No one can take a Romanian as an Hungarian or a Bulgarian, or a Russian. We love all these people, but we are proud Romanian!
How to discover best of Romania
All these nations have something in common: they are very old proud nations, but also enthusiath Europeans.
BEST HOTELS IN BUCHAREST
I must confess, I love Bucharest. I go very often in this nice charming city, the Romanian capital actually. I must confess again, I am even born in Bucharest, but my family always lived in another place,Focsani, 200 km away from Bucharest ( so, my birth in Bucharest was only an accident!)
GOD BLESS ROMANIA ON ITS NATIONAL DAY
We, the people of Romania, are tolerant, open minded, opened to new contacts. We love our minorities, we love our neighbors, but we remain proud and happy Romanians.
CHEAP HEALTHCARE IN ROMANIA
he fact and the reality is that your doctor /physician might be an excellent information source for Romania and your possible trip to Romania. Most probably, he is Romanian, or has a Romanian friend, as very many Romanian doctors emigrated, due to the low wages in Romania. This matter turns to be an outrageous brain drain, while the country desperately needs good specialists
As Romania is an unforgettable country, and your marriage or honeymoon is also supposed to be like that, I think you can have the both in the same time. That's why I would like to propose you Romania as the perfect destination for honeymoon or/and wedding.
The wonderful city of Iassy, perfect destination for honeymooners and culture freaks
But first of all, you must fill the first condition: you must be deep in love, over the ears! Then if you are looking for the best location for your marriage, please consider The Kiss Gate. It is a modern sculpture carved by Constantin Brancusi, an artist we are very proud of, lieing in a central park of the city of Targu Jiu. It not at all unusual having there your civil ceremony, and many Romanians do the same thing. Simply unique and unforgetable.
This is the Kiss Gate, one of the best place worldwide to have wedding
After that comes the religious ceremony, at least for us the orthodox. It lasts one hour and is very touching for sure. If you like to live it (my warm recomandation) and you are not an orthodox you need a prior baptisation. Almost 90% of the Romanians are orthodox, but you can also find many other churches, as we, the Romanian orthodox are very tolerant.
The religious wedding in an orthodox church is simply touching
The next could be the wedding party. Usually there are 300 guests eating and drinking all night long, waiting to dance with the bride and keen to give to the young pair a present for the good start in the common life. If you can understand the words of the Romanian popular songs you will laugh a lot, some of them are really funny.
An interesting tradition we care a lot: the bride will launch pieces of cake and the catchers will be blessed and protected (future brides?)
And then I am sure you don't need whether a guided tour, nor to be part of a group. Take really care of your beloved one, put her/him first, even before you. This is the real love, and this is the secret of a long happy marriage. The passion is there, but you need sometimes the patience, please remember that. and about the location, I would reckon the wonderful city of Iassy for many reasons: there are a lot of students , plenty of clubs and concerts. The city is not so impressive big as Bucharest, but also not a small insignificant provincial town. Not at all, but on the contrary, as Iassy has been for centuries the Capital of Moldavia. You will be able the feel the arrogance and pride of a former capital and visit some of the renowned buildings and museums of the city (there are a lot, if you are a culture freak is the perfect destination). One hotel of Iassy has been drawn by Gustave Eiffel, that would be another recommendation.
I think is a nice busy schedule, and must disappear, as I don't intend to disturb your honeymoon in Romania.
I simply can warmly recommend you Romania as a wonderful destination. Please take a profit of my knowledge, as I am a born Romanian, love this country very much, and I have learned it by heart as I am a travel guide since many years.
Casa Bazna in Transilvania/Romania, a special, idyllic and silent place
Really not easy to concentrate on the best destinations in Romania, but I will try. As a warming, en passant, could say something about two very interesting hotels in Romania, having a few things in common: friendly staff and good service, normal prices and tremendous neighborhoods. Really top notch destinations, I would say and sustain convincely.
One of it lies in Predeal, 130 km away from Bucharest, and I mean hotel Piemonte. You have the Carpathians all around and can discover them by foot, there are a few peaceful paths with different degrees of difficulty. The city of Brasov, the touristic Capital of Romania lies only 20 km away, in the wellknown Transilvania. Also very close: Castle of Bran, with the ghost of Dracula.
