Romanian winter attractions
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Romanian winter attractions
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| Romanian Mountains were named in the ancient times "Corona Montium" and there are famous since then for their incredible beauty and wilderness. The Carpathians represent almost one third of the entire Romanian territory (to be exact 31% of it), and they are considered to be the second mountainous chain in Europe after the Alps. Even if they are not as tall as these, Carpathians have a good fame for their spectacular views, the wonderful opportunities for climbing or for practicing winter sports. Specialists divide the Romanian Carpathians into three main branches : Eastern Carpathians, Southern Carpathians and Western Carpathians. |
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| The Eastern ones are the longest volcanic chain of our continent; here you may find the following massifs : Oas, Gutii, Tibles, Calimani, Harghita, Bodoc and Baraolt. The Southern Carpathians are placed between Prahova Valley and Timis-Cerna corridor having the highest peaks in Romania : Moldoveanu Peak (2,544 m), Negoiu Peak (2,535 m), Paringu Mare Peak (2,519 m), Peleaga Peak (2,509 m) and Omu Peak (2,505 m). The Western Carpathians are famous for their caves. For example Scarisoara Cave where for thousands of years exists a glacier unique all over Europe. Also you will be amazed by visiting Bears' Cave - see the pictures of our Photo Album. In the Romanian Carpathians there are many holiday resorts having modern accommodations for welcoming all kind of tourists : hotels, villas, alpine chalets and agro-tourist boarding houses. We will try to introduce to you the major winter resorts in alphabetical order. |
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| Borsa Resort is placed in the Maramures county, at 10 km from the town with the same name, at the altitude of 685 m. You may go to Borsa by train (23 km from Viseul de Jos) or by car (80 km from Sighetu Marmatiei or 91 km from Vatra Dornei). The main natural factors found here are: mineral waters, fresh air, invigorating climate, so it is the best holiday resort for people with asthenia, endocrine problems and respiratory affections. Pietrosu Rodnei peak (2,300 m) is the highest top of the Eastern Carpathians. It can be reached by walking 5 - 6 hours on a marked path starting from Borsa. During winter time, tourists enjoy a lot skiing on the tracks organized in this resort. And don't ignore visiting the wooden church found in Borsa town built in 1718 and painted in 1765 by Zaharia Zugravu. |
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| Busteni Resort can be found in Prahova county. It has about 915 m in altitude, being developed in a meadow between Caraiman and Costila peaks. If you prefer train, you may use it for going to Busteni (only 8 km from Sinaia or 37 km from Brasov). Also you may travel by car. The air rich in ozone and some mineral springs increased both the fame and the number of inhabitants. You must find out that Busteni is sheltered from winds in the corridor cut by the Prahova river that is why the town has a mean of 6° C in temperature, a moderate cloudiness, low atmospheric pressure and a high humidity (about 80 %). During the winter, skiing is a common sport along the tracks of Caraiman or Valea Alba. Also Busteni is the starting point if you want to visit the magnificent environs: Babele, Sphinx, Piatra Arsa, Omu Peak, Urlatoarea waterfall... Here it can be found the biggest centre of mountaineering in Romania. Beginning with 2003, an ambitious project related to the conditions of practicing the winter sports will be set up. In January 2003 the first skiing track for children in Romania was already opened here. But the investors want to bring a nocturne equipment, artificial snow and a modern cable car. I am sure that next time when you will come to Busteni you will have a great surprise!!! |
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| Paltinis Resort is placed at 32 km from Sibiu so you can easily reach it by car. Paltinis lies on the North-Eastern slope of the Cindrel Mountains and offers a wonderful perspective of the entire region due to its 1,450 m in altitude (it is the highest resort in Romania). Many fir woods can be admired around the resort and hiking might be a pleasant way to spend your days here. You must know that there are heavy snowfalls about 120 days a year so the tourists who enjoy winter sports have a great appreciation for Paltinis. The air is pure, cold and rich in ozone. Also there are UV radiation and a highly ionized atmosphere recommended for weakly states, asthenia, intellectual overstress, convalescence or children's growth problems. Over 60 villas open their doors with great hospitality for their guests in Paltinis. |
