Shopping travel in Romania

Very few people see Romania as a shopping destination, and I think this to be a little profuse and not correct. Romania is well known through its wine tours, Danube Delta, Carpathian Mountains, painted monasteries etc. There is something for sure, but we are very proud belonging to this people with such a long interesting history, and don't like to stay behind other capitals with big shopping malls and center, e.g Dubai, Paris or Rome.

Calea Victoriei in Bucharest hosts the most exquisite boutiques, and would be very proud welcoming you

Bucharest is sometimes spoiled with the name  Little Paris, or Eastern Paris, or the Balkan Paris, due to the rich influences in architecture, coming from Paris, who was a sort of inspirating model for the Romanian Capital. In the Civic Center, on Calea Victoriei street, there are lot of fancy exclusive boutiques, where you can find excellent articles at (still) acceptable prices, comparing to other capitals. Further, in Bucharest, you can find the malls, really citadel of shopping and fun (Cotroceni Plaza, Promenada etc). You can spend a wonderful time there, for instance start with skating, eat something afterwards and go shopping. If you are tired, go to a movie, and fall asleep there!

Cotroceni Plaza Mall is the biggest in the city, a must see and  a paradise for any shopping freak

An important chapter where Romania is unbeatable is the craftmanship. You can still find all those guilds of craftsmen, selling their works at festivals or in the vicinity of well knowned tourists' destinations, like the painted monasteries from Bucovina or the Dracula Castle in Bran.

I will spare you from my wine or cultural tours if you come for shopping, I promise. That's why I prepared this short shopping tour (two days long).

Downtown Bucharest, on Lipscani street, with many antiques  boutiques

Day 1. Arrival in Bucharest Airport. Welcome by the guide, hotel transfer (**** good hotel). Shopping on Calea Victoriei in the most exquisite and sophisticated boutiques of Romanian Capital up to 13 hours. On special demand, lunch in a good Romanian restaurant. Short walk in the old center of Bucharest in selected antiques boutiques. Short rest in hotel (1 hour long) and afterwards transfer at Cotroceni Plaza Mall, where you have to work  other few hours. Dinner on individual wish at mall. Transfer back to hotel.
Day 2. Breakfast in hotel . Short trip to Sinaia meeting the craftmen and their products. Possibilities for special organizing of lunch in Sinaia (extra price). Return to hotel and transfer to airport.
Basic package: hotel B+B, travel guide, transfers, trip to Sinaia at 120 Euros.
According to your concrete schedule (depanding on depart and arrivals) the above mentioned program is subject to change. Let me know where do you come from, and if I shall reserve also the flight.

You can also let me know if you are going to do only a City Break in Bucharest (only one day long).

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Romania seen by  a Norwegian group

A few enthusiastic tourists from Norway, during a more extensive Europe tour, reached also Romania as a main destination. The trip has been excellent organized by PR Norge, the permanent guide Kjell Hagberg and the bus driven by Oivind Brenhagen, and I was on behalf of Karpaten Tours.

Autumn, the painter of the nature, was an excellent time for visiting Romania

It was for me a big honor and a deep pleasure guiding this group in Romania, and helping them to discover this exotic unknown country for many of them. If they felt so good as I did, surely means that they must come back, as they repeatedly promised.

The F1 driver Oivind at work, while we the other were most on vacation!

I will never forget their excellent behavior, I wish I have only tourists like these.  The Romanian adventure started in Oradea, in a hotel chosen by Kjell (he knows so many thing about Romania, much more than I do) and took place in a wonderful Autumn, probably the best season for visiting Romania, due to the many colors all around (Autumn is the best painter, not only in Romania). Due to the cooperative staff from Restaurant Ramada Oradea we managed to improvise a frugal lunch in 15 minutes, which was a good performance. Good start indeed. The people were very impacient waiting for me due to the introduction of Kjell and Oivind, excellent team players.

The organizer guide Kjell , impressed by the carnival in Sighisoara

The tourists have been very happy discovering a clean, nice, smiling Romania during 6 days of an excellent structured program, made by Kjell himself. We taste together many of the good local wines, and they enjoyed mostly the Riesling! But also Muscat Ottonel and the red Cabernet Sauvignon had their fans.

I assisted them to discover a colorful Romania, with his popular dancers and singers, with Dracula, with the imperial guard in Alba Iulia. The visited area, middle of Transilvania, is one of the Europe's best preserved medieval sites, also nominated as UNESCO heritage, contains 700 citadels.  But there are still some other landscapes to be discovered, very soon I hope.

Visiting Dracula House, nowadays a restaurant, was much more relaxing than we thought first!

I wait some comments from Norway for this post.

A part of the Norwegian group to the wine tasting

And the other part, fortunately you can't hear them talking! Because after tasting 4 sortiments of wine they spoke a lot! 

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Tips and tricks for travelling to Romania

Romania is neither a tropical, nor a dangerous country, but has some insider tips, which I am glad sharing with you.

