THE MINI ICE HOTEL EXPERIENCE

WHY IT'S DIFFERENT?

It’s hard to think of a more magical weekend away. Staying in an Ice Hotel surrounded by natural beauty and Sibiu’s colourful Old Town

Romania
Mar - Apr
3 nights

From $390.85pp $521.57pp

Based on two people sharing, not including flights learn more

AVAILABILITY

March 2024
April 2024
12 - 15 Apr 2024
Last Minute Save $130.72
From $390.85pp $521.57pp

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Sleeping in an Ice Hotel

Sleeping in an Ice Hotel

Redesigned each winter, every single room is individual and boasts unique snow sculptures fitting the yearly theme. Enjoy warm bedding and a professional sleeping bag for a surprisingly cosy night's sleep!

Dinner in the Ice Hotel

Dinner in the Ice Hotel

Highly recommended. A magical four-course candle lit dinner with the starter even on plate of ice! You'll dine at an ice table, sitting on an ice chair under the beautiful, colourful lights of the Ice Hotel's restaurant.

Sibiu Old Town

Sibiu Old Town

European Capital of Culture in 2007, Sibiu has arguably the prettiest old town of all the medieval towns in Transylvania. Combine this with some great restaurants and the beautiful Astra Museum it's well worth visting.

Brukenthal Palace

Brukenthal Palace

A property steeped in history and the ideal place to relax after your unforgettable night in the Hotel of Ice. We highly recommend a romantic dinner in the palace as the best way to finish your trip.

“We stayed at the ice hotel through Untravelled Paths as part of the mini ice hotel experience, it has been one of the best experiences of my life, a weekend to remember!”

DanTee_27

TRIP OVERVIEW

YOUR EXPERIENCE

After a traditional lunch in the colourful old town of Sibiu, guests are whisked away to one of Transylvania’s most prestigious hotels, Brukenthal Palace. Enjoy the tranquil setting of the Palace, wander around the beautiful grounds and relax by the fire after a busy day of travelling. After an early breakfast guests are transported over the famous Transfagarasan road and up the mountain to the magical Ice Hotel past snow-capped peaks and frosty forestland. Get your heart racing with some snow activities or simply kick back with a hot drink and just enjoy the scenery. In the evening, brace yourselves for dinner ‘on ice’ then tuck yourselves into cosy sleeping bags before braving the night in your ice suite. After a night on ice, it's time to head down off the mountain back to the beautiful Brukenthal Palace. On the way, you'll have a chance to visit the bizarre but interesting Upside Down House and enjoy some rest and relaxation at the Ocna Natural Spa. 

YOUR EXPERTS

James

James

The Brains Behind the Operation - Meet James

Marius

Marius

The Team Player - Meet Marius

NEED TO KNOW

DESTINATION Romania
DURATION 3 nights
GROUP SIZE no. people
ASSISTANCE Hands off
AIRPORT(S) Airport name
FLIGHTS For details of flights from the UK please see the Trip Details section.
VISA visa requirements
VACCINATIONS None

TRIP ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrive in Sibiu

Once you arrive at the airport you’ll be taken to your hotel in Sibiu. 

Day 2 Transfer to the Hotel of Ice

After a late breakfast, you’ll be transferred up into the mountains to the cable car which will transport you over the famous Transfagarasan road to the incredible Hotel of Ice which is set at over 2000m.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

  • Winter Park Activities
Day 3 Transfer off the mountain to Brukenthal Palace

After your hearty breakfast, you’ll be transferred off the mountain and to the elegant Brukenthal Palace where you'll have the opportunity to relax before a wonderful dinner in the restaurant.

Day 4 Transfer to Sibiu

Morning at your leisure before your transfer to Sibiu for your flight.

TRIP ACCOMMODATION

A selection of our accommodation, which is subject to availability, however alternatives are always of a similar price, grade and location.

Hotel of Ice

Hotel of Ice
Balea Lake, Romania

Set in arguably the most spectacular of all the Ice Hotels in the world, at over 2000m and surrounded by peaks. Enjoy the Ice Bar, Ice Restaurant and of course your Ice Room for a simply unforgettable experience.

Balea Lake Chalet

Balea Lake Chalet
Balea Lake, Romania

For those who don't like the cold, you can always get a room in the chalet. A room is made available for guests to leave their luggage and freshen up in but for an extra fee, you can have your own room for more privacy.

Brukenthal Palace

Brukenthal Palace
Avrig, Romania

Conveniently located in the foothills of the mountains between Sibiu and the Balea Lake cable car Brukenthal Palace provides the perfect base in which to visit the Hotel of Ice. Beautiful grounds, cosy rooms and tasty food.