The top hotel Piemonte from Predeal
If you need more silence, I can recommend you Casa Bazna. It simply lies to the countryside, and being there you must behave yourself and say hello to all the locals you can meet. But please don't be nervous and frightened about that, they are simply lovely and friendly. You can also go to the rustical pub of the village to taste the local beer and observe the local people. Simply wonderful, I am sure you will enjoy it, if you decide to stay longer there are a few houses to your disposal! You can further discover the medieval cities of Medias and Sighisoara, which are very close indeed. If you love bigger cities, then Cluj Napoca and Targu Mures are easy to reach, within 2 hours driving.
The wonderful city of Iassy and its outstanding Palace of Culture by night
If you are a culture freak, the cities of Iassy or Craiova are a must, but they lie in other regions than the two over mentionated hotel, and thus you must find accomodation there. Will recommend the appropriate one in each of these cities within short time, still reckon which might be the best recommendation.
I think sometimes, that Romania is still a terra incognita (unknown land), despite my desperate work on social media, and specially on this blog. And I can definitely compare Romania with the dark side of the moon.
Genuine nature with a pelican in Danube Delta
Why is happening this? May be is not fair for Romania, and for us, the Romanians. One possible explanation is the lack of efforts, or middles, of the Romanian government. Another explanation is the scandal press, looking for hot stuff everywhere. A few years ago Britain was freightened due to the opening for working permits concerning Romanians and Bulgarians. The reality was not so bad at all comparing with the predicted apocalypse of the main newspapers. Or maybe a conspiracy theory would be the reason, as some extremists of the left might think.
Friendly people everywhere, that is a landmark of Romania
In order to deepen the comparation, I will gladly inform you about the main difference. You can visit Romania, convince yourself about this happy land and its inhabitants, while the dark side of the moon is not accessible to normal people. Please don't worry about the dark side of the moon, forget it simply. You will be much happier visiting Romania.
We have in Romania also an urban civilization, and Bucharest is an international city
It is for sure not the richest country in the EU (I wonder why gain) but is for sure one of the most attractive both for tourists or investors. It is not overpopulated, it is not polluted and has in many places a genuine nature waiting to be discovered (I mean Danube Delta, the peaks of the Carpathians, genuine forests and impressive population of bears). I will not bother trying to convince you to invest in Romania. Might be a good idea, but there are other channels for this entreprise. That's why I will only try introducing Romania to you as a potential tourist.
Happy people to the countryside
You need time for know Romania, at least one week. The country is nice, medium sized and you have a lot of interesting thing to see. The Romanians are the most important asset: they are opened, educated and have good manners. Almost one half of the Romanians still live to the countryside and have an unbelievable common sense. They might be not very rich, but very proud and will receive you like a royal. Ask Prince Charles of Britain if is true!
We are proud of our history, of our ancestors, of our wonderful country. We enjoy life and would like to share with you. Visit Romania, you are invited.
Interesting to define highlights, it is really provocativ. Much more interesting is to define the highlights of a possible Romanian trip of yours. I could try to simplify it, and declare that all Romania is a highlight, but I won't do that (nevertheless Romania is a must see for everyone).
The Church of Moldovita is a highlight if you go to upper Moldavia(or Bucovina)
Maybe in this season one of the highlights are the the Carpathian Mountains with their ski slopes located all over the country. Besides, taking part to a hunting in Romania could be really an event. Another event is taking part to a pig slaughting to the contryside according to the old tradition. It is really a highlight, and everything tastes so genuine, so special. But you must be very careful, you will put some pounds on!
Please observe in Romania that the nature and the rural society seem to be still o.k., respecting each other
As we are facing a mild winter, for some travelers the Black Sea coast and the city of Constanta have no doubts a strong charm and spell. You will be barely able to recognize the city, or the resort of Mamaia. Everything is so empty and peaceful, comparing with the high season from July and August.
