Best ways to discover Danube Delta

For such a natural wonder as Danube Delta you need some extra time. But you will be fully rewarded, it is an unique event you should live on your own.

Danube Delta, still an oasis of untouched nature

Watch the map of Danube Delta, and think  to a little detail: this landscape is  changing right now, in this very moment. It is a fantastic and fascinating fight between land and water. Watch it, feel it, smell it, hear it. It is unbelievable alive, and you are a part of it.

Lonely pelicans in the Danube Delta are very seldom; usually these birds are very social, and even catch the fish in pack

If you plan to fly to Romania, the first landing option is Bucharest (allow you an extra time for Bucharest City Break). I would say, time is becoming the most important matter, you are going to need it. Then go by bus or by train from Bucharest to Tulcea, it will last 4, respectively 5 hours. Once you arrived in Tulcea, which is actually a turning point for Danube Delta, you have two options: whether you stay there (hotel Europolis for budget, hotel Delta for class!) or you go further by boat or by car, in the very heart of the savage Delta. There are a few hotels, but not all of them are to recommend because of certain reasons.

Hotel Wels and its fantastic location

I discovered since a short time a good hotel which lies only 25 km away from Tulcea, and is reachable both, by car or by boat. It is friendly atmosphere there, in Hotel Wels, which is not very big and far from the beaten path of mass tourism. It has a wonderful location, combined with a good service and a friendly staff.

A trip deep inside in Danube Delta, courteousy of Hotel Wels

When I discovered the Hotel Wels it was Autumn, magnificent colours all around, but too late for bird watching, most of them were far away. But I can still remember my trips from the hotel in the most remote and savage places of the Danube Delta (you must pay extra, of course, but it really worth every penny). And I could also visit Sulina (once a very important city), or Tulcea with its museums. I had a wonderful time, I can perfectly remember everything, including the cooker and its fabulous fish soup.

Please remember: Romania is not only Dracula land, but also the blessed land of Danube Delta

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Best destinations in Romania for Christmas and New Year

Best destinations in Romania for Christmas and New Year

The winter is coming for sure. We are not even on the 1st of December, and outside is falling a cold rain, very close to snow. And it will turn into snow for sure, we are going to have heavy snow falls this winter in Romania, as in the all Northern Hemisphere.

In winter, Bucharest is picturesque and provocative

Very good news for the winter lovers, the other ones shall go South! Thinking on Romania, I can only hope you are going to reach your booked destinations for Christmas and New Year. Under reserve of extraordinary snow falls, I can say that the Romanian road workers are very applicate and do a good job during the winter.

The first option, and of course the easiest one, is Bucharest, as the biggest airport of Romania. You can spend a wonderful vacation in Bucharest, showing a special charm in winter. Take a little walk in the Bucharest snowy parks, visit the Bucharest museums, have a well deserved rest in the many hotels and restaurants of Bucharest. With its more than 2 millions inhabitants, Bucharest is one of the most important and biggest cities of the European Union.

If everything is under control, from Bucharest or other major Romanian city with airport you can try exploring further Romania. Don't climb the Romanian mountains in winter, unless you are a very skilled survivor under extreme conditions. Stay to ski in Poiana Brasov, Borsa, Predeal, Sinaia etc and you will be very happy. It is really an experience you are going to enjoy, but the ski slopes might be full with crowds of other enthusiasthic fans! Avoid, if possible the local feasts, as in these mentioned areas the Romanians are also very fond of ski.

You won't have that problem in Poiana Brasov. It is usually booked by foreign tourists, as being very expensive and exclusive. The Romanians use to say, that only the very rich Romanians can afford to stay in the land and going to Poiana Brasov, other normal people go to ski in Austria or Bulgaria.

Poiana brasov, also known as Schulerau, is the most renowned resort in Romania for ski

If the snow is not very fresh and the wind not too strong, go to a small pension from Bucovina, Maramures, Vrancea and don't miss to ride a horse driven sleigh. It is really fantastic, and you can pretend to live in the past, 200 years ago, visiting your lover from the next village, lieing away at 20 kilometers.

Be sure to receive the locals singing Christmas carols or New year wishes. Everything is like a fairy tale and looks so genuine and original. You know, the half of the Romanian population still lives to the countryside and that is why these traditions are so unbelievable well kept! Very similar, the Hungarians from Hungary  come to the Hungarians from Romania or to the Szekler to rediscover forgotten traditions!

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How to get more from your Romanian vacation

How to get more from your Romanian vacation

When booking a trip to Romania, even if you take a good package, as by LIDL, think to the simple thing that LIDL tailored it on a statistical basis for an average client!

