Even not as high as the Alps, the Carpathians are just as beautiful and equally spectacular mountains. The pure air and the breathtaking landscapes attract in Romania thousands of tourists every year for skiing and hiking. The mountain resorts along the mountain chain that crosses Romania from the north to south, offer their guests excellent facilities for recreation in the summer and winter also. There are opportunities for hiking, caving, nature observing or skiing on well-marked slopes. Our tour includes the Prahova Valley (which has more than 7000 accommodation places) and the Brasov County, which is the main touristy axis of the Romania. It concentrates a series of well-known resorts in the country and abroad. The resorts Sinaia, Busteni, Predeal and Poiana Brasov constitute a permanent invitation. Here we can find not only one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in Romania, but also a great number of modern hotels, coquettish villas, chalets and restaurants as well as numerous entertainment possibilities.

Skiing, Hiking and Adventure

Sinaia, also called "The Pearl of the Carpathians" lies on the bottom of the Furnica mountain (m 800-1000), located at about 120 km North from Bucharest. Well known since the 17th century for its therapeutic qualities of its highly ionized, ozone-rich air, the resort was chosen by King Carol I as the summer residence of the royal family. Surrounded by a splendid panorama, Sinaia preserved its charm from ancient times. Numerous tourist objectives like the Sinaia Monastery, established in 1695, the Royal Park and the Peles Castle, (a real architectural jewel) built between 1875 and 1883 by King Carol I, avail themselves for easy access. The ancient Casino of Sinaia along with Sinaia hotels offer comfort, elegance and good quality services. Here guests can spend quiet evenings in unforgettable, authentic Romanian restaurants. The climate is proper for winter sports with a blanket of snow remaining until March, and around fifteen slopes with the biggest vertical angle, located at an altitude of meters 850 to 2000, served by cable transport. Opportunities for trips to the chalets from Sinaia: m 1,400 altitude, Virful cu Dor - m 2,000 altitude, Cuibul Dorului - m 1,200 , Padina - m 1,525, Piatra Arsa - m 1,950, Pestera - m 1,600, Piscul Ciinelui - m 950, etc.).

Busteni, located on the bottom of the Caraiman massif, offers a healthy ozone-rich environment and a favorable climate, especially recommended for the treatment of asthenia and stress. On top of the Caraiman Massif, at 2,484 m altitude, there stands the famous Hero's Cross monument (a 40 m high cross, made of steel), build between 1926- 1928, in honor of the country's heroes who lost their lives during the First World War. Busteni also has "Babele" and "Sphinx" (m 2290) - wind-modeled stone shapes in the Bucegi Massif, accessible throw cable-car and the highest peak of the Bucegi Mountains, Omu (m 2505). The second cable-car, from the top of Caraiman Mountain, links Busteni with Pestera hotel and the unique Monastery in the cave. Also, a modern chair-lift is in construction to the Diham and Poiana Izvoarelor cottages. The ski season lasts from November until March.

Predeal, which boasts the highest altitude of any resort in Romania (1160 m), nestles between the Bucegi and the Baiu Mountains, on the watershed of the Prahova and Timis valleys. All-season holiday resort of national importance, Predeal has summer average temperature 16°C and winter average temperature 1°C. The snow blanket lasts from late November to early March. The clean air, rich in ozone and the relatively low pressure are the main cure factors recommended in the treatment of physical and intellectual overexertion, weakly conditions and certain endocrine disorders. Predeal is starting point for hiking along marked trails to chalets scattered throughout the Bucegi Mountains: Trei Brazi, Cioplea, Susai, Garbova and Paraul Rece. The various ski slopes runs (Clabucet - lighted at night, Teleschi, Cioplea) have chair-lift and ski lift. Predeal has low price ski schools having highly qualified ski trainers speaking English, German and French.

Poiana Brasov, a well-known winter sports center, is located just 13 km from Brasov where lies at the foot of Mount Postavarul, at an altitude of 1030 m. It is one of the most frequented mountain resort in Romania, largely because of its modern sports infrastructure, including artificial skating ring, riding center, two 80 m high ski-jumps, and 12 downhill and slalom courses - one of them with artificial snow. Chair lifts and drags offer a fast, efficient connection between the resort and Postavaru Chalet (1602 m), situated amidst magnificent natural surrounding. Poiana Brasov has a selection of comfortable hotels and several rustic style villas. Their restaurants offer a varied assortment of traditional cuisine in addition to folklore shows.

Other Mountain Resorts

Semenic is a ski resort in the Banat Mountains, with ski runs descending from 1440 m. to 650 m. There has been tradition of skiing here since the end of the 19th century. The lodges built here between 1920 and 1930 have preserved this remote wilderness which incorporates considerable tracts of ancient forest, especially oak, and is home to an abundance of wildlife.

The resort of Durau is located at an altitude of 800 m. amidst fir-tree forests on the northwest slopes of Ceahlau Mountain. The sub alpine climate with pure, ozone-rich air attracts hikers and skiers alike, the latter descending slopes from 1100 m to 850 m. Numerous marked trails lead to the Fantanele, Dochia and Izvoru Muntelui chalets, the Bicaz reservoir and the bizarre shapes of the eroded crags of Ceahlau, mysterious geological formations called megaliths which inspired the ancient Dacians to whom the mountain was their "Mount Olympus", abode of their supreme deity, "Zamolxis". In 1990, Ceahlau was declared a Natural Reservation and is now protected by Law. The fauna is particularly rich with Carpathian stags, brown bear, wild boar, chamois and capercailzie making it a paradise for lovers of nature.

Other attractive mountain resorts, ideal for hiking and winter sports, include Paltinis (Cindrel Mountains, 30 km west of Sibiu), Borsa (Rodnei Mountains, Maramures), Vatra Dornei (in northwestern Moldavia, at the foot of Rarau-Giumalau Mountain) and Stana de Vale (Western Carpathians).