Top notch destinations in Romania

I simply can warmly recommend you Romania as a wonderful destination. Please take a profit of my knowledge, as I am a born Romanian, love this country very much, and I have learned it by heart as I am a travel guide since many years.

Casa Bazna in Transilvania/Romania, a special, idyllic and silent place

Really not easy to concentrate on the best destinations in Romania, but I will try. As a warming, en passant, could say something about two very interesting hotels in Romania, having a few things in common: friendly staff and good service, normal prices and tremendous neighborhoods. Really top notch destinations, I would say and sustain convincely.

One of it lies in Predeal, 130 km away from Bucharest, and I mean hotel Piemonte. You have the Carpathians all around and can discover them by foot, there are a few peaceful paths  with different degrees of difficulty. The city of Brasov, the touristic Capital of Romania lies only 20 km away, in the wellknown Transilvania. Also very close: Castle of Bran, with the ghost of Dracula.

The top hotel Piemonte from Predeal

If you need more silence, I can recommend you Casa Bazna. It simply lies to the countryside, and being there you must behave yourself and say hello to all the locals you can meet. But please don't be nervous and frightened about that, they are simply lovely and friendly. You can also go to the rustical pub of the village to taste the local beer and observe the local people. Simply wonderful, I am sure you will enjoy it, if you decide to stay longer there are a few houses to your disposal! You can further discover the medieval cities of Medias and Sighisoara, which are very close indeed. If you love bigger cities, then Cluj Napoca and Targu Mures are easy to reach, within 2 hours driving.

The wonderful city of Iassy and its outstanding Palace of Culture by night

If you are a culture freak, the cities of Iassy or Craiova are a must, but they lie in other regions than the two over mentionated hotel, and thus you must find accomodation there. Will recommend the appropriate one in each of these cities within short time, still reckon which might be the best recommendation.

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Et in Arcadia ego! It was actually Romania

Is really nice to live in Romania for sure. Sometimes not very easy, when thinking to politics or other big problems and issues we must face, but any country must experience something similar, I guess.

The ancient history and its many legends: Sarmizegetusa is the former Capital of Dacia

Anyway, I love this country of mine very much, and I like introducing it to the foreigners, my beloved guests. Really think sometimes to have a dream job: wonderful country, friendly interested guests and the strongest Romanian incoming agency as an excellent partner. Thus all the necessary conditions are being filed.

Only 5 % OF THE OLD FORTRESS HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO LIGHT, AND THE REST IS WAITING FOR YOU

And as a supplement we have something more: the spell, the legends, the history. It is really amazing, the guests are really fascinated by this country of mine, and I am very grateful to them for this thing. Of course, all other Romanians feel the same. We are a strong proud nation, sharing gladly the natural beauty of this country.

Another simply fact: since the oldest times was Romania the same. The ancient Romans led by Traian conquered the Daciams, and so came to light the Romanian people. And the same Romans used to call the province Dacia felix. Quod erst demonstratum.

You can discover in the Romanian Carpathians the ancient citadels of our ancestors, and the best known of it is Sarmizegetusa Regia. The acces road is being rebuild, and that means you have the best conditions for the next year (not all the plans run in Romania smoothly, but let's hope this one will do).

Landscape in the Romanian Carpathian, a natural fortress

You will find there a round sanctuary having an unknown astronomic signification. You can digg, as some treasure hunters also do, for the gold collection of the old King Decebal. By the way, Decebal is a national hero, who commited suicide after the Roman conquest. Be sure to find in any Romanian city a Decebal street and a Traian street, together with  a Lupa Capitolina (The wolf female from Rome nourishing Romulus and Remus) as a remember to the Roman roots of the Romanians.

I hope you enjoyed this brief introduction in the Romanian history, and hope to come again soon with other chapters. Besides, there are many other things to discover in Romania, it is also a country for the today people, and not only for history fans.

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Most impressive sites and landscapes of Romania

Most impressive sites and landscapes of Romania

Wow, I got a theme, again about Romania. I must say, I love this country of mine, but not everything is pink in Romania. We have corrupted politicians (but what nation hasn't?), lazy people, stupid people etc. Nevertheless, even in the Sun there are stains, and Romania is subsequently a place to fall in for sure. Allow me to introduce Romania and explain why I do find it so attractive.

Danube Delta and its spectacular vegetation

Being a tour guide, I met Romania in the most remote corners and I have my personal favorites. It is really difficult to make a short list with selected sites and landscapes. Plus, I strive to deliver a neutral unbiased opinion, beyond my personal impressions, and that is why I will tell you about the internationally recognized attractions, as you can find them in the UNESCO list of the world heritage.