Motivated or not, but real, Dracula is a part of any Romanian Tour

It is very normally and easy to understand this approach from LIDL: put yourself in their place, trying to develop a new product ( as Romania is still out the beaten path actually), and you would do the same thing!

But once you reached this wonderful country, or even before, via Internet e.g. you can try to build yourself a real image of Romania. First of all, put the bad publicity aside, it is all faked and has nothing to do with the reality. From my long experience as a travel guide/ Reiseleiter I can say again and again: Romania is one of the safest destinations for a perfect holidays. Actually, the bandits and criminals gone out, looking better and richer countries. You don't need necessary to believe and trust me, search any statistic, please!

Traditional Hungarian suits, normal in a part of Romania (it is one of the most important and most respected minority these days)

But, supposing you reached Romania, by a certain transportation mean! Arriving by plane over TAROM in Bucharest/Otopeni please check and double check your luggage! During a recent 7 days Romania trip one of my tourists, turning to be a good friend, namely Dieter Kizinger, came without one luggage, lost by TAROM (see, I don't want to hide anything!). I called by myself more times at TAROM lost luggage, but unfortunately with no success or result! By the way, I already learned and remember reference number ROOTP82216, if important!

Inside an Evangelic church of the Transilvania Saxons. Nowadays the German minority significantly decreased and is in danger to extinct!

Hoping you are beyond this important step of a Romanian tour, speak as much as possible with the locals (plane pilot and stewards, travel guide if you have one and is good, hotel and restaurant staff, simply people met on the street). Most of the Romanians are very friendly, well mannered and good educated, speaking for sure foreign languages. They will give you the last informations and best offers. If you learn a few Romanian words count with an invitation to the dinner, but it is dangerous!

There are a few ways to get more from your Romanian vacation. You may, e.g., take part to a wine tasting, as Romania is a wine country, as a former part of the Roman empire. Or you can try to visit a museum or a town/village being not in your main program, but keep in mind that some of them can cost extra, I won't set an amount, depends on more factors!

A little walking tour in Romania will enhance your team spirit for sure.

Another brilliant idea, specially if you are a part of a group, a few different people who just met them there in Romania. In order to build a certain team spirit, organize your time together, e.g. make a walk of 3-4 hours, or play some sports together. Thus, you have on one hand a better in depth knowledge of Romania, and on the other hand a perfect teambuilding.

If the main program allows, I am sure you can find something to reach the both main goals, as mentioned above! I have also other propositions, e.g. climbing mountains, campfires and so on, and never forget the main targets.

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Lebanese Tourists in Romania

Guiding Lebanese Tourists in Romania

When I first knew that is highly probably guiding a big group of Lebanese tourists coming to Romania, I felt it could be an interesting provocation. Despite the huge differences of language and culture, I did not say now, when the local organizer Euforia Travel from Bucharest proposed me to run this tour, with the clients from Vladimir Travel/Beyrouth.

My group of Lebanese tourists in Castle Peles, Sinaia

And it really was a wonderful experience, a pleasure and an honor to me. We drove 1600 km all over Romania, and I have struggled to introduce and present Romania in the most realistic way, without hiding the unpleasant details (Romania might be nice and fabulous as travel destination, but it is not perfect. No matter, even the sun has a lot of stains!).

The Lebanese Tour Leader, Zyad Khairallah (in the middle, by the monk) with  Mr Asuccar, ar left

I hope that the tourists, perfectly organized by the tour leader Zyad Khairallah (thank you, Zyad!) have been happy about the new discoveries. But I also started to discover a fantastic and fabulous culture. We sung and danced Romanian and Lebanese, and this  cultural mix and mutual acceptance is by far the most important asset of this tour. I loved from the first minute the Lebanese for their joy of life and deep beliefs, I loved their relaxed way to overcome some troubles and problems. I was a little disappointed that most of them never drink alcohol, even the Cabernet Sauvignon from Romania, but those who tasted, really enjoyed!

The group of Lebanese tourists in the huge impressive Romanian Parliament house, with special mention for the little guide Fouad

The cultural difference was not so big. We were very pleasant to discover some unbelievable identhical superstition (e.g. a women's bag lying on the floor brings poverty!). They were very familiar with the Byzantine ritual from the Romanian churches, excepting the language. They understood almost all the Romanian jokes, myths and legends and laughed, and I also understood theirs. It was a grace of God meeting these friendly temperamental people I was afraid to the beginning of our adventure.

