How much does it cost you to spend Christmas or New Year's Eve in the mountains? High prices, few seats

Christmas and New Year's are two holidays for which Romanians reserve an additional budget. For the top destinations in the country, costs can reach up to 3,000 euros/stay, while small guesthouses, with a loyal clientele, have sold out for a long time.

For a holiday where you can enjoy the customs, the offers are already hard to find. PHOTO: Shutterstock

The customs of Romanians are changing, and family celebrations are beginning to be replaced by vacations. Depending on the destination and the services offered, a holiday in Romania can cost you even more than one abroad, for Christmas or New Year's Eve. However, for these holidays, Romanians are not only looking for relaxation, but also a traditional menu, carols, sleigh rides, parties until after midnight, but they can't really find that abroad.

“There is increased interest in winter holiday bookings, Christmas, New Year's Eve and even after New Year's when ski holiday prices drop a bit.” said Adrian Voican, vice-president of the National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAT) in Romania

Current prices are between 1,400 – 1,500 lei in Sinaia, Bușteni, Azuga, Predeal, at three-star hotels, for 3 or 4 nights with breakfast, but they can reach up to 3,000 – 4,000 – 5,000 lei/room at four stars and even 10,000 – 15,000 lei at 5 stars, with full program.

“Everyone is looking for experiences, the arrival of Santa Claus, festive meals, sleigh ride and show, live music. Or, in the spa areas, in the Oltului Valley – Călimănești, Căciulata, or Herculane, or Băile Felix, or Govora and Băile Tușnad, Balvanyos – people are looking for areas with spas, thermal waters, pampering, relaxation, massage, even in these winter periods, at Christmas, combined with the hope that there will be snow outside in the mountains, and it will be possible to ski, they will be able to be practiced winter sports”added Voican.

New Year's Eve on the seaside, 20% cheaper than in the mountains

During the winter holidays, 35 hotels on the Romanian coast await their tourists, stated Voican, whose offer includes, in addition to traditional meals and live music, relaxation and beautification services. On the seaside, prices also start from 1,500 – 2,000 lei and can reach 3,000 – 4,000 lei, 20% lower than in the star resorts of Sinaia and Poiana Brașov.

Places in the traditional areas – Maramureș, Bucovina, Mărginimea Sibiului – and even certain accommodation units on Valea Prahova, which were occupied by early registrations, are now very difficult to find.

“We do not forget that we are in an early registration period, some accommodation units and agencies offer discounts of 20% until October 20, others until October 31, and there are also discounts for holidays that last a bit longer, instead of three nights, the fourth night can be 20% off”the vice-president of ANAT also specified.

The bonfire, the pig alms and the arrival of Santa Claus increase the price significantly

It should be noted that the offers that are around the value of 1,500 lei/3 nights can only be for accommodation, without meal services. The more services are included, the higher the price, which can even reach over 3,000 euros/package, also for three nights and with half board.

Prices for Christmas are slightly lower than those for New Year's Eve in some resorts.

Find below some indicative prices/resorts, from the Bibi Touring agency's portfolio.

“Prices vary significantly, from the most affordable, without meal service and amenities included, to premium packages with various themed services included, depending on the area, type of accommodation and amenities included. At present, most of the available offers are for apartments, with single or superior double rooms already sold out in many accommodation units”, specify the representatives of the agency.

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The cheapest package – 3* Hotel, without meal service – 1,496 lei/ double room / 3 nights;

The most expensive package – 4* hotel, with half board, pig alms with campfire on 24.12; festive dinner on the first day of Christmas, brunch on December 26, live music, Santa's welcome, surprises, access to the SPA area and the indoor pool. – rate 6,821/ apartment / 3 nights;

Especially

The cheapest package – 3* Hotel, without meal service – 1,700 lei/ double room / 3 nights;

The most expensive package – 4* hotel, with half board, pig alms with campfire on December 24, festive dinner on December 25, brunch on December 26, reception with champagne and cookies, live music, Santa's welcome, surprises, access to the SPA area and indoor pool, massage discount. – rate 7,898/ apartment / 3 nights. 20% discount for the 4th night of accommodation;

Poiana Brasov

The cheapest package – 4* hotel, with breakfast included – 1,999 lei/ apartment / 3 nights;

The most expensive package – 4* Hotel, with breakfast included – rate 10,521/ family suite / 3 nights;

Felix Baths

The cheapest package – 4* Hotel, with breakfast included – 1,428 lei/ triple room / 3 nights;

The most expensive package – 4* hotel, with full board. Festive dinner with drinks included, carols, pig cutting, etc. – rate 5,689/ apartment / 3 nights;

Herculaneum Baths

The cheapest package – 3* hotel, with half board and festive Christmas dinner, carols, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks during meals, poll-party, spa access, etc. – 3,258 lei/ apartment / 2 nights, 10% discount until 31.10;

