With Alex Dima on Via Transilvanica: Pilot Episode
Journalist Alex Dima hikes Romania’s epic long-distance trail to uncover forgotten communities, hidden histories, and the transformative power of slow travel.
The renowned Romanian investigative journalist Alex Dima sets out on a journey to discover Romania in a way that only slow travel can truly reveal. He hikes the country’s first long-distance trail – Via Transilvanica, a flagship project of Tășuleasa Social Association, an NGO with over 25 years of experience.
Spanning 1,600 kilometers, the trail crosses eight of Romania’s cultural-historical regions, honoring important UNESCO sites, bringing to light a valuable cultural heritage, and celebrating ethnic diversity. Via Transilvanica reveals spectacular natural landscapes and breathes new life into villages that are nearly depopulated and long forgotten. At the same time, the project encourages entrepreneurship in disadvantaged areas, actively engages local communities, and fosters a deep sense of unity.
Along the way, guided by the uniquely sculpted milestones that mark each kilometer, Alex Dima meets local people as well as fellow hikers – including Christine Thürmer, one of the world’s most experienced long-distance hikers. He also takes viewers through the story of how this extraordinary project came to life. More than a physical experience, this journey becomes a meeting with oneself, enriching body, mind, and soul, while generating a real and positive impact on the communities along the route.
The mini-series created by Alex Dima is produced in partnership with Banca Transilvania, a strategic partner of the Tășuleasa Social Association. The production of the pilot episode and the entire series was carried out in collaboration with Red Spike Film S.R.L.