To be more specific, this unique tour took place between 1st and 7th of May, 2013 with starting and living from Bucharest Airport. I will be back with details, but these facts of life are much more important to know. I hope to have in the future other occasions to cooperate with Lebanese Tourists, I won't hesitate any minute to accept! Mes meilleurs voeux pour les tourists de Liban.

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How to discover the best of Romania

There a few basic things to know about Romania, before starting to discover this promise land. Don't dare to tell the old story of your Romanian ancestors, if you have no evidences about, or you don't even know a few Romanian words.

Remember also the simple thing of the strong compact religion in this country: 90 % of the population is Christian Orthodox, but you shall not fear anything about. The Romanian are very tolerant toward any other religions and will respect for real your different beliefs.

There are a few fantastic places in Romania, which I can really recommend you warmly. Nevertheless, you must be aware that sometimes during the high season all these leading destinations might be overcrowded consequently to the mass tourism. I appreciate the following places to be the hottest in Romania:

1. Danube Delta is a fabulous protected area, where 300 of species are nesting in the hot season. Danube Delta is huge, 5000 sqkm and you need days or weeks to discover it in detail. Start conquering your Delta from Tulcea, and remember to do it by boat, otherwise is impossible anyway. Eat fish, there is a plenty of it, and taste the fish soup boiled with Danube water. Don't forget your favorite white half dry wine to pair with the fish. Be sure to have a good camera.

Bucharest is a charming mix between old and modern

2.Discover the spectacular Bucharest ,the Romanian Capital,  with its eclectic mix of Architecture styles. A visit in the downtown is a time travel, recommended for any Architecture student. You can have your Bucharest in style, or on a budget, it is an attractive city with more than 2 000 000 inhabitants, knowing to receive his honored guests. You can stay a day in Bucharest, or you can fall and stay a life, it happens. Don't miss the charming fountains and the parks. Also to mention in Downtown: there is frenetic night life!

The church of Sucevita is a must see among the Bucovina painted  churches

3. The painted monasteries from Bucovina are breathtaking, due to their intrinsic artistic value and their surrounding environment. If you are there on Easter, is perfectly for you. The locals will warmly salute and adopt you. My tip: discover the monasteries and the breathtaking landscapes by bike, within a few days, starting from Suceava, Radauti or other pension in the area. There is a fantastic peace and a strange yet strong force you can experience by yourself.

Cluj Napoca is a typical example of charming urban life

4. The urban life in Romania can be discovered through a few selected city breaks, e.g. Iasi, Constanta, Cluj Napoca, Craiova,Timisoara, Sibiu, Brasov. Some of the have airports, but you can also land in the capital Bucharest, making then a travel by car or train. My tip: despite the time pressure put on you, I find a good idea to visit at least two different cities from the mentioned list, in order to observe and compare the different influences exerted on them!

I even have an exciting proposal for Romania: a big wine tour, who will turn to be an unique event

5.Have a look to the Romanian vineyards, whether only one, or more of them during a big Romania Wine Tour, which is really an unique event. Also possible for ladies, who can taste champagne, it is really fair and democratic. Don't be afraid for the good condition of your liver, wine tasting has some hidden secrets I know, and the golden rule is to taste the wine, without swallowing it. You must spit it, no matter how sorry you might be! If you understand and agree this basic rule, you can book immediately

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Best destinations for singles in Romania on Valentine's day

As the Valentine's day is approaching fast, very fast, I am sure that all of you being in a relationship, marriage etc made all the preparations needed to spend it in the most romantic way with your favorite one. Romania is of course a good option, as I recommended it more times.

For the others,which are not so happy this time, the Valentine's day could come with some unpleasant feelings like frustration, loneliness, unhappiness, depression. In fact, you must not make it so dramatic, maybe it is better so for you this time. There are some cures against this depression, which could be worse and worse. One of it is working like a crazy, more and more, like a real workaholic, but it shows the results only on short time. You must make peace with yourself and stop blaming for any real or imagined bad things. A sort of yoga, if you understand what I mean. And you can do that even while traveling, makes all easier and smoother!

As a conclusion, you need a non Valentine's Day destination! And I have a selection of such destinations in Romania, where else!

1. Skiing and practicing other winter sports is a good idea, one of the best possible. Try it in Romania in Poiana Brasov, which is huge, overcrowded and charming. Drink from time to time a glass of boiled wine on the slope, but you may not exaggerate. Getting drunk doesn't help at all, but on the contrary, causes even deeper depressions! You might hate such overcrowded places like Poiana Brasov , I agree, and allow me to remember about other ski destinations in Romania. Anyway, you may not hate people and run away from them, on the contrary. Romanians are good and lovely, anytime prepared for helping someone.