1. Danube Delta is simply fantastic and fabulous, I mean it. Comparable with Amazonia in a certain way, has something genuine in this more and more artificial world. But it is also huge and not very easy to discover, you need time. And you must try to discover it in full as an unit: people living in isolated villages; rare birds and interesting exotic plants. Also amazing and to mention is the fish soup, be sure to try it, tastes really different.

Happy people during their Romanian trip

2.The antique Dacian fortresses from Orastie Mountains, by Deva. You need patience and must be in a good shape, you must climb some mountains. But these remote citadelles show how much did Romania for the mankind: they are older than the Roman Empire, who conquered Dacia, as a half of the world. The heroic and desperate fight of the Dacians gave birth to a few heroes (the Dacian king Decebal comitted suicide) and many legends (the hidden treasure of The King Decebal is still being searched in the area).

This is a wooden church from Maramures

3.The wooden churches from Maramures started from the interdiction of building from other raw material than wood. The Romanians should obey, but made some masterpiece! Many of those churches are between 50-70 metres and really impressive.

4.The painted monasteries from the Northern Moldavia are simply unique due to the perfect harmony between them and the environment. If you are in Voronet watching its significant blue of Voronet ( similar with green of Veronese or Red of Tizian) the sky blue will overwhelm you afterwards.

This worlwide renowned blue of Voronet has a still secret and undiscovered recipe, probabli based on lapis lazuli powder

5.The fortified churches from Transilvania. When invaders, e.g. Tartars, Turks etc came, they were of course in a hurry, and didn't allow themselves to wait. A few days, maybe even hours, have been decissive for the survival of the communities and its members. The Saxons (Germans from Transilvania) build a lot of fortified churches ( about 150) where they should wait until the Barbarians are gone.

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Why should you choice Romania  your favorite travel destination

There are so many reasons to make Romania as your favorite travel destinations. I will reveal them all bellow with the necessary details and explanations.

First of all, because of the people. Don't try to understand them, they are rather sensitive and emphatic, and no one can understand them. But they are really lovely, well mannered and educated, and make their guests feel like kings. Even the poorest peasant will try to help you, will invite you in his home and to dinner. Is a matter of education, of their Christianity and of national pride. They are always there for you, if necessary, ready to help.

For the nature freaks, Romania is unbeatable in some parts of it

Second, if you start thinking of your favorite kind of vacation, you are going to find it in Romania. Sometimes you must dig longer and deeper for it, but you can find it, no doubt. Ask me and ask Karpaten, the best incoming agency for any details. Here you are the most frequent tours and vacations you might looking for. Even if you can't find your specific tour, don't lose your temper, we can also tailor it for sure:

Culture freaks won't be dissapointed at all in Romania. Here one of the painted churches of Bucovina/Northern Moldavia

-Romania Tours with the highlights in Transilvania, Moldavia, Wallachia of 7 to 14 days in many different variations, even for your specific taste

-Wine and food tours. Keep in mind that Romania is a wine country, as a former part of the Roman Empire, and we developed a wine culture, similar with France, Italy and Spain. As you are a wine afficionado, you must have heard about Murfatlar, Niculitel, Cotnari and other leading Romanian vineyards.

Wine and food tours in Romania have a long tradition

-For the beach lovers, there are a plenty of pristine beaches on the Romanian Black Sea coast, and the resort Mamaia has a tremendous night life. That resort is totally comparing with Ballerman or Rio.

-For the nature freaks there are many options. One is the fantastic Danube Delta, a UNESCO natural reserve, and another the Romanian Carpathians (e.g. Fagaras, Retezat, etc)

-For the endurance sportsmen, you can climb and walk the mountains, discovering some landscapes of an untouched breathtaking beauty. For the bikers, an excellent offer you can find at Launer Reisen, Germany for more difficulty degrees.

During a Bucharest Architectural Tour you have the unique opportunity to see the world's second biggest building, build by the former dictator Nicolae Ceausescu

-About city breaks, don't miss Bucharest, Sibiu, Iasi, Oradea, Timisoara, Brasov which are really seducing and worth a visit in any season. Even the little towns have in Romania a special fantastic charm.

-The culture freaks won't be disappointed at all in Romania. There are interesting museums in every major city, there are the fantastic painted churches of Northern Moldavia or the wood churches from Maramures. There are antic ruins in Constanta, Histria, Drobeta and so much more.

