Romania travel: Village retreats to try this year

Many villages in the country offer the option of a relaxing holiday, away from the demands of daily life. Some projects have taken this further, offering accommodation in refurbished traditional houses, fresh meals made of local ingredients, and a host of activities to keep guests active and in touch with nature. We outline some of them below.

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Valea Verde

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In the small Transylvania village of Cund, Valea Verde is a rural retreat welcoming visitors to Saxon farmhouses converted into guesthouses. The resort is the project of couple Ulrike and Jonas Schäfer, who moved to Cund from Germany. The beautiful nature surroundings, the attention to the food menu, and plenty of opportunities for a relaxing time are among the draws of this place. Visitors can take a walk through the village, where German, Romanian and Hungarian traditions merge, or through the surrounding woods, take a trip to the Villa Vinea winery, which is only 18 km away, watch the wildlife, or swim in the Valea Verde lake. Also on the active side, guests can try the archery zone, bike rides or horse riding. More about Valea Verde here.

Raven's Nest - The Hidden Village

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The village Sub Piatra in Alba county is home to a retreat made up of refurbished centuries-old wooden houses. Those who check in here have many places to spend time outdoors, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. They can have an artisanal beer in the Umbrarul Voinicului (The Arbor of the Brave), catch a movie at the open-air cinema Teatrul de sub boltă (The Stars’ Theatre), enjoy the sights from Turnul de Apus (The Eye of the Raven) and Cuibul Tainic (The Lovebirds' Hideout), or relax in Căldarea Vrajitoarei (The Witch`s Cauldron), a hot tub on a cliff. The village, located at the foot of the Bedeleu Massive, and its surroundings offer opportunities for further exploration, all the way to the Huda lui Papară cave, considered one of the most dangerous local ones and where only the most experienced speleologists venture. The cave is also home to a large bat colony. More about Raven's Nest here.

The Village Hotel

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The beautiful region of Maramureș is known for at least two things: the Merry Cemetery and the wooden churches. Those looking to explore the area and experience the daily life there can find accommodation at the Village Hotel in the village of Breb, gathering restored village houses. Guests of the hotel, the project of Duncan and Penny Ridgely, also have a variety of tours to choose from to explore the area, including walking tours in the village and the surroundings, a tour to the Merry Cemetery, a Shepherds Safari Tour, for those looking to stay out for 4 or 5 days with the shepherds, or photography tours in Maramureș. More about the Village Hotel