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!

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Winter adventures in Romania

Rather than suffering on winter sick, also known as winter depression, you can do a lot of things keeping you busy and active during the winter, or at least during those most terrible days of the winter season.

Only for the connaisseurs: the winter has a magic of its own, and you must be well trained to get it

If you are fit and in a good shape, you can ski in Romania, as we had since a few days new snow and low temperatures. So, you don't need to go to the Winter Olympic Games from Sochi yet, visit Romania and ski here a lot. Maybe the Romanian slopes are not so difficult, but you are not supposed pretending the Michael Schumacher.

You can also skate in Romania a lot, there is at least a skating-ring even in the small cities like Focsani. It is a fantastic feeling rotating again and again ; it  gives you a sort of intoxication or bout, absolutely great.

In some places of Romania, e.g. Felix or Herculane, you can also try an unique experience (but again, you must be in the best shape!): swimming outdoor in thermal waters, when outside is pretty cold. Try it, acts miraculously for your health (for a Siberian is nevertheless a child game).

In the Romanian mountains you can walk a lot and even climb the mountains, but you must be prepared for surviving in winter conditions. Sometimes the wolves can occur, threatening the lonely travelers. Other possible dangers are the snow avalanches; this is not a serious danger in this soft, rather warm winter, but you must be aware of that and avoid.

The winter traditions are very interesting and even fab in large parts of Romania

An exciting adventure could be go hunting. You are supposed to walk at least 10 kilometers, fight with the freezing cold keeping a good eye for your prey. It is unbelievable nice for those who really love and understand the winter season and it mystery poetry. If you are still not enough tired and frozen from the hunt, take part to the usual camp fire, which is an unique event itself. You did it, it has worth your time and energy for sure.

The parks from the Romanian cities ( here the renowned park Copou from Iasi) are charming and inviting in winter

If you are not at all one of these winter types, but rather a more urban one, you still can find a lot to do in Romania. Walk in a park breathing deeply the fresh winter air, go in a bar enjoying a cup of boiled wine or visit a museum, any Romanian city has a lot to show you, and will be very glad to make it.

Finally it is an important thing to remember: you will be able to observe the magic of winter at its best to the countryside, in an isolated place, e.g. a pension from the mountains. Probably one where the heating comes from burning wood in your room stove. Add a quince or an apple on the stove and you won't ever forget that fragrance and great feeling.

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Biking in Romania

Discovering Romania by bike

It is not easy to discover a country by bike. First of all, you must be health, fit and in a good shape. You must also know your limits, be aware of them and wishing nevertheless to outrun them. You need a good bike (hiring or buying in Romania is also a possibility). Don't mention the budget, Romania is not so expansive, but you may not forget this matter.

The Transfagarasan Road is one of the most spectacular in Romania

Other important things: your mates. Make the best choices, take a leader with a positive thinking and approach. Your mates must be good companions, reliable, team players and have the sense of humor. Otherwise your dream tour will end before starting, and you will hate your mates.

Oradea is a good gate for Romania

Third thing is the worst, the most difficult after all: the environment. I mean not the country, landscapes etc, as Romania is a wonderful land, fascinating me since years. It lacks on biking tracks, and the driver are not aware about the two wheel riders. We name in Romania the motorcycle drivers "the organ givers". But we stay to the pedal bikers, and I am warning you to be very carefully about them, as they are not carefully at all with the bikers. Respect all the applying rule, but never expect that a car driver would give you priority, even if you are entitled too! No, Sir, you are alone against the others.

The Danube at Iron Gates, next to Drobeta Turnu Severin

When knowing all the things above, and despite all risks, dangers, and hazards you want ride your bike in Romania, discovering this fantastic country, I will help you! Even being you guide, or recommending reliable companies to book through. A good one, Germany situated is Launer Reisen (Manager and Tour Leader Paul Launer) or their Romanian corresponding enterprise, the best Romanian Travel Company for incoming tourists. I am going to have an excellent Romania Tour by bus and bike in this exquisite organization, through the best Romanian landscapes and will report you more about. Our fantastic tours leads from Oradea to Constanta and Drobeta Turnu Severin and is going to start within 2 days. Really amazing for sure, will keep you informed about everything.

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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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