Radio România Internațional

Tag: Prahova Valley

  • August 13, 2023

    August 13, 2023

    DAY Naval forces are these days
    staging a series of activities devoted to Navy Day here in Romania, which will
    culminate on August 15, when Romanians are celebrating the Christian holiday of
    the Dormition of the Mother of God, St. Mary, who is also the protector of
    sailors. Various events and activities are being staged on this occasion in
    Bucharest and the Romanian port-cities on the Danube – Braila, Tulcea and
    Galati. The most important event will take place on Tuesday, August 15th
    when, after a pause of four years, the seamen are expected to be presenting a
    demonstrative exercise entitled ‘Romanian Naval Forces 2023’. Helicopters and
    speed boats carrying the flags of Romania, NATO and the EU will be opening the
    exercise, which is to be followed by a parade of the school-vessel ‘Mircea’,
    Romania’s honorary ambassador on the world’s seas and oceans.






    DRILL Roughly 250 servicemen from France and Luxembourg and 65
    pieces of technical equipment of NATO battle group in Romania are going to
    participate starting Monday until August 18th in a joint exercise in
    the shooting range of Babadag, south-eastern Romania. The drill’s main aim is
    to test the rapid deployment of troops and gear as well as to increase
    interoperability among the forces of the NATO battle group. According to
    sources with the Defence Ministry in Bucharest, the drill contributes to
    raising military cooperation between Romania and the participant countries,
    France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg as well as to strengthening
    NATO security on its Eastern Flank.








    HOLIDAY The
    Romanians are enjoying a four-day mini-holiday, after Monday, August 14th
    has been declared a bank holiday here in Romania right ahead of the St. Mary
    holiday on August 15th. Various events are being staged all over the
    country and tens of thousands of pilgrims are expected at the Nicula Monastery,
    in Cluj county, north-western Romania. Concerts are also taking place, such as
    the Summer Well festival, in Buftea, close to Bucharest, while the days of the
    city of Braila are also being celebrated. Many Romanians are celebrating these
    days in the mountain resorts of the Prahova Valley, in southern Romania, while
    the seaside resorts on the Romanian Black Sea coast are preparing for the busiest
    weekend this summer. According to hotel owners here the tourists’ number is to
    reach 110 thousand. The Romanian Interior Ministry has deployed over 8 thousand
    police and 6 thousand gendarme troops to prevent any criminal activity during
    the aforementioned holiday. The border check points at Romania’s border with
    Hungary and Bulgaria are also benefiting from additional personnel.






    GAUDEAMUS The Radio Romania Gaudeamus book fair is waiting for its
    visitors in downtown Sibiu, central Romania with numerous titles, sales and
    events. The organizers have prepared book launches and round-table talks for
    all ages. The little ones have been invited to attend the launch of a collection
    entitled ‘Children Readings from Grandma’, while adults can participate in
    various events focusing on self-development. The event, which remains open
    until Tuesday, has brought together over 40 participants, including some of the
    best known publishing houses, the main suppliers of books, games, music and
    educational materials.

    (bill)

  • Big cities in the red scenario

    Big cities in the red scenario

    The incidence of COVID-19 cases in Bucharest, calculated at 14 days, has exceeded 3 cases per thousand inhabitants, which means that the capital has entered the red scenario. Consequently, restaurants and cafes can now operate at only up to 30% of their capacity, according to a decision adopted by the Local Committee for Emergency Situations. They will be open between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. Only the persons who are vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, for whom 10 days have elapsed since their full vaccination, those who present a negative result of an RT-PCR test not older than 72 hours or a certified negative result of a rapid antigen test not older than 48 hours are allowed in cafes and restaurants. The people between the 15th and 180th day after confirmation of infection with the novel coronavirus are also accepted in restaurants and cafes. Both the cities of Constanţa and Eforie, on the Romanian Black Sea Coast, have entered the same red scenario, with the same anti-epidemic measures being enforced for a period of 14 days.



    The city of Deva and another 12 localities in Hunedoara County (west) are also in the red scenario due to the increase in the number of contaminations with the Omicron variant, which is already being transmitted at community level in Romania.



