There have been whispers of Romania as a hot holiday destination for a while now. Its go-slow rural lifestyle providing an increasing antidote to modern life. Farmers still get around by horse and cart, and fairytale ancient villages are distinguished by their fortified Saxon churches.
Nowhere is this bucolic bliss more prevalent than in Transylvania, where King Charles owns a guesthouse that you can stay at for as little as £105 a night. Close to the village of Viscri, amongst the wildflower meadows and rolling forested hills of Zalán Valley, King Charles’s retreat comprises of a cluster of carefully restored cottages in which guest rooms are decorated with antiques, crafts and embroidered textiles that remain true to their Transylvanian roots. Those are the frills - don't expect wifi, radio or TV here – and this is all part of the charm.
MAY WE SUGGEST: Inside King Charles' Welsh home
Without modern amenities, there is time to read (there are plenty of stacked bookshelves) and explore the countryside by bike or foot - just look out for the bears! Guests are offered one activity a day, from nature walks and horse and cart rides, to visiting local craftsmen. There’s a pool for the summer months (it’s not heated in winter) and, at Christmas, the hotel can arrange horse-drawn sleigh rides with bells, blankets and mulled wine. Meals are taken together as 'table d'hôte,' with the chef cooking up whatever local produce is available that day, and local brandy is practically on tap.
For more information, visit zalan.transylvaniancastle.com