And the last argument: Romania is still cheap. You can eat in some places a good lunch with 3-4 Euros (ask about "Meniul zilei"). And most important of all, Romania is very safe, as the criminals moved out in richer countries, and the police is very active.

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What makes Romania so different?

Why is Romania so special?

I must confess, I travel a lot, most of the time inside Romania. But sometimes also beyond the borders in Germany, Austria, Lebanon, Bulgaria, Moldavia etc. I must confess again, I always come very gladly in Romania, my homeland. Must have something special, at least for me, and I would like to explain you what is so special and different in Romania.

The Rural Romania is eternal and fascinating

I must, and try hard, to remain unbiased. Maybe one could say the cliche "Romania is a nice country". It is much more than nice, or beautiful, is simply fabulous, but other countries are also, and attract even more tourists (may be is better so for the time being, a mass tourism could ruin The Danube Delta, e.g). But Romania has more, a sort of sex-appeal, something special beyond the material!

The Danube Delta is one of the secret beauties of Romania

 We are surrounded by Slav people, and Hungary. They are really good neighbours, we love them, but despite a long common history we remained through a miracle a Latin nation. Our language is very easy to speak and understand by a French, Italian, Spaniard etc and I think we still have a Mediterranean and Oriental charm. We have special relations to Germany, and I work myself mainly with German speaking tourists, wanna say once more hello to them.

Happy German Tourists in a highway restaurant, in Romania 

Despite global crisis, despite corruption, despite communism, despite the Romanian politicians and despite the bad image due to the Roma/Sinti/Gipsies we are a happy optimist people, enjoying life in all its forms and moments. That's why we are so proud to be Romanians.

The simple joys of the daily life to the countryside, shared by  my German tourists

Visiting Romania, I think that you will observe and agree all these things, starting to love my country! By the way, it is nowadays one of the safest countries worldwide as travel destination. We are tolerant, love and respect our guests, and the Police also does his job all right.

The Romanians are mostly sanguine and exuberant, showing a deep sense of humor. If you only think to the fantastic energetic Sister Tatiana from the Moldovita monastery, in the North of the country!

Romanian folklore show in a leading restaurant

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Traveling solo in Romania

There is no reason to fear traveling solo in Romania. The country is safe, and no rape against tourist have been reported since a long time;thus  you are supposed to do the right difference with other parts of the world, e.g. India or Mexico.

There are a few perfect destinations for singles in Romania, but you must make the right choices, as the agencies tailor their offers usually for families.

If you wanna be totally alone, select a remote cabin in the mountains, off the beaten path. I would recommend Soveja in the Vrancea District and Mountains and the hunting cabin Lepsulet, outside the village. If you are a woman, you are not supposed to go hunting, but you can climb the mountains. Simply doing your toilet in the morning in the ice cold water of the creek will simply refresh you, much more than a hot shower in a fancy hotel room.

A remote cabin in the mountain could make the perfect destination for a  solo tourist aiming to be lonely

Of course, there are much more perfect places for singles in the Romanian mountains, ask me about the most appropriate ones. Besides, another fantastic retreat for the  seekers of the loneliness is the Danube Delta, Europe's best preserved. You can admire the genuine nature in all its splendor,  while doing your daily yoga exercises. If you really feel yourself a small happy part of the huge Universe, full of joy and love to the other human beings you are totally saved from depression. If not, search the company of a local wise fisher or shepherd.  They know and understand so much about life, and you will understand everything, beyond the language. Just trust him and watch deeply in his eyes.

Danube Delta is my saving hint

Supposing further you are that kind of single very fond of clubs, pubs and this kind of social life, please be aware that Bucharest downtown consists on a huge number of such pubs, which very empty on weekends and full of clients during the week. You can find there all the people you are used to see in a club outside: hipsters, corporate, escorts, students and drivers. Many of them are also single and if you are happy enough you can find the right for you. Other destinations for clubbing, but on weekends: Brasov, Poiana Brasov, Constanta, Mamaia

Sibiu is a fantastic city break, and has also a leading art collection

Romania makes also a perfect destination for the culture freaks. There are interesting art and history museums in almost every city, with special mentions for Iasi, Timisoara and Craiova. You can try also unforgettable city breaks in Sighisoara, Cluj Napoca and Oradea. There are good theaters in many places, and German theater in Sibiu. If you feel is not enough, add the painted monasteries from Moldavia, or the Saxon fortified churches from Transilvania.

For the gourmets and wine afficionados, I must say only a few words, like Riesling, Merlot, meat balls, soups etc, in order not to offence your trained tasting cells! Discover your Romania, I can give you good offers next to these tips and tricks.

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