    The head of the Arad Public Health Directorate, Dr. Horea Timiş, points out that the situation in Romania may be different from that in other countries: “The good news about the Omicron variant and the clinical phases is based on a mostly vaccinated population. Imagine that, in Romania, Omicron, whose incidence rate registers an exponential growth, which is already much faster than in any other EU country, is spreading to a mostly unvaccinated population. Therefore, the situation will not be as easy as in other countries. We are expecting the emergency call service 112 and the ambulance service to have a hard time trying to cope with the big number of cases. Indeed, many easy and moderate cases will be treated at home, and patients will be monitored by family doctors, but there’s the other side of the coin, namely the fact that there are not enough family doctors, which means that many patients will not be properly monitored. We have these assessment centers that will have to cope with a record number of patients in the future.”



    The mayor of Cluj-Napoca (northwest) Emil Boc has launched an appeal to the population to get vaccinated and to respect the rules imposed by the authorities, the locality being already in the red scenario for two days. Similarly, Rădăuți (northeast) and the mountain resorts on the Prahova Valley (south) – Predeal, Sinaia and Azuga are also in the red scenario. (LS)


  • Christmas in Romania

    Christmas in Romania

    Although parties are no longer a thing these days and Christmas fairs are planned so as to ensure the right distance between visitors, guest houses and hotels in both mountain and sea resorts are still a good option for the upcoming holiday period. This year, the challenge for tour operators has been to offer tourists a great experience, be it traditional or modern, but also a safe environment, given the pandemic that is not over yet.

    There are still many offers to spend the winter holidays away from home, and today we will present some of them. The first one is from the north of the country, in Maramures, more precisely from Cavnic. The accommodation offer is varied and ways of spending leisure time many, as Marius Dumitru, a manager with the Cavnic town hall told us:

    In 2001-2003 two ski slopes, Icoana and Roata, as well as motels, guest houses and also a hotel were built. These days, the main local activity is tourism. Winter here lasts about six months, so we can say that Cavnic is the snow pole of Maramures. And it is an advantage for those who love winter sports. After the last works done in the winter of 2007, the ski area has been extended and now we have seven slopes. Three of them are new, 800 to 2200 m long and elevations ranging from 19 to 37 degrees. So, they are suitable for both beginner and advanced skiers. In Cavnic we have a Mountain Rescue Center and a Tourism Information and Promotion Center.

    As the snow pole of Romania, Cavnic is the place where most of the times the first snow fall is reported, and studies show that people can ski there at least 120 days per year. Then, for the offer to be more alluring, there is another place where one can ski in the area, 25 km from Cavnic, at the feet of Mogosa Massiv, in Suior. The pistes there are 3.5 km long in total, are equipped with ski lifts and can be used by both beginner and experienced skiers.

    Tables full of traditional dishes, welcoming hosts and a feast of old customs and traditions, this is what the tourist offer of Maramures looks like these days, as Daniel Maran, the director of the Sighetul Marmatie National Tourism and Information Center told us:

    Maramures has high mountains and lots of snow, that’s why is ideal for skiing. We mainly recommend the ski areas in Borsa, Prislop, Izvoare and Cavnic. As regards, hiking, we have both easy routes, in the depression area, that link the beautiful villages in the area, but also trekking along mountain routes. The most spectacular are those in Rodna Mountains, whose peaks often exceed 2000 m. Moreover, guest houses in the Maramures villages are known for how they entertain their visitors, including with wagon or sledge rides, depending on the season. Winter holidays are a good opportunity for us, the people of Maramures, to show what we cherish. Usually, the month of December is rich in cultural events, but because of the pandemic, we’ve had to adapt, in order to protect both our visitors and the locals. Guest houses in Maramures are fully booked all year round, anyway, proof of the hospitality that we are so proud of here. All those who decide to spend their winter holidays with us are sure to enjoy a great experience, that’s a guarantee.

    Also in the north of the country, Bukovina is another place that gets very crowded at winter. Catalina Velniciuc, a tourism adviser with the Suceava County Council, says that a visit to the famous painted monasteries, which are UNESCO monuments, is a must, and the villages in Bukovina are like a magnet for tourists from all over the world.

    Bukovina boasts some of the most beautiful and spectacular customs and traditions, starting with Saint Nicholas’ Day and ending with carrolling at Christmas. The mask rituals are also extremely spectacular. At winter, because of these special performance, villages here turn into open stages, a magical space where visitors can enjoy lots of traditional games and rituals, featuring characters from the folk mythology. Many involve masks of animals, which are made of wood, tree bark, adorned with beads or beans. All those who see these shows are really impressed. All accommodation facilities in the area are very well prepared to make sure all visitors have a great time. The food is local and prepared in keeping with old, traditional recipes, and carols are always part of the program.

