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.

Read more »

Romania's most amazing roads and its fantastic mountains

If you can watch a map of Romania, you would note the mountains acting a real spine. The Romanian Carpathians really do this wonderful task, they are a portant and protecting column of the all country.

Easy walk in the Romanian mountains

Not very monumental high (the peak Moldoveanu measures 2531 meters) they did not stop significantly the mutual relations, cooperation and trade between the Romanian historical provinces of Moldavia, Wallachia and Transilvania. According newer theories, the Romanian people itself formed and lived long time in the mountains, and only afterwards descended on the plains due to the shrinking food. 

A well deserved break, while exploring the mountains

Many of the most renowned Romanian resorts, starting with Poiana Brasov, lie in the wonderful Carpathians. In most of them you can normally ski under best conditions. We are very fond of our mountains, and the locals simply adore winter sports (e.g. the Szekler, a compact minority, are very good in ice hockey). Nowadays in the Romanian Carpathians you can still find large population of wolves, bears and lynxes, and they are the last European ones.

Peles cstle, in the mountains, was an elegant royal residence

You have paths, you have cabins in the Romanian mountains, you can walk and climb as you wish. Special mention for the Bucegi Mountains by Brasov where happened a serie of paranormal phenomena. If you are not afraid of such things, you can search it on your own, but I must warn you: there are huge energies released in that area, it is not going to be easy.

Transfagarasan road, at over 2000 meters height, is one of the world's most spectacular highways

Further you can find in the mountains a few well kept fortresses. One of them is that of Rasnov/Rosenau protecting the town of Rasnov. Another eagles nest is the Bran Palace, also known as Dracula palace, with its fantastic view to the way and its wonderful legends. More elevated is the Peles Palace hosting today a wide exhibition about architecture and art, broadly speaking.

Fantastic view, took from Transalpina

Last but not least, you can find in the Romanian mountain two of the world's most spectacular roads: Transfagarasan and Transalpina. If you consider to be in a perfect shape, you can walk or ride a bike along those spectacular roads. Bear in mind to inform yourself about the state of the roads, during a year they are mostly closed due to heavy snowfalls.

You can start your real adventure in the Romanian mountains very soon, in march, and you won't regret it at all.

Read more »

Most Spectacular Waterfalls in Romania

We in Romania have a lot of fantastic landscapes, God blessed us over the average. We also have waterfalls to complete an image of savage beauty of this interesting country. The Romanian waterfalls compared to Iguacu might seem unsignificant, we are not able to show waterfalls higher than 60 metres.

Cascada Balea is a superstar among the Romanian waterfalls

Nevertheless, I selected all these waterfalls, with the secret hope to be further helpful in discovering Romania. It is maybe to appreciate that such falls are only interesting when included in a broader image and landscape. The waterfalls may be the main attractions in the area, but they are really nice, impressive and spectacular only when are in a certain harmony with the environment.

Cascada cailor by Borsa is by no means less spectacular

Besides, all the selected waterfalls are not on highway or main streets, and you must discover them by walking longer or shorter, depending on the circumstances and your mood. Once arrived to the destination, the reward is great, worth any efforts. Who is not an addicted traveler won't understand this small thing, but enjoying a breathtaking landscape for a second worth really every effort. It is life, beauty, nature and a part of a perfect Universe we live all.

The Fantastic Beiului/Beusnita waterfalls in a breathtaking natural park

But please be further quiet and reasonable when you see the falls! Don't run to swim inside, it is dangerous and probably forbidden. Keep a certain distance up to the falling water, and respect any other measures to prevent hazards and injuries.

But now, finally, let's go to the point. In the Romania's highest mountains, namely Fagaras, reachable from Transfagarasan is Balea waterfalls, the queen of the waterfalls inside Romania, with a height of 60 metres. It lies at an altitude of 1200 metres, between the Romanian highest peaks, Moldoveanu and Negoiu and a delight of your all senses. You will be able to locate it from a certain distance, due to the freightening noise produced. You can stay longer in the area, hiking the trails from the Fagaras mountains with their interesting views, and visit the cabins from the neighborhood (e.g. Balea Lac or Balea Cascada). In winter, for the most trained of us, you can ski a lot in the area, even if the cable instalations mostly lack.

Balea waterfalls lies almost in the center of Romania, while my other proposed destinations lies at its corners. Cascada Calului (the horse's waterfalls) lie in the utmost North of the country, in the Rodnei mountains, easy reachable from the resort Borsa, Maramures. Not so high as the above mentioned superstar, Cascada Calului measures only 30 meters of height, but I really think that is even more spectacular than Cascada Balea. It is of course my personal opinion, and wanna know yours!

