Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Arieşeni & Gârda de Sus
Arieşeni and Gârda de Sus (often noted on signs as Gîrda de Sus) are wonderfully pictur-
esque alpine villages that straddle both the Arieş River and scenic national Hwy 75 along
a narrow valley in the Apuseni Mountains. Both are filled with guesthouses and make for
an ideal stopover to relax and hike in the adjacent Apuseni Nature Reserve.
Activities
Most visitors come here just to relax and take in the mountain air or to
hike
or
cave
in the
adjacent Apuseni Nature Reserve, a remote expanse of mountains in the 1600m to 1800m
range that fans out to the north. Hiking trails leave from the villages of Vârtop, Arieşeni
and Gârda de Sus. Pick up a hiking map from the visitors centre or buy the 1:150,000
Apuseni Mountains
map, available from pensions or at most convenience stores. The web-
site
www.padis.ro
is an excellent source of information in English.
Sleeping & Eating
There is no shortage of pensions
,
hotels and private rooms to let along Hwy 75. Look for
cazare
signs in the windows. Additionally, houses with the green sign reading
'Reţea Tur-
istica
' means the owner has rooms for tourists (which are generally around 60 to 80 lei).
PENSION
Casa Noastră $
( 0258-779 122;
www.pensiunea-casa-noastra.ro
; Arieşeni; s/d 100/140 lei; )
This family-owned guesthouse is arguably the area's most handsome
pensiune,
with snug
timber- lined rooms, a handsome garden along a babbling brook, and a lovely terrace per-
fect for an evening meal of grilled meats and a bottle of wine. It's 1km west of the centre
of Arieşeni on Hwy 75.
Four Seasons $$
( 0729-989 515;
www.4seasons.ro
; Vârtop 30; d/apt 200/250 lei; )
Located
along Hwy 75 in the village of Vârtop, 6km west of Arieşeni, this enormous chalet enjoys
a commanding view over the valley. Most rooms have balconies. Request a view over the
front of the house.
HOTEL
