I had heard raves about Romania’s beautiful countryside, but still I found myself staring with open-mouthed awe when I arrived in Breb. It’s just so hard to play it cool sometimes, especially in front of views like this:
Much like our trip to Zdiar in Slovakia to stay at The Ginger Monkey, Dan and I probably wouldn’t have considered visiting Breb if we hadn’t come across a mention of Babou Maramures on Wikitravel. A cozy hostel in a tiny village in the Romanian mountains? Count me in!
The best part?
Can you guess?
The hostel dog, of course!
Babou is run by a young Dutch couple, though you’ll also see plenty of Grandma around – the old Romanian woman whose one stipulation when selling her property to the hostel owners was that she be allowed to spend the rest of her days in a small cottage in the backyard. And yes, she is the cutest.
After hitchhiking from Debrecen, Hungary to Baia Mare where we caught a minivan to Breb, we arrived to find an Australian couple sharing the hostel with us, which was pretty perfect considering they greeted us with a roaring fire in the wood stove and an open bottle of wine.
Breb is so pretty that I would have happily spent all my time there wandering the village, but Dan likes to climb things so we had to head to the mountains. The mountains!
Um, have I mentioned yet how much I love Romania? We already had that conversation? Well fine, in that case I’ll just leave you with these photos.
Who wants to open a hostel with me in Romania? Anyone?
Pretty please? Daniel? (as if he reads this blog)
jennifer says
Again, I love when hostels have dogs!! It is so exciting. Not only do I get to be here and see this, I get to play with a dog too? Heaven.
I cannot get over how beautiful Romania is. The light greens and blues…I honestly don’t know how managed to leave ever. I could spend a month just laying in that grass.
Silvia says
I really don’t understand why every hostel in the world doesn’t have a dog. It’s just the best!
Rachel says
How do you keep finding these amazing places! And these gorgeous dogs!
I’m seriously going to get a European road atlas and go through your site with a fluorescent pen!
Silvia says
Haha I basically search the Internet for hostels with dogs. Priorities, you know.
EmilyAnne (Eat All Over The World) says
Such a beautiful place. So glad you are sharing with everyone! http://www.eatallovertheworld.com
Silvia says
It was SO beautiful!
Allison says
Thanks so much for sharring. I’m in Slovenia and headed for the Balkans. Romania is high on my list and I’m glad you enjoyed it xx
http://www.headelsewhere.com
Silvia says
Ahh I really want to go back to Slovenia! You’ve inspired me 🙂
Jane M says
We didn’t have enough time to go to Romania on our trip through Eastern Europe last year and all your amazing Romania posts are making me very sad about that! It is still on my (very long) bucketlist though.
Silvia says
There are so many places that I’ve had to skip on this trip (like Belarus) – these bucket lists only seem to get longer!
Justine says
I am really happy that my boyfriend just landed a job that gives him real academic holidays (this wasn’t the case in Jakarta), because he’ll have summers off again! I think Eastern Europe is calling my name. Yep, it is.
Silvia says
IT IS!!!
Rebekah says
haha- I’ve gotten more excited about hostel dogs then I have about entire countries. Dogs are just the best company. Romania is so lovely- I’m sending this post to my host sister as well
Silvia says
It really is all about the hostel dogs. Glad you enjoyed the post! I often feel weird thinking that people who spent WAY more time in a country are going to read what I have to say about spending a few days somewhere and just roll their eyes, haha.
Victoria@ The British Berliner says
Such fantastic mountain views. And that lovely dog. How cute! Find me a Romanian grandma and I’ll be with ya pronto LOL!
Silvia says
Yesss I so wanted to take Grandma with me, haha.
Rajiv Verma says
Hey!!
The place looks absolutely beautiful. Far away from the maddening rush and into the laps of nature!!
Cheers!
Rajiv
Silvia says
Exactly! It was a perfect break from the rush.
Aggouni says
Thanks so much for sharring .The place looks absolutely beautiful.I’m seriously going to get a European road atlas and go through your site with a fluorescent pen!
Silvia says
Haha do it, it’s been an amazing trip!
Camille says
Wood fire, wine, sweeping green views, dog and nice Grandma… it looks and sounds idyllic 🙂
Silvia says
It really was the best 🙂
whitemountainproperty says
Interesting trips you seem to have. When are you coming back to visit us in Romania? Even though we live here, we dont always stop to see the beauty that travelers do.
Cristian says
Well it was exciting reading about Romania through the eyes of a born traveler soul :> if you ever want to visit more of this country or even (just in case :-“) want to open a hostel in Transilvania and offer people something they love, I have to say I got some goosebumps thinking about how it would be to take part in that action (that is if you are still interested, as I am three years late with my response). I am glad you liked it here. There are so many other things to see and you are welcomed anytime, as Dracula really awaits. He would give you pointers 😁