    Of course, there many other possibilities to spend the winter holidays in Romania, including in the resorts on the more famous Prahova Valley, to enjoy both traditional meals and customs, but also skiing on beautiful slopes. The only condition is to observe the measures in place aimed to protect everybody against the background of the pandemic. So, enjoy your winter holidays, wherever you may be, and be safe! (MI)

  • Christmas in Romania

    Christmas in Romania

    Although parties are no longer a thing these days and Christmas fairs are planned so as to ensure the right distance between visitors, guest houses and hotels in both mountain and sea resorts are still a good option for the upcoming holiday period. This year, the challenge for tour operators has been to offer tourists a great experience, be it traditional or modern, but also a safe environment, given the pandemic that is not over yet.

    There are still many offers to spend the winter holidays away from home, and today we will present some of them. The first one is from the north of the country, in Maramures, more precisely from Cavnic. The accommodation offer is varied and ways of spending leisure time many, as Marius Dumitru, a manager with the Cavnic town hall told us:

    In 2001-2003 two ski slopes, Icoana and Roata, as well as motels, guest houses and also a hotel were built. These days, the main local activity is tourism. Winter here lasts about six months, so we can say that Cavnic is the snow pole of Maramures. And it is an advantage for those who love winter sports. After the last works done in the winter of 2007, the ski area has been extended and now we have seven slopes. Three of them are new, 800 to 2200 m long and elevations ranging from 19 to 37 degrees. So, they are suitable for both beginner and advanced skiers. In Cavnic we have a Mountain Rescue Center and a Tourism Information and Promotion Center.

    As the snow pole of Romania, Cavnic is the place where most of the times the first snow fall is reported, and studies show that people can ski there at least 120 days per year. Then, for the offer to be more alluring, there is another place where one can ski in the area, 25 km from Cavnic, at the feet of Mogosa Massiv, in Suior. The pistes there are 3.5 km long in total, are equipped with ski lifts and can be used by both beginner and experienced skiers.

    Tables full of traditional dishes, welcoming hosts and a feast of old customs and traditions, this is what the tourist offer of Maramures looks like these days, as Daniel Maran, the director of the Sighetul Marmatie National Tourism and Information Center told us:

    Maramures has high mountains and lots of snow, that’s why is ideal for skiing. We mainly recommend the ski areas in Borsa, Prislop, Izvoare and Cavnic. As regards, hiking, we have both easy routes, in the depression area, that link the beautiful villages in the area, but also trekking along mountain routes. The most spectacular are those in Rodna Mountains, whose peaks often exceed 2000 m. Moreover, guest houses in the Maramures villages are known for how they entertain their visitors, including with wagon or sledge rides, depending on the season. Winter holidays are a good opportunity for us, the people of Maramures, to show what we cherish. Usually, the month of December is rich in cultural events, but because of the pandemic, we’ve had to adapt, in order to protect both our visitors and the locals. Guest houses in Maramures are fully booked all year round, anyway, proof of the hospitality that we are so proud of here. All those who decide to spend their winter holidays with us are sure to enjoy a great experience, that’s a guarantee.

    Also in the north of the country, Bukovina is another place that gets very crowded at winter. Catalina Velniciuc, a tourism adviser with the Suceava County Council, says that a visit to the famous painted monasteries, which are UNESCO monuments, is a must, and the villages in Bukovina are like a magnet for tourists from all over the world.

    Bukovina boasts some of the most beautiful and spectacular customs and traditions, starting with Saint Nicholas’ Day and ending with carrolling at Christmas. The mask rituals are also extremely spectacular. At winter, because of these special performance, villages here turn into open stages, a magical space where visitors can enjoy lots of traditional games and rituals, featuring characters from the folk mythology. Many involve masks of animals, which are made of wood, tree bark, adorned with beads or beans. All those who see these shows are really impressed. All accommodation facilities in the area are very well prepared to make sure all visitors have a great time. The food is local and prepared in keeping with old, traditional recipes, and carols are always part of the program.

