Only in Romania

Every country is different, and sometimes is good to think about the national specific. That is why so important to go somewhere else and getting a new fresh perspective. That's why I travel often to Germany or other European countries, but also to visit all my friends living there.

There are a few fantastic museums in Romania for the culture freaks (here selected glass works from the beginn of XXth century)

First of all, thank God, in Romania not everything is set and reglemented. We still have genuine landscapes and a certain joy of life. We love our mountains, hills and plains, we love the Danube Delta and the Romanian Black Sea Coast. Despite the globalization, Romania still remains the main target for the vacation of the Romanians. That's why I dare to invite you here, you have a lot to see.

The wonderful city of Brasov is a highlight due its Medieval downtown

We also do have good hotels. Private property, international chains, Romanian chains, be sure to find everything you want, no wish remains unsatisfied. Besides, the friendly and educated Romanians will invite you private when visiting a village. An amazing people for sure, very proud and sometimes dissapointed by their corrupted politicians.

Dracula Castle from Bran. If you seek the sensation, we have the myth of Dracula

We deeply love and respect Transilvania, Moldavia, Dobrogea and Valahia (our historical provinces) with their long and troubled history. We love our minorities, the Hungarians, the Szekely, the Germans (unfortunately this community is shrinking, but the Romanian President is Klaus Iohannis), and also the picturesque Roma and Sinti. There are obviously regional differences, due to traditions and minorities, but we are still there holding together, as we love this country. That's why I dare to invite you there, you are welcome.

Happy tourists, friendly locals. The two people from the front(my arms on their shoulders)were one of my best and loveliest groups, thanks

You can do a lot of things in Romania. You can ski in the winter on the slopes of the Carpathians Mountains, you can fish and hunt, you can make a detoxification and practise some sports. In the summer you can swim in the Black Sea, you can watch interesting shows. In spring and autumn you can take part to some cultural tours, e.g. following the traces and the history of the German Saxons.

Danube Delta is really genuine and peaceful

About the gourmets, they won't be dissapointed at all. Taste the cabbage rolls with polenta, is simply fantastic. If you didn't know (that's you you might need me and that's why I am here) Romania is a wine country, one of the most important producer worldwide. You will fall in love with our drops of wine and ask for more. On the other side, the beer drinkers will also find something special and be very happy. Wonderful country, that is why I invite you here.

Who seeks urban life, will find in Bucharest. Don't miss the Ceausescu Palace and the night life

For all these reasons, becomes Romania a must for you. And there is another reason, but I can't find the words for expressing it. Maybe a certain vibration, maybe a cosmic radiation which you can try to discover by yourself.

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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.

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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!

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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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