A day trip idea from Braşov through Cheia
I lovethe road to Cheia! It’s like a back door getting you closer to mountains, nature,and the Great Outdoors!
While Irode it in summer a few times and in autumn once (those serpentines and thecolourful foliage make it dreamy), I never saw it in winter!
It hasits charm. Plus, as you arrive in the centre of Cheia, there’s a marketwith regional and local products.
P.S.There’s a cute cat around the market; bring treats if you like.
Next inline was Măneciu-Ungureni, a village I went through several times, yet Inever found the time to stop at its reservoir, accessible from its centre via aroad that’s in good condition. The lake was frozen, but I’d love to returnthere to swim/kayak.
P.S. Thereare several friendly dogs ‘guarding’ the reservoir; bring treats if you like.
Impromptuishly,we decided to head to Slănic Prahova. We had found a café that seemedinviting. I then remembered my primary school experience when the SlănicPrahova Salt Mine went pitch black during a storm; it lingered in my mind.Was it time to turn it around?
Marceland my Dad had never visited it, so Marcel proposed we’d go. [You see, we weresupposed to be on a journey for my Dad’s birthday, but issues with the catfamily prevented us from going.] Despite the high entrance fee, we loved it!There is a Moria energy that can easily make you fall for this place! Ultimately,you’re at 210 metres underground, with 4 km of asphalt connecting you to thesurface.
P.S.There’s an interesting store selling bath salts and salts with spices insidethe salt mine. Ifyou wish to buy salt without anticaking agents (recommended), ask in the marketto your left as you leave the salt mine bus stop.
We wentto the café, too. Atelierul de Cafea is a place I’d recommend. They uselocally-roasted coffee; the welcome is so friendly! Plus, we got therecommendation below.
We wereon our way to Schiuleşti Village, a very authentic mountain settlementby the Crasna River, which was also frozen. I am an ovo-lacto-vegetarian, assome of you may know, but Marcel loves fish, so we ended up at Păstrăvăria CrasnaBogiri. The people at the trout farm were very friendly; while Marcel wentto get his fish, my Dad and I walked around the courtyard. While Linu didn’twant to get his feet wet (but eventually did), Pi enjoyed the snowy view.
We lovetaking members of our cat family on our adventures. And we loved this one! It provideda breather just when we needed one!
