24/06/2024
Hi everyone!
Last week I was lucky enough (along with a group of other travel agents from across Europe) to be invited to Romania! An off the beaten track destination, we were shown some of the highlights of the country including great accommodation and restaurant options along with the huge range of activities that can be enjoyed!
I can highly recommend visiting Brasov - especially if you enjoy walking, hiking, cycling, beautiful unspoilt nature, wildlife, mountain biking, horse riding etc. It is also a fantastic option in the winter season for a family ski/alpine adventure holiday without the high prices of France, Switzerland etc.
I was blown away by the stunning scenery and landscape, the warmth & generosity of the local people and the pretty storybook small towns and villages in the area.
Please see my rundown of the week below and if you would like any more information on this destination/would like to plan a trip there yourself don't hesitate to contact me as I am now equipped with lots of insider tips, contacts and recommendations!
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Day 1
Journey from Leeds Bradford to Bucharest with the flight taking 3 hours. Arrived into Bucharest late on Saturday night where it was party central! Grabbed a gyros from Souvlaki Station, people watched with a cocktail at Nobis in the old town before heading to Concorde Hotel on the edge of the old town for a good night sleep ready for the adventure tomorrow!
Day 2
Collected from the hotel around lunchtime for the 2-3 hour transfer by road to the scenic mountainside ski resort town of Poiana Brasov. This is a great spot for wildlife and activity lovers and offers trips to see wild bears from a hide in the forest between April-October (would have loved to have done this but sadly arrived too late!) as well as skiing (December-March) and other activities such as hiking, mountain biking etc. Checked into the great Teleferic Grand Hotel where most rooms have great views of the forest/slopes/mountains and which is just minutes away from the ski lift! Lovely alpine style room with the hotel also offering other facilities such as a restaurant/bar/spa/outdoor jacuzzis etc (which I bet are lovely in the winter to sit in whilst its snowing!). Met up with the Happy Brasov Team who welcomed us warmly and ended the day with a buffet day with lots of options whilst watching the sunset.
Day 3
Breakfast this morning was WOW with everything you could think of from usual breakfast offerings to a chocolate fountain and doughnut wall! Then explored other hotels in the area including Escalade and Ana Sport before one of the highlights of the trip...heading up the mountain by cable car to Yager Chalet with amazing views of the area with a traditional lunch! Afternoon was then spent in beautiful Brasov with its pretty main square (Piata Sfatului), Black Church, Hollywood Style sign on the hill, Rope Street (otherwise known as Strada Sforii and one of the narrowest in Europe) and lovely bars and restaurants. As Romania was playing in the Euros that afternoon the atmosphere was electric and a win for them (3-0) made it even more special with everyone in high spirits! Dinner was at Brewery La Mustata with its wide selection of local beers.
Day 4
We left Poiana Brasov this morning to head deeper into Transylvania. An active start, we first visited Valea Cetatii Cave and whilst the walk to it was a bit strenuous in the 40c heat, it was a pretty walk and it was worth it to be in the forest and to see the formations in the cave including stalagmites that were hundreds (if not thousands) of years old. We had a brief introduction to the cave from a local guide who also informed us that the local philharmonic practiced here due to the excellent acoustics (rather them than me carrying their instruments up the hill! Lol!) The lights were then turned off to experience it in darkness with just the sounds of the cave which was great to experience. Sadly didn't see any of the many bats that inhabit the cave though!
Then visited the Dino Park which is one of the most popular activities for families in Romania. With its life-size, interactive and informative dinosaur exhibits, it is enjoyable for everyone and even for adults it is a nice walk in the woods.
Lunch was at Hanul Bran which is a short walking distance to Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle) where the dessert (chocolate lava cake with blackberry ice cream) was exceptionally good! Then explored the family run rustic hotel which was authentic and cosy.
Afternoon was spent exploring Bran (Dracula's Castle). With a history stretching back to the 14th century when it was originally a fortreess, it later became a royal residence with its most famous inhabitant being the infamous Vlad the Impaler with Queen Marie of Romania more recently living here in the early 20th century. It is now a museum and the gothic architecture and exhibits made for a very interesting visit.
