Skiing, Igloos and Dracula: Why Sibiu, Romania Should Be Your Next Winter Vacation on the Cheap
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
If you're like me, your first thought when you read the title above was probably: "Huh?" Which is fair, because no one I know has heard much about Romania, let alone the city of Sibiu. So where is it, and what's so great about it?
Well, it turns out Sibiu, the former capital of Transylvania, is set almost dead center in the country of Romania, and it has a lot going on.
Where to Stay in Sibiu
I first stumbled upon the city when looking for a place to use my $250 resort credit from the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express. The list of these hotels is a lot shorter than you'd think — only around 200 resorts around the world qualify for the credit. The Hilton Sibiu happens to be one of those resorts, and it's beautiful:
More than that, though, it has oodles of charm:
And check out the executive lounge (free for Diamond members, a status awarded by that Aspire card mentioned above):
The best thing about it? It's cheap. The room rate for a Friday night right before New Year's is a measly $124:
At this rate, you can extend that resort credit to two full nights at this hotel. Not bad!
While I was excited by the prospect of getting great value out of my credit, I was absolutely beside myself when I realized that Sibiu is home to the Hotel of Ice, which is a full-service hotel featuring — you guessed it — rooms made of ice.
I've been wanting to sleep in an ice hotel ever since reading Erika Owen's review of her experience, but I've always been put off by the exorbitant costs charged by such Scandinavian specialties as the Icehotel.
Fortunately, rooms at Sibiu's Hotel of Ice ring in at $109 per night, or, if you're truly feeling like splashing out, you can reserve your very own igloo for $166 per night:
I went with the igloo, because I figure it's either 'go big or go home' in the mountains of Romania. In contrast, the Swedish Icehotel will run you $799 for a single night:
The Hotel of Ice has tons of winter activities to do, as well. Whether you're looking to snowmobile, stargaze or get married in a chapel made of ice, the hotel has you covered.
What to Do in Sibiu
Awesome accommodation aside, Sibiu has a lot going for it. Featured as the European Capital of Culture in 2007, it was the first Eastern European city to claim the title after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Originally settled by German Saxons in 1191, the city was a major hub for trade and a large cultural center. Very few Germans remain today. The culture of the city is as lively as ever, with Christmas markets, medieval towers and an absolute plethora of museums to explore (don't tell me you don't want to go to the Pharmacy Museum).
In the summertime, Sibiu is host to the largest performing arts festival in the world, though when the crowds wind down there are still plenty of performances to see, with several different theaters and even a philharmonic orchestra to visit.
And for those looking for a bit of mystery, Vlad the Impaler — more commonly known as Dracula — once lived in Sibiu. Even better, his birthplace is located just an hour away in the city of Sighisoara. Between the two, you're well on your way to traveling the Vampire Trail of Count Dracula himself.
Once you've finished exploring the city itself, you can head to Paltinis, 10 miles from Sibiu and the oldest ski resort in Romania. Founded in 1894, it features numerous slopes for skiers of all skill sets (including a bunny slope, just for me). It's close enough that you can commute from the city, but there are a number of chalets, villas and private holiday rentals to choose from if you'd like to overnight.
How to Get to Sibiu
Unfortunately, as a smaller city in a less-traveled part of Europe, Sibiu isn't easy to reach. You'll ideally want to fly into Sibiu International Airport (SBZ), located just 10-12 minutes from the city center and 15 minutes from the Hilton. Many flights into and out of the city are operated by low-cost carriers like Wizz Air, though you do have the following options with two of the three major alliances:
- Star Alliance:
- Austrian Airlines offers daily service from Vienna (VIE) through November. It drops to six times per week (excluding Saturdays) through March before starting back up with daily flights in April.
- Lufthansa offers two daily flights from Munich (MUC) to Sibiu.
- Sky Team:
- Tarom, the flag carrier of Romania, offers 3x weekly flights (Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays) from Bucharest.
Wizz Air's destinations include Brussels-Charleroi (CRL), London-Luton (LTN), Madrid (MAD) and Stuttgart (STR), though be sure to check the flight schedules for your dates of travel, as many cities don't have daily service.
Bottom Line
Europe is absolutely rife with wonderland-like winter destinations — from Scandinavia's northern lights to Switzerland's Alps. However, these places are as popular as they are pretty, and have the prices to match. Sibiu features all the same breathtaking activities — skiing, an ice hotel and a vampire's trail — for a fraction of the cost.
What are you waiting for?
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.