Climbing the real “Cold Mountain” to the Balea Lake Ice Hotel

It was not too long ago when movie fans had a chance to admire the picturesque Transylvanian landscape in the Oscar-winning Cold Mountain film. This winter you can follow in the footsteps of Nicole Kidman, Jude Law, and Rene Zellweger in the Carpathian Mountains for a unique high-altitude lodging experience. Although there is no Cold Mountain township in Romania, adventure seekers are welcomed to climb a real cold mountain 6000 feet to reach the first ice hotel in Eastern Europe.

Set amidst the white ridges of the Carpathians Mountains and modeled after its two big brothers in Canada and Sweden, the Balea Lake Ice Hotel opened its icy doors at the beginning of this year.
Featuring eight double-rooms, “furnished” with beds, night stands, tables and chairs made entirely out of ice, the hotel can accommodate 1,440 guests per season.

Inside you can also find a bar, a restaurant and discotheque, all made of ice. The cocktails, served exclusively in ice-glasses, will give new meaning to the ‘chilled’ term.

While Swedish tradition entails Absolute Vodka for a warm welcome, the Romanian tradition calls for Romanian plumb brandy, which comes standard in each room bar.

Construction of the hotel, resembling a large star-shaped igloo, started in mid December, at times under Siberian-cold conditions, with temperatures of -11 degrees Fahrenheit and 93 miles per hour winds. Ice blocks prepared with water from a close-by lake are used for interior structures, such as columns, the bar counters, furniture, and sculptures. Art lovers will be pleased to discover next to the sheepskin-covered ice beds, sleek ice copies of several world-renown sculptures by Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi.

The hotel will remain open for four months, or until the outside temperature rises above 37.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

Warm accommodation: It is recommended you combine cold nights in the ice hotel with warm nights in the nearby lodge. Hot lunch and dinner featuring traditional Romanian food can be enjoyed at the lodge restaurant. Washroom facilities are also located in the lodge.

Nearby attractions: Explore the medieval towns of Sibiu (45 miles) and Brasov (70 miles) or visit Dracula’s Castle (80 miles) at Bran.

How to get here: The hotel can be reached from Bucharest or any other major city via a highway linking Brasov and Sibiu to the Balea Lake resort, where tourists can board a cable car to the ice Hotel and Lodge.

Prices: $23.00 per person a day

To make a reservation: Please call + 011-40-745.072.602

For more info: Romanian National Tourist Office – North America
Telephone: 1-212-454-8484
E-mail: press@romaniatourism.com
http://www.romaniatourism.com/