Sibiu

Sibiu
Romania,

With all our hotels located in Sibiu's majestic old town, you'll be able to visit all the sights, cafes and restaurants on foot.
Typical Accommodation: Casa Luxemburg, The Council or similar 

TRIP LOCATION

WHERE YOU'RE GOING

Ask most people what comes to mind when they think of Romania and you’re likely to hear something along the lines of Dracula, vampires and gypsies. Yes, the spooky castles pitched on rocky hilltops are certainly vampire-worthy but the only real fangs you’re likely to be exposed to here are those belonging to the wild bears, wolves and lynx that roam the Carpathian Mountains. Once you place the stereotypes aside for a moment, you’ll soon understand how misunderstood, overlooked and vastly underestimated this country is.

DID YOU KNOW
  • Romania comes from the Latin ‘Romanus’ meaning ‘citizen of the Roman Empire’
  • The Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest is the second largest building in the world
  • The Carpathian Mountains are home to 60% of Europe’s Brown Bear population
  • Transylvania translates to ‘the land beyond the forest’

FAST FACTS

CAPITAL
POPULATION
CURRENCY
TIME DIFFERENCE

“The Winter Park at Balea Lake provides lots of exciting and fun activities to keep you occupied but we recommend you book at advance.”

Marius M

TRIP TIPS

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Keep Warm in the Ice Hotel

Thermals, a fleece, warm hat, scarf to cover your nose and thick socks will keep you nice and warm overnight. And remember you can always warm up in the chalet if necessary.


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Be Careful on Ice

Sensible footwear with good grip is essential as unsurprisingly there is a lot of ice around! You'll need to be careful where you step and watch out for hanging icicles.


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Additional Night

You may wish to consider an extra night in the beautiful medieval town of Sibiu, especially if you're flying from London where the arrival flight is at an anti-social time.

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Book Flexible Flights

If you book early/late season dates then we recommend booking flexible flights to avoid disappointment as you can transfer your trip free of charge. What if the Hotel of Ice is not available?


TRIP DETAILS

WHAT'S INCLUDED
  • ALL TRANSFERS
  • ALL ACCOMMODATION
    • 1 night in Sibiu
    • 1 night in the Ice Hotel
    • 1 night in Brukenthal Palace
  • MEALS
  • All breakfasts

  • ACTIVITIES
    • Balea Lake Cable Car Passes
  • UNTRAVELLED PATHS EXPERIENCE EBOOKLET
GETTING THERE

As a tour operator, we are not able to offer inclusive flights as part of our experiences however we are more than happy to help you find the most appropriate incoming and outgoing flights for you. All the listed airports fly directly in and out of Bucharest with multiple different airlines to choose from. We highly recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights.

LONDON TO SIBIU

  • Wizz Air (London Luton)
FURTHER INFORMATION

INSURANCE

In order to be fully covered on your trip should anything happen, we suggest getting an insurance before you travel. We recommend True Traveller, designed especially for adventure travel, who will be able to tailor an insurance package based on your needs. You can find out more here.

SOLO TRAVELLERS

Our prices are based on people sharing, for solo travellers who would prefer a private room the price per person will include a solo occupancy fee.

EXTRA NIGHTS

If you wish we can also organise extra nights at either end of your trip for you.

HOW IT WORKS

Book your trip in a few easy steps.

1

ENQUIRE ONLINE

Let us know the dates you are interested in travelling and we will let you know if they are available, if not then we will offer you alternative dates.

2

BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS

We will get back to you answering any questions you might have and confirming availability. If all is good, we can hold the places for you for 48 hours while you book your flights. Please note that this stage does not represent a guarantee of the booking.

3

BOOKING FORM

Once you have made your necessary arrangements, we will send you a booking form you will need to fill in with your details and any other relevant information.

4

PAY FOR YOUR TRIP

As you fill in the booking form, you will also be asked to make the payment through a secure link; if you are travelling in less than 8 weeks, the payment will be paid in full, otherwise only a 35% deposit will be taken.

5

FINAL CONFIRMATION

Shortly after you pay, you will receive a confirmation invoice, followed by a personalised itinerary and digital booklet. All you need to do now is write the dates in your diary, prepare your packing list and look forward to your next adventure!

6

NOTES

Please note deposit is non-refundable. The balance will only be refundable if you cancel with more than 8 weeks in advance. More information about the cancellation policy can be found in our Terms & Conditions. We highly suggest getting insurance before you travel to avoid any problems. Our personal recommendation is using True Traveller.

FAQs

What is the currency?

