General:

Should I get travel insurance?

As with any situation, there's always the possibility that something could go wrong, especially when you're abroad. We take safety very seriously and have procedures in place should any risks occur while you're travelling with us. However, it is always prudent to purchase travel insurance in order to err on the side of caution and ensure your safety and wellbeing should problems occur during your trip.   

How do we book flights to and from Romania?

As flights are not included in our packages, clients are expected to book their own flights to and from Romania. Click here for details of airlines and airports that fly between the UK and Romania.  

What happens when we get to the airport?

After picking up your luggage, you will be met by a driver in the arrivals lounge holding up a card with your booking name. This is included in the package so you’ll not need to pay the driver for the journey.

What about Romanian currency?

Romania is not on the Euro and uses its own local currency, the RON / Lei, which is difficult to get hold of outside of Romania. Although most hotels will accept Euros, they convert into the local currency at an elevated rate before processing the payment. As such, you may prefer to pay in RON / Lei. If you’re looking to get your Romanian money organised before you travel, the Bureau de Change in M&S is, strangely, one of the only places that dispenses the local currency. Alternatively, you will have access to cash points in Romania from which to withdraw any necessary funds. Please note that most cash machines charge approximately £1.50 per withdrawal so use them sparingly.

I have children. Is the trip suitable for them?

Yes, of course. We warmly welcome families on our trips and want you to enjoy the experience with the people you care about the most. We even have an Ice Hotel Dining Experience menu specifically for kids. As a general guidline, we'd advise against very young children making the trip to the Ice Hotel given the low temperatures and remote location. However, we've had families bringing children as young as five to the Ice Hotel in the past and there's never been any problems. If you're unsure, please don't hesitate to contact us. 

How many people will there be on the trip?

This depends on the number of people who’ve booked at the same time. Groups can range from a cosy party of 4 to a large group of 16. As a rule, we prefer to accommodate smaller groups but we can arrange for larger parties if our clients express an interest.

How do we travel from place to place?

It depends on the size of the groups although all transport is perfectly comfortable. For smaller groups, we use small, private coaches whereas larger groups tend to travel in mini-buses.

Where will we be staying?

Once you've booked with us, we will send over your itinerary which will include details of your accommodation. Hotels are chosen in accordance with availability but also on the basis of location and character. You will never be placed in a hotel that doesn't meet our high standards. Commonly, we place guests in the Rembrandt Hotel in Bucharest as it is exceptionally well located and very welcoming. For the overnight stay in Brasov, we like to place guests in Casa Wagner which is located right on the square of the old town and is very comfortable. For those wishing to add additional nights onto their package, we have listed our favourite hotels in each of our locations and highly recommend choosing to book into one of the lodgings on our list. See here for more details.

What isn’t included in our package?

Flights, lunch and dinner are not included in the package. However, we provide in-country airport transfers, full accommodation, breakfast, a handy Untravelled Paths booklet packed full of useful information, the assistance of bi-lingual reps, a welcome drink on arrival, entry to castles visited en-route to and from the Ice Hotel.

How much assistance do we get on the trip?

As much or as little as you choose. Having arrived at our various destinations, we like to let guests enjoy the surroundings at their own pace and merely specify a time and place to meet before moving onto the next destination as a group. Our in-country booklet should provide you with enough tips and recommendations for top notch bars and restaurants and our reps are more than happy to offer any additional guidance or assistance you might need. We also have a list of activities at each of our destinations which you can choose to involve yourselves in as little or as much as you like. It's your holiday and we are here to make it as wonderful as it should be.

Any recommendations for good bars and restaurants?

When you arrive at your hotel, you’ll be provided with a comprehensive in-country booklet listing our favourite bars and restaurants with indications of price, cuisine style, atmosphere and any extra tit bits of information we think you might like to know. We can also arrange restaurant reservations at your chosen venue should you request it.

Ice Hotel:

How cold is it up at the Ice Hotel?

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. See below for recommendations on what to wear.

What should I wear up at the Ice Hotel?

It depends on how much you feel the cold. We would recommend bringing some good waterproof shoes, a warm hat and some gloves to keep your hands warm. Some clients prefer to wear sallopettes or a ski suit to protect them from the snow and ice, however don’t fret if you don’t own any technical clothing, layering your clothes is just as effective. Given the high altitude, it is also advisable to bring sunscreen and sunglasses to protect your skin and eyes from harsh sunlight.

What should I bring with me to 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. However, should you decide to bring all of your luggage, there is a secure room in the Balea Lake Chalet where you can store your belongings.

How cold actually is it inside the Ice Hotel?

