Christmas week in Transylvania holiday
A gorgeous way to spend time at Christmas: at a real life castle in snowy Transylvania, getting into the spirit with crafts, baking, horse and cart rides, and a Christmas concert – all with one of our long-standing partners.
All inclusive stay in historic accommodation spend time exploring the grounds and the interior of a real-life castle saltwater hot tubs horse and cart ride gingerbread and Christmas decoration making a special Christmas concert optional activities include skiing and riding
Price
€550 excluding flights
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More info
3 nights all-inclusive at our estate - €550 per person (sharing twin/double).
Excl flights car transfers to/from airport, station, optional trips.
Excl flights car transfers to/from airport, station, optional trips.
Description of Christmas week in Transylvania holiday
Snow, sleighs, a fire brightening the fireplace and a cosy outdoor hot tub: on this Christmas holiday in Transylvania you’ll be feeling the festive spirit in no time.
Your accommodation will either be in a charming 19th century guesthouse or in the lovingly restored Kalnoky Castle itself, set in a remote village at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. This is an al inclusive stay, so you can relax and indulge – from the welcome drink to the Romanian cuisine.
Spend your time wandering through the grounds, mulled wine in hand, visiting the castle, and indulging in fun and relaxing Christmas preparations like gingerbread making. The evenings are as full as the days – you can attend Midnight Mass and a highlight on this trip is a ‘Candleglow’ concert, held especially for Christmas, in an atmospheric setting in the wine cellars of the palace.
Optional activities include skiing at Poiana Brasov, the ski resort is only around an hour south from the castle, or riding at the family stud – keeping you active even whilst you’re in a place where it feels like time has stood still.
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Price information
€550 excluding flights
Convert currency:
3 nights all-inclusive at our estate - €550 per person (sharing twin/double).
Excl flights car transfers to/from airport, station, optional trips.
Excl flights car transfers to/from airport, station, optional trips.
Check dates, prices & availability
Travel guides
Pull back the cloak of mystery surrounding Romania’s best known region, and find the real place behind the folklore.
Throw another log on the outdoor sauna and hail the huskies to heel.
Reviews
1 Reviews of Christmas week in Transylvania holiday
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 02 Jan 2026 by Felicity Hey
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Dinner in the Castle’s candlelit vaulted cellar on Christmas Day. Food was excellent, music a treat.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Prepare for a journey back in time- to medieval days. Saw more carts than cars, and water is literally from the well at the end of the track. An un- snowy Christmas didn’t show the area off to its best, but the accommodation and food were very good. No need for smart clothes or heeled shoes! If flying to Bucharest and hiring a car be prepared for 3 and a half hours of varying quality roads, switchback bends and ( in our case) dense fog in places. Impossible without satnav. Better to fly to Brasov and even stay overnight, fascinating and picturesque town well worth seeing. There is no bar or common area for socialising except in the meal venues- a missed opportunity I feel.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Most definitely. The family involved in restoring the Castle and using village accommodation are trying so hard and it was wonderful to see the painted furniture of long ago, restored. The staff live locally, the income goes back to the local area, and we wish them further success.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The anticipation was more than the reality, but glad we did it. Not a fan of Christmas so an interesting alternative. Went as a family foursome, which helped. Met fellow Brits who ‘made’ the holiday as they were great fun and welcome company. Cedric and Anna- thank you!
I really wouldn’t recommend this holiday for a winter visit but having been to Transylvania in the summer would suggest the warmer months were better suited.
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your holiday to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.
Planet
Our Transylvania holiday accommodation provides employment for several families. Most of the food we serve as well as the building material we use is traditionally produced in the village and its surroundings. Our staff are now skilled in their new professions, be it cook, guide or restoration worker.All accommodations have been caringly restored and furnished with authentic antiques and textiles from the region. Our philosophy of restoring is characterised by utter respect for the textures and atmospheres of ancient buildings. The way we restore derelict houses is barely noticeable, rather would it seem that the buildings have aged gently and gradually without recent renovation.
We aim at restoring and preserving the historic architectural harmony of our village and its environment. The guest houses are part of the village and our guests become neighbours to the villagers for the length of their stay. We show our guests nature still in its unspoiled way. We monitor wildlife around the village and make the villagers understand why it is so important to preserve it. We promote sustainable tourism also by limiting the amount of rooms available.
People
The entire staff are as local as ourselves (the host’s family has been documented here since 1252 AD), as we believe it would make little sense to import expatriates into the ancient communities our very aim is to preserve. We therefore might be a little less professional, yet perhaps all the more passionate about what we do.Our Transylvanian cultural, walking & nature holiday provides employment for several families. Meals are prepared on site by local staff. Most of the food we serve is traditionally produced in the village and its surroundings. We purchase most goods locally, even traditional building materials like handmade tiles, bricks and lime. Taxes are paid locally.
Our taxes help the local council to develop the village. Profit generated is re-invested directly in the restoration of our cultural heritage. Thus the entire village largely benefits from our undertaking.
We aim at restoring and preserving the historic architectural harmony of our village and its environment. The guest houses are part of the village and our guests become neighbors to the villagers for the length of their stay. We show our guests nature still in its unspoiled way. We monitor wildlife around the village and make the villagers understand why it is so important to preserve it. We promote sustainable tourism also by limiting the amount of rooms available.
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