Most exciting things to do in Brasov

Brasov (or Corona/Kronstadt/Brassai) is no doubt one of the most beautiful Romanian cities, and there are many reasons for that. First of all it is really an interesting urban gem, offering both modern ammenities and a strange exciting atmosphere of Middle Age.

Interesting reconstruction of the old fashion in Museum Casa Muresenilor from Brasov

 In the communist years Brasov became the most important industrial city of Romania, after Bucharest, but this development didn't affect the wonderful downtown. From the touristic point of vue, Brasov seems not only better prepared to receive its honored guests, but the atmosphere is better and the people more pacient. 

Start the visit of Brasov from Poarta Schei, walking towards the Black Church and the Central Market. Observe along the street the plates, all the buildings are protected and carefully preserved. In this part of the city the inhabitants used to be the wealthy Saxons and Germans, while the Romanians lived in the Schei quarter (the first Romanian school is still to be visited there, and it really worth the effort, as the curator is kind and charming).

Panoramic view of the wonderful city of Brasov, took from the way to Poiana Brasov (Schulerau)

Discover further the impressive Black Church, which is not so black actually, but faced a strong fire. The Black Church is very old and really huge, the biggest worship building between Vienna and Moscow. If you are lucky as usually, you can catch an organ concert, it is still working. Discover further the interesting paintings, ones are important not only historically, but also from an artistic point of vue. Don't miss, please the fantastic collection of oriental carpets, the biggest in Romania., having a simple explanation: Brasov has been in Middle Age one of the most important turning points of the trade between Vienna and Istanbul. As any trip to Istanbul was really a risk, the trader donated to the church a carpet when they returned well!

The impressive Black Church from Brasov

The Marketplace nearby (Piata Sfatului) is one of the most beautiful and spectacular in Romania. The buildings match one to another, the style is similar, and everything gives an impression of harmony. Here take place concerts and the renowned music festival "Cerbul de Aur" (The Golden Deer). Take a walk on the pedestrian area nearby, with lots of shops and restaurants and if you are tired enjoy a coffee or a meal in one of them ( my recommendation is Ambasador, offering an excellent report between quality and price, and also a few specialities you can't find anywhere else!).

Central marketplace from Brasov (Piata Sfatului), one of the most spectacular and iconic in the all Romania

The high tower in the centre of the market is the former town hall, hosting today a history museum, which you can visit daily, excepting Monday. But across the street ( Muresenilor street) is another interesting museum: Casa Muresenilor. Not only unique in the all Romania through the simple fact that is opened on Monday, but also interesting as it reconstructs the local atmosphere following the saga of a Romanian intellectual family.

Deeply seduced by the wonderful city of Brasov, you might try to get a panoramic view of it. Therefore you got two options: 
-whether you direct to Poiana Brasov, a winter resort nearby, which is another must on your schedule, making a break on the way where you catch the best view
-or you walk to the end of the street Apollonia Hirscher, and take cabin leaving you on the Mountain of Tampa, in restaurant Panoramic. There you really have Brasov at your feet.

You will enjoy your trip to Brasov, Iam sure about it. You can make it as city break, or as a longer stay, but please don't miss it. And stay tuned for other tips and tricks about Romania.

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For Romania with love from Budapest

As I am a proudly Romanian very fond of Romania and its history, people and values, you expect from me probably to introduce Romania reporting about it. Which I do basically, I hope to be useful to you. But now I am going to make an exception ( but not entirely, as you are going to see!)

View of Budapest from Buda citadel, with the chain bridge

I have visited for a few days the wonderful city of Budapest, after having driven through the Romanian Transilvania and its nice cities like Brasov, Sighisoara, Targu-Mures, Cluj-Napoca and Oradea. Everyone of it is worth a separate mention and article, and I hope to make this entreprise within a shorter or longer time. Until then, let's resume to Budapest and the things to do in Budapest, eventually like a completion of your travel to Romania.

The spectacular church of St. Stephen from Budapest, which can host unbelievable 8000 people

Budapest is not a huge city, hosting nevertheless 20 % of the Hungarian population, also 2 000 000 people call Budapest home. From this aspect, is easy comparable with Bucharest, but also from other aspects (position in the eastern part of Europe, pronouncing etc. Btw, a plane with a few hundred Spanish fans landed by mistake in Budapest, instead of Bucharest). The Hungarian people  from Budapest are very kind, polite, friendly and helpful, but still different comparing to the Romanians. I mean the both have this qualities, but their tempers are still totally different.Hard to say who might be in advantage!