In Winter as in Summer the capital city of Bucharest is really atractive, despite the traffic jams. Every big city is familiar to jams and the lack of parking places, and Bucharest is not an exception (but as mention during the scholar vacations is really a pleasure to drive in Bucharest). With its wonderful museums, its broad avenues, its churches and fountains Bucharest is a pleasant surprise for everyone interested in urban life, or in night life.
The painted churches of Romania are under UNESCO protection (Moldovita again)
For those interested in rural life, please note that even these days almost a half of the Romanians live to the countryside. Amazing, isn't it? Some of those villages are really traditional, and it is really an event visiting them. Here the people and the society seems the be still in order, far away from the modern stressing life. And no matter how poor are these Romanians living to the countryside, everyone of them would invite you inside and treat you like a King or a Queen!
The Romanian gastronomy is another major reason to visit Romania
The Romanians love to speak and adore to communicate. They also double and strenghten their words with generous majestic gesture. There is no way to fear any communication difficulties therefore, for sure!
Visiting a World Heritage Site in any part of the world is one of the most important thing to do in order to get the best from tour destination. It is on one side, a small tribute to the hyper qualified, but independent, team of the UNESCO experts searching world wide treasures of the mankind, worth to a visit from you. On the other side, you go to the best destinations certified by independent authorities, sparing precious time and money for your searches.
Romania is one of the happiest examples worldwide of perfect coincidence between the recommended UNESCO sites and the most frequented destinations. The complete list of the approved UNESCO world heritage sites in Romania is easy to check at http://whc.unesco.org and most of these destinations I am warmly recommending with any possible occasion, in writing or speaking, inline and offline.
A floating hotel is a wise way to visit Danube Delta
Briefly, the approved UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Romania are the following:
1. Danube Delta is one of the best preserved Deltas in the world, a last refugee for many endemic and endangered species of plants and animals (mainly birds). Strongly protected by the Romanian authorities at local or national levels, offers even spectacular human encounters with the fishermen from that region. Most of the are the descendants of fugitive persecuted Russians from the XIXth century, making this piece of water and land simply unique!
Voronet, a breathtaking pearl of the Middle Age
2.Painted Monasteries from Bucovina have used secret recipes for their colors, making sometimes the restoration works almost impossible (most renowned of it is the "Blue of Voronet", compared with " Veronese green" or "Tizian's Red"). Painted in the Middle Age, they tried to bring the region myths closer to the people. It is amazing the perfect harmony with the environment (soil, sky, villages and the surrounding hills)
Barsana Church from Maramures
3.Wooden Churches from Maramures are very traditional, build in same way as few centuries ago. They are to find in a remote insulated region of the country, where there is still plenty of wood. Also to observe in the region, the massive wooden gates, measuring the wealth of the locals. They have been build during an oppression period, when the Romanians were not allowed to build in concrete or stone. But these fantastic wooden churches lasted better!
4. The Horezu Monastery is an unique architecture masterpiece in the Romanian Brancovan style. Has a perfect balance among colors, shapes and ornaments, simply overwhelming for any culture freak!
The amazing Sighisoara Fortress during a Medieval Carnival
5.The Historic City of Sighisoara is the only one Medieval Fortress still inhabited. Easy accessible from any point of the town Sighisoara, offer broad view to the all region. My secret tip: discover the traces of Dracula, eating in its birth house!
The Fortified Church from Biertan
6.The Fortified Churches from Transilvania could shelter for weeks the all population of an entire village, if the reserves were enough! Most renowned in Biertan or Viscri (where Prince Charles of Britain owns a few properties)
7.The Antique Fortifications of the Dacians from the Orastie Mountains are not easy to access, as they belonged to the ancestors of the Romanians, running from the conquering Romans. Most renowned is the Sarmizegetusa Regia. Savage mountains, mysterious artifacts complete an interesting getaway.
There is no reason to fear traveling solo in Romania. The country is safe, and no rape against tourist have been reported since a long time;thus you are supposed to do the right difference with other parts of the world, e.g. India or Mexico.
There are a few perfect destinations for singles in Romania, but you must make the right choices, as the agencies tailor their offers usually for families.
