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.

Valea Verde

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

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

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 here.

The Prince of Wales House

Among the Prince of Wales’ several properties in Romania, the one in Viscri serves as the headquarters of the Prince of Wales’s Foundation Romania. When the house is not used for charitable projects, it is welcoming guests, who by staying there support the foundation. It is a traditional Saxon farmhouse, with its oldest parts dating back to the 1700s. The prince purchased it in 1998, as a means to encourage the preservation of the area’s heritage, especially after the mass migration of the Transylvanian Saxons to Germany after the fall of communism. More about the property here.

Viscri is a small village but there are also other accommodation options to chose from. The village is home to one of the most impressive fortified churches in Transylvania, added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. Visiting it is a must during a stay at Viscri, where guests can experience countryside life, local cooking and the picturesque surroundings. It is also a place where crafts are alive and serve the community. For instance, an association of women in the village knit wool socks and make felt slippers, which are sold through an association.

The Prince’s Retreat

Described as “the Prince of Wales's private nature retreat” this property is located in the beautiful region of Zalan Valley, in Covasna county. The house has been restored to keep its Transylvanian authenticity, with traditional methods and materials. There are several activities available for the ‘all inclusive’ guests, such as nature walks, horse & cart rides, and visits to local craftsmen, or, in the summer months, making hay with the locals. More about the property here. Not very far away, the village of Miclosoara hosts several restored guesthouses that date back to the 1800s, and the Miclosoara Manor, a property of count Tibor Kalnoky.

Transylvania Log Cabins

This rural retreat in Hunedoara county, in the village of Peșteana, offers accommodation in log cabins or a tree house, in a tranquil hideout. If the mood for exploration comes, visitors can find in the area the Sarmizegetusa archeological site, the Corvin Castle, and the beautiful Retezat National Park. The Bottomless Pond (Tăul fără Fund) in Peșteana is also worth a visit. It is a place where one of the few carnivorous plants in the local flora grows. More about this retreat here.

(Opening photo: Pixabay)

editor@romania-insider.com