The most expensive package – 4* hotel, with half board, festive dinner, access to the SPA, live music, Santa's reception, pig cutting, children's activities, etc. – rate 3,583 / apartment / 2 nights. 10% discount until 31.10;

Coastline – Mamaia

The cheapest package – 4* hotel, with breakfast – 1,902 lei/ double room / 3 nights;

The most expensive package – 4* hotel, with half board. Festive dinner, access to the SPA with massage included (one procedure each), etc. – rate 4,492/ room / 3 nights, with 10% discount until 30.11;

Danube Delta

The cheapest package – Mahmudia Apartment 3*, without meal service – 1,418 lei/ double room / 3 nights;

The most expensive package – Pension 4* Sulina, with breakfast included – rate 2,199 / apartment / 3 nights.

New Year's Eve

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The cheapest package – 3* Hotel, without meal service – 3,191 lei/ triple room / 3 nights;

The most expensive package – 4* hotel, with half board, festive New Year's dinner, brunch, live music, access to the SPA – rate 10,143/ apartment / 3 nights;

Especially

The cheapest package – 3* Hotel, with breakfast included – 2,889 lei/ apartment / 3 nights;

The most expensive package – 4* Hotel, with half board and festive New Year's Eve meal, Brunch on 01.01, musical show, surprises – rate 15,892 / apartment / 3 nights;

Poiana Brasov

The cheapest package – 3* Hotel, without meal services – 5,590 lei/ 2-room apartment / 3 nights;

The most expensive package – 3* hotel, with half board and New Year's festive meal, brunch on 01.01, live music, special guests, raffle with prizes – rate 9,712 / deluxe junior suite/ 3 nights. 10% discount until 20.10;

Felix Baths

The cheapest package – 3* Hotel, with breakfast – 1428 lei/ triple room / 3 nights;

The most expensive package – 4* hotel, with full board, drinks included at festive meals, New Year's festive meal, carnival on 01.01, live music, SPA access – rate 10,779 / apartment/ 4 nights;

Herculaneum Baths

The cheapest package – 3* hotel, with half board, festive dinner, brunch, spa access, etc. – 7176 lei/ apartment / 3 nights;

The most expensive package – 4* hotel, with full board, drinks included at festive meals, live music, SPA access – rate 9,893 / suite / 3 nights. 10% discount until 15.11;

Coastline – Mamaia

The cheapest package – 3* Hotel, without meal services – 1,452 lei/ apartment / 3 nights;

The most expensive package – 4* Hotel, with breakfast included, festive lunch and dinner on the 31st, open bar, fireworks, live music, SPA access – rate 8,284 / superior double/ 3 nights, 15% discount until October 20;

Danube Delta

The cheapest package – Apartment 3* Mahmudia, without meal services – 1,418 lei/ apartment / 3 nights;

The most expensive package – Pension 4* Sulina, with breakfast included – rate 2,199 / apartment / 3 nights.

Prices at Bulgarian neighbors

And for Christmas and New Year's Eve, not only for the summer holidays, the Bulgarian neighbors have good offers, which you can find with a simple search on the Internet. For three nights of accommodation at a four-star hotel in Golden Sands, all inclusive, festive Christmas dinner and access to hotel facilities, the cost is almost 500 euros/2 people.

For Christmas in a four-star hotel in Veliko Tarnovo, 3 nights, all inclusive, festive Christmas dinner and access to hotel facilities, there are offers for 262 euros for two people.

New Year's Eve in a three-star hotel, in Golden Sands, all inclusive, festive New Year's Eve dinner and access to the hotel's facilities, the price reaches almost 700 euros for two people. The prices do not increase much, remaining below 700 euros/two people, even at a four-star hotel, in the same resort.

In the famous mountain resort of Bansko, on the other hand, New Year's Eve at a four-star hotel, all-inclusive, with a festive New Year's Eve dinner and access to the spa and indoor pool, the price starts from 1,923 euros for two people, being a destination for lovers of skiing and mountain relaxation.

Higher cost, longer vacation and other experiences in more distant destinations

For prices between 2,200 – 2,600 euros/2 people, you can also opt for a 7-night holiday in Turkey during the New Year's Eve, the cost including the flight and all-inclusive accommodation, with a New Year's Eve party.

If you want to check off several destinations in 4-5 days, for 1,500-2,000 euros for two people you can buy a trip that includes Budapest, Vienna and Prague, with the flight included, breakfast and festive dinner.

The price changes if you aim for a holiday in exotic destinations. For Dubai you can find offers for 700-800 euros/person (accommodation in a 4-5 star hotel, breakfast, transfers, optional excursions), for 3-4 nights; in the Dominican Republic the price reaches 2,650 euros/person (all-inclusive, flight, transfers, local excursions), but for 13 days; for a 7-night stay in the Maldives you can pay 3,500 euros/person (all inclusive, flight, accommodation, transfers, accommodation in a water bungalow), etc..