August 2024 - we were told to drive to the  Transfăgărășan Highway to have guaranteed bear spotting. So we did and drove up to Lacul Vidraru. On the way we saw 5 bears positioned right at the road's shoulder begging for food. We spent the night at a parking lot and spotted a few bears that night. A bit crazy, but also a longlasting memory.

The next morning we drove back south again and arrived quickly in Curtea de Arges to visit the monastery. The outside is astonishing with its candy like columns, the inside however looks way older and typical for romanian orthodox paintings.

We spent about 20 min here and still visited the older Prince Church of St. Nicholas further south which is also worth the stop.

All in all, the TWHS is situated between Transfăgărășan and Horezu, thus on a pearl string of highlites in southern Romania.