What is more beautiful than Christmas? Days filled with the joy of giving, wonderful moments with your loved ones and spiritual peace of mind. Whether or not there is snow, if the sun shines or not, Christmas is the celebration which gives us brings as all together.  And Christmas is just around the corner! For everything to be perfect, on our website you can find all the best restaurants and locations in Sibiu, and you can make discounted reservations for any of them. You can spend your evenings having dinner, you can attend carols concerts, or party in the hottest clubs. You just have to choose your favourite! Of course, you can also visit the Christmas Fairs. There’s the by now internationally famous Christmas Fair of Sibiu. And for those who love to ice-skate, there’s the newer Selimbar Christmas Fair. You can find more info about it, here.

Carols and karaoke contest at Imperium Live

December 20th, in Imperium Live Pub there’s going to be a magical night. Florin Thomits will sing for all those present the most beloved and beautiful carols. Beside him you’ll find the Live Band Karaoke and its competitors. The entry to this event is free and you cannot miss it!
Thursday, December 21st, at 20:00, it’s time for the much awaited final of the Live Band Karaoke Contest. The winner will go home with the grand prize of 1,000 euros! 
You can make online reservations for Imperium Live. It’s easy, you just have to click BOOK&SAVE. You get your reservation and a 10% discount to your bill!

Old-school Christmas at the Astra Museum

For those who love outdoor walks, even in winter, The Village Museum is preparing a magical Christmas. From December 24th, from 10:00 until December 27th at 12:00, you can sing carols on the idyllic alleys of the museum and participate in any of the events organised during these days. If it snows you can opt for a walk with Santa’s sleigh. In the absence of snow, you can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride, ready prepared to reveal the universe of the Romanian village. Everything is prepared in traditional style. From the food chosen, to the amazing sponge cake and up to the carol singer dressed up in traditional clothes.  If this sounds like something you would like, on the event’s Facebook page, you will find all the details!

carols CONCERT AT Thalia Hall

If you opt for a refined evening, then Thalia Hall is a top pick. December 21st,  at 19:00, you can enjoy a “Christmas night in a fairytale harmony “. It is a Christmas concert conducted by Harald Ovlovsky. The lead vocals are soprano Melinda Samson and mezzo soprano Claudia Codreanu. Prepare yourself to be enchanted!

A ROYAL Christmas

The Brukenthal Palace of Avrig opens its gates, December 23rd, in order to offer you the possibility to spend a magical Christmas magic in a dreamy wonderland.

The menu is truly fabulous – traditional pork cold cuts, chicken soup with dumplings, roast goose on a bed of tempered red cabbage, potato dumplings, and baked apple with nuts. There’s also going to be plenty of delicious sponge cake for desert,  and great music for the best holiday atmosphere. Are you still thinking about it? We wouldn’t. Make reservations by calling  0726.234.417.

The best dj’s at mai lounge

For great vibes this Christmas, Mai Lounge has set up some awesome parties. Saturday,  December 23rd, you can dance to the beat of DJ Optick’s music. 

And on the 25th, the amazing Adrian Eftimie returns at Mai Lounge, to give you an unforgettable Christmas night. 
You can make online reservations for these events. And the best part is you get 15% discount to your bill!

Super party and mixtape volume launch

Christmas Eve is really special this year, with the “Backyard X-Mas party”. We’re being promised an evening hard to forget. Backyard fans will recognise the hot atmosphere, as all the cool DJs will be there – DJ Akadela, DJ Cipi Hampu, and DJ Buttermilk Alex. For an extra touch of magic Mr.Saxi will play the saxophone.
And at midnight, we’ll all celebrate a special moment with the launch of the seventh volume of the “winter” mixtape sounds of Dj Cipi Hampu and DJ Buttermilk Alex! Make sure you make it to this party! It’s going to be #epic. 

Well, there you have it…a couple of reasons to love Christmas in Sibiu even more! Happy holidays, everyone!

The post Countdown to Christmas | Tips for spending your holidays appeared first on Travelscounter Blog.

Well, you sure chose well! It’s that time of the year, time for the holidays, when families gather together, when friends reunite, and when everybody wants to explore a new place where the Christmas feeling is present. All you need is good accommodation.
Christmas is not just about a “white and red” Santa or colourful gifts, Christmas is more then this. It’s more about the moment when people discover hope and love.
And there’s no better place for you to experience the magic of Christmas than at probably the most beautiful Christmas Fair in Romania : the Christmas Fair of Sibiu. Sibiu is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns, a historic city known worldwide for it’s beauty and architecture, and also for the Cultural Capital of Europe title, received in 2007. And now, Sibiu is also the Christmas Capital of Romania. Or so we declare it.

Beyond it’s glorious past, the city has a special air. It is said that it’s enough to come here once and you will certainly return for a second or even third time …Or, maybe even move here, as Forbes magazine named Sibiu “Europe’s 8th most idyllic place to live”. As it has become more popular over the years, with tourist numbers increasing continuously, Sibiu’s accommodation options have become more diverse too. It so happens that if you want to check-in right in the heart of everything, you can choose from quite a big number of spaces.

