Imagine a weekend getaway at home, in Poiana Brașov. It starts with morning light being lazily filtered through the eyelashes; the bedrooms’ walls are covered with wood which makes the light look like liquid honey. Breakfast is served in the summer on the generous balcony that surrounds the house - the coffee enhances the visual acuity and the mountains in front are distinguished in dozens of shades and hues of bright green. A few poppy and vanilla croissants from a good bakery put the smile in its place even in winter, when the fire keeps the cold away but not the thrill - Poiana Brașov is the best destination for snow sports. The resort is located at the foot of Postavarul at an altitude of 1030m and evokes hiking in the mountains in the cool of summer, the dizzying brass of autumn leaves and the squeaking of snow under boots in winter. It is certainly the place where concepts such as burnout vanish in thin air. Active rest in the strong ozone-rich air has therapeutic effects even when walking means simply foraging for mushrooms or blackberries in the forest, having a picnic in the pasture or reading on a meadow. The mountain routes Cristianul Mare and Pietrele lui Solomon start right from Poiana Brașov; however, the cable car and the ski lift allow you to enjoy the landscapes with minimal effort. Poiana means not only natural areas but also modern infrastructure suitable for the expectations of today’s tourist - being a premium destination the resort enjoys a vibrant life in its restaurants, hotels with heated pools and attractive clubs, in addition to options such as a horse riding center and a tourist sheepfold. Poiana Brașov manages to effortlessly keep its image as the most famous, attractive and envied mountain holiday location in the country. After a full day on one or more of the nine slopes (skiing is officially documented here since 1895) the sight of the silver fir trees guarding the entrance to the house is a joy to the eye and the promise of total relaxation in the sauna. The fire is burning in the fireplaces, the tea is bubbling in the samovar and friends are starting to gather at a long table that promises a memorable conviviality.
The property is a redefinition of luxury in mountain terms, in which natural materials such as wood, stone, wool and fur invite nature inside and create a calm hunting cottage-like atmosphere.The house is well integrated in the landscape, both chromatically and volumetrically. Its garden’s perimeter is smartly demarcated by high vegetation thus obtaining a soothing view for the eyes but also intimacy. In addition, the property is located in a low-density area which offers a low level of visual and auditory stress. The five en suite bedrooms make it suitable for an extended family or groups, with a usable built area of 600 square meters (ten rooms in total) providing space and privacy for everyone. The house was built in 2008 and the interior design easily allows for re-decoration that gives a more personal touch. The property can be used as a holiday home but also as a long-term refuge, away from the noisy city, dusty to the point of dehydration in summer or dominated by mud and concrete in winter.
Things to do in the area:
• Local gastronomy - try the ischler, a cookie with walnuts and chocolate, available in countless variants proposed by Brasov restaurants.
• The medieval fortress of Râșnov, one of the best preserved and restored peasant fortresses in Transylvania. It was here that famous movie scenes were shot ("The Immortals”, "Dacii", "Mihai Viteazul", or "Columna" but also Oscar-winner “Cold Mountain", starring Jude Law and Nicole Kidman).
• Prejmer Fortified Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 700 years old, the first line of defence against the attacks of the Turks coming through the Buzău Pass (don't miss the organ of death). Bonus - go before Lent to enjoy fasching, the pancake festival specific to this village.
Photo & video: Tudor Prisecaru