Beyond Dracula, a Romanian company specializing in customised travel experiences for international visitors, announced on Thursday, October 22, that it will allocate 1% of its gross revenue generated from completed trips to the Via Transilvanica project, according to Romania Insider.
Launched under the concept “The Journey Goes Both Ways,” the initiative represents an open-ended commitment from the company. The money will go to the Tășuleasa Social NGO, which manages the Via Transilvania project.
The decision comes as the company expects the value of trips sold and completed in 2026 to exceed EUR 1.5 million. The contribution is calculated based on the company’s gross revenue, rather than profit or amounts eligible for tax deductions. The first financial contribution to Tășuleasa Social for the Via Transilvanica project has already been made and represents 1% of the total value of trips completed through June 30, 2026.
Approximately 67% of the company’s clients come from the United States, 16% from Europe, primarily the United Kingdom, and 13% from South America.
“We want to make a tangible contribution to preserving and developing what makes this country special. Via Transilvanica represents exactly this vision: a project that highlights nature, local culture and communities while creating opportunities for the people and places along its route,” said Raluca Spiac, Managing Partner, Beyond Dracula.
The company chose Via Transilvanica because of its natural landscapes, the richness of its cultural heritage, and local traditions.
The financial contributions made by Beyond Dracula are not earmarked for specific segments or activities, giving the Tășuleasa Social team the freedom to allocate the resources according to the priorities of the Via Transilvanica project.
The partnership goes beyond the financial contribution. Beyond Dracula is developing travel experiences that will include sections of Via Transilvanica, particularly in the Brașov and Biertan areas, tailored to international travellers.
At the same time, the Beyond Dracula team has set itself the goal of completing the entire approximately 1,600-kilometre route over the next three years, to experience first-hand the places, communities and experiences that Via Transilvanica has to offer.
Spanning 1,400 kilometers through seven historic regions and ten counties, Via Transilvanica has emerged as Romania’s most ambitious eco-tourism initiative. Often described as “the trail that binds,” this long-distance hiking and cultural route connects the northern woods of Putna to the Danube bank at Drobeta-Turnu Severin, offering a transformative journey across the geographical and cultural spine of the country.
Conceptualized and built by the non-governmental organization Tășuleasa Social, the route was officially inaugurated in late 2022 after more than four years of intensive community mobilization, trail-blazing, and public-private collaboration. By 2026, it has solidified its position as an internationally recognized sustainable tourism model, drawing thousands of hikers, cyclists, and pilgrims annually.
Key Route Indicators and Strategic Metrics
| Metric / Dimension | Operational Profile |
| Total Length | ~1,400 kilometers (~870 miles) |
| Geographic Coverage | 10 counties (Suceava, Bistrița-Năsăud, Mureș, Harghita, Brașov, Sibiu, Alba, Hunedoara, Caraș-Severin, Mehedinți) |
| Historic Regions | Bucovina, Transylvania, Terra Siculorum, Terra Saxona, Terra Banatica, Oltenia sub Montană |
| Route Markers | Hand-carved sandstone milestones placed at every kilometer |
| Primary Initiator | Tășuleasa Social (led by Alin Uhlmann Ușeriu and collaborators) |
| Recognition | European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Award Winner |
The Architecture of the Trail: Art, Nature, and Community
Unlike conventional long-distance trekking routes that focus purely on wilderness, Via Transilvanica is inherently a social and cultural project built around three distinct pillars:
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Outdoor Art Gallery in the Wild:
Every single kilometer of the trail is marked by an individual, hand-carved sandstone milestone (borne). Sculpted by artists and art students from Romania and abroad, these 1,400 milestones turn the route into one of the world’s longest continuous open-air art installations.
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Revitalizing Rural Micro-Economies:
Via Transilvanica passes through hundreds of isolated villages, traditional communes, and historic towns. By steering travelers away from hyper-touristic hubs toward family-run guesthouses, local farms, and home-cooked meals, the trail injects vital capital directly into vulnerable rural economies.
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Multicultural Heritage Preservation:
The path acts as a living museum of Romania’s diverse heritage. Hikers traverse the Orthodox monastic landscapes of Bucovina, the Székely villages of Harghita, the Saxon fortified churches of Transylvania, the multiethnic communities of Banat, and the rugged karst topography of Oltenia.
Sustainable Mobility and Global Recognition
Designed for walking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, the trail operates under a strict leave-no-trace philosophy. The comprehensive Official Guide of Via Transilvanica, continuously updated in digital formats, provides detailed topographical maps, cultural context, and contact information for local hosts, ensuring a safe and structured experience for solo and group travelers alike.
The international response has been overwhelmingly positive. Recognized by major global publications and international heritage bodies—including a prestigious Europa Nostra Award—Via Transilvanica is widely celebrated as a benchmark for community-led sustainable development.
A Modern Pilgrimage for the 21st Century
Beyond its economic and environmental benefits, Via Transilvanica addresses a growing global demand for slow travel and authentic human connection. In an era dominated by rapid urbanization and digital fatigue, the trail offers travelers a rare opportunity to disconnect, explore rich local traditions, and experience the profound hospitality of rural Romania, one kilometer at a time.