Far away from  Cascada Calului, in the Nera gorges find please the Cascada Beiului (The Sultan's waterfalls). The landscape all around is really fantastic, with the falls as the main attractions. An unreal silence and peace will wait for you here, as the environment is really fabulous! Pure nature in a huge National Nature park everywhere around!

Still there? Have many other hot stuff for you, but for now it must be enough!

Read more »

Funniest things lived while being a travel guide by Lidl

It was for me not only an event, but an honor and simultaneously a pleasure to have worked for such a renowned company as Lidl, as a professional tour guide hired by its Romania corresponding agency, namely Karpaten.

Some of the Romanian travels offered by Lidl are unbelievable cheap, really a bargain. This is the big company like LIDL getting wholesale prices, that no one else could get. Even more important, everything is done in the upper quality segment, it is not at all Romania on a budget, targeting a sustainable local development. I must congratulete LIDL for their high standards, low prices and the quality people I had the honor to introduce Romania, wish to say DANKE.

Walking through the forest around Bazna, in a hilly region, with a culturally mixed group

As a travel guide by LIDL I use to tell to the people a lot of Romanian stories, myths and legends, e.g about the traditional occupations of the Romanians, and one of them is for sure sheep breeding. Honestly, it is the historically proven true. The Romanian sheep cheese is known as "branza", "cas" or "telemea" and we got always plenty of it to the breakfast. Unfortunately for me one of the clients was also fond of lamb and mutton, and asked me very friendly and politely to think about it, doing a change in the normal standard menu. I did my best, as I always do, but the price was much bigger than the usual meat or chicken, than he should give up. Probably was not a good note for me, he is not convinced at all up today about the abundance of the mutton in Romania. 

Plus, during a 800 km trip I was not able to show him a shepherd (it was hot mid-summer and the sheeps were up in the mountains).

A few hundred years ago sheep breeding was one of the main occupations of the Romanians, and many national myths and legends refer to them (e.g. Miorita)

Another time when I had a group from LIDL, I should observe that I am supposed to deal with tree different groups: a German one, an Austrian one, and a Dutch one. I don't know up to know if the Dutchmen managed to understand my German language with the stories, as they asked me to speak English. I did again my best, and I think to have managed creating a friendly atmosphere among all of them. It was a challenge I loved and I have the nicest souvenirs about this very interesting mix of people. Digging deeper, I can remember that during a walking trip of a few hours inside the forest around Bazna. A Dutch woman was always the last, probably not in her best day and shape, but she found the most elegant and smart excuse possible: " We in Holland have not this hilly roads, only flat land!"

A group of Germans+a group of Austrians+a group from Holland=A funny LIDL group

Read more »

Best spa hotels in Romania

Even if Romania is seen as a cheap destination and you can get the most of it on a budget, you can also to see Romania in style, e.g in the selected spa hotels or taking part to a spa tour.

Traditionally, a few areas in Romania simply lie on a big underground hot sea due to the geothermal energy, and there are some less or more successfully attempts to produce heat from these waters. Well renowned for these hot thermal waters are the areas around Oradea and Baile Herculane.

Oradea(Nagyvarad in Hungarian)  itself is a charming city very close to the western border, simply lieing on thermal waters. Very close to Oradea, practically next to it you can find the resorts of Baile Felix (or Felixbad in German) or Baile 1 Mai with many spa hotels, open baths and swimming pools where you can cure your rheumatic diseases. You can also allow you to be spoiled there in an exquisite environment, e.g in the leading hotel International, the best from Baile Felix, a proud and a landmark of this beloved resort. The hotel proudly looks behind on 40 years history, but you won't believe or suspect it when you are going to see the brilliant International itself! Also possible: the fantastic rejuvenating cures based on Gerovital treatments!

The fantastic hotel Double tree by Hilton Oradea has an excellent position, and inside is even more convincing than outside

Inside the beautiful city of Oradea you have another promising opportunity: the brand new spa hotel Double Tree by Hilton. It is much newer, more modern and comfy than the respectable International, has all the last minute ammenities, but the team from International seemed to me being friendlier! Under these circumstances it is really easy to understand: you have a star more, and must be prepared to pay more at hotel Double Tree by Hilton from Oradea.

