Archives December 2015

Three places with winter wonderland scenery

Balaban Inn in Bran, Transylvania

Near Bran Castle in Transylvania, on a hill high above Simon village lies the Inn on Balaban, a place with a remarkable panorama of the Carpathian Mountains. The 360 degrees scenery includes the Piatra Craiului mountain range, the Bucegi mountains to the east and the Rucăr – Bran corridor to the south.

Location: Simon village, Braşov county (near Bran)

Phone: +40722 606 138

Web: www.gobtf.com/innonbalaban

GPS coordinates: 45.4830, 25.3675

How to get there by car:

From Bucharest (2 1/2 hours): Go north from Bucharest on Route 1 (direction of Otopeni Airport) to Ploesti, continue towards Sinaia until you reach the town of Azuga. A few miles later after crossing a large curved concrete train overpass, turn left onto Route 73A and go about 12 miles (21 km) to Rasnov. Turn south at the intersection to Bran about 7 miles away (12 km) and at the small but busy town center ask for instructions or call at the Inn.

From Brasov: Pass through the village of Bran, about 1 km after passing Bran castle take a left following the signs for Simon village. In Simon turn left at the church and follow the signs and the gravel road for approximately 4 km.

Check out more information on the Balaban Inn in a Romania-Insider article written by Friederich Niemann.

 

cabana-dochia-ceahlau-romania-smallCabana Dochia, Eastern Carpathians

At 1750m altitude in the Eastern Carpathians, in the upper region of in the Ceahlău mountain range, on the plateau, between Lespezi (1805 m) and Bîtca Gheodon (1845 m) peaks, Cabana Dochia opens a dominant view towards east, south-east and south. Open for the first time in 1908, it is the only high-altitude retreat with accommodation in Ceahlău. If you’re in for winter hiking, firewood heating with terracotta stoves and thirst for adventure, Cabana Dochia is a must-visit place this time around.

Web: www.cabana-dochia.ro

Phone: +40730 603 801, +40730 603 802

How to get there:

By marked tourist paths, from the base of the mountain, from all cardinal points; from Ceahlău village in 4½5 hours; from Izvorul Alb or Secu localities in 5½-6 hours; from Izvorul Muntelui retreat in 3½ or 44½ hours; from Neagra village in 6-7 hours; from Telec village in 5-5½ hours; from Pintic village in 5½-6 hours; from Durău resort in 3-4½ hours.

 

domeniul-cerbilor-facebook-smallDomeniul Cerbilor, Bucovina

This is a peaceful place at the heart of Bucovina. It offers a beautiful view over gentle slopes and forests surrounding it. The sunset on the horizon and the fog settling among pine trees are even more awing if enjoyed behind the glass wall covering one side of the guesthouse’s ground floor.

Lucky visitors can even see deer in the area.

Location: Delnita, Colacu village, Fundu Moldovei locality, 72271 Suceava county

Phone: +40737 864 577 (reception), +40744 597 407 (manager)

Web: www.domeniul-cerbilor.ro

The Brancoveanu Palace in Potlogi

Romanian history fans and particularly those interested in the personality of Prince Constantin Brancoveanu can now add a new spot on their list of sites to visit as the Potlogi court is now open to the public.

Built in 1689, it includes the Brancoveanu palace, the ruins of the old princely house, of the help house and those of a repair shop for carriages. The court is surrounded by a tall brick wall and its entrance is marked by an arched gate. The court is divided into three parts: one for the staff, one for the military and one exclusively for the princely family. The Sf. Dumitru church can also be seen on the right side of the entrance.

The estate is representative for the residential architecture of the end of the 17th century, and is designed in an elaborate style, featuring gardens and water areas.

The ensemble, which is now open following RON 40 million restoration works, has first underwent repairing in 1915. After Brancoveanu was killed in 1714, the palace was devastated. During communist time, its decay further advanced and the site even served as an animal farm.

Now, with a new outlook, the ensemble will be included in a national tourist circuit alongside the Mogosoaia palace and the Targoviste court.

How to get there:
The Potlogi commune can be found 45 km north of Bucharest, following the E81.