild. It was exciting and very unique experience. Our guide was lovely and came to pick us up right on time. We saw three bears and a wolf. Excellent recommendation!
Written July 18, 2023
Jul 2023 • Couples
Easy meeting point and friendly guide.
Upon arrival in the forest we took a short walk to the Hide.
Due to the weather it was hot inside (take water) and sat quietly and waited.
Our guide set realistic expectations for us. Nature is unpredictable and although the bears come to this spot everyday to eat we joked that they don’t own watches.
After over an hour within the hide I had honestly given up hope when suddenly TWO bears launched themselves into view.
It was breathtaking!!
After they left we were treated to a visit from another bear and finally a little fox.
It was an unforgettable experience. Our guide has a clear passion and respect for these incredible creatures.
I’m thankful for his patience and his flexibility in allowing us to stay for longer to witness bears where they should be! In their natural environment.
Upon arrival in the forest we took a short walk to the Hide.
Due to the weather it was hot inside (take water) and sat quietly and waited.
Our guide set realistic expectations for us. Nature is unpredictable and although the bears come to this spot everyday to eat we joked that they don’t own watches.
After over an hour within the hide I had honestly given up hope when suddenly TWO bears launched themselves into view.
It was breathtaking!!
After they left we were treated to a visit from another bear and finally a little fox.
It was an unforgettable experience. Our guide has a clear passion and respect for these incredible creatures.
I’m thankful for his patience and his flexibility in allowing us to stay for longer to witness bears where they should be! In their natural environment.
Written July 18, 2023
Jul 2023 • Family
Great tour especially Viscri . TB was a great guide and very informative. Highly recommended. Also do not eat before you get to Viscri because the food is delicious and locally grown in the village .
Written July 18, 2023
Jul 2023
We went on this day tour with Tibi who arranged for us to see everything it was possible to see in this one day. The trip to Sighisoara was amazing, he told us lots about the history of the region as well as showing us all the main sights, the local museum and the medieval churches. For Dracula fans, this is the birthplace of Vlad Tepes. We stopped for lunch in Viscri, much loved by King Charles III who has a house there which we visited. The lunch we had was locally produced food, and lots of it. Again, Tibi was able to tell us the history of the area, the links with King Charles and all about the fortified church. On the way back we walked up to the Rupea citadel to take in more views of the stunning countryside and mountains.
If you do this tour (and I highly recommend it) be sure to wear good shoes or walking sandals, take sun cream/hat if hot and stay hydrated. There is nothing too strenuous walking wise but there is a lot to see and take in so expect to want an early night after this!
If you do this tour (and I highly recommend it) be sure to wear good shoes or walking sandals, take sun cream/hat if hot and stay hydrated. There is nothing too strenuous walking wise but there is a lot to see and take in so expect to want an early night after this!
Written July 19, 2023
Jun 2023
Charlie, our guide, picked us up in Brasov and whisked us off for a tour of these beautiful castles. Our first stop was Peles, which is like something out of a fairy tale. The architecture and interiors were simply stunning and the 'mod cons' that had been built into the building were way ahead of their time. We arrived reasonably early and we missed a lot of the crowds which was a plus.
After our tour here we went on to Bran Castle, aka the home of Count Dracula. This was one my bucket list and it did not disappoint. Without spoilers....expect the interior to be a surprise.
For lunch in a local restaurant, we were advised by Charlie on the best and most authentic Romanian dishes, which we tried and were not disappointed. There's a good choice of food, and they also served excellent English tea here!
Onwards to the Rasnov Fortress, which we accessed via a funicular railway. At the top, you can buy ice creams and souvenirs and have a go on some weaponry used to defend the structure over time.
Throughout the day, Charlie told us all about the history of the area, the castles and the legends associated with them. It was a small group, so we were able to indulge in ice-creams and add extra bits of the tours if we wanted to.
I'd recommend both the tour and the company.
After our tour here we went on to Bran Castle, aka the home of Count Dracula. This was one my bucket list and it did not disappoint. Without spoilers....expect the interior to be a surprise.
For lunch in a local restaurant, we were advised by Charlie on the best and most authentic Romanian dishes, which we tried and were not disappointed. There's a good choice of food, and they also served excellent English tea here!