An amazing option if you never want to leave the Small Square is The Council. It’s a 4-star hotel located in the heart of Sibiu, right in the building with the Council Tower, a few steps away from the Bridge of Lies and the Big Square, a couple of hundred meters from the Brukenthal Museum, the Huet Square, the Church of St. Ursuline and many more! Each of the 10 rooms comes with a perfect view of the historical center of Sibiu. With prices varying between 50 and 149 euros per night, it’s not a low-budget option. However, it’s totally worth it! Especially if you think you’ll actually be breathing history, as the building in which the hotel operates is Sibiu’s first city hall. Hence the name – THE COUNCIL.

Just a few extra steps further you’ll find the Luxembourg House. Yes, we spelled it right, Luxembourg. The 3 star Luxemburg House, is one of Sibiu’s most particular accommodation options. The building in which it operates still features the original 13th-century architectural elements. Each room has it’s own particular style, and from each window you can closely observe what’s going on in the historic center – concerts, street theater, festivals. Moreover, if you want to visit Sibiu and it’s surroundings, you can do it in organized tours, guided tours provided by the owners. Also, evenings are magical here! In the restaurant on the ground floor you can enjoy theater plays, concerts, or just enjoy a quite dinner while listening to fine piano music arrangements. The prices for accommodation vary between 50 and 100 euro per night, and it would be best to make arrangements early on, as it is quite a popular location.

Also in the old town, but a bit out of the way of all the madness, you’ll find Teatro, a somewhat new addition to Sibiu’s hotel scene. Teatro – Hotel & Restaurant is the option that combines the stay in the historic center with culinary passions. The room rates go from 59 euros per night, and here you’ll find the perfect spot to catch a break. The furniture is painted in warm colors, and the decor is quite special, as it is prepared down to the last detail. In addition, you can serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, all prepared by the finest chefs in the city. Wagyu beef is the star of the place.

On course, all highly central hotels come at a price, if you want to be part of all the action. But if you like to approach the idea of a friendly budget, it wouldn’t hurt to choose the 4-star Hugo Guesthouse. It’s a lovely guesthouse, in a quiet area of Sibiu, a 15-minute walk from the historic center. Hugo Guesthouse also features a bistro and offers free wi-fi access and air-conditioned rooms. The menu of the day at the on-site bistro can be a set menu, or you can make your own by choosing from a list of dishes. Such a menu costs no more than 4 euros, and the prices for a room at the boarding house are, on average, 50 euro per room.

On the other hand, Sibiu offers alternatives somewhat more quiet and far removed from the historical center, and they are 5 stars. Literally! The famous Hilton brand has a hotel in Sibiu at the very outskirts of the city. Of course, you can expect nothing less than 5-star services! Hilton Hotel in Sibiu also offers 3 dining options, a spa, and spacious rooms, elegantly furnished and equipped with the latest audio-video technology. The hotel is right next door to the Sibiu Zoo and the Astra Village Museum in the Dumbrava Forest, 2 top tourist destinations in the city. Accommodation prices start from about 90 euros per night, and they include breakfast and complimentary spa access.

If you’re looking for something truly special, you can choose to stay at the Ecvestria Guesthouse. It’s a secluded and quiet place situated on a hillside, away from the urban turmoil. The pension has 4 rooms, of which 2 twin and 2 matrimonial. The rooms are spacious, with wooden furniture and a unique and different interior design, and each has direct access to the yard of the Equestrian Club. So, those interested can learn to ride a horse from professionals in the field. Those who have been around have come back every time and said that prices are standard (around 40 euros/night), but the atmosphere is high class.

Probably as popular as the old town itself, Marginimea Sibiului is a must-see.

There are organized tours you can choose to explore the area, or, better yet, you can choose to have your whole stay here.   This being said, have you ever imagined checking-in at an apple orchard? Probably not, but we’re here to tell you that such a place really exists. Situated a few kilometers from Sibiu, in the lush area of Cisnadioara, on the edge of a forest, Apfelhaus Pension lies right in the middle of an…apple orchard. It offers 32accommodation places, divided into 15 rooms. The place has everything you need for an unforgettable stay – restaurant with German and Romanian specific, grill, playground for children, tennis and football field, jacuzzi, sauna, and on request,  you can take guided tours with experienced guides. Depending on the period you choose to stay here, the prices start at 30 euros/night.

