Bucharest

A Romanian proverb says: "He who wakes up early travels a long way`` which is the equivalent of the English ``The early mole digs the deepest hole``. That’s good advice to follow when driving on Prahova Valley, to avoid congestion, especially at the beginning of the weekend. We also recommend driving on alternative routes, with landscapes at least as beautiful. The Bucegi Plateau, one of the highest in Romania, has a lot of visual experiences to offer for those who drive. In winter, the ski slopes in this area (Sinaia, Predeal, Azuga, Bușteni, etc.) are at high demand.

Precisely because it is such an ``en vogue`` tourist attraction, you can reach Prahova Valley on several routes. If you leave by the rental car from Otopeni, it will take you about an hour and a half on DN1/E60 provided the road is free. If you leave from the center of Bucharest, the time on a free route reaches about 2 hours and you can take the alternate route that includes the A3 highway (București - Ploiești), and from Ploiești you can continue via DN1/E60. On busy days, expect your driving time to double. In such cases, you can use a detour (DN1A/E60). 

How to avoid congestion?

If you leave for Prahova Valley on a Friday, start your journey before 5PM. And if possible (after all, you're on vacation, right?) go back to Bucharest on any day except Sunday. Linger one more night in the heart of the mountains.

One of the most remarkable sights on Prahova Valley is Peleș Castle. Built between 1873-1914, at the behest of King Carol I of Romania, Peleș served as the summer residence of the royal family until 1948. The castle can be visited inside, and once here, you are awaited by a lot of confessions from past times, with royal figures and stories of princes and princesses. 

On Tuesdays, you can only visit the ground floor, and from Wednesday to Sunday you can also visit the 1st floor. The first tour starts at 8.30 AM, and the last entry is at 3 PM. You will cross a part of the road to the castle by foot. But don't worry, there are paid parking lots at the end of the road, and the landscapes you will see on the way will take your breath away – for they seem cut from movies with royal carriages.

Legend has it that Dracula, the most famous vampire in history, lived here. This is also where the shooting for the movie "Interview with a Vampire" took place, the screening of the book with the same name, starring Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise. Once here, after a long journey, do you have the courage to enter a world of legend built around a real historical ruler, Vlad Țepeș? 

If you want to meet Dracula, well, he has a visiting schedule. On Mondays, the schedule is shorter and starts at 12 PM. On the rest of the days, you can visit the castle from 9 AM. Until September inclusively, the last entry in the castle is at 6 PM. In winter time, you will have to finish by 4 PM. You know vampires are busy in the evenings.

It's one thing to see pictures of the Danube Delta, but quite another to visit this place and experience one of Europe's best kept secrets. Over time, one of the most beautiful natural ecosystems has emerged here. The Danube Delta area, declared a biosphere reservation, is protected by law, in order to preserve the charm and all animal species, some unique in the world.

Nature and adventure enthusiasts will have unique experiences on all routes surrounding the three arms of the Delta. While it is a bit more difficult to get here, this natural monument is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. The scenery of Dobrogea, as well as the Delta itself are two places where time expands and they need patience to reveal their full splendor. The Danube Delta is the perfect example of the natural diversity that Romania can offer.

What you need to know about Delta is that much of the most beautiful accommodation can only be reached by boat. So, you will have to leave your car on the shore. Don't worry, the locals are very organized. In exchange for a small fee, you can leave your car for days in set up and guarded parking lots. 

Get on the boat and leave your worries behind. Enjoy the unique landscapes, admire the rare birds (pelicans, herons), pass by the water lily blankets, and listen to the rustle of the reed. 

At the guest houses, try all the dishes the locals offer you. You wil rarely come across such rich meals at such affordable prices, prepared from freshly caught fish at sunrise. And speaking of fish, don't miss the fishing trips with the locals. They will teach you tricks passed on from father to son.

Transfăgărășan is the most famous and spectacular alpine road in Romania. It’s not us who said it, the guys from Top Gear said it themselves. The landscapes are wonderful throughout the route, with level differences and serpentines that are a real challenge for driving enthousiasts. With a length of 92 kilometers, it starts from Arefu (Argeș County) and ends in Sibiu County, near Cârțișoara. 27 viaducts and tunnels are built along the entire route, the longest of which is between Capra and Bâlea Lac.

A good thing to know is that opportunities to visit it are limited due to weather conditions. Transfăgărășan is open only a few months a year, generally from July to October.
The main attractions on this route are Bâlea Glacier Lake, Bâlea Waterfall, Vidraru Lake and Poenari Fortress, which was built during the reign of Vlad the Impaler.

If you want to spend several days in the surroundings, we recommend considering Sâmbăta de Sus, Arpașu de Sus or Căpățâneni.