Post-New Year's Eve in Kalotaszeg

We depart from Szeged in the early morning of Friday, January 8, 2027. After crossing the border at Méhkerék, we arrive in Nagyvárad (Oradea)—one of the most beautiful cities in the Partium region—specifically its city center, which exudes an evocative Art Nouveau atmosphere. During our sightseeing walk, we will admire the stunning Black Eagle Palace, the imposing City Hall, the Neoclassical theater, and the elegant, historic buildings along the pedestrian street. Following in the footsteps of Endre Ady, we will reflect on the memory of this renowned poet. After some free time, we continue our journey. En route, we will take a short break at the Király-hágó (582 m)—the picturesque gateway to Transylvania. We will pass through Csucsa, another significant location in Ady’s life, as it was here that the poet and his wife, Csinszka, weathered the First World War. Our next destination is the Castle of Sebes, formerly held by the Bánffy family. A fifteen-minute walk brings us to the fortress—which once guarded the valley of the Sebes-Körös River—offering a breathtaking panoramic view. We then continue toward Kalotaszeg, a region renowned for its unique folk art. In Bánffyhunyad, the heart of this ethnographic area, we will visit the Reformed church, which boasts a history spanning several centuries. Afterwards, we travel to Kalotaszentkirály, where we check into our accommodation, and then cap off our day—rich in experiences—with a delicious dinner.

After breakfast, we head toward the Szilágyság region. Our first stop is the "Garden of Dragons" (*Sárkányok kertje*)—a unique natural landmark near Almásgalgó. Here, selective erosion—caused by wind, rain, and frost—along with slow-moving clay landslides, has sculpted sandstone layers into striking rock columns, towers, and mushroom-shaped formations. These natural wonders can be explored via established walking paths, requiring no significant physical exertion. Next, we travel to Zsibó, the former estate center of the illustrious noble Wesselényi family. We will explore the magnificent arboretum located within the park surrounding the castle. The foundation for today’s botanical garden was laid in 1968 by biology teacher Vasile Fati, who established an exceptionally rich plant collection spanning approximately 24 hectares. It is home to over 5,000 plant species from various corners of the globe. The botanical garden’s most remarkable features include its tropical and Mediterranean greenhouses, as well as its massive aquariums. Following this, we return to our accommodation to get ready for the evening’s festivities. The night kicks off with dinner, leading into a lively "post-New Year’s" party featuring live music and a spirited atmosphere!

After enjoying a leisurely, late breakfast, we board our coach and head into the heart of Transylvania—to Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár), a city rich in historical landmarks. We begin our sightseeing tour on Farkas Street, which is lined with notable sites; here, we will admire the imposing main building of Babeș-Bolyai University, the equestrian statue of Saint George Slaying the Dragon, and a Gothic-style Reformed church that is over 500 years old. The most prominent jewel of the city’s main square—formerly a bustling marketplace—is the monumental Church of Saint Michael, the second-largest church in Transylvania. Near the main square, standing right next to each other, are the birthplaces of King Matthias (1458–1490) and István Bocskai (1557–1606), Prince of Transylvania. Following some free time to explore the charming city center, we begin our journey home, enriched by the day’s experiences. We expect to arrive in Szeged in the evening.