Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The crowning glory:
The climax is Lake Bâlea, hovering like a mirror among the rocks, sometimes totally en-
shrouded by clouds that come billowing over the peak above it. Cabana Bâlea is here, boasting a good restaurant
and decent rooms. In winter an Ice Hotel is constructed, with walls, corridors, pillars, beds, and sculptures built
entirely out of ice. Bathroom facilities are inside Cabana Bâlea. To get here during snows, you'll have to park at
Cabana Bâlea Cascada and take the cable car the rest of the way. And remember, temperatures here can be near
zero, even if it's boiling at the foot of the mountain, so wrap up.
No public transport follows this route, which is closed from October to May (roughly). After an 887m-long tun-
nel through rock under the Palţinu ridge, the road descends the less impressive south side along the Argeş Valley.
After re-entering forest, just when you think the fun is over, the road suddenly hugs the shores of the picturesque
Lake Vidraru and crosses a 165m-high arched dam (1968). Beyond the lake, just off the road, is the Poienari Cit-
adel (
Click here
)
, the real Dracula's castle (where Vlad Ţepeş ruled).
Sleeping
There are several signed
pensiunes
with rooms for around 90 lei without breakfast.
Complex Turistic Sâmbăta $
( 0740-920 138; 2-bed hut 40 lei; May-Sep)
Just south of the monastery entrance,
this plain collection of a dozen huts - with open-air bar-restaurant - is a popular start and
stop point for Făgăraş hikers.
GUESTHOUSE
Academia Sâmbăta $
( 0730-556 342; d 80 lei; )
The monastery's basic rooms are in an adjoining com-
plex. Breakfast is 10 lei, and dinner costs 15 lei. Monday and Friday are vegie-only days.
GUESTHOUSE
Getting There & Away
The complex isn't convenient to train or bus stations. Sâmbăta is 9km south of Sâmbăta
de Sus village, where roads go west to Victoria, or north to Sâmbăta de Jos village on
Hwy 1 and on to Făgăraş (26km northeast of Sâmbăta de Sus).
Sibiu
POP 154,458
Instantly charming with a maze of cobbled streets and baroque squares undulating down-
hill, Romania's cultural gem has a magic all of its own. Franz List and Johan Strauss were