The huge Hungarian Parliament with its 20 kilometers of passages and corridors drives the local politicians crazy and exhausted!

I lived in Budapest on a budget, it is possible! Hotel Ibis Aero offered a good report between price and services, for 35 Euros per night, without breakfast. My tip: the breakfast for 10 Euros ( buffet) is really too much, and you still eat good if you buy something in a mall (again on a budget. You can also discover Budapest in style, there is another discussion!). Otherwise, Budapest is really expensive.

Discover Budapest from its center, the downtown, starting from Pesta, the plain region. There are many kilometers to walk through this fascinating part of the city, where modern luxury hotels meet old renovated building, which are very spectacular indeed (e.g. The Hungarian Parliament, made on a British pattern, anyone could observe). Make your purchase on the wonderful and really expensive Vaci utca, and walk further on Andrassy ut, to the Heroes Square, through the spectacular, but very harmonic, Oktogon Square. Amazing in Budapest, you can follow the steps of Sissi, the beloved Austrian Emperess of Hungary.

The Fishermen Tower, with the statue of Matei Corvin, the most important Middle Age ruler

The Palace of Sissi, also the Royal Palace of Budapest is impressive, but lies on the other shore of the Danube, in Buda. Cross the Danube on one of the many bridges of the Hungarian Capital, my tip and proposition is to use the Elchid bridge (Chain  bridge). The Chain Bridge is the oldest and the nicest in my opinion. Visit in Buda the Citadel from atop the hill, The Fishermen Tower and the St. Matyas Church where the future ruling princes should be confirmed. From the Citadel and from the Tower you have an excellent panoramic view toward all city, e.g. the Parliament and entire Pesta (interesting and funny mention, these cities came together in 1880, but are even today a sort of rivals).

Briefly speaking, Budapest is a gift of the Danube. It is very easy and recommendable to take also a River tour, there is a wide offer, from budget to exquisite, and you can take the necessary informations from the piers.

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Most importants things to do in Cluj-Napoca

There is no way come to Romania and its historical province of Transilvania (Erdelyi, or Siebenbuergen) and not paying a visit to the wonderful city of Cluj-Napoca (Koloszvar, or Klausenburg). No way, no chance, no possibility to avoid and to escape, this city is really charming and has a spell on it, making it so attractive to people.

I must warn you, you will fall in Cluj-Napoca with its boulevard, its Bohemian, aristocratic and cosmopolitan flair from the multicultural downtown. Any visit in Cluj-Napoca is an event and you can discover different faces of this fantastic city. Nowadays Cluj-Napoca proudly counts 330 000 inhabitants (30 % are Hungarians, I love and esteem them very much, like to say them Koeszoenem szepen for the beauties of this city) and even proudlier looks back to a multimilennial history, leading to the happy times of the antique castrum Napoca. Later during Middle Age the Romanian local ruler Gelu fought against the ennemies, but was defeated and payed with his life.

Downtown of Cluj-Napoca, with the Church of St. Mihail

Then came the Hungarian occupation, with the birth in Cluj-Napoca of Matias Corvin, one of the most important kings of Hungary. He loved and protected the city so much, giving it a lot of privileges, thus contributing to its quick development. In the XIXth century Cluj-Napoca became a residence of Intellighentsia, both Romanian or Hungarian, and its downtown started to look wonderful, like today, remembering to Budapest or Vienna. The fantastic beauty of the city has been preserved even during the industrialization policy of the communist years, as the factories have been erected outside the city. Briefly speaking, it is important for you as a visitor only to know that Cluj-Napoca has been one of the most important cities of Romania, and has a lot to show to any visitor.

Cluj-Napoca by night: the magnificent fountain before the statue of Avram Iancu

Start the visit from the downtown. Pay a look and a visit to the Church of St. Michael, a landmark of Cluj-Napoca with the riding statue of Matyas Corvin. Watch carefully all the buildings around with their flamboyant architecture, and notice the Bannfy Palace, today hosting the Art Museum. It is really too nice to be real, but try nevertheless to walk further reaching the huge statue of Avram Iancu and the Orthodox Cathedral, or the local theater, playing both in Romanian and Hungarian.

