Last time I came to the part of Romania was around 30 years ago and I was impressed with Brasov and Moeciu de Sus. Moeciu is a small village in the Carpathian Mountains and I still have photos from when I was here last of me sitting in the sun on a hillside.
Things have not changed that much in the years since then. The only difference is that I am now across the valley in Sirnea. The sun is still out and the mountains are still spectacular. I should not have been disappointed that I could not find a place to stay in Moeciu. I cannot now, as I sit here, imagine anywhere nicer than Sirnea.
This time I am staying in a small cottage on top of the hill looking down the valley back towards Bran. the house is small but well equipped and the owner has a few rooms she lets out for several nights at a time. It’s a very relaxing place. I think it would be impossible to be stressed here. Everywhere you go are wild flower meadows and cows with bells around their necks. And if you still still all you can hear is the sound of the wind, insects and cow bells.
It’s haymaking time and I can see farmers using scythes as well as mowers to cut the meadows. They don’t bail it, they pile it up in a haystack in the traditional way. the hills are dotted with small houses, farms and barns. I think there must be quite a lot of holiday houses here as many look empty.
For someone looking for a quiet retreat in the hills there really is no better place in Europe than here in the Carpathians. It’s cheap, beautiful and the ideal place to de-stress, or in my case, kill some time while waiting for the COVID vaccine to take effect.