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| Poiana Brasov Resort also called "The Glade of Sun" is situated in Brasov county and has 1,030 m in altitude. Maybe it is the most famous Romanian winter resort because it is considered to be the best equipped for winter sports (12 tracks, one of them being built after Olympic standards). Poiana Brasov lies at the foot of Postavaru Mountain and it has a mean of -3° C in temperature during January. Visitors can easily reach the resort by car because it is only 12 km far from Brasov or 190 km from Bucharest. The tourists who enjoy skiing are present here each year between early November and late March and try to prove their ability on tracks having different types of difficulty (Bradul, Sulinar, Subteleferic). They also have the possibility to go up on foot, by cable-car or by chair-lift. You will be delighted to hear in these restaurants Romanian folklore, to taste Romanian dishes and to admire our unique traditional dances! |
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| Predeal Resort is famous among people coming from abroad. It is placed in the same Brasov county as Poiana Brasov and it has 1,160 m in altitude. Predeal is surrounded by the Postavaru and Piatra Mare Mountains in the North and by the Bucegi and Girbova Massif in the South. Coming from Bucharest, you must ride your car about 147 km to reach Predeal resort. It might be incredible for you to know that in the first half of the 18th century in Predeal were settled only three inns! Nowadays it is a modern resort with hotels, villas and restaurants ready to receive in good conditions many guests. Little by little Predeal became a place of interest for people who enjoy winter sports. |
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| Sinaia Resort is placed in Prahova county at 63 km from Ploiesti or 47 km from Brasov (if you travel by car). It has 800 - 1,000 m in altitude and lies at the foot of Furnica Mountain in the Bucegi Massif. The name "Sinaia" was taken in 1874 from a monastery built by Mihai Cantacuzino in 1695, but its development as a holiday resort began after 1846. It is the only resort in Romania where the interbelic high-society came to test their good luck playing fortune games at the Casino during the night and to practice winter sports during the day! That is why they called it "The Carpathians' Pearl". Nowadays Sinaia is well known all over the world because of the beautiful Peles Castle - the royal summer residence of the Romanian kings - and its unique architectural style. You must know that Sinaia offers many skiing tracks with different grades of difficulty: Furnica, Piatra Arsa, Virful cu Dor... Tourists may use some mechanical lifting devices (cable cars and chair lifts). In the environs can be admired the wonderful landscapes of the Bucegi Mountains and it is possible to remain over night in the modern chalets spread nearby the main routes. If you prefer to visit a special place, don't forget the Sinaia Monastery, which preserves impressive frescoes and votive paintings. |
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| Sovata Resort can be found in Mures county at 24 km from Tirgu Mures. It has 500 m in altitude and lies in the valley of Tirnava Mica river (in the Praid - Sovata Depression). This resort extends over a huge salt block, one of the biggest in Europe. This is the explanation why in this region you may find many salt thermal lakes as Ursu Lake where the salt concentration is extremely high, or caves made in salt (Praid is the most beautiful one). People use to treat their illnesses in Sovata Baths: gynecological affections, rheumatic and post-traumatic problems, etc. In Sovata it is a mild climate so here the winters are not very cold. Tourists come here to enjoy skiing. Each January there are organized in Sovata "The Snow Feasts" with many funny games on the snow tracks, a lot of boiled wine which is traditional in Romania during winter and music. All the participants have a good time and get rid of stress for a few days in this white magic landscape. |
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| Vatra Dornei Resort is placed in Suceava county and it is easily reachable by car or by train from all over the country. Travelling by car you may arrive in Vatra Dornei coming from Suceava town (113 km) or from Bistrita town (83 km). The resort lies in the inter-Carpathian depression called "Dornelor Land" (Tara Dornelor). Tourists come for skiing on the slopes of Negru Hill in winter time. The altitude is about 800 - 850 m and the climate is tonic. Besides the winter attractions, here you may find mineral waters that treat diseases such as: cardiovascular affections, nervous system problems, occupational illnesses, metabolic and nutritional affections, etc. |
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| It was our intention to introduce the major winter attractions of Romania and to make you the invitation to come here for a few days! Don't forget to tell us your impressions after doing that, so our future guests will find out about your experience!!! V.F.O. team wishes you to spend here the best winter holidays of your life! |