A two hours’ drive from Bucharest, the Prahova Valley boasts a wide
variety of ski slopes and a rich
tourist offer. It is one of the most developed mountain areas in
Romania, with winter resorts providing excellent skiing facilities for all
categories of skiers, from amateurs to professionals. Prahova Valley is not
only famous among winter sports lovers, as the area is also rich in cultural
and leisure opportunities. It’s easier to travel to Prahova Valley in December,
as the Rail Passenger Transport Society has introduced the Snow Trains taking
people to ski resorts on Prahova Valley. On weekends price discounts go up to
56%.
In Busteni, average
ski lovers can benefit from the Kalinderu slope. The slope is at the foot of
the Caraiman massif, is 1300 m long, with a level difference of 300 m, and
boasts an exceptional natural environment. It is equipped with a modern 4-seat
express chair. Kalinderu is the ideal place for those who want to improve their
skiing or snowboarding skills. Also, the slope is equipped with artificial snow
cannons, just like all the Prahova Valley slopes.
Mihai Colesi from the Busteni
Tourist Information Centre told us:
There are 14 ski tracks for beginner,
intermediate and advanced skiers. All of these ski pistes are equipped at
European standards. There is transport provided for each track, including ski
chairs, gondola lifts and ski lifts. There’s also a fun park at the foot of the
ski slope in Busteni. The ski passes can be used for all resorts on Prahova
Valley. They can be purchased from the ski slope managers of the three resorts,
but there’s also a cashier’s desk at the foot of each slope where skiers can
buy ski passes valid for several days. Prices vary. The more days the pass
covers, the cheaper it will be, and the pass varies from 1 to 6 days. At the
foot of the ski slope skiers can also find several sports equipment rental
centers, where they can find ski boots, skis, sticks, helmets and snowboards.
They will find here all the necessary equipment.
Tourists, both Romanian and foreign, are
impressed with the landscape and the tourist offer. Moreover, according to
Mihai Colesi, the hosts do everything in their power to make tourists spend an
unforgettable holiday here:
The members of
the mountain rescue teams know very well the mountain tracks and the
surrounding areas. There are guides in every resort and they all speak at least
English, if not other foreign languages as well. There are also private ski
schools that organize camps. Guides are available for foreign tourists who are
not familiar with the resorts.
Anda Popa, head of
the Prahova Tourism Promotion and Development Association says that tourists
should visit the area at least for its wine route. Anda Popa:
In the Dealu Mare area tourists can taste
Feteasca Neagra, known as the ambassador of Romanian wines. They can also taste
four to six types of wine, depending on the wine cellar they choose. Tourists
are explained the winemaking process by experts. Also, let’s not forget the
Peles Castle, the castle of Romania’s kings, one of the country’s most
important tourist sites. Particularly worth visiting are Iulia Hasdeu’s castle, the Clock Museum, The
Petroleum Museum in Ploiesti and the Caraiman Cross, the largest Summit cross
at high altitude according to the Guinness Book of Records. Winter holiday
packages have already been booked. Some tourists choose to come here for our
cuisine, others for winter sports. Spending the New Year’s Eve on a ski slope
is always an adventure. Sinaia, Azuga and Busteni boast most ski slopes. The
Cantacuzino Palace is also a unique venue for spending New Year’s Eve, in a
fairytale atmosphere. Spa centers are another inspired choice for winter
holidays.
Anda Popa says she has been permanently in
touch with the foreign tourists who arrive in Prahova Valley:
I’ve spoken to
various categories of tourists, tourists who stayed with us a longer as well as
tourists who only had time for a visit to Peles Castle. A visit to the palace
is included in the schedule of those who visit Bucharest, Brasov or Cluj. They
like it that Romanians are hospitable and they also like traditional food. Even
if they have to face the hubbub here, they are not bothered much, since the
experience they have is exceptional. Prices are affordable for every pocket.
There are things to be done for everybody, there are lots of things to do and I
invite them all to access visitprahova.ro. There they can find complete
information.
Sinaia is the
perfect place for business tourism, said the president of Prahova County’s
Tourism Promotion and Development Association, Adrian Voican. International
medical conferences are organized here on a regular basis, with up to 5,000
professionals participating. With
details on that, here is Adrian Voican himself.
A lot has been
invested, both in the private area of getting hotels modernized, and in the
public area. Cable car transportation to the Bucegi plateau was modernized as
early as last year. Since early this year, the second section of the gondola
lift has been operational. After two years of investment, the modernization
works in the centre of the resort were completed, and right now it looks like a
mountain resort in the West. But we need not limit ourselves to Sinaia. In
Busteni you must visit the Cantacuzino Castle, which is an architectural gem
and which has been put to good use very well. Many times, we have guest artists from Moscow’s Bolshoy
Theatre. Also not far from here, in
Azuga, there is a five-star hotel, standing very close to the ski slope. We
also have two or three-star hotels in this resort, also known as a skiing
destination for children. Prices for accommodation and skiing facilities are
quite low.
We should also
note that of the approximately 15,000 accommodation places on the Prahova
Valley, ninety per cent have already been booked, for the Christmas and the New
Year’s Eve parties.
