We stayed 3 nights and it felt like visiting family/friends. There is so much to see in the area that I cannot imagine attempting it without a guide. Tao was amazing. He showed us sights that we will never forget - some well known, others lesser known, and still others that only Tao could take you to - including visits with local carvers/craftsmen, the town photographer/poet, and several other truly unique local residents. We opted to include meals with our stay and that was an excellent decision. Adela is a fantastic chef. Breakfast included eggs, bread, jam, yogurt, muesli, fruits, and other goodies. Dinner was 4 four courses, each excellent, and prepared with local organic ingredients. Thank you so much Tao and Adela!
The traditional accommodation (with modern conveniences), is set in an idyllic valley, surrounded by farms and nature.We stayed 3 nights, with Teo as our driver and knowledgeable guide for 2 days of intensive touring, while Adela prepared delicious, healthy meals from local produce. We attended local church services (the time spent can be adjusted to preferences), with the women decked out in their traditional finery, and even saw the occasional man in traditional dress. We admired the beautifully decorated wooden churches, monasteries, a unique cemetery, wooden gates and traditional houses; witnessed local crafts, rural industries and traditional farming methods up close. We experienced the markets, saw lots of horse drawn wagons, nesting storks, natural whirlpool washing machines and salt wells; not forgetting the fantastic scenery, with the countryside so unbelievably lush and intensely green. We were even able to enjoy some interaction with the local people, with Teo interpreting.On a sad but interesting note, we visited the museum in Sighetu,where Adela is curator, which is dedicated to the victims of communism. Adela and Teo are willing to answer questions about all aspects of Romanian life under and after communism, and although we spent one month driving around this amazing country, we would know much less about Romania, if it were not for our wonderful hosts at Amizadil House. We thoroughly recommend a stay as part of your Romanian experience! …
Once I had booked a reservation at Amizadil House, I knew we would be going to Romania as this was our first choice for going. We stayed five nights and were not disappointed! Teo is a passionate advocate for the Maramures lifestyle of self-sufficient farmers and crafts persons. We were the beneficiaries of Teo’s extensive research of the area, all his hiking through the countryside and his many friendships. He’s written five books focusing on Maramures; some of these books are used by the other guides! His and Adela’s two 100 year old houses that they painstakingly moved in pieces from other villages to the hillside overlooking a valley are manifestations of their commitment to their culture. We stayed in one with two cozy bedrooms and a bathroom up and comfortable room down filled with books and a wood-burning stove plus sitting porch the length of the house; we ate in the lower level of the other house which was a few short steps away. Wholesome cooked meals were created and prepared by Adela who is a wonderful cook who doesn’t use a cookbook but cooks seasonally. Without the distraction of internet, we were able to enjoy the sounds and visions of nature around us. Being here and meeting the craftspeople and self-sufficient farmers, left me with a deep appreciation for their knowledge and choices. With Teo as a guide, our understanding and exposure increased. So much to see here: wooden churches, museums in Sighet, stills making double-distilled palinca, waterwheel carding of wool, frescos being painted in a church, outdoor markets, cemeteries, churches, synagogues, weaving, embroidering, weeding by people and horse-drawn ploughs, wedding procession in full native dress, vistas, violin maker, wood-carving, blessing of the sheep by the priest, and more. For an authentic immersion in the Maramures culture, go to Amizadil House!…
This is more like staying with friends than a hotel, friends who have a nice self-contained part of their house which they turn over to you. It is very peaceful and quiet because it is out in the country. The house is actually two houses, traditional wooden houses that Teo and Adela have moved from other locations to their own land and refurbished. That makes it fascinating enough, but during the day Teo acted as a guide showing us around the farms, which still farm and garden in traditional ways, and churches with their amazing paintings. Teo seems to know everyone, so when we turned up at a church one elderly couple who lived next to it asked us in to see their cow, and next thing they have us inside feeding us pork fat, sheep cheese and polenka (serious firewater). The combination might sound strange but it was delicious. Another day we went to an Orthodox church service and the people were so friendly, and it was interesting (with Teo's helpful commentary) to compare their practices with ours at home. We also saw a working water wheel, a couple of stills making polenka, weaving and spinning and carving and a host of other things. In the evenings we joined Adela and Teo for dinner and chatted happily about Romania and lots of other things like old friends. I gather they are taking a break from doing evening meals for a few months though. An unexpected bonus was the museum to the victims of communism Teo took us to. He walked us through the highlights, adding his personal stories and it gave us much more insight into just what happened in those dark days. Don't skip it if it is offered, Teo will walk you past the very worst bits if you're squeamish. I expected this part of our holiday to be good, but it was better than I hoped.…