    Of course, there many other possibilities to spend the winter holidays in Romania, including in the resorts on the more famous Prahova Valley, to enjoy both traditional meals and customs, but also skiing on beautiful slopes. The only condition is to observe the measures in place aimed to protect everybody against the background of the pandemic. So, enjoy your winter holidays, wherever you may be, and be safe! (MI)

  • Autumn on Prahova Valley

    Autumn on Prahova Valley

    The area is famous not only for its wonderful resorts, which are perfect tourist destinations all year round, but also for its special historical monuments, natural monuments and vineyards. Together with our guide, Anda Popa, who is the secretary general of the Association for the Promotion and Development of Tourism in Prahova County, we’ll be reviewing some of the reasons why a trip to Prahova Valley in autumn is a must.



    The first stop in your trip to Prahova Valley should be in Sinaia, also known as the Pearl of the Carpathians, which is located 120 kms north of Bucharest, on the upper course of the Prahova River, at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains.



    Anda Popa: “We are promoting our county at international level under the motto ‘Prahova, your royal holiday’, therefore my advice to you is to start by visiting the royal Peles Castle in Sinaia. The French daily Le Figaro put this castle on the list of top ten most beautiful castles in the world. It is a former residence of the Romanian kings in the 19th and 20th centuries. You’ll find there guides who speak English, French, Russian and other foreign languages, and all you have to do is ask for the right guide upon showing your admission ticket. The castle can be visited all year round, except for November when it is closed for cleaning.”



    Next to the Peles Castle there is the Pelisor Castle, built in the German Renaissance style, with pinnacles covered in vividly-colored glazed roof tiles and with 70 rooms artistically decorated with original pieces as well as with replicas of the original ones, to recreate the atmosphere of the 1900s.



    Next our guide will recommend us the natural beauties of Prahova Valley: “A marvel of the Bucegi plateau is the rock shaped liked a Sphinx, the energy center of the Carpathian Mountains. The Sphinx from Romania has the same height as that of Egypt, namely 8 meters, and is similar to the statue of Venus discovered in Italy. Access to the Bucegi plateau is possible from both Busteni and Sinaia resorts.”



    Once on the Bucegi plateau, you should not miss the Cross on Caraiman Peak, which was built to honor the memory of the Romanian heroes. The Cross was inaugurated on September 14, 1928.


    Anda Popa: “The Cross was registered in the Guinness Book of Records in 2014. It is the cross erected at the highest altitude in the world, namely 2,291 meters. It is 28 meters high, being in the top 19 highest crosses in the world, and, on sunny days, it is visible from Busteni resort.”



    In late September, a 20-year old Wine Festival is held in Prahova Valley, when tourists can taste a famous Romanian wine, Fetesca Neagra, and can also visit the region’s wine cellars. Next Anda Popa will tell us about the main cellars on the Prahova wine route: “The Wine Route is open to tourists all year long. In autumn they will have the possibility to taste fresh must and also various wines, depending on the cellar they choose to visit. I recommend the area of Dealu Mare which is quite similar to the famous French region of Bordeaux. We have this program that takes tourists on a foray into the world of winemaking. They can visit the vineyard and the cellar, they can see the old and new instruments used for making wine and can also get to know a little about the history of Romanian wine. The wine route also includes a special mansion which provides a short history of the area.”



    A last destination on Prahova Valley recommended by Anda Popa is the Slanic Salt Mine: “Slanic is the biggest salt mine in Europe. It covers more than 78 thousand square meters and has 14 areas open to visitors. Some of them are even 50 meters high. The salt mine can be visited all year long and for tourists from Bucharest it is within reach, as it is less than 100 kms away from the capital. Doftana Valley is another destination worth a visit. It boasts a special produce called cascavea, a sort of semi-hard cheese, to which a festival has been dedicated, which is usually held in September.”

  • Prahova Valley

    Prahova Valley

    As a tourist area, it has its beginnings in the 19th century. That is when Peles Castle was built in Sinaia, and King Carol I established his summer residence there. This sparked a proliferation of mountain resorts, and today we look at what they have to offer to tourists nowadays.



    Oana Constantinescu, secretary of the Association for Promoting and Developing Tourism in Prahova, has more: “The main tourist objectives I would recommend to a foreign tourist on Prahova Valley are Peles Castle and Cantacuzino Castle. Peles Castle in Sinaia has been the residence of royalty in this country since it was built. Cantacuzino Castle itself is an architectural jewel. It was built in the early 20th Century by Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino. I would also recommend Babele and the Sphynx, two stone formations, monuments of nature, in the Bucegi Mountains. They are the more impressive as they are natural. I would also recommend the Caraiman cross, which lies at high altitude.