We then headed to Mama Cozonacilor for the next 3 nights. A small, family run hotel located in a quiet area, it offers guests a unique local experience with its farm animals and own onsite bakery. It also offers guests a chance to get involved in local culture whether that be bread making, milking the cows, making crafts etc. Had dinner at the hotel where we were treated to a special local dance performance by local children. Then ended the day sat around the campfire drinking local wine.
Day 5
Today was a day full of highlights! Enjoyed a breakfast of homemade warm bread and cheese and a cuppa with warm milk directly from the cow that morning! First stop was Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Zarnesti which was amazing and emotional! Libearty is dedicated to rescuing and saving brown bears in Romania (it is the biggest brown bear sanctuary in the world at 69 hectares and has vast forest enclosures where the bears can live out the rest of their lives in peace!). The bears were rescued from circuses, dire living conditions in restaurant/roadside cages or where they have come into local towns and villages where they would have been shot. Sadly Maya the bear who inspired the sanctuary died before she could make it here but it is now a shining beacon of hope to bears in Romania. They also educate the local communities, visit schools and also rescue street dogs (Victory Dog Shelter) and offer neutering, advice etc on looking after their dogs. There is one bear who they are still trying their hardest to save....Baloo.....please head over to this link (https://www.worldanimalprotection.us/take-action/free-baloo-the-bear-and-send-him-to-sanctuary/ ) to read his story and sign the petition in the hope that one day he'll be able to live out the rest of his days here in peace and natural surroundings.
Then headed to Fundata Village in the mountains (1,300ft above sea level) which is renowned for it's fresh air, breathtaking scenery and spring water. Our guide Ioan took us to his family home where we met his family, learnt about their agri-tourism initiative and enjoyed freshly made Romanian doughnuts whilst learning about the local culture and relaxing with them and watching their cows and dogs on the hillside (the puppies were especially cute!)
We then visited Cheile Grandistei Fundata which is an adventure resort in the mountains. Although originally I didn't want to ride the Alpine Coaster, I took the plunge and did it! I'm so glad I did as the views from the top are stunning! There's also lots of other activities here including zip-lining, tubing, mountain biking, hiking and skiing in the winter.
Dinner was at Club Vila Bran which is another family complex offering everything from swimming pools and a theatre to "Make Believe Land" with a fairytale castle, witch's home and a Santa's Grotto. Dinner was at the resort restaurant where another dessert highlight was Papanesi (similar to a doughnut topped with sour cream and sour cherry jam)
Day 6
The final day of the tour began with a networking fair with local suppliers from throughout the week (and more delightful doughnuts!) before then heading back to Cheile Grandistei Fundata for the day to explore the hotel further and see all the facilities. I rode the Alpine Coaster a further 3 times (still can't believe it!). The day ended with a farewell dinner where we also had a wine masterclass with a local sommelier before music and dancing.
Day 7
An early start this morning (5.00am) to head back to Bucharest and to say goodbye to most of the group and the fantastic team. On arrival around 9.00am, headed to Cafe Van Gogh to think about the day ahead, then spent most of the day wandering the city, enjoying lovely ice cream and seeing the sights. Enjoyed a lovely Italian dinner in the evening before seeing the musical dancing fountain show downtown and enjoying cocktails at Nobis and the quirky Vault Bar which is located inside an old bank vault still with original features. Tonight's stay was at Mercure City Centre which was in a quiet residential area a short 20min walk to the old town with lots of nearby facilities.
Day 8
Last day in Romania! As the temperature was nearly 35c decided it was too hot to take a walking tour so just enjoyed walking around the old town again. Enjoyed cocktails at Villacrosse Passage, a chicken schnitzel lunch at Bucharest Garden, a visit to Umbrella Street (with some cheesecake ice-cream on the way there AND back! Lol!) and finished our Romania adventure with another cocktail at Linea Closer to the Moon with great views over the city including the Palace of Parliament (heaviest building in the world). Headed back to the airport where we got through quickly albeit had a 1hr delay coming home.
What an absolutely amazing trip and would highly recommend Romania!
More photos in separate post next…..