Another great option for accommodation in the Marginimea Sibiului? Probably the most famous guesthouses of them all…Pension Mai. And if we think about it, it’s owners might be more famous than the pension itself. Everybody knows and loves Mary and Șoru, and many come here just to have a bite of the homemade delicacies made by Șoru himself! Of course, the environment is a visual bliss, as you have the Cindrel Mountains behind the guesthouse and the Stezii Valley alongside, so that might be another reason the pension is so popular. At Pension Mai there are 64 accommodation places in elegant rooms (31 single and double rooms & 1 apartment), with private bathroom, balcony, TV, telephone, minibar, wireless internet access, sauna access, outdoor swimming pool with heated water. And once you get passed all these “technical” details, let’s get to what you’ll love most: the food. You’ll find some international dishes, but really it’s the Romanian food you should focus on. Most of it is homemade, and the recipes are the old traditional ones, so you’ve gotta trust us, you can’t go wrong! Moreover, if you like to fish, you can do it here, and then the chefs will cook your own “capture”. The rates for accommodation start with 48 euros per night, with breakfast included, but for stays longer than 5 days this price may decrease.

By now, we’ve taken you through almost every part of Sibiu, and still, there is more! Sibiu is in a mountain area, so it would almost be a shame not to climb up to Paltinis, especially during wintertime.  Situated in the Cindrel Mountains, it’s a known fact that Paltinis is the highest mountain resort in Romania, with it’s 1440m altitude. No matter the season, there’s always something for you to try up here : ski, snowboard, adventure park. It will take you about 1 hour to get to Paltinis, maybe more during peak season. So if you want to really enjoy your activities, you might want to consider staying there for a night or two. A good option is Perla Paltinisului, a tourist complex that consists of two guesthouses and a restaurant. Out of the 2 guesthouses, the 4 daisy building is rather new, as it was completed in 2009. And the best part about staying at Perla Paltinisului? The price is only around 20 euros per night. 

Well, there you have it. A looot of options! Most of them covering both the accommodation and eating out needs. To help you decide, you can take a look at the best restaurant in Sibiu.  You can choose your favourite, and if you make reservations using Travelscounter, you’ll get 10,15 or even 20% discount off your bills.

Happy holidays, see you at the Christmas Fair!

The post TOP ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS FOR YOUR HOLIDAYS IN SIBIU appeared first on Travelscounter Blog.

“All is calm, all is bright” season is upon us!

Sibiu proudly dressed its celebration clothes and because a little sparkle never killed nobody, all the shiny glowing accessories and street lights are out to make it more spectacular – and trust us… they’re more elegant than ever. The cold evenings will be more brilliant, and at the city centre you won’t find a crowd, but rather a very big family meeting. 

If this weekend Sibiu is on your list, you are soooo lucky because once you get here you will be brought into a fairytale world. The Big Square will be a rare paradise. These past days we could already notice the friendly wooden houses and the Christmas tree being installed. This is the first positive sign which makes us dream about the annual Christmas Fair. Holding on to a cup of mulled wine as a hand warmer, you can stroll through Sibiu’s main square and feel amazed of everything you see. 

And because each year more and more tourists decide to visit the Christmas capital of Romania, the number of houses from which you can buy seasonal goods increases from 80 to 104. More houses, more shopping and many more happy souls! The absolute novelty of this edition of the Christmas Fair is the arrangement of a “market within the market” – a street-food area. You’ll get to taste traditional goodies, delicious drinks like the famous Almdudler, or hot cocktails. Of course, no one forgot about the wine! Crushbar is waiting for you at the Fair with lots of mulled wine.

11th edition and still counting

The Grand Opening of the Christmas Fair’s 11th edition takes place this Friday, November 17th. And we sure are excited!!! Since the first editions, the event has gained a very good name and became the only Romanian Christmas fair known abroad and attracting an increasing number of tourists each year. This edition brings together over 90 exhibitors from the country and abroad, the largest number so far, as well as numerous attractions for children. This year’s lighting concept is a special one also – a grand projection on all the buildings in the Big Square will make the centre of Sibiu probably the brightest spot in the country.

The festive inauguration of the Christmas Fair 2017 in Sibiu will be one with lights and music – as we have been accustomed to each year. This year, the famous pan-pipeist Radu Nechifor will warm up our evening with delicate music along with his band, and a very special guest – Ozana Barabancea.

Together they will go through a vast repertoire, featuring holiday themes, which will create a lovely winter scene along with the stalls and the beautiful Christmas lights twinkling all around the Old Town. If you’re not here for the inaugural weekend, don’t worry! Tha Fair is open until January, so there’s plenty of time for you to enjoy it. You can even book a city-break package, if you want a tour guide showing you all the most interesting things around. 

Immerse yourself in the true xmassy spirit with all the twinkling lights, festive music, gifts and treats. The story of Christmas is a story of love. So, share it with everyone you love at Sibiu’s Christmas Fair. It will be magical, spectacular and unforgettable.

And when you get tired or frozen and you wish you could be in a cozy, warm place, take a look at our list of all the best restaurants in Sibiu. Make reservations for any of them, and you get up to 20% discount to your bill!

May your days be merry and bright! See you at the Christmas Fair!

The post Sibiu – the Christmas capital of Romania appeared first on Travelscounter Blog.