Onwards to the Rasnov Fortress, which we accessed via a funicular railway. At the top, you can buy ice creams and souvenirs and have a go on some weaponry used to defend the structure over time.
Throughout the day, Charlie told us all about the history of the area, the castles and the legends associated with them. It was a small group, so we were able to indulge in ice-creams and add extra bits of the tours if we wanted to.
I'd recommend both the tour and the company.
Written July 19, 2023
Jul 2023
We were picked up from our hotel in Brasov by our excellent guide. She was passionate and knowledgeable about the bears living in the forest. We were taken to a bear hide and did not have to wait very long until several bears arrived. We spent an hour in the hide, watching the bears foraging, feeding, and interacting with each other. The time flew past, and our guide was always on hand to answer any questions and take pictures with the bears in the background. One of the best experiences and one I would definitely recommend.
Written July 19, 2023
Everything was very well organized and there were no complications. We had a friendly and informed guide who took us tonan easy to reach hiding point. Notnlong after arriving we saw first a fox and later on two bears and could easily watch them for one and a half hours straight. This has been a great experience and we took a lot of nice pictures. It also was very safe.
Written July 21, 2023
Jul 2023 • Family
After half an hour of waiting we could see a fox and two bears. The guide gave some interesting explanations about the life of the bears. One female bear liked to stay at the spot for about an hour. It was a special experience to meet the animals in their natural habitat and not behind a fence. Our patience was really rewarded. Also a 14 year old was with us and appreciated the experience.
Written July 22, 2023
Jul 2023
What an amazing experience! A wonderful trek through Transylvania with our awesome guide Zsolt. Great food, great views, great hiking, and wonderful people to share it with. I cannot recommend this trip highly enough!
Written July 24, 2023
Jul 2023 • Friends
It was a great tour with gorgeus views and serious hiking in the beautiful Fagaras mountains. Good and safe transport until the foot of the mountain and back to city, through mountain roads (including the Balea lake road) and picturesque villages. Very good choice of the hiking path, good tempo of the group. And the very beautiful views of the wild mountains, lakes and patches of snow with lavishing flora and fauna. Except for the hike itself that deserves 5-stars I appreciate the fact that there was enough time to take photos and to rest in these gorgeous places. Looking forward to hike again in the Carpathians.
Written July 25, 2023
Jun 2023 • Family
Mye historie fra en dyktig guide. Han kunne mye om området og Romanias historie. Han hadde svar på spørsmålene våre.
Andbefales.
Andbefales.
Written July 25, 2023
Parcours très agréable, en grande partie en forêt, on profite pleinement de la nature et de la quiétude de l'endroit et du site (plutôt à faire assez tôt le matin, beaucoup moins de monde je pense et bonne température) la fin du parcours est assez pentue !
Written July 25, 2023
Jul 2023 • Solo
This was a wonderful experience. Alex was a great guide. I appreciated all the information and he brought it all to life. I highly recommend this tour.
Written July 26, 2023
Jul 2023 • Solo
This was a wonderful and very informative experience. The small van was comfortable and our driver/tour guide, Tiberiu, was exceptional in his vast knowledge of history and not just Brasov but the larger historical perspective of the region. His love of history, city and Country is evident adding to the richness and diversity of his sharing. He was one of the best guides I have had the pleasure of learning from over these last 2 years of travel.
If you haven't already done your research please note that Bran Castle is interesting - if you are looking for Dracula this might disappoint simply because the history here is not about the myth but the region and its historical defense of the area. Peles Castle is absolutely breathtaking. I recommend booking and enjoy a fabulous day. However, if you utilize the pick-up and drop-off service I strongly recommend that you CONFIRM in advance that you will be dropped-off at the SAME location that you were picked-up at. There was confusion regarding this for me and Active Travel Brasov, the tour company, sorted it all out. To avoid the end of a wonderful day being a bit of a let-down I recommend that you confirm this detail. Enjoy.
If you haven't already done your research please note that Bran Castle is interesting - if you are looking for Dracula this might disappoint simply because the history here is not about the myth but the region and its historical defense of the area. Peles Castle is absolutely breathtaking. I recommend booking and enjoy a fabulous day. However, if you utilize the pick-up and drop-off service I strongly recommend that you CONFIRM in advance that you will be dropped-off at the SAME location that you were picked-up at. There was confusion regarding this for me and Active Travel Brasov, the tour company, sorted it all out. To avoid the end of a wonderful day being a bit of a let-down I recommend that you confirm this detail. Enjoy.
