The best place to be in Brasov, on a sunny morning, is actually the pedestrian street Tiberiu Brediceanu. And what’s so special about it is the Tampa Mountain. Raising 350 meters above the city, only minutes away from the city center, the protected area of Tampa allows yours for special moments. Giant green trees, fresh air and the multitude of bird songs create an image, few cities in Romania can match.
And as you are already walking along the medieval walls, keep it going towards the Schei old city, until you will reach the Weavers Bastion. This is a hidden gem of the local culture. A megastructure with an impressive architecture built in the 15th century, now a hidden and quiet museum full of history.
Close to it there’s also the Schei and the Catherine’s Gates. Two symbols of the people that once lived in Brasov and of the ethnic mix that crafted the city towards today. What’s interesting about Catherine’s Gate is that in the medieval times it was the only entrance for Romanians in the Brasov City. And that, after paying an entrance fee. Now everybody is welcomed to admire it and continue towards Rope Street.
As the fresh air and morning walk might make you feel slimmer already, it’s the perfect time to put the Rope Street to the use. It is considered one of the narrowest streets in Europe. Once a street built to ease the access of firefighters to the cramped houses of the old Brasov city, now it’s an enjoyable passage towards the main square and an art project, bringing to light the vision of young local artists.
Already feeling a bit tired, we will crave for the next stop: Tipografia. No, it’s not another museum. It’s actually a cozy place where you can have brunch, serve some tee or taste a good coffee. Collaborating with small producers and using local products, the sandwiches, and bruschettas cooked here taste as fresh as they can be. There is also tee, more than 100 types of them, and coffee, and (although it might be a little early for that) locally crafted beer and the pages in the menu keeps turning.
But let’s get down to business. After a light meal and an enjoyable drink, it’s time to discover Brasov for what it has the most, and this is Nature. And what better way to do this if not at Aventura Park. Go to the next bus stop, buy an online ticket once on the bus number 17 and get off in front of the place where you will spend the next 3 hours.. If you can handle it. The high ropes adventure park here is designed with three things in mind: Nature, adventure and safety. All courses are weaving in a green mature forest that keeps the harshing sun away and creates a unique green tint over the entire area. There are easy playfull routes for kids, more advanced and longer zip lines for youngsters and quite some challenging traps for the “Ninja Warrior” in the strongest of us. And if you think this is not for the clumsy people and kids, think again. The design of the safety gear is so well created, that you can not unclip your safety line even if you want to. Once you enter a course, the only way to go out is at the end of it or in special places on the ground.
After a few hours of adventures (don’t forget to go across the lake on the big zip line) it’s time to relax. You can take the same bus back toward the city center and prepare for a nice dinner in one of the most pleasant restaurants in town.
Bistro de l’Arte would be such a place. A gentle location hidden away from the rush of the main street, but still located in the center area. Appreciated by vegetarians and non-vegetarians as well, the restaurant is putting a high value on the local products, but not only. The dishes are combining the flavor of traditional gastronomy with the contemporan creativity of modern cooks. And to soothe the already excited taste buds, the wine bouquet in the menu will fulfill the wishes of even the most demanding sommeliers.
Now it’s time for you to enjoy it. And if you want a special way to continue the evening, Brasov can offer quite a special night walk.. or more indoor entertainments.