If you wanna be totally alone, select a remote cabin in the mountains, off the beaten path. I would recommend Soveja in the Vrancea District and Mountains and the hunting cabin Lepsulet, outside the village. If you are a woman, you are not supposed to go hunting, but you can climb the mountains. Simply doing your toilet in the morning in the ice cold water of the creek will simply refresh you, much more than a hot shower in a fancy hotel room.
A remote cabin in the mountain could make the perfect destination for a solo tourist aiming to be lonely
Of course, there are much more perfect places for singles in the Romanian mountains, ask me about the most appropriate ones. Besides, another fantastic retreat for the seekers of the loneliness is the Danube Delta, Europe's best preserved. You can admire the genuine nature in all its splendor, while doing your daily yoga exercises. If you really feel yourself a small happy part of the huge Universe, full of joy and love to the other human beings you are totally saved from depression. If not, search the company of a local wise fisher or shepherd. They know and understand so much about life, and you will understand everything, beyond the language. Just trust him and watch deeply in his eyes.
Danube Delta is my saving hint
Supposing further you are that kind of single very fond of clubs, pubs and this kind of social life, please be aware that Bucharest downtown consists on a huge number of such pubs, which very empty on weekends and full of clients during the week. You can find there all the people you are used to see in a club outside: hipsters, corporate, escorts, students and drivers. Many of them are also single and if you are happy enough you can find the right for you. Other destinations for clubbing, but on weekends: Brasov, Poiana Brasov, Constanta, Mamaia
Sibiu is a fantastic city break, and has also a leading art collection
Romania makes also a perfect destination for the culture freaks. There are interesting art and history museums in almost every city, with special mentions for Iasi, Timisoara and Craiova. You can try also unforgettable city breaks in Sighisoara, Cluj Napoca and Oradea. There are good theaters in many places, and German theater in Sibiu. If you feel is not enough, add the painted monasteries from Moldavia, or the Saxon fortified churches from Transilvania.
For the gourmets and wine afficionados, I must say only a few words, like Riesling, Merlot, meat balls, soups etc, in order not to offence your trained tasting cells! Discover your Romania, I can give you good offers next to these tips and tricks.
There are many interesting things to know about Romania, or to do in Romania. One of them is the fantastic development of the religion in the last 20 years, after the dissolution of communism.
90 % of the Romanian population is Christian Orthodox, and the half of them attend regularly the Church service. Most of the priests are really devoted to their mission and communities, excellent examples for the people around them. There is a strong strength protecting this blessed country, and for a fine observer is the most spectacular thing during a Cultural Church Tour.
Even if you are not in the mood for for a Romanian Church Tour, but only looking for Easter Getaways I can recommend you some good places in Romania. Because Romania is relatively cheap, interesting, the people are wonderful, and still enjoy a fantastic peak and charisma. Romania is still off the beaten path, and you can make a good profit from it!
Downtown Suceava, the Local Council
The first destination is the picturesque Bucovina with its hilly landscape and many churches. Visiting an Orthodox church makes you really experiencing a fantastic, unbelievable and unknown force, having nothing to do with your religion or beliefs. All you have to do is simply visiting short the church during the night Easter celebration. The Romanian Orthodox will start within a week the Easter abstinence, and after the Easter service will enjoy a huge feast. They will surely invite you taking part to the feast, there is plenty of food and wine there, beware the overfilling!
An amazing fountain in The Bucharest Herastrau Park
You can try to do for a few days the Bike Tour of The Painted Monasteries, to keep you fit. Otherwise, you can visit all these painted monasteries in one day, admiring the proud local popular suits. If you are on travel with family and children, visit the Suceava Fortress and the History Museum, or try riding horses in Radauti. If you travel solo there are other great stylish destinations in Romania.
If you are on a time pressure, or you like more the urban life, I would recommend two destinations: Bucharest and Sibiu. Bucharest, the amazing Romanian Capital, offers a lot of attractions. Its glamorous palaces create in Downtown a very chic atmosphere. It is an overwhelming eclectic mix of styles, and you can really feel in another century. Besides, in the Bucharest parks the coming spring will bring an explosion of colors. The Orthodox churches will be surely full, and you may visit them, beyond any language or religion differences. There are a few stylish hotels, which can turn your stay in an event. For your children there are a plenty of activities, starting with the museums, pools and parks. There is no time for boring in Bucharest, guaranteed!
