Dates May 7–21, 2008
Leaders Akos Hivekovics and
Joe Van Os
Fee $6,495 from Budapest, Hungary
Includes internal tour airfare
Deposit $400
Limit 12
Terms and Conditions

Transylvania—“The land beyond the forest”— is an ethnic jigsaw puzzle of Romanians, Magyars, Germans and Gypsies. Due to its remoteness and turbulent history, Transylvania remains largely undiscovered by Western travelers. For photographers with an adventurous spirit and a keen sense of curiosity, this Romanian province offers some of the most productive culture and architecture photography— and incredible natural beauty—in all of Europe. It is also one of the last places in Europe where the “Old World” is still lived rather than recreated in a museum.

Our tour of Transylvania will transport us to one of the most interesting parts of Central Europe. In this captivating area, horse-drawn carts continue to be the most common method of transportation on the many country lanes
and byways that make up much of Transylvania’s road network. Hay is still cut with sickles and scythes. Many peasants continue to dress in traditional clothing and work the land with centuries-old farming methods. Even the enormous and misguided industrial projects of the Communist era are now abandoned, rusted and overgrown. Indeed, this is a place where, in many ways, time stands still.

Despite the creeping effects of modernization in the largest towns, visitors to this region will be rewarded by its medieval charm and the warm and traditional character of the people. In 1897, when Bram Stoker made the province famous by setting his gothic novel Dracula here, the southern Carpathian Mountains were truly one of the wildest and least known portions of Europe. Even today, Transylvanian forests shelter deer, boars, bears and wolves.

Transylvania is not just about Dracula, however. It offers amazing photography of tranquil pastoral
scenery as counterpoint to craggy alpine peaks, rural villages and a way of life that remains almost as it was in the 18th century. Historic towns are scattered throughout the region, with their stone medieval streets, defensive towers and fortified churches. Our group will have plenty of time to shoot the impressive castles and churches of Brasov, and the dramatic fortress at Bran—also known as Dracula’s Castle—that looks every bit a vampire’s lair with its soaring turrets and dramatic setting.

At the town of Énlaka we’ll meet the Szekler people. While there and in several nearby villages, we’ll have opportunities to photograph the famous runic-carved wooden gates made by these ethnic Hungarians. We will visit Korond, another Szekler village famous for its handicrafts and pottery.

During our cultural odyssey we’ll also spend time in the town of Csíkszereda, where we’ll have a chance to witness the largest Catholic pilgrimage of the Eastern Bloc. About half a million Catholics from Hungary and Romania make this annual pilgrimage to see Our Lady of Csíksomlyo, converging here for large outdoor masses, followed by a
reenactment of Christ carrying the cross to the crucifixion. Many of the people will be dressed in traditional ethnic garb.

We cross the border into Hungary. At Hortobágy, the site of world famous Hortobágy National Park, we’ll see and photograph traditional breeds of Hungarian grey cattle, racka sheep and mangalica pigs, and then travel by oxcart into the park to view an equestrian show staged by traditionally- dressed Hungarian “cowboys.” We’ll also have a chance to photograph the iconic draw wells and herders on the Puszta grassland within the park.

Our travels end in Budapest, where photographic highlights include the Castle District, one of Europe’s largest basilicas, the impressive Hungarian Parliament and Andrássy Street. We’ll cap our final day with a beautiful river cruise on the “Blue Danube.”



Day 1
Depart on flights from the US.

Day 2 (May 8)
Arrive in Budapest in time for our connecting flight to Tirgu Mures, Romania. Meet for dinner. (D)

Day 3
Photograph fantastic images of Szekler culture, including gates, ceramics, churches and traditional homes, as we travel to Csíkszereda. We also have a chance to explore the underground caves of the Parajd Salt Mine. (BLD)

Day 4
Today is the day of Csiksomlyó búscsú, the largest Catholic pilgrimage in Eastern Europe. Photographic opportunities abound as people—many wearing traditional dress—gather for the reenactment of Christ carrying the cross to his crucifixion. (BLD)

Day 5
The ancient Saxon capital of Segesvár is our destination today. We arrive in time to photograph some of the community’s famous ruins and churches before dinner in a historic restaurant. (BLD)

Day 6
Unique architectural features, including frescos, towers and gates in Segesvár, and Saxon, Gypsy and Hungarian homes in the tiny village of Erked will be our subjects. (BLD)

Day 7
Travel to Brasov, Dracula’s homeland, for afternoon photography. (BLD)

Day 8
Morning photography of the hilltop castle at Risnov. In the afternoon, we travel to Bran and visit the legendary “Dracula’s Castle.” (BLD)

Day 9
In the Transylvanian mountain village of Turda we have a unique opportunity to photograph the world of the ethnic Móc people—who still live as in the Middle Ages. The village of Torockó and towering Secler Rock will also be our subjects. (BLD)

Day 10
A full day among the Móc people, photographing their architecture and traditional lifestyle. (BLD)

Day 11
We return to Hungary. In Hortobágy National Park we photograph Hungarian cowboys and herders, as well as the characteristic draw wells on the Puszta, the vast grass steppes. (BLD)

Day 12
A full day in Hortobágy National Park. (BLD)

Day 13
We return to Budapest, one of the world’s most beautiful cities, in time to photograph in the Castle District, a World Heritage Site. (BLD)

Day 14
A full day to explore Budapest, including St. István Basilica, the Hungarian Parliament, Andrássy Street, the “katakombs” and Fishermen’s Bastion. The evening ends with a farewell dinner cruise on the majestic Danube. (BLD)

Day 15 (May 21)
Depart for home today. (B)





Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. P.O. Box 655, Vashon Island, Washington USA 98070
Phone: (206) 463-5383   Fax: (206) 463-5484    Email: info@photosafaris.com
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