At our hosts’ encouragement, our first stop on the way to Targu Jiu was at the Polovragi Monastery (1470) with the backdrop of the Oltet Gorges.

We experienced the pace of morning life at a monastery with the cleaning of the sanctuary, the watering of the flowers on the grounds, and the painter painstakingly repairing one of the structures.

Then we were onto the Galbenul Gorges and the Women’s Cave (Pestera Muierilor) outside the town of Baia de Fier. At 10 degrees Celsius year around, the Cave contains the bones of women who retreated here for safety in the Middle Ages.

The area is a real gem–scenic roads, hiking trails, caves, gorges, mountain peaks. For an outdoor enthusiast, the area between Tg. Jiu and Ramnicu Valcea can be a great experience. – BGR & HSR