Written July 27, 2023
Jul 2023 • Couples
Traveled to Brașov with my wife. We were looking for a guided tour of the surroundings. We have found Active Travel Brașov and we were happy to see that they have quite some options for day trips.
We have spent a very and informative day visiting the Peles Castle, after that the Bran Castle and finishing with the Rasnov Fortress. Our Guide Mr. Zsolt Bara helped us with very informative and insightful information about the history of the castles and the Royal Romanian families. Many thanks for that, we appreciate your expertise and professionalism.
We highly recommend Active Travel Brașov if you are looking to visit the surroundings and know about the history of Brașov and maybe a little more.
We have spent a very and informative day visiting the Peles Castle, after that the Bran Castle and finishing with the Rasnov Fortress. Our Guide Mr. Zsolt Bara helped us with very informative and insightful information about the history of the castles and the Royal Romanian families. Many thanks for that, we appreciate your expertise and professionalism.
We highly recommend Active Travel Brașov if you are looking to visit the surroundings and know about the history of Brașov and maybe a little more.
Written July 27, 2023
One of the most exciting and incredible experience of our life! We saw two bears and a fox, we learn a lot about their behaviour thanks to the rangers, who explain us everithing and were very professional. Walking into the forest to reach the hide, knowing that the bears were around us, was an indescribable sensation. We saw also a giant footprint of a big bear, amazing! Highly recommended!
Written July 28, 2023
Jul 2023 • Family
Le tour était vraiment très bien. Le château de Peleş est magnifique, incontournable. Le château de Bran est chargé d´histoire. Le guide est très intéressant et sympathique avec une touche d'humour agréable. Il est soucieux du confort de chacun. Il connaît très bien les lieux et les astuces nécessaires pour éviter les engorgements des grands groupes. La visite est en anglais mais notre guide parlait aussi très bien l'allemand. Nous recommandons!
Written July 28, 2023
Tibor and Charlie were wonderful guides! We learned so much from them. In addition, we got to skip the long lines which was worth every Lei. They were also very fun! The personal stories of growing up under Communism was a boys. Highly recommend!
Written July 28, 2023
Jul 2023 • Solo
Fantastic! I had a lovely morning and Charlie was great. He was so calm, friendly and informative. He made everyone feel comfortable and made us laugh. The timings and arrangements were really helpful. Both castles were great - all the better for having a guide. Highly recommend!
Written July 28, 2023
Jul 2023 • Couples
We had an amazing time hiking with our guide from active travel! They offered us to pick us up at out hotel in Brasov. We were asked for preferences and the tour was adapted accordingly. We were afraid to meet bears in the mountains but our guide gave us a very safe feeling. He had a lot of experience and leaded perfectly through the mountains. He even carried a rope for a more technical part of the path in case we needed more support. We passed a canyon and climbed the peak of one of the mountains. The nature was incredibly beautiful and in many areas completely untouched by humans. In general we had an unique experience, it could not have been better!
Written July 28, 2023
We had an amazing experience. The trip was well organised and our guides (Alex and his colleague) were friendly, knowledgable and very welcoming. Once we reached the hide we waited for about half an hour and then the bears started arriving - we saw three different bears and it was lovely to watch them in their natural habitat. I would highly recommend this trip if you want to experience wildlife in a really accessible and relaxed way. Thank you Marian, Alex and team!!
Written July 29, 2023
Jul 2023
Unique experience where you can see the water rushing through the canyons in the mountain. An experience that should be tried when you are nearby
Written July 29, 2023
Jul 2023 • Solo
Excellent and friendly guides, with deep knowledge of the tour subject. A very nice concern to details and personalization make the tour very confortable, with a non commercial feeling. I was delighted and would certainly return to repeat more tours.
Written July 29, 2023
Jul 2023 • Family
Well worth the wait in the hide for magical visits from three young brown bears. Patient and knowledgeable guide who clearly cares about the lforest.
Recommended.
Recommended.