The pension Noblesse from Baile Herculane is very friendly and familiar

The position of Baile Herculane (or Herculesbad) is definitely better: you have mountains and forests around, the landscape is very attractive. Since thousand years renowned for the properties of its thermal and mineral waters, Baile Herculane met a few periods of blossom and prosperity. One of them, the antique times, when aristocrates from Rome came here for a sort of spa of those interesting times. Another one in the XIXth century, when members of Vienna court came here very often, despite the strong concurence of Karlovy Vary ( or Carlsbad). Nowdays there are still interesting things happening in Herculane, and one of them is the pension Noblesse in the area. It is new, good and with a fantastic friendly staff. Also not very big, and thus very familiar to its guests! You have many things to discover at pension Noblesse and around, and you are going to have only pleasant nice surprises indeed.

Let me introduce you one of the best hotels of the Romanian Riviera: Vega, Mamaia, by Constanta

At the other side of Romania, on its Black sea coast, in the fantastic city of Constanta, you can find the Hotel Vega. It is really a top reference for the Romanian Riviera, and might be appear too big if you search for familiar houses. But the people here are very friendly, and they really do much more than they should. No more thermal waters on the coast, but the spa is an event nevertheless, as also the breakfast buffet or the kitchen, broadly speaking. Really a good place for a wonderful week or more, where you can forget everything else and rediscover yourself, as a part of the Universe.

If you are prepared to jump at the next level, you must be prepared to pay for a room in these recommended spa hotels of Romania between 30 or 60 Euros in average for a day. It is really a bargain, a sort of luxury on a budget!

Read more »

Best New Year spots in Romania

Supposing you are at home on Christmas, as the tradition and the conventions ask. But on New Year any traditions and conventions allow you to go far away, spending an unforgettable vacation. If you did not plan anything in advance, hunt a last minute trip, might be a good solution. I am pretty sure that you are going to find excellent packages for spending New Year in Romania at fantastic prices.

My intuition strongly tells me, that specially Poiana Brasov/Schulerau with its unbelievable and shameless prices will be an easy target for the last minute trips. You must only wait and count on me, as this resort and its exquisite hotels are not going to be overbooked at all, due to a bad marketing and price strategy. Practically untouchable for the normal Romanians, Poiana Brasov is aiming to become at least same untouchable for the normal foreigners.

I think is rather adviceable not to book the most expensive packages for Christmas and New Year. Watch them carefully and thoroughly, especially the meals. It is simply too much for any human being! This sad matter applies not exclusively to the hospitality industry from Romania, it is very trendy everywhere in the world. It is no doubt an example of not sustainable development, and shall not be your aim in traveling to Romania or elsewhere.

Totally different would be booking a small friendly pension from Bucovina, Maramures or Transilvania. Try to limit at three stars ***, thus making a good choice for your pocket, as also for the locals and the environment. I would recommend a place I know very much, until its details, namely the fantastic Casa Bazna from Bazna. They really have a friendly service, and all the meals smell and taste totally different comparing the things you eat usually. They must be almost bio, exclusively based on local products.

The fantastic resort Paltinis is renowned among the fans of winter sports, and offers an unforgettable New Year

Comparable to Poiana Brasov as a fantastic location for winter sports and for having a good New Year, but much cheaper is Paltinis. Very close to Sibiu, Paltinis offers a wonderful landscape, and good possibilities for ski on natural snow. Plus, the prices and the service are much friendlier.

In winter or summer, Casa Bazna offers friendly service, cheap prices and unspoiled nature

Read more »

How to discover best of Romania

A group from Holland, a group from Austria and a German group have something in common

All these nations have something in common: they are very old proud nations, but also enthusiath Europeans. We all know the exemplar engagement of Germany, Austria and Netherlands for the European cause, bringing so good things to Romania, e.g.! But myself, as a proud Romanian, I am deeply convinced that the European investments  in Romania are among the most profitables Europe could have done!

5 Austrians+6 Dutchmen+9 Germans= A big group of tourists wishing to discover Romania

And remember, and don't forget: Romanians are very grateful, and don't forget to say "Danke", even much more times than anyone expected! So are we, the Romanians, we are very devoted friends, and give everything for a good friend. But also good to know, we won't let this new European enthusiasm and engagement to turn in a colonization.

The very different  national groups used to sit separately during meals. But otherwise we build a good team together. My main job was to put them together, like a football coach!

