This year we wanted a really special and traditional New Year’s Eve. We are in Transylvania, Romania, and to experience an event that will show us the real hospitality and Romanian culture would be amazing.

So we were so pleased when we contacted Unglerus Medieval Resort, tucked away in the authentic village of Biertan, a designated Unesco World Heritage Site.

There are various buildings all culminating to form this Resort. The elegant accommodation consists of 3 Pensions (of three and four marguerites), which have been fully renovated to the highest standards in keeping with the local historical architecture.  There is also the main reception and medieval restaurant located by the town square in a 17th-century building, that is also part of the fortified church of Biertan.

So when we arrive on our snowy day, we discover we are in for a treat. We walk into the courtyard and before us, we see a beautiful Christmas tree.

Immediately on our arrival to the restaurant area for check-in, we are offered a lovely hot beverage.

We then are shown to our stunning and spacious suite – this is the place we will call home for the next four nights, and for our New Years Eve celebration too.

We head out for a walk through the village.  It is relaxing and the locals are friendly.  I love the UNESCO buildings, mixed in with the local houses, and the odd ruin.  Covered in snow, it is just beautiful.

I can’t resist climbing the rear steps of the property we are in to take a look. There before us is the preparations for the start of this event. Several days of celebration and the kick-off is a bonfire that night. The wood is stacked like a teepee, and the path has been cleared.

That evening we dress warmly and gather outside for Vin First – the mulled red wine of Romania.

It warms us up, and it is here we make the first of our new friends.

We head over to the restaurant of the resort for dinner.  The food is great as it is a traditional Romanian Restaurant, and there is more Vin Fiert too.  I feel warm inside and out.  It is nice to talk over a meal and get to hear other people in the world tell us of their travel tales.

On the day of New Year’s Eve, we all dine together for breakfast and lunch again at the restaurant. Each meal is unique.  There is also an upstairs section, and the warmth of the room filters up to this level on this cold snowy day.

We are pretty excited about the evening to commence. There is a D.J. setting up, and they have three parties on the property, but we are guests at the main event.

When we walk into the Unglerus Restaurant we are in for a huge surprise.

The tables are decorated and filled with absolutely delicious platters of exquisite food, along with bottles  (including fine Romanian wines) of different beverages and a myriad of choices for the evening event.

Just take a look at this elegant starter platter in the photo below.  Alongside it, each guest received a fantastic gift from Complex Medieval Unglerus.  A lot of preparation and hours of work has gone into making this a special night.  We both loved our gift, and each was a uniquely made local item of pottery. We will cherish it as a special memory.

What I really enjoyed about this evening was how quickly we all got to know each other.  When the dancing started soon into the night, we all participated and had fun – even Explorason.  We soon were chatting with the guests at the next table.

As we partied into the night, I even had the opportunity to learn some traditional Romanian dancing.  It was just perfect.  The lovely staff saw that Explorason was getting tired, and went and brought a pillow and quilt, so I was able to make a temporary bed for him tucked away under the staircase.  I could keep an eye on him whilst he slept and the music didn’t seem to stop him sleeping soundly.  He didn’t want to miss the New Year’s celebration, so this was perfect for me too.

As New Year’s Eve midnight approached, we donned our warm coats and gloves as it was minus 26 degrees Celsius (without the windchill factor), and headed outside to see the locals set off their fireworks.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015 to everyone !!!!

As I clutched my bunch of mistletoe, we gave each other European style kisses on the cheeks, and the staff poured us some delicious bubbly.

We headed back into the resort restaurant for quite a bit more partying.

I confess I didn’t last the whole night, but I needed to get Explorason into his bed, but I was so pleased with having spent the evening celebrating as we did.

The next day after lunch we were in for another treat.  The Resort had organized a sleigh ride, drawn by two sturdy horses.

As we sat on check tartan blankets, we sang “Jingle Bells” and other snowy songs, and laughed.  We stopped for a warm drink of Vin Fiert and got to know more of the guests.

It was absolutely freezing!  Minus 25 degrees Celsius, and we came back with blisters under our toes.  Explorason was crying with the cold – we just were not used to it, and we needed to wear more layers.  But I think the memory of a sleigh ride at New Year still outweighs the cold factor.

This sleigh ride went for over an hour I think, and then came back and more guests had a turn.

We have just had the best four days at Unglerus Medieval Resort.  The staff has been amazing. The traditional Romanian food has warmed us each day.  The new friends we made we hope to meet again one day.  We will really miss this place.  It will be a memory forever.

If any of you ever decide to come to Romania, please add this little resort in the town of Biertan to your list.  It is a hidden treasure.

BOOKINGS and ENQUIRIES: Book this hotel here

Name: Unglerus Medieval Resort

Location:  Str. 1 Decembrie, nr. 1, Biertan

Date stayed: December 2014 – January 2015

Breakfast: Full restaurant

Bar: Yes

Wi-fi:  Yes

Child-friendly: Yes

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