Written July 30, 2023
Had a great trip with Tibi and really wonderful to learn about and experience Romanian culture and history, was a really unique experience and Tibi is extremely knowledgeable
Written July 30, 2023
Jul 2023
This is probably the best castle tour you can do in Transylvania (or anywhere in Romania, for that matter). It covers Bran & Peles Castles as well as Rasnov Fortress -- all beautiful but so different from each other in terms of architecture, decor and historical background.
Our guide Charlie provided highly informative commentary on just about everything inside and outside the castles as well as interesting tidbits on Transylvanian history in general. He even threw in a few spooky stories of his own at Bran Castle and, with the weather being just about perfect as well, we had an amazing day at the castles with him.
Our guide Charlie provided highly informative commentary on just about everything inside and outside the castles as well as interesting tidbits on Transylvanian history in general. He even threw in a few spooky stories of his own at Bran Castle and, with the weather being just about perfect as well, we had an amazing day at the castles with him.
Written July 31, 2023
Jul 2023 • Couples
Dan is an amazing tourist guide. He walked us around all the main sections of Bran Castle. Also he told us some interesting facts of Romania. He was quite friendly and even recommended us a very good place for lunch! Thanks Dan!
Written August 1, 2023
This was a physically demanding but very rewarding trip with Bogdan, an experienced and extremely knowledgeable Mountain Guide who inspired confidence, even on the tricky exposed sections where use of chains/cabling are required.
The scenery was stunning throughout with some amazing places to camp. I would thoroughly recommend this multi-day expedition but only for those who are fit and only if you’re prepared for rapid changes in weather!
The scenery was stunning throughout with some amazing places to camp. I would thoroughly recommend this multi-day expedition but only for those who are fit and only if you’re prepared for rapid changes in weather!
Written August 2, 2023
Jul 2023
Auf jeden Fall einen Besuch wert, allerdings auch gut frequentiert!, schöner Ausblick von der Burganlage
Written August 2, 2023
Aug 2023 • Couples
The guide is very kind and with a little patience we were lucky and happy! Easy booking and appointment, quick and comfortable transfer to the lookout point.
Written August 3, 2023
Amazing!
Our guide Alex was very nice and explained everything about the bears. We waited for an hour until the first bear came and after another one came and we took lovely pictures.
I highly recommend!
Our guide Alex was very nice and explained everything about the bears. We waited for an hour until the first bear came and after another one came and we took lovely pictures.
I highly recommend!
Written August 4, 2023
My husband and I had a great morning with Zsolt walking to the 7 ladders canyon. It's a beautiful walk and as we left nice and early we avoided the crowds and the heat. The walk itself is a little up hill at times but generally was very manageable. The canyon was great and the ladders allow you to get right in the middle of it, climbing up along the side of one part of the waterfall. I can really recommend this trip.
Written August 5, 2023
Ha sido un recorrido precioso y muy variado, con gargantas, bosques y vistas sobre el valle y los pueblos de montaña. Guías excelentes con una energía contagiosa. Recomiendo mucho esta agencia.
Written August 5, 2023
Aug 2023 • Friends
Excellente journée de rando avec Bogdan. Il s’est bien adapté à notre niveau et nous a proposé un parcours challengeant et magnifique dans le parc naturel. Un vrai plaisir !!! Il nous a aussi donné d’autres recommandations pour le reste de notre séjour en Roumanie. Je recommande a tous les sportifs qui aiment la nature !
Written August 6, 2023
Great family experience hiking in the National park, through a few villages and ending with a delicious lunch with locally sourced ingredients.
All with two fantastic guides, who were very friendly and patient at times!
Would recommend for those looking for an active vacation
All with two fantastic guides, who were very friendly and patient at times!
Would recommend for those looking for an active vacation
Written August 6, 2023
Aug 2023 • Family
Absolutely brilliant experience. The guide was very knowledgable and kept us informed all the way. The lookout cabin was well maintained and had an excellent view into the forest. We saw 2 bears and to see them in the wild like that was an experience I will never forget. Absolutely amazing and I can’t recommend this trip enough. Wish I could give it 10 stars out if 5!
Written August 6, 2023
Aug 2023 • Family
I cannot recommend this tour enough. Charlie was our tour guide and what an amazing guide he was. The locations were breathtaking. The history was incredible. I have had the time of my life and this has to be on everyone’s ‘must do’ list. I’m missing the places we have seen already and can’t wait to go back and do it all again another day.
