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| Snagov | Mogosoaia | Sinaia | Predeal | Trains |
Mogosoaia
Another good day-trip is a visit to Mogosoaia Palace, just 9 miles (14 km) from Bucharest�s center. Built in a park on the shores of a lake in 1672 by Prince Constantin Brancoveanu for his son, the palace is one of the finest examples of Brancovenesc architectural style. Since 1957 it is the Museum of Brancovan Art with collections of silverware, sculptures in wood, fabrics, including gold & silver thread embroideries, parchments, rare printed works and miniatures.the center. Mogosoaia can be reached by local trains, bus or by from Bucharest.
PRAHOVA VALLEY
A couple of hours north of Bucharest lies Prahova Valley, a corridor that connects the regions of Wallachia and Transylvania, and cuts through the Bucegi mountains. In winter the mountain resorts lining the valley cater to skiers; in summer, its many hiking trails and quiet relaxation make it a popular getaway from Bucharest. There are numerous trains from Bucharest stopping in the valley every day on the route to Brasov.
Sinaia
Sinaia is a winter ski resort with various lifts to transport skiers to its 10 downhill tracts, 3 cross-country trails, 3 sleigh slopes and bobsled slope. There is a ski school and a sport gear shop at the cable car terminal, behind the Montana hotel. In summer, the cable car will lead you to several hiking trails adjacent to the ski runs.
The town has several hotels: the elegant Palace Hotel, Str. Octavian Goga 8 founded in 1911, sits in the park near the Casino (tel: 044-31.20.51; fax: 044-37.46.33); also on the park, the Caraiman, Bd. Carol I 4, just above the train station, built in 1881, has a more
intimate atmosphere (tel: 044-31.35.51; fax: 044-37.46.33); the Holiday Inn Resort, Str. Toporasilor 1, a luxury class hotel at the south end of Sinaia with spa & sports facilities, business center and nightclub (tel: 044-11.04.40; fax: 044-11.04.38); the Sinaia, Bd.
Carol I nr.8 (tel: 044-31.15.51; fax: 044-31.40.98) and the Montana, Bd. Carol I nr.24 (tel: 044-31.27.50; fax: 044-31.40.51) are modern hotels that cater to skiers; and there's the International, Str. Avram Iancu 1, at the southern end of the boulevard (tel: 044-31.38.51; fax: 044-31.38.55). All of the restaurants in Sinaia are within the hotels.
Known as "the Pearl of the Carpathians" for its beautiful mountain scenery, it is also the setting for Peles Castle. Surrounded by the peaks of the Bucegi Massif, Peles is a glorious edifice of German Renaissance style. Built by Carol I in 1878 with 160 rooms, it was the summer residence of Romania's kings. A walking path through the fir forests and past the 17th century Sinaia monastery leads you to the castle; you must buy a ticket at the roadside hut to be allowed entry. Its opulent interior is filled with paintings, tapestries, furniture and statues collected by the royals. Tours are conducted in various languages from Wed-Sun, until 3pm.
Predeal
Some hotels in Predeal are: Orizont, Str. Trei Brazi 6 has an indoor pool, gym, massage and sauna (tel: 068-25.51.50; fax: 068-15.23.90); the Predeal, Str. Muncii 6 (tel: 068-25.64.83; fax: 068-15.21.35); the Cioplea, Bd. Libertatii 102 has a sauna and gym (tel: 068-25.68.70; fax: 068-25.68.71); both also have discos. Other hotels are: Carmen, Bd. Mihail Saulescu 121 (tel: 068-25.65.17; fax: 068-15.22.06); the Carpati, Str. Nicolae Balcescu (tel: 068-25.62.73; fax: 068-15.20.80); and the Porum�bita, Str. Eroilor 71 (tel: 068-25.63.64; fax: 068-25.68.94). There are several restaurants in the
village, as well as at all the hotels.
A little farther north than Sinaia, Predeal is one of the most popular ski resorts in Romania. The highest town in Romania at 1,100 meters, it has 15 ski runs. Two cable and four teleskis, plus five baby-teleskis operate until evening. The slopes have varying degrees of difficulty and there is a ski school for beginners. Cross-country skiers and hikers have many marked trails through pine-covered mountains to explore. Equipment can be rented at the Clabucet Sosire Chalet.
