From Ramnicu Valcea, the road meanders through scenic valleys and around hills. The road quality is average, but the views make up for it.

Enroute to Curtea de Arges, we encountered a 20 kilometer detour due to the massive amounts of rains that were received in this region. The detour was pleasant for a short while. Then, abruptly, the pavement ended and we were riding on dirt and gravel, "enriched" with an abundance of potholes and hairpin turns. However, it provided excellent views of the countryside and a definite change of pace.

Curtea de Arges is home to the Princely Court built in the 14th century by Basarab I. The Episcopal Church was built in 16th century by Neagoe Basarab with marble and mosaic from Istanbul. The interior is richly decorated with vivid colors and gold leaf. The frescoes have survived the centuries well. The tombs of King Carol I and Ferdinand are inside. The admission of less than USD 1 was worth the visit inside the grounds.

Nearby Manole’s Well supposedly marks where the master stonemason fell after falling from the roof when Prince Neagoe took the scaffolding to keep him from building another structure. Legend has it that a spring gushed forth.



The industrial town of Campulung is a pass-through route to the Bucegi Mountains and the riches of Transylvania. Roadside is the Mateias Mausoleum which is a monument to the 2,000 Romanian troops who lost their lives in WW I . The climb to the top affords beautiful views and inside, fascinating mosaics depicting the soldiers as well as Romanian historical figures (even Vlad Tepes).



We passed several villages with wooden houses and porches, and roadside stands of homemade cheeses (a specialty in this region is pine-aroma and coaja which is wrapped in bark), smoked and dried sausages, milk and honey. In addition, the villages’ traditions of weaving and sheep farming are still alive.



The gorges and the 360 degree views of the Bucegi Mountains promises this to be one of the most spectacular rides in Romania. The Bridge of Dambovita passes between the Damboviciorei and Plaiu gorges to the north and the narrow Dambovitei gorges to the south. The village of Fundata sits at 1290 meters continuing enroute to the Bran Pass. The agro-tourism business makes finding accomodations easy with the villages of Moeciu de Jos and Sus and Simon offering a variety of pensuine and cazare (rooms).



We spent the evening at the Pensiune Jigorea in the village of Simon outside Bran. With a view of the mountains from the covered wooden terrace and 8 rooms, kitchen, and an outdoor grill, what more could you want? – BGR & HSR