Even if you are not a culture freak, worth to visit the Sibi
Sibiu, called by the Old Romans Cibinium, is the center of the German minority in Romania. Unfortunately, there not so many Germans in Romania anymore, but in Sibiu you can feel and observe their strong presence. In the central Downtown you can walk a lot, stopping in one of the many pubs and terraces. The Architecture is rather similar to a German city, than to a Romanian one, at least in the center. Visit in Sibiu the amazing art museum Bruckenthal. If you are with your fiancee/lover/wife test her faith to the Liar's Bridge. Outside the city, in Dumbrava, there is a fabulous museum in the middle of the forest, with traditional houses from all Romania. Enjoy a tasty juicy meal in one of the good restaurants still having in menu traditional dishes, e.g. meat rolls, together with a glass of wine.
Thus you are going to like Romania, but also the Eastern ritual feast.
The Romanian city of Pitesti is easy comparable with Detroit. Based mainly on the automotive industry it was bad hit by the major crisis in this branch. But we must nevertheless keep the right proportion, as Pitesti only counts nowadays 150 000 inhabitants, registering 10 % decrease within the last decade.
Pitesti enjoyed during the 50's an unexpected international publicity. In the local jail people from Pitesti the feared Securitate (Romanian Secret Service) ran one of the darkest page in the contemporary history of Romania. Namely, the prisoners should mutually torture each other, reporting directly to the head Nicolschi the progress made on the right path! Known as the Experiment Pitesti, has been documented in many books, and I would mention and recommend as a good one this specific title written by Paul Goma. He succeeded to escape alive and emigrated later, but many people lost their lives or their minds there.
The St George Church from Pitesti has a strange beauty, inside and outside
But not all the local history is so dark, on the contrary. On the hills surrounding Pitesti there are many orchards and vineyards (Stefanesti is the best renowned all over Romania). The local plum brandy "Tuica de Pitesti" is turning to a national and international brand. A local legendary football player, namely Nicolae Dobrin, had a soft spot for it. Another prominent with his origin in Pitesti is the former Romanian dictator during WWII Ion Antonescu.
A few centuries ago the city was surrounded by thick oak forests. The huge Trivale park is a wonderful remnant and visiting it is really relaxing. It is exceptionally well kept, stretching on impressive 30 hectares (60 acres for the Americans). You can even find a stadium and a Zoo there.
Mayoralty from Pitesti, only one piece from the interesting downtown
During Middle Age Pitesti was shortly a Royal residence of Wallachia. Very close to it, thus easy reachable through short trips, are other former Capitals, e.g. Targoviste, Curtea de Arges and Campulung. Pitesti has been hosting for centuries the residence of Bratianu family, prominent liberal leaders. The communist regime used and then brutally destroyed their manors, and even demolished a church build by the Bratianu family unfortunately.
But Pitesti still has many things to offer to any tourist coming in the area. The wonderful St George church is the first recommendation I can make. It is really wonderful, inside and outside. City Museum documents the long history of the city, starting with the Paleolithic age. Much later, at 1450 the city was for the first time mentioned in writing, as an important trade hub.
If you visit Pitesti in the Spring, and are lucky enough, you can catch the unbelievable local festival "Simfonia Lalelelor" ( or Tulip Symphony), which is really spectacular, much beyond you can imagine.
Expressive paintings made by a legendary Romanian painter in Agapia monastery
If you heard something about the Romanian painter Nicolae Grigorescu is very good, but if not you must hold something in your memory about. If you have by chance the opportunity to find a painting signed by Grigorescu, I would advice you to not hesitate even a minute, no matter the price. It is very possible that you won't have the second occasion.