Written August 6, 2023
Aug 2023 • Couples
What an amazing experience near Brasov ! We were lucky (and patient !) and saw 6 bears, including a mother and child. The guide Alex (Alex Wild Life Tours) gave us a lot of interesting explanations about wild life in transylvanian forests. The group is small, so you see very well the bears and other animals (fox ....).
Written August 8, 2023
Aug 2023 • Friends
We really enjoyed the tour and would highly recommend it to all travellers who want to experience what traditional Romanian culture is. Our guide Tiberiu was very kind and his knowledge impressed us, he was also a very safe driver :) The tour was paced well, we had enough time to see what we wanted and take pictures, many things were optional and Tiberiu left the choices to us. He answered all the questions we had and more. I would definitely choose the same company again if I come back to Romania.
Written August 8, 2023
Aug 2023
Wir hatten eine Führung mit Dan, der uns sehr entspannt und informativ durch das Gelände geführt hat. Supersympathischer Typ, der mit seiner ruhigen Art meine Angst vor Wildtieren vertrieben hat. Während des Ausfluges war ich nur noch überwältigt von der unberührten Natur.
Ich kann diese Tour wärmstens empfehlen. Ein Rundum gelungener Tag, der mit Dans Restauranttipps abgerundet wurde. Vielen Dank dafür.
Ich kann diese Tour wärmstens empfehlen. Ein Rundum gelungener Tag, der mit Dans Restauranttipps abgerundet wurde. Vielen Dank dafür.
Written August 9, 2023
Aug 2023 • Couples
Vi fick se tre olika björnar som dör upp ett par gånger. Sen var där lite roliga rävar. Välskött och informativt.
Written August 9, 2023
Aug 2023 • Couples
The Transfagarasean Road really lives up to expectations, and was one of the most stunning things we got to do on our visit to Romania! Our guide Zsort really went above and beyond, he was friendly and professional with lots of facts and let us stop in lots of places for pictures. Not only this but at a couple of other stops on the tour that required payment for entry in cash, and we realised we didn’t have enough, he paid for us and let us pay him back! Every stop on the tour was a delight and getting to see 8 bears (including four cubs) was a highlight. Would definitely reccommend!
Written August 9, 2023
Although never guaranteed we were lucky to see 4 different bears and 5 foxes. Our guide Allen was very knowledgeable, making it a very interesting trip.
Written August 10, 2023
Mihai was a great guide, very friendly and knowledgeable about the flora and fauna, and allowed us to go at our own pace. Overall an enjoyable day.
Written August 10, 2023
Der Trip war sehr informativ und hat uns sehr gefallen, am besten ist Peles Castle, da es im Gegensatz zu Bran mehr zu sehen gibt.
Written August 11, 2023
Aug 2023 • Friends
We had an amazing experience.
Charlie was our guide and he beside that he is funny really knows his stuff.
The places we went where beautiful and I would recommend this tour to anyone
Charlie was our guide and he beside that he is funny really knows his stuff.
The places we went where beautiful and I would recommend this tour to anyone
Written August 12, 2023
Charlie, our guide, was friendly and knowledgeable snd really made the trip come alive. He told us all about his family stories and traditions which made the trip very enjoyable.
Written August 13, 2023
Aug 2023 • Couples
Incredible!! Charlie has been a spectacular guide who has made us feel at home and has explained each part of the tour in detail, he has cared about us at all times and to offer us the best possible experience. The tour has been amazing and we are very happy to finally decide to do the tour. Without a doubt, we recommend booking the excursion to Bran Castle, Rasnov Fortress and Peles Castle (all and Charlie has surprised us with some additional amazing sites to visit)
Written August 13, 2023
Es war top. Zsolt, der Guide wusste sehr viel, nicht nur von den Schlössern sonder auch während der Fahrt hat er viel erzählt und alle Fragen beantwortet. Da wir um 8:15 los fuhren hatten wir nirgendwo Probleme mit Wartezeiten.
Written August 15, 2023
Jul 2023
We had an absolute amazing vacation! Our guide Zsolt was wonderful- he had a great knowledge of the history of Romania and the areas we hiked. The tour of Bran Castle was great fun. The mountains were beatiful and the food was awesome. I would definitely go back!
