Across the Lousy Mountain from Tirgoviste to Sinaia

In spite of the name the Lousy Mountain is one of the nicest of Romania. To cross it you'll drive through the village Ulmi, where Vlad the Impaler put a stake 23,809 Turks.

Visit the former Wallachian capital Tirgoviste. Tirgoviste became the 3rd capital of Wallachia on 1396 during the reign of Mircea cel Batrin, the grand father of Vlad the Impaler-Dracula. The citadel of Tirgoviste burnt down to the ground for 8 times and for 8 times reborn from its own ashes. Chindia Tower was build under the reign of Vlad the Impaler in the 15th century as an observation point dominated the citadel. During the night there was a fire here that was visible the whole night, throughout the town. Also in this area there is the Princes Valley village (Valea Voivozilor) with its unique crucifixes, carved in wood or stone, from very small monuments up to a chapel. You'll fine them near a fountain or a crossroad in order to drive away the evil eye or to mark an event. An iron cross marks the border between Dimbovita and Prahova Counties.

In about 15 minutes we'll arrive in Sinaia. The resemblance of the mountain Horeb, Sinai peninsula, with the mountain in this part of Romania, stroke out the prince Michael Cantacuzino, during his pilgrimage to Jerusalem, so he called the monastery he built here after his return, Sinaia. At the end of the 19Th century, another prince, future king of Romania, Carol I, enchanted by the beauty of the surroundings, built here Peles Castle, his summer residence. The castle is one of the nicest in Europe. It stands at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains, in the upper valley of the Prahova River and on the left bank of the Peles brook. The German Neo Renaissance style of the castle together with the surrounding terraces in the Italian Neo-Renaissance style and adorned with fountains, statues, vases, columns, add to the beauty of the edifice. Built between 1875-1883, the castle has 106 rooms, decorated with fine ornaments of inlaid wood, Murano and Venetian chandeliers and mirrors, a rich collection of arms and weapon, more than 800 stained glass windows and an original heating and cleaning system. In the park surrounding the big castle, there are the Castle Foisor, the Hunting Castle and Queen Maria favourite castle 'Pelisor'. Sinaia Resort is situated in Bucegi Mountain at 130 km. North of Bucharest and it is well known as a summer resort but especially as a winter sports resort. It has got different degrees of difficulty ski runs, cable car, ski lifts and other facilities.