Transylvania, Romania: Fine Wine, Beautiful Views, and Mud Wraps

Transylvania, Romania:
Fine Wine, Beautiful Views, and Mud Wraps

With its serene landscapes, charming villages, and luxurious spas, Transylvania offers the perfect setting for a relaxing getaway. When you go is important because it’s tough to relax when surrounded by noisy people. The best times to visit are Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October) when the weather is mild and the crowds are somewhere else.

Tomorrow, we will figure out what to eat with the wine that we found today.
- Cris

Day 1: Brașov Old Town and Lounge By The Pools

Squeak Through a Narrow Street

Take a stroll through the charming streets of the Brasov Old Town. Admire the medieval architecture, cobblestone paths, and vibrant squares. Smell the coffee and peek into the shops. Get oriented to your home for the next few days. This is a good time to check out places to pick up fresh produce and steaming hot bread. Walk along Strada Sforii—which translates roughly as “Rope Street”— one of the smallest streets in the world. At only 4’ across, you won’t be able to get a double baby stroller through here but the photos are amazing.

Lounge By The Pool

Paradisul acvatic (acquatic paradise) is the largest recreation complex with indoor and outdoor swimming pools in Romania. Even in Winter, you can enjoy the 6 indoor pools, outdoor pools, a lazy river, indoor and outdoor water slides, saunas, jacuzzi, relaxation grotto, massage rooms, fitness room, covered football field, restaurant, and terraces. Laying by the pool with an occasional trip down the waterslide is very relaxing.

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Day 2: A Beautiful View and Fine Wine

A Walk With A View

After morning yoga, drive to Râșnov Fortress and walk the perimeter. The view is humbling and will prompt questions such as ‘Why didn’t I do this sooner?’ This is the perfect time to visit because the Fortress is undergoing a major renovation and the inside is closed to the public. That means no crowds! I can feel myself relaxing just thinking of it. You can still walk the Fortress Garden and look out over the city.

Very Fine Wine

Take a scenic drive to Lunca Mureșului to explore vineyards at wineries such as Arad Vineyards. Crafting wine for more than 2.000 years, it is one of the oldest vineyards in Romania and was the official wine supplier for the Imperial House of Habsburg.
Empress Maria Theresa visited Arad Vineyards on three different occasions and was won over by the scent and flavor of the wines. For a little perspective, these were people who knew fine wine. Arad Vineyard wines are still coveted in Europe from Oslo to Vienna, Budapest and Bucharest! Cadarca de Miniș and Mustoasa de Măderat are wine varieties produced exclusively in the Arad Vineyard. One of the benefits of driving is that you can load a case of wine into the car for the trip back 😁 

Steam, Facial Massage, and a Pro Tip

No good: It’s time for an intervention.
Aww: It’s good to be domesticated.
Yikes: Listen to the instructions before the therapist walks out of the room to let you get ready for the massage.

Day 3: Calm Your Mind

Sighișoara Citadel

Drive the relaxing 2.5 hour scenic route out to Sighișoara Citadel. Stop in Casa Wagner for coffee and pastries before heading out to explore the Citadel. The best way to explore is along the northern walls of the citadel where you can admire the view of the Lower Town of Sighisoara. It is far quieter than behind the City Hall! For much of human history, we had hours, days - even weeks - to stare out at the horizon and let our minds be calm. Modern life is filled with noise and distractions (“why is he texting me again?”) which ruin our mood, creativity, and health. Spend the day exploring without an agenda or a deadline. Just be present. You will feel restored and happy as you stroll back to the car.

Day 4: Spa Day!

Drive over to Sinaia because you booked a full day at the Belvedere Resort & Spa. This place was made just for you (and the other elite spa-goers of the world). People travel from around the world to heal in mud wraps after aromatherapy massages. Wander down to the natural mineral pools that enhance relaxation and provide therapeutic benefits. No one is in a rush. No one is on the phone. Everyone glows with restored happiness. So do you.

Tomorrow, we will consider what to eat to maintain this glowy, happy feeling. Since we don’t need to cook it, we are already feeling relaxed.

See you tomorrow.

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