Our journey begins with a visit to one of Europe's most beautiful castles - Peleș Castle. Located in the picturesque village of Sinaia, this castle is a true gem of neoclassical architecture. To reach the castle, it is best to take the train to Sinaia and then a local bus or cab. The castle is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:15 am to 4:15 pm (last entrance at 3:15 pm). Ticket prices range from 20 to 50 lei, depending on the tour chosen (as of 2023).

Peleș Castle offers a variety of tours to suit different age groups and interests. For families with children, we recommend the basic tour, which covers the most important halls on the first floor. Note that some parts of the castle may be inaccessible due to restoration work, so it's always a good idea to check the official castle website for up-to-date information.

After exploring the castle, take a short walk through the surrounding gardens, which are just as impressive as the building itself. It's the perfect place for a family picnic overlooking the Bucegi mountains.

The next point on our trip is the Urlătoarea Waterfall, located near the village of Bușteni. This is one of the most beautiful places in the Carpathian Mountains, ideal for a family trip. To reach the waterfall, head to Strada Arcului 5 in Bușteni, from where the trail begins. The route to the waterfall is relatively easy and takes about 30-40 minutes one way.

The Urlătoarea waterfall is about 15 meters high and is surrounded by lush vegetation, which creates a magical atmosphere. The best time to visit is in spring or early summer, when the waterfall is at its most abundant. There is a fee to enter the waterfall area (about 5 lei per person, as of 2023), but it is worth remembering that at the end of the day admission may be free.

For families with children, the trail to the waterfall can be a great opportunity to learn about local flora and fauna. Along the trail there are information boards that give an interesting overview of the Carpathian ecosystem. Remember to bring comfortable trekking shoes, appropriate clothing and water - even a short hike in the mountains requires proper preparation.

These two sites - Peleș Castle and Urlătoarea Waterfall - provide an excellent introduction to the beauty and diversity of the Romanian Carpathians, combining elements of history, culture and wildlife.

Continuing our journey through the Romanian Carpathians, we arrive at one of the most remarkable waterfalls in Europe - Bigar Waterfall. Located in Caraș-Severin Province, this waterfall is a true natural wonder. To reach the waterfall, follow the DN57B road. The nearest major town is Oravița, from where you can reach it by car or local bus.

The Bigar waterfall is unique for its unusual form - the water flows down the moss-covered dome-shaped rock, creating an unusual, almost perfectly circular cascading effect. The best time to visit is in spring or autumn, when the water flow is greatest. Admission to the waterfall is free, and the site is open year-round.

For families with children, a visit to the Bigar Waterfall can be a great opportunity to learn about geological processes and aquatic ecosystems. There is also a small cave in the area that can be visited (for an additional fee). Remember to bring your camera - the views are truly spectacular!

The next point of our trip is Piatra Craiului National Park, one of the most beautiful places in the Romanian Carpathians. The park is famous for its long limestone ridge, which creates an impressive panorama. To reach the park, it is best to head to the village of Zărnești, which is the main entrance gate to the park.

Piatra Craiului National Park offers many hiking trails of varying difficulty. For families with children, we recommend the route to the Cabana Curmătura hut, which is relatively easy and offers beautiful views. The trail starts in Zărnești and takes about 2-3 hours one way.

There is a fee to enter the park (about 10 lei per person, as of 2023), and tickets can be purchased at information desks or from park rangers. The park is open all year round, but the best time to visit is from May to October.

Many species of plants and animals can be found in the park, including brown bears, wolves and lynx. For safety, always follow the instructions of park rangers and do not stray from the designated trails. It is advisable to bring binoculars - the park is famous for its rich ornithofauna and is a paradise for bird lovers.

Both Bigar Waterfall and Piatra Craiului National Park offer unforgettable experiences in the heart of the Carpathian wilderness. These are places where you can truly feel the power and beauty of nature while learning about the region's unique ecosystems.

Our trip through the Romanian Carpathian Mountains would not be complete without a visit to one of the region's most spectacular sites - the Bicaz Gorge. Located in the Hășmaș Mountains, this impressive canyon is one of the top tourist attractions in Romania. To reach the canyon, follow the DN12C road connecting the villages of Gheorgheni and Bicaz.

The Bicaz Gorge is about 8 kilometers long, and its walls rise to a height of more than 300 meters in places. The road leading through the gorge is narrow and winding, which adds to the excitement of the drive. For safety, it is advisable to drive at a moderate speed and exercise extreme caution, especially in winter.

The gorge is accessible all year round and does not require an entrance ticket. The best time to visit is late spring or early autumn, when temperatures are moderate and nature's colors are at their most intense. For families with children, a drive through the gorge can be a fascinating lesson in geology. It is worth stopping at one of the parking lots and taking a short walk to admire the impressive rock formations up close.

Near the gorge is also the Red Lake (Lacul Roșu), which is worth visiting on occasion. This picturesque dam lake, created by a landslide in 1837, is famous for its tree trunks protruding from the water, creating an unusual, almost surreal landscape.

The final point on our Carpathian adventure is the Bâlea Waterfall, located in the Făgăraș Mountains, on the famous Trasea Transfăgărășan. It is one of the tallest waterfalls in Romania, being about 60 meters high. To reach the waterfall, follow the Transfăgărășan road (DN7C) to the parking lot at the Bâlea cable car valley station.

From the parking lot to the waterfall there is a hiking trail about 1 kilometer long. The route is relatively easy and takes about 20-30 minutes one way. Admission to the waterfall is free, but you have to pay for parking (about 5 lei per hour, as of 2023).

The best time to visit the Bâlea waterfall is in summer (July to September), when the Transfăgărășan road is open. In other months, the road is usually closed due to weather conditions, but the waterfall can then be admired from the cable car, which runs year-round (a round-trip ticket costs about 70 lei per person).

For families with children, a trip to the Bâlea waterfall can be a great adventure. Along the way, you can enjoy the alpine scenery and, if you're lucky, see mountain chamois. It is worth remembering to wear warm clothing - even in summer, temperatures at this altitude can be low.

The Bicaz Gorge and the Bâlea Waterfall are places that perfectly sum up the diversity and beauty of the Romanian Carpathians. From deep canyons to high mountain waterfalls, each of these places offers an unforgettable experience and a chance to commune with wild, untamed nature. This is the perfect culmination of our journey through this fascinating region of Romania.