One of the best mountain resorts of Romania - many say that it is the best - was actually founded in 1895, way back in the history of the country, which also makes it one of the oldest resorts here. Maybe even the oldest. From the very start, the resort had several important advantages : it was very close to Brasov, at that time a major city, and it had a gorgeus natural surrounding, which could be used with little expense. At first, in attracted mainly hiking and sky fans, but in interwar Romania it became a very hip and fashionable resort, where especially the young ones preffered to spend their holidays. In winter the resort was filled with tourists, and for most young intelectuals and high-life names of that time it became a resort which was more important that Sinaia, for example, even if that was a royal resort.
But in the beginning it was a beautiful and rather wild place, surrounded by tall mountains, which offered several hiking and sky trails, and it was soon that the place was boasting and rapidly developing. By the end of the Second World War it seemed that this place - which in no small part reminded of the similar resorts in France or Switzerland - was growing more and more. Over the next decades, especially after the resort hosted the Winter International Olympic Games for Universities in 1951, Poiana Brasov became of place of rapid developpement, with many hotels, several restaurants and great skiing opportunities.
Nowadays Poiana Brasov is a modern and rather expensive mountain resort, great both for those who are passionate about skiing and hiking, but also about relaxing in an exclusive hotel, with all the deluxe conditions possible, enjoy a fine international or traditional meal, go out for a walk and enjoy the air. There are several large hotels, for all prefferences, several good restaurants and bars, shops, ski slopes of all kinds and for all ages, a very good and renowned Ski School which offers classes for Romanian and foreign students. You can also go hiking on the mountains, go to one of the mountain cabins on the peaks, you can have lunch at the very traditional restaurant called The Outlaws Hut, you can admire the private villas and smaller cabins built here over the last decades.
Great for winter sports of all kind, Poiana Brasov is also a great place to be in the summer, when the holiday months are at their best, and so are the sun, the mountains, the forests. From here you can go hiking or you can go to one of the tourist attractions nearby, such as Brasov, Rasnov, Bran Castle and so on. It is a good idea to go to Brasov by foot, through the forest, although the route might seem onlg in the beginning, the beauty of the nature will make it all worth while.
Poiana Brasov is still one of the most important and appreciated tourist resorts of Romania, great both for locals and foreigners. Many restaurants and hotels, places to play golf or tennis, places to ski, mountains to discover, shops, all in a beautiful mountain place. Which needs to be discovered.
September 2008
