The Guardian, Head in the Clouds
14 Jun 2008
The Machine House in the
foothills of the Carpathian mountains may not have a romantic past - it was
used as an office building during the communist era - but it is now a romantic
hideaway on the Count Mikes estate. It has been restored by Countess Mikes and
transformed into a picturesque six-bedroom rustic guesthouse. On the estate
there's a large lake and a castle dating back to 1400, and beyond that thickly
wooded foothills where you can take guided treks. Other activities include a
tour of the nearest village, Zabola, in horse and trap (you won't stand out -
this is still a common form of transport) and a visit to a natural sulphur
cave.
Black Tomato (020 7610 9008, blacktomato.co.uk).
From £599pp for seven nights' B&B, including flights from Heathrow and
private transfers.