    Oana Constantinescu continues her presentation of this area, situated at the foot of the mountains: “Prahova Valley begins with the Posada area. The most popular resorts are Sinaia, Busteni and Azuga, but we recommend Breaza and Campina. There are lots of events here, and we also have architectural monuments, superb ones, such as the Iulia Hasdeu Mansion in Campina, and you can also find there traditional garb, such as peasant blouses made in workshops that use ancient techniques for decoration. The resorts of Sinaia, Busteni and Azuga are the most sought after by skiers and museum lovers. We have a novelty in this sense, too. In 2017 we opened the Sinaia Town Museum. It showcases the history of the town from its foundation, all the way to the present day. The museum lies in Stirbey Florescu Palace.



    Prahova Valley is an area famous for winter sports, but there is a place where tourists can see for themselves how traditional clothing is made, right in the homes of the local craftsmen. Here is Oana Constantinescu again: “In Breaza we have workshops that provide tourists with a wholesale experience. They can watch the work that the craftsmen do, and, of course, they have access to a gift shop where they can purchase the finished products, colourful peasant shirts for men, women and children. Tourists can get information off dedicated websites, or from tourist information centres.



    As much as a third of tourists visiting Prahova stop in Busteni, the second most popular resort in the area, according to Mihai Colesi with the Center for Tourist Information and promotion of Busteni, presenting us with the skiing situation: “The Kalinderu 1 and 2 ski slopes are functional, as well as the beginner slope. The Kalinderu 1 also has a night schedule. The Kalinderu 1 slope is 1,500 m long. It is not a long-range slope, and is aimed at medium and advanced skiers. The Kalinderu 2 slope falls into the same category. They are pretty fancy, with protection and signalling systems, and modern installations overall. We have four seat ski lifts. At the bottom of the slope we have rental centres for all seasonal winter sports enthusiasts.



    Prahova Valley is the most popular vacation venue in Romania. As a result, events abound. Oana Constantinescu, Secretary of the Association for Promoting and Developing Tourism in Prahova, has told us about it: “The first event takes place in a few weeks. It is the Honey Fair in Campina, which runs between February 16 and 18, followed by a cheese festival, the Sinaia Forever Festival, as well as the Winter Airsports and the Sinaia Trophy. There is also a festival dedicated to fancy automobiles, bringing here vintage cars that are all fully functional. Prahova Valley is a venue for all seasons. In winter we enjoy the skiing amenities, but in any other season we have a wide range of activities available, mostly dedicated to trekkers and climbing enthusiasts. We also have lots of parks. You have many trails available, including for cycling. We have MTB cycling competitions, among them the best being in Campina. We have adventure parks in Busteni, as well as in Sinaia.



    Oana Constantinescu recommends the Wine Route in particular. It follows an old Roman wine-trading route, which traversed Europe. You can visit the famous vineyards of the county, with stopovers at mansions and monasteries. For one day on this trail, starting in Bucharest, it costs 80 Euro per person, with availability for groups of up to 8. Large groups get discounts. Transportation is included in the price for going from Bucharest to Sinaia and Dealu Mare, with wine tasting, lunch and entry to tourist objectives, tour guides included as well. You get picked up at 9 AM and get back by 6 PM.



    Oana Constantinescu: “The Wine Route is a tourist trail in the Dealu Mare- Urlati area. You can taste all the local wines where they are made. A tour like this lasts for a day. You can go from wine cellar to wine cellar, tasting the wines, seeing how they are made, as well as the vineyards. It is a unique experience, with the whole range of wines available. Our area boasts mostly red wines. For tourists in a hurry we have a few wine cellars in Azuga. You are eagerly awaited in Prahova Valley, we have a lot to offer, and we enjoy having visitors.



    We have extended the invitation, it is up to you to follow up.

  • Holidays on Prahova Valley

    Holidays on Prahova Valley


    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.