Written August 15, 2023
Aug 2023 • Couples
We had a wonderful experience with our guide Isti. He was very friendly and welcoming and we were grateful to learn a lot about Romania from him. The views on the hike we're spectacular and we were able to go on a very fun adventurous route that included lots of climbing. This really suited what we wanted to do but there were plenty of other available routes to suit different hiking abilities. Overall it was a great experience and we would really recommend it.
Written August 16, 2023
Aug 2023 • Couples
Fantastic guides. These guys were hilarious and extremely engaged and knowledgeable. My fiancée and I have done dozens of tours around the world and we had one of our favorite guide experiences with this company! I really recommend them. Would definitely hire them if we return with friends
Written August 17, 2023
Aug 2023 • Solo
Charlie is a fabulous and knowledgeable guide who made sure we got to Bran castle as it opened. We went round in a pretty calm way and when we came out, the line to go in was at least 45 mins long. Thank you!
Apart from being organized, mellow, friendly, and helpful, Charlie speaks great English and a wide knowledge of how Romanian history fits in with the history of the countries around it. The tour was very enlightening.
Apart from being organized, mellow, friendly, and helpful, Charlie speaks great English and a wide knowledge of how Romanian history fits in with the history of the countries around it. The tour was very enlightening.
Written August 17, 2023
Aug 2023 • Family
Dan was an excellent tour guide. My son and I visited Bran Castle, Rasnov Fortress and stopped by ski jumping park. On the way back to Brasov Dan recommended a great place to stop and buy some Transylvania Palinka. He was very knowledgeable about the area and history, a truly great day.
Written August 17, 2023
Aug 2023
Perfect! We managed to see 4 bears and 2 foxes, the guide Alex and his partner were great and they explained every detail of the wildlife to us, we really liked seeing the respect you have for bears and how you don't want to intervene in their lives (just observe) .
100% recommended if you visit this part of Romania!
100% recommended if you visit this part of Romania!
Written August 18, 2023
Aug 2023 • Friends
Active travel arranged a 7 day self-guided trekking program for us - two trekking friends from Australia. It worked out perfectly for us. We just wanted to enjoy the mountains without having to worry about the logistics. The routes were very well planned and the gpx files supplied made sure that we didn’t get lost on the bewildering number of trails in the area. The accommodations were good quality and friendly. Most importantly, for the couple of times we were confused about pickups we had answers within minutes of our request. A very professional company and highly recommended.
Written August 18, 2023
Beautiful scenery, much walking along peaceful country roads from where the views of mountains, villages, farms and traditional old houses was spectacular. Tiberius was an excellent guide and I recommend him and this tour.
Written August 21, 2023
Aug 2023 • Family
Had a great experience with this tour for the second time in a row. I went to Peles, Bran and Rasnov on 20th Aug'23. Extremely pleased with the overall planning of the trip by the company. Our guide Charlie was very courteous and helpful, knew the shortcuts, managed to avoid the traffic and was very flexible as well. He took us through all the sites in detail. Picked us up from our designated location and dropped us as well. Had a similar experience last year with Tiberius as well.
Highly recommended for all those looking for a great memorable experience.
Highly recommended for all those looking for a great memorable experience.
Written August 21, 2023
Ein sehr gelungener Nachmittag - man trifft sich um 16:30 Uhr vor der Bibliothek George Baritiu / Brasov un fährt dann mit einem Kleinbus etwa 40 Minuten nach Norden - nach einem kleinen Fußmarsch von knapp 10 Minuten kommt man dann am Fotoversteck an. Wir haben die Tour bereits zweimal gemacht und hatten beide Male Glück mit den Bären - auch etliche Füchse haben vorbeigeschaut. Während der Zeit im Fotoversteck erzählen einem die beiden sympathischen und kompetenten Guides Alex und Alan eine Menge interessante Dinge über Bären - wenn man Glück hat, wird auch noch eine Flasche Palinka verkostet.
Aus fotografischer Sicht muss ich jedoch leider einen Stern abziehen, da das Fotografieren aus dem Versteck nicht einfach ist, da eine dunkle Scheibe, durch die man fotografieren muss, sehr viel Licht kostet und am Spätnachmittag hat man ohnehin schon nicht gerade viel Licht im Wald. Trotzdem kann ich die Tour empfehlen und würde sie auch wieder machen, aber als Fotograf darf man sich nicht zu viel versprechen.
