Highlights of my trips to Maramureş undisclosed so far
Thereare so many insights [in my opinion, at least!] that I’d like to gather in asingle article for places explored more than once.
Itmeans you started to know and perceive them differently – more like a local,less like a stranger.
Oneof them is Maramureş, my beloved Maramureş!
Canyou believe that the oldest suggestions from this piece date to 2017 (when weeven got the chance to travel to Ukraine and visit Mukhacevo)? Read on to seewhat I’ve come up with [I tried sorting everything by towns and/or subregions]!
Baia Sprie
Lacul Albastru or the Blue Lake is a beautiful turquoiselake (when we visited – namely, mid-April) at the end of a short but pleasanthike near Baia Sprie.
Baia Mare
Fora delicious dessert and a refreshing lemonade, head to Trio. They have a great little terrace outdoors during summer.
GreatItalian restaurant Cinquecento offersa great selection of food and drinks (gluten-free dishes, too), plus a shadyterrace for lazy summer afternoons. The service is impeccable.
Onlya 5-minute walk away, you’ll find Muzeul Satului or the Village Museum.Covering a huge area, it is dotted with old houses from Maramureş. Allow atleast one hour and a half for exploration. Wear comfortable shoes.
Reachableby local bus, Firiza Lake Resort is,first and foremost, a water sports centre. You receive a card upon check-in(and you keep it for access and discounts). The people working there arelovely, the views are magnificent, the rooms are cosy, and the breakfasts aredelicious. You get to go on boat rides or kayak if the water level’s right. DidI mention the tasty dishes served by the resort’s restaurant?
Intermezzo:Mukhacevo (Ukraine)
Wedid go; our day trip from Breb to Mukhacevo was terrific. It was the only timewhen Ukrainian border guards didn’t try to suggest bribing them would be inorder.
Theroads leading to Mukhacevo were beyond bad. On the other hand, once we got toour destination, Palanok Castle wasworth the drive! Erected in the early Medieval period (allegedly, 10thcentury), the castle is located on a formerly volcanic hill.
Iloved the locals selling handicrafts fromthe castle to downtown. You could buy gingerbread, handmade soaps, and evenEaster ornaments (Easter Sunday was, after all, only a few hours away).
Somevery kind locals (I would speak to many in Hungarian; the youngsters spokeEnglish) suggested a good restaurant for late lunch/early dinner – Bograch. The food was tasty. Plus, I hadthe chance to drink a glass of Georgian Saperavi.
Maramureşul istoricor Historical Maramureş
Framedby the mountains, the oldest and most traditional part of Maramureş alwaysgives me goose pimples when I visit. It’s that great, from nature to the peopleand their customs!
WhileBreb may not be my favourite villagein Maramureş (it has become a tad commercial), a walk on its hills is splendid;I encourage you to enjoy one!
Poienile Izei is a village with a big heart, a curious setting, and beautiful surroundings.
Ieud will always bepart of the places dearest to my soul discovered while travelling. I can’t keepaway from its old church for too long.
Vişeu de Sus is a quintessenceof the Maramureş landscape to me. If you stop in the area, there are severalhill walks that you can enjoy. One of them is along Valea Vinului, over the river, up the road. You’ll find the oldmineral springs as the final destination.
Ifyou need to relax after the hike, go for a soak at Mirage (outdoor pool with a beautiful backdrop in season; indoorcentre for the rest of the year).
Fora quick (non-traditional) bite, there’s Thor– vegetarian dishes included –.
Andthen, for those with a sweet tooth, Mignonwill be waiting downtown Vişeu de Sus. The small terrace is the perfectexcuse to have a cup of coffee or a lemonade and breathe in.
