Sunday, March 12, 2017

Romania {Girls Trip 2017}

My amazing friend Aaron and I were talking and decided we needed to get away, and since February had a four day weekend for the hubbies AND it was my birthday, we did it then! We went back and forth for a bit on where to go and finally just went with Romania cuz, well one, it's pretty darn cool, and two, cheap ticket! ;) I was a little "eh" about it since it was winter time and all and I'd rather not do cold but am SO glad we did it! It was most definitely one of the best trips I've been on! I would go back in a heartbeat. Amazing hearty, food, super inexpensive, beautiful countryside, adorable little towns, lots of color, gorgeous doors: rustic-ness at it's best!!!!

So we flew into Romania super late so we just grabbed a hotel nearby and then headed out for our adventure in the morning! We drove out to Sinaia to go to the Peles Castle, which was beautiful! Pretty little walk and a pretty little castle! We didn't get to take pictures inside (you had to pay extra) but the inside was gorgeous!




















After the castle we finished our drive and headed over to Brasov where we stayed for two nights. Brasov is super cute and we ate such good food there!!! The first day there we went over to a nearby town and toured the Bran Castle (aka Draculas Castle). Also a gorgeous little castle! I loved all the details and woodwork in it. So awesome!


























Then we went to another super close little town, Rasnov, and went to the Citadel. Mostly just outside structures but it was super cute, super rustic and had a good view of the town below it.































The next day we took a hike up to the 7 Stairs Canyon. The hike up to it was actually pretty long and there wasn't anywhere that said how far or many markers so we kept hoping we were on the right path ;) Which we were and it was so worth it! Well the hike was worth it anyway...it followed a stream up to the Canyon and it was soooo pretty! It looks pretty cold with all the snow but it wasn't fresh snow or anything- it had snowed before we went on our trip- I had to take off my big coat and scarf and stuff while we were hiking cuz I was getting too warm. It was pretty much a gorgeous day for a hike!
















Anyway- so we finally made it to the Canyon and at the front was this awesome frozen waterfall! SO AWESOME. Unfortunately the actual stairs to the canyon was gated off, but some people in front of us hopped around it and went through so we followed suit...not gonna lie...I was pretty nervous to do that since there was a decent drop down to the waterfall but I did it and lived ;) I love to hike though and don't know why I don't do it more! It was so much fun!


















After the hike we took a long, somewhat crazy drive (we weren't 100% sure where we were going and the hotel we were going to was pretty vague on directions so we were pretty much going on a hope and a prayer that we were going the right way and we'd make it in time). We were headed towards our night at an Ice Hotel! We had to make it to the spot to catch a cable car up the mountain because that was the only way to get to the hotel (the road to it after that point was completely snowed in). By some amazing luck we made it though and got to stay the night in a hotel made of ice! PRETTY CRAZY. There was a main lodge there (they use it for the summer time people) where we kept our things and had our own bathroom to use and stuff. They only allow guests to be in the ice hotel at certain times because they keep it open during the day for viewing. The hotel is rebuilt every year so it changes every year. This year they had movie themed rooms, ours was Jaws so we had a huge ice shark next to the bed.

Anyway- so we started out with dinner in the main lobby of the ice hotel, which was pretty good! COLD (we were so bundled up!) but good food :) The actual night though was pretty eh, we weren't too cold (they had lots of furs and sleeping bags and we were bundled up still), but it was so uncomfortable! My hips and knees were hurting pretty good by the morning and I barely slept at all. But it was still a cool experience and something I can put on my unknown bucket list ;)

cable car track






the road that goes up to the hotel :)

outside the ice hotel

ice chapel


Titanic room

Star Wars Room

Restaurant area

Dracula Room

Marilyn Monroe

Ice fireplace


Jaws!



Harry Potter Room

Last Supper in the chapel

Ready for dinner! ;)


Our centerpiece







I wish it was a little clearer up there but the night we got there it started snowing and kept going pretty much all night and into the morning. It was a "fun" drive back down the mountain and then we had to drive allll the way back to Bucharest (which is where we flew into). It was a long drive and we were pretty dang tired by the end of it. That was pretty much the worst part of our trip. Luckily the night ended well with a yummy dinner in our hotel restaurant. :)











We spent the morning of our last day at an AMAZING Spa, Therme Bucaresti, to finish off our trip! It was SO AWESOME! And so cheap! It was about $15 for 3.5 hours and you get access to a bunch of themed saunas, pools, special baths, outdoor pools, classes, and a waterpark! I got a massage too but that was extra but soooo worth it and a great way to end a trip that was full of hiking and uncomfortable beds ;) It was so so awesome. I would go back there for sure ;)

Therme Bucaresti

After our awesome morning at the spa :) 


After that we flew out and it was all over! :( :( :( It was seriously the best birthday celebration ever and I'm pretty much screwed for the rest of my life ;) Aaron is so much fun and we get along super great (I'm sure I've mentioned her before but her son is in Andrew's class, and her daughter is in Lizzie's so we see each other a looooooot). She has the most giving heart but so crazy fun. There is never a dull moment with her and I love it!

Here's some more pics from my phone cuz I'm too lazy to put them where they go above :)



Schnitzel! 

and polenta

Inside Peles Castle











pics from our drive 





YUMMY bread bowl soup!

and apple streudel!!! 

gorgeous doors- and they are all HUGE



main square in Brasov






at the market area in Bran




My favorite treat!






Bran Castle


Rasnov Citadel



On our hike!



watching the other guys hop the gate

and there goes Aaron :)










SUPER yummy goulash!



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