But, to be more briefly, I can ask you guess what could have all these groups in common, but I don't think you are going to succeed! And that's why I am going to unveil it: 5 Austrians, 6 Dutchmen and 9 Germans have booked their trip to Romania through the big concern LIDL between 6th and 13th of November. It was a big pleasure and a deep honor to me being the travel guide and manager of this group, thank you all from LIDL and Karpaten (local representative of LIDL) and I can only hope to have made a good correct job and to did not disappointing anyone, neither among the tourists, or the concern, or the local representative.

This trip was more or less even a Dracula trip, even if Romania has much more to offer! But the cruel Dracula in Transylvania is a must do for sure.

First of all, anyone could observe, that the concern LIDL succeeded to organize a very nice, interesting and educative trip, at an excellent report between quality and price. The prices are really unbelievable, it is really very difficult to understand how is LIDL able to organize such excellent travels to such affordable prices. Booking individually, would cost much more, almost double, so please stay by LIDL/ Karpaten and book there, it is an excellent business for you and your relatives!

Perfect driver (difficult to observe through the wind glass, but this is Marian, called Jumper, no one remembers why!) and excellent bus, almost new.

The schedule of this Romanian trip from LIDL is very charged and very intensive, but I succeeded to fill it entirely. Beyond that, as a smart tour guide I am, I succeeded to do something special for my tourists, but this is my best  kept secret, and I won't unveil it. I do it so gladly, as I really love so much my tourists (e.g. I introduced them all my family, a typical Romanian one, consisting on my wife and our 23 years old sun!)

Read more »

Travel guide by LIDL in Romania/ Reiseleiter bei LIDL

Travel guide by LIDL in Romania/ Reiseleiter bei LIDL

If you know the concern LIDL only as a retail chain, you are wrong. They do a good job and business even in the travel branch, and I would like to unveil more about it, as it worth your time. I think you must know and be aware about this excellent bargain from LIDL!

The Romanian dances and songs are really different

Besides other good offers, LIDL has an excellent discovery tour of Romania. It was a total success this year, with 10 trips of this type to Romania, and I had the honor and pleasure to guide two of them, on behalf of Karpaten, the Romanian partner and organizer from LIDL.

This trip to Romania consists on flight, half board, two nights in Bucharest (first and last, because of the flights), three nights in a very friendly house from Bazna and two nights in a very good house from Predeal, namely Piemonte. It is first of all to notice that LIDL and the local organizer are very good negotiators, even excellent, I must say and recognize. If you try to book on your own in these excellent hotels you will get a double, even triple price!

Traces of German culture and history in Brasov. We say Danke!

Second, it was so nice and pleasant for me that the travel guide has much to do and organize on himself. We in Romania love to improvise, we really have this talent and culture due to our communist past full of penury and poverty. Please, don't get me wrong, I respected literally the program from LIDL, but I fought hard to offer something supplementary (or EXTRA, as I like to say). I hope I succeed and the clients have been very happy and satisfied in this short trip to Romania (only one week long, I repeat).

Romanian wines are not easier to produce! But the country is still among the world's most important producers

During the trips happened more very touching and interesting events. We took to a church service in German, as the trip is among more targets, a trip inside the German culture and history in the Romanian Transilvania. We tried the tasty meat rolls, an excellent Romanian speciality, as the Romanian wines (Cabernet Sauvignon remains my personal favorite, I can recommend it before any other wine. This wine really got something divine in it, giving a fantastic strength and energy).

Four of my travel guests had birthdays and we celebrated, of course, with a lot of wine. I had also birthday and I invited them all for a round, in a fantastic mood. A few of my travel companions discovered their roots, they are born respectively around Oravita, Constanta and Bistrita. Wait them again to search deeper, as it was really touching.

Celebrating a birthday during the trip, in a cave , of course

I can recommend this wonderful trip, I am going to make it unforgettable, and has an excellent report between price and performances!

Read more »

Discovering Drobeta by night in a special way

How to discover a Romanian city at night

In the Romanian city of Drobeta Turnu Severin (only one city, believe me!) I have one of the most interesting experiences of my activity as a travel guide, and now I wanna to share with you. I hope you will enjoy, understand, finding also interesting.

Namely, I reached the wonderful city of Drobeta in the afternoon, guiding an active biking Romania tour from Launer Reisen. It was a wonderful weather, middle August. The city itself nice, clean, interesting and inviting. We arrived in Hotel Continental Portile de Fier, checked in and took our rooms, and had the dinner at 7 hours p.m. Was O.K., no objection, we also said good bye, as the German customers were supposed to go further in Serbia and I was supposed to go back to Bucharest, taking over another group. It was an excellent trip, that I enjoyed a lot, and I hope the tourists also.