If you are rather the plein air type, try to go in the forest Hoia-Baciu, but I have to warn you again: there are strange phenomena happening there regularly. It is most probable that you will feel a sort of nausea (sometimes the visitors reported even burns), observing here and there places with burnt grass. Researchers have tried to explain these interesting developments occuring since more decades, but failed. It is one of those things escaping to a reasonable explanation, a mystery. And here started the speculations, e.g. UFO etc. Impossible to infirm or confirm any theory, I simply would like only to report about it.

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Romania off the beaten path: the salt mines

I am not a geologist, but I can tell you for sure: a few ten thousands of years ago on the today territory proudly called Romania nowadays it was nothing but water. Endless sea, and very salty. I can prove this affirmation through the huge salt reserves of Romania.

Nearer to our days, these  salt reserves have been exploited for thousand of years, starting with the antique times and even before. In the antique time the salt was a favorite changing item with the Greeks which came and build the colony of Tomis (today Constanta). The Dacians,  forefathers of the today Romanians, used also to export grains and wines, taking in change from the Greeks olives and olives oil. The salt as also the gold and  other richness of Dacia draw unfortunately the attention of the almighty neighboring Roman Empire.

The amazing salt church from the Cacica mine

After the Roman conquer and colonization, as documented on the Traian's Column from center of Rome, the salt kept and even increased its important role in the local economy. On those times, and during all the Medium Age, the salt mines and their  administrating settlements received lots of privileges and other advantages. The salt in that period of mankind was simply vital, as it could be used for conserving the food, and Romania as former sea bottom had unending reserves.

Winning the salt kept its importance up today, but a few of the former renowned salt mines have been closed due to unsatisfactory economic results. But the huge galleries showing the hard labour and toil are still there. In many of these mines the salt has been collected by the convicted prisoners and the Romanian language is full of references on those times, the hard labour and the prisoners.

The former salt mine from Turda is today the most important attraction of the town

Nowadays you can visit a few of these mines, which have been prepared for tourist like you. Don't fear anymore please the hard labour, but in some areas you must be very careful if you are claustrophobic. Broadly and generally speaking the air from a salt mine is perfect for curing any lungs diseases. You can visit the salt mines from Turda, Cacica, Praid , Slanic Prahova, Slanic Moldova and  a few more (these are the most important).

Spending an excellent time in a former salt mine (here Slanic Prahova)http://romania-tours.blogspot.ro/2014/01/romania-off-beaten-path.htmlhttp://romania-tours.blogspot.ro/2014/01/romania-off-beaten-path.html

There are a few reasons for doing that. Some of the visitors might be simply curious; other can try to cure their lungs diseases through week long treatments. In Cacica and Slanic Moldova you can find amazing salt churches. In all these former salt mines you have good entertainment possibilities, and you can stay for hours brething the purest air possible while playing ping pong, tennis etc. In Praid is possible to organize unique and totally exotic wine tastings, while in Turda you can find maybe the most romantic thing in a former salt mine: hire a boat on the dark lake, is simply breathtaking! Maybe the most romantic way to make a declaration or even a proposal.

In all these former salt mines you must pay to enter, and in some of then the interesting places are very remote to the entrance, the ticket contains even this kilometer long journey by bus (at the moment 20 RON, equivalent to almost 5 Euros).

I am sure you won't be disappointed in none of these former salt mines open for visits today. You will get some knowledge about the technology of salt winning and exploitation, or buy something, but you are going to spend anyway a wonderful time there. There is no chance to get boring in these salt mines, they are interesting and exciting in the same time.

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Romania off the beaten path

If you already visited Romania through a travel agency  on the beaten path, you might have become curious about this complicated, but fantastic country, wishing to discover it off the beaten path. If you haven't discovered Romania up to know, make your first travel here with established companies like Lidl or Karpaten, and ask second time to the same companies something off the beaten path.

But what should mean the beaten path in Romania? Well, how can I explain it, if not through notorious examples. I would say that Sibiu, Sighisoara, Medias are for sure on the beaten path. They are really seducing and very well known worldwide. But Bazna, only 10 km away from Medias is totally off the beaten path, try to visit this nice village when being in Medias.

