Top Local Tips for Baia Mare

The little train from Viseu de Sus The little train “Mocanita” that hauls up a narrow gauge line in the Vassar Valley, to logging camps in the mountains has a big reputation - and it’s about the greatest contrast imaginable to the sleek Eurostar that speed-glides you away from London. Mocanita is a workers’ train, which pulls rickety wooden carriages heated by a small wood burner, and open vans, haycarts, logging wagons and anything else that’s needed. It took 4 hours to go just 33 kms, with a number of stops for breakdowns, which requires most of passengers to get off the train and stand around and watch the repairs, or to help get the train back on its tracks. The passengers smoke, drink, slice slabs of home baked breads, chop off salamis and sausages, talk and joke. If you are on a train odyssey, this is about as far off the beaten track as you can get for trains in Europe. There’s no timetable. It might go any time from 7 am, and its a 90 minute drive to the station at Viseu de Sus. It was a Monday morning, so the train was considerably delayed as people brought their weekly rations and loaded up tools, provisions and luggage for the trip. We got off at Faina, and walked through forest and across a river to picnic by the border with Ukraine, near big signs warning against bears. We passed rock faces that hid hospitals during the war and resistance groups during communism. Coming home there was a “breakdown” at the first bar the driver came to, so everyone waited until a drink fixed the problem.

Amazing place! We had the distinct opportunity to travel to a small village called Poienile Izei and stay with a host family for Christmas. We were turned on to this family by others previous experiences and (since we're Peace Corps Volunteers) the family's current PC resident. Even if you were not to get to this village in particular, there is a growing number of agro- & eco-tourism opportunities. Be ready to experience some difficulties arriving at your destination as public transportation still leaves much to be desired. However, if you make plans with a specific Pensiune or host, you may be able to ask them about transportation options or even have them send someone to pick you up at the nearest train station or bus stop. Christmas is an AMAZING time to be there if you want a truly traditional experience. Expect very cold temperatures, but lots of warm hearths. We have heard, but not seen, that spring into early summer is also a great time to take in the landscape. It's a whole different Romania!

Other names for Carpati Hotel

• carpati hotel baia mare
• Address: Str Minerva, 16 - Baia Mare - 4800 - Romania