His paintings are the best investment possible, and be sure to double its value within 5 years. You can be sure to sell it in the best conditions at least in Romania, but Grigorescu is becoming more international, viral and global day by day. Grigorescu was born in 1838 and 10 years later he started painting icons, as an apprentice of a Czech master. He managed to sell almost all his paintings, but was still not able to make a living.
The Monastery of Agapia welcomes the visitor with order, and many flowers.
In 1858 he heard that the Holly Monastery of Agapia, in the Neamt County is to be restored and looks after very good painters, able to do that job. He managed somehow to get the money for coming to Agapia from Bucharest and showed him up before the superior nun. He did not trust very much that very young boy, but put it nevertheless to a test: he was supposed to paint an icon of The Holly Virgin Mary with the Baby Jesus. Grigorescu also smiled, showing himself a little arrogant, which made the Superior even more suspicious.
If you ask yourself how was Grigorescu looking , and can trust the rich imagination of an artist, this is a self portrait
The coming facts were much more important than the first impressions: he painted the icon in the best conditions, and to the highest aestethic and quality standards! A peasant from Agapia served as a model, and the Superior ended to be convinced. Nicolae Grigorescu got the contract, and made an excellent job, transforming the Agapia monastery into the Sisstine Chapel of Romania. His Saints are alive,not totally according to the Byzantine traditions, but rather similar to the works of the famous masters of Italian Renaissance!
If you understand art, you are going to fall with Grigorescu paintings grom Agapia monastery (an expressive yet impressive sample)
The Monastery of Agapia lies only 40 km away from Piatra Neamt, and is neighbor to another renowned monastery, namely Varatec. It welcomes you in summer with many flowers and is overwhelming you through its dimensions, comparing to other monasteries from Romania. Agapia lies in the middle of a forest and has been build at 1642. Very few people are aware, that there is another Monastery Agapia, which is upper on the hills, and lost its wealthy due to a landfall. Agapia from the Valley, also known as the new Agapia, welcomes you with heavy smells, as the kitchen works hard for the Nuns, as also for the visitors who might need some refreshments (also possible to become a payed dormitory, on a budget). Once you enter the Church, everything else is totally forgotten. The paintings of Grigorescu are really amazing and breathtaking, and you will be able to better understand my long introduction. It is hard to describe that feeling, which is equally artistic and church ecstasy. Observe, please, and note, some specific paintings, and try to guess the foreign influences: "Angel leaving Tobie" is inspired by Rembrandt; " The funeral of Jesus Christ" on a theme of Tizian. The other ones are much more original, but not less valuable!
Afterward you can visit the Museum, exhibiting artistic artifacts and church works. Equally rich is the library, with its 15000 toms of old books. Surprise, you can even find a memorial house "Alexandru Vlahuta" (important Romanian writer, whose sister was a Nun in this monastery). The Agapia Monastery was very appealing for many Romanian cultural personalities, who used to come here.
So much culture will raise the inner man. If you are lucky enough, you can eat to the monastery, but you can also look a pension next to it, or wait to reach the town of Targu Neamt.
You can call it also Schaessburg (German), or Segesvar(Hungarian), according to your linguistic preferences or friends you might have in the area, but any visitor would rather call it the Museum town! I don't mean hereby the modern town, consisting on blocks of flats, but the old city with a labyrinth of narrow Medieval streets. They are amazingly well preserved, kept and restaured, and seem to host secrets and vampires.
Sighisoara is first unique through this simple fact, in the all Europe is the first and the last populated medieval citadel! The town of Sighisoara shows its best wealthiest times between the XVth and the XVIIth century, when not less than 20 guilds (aka professional association) were active here. The towers of the citadel reminds each of such a guild (butchers', skinners', tinners', ropers', furriers', taylors', cobblers' etc). Artists from Salzburg, Bohemia or Koenigsberg came and gone, shorter or longer, according to their contracts. Also diplomates, army rulers or princes have played here the usually chess game, balancing between the Romanian States and the Big Empires.