Although Romania is a member of the European Union, it does not use the euro (€) but has its own currency - the RON / Leu. The official currency is most commonly referred to as the plural ‘lei’ although some banks and exchange offices list it as the RON. One leu divides into 100 bani with banknotes coming in various denominations normally 1 leu, 5 lei, 10 lei, 50 lei and 100 lei and less commonly, 200 and 500 lei notes. Coins come in 50 bani and 10 bani pieces, which can be useful for small tips or donations.

Where can I get a hold of the currency?

The easiest option is to head to a cash machine once you’ve checked into your hotel in Bucharest to withdraw funds. There are plenty of ATMs around so it’s quick and convenient to get hold of your holiday cash. If you want to come prepared beforehand, the Bureau de Change in M&S is, strangely, one of the only places that dispense the local currency. You can also purchase currency online and collect it from your local post office or even have it delivered straight to your door. Ordering currency online with the Post Office is commission-free and available for next-day delivery. Obviously the more you buy the better rate you’ll receive. However you choose to get hold of your spending money, just make sure you either spend or convert your RON before you leave. 

Can I pay by debit/credit card?

Most major credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted throughout Romania’s main towns and cities. You’ll have no problem using your card to pay for drinks or dinner in Bucharest or Brasov using your card however you may like to carry some cash on you for smaller purchases and any activities taking place away. Ensure you have plenty of cash on you for the night at the Ice Hotel for activities and other expenses. It is always advisable to inform your bank that you’re travelling abroad in order to avoid the frustration of having your card blocked.

What sort of budget would I need?

As a general rule, you’ll be able to have a good lunch for around £10 a head and will pay around £15 a head for a nice evening meal. Naturally, the type of establishment you choose to eat in and what you order will dictate the cost of your meals. Be aware that ordering imported wines can cause your bill to skyrocket so drinking local wines is advisable. We reckon around £70 for lunch, dinner and drinks for two people is plenty per day. Please note that these are rough estimates and you can always choose to spend more or less depending on your budget and preferences. 

Do I need to tip?

Tipping is not obligatory in Romania although rounding up taxi fares and adding 10% in restaurants is polite and common practice. If the service has been poor please don’t feel obligated to leave a tip. 

How is the weather like?

The average temperature during the winter hovers around -3 degrees although temperatures in rural areas and up in the mountains can drop well below -15 degrees so it’s best to prepare for the worst. That said, it’s not unusual to find yourself enjoying a coffee outside in a Transylvanian town’s café with the sun beating down with surprising strength onto both your face and the snow-covered streets. So wrap up warm but don’t forget sun cream!

Who should I contact in case of an emergency?

You can always contact the UTP team on +44 207 101 4061 or info@untravelledpaths.com. Before you travel, you will also receive a personalised itinerary with the contact details of the local manager in Romania should there be any problems. Your guide will be on hand throughout the trip as well, so you're in safe hands.

How do I go about booking extra activities?

Our digital booklet, which you will receive before travel, contains all the information you need about optional activities. Simply drop us an email letting us know what you'd like to do during your trip, and we'll take care of the rest. Please note that the payment for the optional activities will be taken locally in cash.

What should I pack?

Balea Lake and the Ice Hotel are not generally as cold as people might imagine but we do believe that it’s safer to prepare for very cold temperatures, as it is not uncommon for the temperatures outside the Ice Hotel to hit -20 degrees. We would recommend bringing some good waterproof shoes, a warm hat and some gloves to keep yourself warm. Some clients prefer to wear waterproof trousers or a ski suit to protect them from the snow and ice; however aside from technical wear, layering your clothes is just as effective.

What happens to my luggage at the Ice Hotel?

Alongside standard luggage, we recommend clients bring a smaller bag and transfer essential items into it for the overnight stay at the Ice Hotel, as it can be awkward lugging bulky suitcases around on the mountain. The big suitcases will remain locked in the car overnight, so ensure you take any valuables with you up the mountain.

How cold is it in the Ice Hotel?

The temperature inside the Ice Hotel isn’t actually as cold as you might think. It usually wavers between -2 and +2 degrees although the temperature outside can sink well below freezing. The Balea Lake Chalet is super warm and toasty though so you can always make your way over there to defrost between courses or before bed.

What if I am too cold?

Before you tuck in for the night, your guide will give you pointers and tips on how to keep warm. Most of our guests feel quite toasty in the sleeping bag they receive before going to bed. However, there is always the option to book an additional room in the warm chalet in case you fear you won't make it through the night.

What are the toilet facilities at the Ice Hotel?

While there are no toilet facilities inside the Ice Hotel, the guests can use those in the cable car building just behind the Ice Hotel. We do recommend using them before going to sleep to avoid having to get out of your cosy sleeping bag overnight. In the morning, showers will also be available in the chalet.