Hiking With Dracula - And Other Non-Traditional ToursTrips That Won't Suck Your Wallet Dry: Seven Nights in Transylvania for Only $739 Per Person
Travelers sometimes simply have the itch for something new -- far from the usual experience of big cities, plush hotels and overrated exhibitions. Discover France, specialists in active vacations in France, had this in mind recently when it launched "Pure Adventures," a boutique tour operator that applies Discover France's proven self-guided format to intimate, off-the-beaten-path tours throughout Europe and beyond. The two charter walking tours are to Romania's Transylvania region and the Swiss Alps. A Dracula Tour to Stir the BloodQuickly gaining a reputation as the most picturesque and diverse country in Eastern Europe, Romania has ample treasures to please nature lovers, history buffs and culture vultures alike. From its breathtaking Carpathian mountain range to its exquisitely preserved medieval towns, Romania is full of visual and sensual wonders. Students of history will find here an unusual confluence of East and West, tradition and lore. But while this country is seeing more and more travelers every year, it is still a relatively undiscovered land. Only within recent years has it been an inviting destination for western visitors, and -- thanks to Pure Adventures -- not until now has a Romanian hiking tour been offered at such a tremendous value. Hike to the Summit of Europe
Why Take a Tour When You Can Have a 'Pure Adventure?'Pure Adventures tours are modeled on the highly successful self-guided and guided cycling and walking tours offered by Discover France. Unlike the lineup at most large format tour companies, Pure Adventures tours are available for as few as two people. Pure Adventures offers tours for a wide range of tastes and physical abilities. Bike the lush coast of Ireland; enjoy a leisurely walking tour through Provence; hike the Grand Canyon; or cycle through romantic Tuscany. Some tours provide a certified English speaking guide and some do not. But even with Pure Adventures self-guided tours, travelers are not left all alone. Pure Adventures provides all the information and logistical support they'll need for a happy and safe journey, such as transfers to and from hotels, hotel and meal reservations, professionally planned routes with suggested sites to visit, detailed maps, and 24-hour English-speaking emergency support. About Pure AdventuresPure Adventures is a creation of the highly successful tour operator Discover France, now in its 10th year. The format is the same: small and intimate tours that give vacationers a low-cost, high-quality alternative to large group departures. Pure Adventures applies the proven Discover France tour model of soft-adventure activities like cycling and walking to interesting, unique destinations inside and beyond France. A "Pure Adventure" is one that gives tourists the independence to move about their destination and interact with local people as they see fit. This approach to touring also results in "pure savings" to the traveler. Because the tours don't involve expensive guides, tour buses and other overhead, Pure Adventures can pass the savings onto tourists -- making more of their vacation dollar available to them. Edited by Dave Shultz |
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Discover France Branches out with Pure Adventures -- Biking and Walking Vacations in Exotic Locales to Suit the Extremist and the Extremely Laid-Back.jpg)
Led by a local certified English-speaking guide, the tour starts in the Romanian capital city of Bucharest. From there, participants are driven to the northern mountain city of Sinaia, the 19th-century summer residence of the royal family, where they can visit Peles Castle, the final resting place of several Romanian monarchs. The itinerary's highlights include visits to the 14th-century town of Sighisoara and the birthplace of Vlad Tepes -- more notoriously known as Vlad the Impaler or Count Dracula -- and to the famous Castle Bran, often referred to as "Dracula's Castle." The itinerary includes several scenic hikes, lasting anywhere from four to six hours. This trip requires a moderate level of hiking ability -- somewhere between a leisurely stroll in the park and intense mountain climbing. And, as with all Pure Adventures tours, the Romania trip offers hikers a perfect balance of independence and support. Travelers are free to take in sites on their own -- at their own pace -- but there's always a Pure Adventures staff person available to help with any needs. The tour includes seven nights' accommodations in charming country inns, all meals, services of a local certified English-speaking guide and all transfers listed in the tour material. The total cost for the Romanian tour is $739 per person, based on a minimum of six hikers. Private two-person tours can be arranged for $849 per person. The Transylvania hiking tour is available on set departure dates from June through October..jpg)
Few places in Europe can inspire as much awe as the Swiss Alps. With its snow-capped peaks, green valleys and mountain ski chalets, Switzerland is one of the most idyllic destinations on earth. Pure Adventures offers two self-guided walking tours that take visitors to the heart of the Swiss Alps where they can visit the famous mountain village of Grindewald, the beautiful resort town of Zermatt and other alpine hamlets. Hikers can feast their eyes on the legendary peaks of the Eiger and Matterhorn, and ride the famous cog wheel train to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in all of Europe. Of course, the comforting Swiss lifestyle, delicious natural food and expert local craftsmanship greet visitors wherever they go. 
Participants will stay in the Gletschergarten, an intimate family-run Swiss chalet-style hotel dating back to 1899. This property exudes personality and atmosphere, with its family heirloom furniture and paintings, fresh cut tea roses and leaded glass windows adding to the cozy, homelike environment. Built in a meadow of wildflowers, the hotel features balconies with all of its rooms offering views of the rolling hills, surrounding glaciers and the heavily flowered grounds.
Based on double occupancy, the $1,479 tour price includes four nights' lodging, breakfast and dinner daily, all first-class train travel, arrival orientation, welcome drink, Jungfraujoch rail pass, first-class Lake Brienz cruise, route maps, cue sheets, suggested visits and full travel planning services.