The spectacular Clock Tower from Sighisoara, during one of the local festivals
One of the important figures saw here in Sighisoara was Dracula's father, namely Vlad Dracul The Devil, who was belonging to the Dragon order (cruciates fighting against the Turks, carrying on their coat the scaring Dragon!). You can still visit Dracula's birthhouse, which is today a restaurant, even a good one, recommended by myself (ask about Mr. Attila)! Visit further the weapon collection and the torture room, whose walls were the silent witnesses of dying whoops. Afterwards, please climb in the Clock Tower, and observe its rudimentary medieval, but still working mechanism. It makes seven characters to rotate. These seven characters represents the days if the week, being actually colored puppets with the signs of the seven planets, known at that time. The Clock Tower is 64 meters high, and was first build exclusively for military purposes.It protected the main gate of the citadel, hosted the treasure and the sessions of the local council. The four little towers surrounding the central structure show the town Sighisoara having special rights (e.g. jus gladii= the landlords right of punishing the outlaws).
During the Medieval festivals from Sighisoara, it is usually to see such fights between the knights, caused by a beautiful young lady!
Another very interesting target for your trip to Sighisoara is the Hills Church. You can reach it by climbing a covered stairs. It has been build between 1345 and 1525, with a good etnographic museum and sculptures inside. Outside, also to mention, the cemetery. The name of the craftsmen on the tombstones won't tell you anything, but observe the interesting masonry signs, e.g. the square, the divider and the eye. Maybe you are going to like history on this way, but please don't disturb the silence of this place. From the hill you can get also a splendid view of the entire town.
Best times to visit Sighisoara could be during the local festivals (but the town is overcrowded and you need prior reservations!): -Medieval Art Festival, during the last weekend of July -Academic Music festival, 1-10 August -Proetnica Minorities festival, 24-25 August
The modern Romania was set by the end of the XIXth century with the decisive contribution of the King Carol I, who was the descendant of an aristocratic family from Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen.
It was for sure not easy for the young king coming in a foreign country, despite his efforts to learn Romanian and to understand the strange philosophy and behavior of the Romanian people (also he converted to the Orthodox church). And under these circumstances he took the decision to build a castle which should be his residence during some periods, but also should remember him of his remote beloved first mother country. Who sees first the Castle Peles in Sinaia and the neighborhood doubts for sure to be in Romania, and feels much closer to the German Bavaria.
Peles Castle is an eagle nest in the Carpathians
Due to this castle, Sinaia is still today probably the most notorious mountain resorts in Romania. After His majesty The King Carol I. build the castle, many other prominents build houses here and came regularly as member of the Royal Court. The Castle Peles was build based on the plans and projects of the Vienna architect W. Doderer and K. Liman in the German Renaissance style, and could appear very charged for the today taste. But for an art freak a visit inside is surely a must, and could even turn in an event.
Mirror Room in Peles is one piece of the overwhelming 106 rooms
The Castle has 106 rooms, but don't worry, the guided visit will not lead through all of them! You are going to visit the Big Honor Hall, Council Room, The Old Music Room, Florentin or Arab Room. Observe and note everywhere the good taste : fine furniture, statues, pottery, Gold or Silver works, Murano crystals or Meissen and Sevres porcelain! Simply amazing and overwhelming, and remember that this is not all, only what I can remember! A special mention for the weapon collection, as Carol I was before all a warlord. There are 4000 pieces of weapons, dating back from the XIVth and XVIIth century.
The smaller Castle of Pelisor, you should see it once in your lifetime
No chance to have a lunch within the castle, it is not allowed even to have a coffee, but you will notice for sure the Coffee Room, a favorite shelter for the gentlemen, where they could enjoy a coffee and a cigar. The King Carol I and the Queen Maria passed the way even here in the castle, and their succesor King Ferdinand build the Castle Pelisor nearby. Pelisor is little, comparing with the Big Peles, only 70 rooms, and was designed by the same Royal architect Karel Liman, and decorated by the Vienna artist Bernhard Ludwig. Very impressive is here the Golden Room, where the Queen Maria had the most important contribution, choosing Art Nouveau style and combining Celtic and Oriental elements. Also to mention, the painting collections of Gustav Klimt or E. Galle, still in fashion after 100 years.
Walk in the wonderful park, enjoy and feel Royal yourself.
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