HARGHITA-THE LAND OF HOLIDAY HOMES AND COTTAGES! February 9, 2021
Harghita-the land of holiday homes and cottages!
Wandering along Harghita is not boring at all, but it is not too tiring either. This little known area is full of attractions and temptations for everyone, both young and old. And believe me, it's a little out of the ordinary as well.
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Some appreciate its nature, others its culture. Some come to the baths or the Spa, others love the mountain trails and the ski slopes. You can't miss the gastronomic offer of the area where goulash, paprika and kurtoskalacs have a place of honour in the menus. We shan’t mention palinka, it is recommended only for adults and hardly ever. Better test the somloi, an eclectic cake with vanilla and chocolate cream which savagely drowns the biscuits! Or “gomboți”, delicious plum dumplings, lovingly prepared in almost all local households.
What does Harghita have in store?
Speaking of traditions, the area consists in ethnographic treasures and customs preserved with obstinacy. Masterfully crafted and then painted, traditional wooden objects catch your eye with the raw green, the bright red roses and the white apple petals. The Szekler gates are much more imposing; you must have admired the Maramures gates as well. A handful of kind locals strive to save those from the village of Máréfalva-Satu Mare, sculpted with traditional motifs and once painted in bright colours. Don't pass by them carelessly, they are right on the way to some of the most interesting tourist attractions in the area, between Odorheiu Secuiesc and Băile Homorod. The old village of Inlăcei is at a 25 km distance from Odorheiu Secuiesc and 18 km away from Cristuru Secuiesc. Once you cross its threshold, you take one step, and then another and another, back in time, hundreds of years ago. The twisted and narrow streets lead you to more and more beautiful houses. You would expect a grandmother to appear on the shaded porch, inviting you to a tasty meal ... Get into the spirit of this place even more and choose an accommodation at a guesthouse here.
Nature and adventure
But nature and the various activities you can do are those that add salt and pepper to the destination. Come to this green place, with villages scattered among the hills and valleys, with fast and crystalline rivers. Guarded by the gentle peaks of the Eastern Carpathians, Harghita is a destination that somehow seems to be at the end of the world… Of course, it's just an impression! And even if it were so, Harghita is definitely worth visiting in your pilgrimages through Transylvania. It is a piece of Heaven, where you can isolate yourself from the world if you want to. If your wish is to be as close to nature as possible, Harghita is the best place to choose to stay in a mountain guesthouse! You will love not only the fir forests, the fresh mountain air but also the hospitality and earnestness of the locals!
Treatments or Spa at Băile Tușnad
If you want to enjoy the Spa or some treatments, you can establish your headquarters in Tusnad. But the famous spa resort also has some advantages in addition to the Spa and lakes with mineral and thermal waters. The clean and ozonated air energizes you, makes you want to stay longer. A hike to St. Anne's, the only volcanic lake in Central Europe, is not to be missed. After approx. three hours of hiking in Tusnad, the image of the lake emerging among the lush fir trees is pure joy! In fine weather, you can see gas bubbles rising from the bottom of the lake. A "touch" of fine powder that adds an aura of mystery to this natural beauty. In summer you can go boating on the calm but cold waters of the lake located at 946 m altitude. In winter, when everything is frozen solid, the water in the crater of Ciomatul Mare, hidden under the water glaze, freezes. So the lake turns into an ad hoc skating rink.
Walk to Lake St. Anne
On high mountain trails you have to go equipped, especially because it takes a day to perform this hike. On the way, you will be able to make a stop at Tinovul Mohoș. Located at the foot of Mohoş Peak (1,177 m), at an altitude of 1,050 m, Tinovul Mohoş is actually an alpine peat bog, with lakes in which the sky is mirrored, and the pine trees are striving to survive in the peat layer. Be careful here in this nature reserve! And not because there are rare carnivorous plants, surviving from the Quaternary and Ice Age, but because you are in the wilderness of nature! Yogi Bear is no stranger to these places! If you are passionate about wild animals, here you can see water snakes, vipers and many species of birds.
Skiing or sledding
Do you want to stay in an authentic holiday home? The first on the list of recommendations is Casa Ria, at the foot of the Harghita mountains, in Miercurea-Ciuc. If you made the reservation at Casa Ria guesthouse, you can also take your family or friends for a few days of peace, fun and relaxation. It has all the facilities, plus a generous garden and an outdoor barbecue grill. It is only 11 km away from the ski slopes in Băile Harghita. This resort hidden between the mountains is proud of its options for you, the fan of active tourism! The ski slopes of Csipike, Miklós (the longest slope, 850 m) and Kossuth, with night facilities and snow cannons, testify. The ski season is longer here, you can be lucky to ski even at the end of April, and the generous skating rink is open! Belu Adventure Park and Miko Castle, in the city of Miercurea-Ciuc, are also worth visiting.
Mountain adventures in Ghimeș
In Lunca de Sus, not far from the spectacular Ghimeș-Palanka pass, which connects Miercurea-Ciuc to Comănești, is the longest bobsled track in Romania. The bobsled track and the two ski slopes from SkiGyimes have become, for some time, attractions for the Ghimeș area, of a wild, captivating beauty. You can even reach 45 km/ h on the bobsled track if you have the courage and the speed.
Back to the Spa
A good option to consider if you are a white sports lover is Băile Homorod. The slope here, especially suitable for beginners, is at a distance of 10 km from Casa Ria. In the resort at the base of the night slope you can also try the Spa services but also the Hungarian dishes. Interested in several ski slopes? You can also find them in Borsec (there are two for beginners, one for intermediaries), in the Bucin pass (two, for beginners), in Praid (beginners).
That being said, maybe the idea will come to you "I'd better book a holiday home in Harghita!" to stay at a traditional guesthouse, with old, refurbished furniture, to taste the local dishes and to enjoy as many of the area's attractions as possible. What more could you possibly wish for? We have prepared accommodation offers for holiday homes in Harghita and its surroundings. But the list of attractions in the area continues!
Praid and the treasure from the depths
Have you arrived in Harghita? Don't miss the Praid salt mine. It is one of the natural riches of the area and a treasure for local tourism. The huge salt deposit is just a drop from the "Salt Land", which also includes Sovata, Ilieşi, Corund, Ocna de Sus and Ocna de Jos. The Praid deposit was first exploited by the Romans and was part of the reserve of the Austro-Hungarian Empire crown, after the requisition. Today, this fascinating underground world offers us, ordinary tourists, not only taste but also benefits for health and relaxation. And the salt in our food from the Praid deposit is enough for hundreds of years, don't worry! The saltwater pool in the vicinity of the salt mine is also a major attraction in summer. A remarkable geological structure is the aragonite rock Dealul Melilor, located in the southern corner of the Praid basin, near the national road heading to Corund.
Bicaz Gorges and the Red Lake
Since you set off on mountain roads, don't by-pass the Bicaz Gorges! A fascinating place, probably the most famous natural monument of this kind in Romania. The work of the Bicaz River, which dug its way in the Hășmaș Mountains with incredible power, Bicaz Gorges is more than just a winding road. It is a challenging place, on the border between two historical provinces of the country, very popular among those who love hiking. The steep walls and serpentines delight ordinary tourists, but those accustomed to hiking and climbing have long reached another level: Hell Saddle, Lonely Stone, Ghilcoș Massif. At a glance, the famous Red Lake fits perfectly into the impressive landscape. It was all that was missing, if any, to fall in love with Harghita forever!
What more could you wish for? We have prepared accommodation offers for holiday homes in Harghita and its surroundings. You may know that we are always happy to have guests over, our doors, the ones at rentakub.com, are always open for you! You are always welcome!
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