A group of happy bikers, touring Romania through Launer Reisen ( see Mr Paul Launer the first on the left, in the black suit)

After the dinner, I made an unexpected proposition: let's go walking through the city and discover it at night! Just two persons showed to be interested: Dr. Renate and Norbert Lauppenheimer.

We walked through the city and discovered first a spectacular kinetic fountain. It is really one of the most interesting fountains in the all Romania, a masterpiece of a local scuptor. Besides, the market place around is nice, has a nice park and a monumental building (a museum in restoration). It was very peaceful in that marketplace, I noticed that was the locals' favorite meeting point. It was still day light, but the night came upon the city of Drobeta.

The Civic Centre of Drobeta Turnu Severin is charming and seducing

An old city indeed, very important for the Romanian history. The name itself sends immediately to the Roman Empire! Short and concrete, the Romans build here a bridge, engineered by Apolodor from Damascus, one of the most notorious architects of the old times. On that bridge came the Roman legions, invaded and conquered Dacia. Thus has been build the Romanian people and language, the Romans and Dacians are our ancestors.

The ruins of a foot from the antic bridge designed by Apolodor from Damascus. Discovering it by night was a thrilling adventure

As a proud Romanian I am, I invited my companion to show them one of the foot of that bridge. Meanwhile, the night falled and we walked and walked along a nice streets with big houses (traditionally a residential area of Drobeta Turnu Severin). Finally we found the foot, in the yard of the History Museum, which was in reparation and locked. It was a very unpleasant situation for me, and I didn't know what to do, as I ought to show that foot to my tourists.

I knocked strongly, waking up all the local vagabond dogs, but also the Museum guard. And that guard allowed us to enter the yard and watch the ruins of the bridge. My honor was saved, thank God. Further was not so easy, we discovered the foot on the Danube shore, after a little fight with a pack of barking dogs, crossing the railway and climbing a hill. Everything in dark, at night, don't forget!

I really think it was a fantastic experience, showing that in Romania everything is possible!

Read more »

Romania for tourists from Asia

Introducing Romania to the Asian tourists

Nevertheless Europe is stormed by Asian tourists, Romania is still out of the beaten path. We can receive much more tourists from Asia as we do know, they are highly welcomed.

Romania is an interesting spiritual destination due to the important role of the Orthodox church

I think Romania is a fantastic destination for any tourists, whether coming from Asia, Europe or another continent. We have everything, starting with urban life, to unspoiled nature and pristine beaches. Plus, we have a spiritual life, which Asian tourists can understand better than anyone else. 90 % of the Romanian population is deeply religious (Christian orthodox) and attends regularly the church, totally different from the Western world.

Romania is a wine destination, and I hope that the Taiwanese tourists will enjoy it

This simple fact makes Romania so different, and was really helpful in the history of Romanians, who peacefully withstanded much more powerful surrounding empires (Austrian, Habsburgic, Russian, Turkish etc). They all are gone, Romania and the Romanians are still here, with a pregnant identity. We are very proud of it!

Urban life in Bucharest Old Centre is a must for any foreign tourist

Many Romanians, due to their deep spirituality, felt attracted to Yoga, Zen, Chinese philosophy and Asian way of life. It may seem totally different, but it is only a different side of a special process, triggered by the basic questions of a human being. This dialogue of culture is the most important thing in the travel branch. It is not at all a clash, we respect and understand each other.

Pristine nature in Romania makes it even more attractive

Very soon I am going to have the opportunity to be the travel guide of an Asian tourists coming from Taiwan. It is a deep honor and a big pleasure, also a professional challenge. I will strive to present Romania in a realistic way, with good things and bad things. Maybe Romania is not the Paradise on Earth I dream, but is for sure nice place to see!

This group of tourists come to Romania in a bigger European Balkanic Tour, organized by the company  Albania Experience, and Mr Julian Trushi. It is going to be a fabulous tour, I am sure about it, and will keep you informed about that!

Read more »

Discovering Romania by bus

Discover Romania by bus

There are so  many possibilities to discover Romania by bus. First of all comes not the bus, but the route itself. Fix it according your prior knowledge, interests, recommendations and main theme of your projected trip ( wine tour, history tour, culture etc, there are endless possibilities in this fabulous country!)

