Romania surprised us — not with flashy resorts or five-star hotels, but with mountain cabins where the fog rolls in like a blanket, family-run guesthouses with woodsmoke and wildflower gardens, and city stays that still feel human.

We didn’t come here for luxury. We came for views, silence, stories. And these are the places we’d actually stay again — the kind that make you want to slow down, grab a coffee or a hot ciorba (soup), and watch the clouds drift past your window for hours.

So whether you’re headed for Dracula’s castle, bear country, or the cobblestone charm of Sibiu, we’ve got a stay to match.

We didn’t plan on the road vanishing. Or the fog rolling in like a movie set. But that’s what happens when you head into the Făgăraș Mountains in October — Romania has a habit of throwing a little mystery your way.

Before the mountains, though, came Sibiu — the kind of town where the buildings literally look back at you. It’s full of baroque charm, slow moments, and sleepy rooftops with “eyes” in the attic. And just outside, the ASTRA Museum offers an awesome open-air museum experience.

We stayed in Cârțișoara, a quiet village at the foothills of the Făgăraș Mountains with sweeping views — when the weather cooperates. Ours didn’t. The famed Transfăgărășan Road closed early, so no drive to Bâlea Lake. But we got monastery bells, steaming bowls of soup, and mountain mist instead.

The guidebooks all say the same thing: Start in Brașov.
But here is the thing: we always prefer off-the-beaten path destinations, and Brașov is pretty touristy.

So, we preferred to stay near Zărnești. We were enchanted by foggy valleys and curious cows, but it was pouring rain, so no hike that day. We’d figured we’d swing through the region’s biggest name for the classics — Old Town charm, Dracula’s Castle, and whatever Transylvanian mystery we could cram into a day trip.

Spoiler: We weren’t blown away by Brașov. But that’s not really the point of this story.

Because around the edges of this tourist hotspot, the magic lingers — in weather-worn monasteries, A-frame cabins that vanish into clouds, and backroads that look like they’ve never heard of GPS.

This is Brașov & Beyond. A mini adventure through myth, fog, and a surprising amount of garlic.

Tucked between the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului Mountains, Măgura and Zărnești are where Romania’s wild soul beats slow and steady.
Here, time moves differently — mornings start in mist, afternoons end with cowbells, and somewhere in between you might meet a bear (from a respectful distance).

We came for Piatra Craiului National Park, and left with muddy boots, a full heart (and belly), and a very loyal village dog.

When Jake found out that the world’s largest bear sanctuary was in Transylvania, he surprised me with a trip!

Our route wound from the Carpathian peaks of Magura to the mediaeval calm of Sibiu, through foggy Făgăraș roads that refused to show their secrets and Bucharest’s creative chaos.
It’s one of those places where nothing goes exactly to plan — and that’s what makes it unforgettable!

Buckle up (literally, because driving there is… can’t even describe it) and follow us!

Summer crowds have gone home (and we, penguins, rejoice). Temperatures are down (again, we rejoice). Winter hasn’t yet wrapped everything in snow. And in between, fall (or autumn, depending on where you’re reading this from) quietly transforms Europe’s wildest corners into glowing forests, aurora skies, and solitude you didn’t know you needed.

If you’ve ever wanted to trade pumpkin spice lattes for misty valleys, or swap city noise for the crunch of leaves under your boots, this is your season. Here are five wilderness escapes we’ve loved (or are about to explore) where fall feels like nature’s secret handshake.

Take a deep breathe in… and fall for nature with us!