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

What are the sleeping arrangements at the Ice Hotel?

After a tour around the impressive structures of the Ice Hotel and its unique collection of rooms, guests are invited to pick their top preferences for rooms. Untravelled Paths clients get priority over any other guests staying at the Ice Hotel that night. Guests a provided with professional sleeping bags to protect against the cold during the night, however, many clients choose to sleep in layers of loose clothing, a pair of warm socks, gloves and a hat to keep extra cosy. As a safe bet, we recommend wrapping up warm to ensure a restful night sleep.

Is there somewhere to leave my belongings?

Yes, of course. You will have full access to a locked room in the Balea Lake Chalet where you can safely store your luggage.

What are the arrangements for meals?

For an unforgettable experience, we highly recommend guests opt in for the special four course evening dinner served in the Ice Hotel itself. With glowing coloured lights, great music, ice tables and chairs, a stunning atmosphere and food served on plates of ice, this is a truly original dining experience that you’ll not want to miss! There are vegetarian and children's menus available too so please let us know if you have any dietary requirements. Guests can choose to eat the same meal within the Balea Lake Chalet if they prefer. Lunch, breakfast and extra drinks and snacks are also available in the chalet. There is also a sub zero bar within the Ice Hotel itself where you can enjoy some ice cold beverages in frosty glasses. You may want to bring a pair of gloves!

What is there to do once we're up in the mountains?

Most guests find there's more than enough to keep them entertained during their day and night stay at the Ice Hotel. Aside from enjoying the stunning location and marvelling at the incredible hand carved structure, clients can also spend their time sledging, ice skating, learning the art of ice sculpting and of course relaxing with a drink, a bite to eat and great company. Clients who have brought their own ski equipment and are very proficient skiers, are also very welcome to get involved with some off-piste skiing. Those staying more than a day and night in the mountains may find the range of activities limited, but they are perfect for a short stay. See here for more details. 

Is there somewhere I can shower in the morning?

Yes, absolutely. Untravelled Paths clients have access to bathroom facilities including towels and a much needed hot shower in a secure room in the Balea Lake Chalet. There are also toilets within the chalet.

What happens if there’s bad weather?

Unfortunately, in the event of poor weather conditions we cannot guarantee that the cable cars will be running. However, we have always managed to get our clients up to the Ice Hotel so chances are slim. Activities up at the Ice Hotel may also have to be suspended if the weather is not appropriate.

How do we get up to the Ice Hotel?

By cable car. In the morning, guests are transported to the cable cars at the base of Balea Lake. The journey takes approximately 10-15 minutes and offers some absolutely stunning 360 degree panoramas of the snow capped mountain peaks surrounding the valley.

Why do we only spend one night at the Ice Hotel?

Given the isolated location of the hotel, most guests exhaust the activities and facilities on offer up in the mountains. It is recommended that guests refrain from washing on the day of arrival at the Ice Hotel in order to retain the body’s natural oils necessary to insulate the body. As such, those staying more than one night amongst the cold temperatures may find

I'd love to get married at the Ice Hotel? What do I do now?

Head over to Weddings and get in contact with us. We’ll talk you through all your options and tell you where to go from there.

I'd love to do some skiing on my trip. What are my available options?

Yes, of course. There’s off-piste skiing available up in the mountains around the Ice Hotel, however, we recommend this activity be pursued only by advanced, confident skiers. If necessary, we’d be happy to arrange a couple of extra days skiing in Romania’s premier ski resort in Poiana Brasov.

I have trouble walking. Will I still be able to get the most out of the trip?

We hope so although it does depend on how easy it is for you to get around. Those with difficulty might feel more comfortable bringing a walking stick along with them for balance. The terrain can be tricky to navigate up in the mountains, particularly if there's been a considerable amount of snowfall. If you have any specific needs, please do let us know and we will do our very best to accomodate you and ensure that your Ice Hotel experience is as fantastic as it should be. Please note, the Ice Hotel does not currently have wheelchair access. 

Can I visit the Ice Hotel all year round?

Unfortunately the Ice Hotel is only up and running during the winter months (December – April) after which time the structure melts into liquid form ready to be frozen the following winter.

I've just found a cheap deal for an Ice Hotel getaway on another site. Will Untravelled Paths be looking after us during our stay?

Unfortunately, Untravelled Paths is only responsible for those clients who have booked directly through us. If you have found a cheaper deal elsewhere, please note that you are expected to make your own arrangements for transportation to and from the Ice Hotel. If you'd prefer to have all transportation and logistics looked after for you, we may be able to come to an arrangement on a like for like basis. If you have any other queries, please don't hesitate to get in touch here.