The Natural Romania – Neamt County #PriNeamt

We recently had the opportunity to explore a region of Romania many people gloss over when they decide on Romania as a vacation destination. You may have heard of the night life in Bucharest, the Castles of Brasov, and the beauty of Sibiu, but Neamt County in Romania is home to 2 of the 9 Romanian National Parks and offers the outdoor enthusiast a great many opportunities for discovering nature and taking a break from the city lights. It is truly a place to get out and explore the beautiful outdoors and enjoy all the natural sights and views Romania has to offer.

Located just a short drive from the Bacau Airport, you will find the city of Piatra Neamt. This is  a great place to start your discovery with its quaint historic center and breathtaking views from the gondola ride up the side of Cozla mountain which is the main skiing area in the winter season.  During the off season, you can still take the gondola to the top and try some hiking and enjoy one of many events hosted at the top of the mountain like the Piatra Film Festival we were able to enjoy during our stay.

Some other areas to discover and take advantage of the great outdoors in Neamt County include:

Ceahlau mountain hiking – Ceahlău National Park is home to a large variety of beautiful plants and animals, many which are rarely seen elsewhere in all of Romania. The hike can be a little challenging, but taking it at a slow pace and getting to the top will reward you with views that will take your breath away! The small village of Durau is a perfect starting place for the hike and also offers skiing during the season. We stayed at the Hotel Bistrita during our 3 day stay in Durau and their hospitality was unparalleled.

Bicaz Gorge – One of the highlights of our visit because of some of the breathtaking views and hike offerings. Just a drive through the gorge will provide you with enough great views, better yet, get out of the car and try a hike to get up close and personal with all the beauty. For hard core adventurists, you can try your hand at rock climbing too!

Historic Neamt Monasteries – During your tour around Neamt County it would be impossible to miss the historic and beautiful monasteries in the area. The churches provide both a glimpse into the history and religion of the people of Neamt County.

Between September 5th and 11th Lisa and I traveled to Neamt County, Romania as part of the group #priNeamt – the third edition of the most important event dedicated to promoting in the online environment of a county from Romania. Organizer: Eventur Bucharest. Powered by Petrom Romania. Main partners: Autoritatea Națională pentru Turism, CJ Neamț, City Hall of Piatra Neamț, Bistrița Hotel from Durău, Blue Air and AutoBoca Rent-a-car.