Amizadil House is two authentic wooden Maramures houses decorated traditionally. One house has the pleasantly simple and spacious bedrooms and a comfortable sitting room. You can also sit outside on the porch and enjoy the beautiful country setting. A stone walkway leads to the other house where breakfast and dinner are shared with Teo and Adela, the owners and hosts. When you stay the entire guest accommodation is yours--you don't have to share it with anyone. The food is local and fresh and wonderfully prepared. But the company is even better. Teo and Adela are kind and thoughtful, pleasant and insightful. They can tell you anything you want to know about Maramures. Teo is a guide who can take you into the villages, workplaces, homes, and churches. He seems to know everyone, and his ease and friendliness make every experience a pleasure. Marmures is the last bastion of traditional European village life in the countryside. It's not Disney, it's not a re-creation, it's real. And that's what makes it wonderful.…
We travel a lot. But this experience will remain with us for many years. Amizadil House is, as promised, comfortable, rustic and remote. Indeed, we overslept every single morning because it was just so pleasant to wake up, listen to the birds, and then drift back. But the opportunity to get to know the area -- the history, the terrain, the people, the birds, the bugs, the flowers, the ways of life, what goes on behind those carved wooden gates -- was truly unique. Teo and Adela were gracious hosts with insights into every aspect of this traditional but changing corner of Europe. Teo showed us watermills, wood carvers, farms, festivals, livestock markets, always with the interesting observations of a careful journalist and loving native son. Adele cooked incredible meals. It was such a privilege to get to see this beautiful, surprising corner of Europe in the company of intelligent and knowledgeable people. Wow.…
Theo and Adela are very nice and interesting people. The rooms are clean and Adela is a great «chef». The house is in total countryside, very quiet. I recommand this house, even for families despite the traditionnal side of the house.
We have travelled all over the world and stayed in many bed and breakfasts. This experience, tour, and accommodation is right at the top. The renovation that Adela and Teo have done on the two old wooden homes is amazing. They were terrific hosts. We had three meals a day. Adela is a wonderful cook and the breakfasts and dinners were so delicious. What really made the experience so memorable was the wonderful conversation we had with them while we were there. Accommodations clean, comfortable, and refreshing in the country on a gravel road. Haystacks and grazing sheep. Teo gave us tours on three days in a row. An unbelievable and authentic experience. He was Rick Steve's guide for Maramures. Google Rick Steves Romania and watch his 25 minute video. It is terrific. You will meet Teo and see all the contacts he has to make your trip one full of lasting memories. He is also a journalist. He made us a wonderful picnic up in the mountains cooking us sausages over an open fire. We visited Orthodox Churchs on Sunday, livestock market on the first Monday of the month was so great. The whole experience could not have been better. Their prices are so reasonable. A great value. But best of all two of the kindest people you will ever meet. They made our visit to Romania one we will never forget! Thanks Adela and Teo…
If you want a place in the "country" for fresh air, peace and quiet (except for sounds of birds, sheep, clopping of horses), amizadil house is perfect. It is not luxury accommodation but it is comfortable with all the modern conveniences except tv and internet. Adela is a wonderful cook and we enjoyed delicious dinners with them. Teo is very knowledgeable about the region and showed us places that most tourists probably will not see. In the 4 days, he took us to visit several churches, artisans such as wood carvers, weavers, pottery makers. We had a Romanian picnic, went to a festival, an animal market and observed an orthodox Christian mass. Through Teo and Adela we also learned about Romanian history and culture. All in all, one of our best travel experience.
Its a very nice and calming place away from the town, its the best place to relax and sleep in. The only noises that can be heard are birds and Biggy the dog. Adela makes very healthy and tasty food and Teo is an expert in chess! i recommend everyone to visit Amizadil house
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