  • Tourist Attractions in Prahova County

    Tourist Attractions in Prahova County

    Prahova County is known mostly for its resorts, as well as the Dealu Mare wine growing area. It has spectacular scenery, castles, mansions and museums, such as the Crude Oil Museum and the Clock Museum, ancient monasteries, and a salt mine. The Clock Museum is unique in Europe. The building was erected in 1890 and has 4,000 exhibits, with timepieces of all kinds: sundials, water clocks, hourglasses, table clocks and grandfather clocks. The museum charts the evolution of timepieces from the 16th to the early 20th century.



    Adrian Voican, head of the Association for the Promotion and Development of Prahova Tourism, believes that tourists should end a trip to Romania with a smile. The first thing that tourists notice when they come to Romania is that the people are open and welcoming, and this is a trait that makes Prahova special:



    Adrian Voican: “Prahova is one of the most important tourist regions of Romania, alongside the area of Transylvania in terms of traditions, and the seaside, for people who want to sunbathe at the Black Sea. Prahova has a famous mountain area full of resorts, but most tourists from abroad want to visit the Peles and Pelisor royal retreats. In Campina we have the Iulia Hasdeu Museum and the Nicolae Grigorescu Museum. We also have the George Enescu House in Sinaia. These are interesting objectives, culturally and historically. Sinaia may well be the pearl of the Carpathian Mountains, or the local Bucegi Mountains. Historically, it is known as the retreat for Romanian royalty. It is authentic, as opposed to many other areas, which are more commercial. At any time of the year, the Wine Road is a must. We have major vineyards and wine cellars in Prahova County, such as Valea Calugareasca, Ceptura Tohani and Urlati. Red wine is the most important, with the Feteasca Neagra variety being an ambassador for the area. Health tourism has also taken off in Prahova. In Poiana Campina we have several salt springs, valuable for treatment. They are four times as salty as the water in Techirghiol lake, just to get an idea. You can have treatment here with medicinal mud from Techirghiol at any time of the year.”



    Sinaia is a major business center, says Adrian Voican. It is the venue for international medical conferences with as many as 5,000 participants: “A lot has been invested in privately owned hotels to modernize them, as well as in infrastructure. The cable car to the Bucegi plateau was modernized last year. Beginning early this year, a second cable car has been running. We finalized modernizing the center of the resort, the result of two years of investment, it now looks like a western mountain resort. But let us talk about other places besides Sinaia. In Busteni you have to visit the Cantacuzino castle, an architectural jewel. Special concerts are being held here. There they host quite often artists from the Bolshoi Theater from Moscow. Near Azuga there is a five star hotel, quite close to the ski slope. We also have two and three star hotels in this resort, well known as a ski resort for kids. Prices for accommodation and skiing are quite affordable.”



    In Campina, lets stop at a three star B&B. Elena Lamba, the owner, has been the host for plenty of tourists, a lot of them foreign, and she has put together a schedule for them, allowing them to take full advantage of the time spent in Prahova county. The B&B is at the foot of Muscel Hill, five minutes away from the Iulia Hasdeu mansion and the Nicolae Grigorescu Museum: “300 meters away we have a special area with tennis and badminton courts, football fields, playgrounds, and places where you can rent ATVs and bicycles. We also have a place where you can rent roller skates. Close by we have the Brazi church, a historical monument surrounded by greenery. We recommend going for a walk in the Valea Doftanei forest, and visiting Brebu Monastery, built by Romanian prince Matei Basarab.”



    The area is booked nearly solid for Christmas and the New Years Eve. Of the almost 15,000 accommodation places on Prahova Valley, 90% have already been taken, says Adrian Voican. The area is famous among domestic and foreign tourists. They also have available information centers in Sinaia, Busteni, Azuga, Campina, and Breaza, with promotional materials and maps in several international languages: “You can find information on local attractions. For instance, in terms of food, in addition to the Wine Road we also have the Fruit Road, the Jam Road, and starting in September, in Brebu, we have the Chestnut Festival in Ploiesti. On Doftana Valley we have a cheese festival, and in Valenii de Munte we have a festival for homemade liquor. In Breaza we also have a Golf Festival. There is plenty to do in Prahova Valley in addition to skiing and winter sports. Mountain biking has really taken off here. In the summer, cable transportation carries cyclists, just as it carries skiers in the winter. In Breaza we also have workshops for traditional garb. The cities of Ploiesti and Sinaia, as well as many other places in the county, host many crafts fairs.”



    This is a great destination for business, sports or leisure. It is a family destination for tourists all year round.