Aus fotografischer Sicht muss ich jedoch leider einen Stern abziehen, da das Fotografieren aus dem Versteck nicht einfach ist, da eine dunkle Scheibe, durch die man fotografieren muss, sehr viel Licht kostet und am Spätnachmittag hat man ohnehin schon nicht gerade viel Licht im Wald. Trotzdem kann ich die Tour empfehlen und würde sie auch wieder machen, aber als Fotograf darf man sich nicht zu viel versprechen.
Written August 22, 2023
Aug 2023 • Couples
Excellent experience witnessing the bears in their natural habitat. We were fortunate enough to see 5 bears, 2 foxes and a woodpecker. Our patience was rewarded in this wonderful tour. Super knowledgeable guide who is respectful of the environment and the wildlife. Thank you!
Written August 23, 2023
Aug 2023 • Solo
We picked the option which includes the villages and a small trek around the canyons. Our tour guide Zsolt is great ???? we encounter a short storm when we are returning from the village and he was very kind to lend me his rain coat despite he has only one , overall trip was well taken care of :)
Written August 23, 2023
We had good communication from this company after booking this trip and pickup was close and on time. First we visited Rupea which was a lovely fortress with great views. We enjoyed visiting Viscri a lovely small
village where King CharlesIII has a house. Very pretty and colourful houses and fortified church. We then travelled onto Sighisoara where we visited lots of streets in the old town, we climbed many steps upto the old church T the top of the hill (this is covered over so will keep the hot sun from your back). We had a traditional dumpling snack for lunch with sour cream garlic and grated cheese and a chilli one (it wasn’t that spicy). Our guide Zsolt was really great, would totally recommend this tour!
village where King CharlesIII has a house. Very pretty and colourful houses and fortified church. We then travelled onto Sighisoara where we visited lots of streets in the old town, we climbed many steps upto the old church T the top of the hill (this is covered over so will keep the hot sun from your back). We had a traditional dumpling snack for lunch with sour cream garlic and grated cheese and a chilli one (it wasn’t that spicy). Our guide Zsolt was really great, would totally recommend this tour!
Written August 24, 2023
Aug 2023 • Couples
It was awesome and we’re happy, that we had the opportunity to see so many bears in their natural habitat! The tour was worth every cent, the guide professional and very passionate about the job - thank you for everything!
Written August 24, 2023
Leuke dag gehad , veel gezien en gedaan. Daarnaast ook de credits naar gids Charlie, wist veel te vertellen en met veel humor. Zeker een aanrader voor eem leuke dag. Overigens het kan wel een beetje druk zijn bij de kastelen zelf.
Written August 25, 2023
Aug 2023 • Couples
Wir waren in einer kleinen Gruppe unterwegs mit Dan als Guide, der sehr gutes Englisch sprach. Klasse Typ - sehr erfahren und kompetent und dazu einfach überaus sympathisch. Die Tour hat uns sehr gut gefallen, da sie mit ca. 5 Stunden gut noch in unseren letzten Tag vor Ort passte. Wir wurden abgeholt und am Ort unserer Wahl wieder abgesetzt - klasse Service obendrein. Wir würden die Tour nochmal buchen!
Written August 25, 2023
If you want a fantastic day of hiking, seeing farms and villages, walking the gorge and canyon and enjoying a great meal at a farm, then this is for you.
Our guide Mihai provided information about the area we visited and was a fantastic storyteller. Throughout the journey he made our safety his priority. He confirmed our fitness level so that the hike was appropriate.
We were given choices about things to do (we chose hiking a canyon over visiting a bat cave).
The meal at the end of the hike was plentiful, wonderful and much appreciated given the nine miles of hiking we had completed.
We chose not to go into the Bran Castle but took outdoor pictures of it and then visited a memorial for the beloved Queen Marie. We were unfamiliar with much of Romania's history and he was more than willing to teach us while we walked about its rich and fascinating past.
We highly recommend using this tour if you love hiking and learning about the villages and countryside outside of Brasov.
Our guide Mihai provided information about the area we visited and was a fantastic storyteller. Throughout the journey he made our safety his priority. He confirmed our fitness level so that the hike was appropriate.
We were given choices about things to do (we chose hiking a canyon over visiting a bat cave).