Wine tasting somewhere in Romania will help you leaving behind all the  bad feelings

2. Go on wine tasting in Romania. Is a wonderful opportunity to share the joy of life. Be careful not to get drunk, spit the wine, is a basic rule of wine tasting. I think in winter the best destinations for wine tastings are Cotnari and Focsani. Be careful and inform yourself prior of your take off, due to massive snow falls not all the destinations in Romania are easy reachable. Maybe Murfatlar is then your pocket ace, as it lies south and there does not fall so much snow. Anyway, will be probably impossible to book a full Romania Wine Tour, unfortunately.

A  Romanian city break might be thing you need, if you organize it right, as a Non Valentine destination

3.As you need to kill your spleen only a few days, consider a city break in Romania, but avoid clubbing, I think to be the worst thing for you (or maybe on the contrary, you can find your night stand putting on your feet again). I can recommend Bucharest, Constanta, Sibiu and Cluj Napoca, as they have own airports and a lot of things to do and to see. And least, but not lasts, Timisoara and Oradea. If the weather will be better and the streets accessible, you can reach other Romanian cities and towns, anyone could say  something to you, you must only be prepared to hear it.

Going to the countryside is an excellent brillant idea, but not in this season

4.Going to the countryside might be an excellent idea, but the above mentioned observation applies again. There is the danger not to reach your destination, or being forced to remain there a few days longer than you have been planning. Bucovina is a good idea for that.

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The best city breaks in Romania

Thinking to a city break lasting 1-2 days I wanna propose a special selection for Romania. I have made this selection based on the things to do in every mentioned city, hotels and restaurants, museums, airports. It is possible to organize the transfer, where we can't find an airport immediate next to the mentioned city!

The selected cities are selected all over Romania, and everyone is in the happy position to offer an unforgettable city break. So, these are my winners:

1. Brasov/Kronstadt, maybe the most travel oriented city in Romania. You can even ski in Poiana Brasov. At every step you will be welcomed by hotels and restaurants, giving the city an exceptional flair. You can take a walk in the centre and downrown, you can climb in Restaurant Panoramic  to get a wonderful spectacular view of the city. For gourmet, Aro Palace is also a target, there is a wide selection of exquisite wines. Landing in Bucharest or Sibiu requires a 100 km long transfer, also very easy and affordable.

The Black Church from Brasov is the biggest Gothic Cathedral in the South East Europe

2. Bucharest. The Romanian Capital needs a longer break, if I may to say so. This city is huge, you must only avoid it in summer, even the locals are going out in the mountains or to the seaside. It is really warm, nevertheless charming after 18 hours with so many open terraces to enjoy a glass of wine or a beer. Discover the Bucharest fountains with their legends, Bucharest museums and Bucharest parks. Walk in the downtown on the Magheru Boulevard or Calea Victoriei, which are really expensive, even comparing with other famous streets worldwide.

You can walk on Calea Victoriei from Bucharest, but avoid entering the boutiques if you are on a budget. They are really expansive

3.Iasi. hasn't an own airport yet, transfer from Bucharest lasts 5 hours, but you can also use the airports of Chisinau or Bacau (2 hours). I can organize wonderful breaks in Iasi, with wine tastings . Don't miss the Culture palace with its 4 museums, and visit Hotel Restaurant Traian, the city's oldest and biggest. The city is build on 7 hills, similar to Rome, and you can have a relaxing walk in this city.

The Culture Palace from Iasi is a must see for any art freak

4.Cluj Napoca/Koloszvar/Klausenburg is really international and definitely worth to your time. Take a walk in the downtown, be sure to visit the catholic church of St Michael and also the orthodoxe cathedral. Visit the New York Palace, today Continental Hotel. Other important points: History and Art museum. But first of all, observe the fantastic cosmopolitan atmosphere of the city sitting in a restaurant from downtown. You will be able to hear more languages, mainly Romanian and Hungarian, and the locals can easy commute among these two!

Cluj Napoca and the Orthodoxe Cathedral

5.Constanta, the old Tomis, is a must see for the sea lovers, but it is not limited to that! Its position on the seaside gives him some advantages, against other cities from Romania. The vineyards from Murfatlar and Niculitel are very close, and the city has a breathtaking History Museum. Coming in summer, you have at your disposition a wide selection of beaches. Coming out of the season, you will find a quiet peaceful city, which is also very affordable, you can stay on a budget for sure!  

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