Satu Mare is for sure an interesting city, but only in daylight

Also interesting are a few cities, town and regions lieing near the border of Romania. One of them is Satu Mare, near the northern border. Some people say Satu Mare would be one of the ugliest Romanian cities. For myself the first was a deep disappointment, it was dark, late at night, and not very much illumination. Rather a strange somber atmosphere, reminding the years of communist regime with Ceausescu as ruler. On the contrary, in day light seems to be a very nice city, with an interesting synagogue in restoration and the country's most beautiful and representatives Secession style building, which is almost 100 years old. Very close to these above mentioned building and the charming Piata Libertatii (The Place of Liberty) Hotel Aurora is a good welcoming host. 

Civic Center of Drobeta Turnu Severin, with the unique kinetic fountain

Totally opposed to Satu Mare on the map you can find the charming Drobeta Turnu Severin. Being there, don't miss to visit the central market with the impressive kinetic fountain. Go deeper in the downtown, admiring the nice houses, while walking to the history museum where you can see before everything else  one foot of the Appolodor bridge build here by the Romans 2 000 years ago. You can also watch the spectacular Danube dam with its huge lake and the curious marine life. Drobeta Turnu Severin is a fine, clean, wonderful city with 100 000 inhabitants and a rich history, and you can visit it lodging to the Continental Hotel from the city, because has a very friendly staff. 

This only one of the many churches of Iasi, but is one of the most important: The Cathedral

Also off the beaten path is the legendary historic city of Iasi, or Jassy. This is really an unfortunated event, both for the city as for the potential visitors. Iasi is very beloved among the Romanian, and is a former Middle Age capital of Moldavia. Culturally speaking, Iasi is even nowadays a sort of Romanian capital, with a few ruling universities, intellectual sophisticated elites and many events. Visit in Iasi the old churches and buildings, or the big park of Copou, where even Eminescu, our national myth poet, used to find its  inspiration to write immortal verses full of senses. Also interesting in Iasi are its museums. Very practically for every visitor you find four interesting museum under the same roof, in Palatul Culturii, one of the best known city landmarks.

As Romania is not a little, but a medium size country, I still have some suggestions to discover Romania unconventionally, off the beaten path. Keep in touch and follow me, I will give you so much more tips and tricks for visiting Romania.

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Comparing Romania and Hungary in the friendly way

A few decades ago no one, but absolutely no one, could dream to dare comparing Romania and Hungary. It was such a silly emnity and rancour between these two countries, forced by the Geography and History to stay together, one next to the other.

Romanians and Hungarians love wine and enjoy life

I am sure than we have much more in common than one could think. The personal relations are really excellent, I am honored to have among my friends a few Hungarians, and I even managed to learn a few words. Koeszonem szepek to all normal friendly relaxed Hungarians, which are not necessary the enemmies of Romania. The only problem are the silly crazy politicians, like Jobbik, Gaudi, Vadim Tudor. With a normal relation between Romania and Hungaria they must perish for sure, they won't accept it easy! Despite the extremists of the both sides, I must say: I like Hungaria, I love the Hungarians and I am very fond of the Szeklerland! Without forgetting that I am first of all Romanian.

Oradea/Nagyvarad/Grosswardein  is a nice Romanian city, with stong traces of the Hungarian culture

There might be extremists on the both sides due to historic facts, myths and legends etc. But don't let the History separate you, allow it only bring you nearer. We have an unique chance, we are both European countries and there is a generous model between France and Germany.

Is this Bucharest or Budapest? Be very careful when doing a plane reservation!

Besides, Bucharest and Budapest are closer than one might think, similar in some directions and anyone can take one for another. 400 fans of a Spanish football team landed in Budapest, while the match was held in Bucharest. Funny, but true; unbelievable, there are people on both sides who feel insulted by this interesting error. Other, much crazier, guess a conspiracy behind.

But this the lovely Budapest, no doubt

The people are not so different after all. Romanians and Hungarians love wine and enjoy life. They like to sing and dance, they like to have a good meals, but are also hard working. There are many happy mixed marriages, most of the people from Transilvania feel to be simultaneously Romanians and Hungarians, sharing simply similar traditions of a fantastic richness. It is definitely time to stop fighting or hating just because speaking other language. Make love, not war.

