Sinaia...The Summer Residence Of The Romanian Royals

One fine morning in early May, while in Bucharest, I felt the need to smell the mountains and the pine trees, dreaming of grilled mushrooms and sweet pork chops, mulled wine and strudels.

Hopped in a taxi to Gara de Nord train station, while enjoying the tapestry of the land through the window, the rhythmic lullaby of the train, two hours and some later checked in at my hotel in Sinaia ready to discover and partake in the treasures waiting to be revisited or discovered for the next few days.

Sinaia is a resort in the Carpathian Mountains, Prahova Valley, green paradise in summer, superb ski in winter at about 3100 ft altitude, named after the Monastery Sinaia founded by Prince Mihail Cantacuzino in 1695.

A brisk walk up the side of the mountain and I am at the gates of Sinaia Monastery. Prayer, candle lighting ritual of the Orthodox faith for the living and the departed, meditation.

Back in the valley there was the promise of good food and wine from the region, May’s sun filtered through the forests.