The meal at the end of the hike was plentiful, wonderful and much appreciated given the nine miles of hiking we had completed.
We chose not to go into the Bran Castle but took outdoor pictures of it and then visited a memorial for the beloved Queen Marie. We were unfamiliar with much of Romania's history and he was more than willing to teach us while we walked about its rich and fascinating past.
We highly recommend using this tour if you love hiking and learning about the villages and countryside outside of Brasov.
Written August 27, 2023
Aug 2023 • Friends
It was amazing, a really special experience. We left Brasov for about a 40 minute drive and then a 3 minute walk. Right away when we arrived in the cabin, we saw a bear. In about 2.5 hours we saw a couple of bears and a lot of foxes. We really recommend this to see the natural behaviour of different bears. The information our (very knowledgeable) guide told us was incredibly interesting and especially made it an unforgettable experience for us.
Written August 28, 2023
Es una experiencia que merece la pena vivir, los osos no los ves de inmediato, de hecho con mi grupo tardamos una hora de espera para comenzar a ver una madre con su hijo, sinembargo valio la pena contemplar los osos en libertad, si quieres buenas fotográfias definitivamente necesitas una buena cámara porque el zoom que te exige una foto de celular es un mínimo de x3, ahora al ojo humano se ven perfectamente, obviamente si cuentas con binoculares, mejor.
Como feedback
Al principio nos prestaron un binocular para usar unos minutos y compartirlo con el resto del grupo para que todos puedan ver a los osos de más cerca, esto fue efectivo mientras no hubo osos, una vez aparecieron, una mamá se apodero del binocular para su hija y ella puedan usarlo con exclusividad nunca más se compartio. El feedback es que el guía vaya haciendo rotar lo que nos comparte, sino evidentemente la propina solo vendrá de quienes sintieron una experiencia más "exclusiva".
Written August 28, 2023
Aug 2023 • Solo
Lovely day trip: Beautiful views & nice guide, also good communication during the whole process. I booked as a single traveller and was pretty much immediately reimbursed the extra money when other travellers joined the trip. The weather in the mountains was 5 degrees Celsius colder than in town, very welcome at 33+ degrees.
Written August 29, 2023
Probably my favorite tour I’ve ever done! So much fun and such a great group. Our guide was very knowledgeable and made sure everyone was safe and had a great time!
Written August 29, 2023
Our tour was simply fantastic. Dan, our guide, was personable, knows the history of the churches, fortresses and villages well, and took a genuine interest in us.
He also took us to some extra places, including a monastery and volcano.
Dan made the trip enjoyable with his singing, restaurant choice and dialog with us.
We highly recommend this tour if you are interested in history.
He also took us to some extra places, including a monastery and volcano.
Dan made the trip enjoyable with his singing, restaurant choice and dialog with us.
We highly recommend this tour if you are interested in history.
Written August 30, 2023
Aug 2023 • Couples
We had a really great trip out from Braşov to the bear hide. Lady luck was definitely on our side as we saw 4 bears, mum and 2 teenagers, solo and together and then a large black male. Our guide was knowledgeable and gave us lots of comments on the bears.
Definitely worth doing!
Definitely worth doing!
Written August 30, 2023
Aug 2023 • Solo
What a great day - lovely sites with the added bonus of the singing guide . He made it a very enjoyable day. Very knowledgeable about the area and history. Stopped at a lovely restaurant for local food. Went out of way to make it a memorable time . Highly recommended
Written August 31, 2023
I was lucky to have a guide who tailored the all according to my physical capabilities. The tour was informative and I experienced the Romanian national parks. Communication was excellent. A great day.
Written September 2, 2023
Very comfortable interesting tour that met all expectations. Charlie was a great tour guide engaging and informative Re Romanian culture and good.
Written September 2, 2023
Sep 2023 • Solo
It was the first time I booked a day trip like this - and was not disappointed! My guide Alex was very nice and was explaining the history of all the castles we went to to me. And although Rasnov Fortress was closed at the time due to renovations, we went there to enjoy the beautiful view.
The tour was very good organised and is highly recommended!
The tour was very good organised and is highly recommended!
Written September 3, 2023
Aug 2023 • Couples
Ad Agosto abbiamo avuto modo di visitare la Romania.