I have got a warm Jo napot for all the Hungarians I know, or I still don't know, and please help me to learn other words and phrases.

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A small event, a big tragedy in Romania and the future of television

A small event, a big tragedy in Romania and the future of television

I was travelling by train from Pascani to Focsani on Monday, 17th of June. It was a nice, quiet, slow travel (the trains drive in Romania slower than 100 years ago!) and suddenly I heard a noise, I noticed a cloud of dust and saw a car wheel flying.

Searching for the deaths: fortunately, it was only one

It was for sure only a small event and a minor incident for the train, it didn't suffer any major damages. But for the crashed car turned to be a big tragedy: one man died and the car is totally destroyed. Don't give a dam for the car, but I do feel sorry and compassion for the dead. He was still young, about 35, and had no chance to survive. Most probably, his fault, but it doesn't make the things easier for his family and friends. If you are tough enough, watch the snapshots!

The TV team got everybody nervous, and no one accepted to speak with them!

All the responsible institutions came enough quickly, one by one: ambulance (totally useless, unfortunately); firemen; police; state attorney. They have been waited, and the people showed respect, love and cooperation toward them. Meanwhile, the train conductors (two or three) started to story their rich criminal records: one was at the third victim (one of them simply committed suicide by simply putting the head on the steel rail. Another one killed 17 sheeps, and the last two cows. Right or unright, no one showed mercy or regrets.

Unfortunately, this poor man payed with his life his moment of  mind absence

The TV made also a flamboyant apparition, but no one seems to be happy of it. Maybe because the Romanian televisions are very bad, and not beloved at all, or maybe because this team of journalists simply asked the worst questions, irritating everybody.

So, please be very careful in Romania or everywhere else while crossing a railways. And don't bet on the future of TV in Romania or elsewhere.

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Romania and Bulgaria in the same trip

There are many things in common between Romania and Bulgaria, but also a few differences. There are many mutual influences, making both sides richer from this culture clash.

We are neighbors after all,  even good neighbors. Due to the common history, and troubles, there are Bulgarians living in Romania ( all of them are perfect gardeners, have big nose and large neck!) and also Romanians living in Bulgaria (I don't know what say the Bulgarians about us, but I would like to find out). Even the European Union treats us exactly in the same way, we are on the black list, among the poorest countries of the Union.

Enthusiasthic German Tourists in the Village museum from Bucharest

There are major differences of culture, the Romanian language is a Latin one, using the Latin Alphabet, while the Bulgarian is Slavic and they use the Cyrillic Alphabet (nevertheless, we are both Orthodox, and the church rituals are very similar!). We have had both for more than 40 years a communist dictatorship, our leaders Ceausescu and Zhivkov were close friends.We killed Ceausescu, the Bulgarians emprisonned Zhivkov, but released him (apparently no one goes in prison on Bulgaria).

An excellent marine restaurant in Dalboka, Bulgaria, near a marine farm. Simply impossible to find something similar in Romania

In the both countries there are a city named Targoviste, and a village called Arbanassi!

In the communist times, was practically impossible to visit both countries during the same vacation. Even today it is not so easy, very few travel agencies can do this! Karpaten is one of them, and I ruled a trip organized by this agency in Romania and Bulgaria. I am still trying to remain unbiased, and must accept: Bulgaria is also a nice country, with spectacular landscapes. The people are also normal and friendly, just like the Romanians. As a plus for my beloved Romania: the streets are a little better!

A good Romanian Folcloric show in Restaurant Pescarus/Bucharest

Impossible to understand in Bulgaria:totally different to any civilized country, the guests are supposed to pay for the Internet. And the Bulgarians are not flexible enough to hear and follow any advices. An exception is the excellent hotel Kalina Palace from Trijavna, and the fantastic administrator Lena Ivanova.

Also important and very good to know: the money exchange is not all right in a few places in Bulgaria (on the beaches of Goldstrand e.g.). Maybe  the appropriate legislation simply lucks, but the results are very bad for the image of Bulgaria worldwide.

Will try to complete my comparison, but now I am waiting for your positions and opinions.

There are not many agencies offering during the same trip Romania and Bulgaria, and I am able to recommend you the best, must simply contact me or Karpaten/ A Vista.

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