Culture tour with the painted churches from Bucovina  is naturally one of your first choices when thinking to Romania

Second and third, the bus and the guide (about the guide ask me first of all, I am doing this job since 20 years with huge success). The bus is easy to find, but take care of your costs and the level of performances you need ( e.g. in the mid summer when the temperatures reaches 40 degrees Celsius you need a bus with an efficient cooling system!). Speak to the bus company and to your guide (may be that is me) about your wishes, budget, time and allow them to give you good advices. Never forget that Romanians are proud to salute you there and are very happy to help you with every little matter.

Wine tours are also possible in the fabulous Romania

A good recommended solution is taking contact with a good incoming company. I personally recommend Karpaten as the best incoming company. A few of the best specialists will be happy to find a solution to your wishes and needs, combining different means of transportation and turning your trip in a real event.

Unspoiled nature for the nature freaks is a another amazing side of Romania

Another solution is to organize your trip in Romania as an extension to a trip in another European country. There are line or special buses from the neighboring country or from Austria, Germany etc. When thinking to Austria and its many very serious and reliable bus companies, RATZENBOECK REISEN comes first in my mind, as I have worked with this small, but excellent manged company. Their program is outstanding, including an interesting circuit from Satu Mare to Timisoara, over Maramures, Bucovina and its painted churches, Szeklerland, Brasov and Bucharest. And that means totally from Austria/ St Aegidi and back a convincing itinerary of 3000 km! A fantastic trip, I must say, offering you a good piece from Hungary and Austria as a bonus!

Ceausescu Palace in Bucharest is a must, and RATZENBOECK REISEN offers it!

Read more »

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.

Read more »

Knowing your limits and going beyond them while biking in Romania

As a professional travel guide I always took care on my condition and good shape, it is simply necessary in that field. I really enjoy this job and I am very fond of it for sure. My country, Romania, is really nice and I like very much introducing it to foreign tourists coming in contact with it.

Tour manager Paul Launer, also a long range runner, is never sick or tired, and motivates the group daily with phrases from Goethe & Co

I also like very much the Romanians, they are mostly simply, not sophisticated, but well mannered and educated, normal and friendly. And I also like and enjoy my contacts with the foreigners, these cultural contacts are the salt and pepper in this job.

German Bikers in Oradea Park, before starting the big adventure. In black, first from left, Tour Manager Paul Launer

But when I have been instructed to be the travel guide of a bikers group coming from Germany over Launer Reisen, I was very balanced, even angry and scared. What if I am not going to succeed and resist? Paul Launer also asked all the normal questions, including my age, but I decided to take this adventure as a provocation. People talled me first that is a bust waiting all the time behind the cycles, and is only 20 km to ride everyday. It was really the thing I was needing and desperately waiting, and I took it, I said yes.

We also climbed on the Transfagarasan, the most spectacular Romanian mountain street, and discovered foggy peaks at 2000 metres

The ruthless reality was totally different! If I knew it, I could say no and destroy everything. We rode the bikes daily at least 100 km long, and it was specially difficult in the mountains. But not to ascensions and climbing, as you might think, but on the down hill! I always tried to keep my speed under control, and pushed heavily on the brake ( I am still a beginner, I must accept), totally different comparing to my mates, who reached unbelievable speeds, of 50 km/h and beyond. I was always the last by the down hill, as I know the roads and conception of car drivers in Romania, that's why I must keep my speed under control. On this point I never agreed with my mates, they seem to me being out of order.

Spectacular sunset in the Carpathians, a good reward for intensive efforts

A few words about my mates. The tour manager Paul Launer , a long runner and marathon runner himself, managed to make a perfect selection of people of the same kind. It was for me a big honor and pleasure making this trip with these people. Important mention: they were also two ladies participating to the trip, they were my secret hope ever since I met the group. But Renate and Longine, German Doctors, were damned good. Much better than me by far, and also better comparing with many males from the group!

The bikers mixed up with the locals Romanian, resulting a fantastic cultural change

A bike tour like this, as organized by Launer Reisen, is much more rewarding when compared to a bus tour, as we travelled throughout Romania, from Oradea to Constanta, and from Tulcea to Drobeta Turnu Severin. We enjoyed genuine landscapes, as we didn't ride on the busy main streets, but on the unbeaten paths, thus having the unique possibility to discover the simple Romanian, who is unsophisticated, not very rich, but always very happy and smiling. Unbelievable these Romanians, which are among the poorest Europeans, statistically speaking!

About the hotels, it was a good selection, and always the dinner very rich and generous. Unfortunately, after riding bike a few hours, you can't simply eat all, your body won't swallow. I hope that all the tourists are at least so happy as I am, as I gone much beyond my known limits. Thank you, Paul Launer, thank you dear mates riders!

Read more »