Sinaia

Once a quiet monastery settlement in the Prahova Valley, Sinaia quickly became a booming resort town with the construction of King Carol I's summer residence, Peles Castle, and the subsequent creation of a direct train line from Bucharest in the late 19th century. King Carol I moved to Sinaia to avoid the scorching summer heat in the capital, and the nobility simply swarmed to this mountainside city to bask in their king's glory and, of course, to kiss his regal backside. Today, tourists converge on this steep resort town to view the 17th century monastery and Peles Castle and to hit the slopes (snow permitting).