The prices for a good meal in Romania are very different. You shall ever prefer the small restaurants and pensions, as having better prices and better food

First of all, don't worry about tropical diseases, you don't need any vaccine. AIDS is up to you, and your level of personal protection, other diseases totally unknown. Many visitors are unpleasant impressed about the level of corruption in Romania, and many comments concerning the big political crisis between president Traian Basescu and the Prime Minister Victor Ponta are pointing to corruption as a main reason. I would say no to it, there is rather a personal matter, or a power fight, in my opinion. Certain is that many Romanians are deeply disappointed about their rulers and the political class entirely. About the obvious corruption, I also don't agree, as little presents seem to me really o.k. After all, the corruption is not a Romanian invention or discovery, we are in the Balkans!

Policemen on duty. No policeman is entitled to ask you  your papers without a strong reason., and even less to controll your money or valuables (they are sure faked policemen if doing that)

Much worse than this little corruption are the faked policemen e.g. Please note that no policeman is entitled to legitimate you without a strong reason; even less is entitled to ask about money or other valuables. When entering Romania through Bucharest Airport avoid the taxis and the luggage porters, is simply too expensive and even dangerous to your life, as a recent incident proves it.

When entering Romania through Bucharest International Airport avoid the taxis and the luggage porters. They are unshamed expansive and even dangerous to your life

Many Romanians drink the wine with water in the same glass (sprit). You can make a try of this method, but you are not supposed to do the same, no one will be hurt if you drink the wine separately. As you know, being a somelier, this method decreases the qualities of wine. The locals use it just to drink more liquids during the hot days.

Meiul Zilei is an incredible local offer: 3 courses meal with 3 Euros only.

A matter who could hurt any local is on the contrary shaking hands. It is normal to do it when meeting someone, not only for the first time. The shake must be strong enough, lasting for 5 seconds at least, while you look deeply in the eyes of the counterpart. If you are a man meeting a lady in a sophisticated environment, it is bon ton to kiss her right hand, while you look in her eyes.

Eating in Romania is very cheap, if you are tight on your budget. Everywhere on your ways there are incredible offers as MENIUL ZILEI, meaning a three course menu at 15 RON (3 EUROS). You can also have your meals in a sophisticated restaurants, but the hi end prices you can find there don't reflect a much superior quality of the meals. On the contrary, the same meals are to be found in a pension at the country side much cheaper and tasting better ( nearly bio for sure)!

A good hotel in a big city vs a little pension to the countryside  is  a matter of time,  budget and taste

The same thing about accommodation. You can barely find a hotel room in Bucharest or other touristic cities (Sibiu, Brasov, Cluj Napoca) under 60 Euros, but you can find some excellent accommodation in a pension at the half of this price. So it is easy to make the choice, according to your budget.

Tips is also not entirely a Romanian invention, and if you are very happy with a certain service no one will be ofenced for receiving tips (no more than 10 %).

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The Big Romania Tour

What I am going to propose now is an Essential Tour of Romania, much more comprehensive than all my former Romanian Tours. You must do for that noble purpose 2100 km, but it worth the pain: you will know a lot about Romania and the related matters ( history, geography, people, wine tastings etc). Thus Romania will appear to you no more as an unknown exotic country, but as a familiar one, and that's why I deeply recommend you this fantastic Tour.

I estimated for this Essential Romania Tour 17 days (with an average of 120 km daily), but you can also make it on your own (contact me for reservations) and stay longer in your favorite places. It is the best when you allow an extra week comparing with my proposition, you'll get even more.

Day 1. Bucharest with a walking Tour in the Downtown, among its seducing mix of Architecture Styles. Also in Downtown visit the Art Museum and feel the agitated Night Life.

Day 2. From Bucharest to Brasov, whether on the Prahova Valley (sometimes too busy, but you have some compensations: wonderful mountains, The Peles Castle), or through Cheia (again mountains, but the street is not overcrowded; plus, you have to visit the interesting salt career from Slanic). Visit Brasov and stay there over night.

Day 3.After admiring the wide panorama from Rasnov, and the Bran Castle ( with its Dracula sensations), go on DN 73 through the Rucar-Bran gorges , with its extraordinary mountain sights. Afterwards in the hills, between orchards, Curtea de Arges and his fantastic churches.

Ramnicu Valcea is a nice small city on the River Olt

Day 4. From Curtea de Arges you can reach Sibiu whether on the spectacular Transfagarasan Road (which is open only shortly in summer), or along the Olt from Ramnicu Valcea for the culture and monasteries freaks. The day ends in the charming city of Sibiu, the former European Capital.

Sighisoara  looks like a German fortress from the Medium Age

Day 5. Go to Sighisoara on DN 14 and navigate through the many Saxon fortresses. Once arrived in Sighisoara, admire its medieval spell !

Day 6. You need only 1 hour for reaching Targu Mures, an interesting cultural city, where you can hear many people speaking Hungarian. Visit the Cultural palace, and afterwards go to Cluj Napoca, a dynamic collegiate  and culturally city. A well known local specialty is the cabbage a la Cluj, matching fantastic with a glass of old wine.

Day 7. Say Good-bye to Cluj Napoca, moving North to Baia Mare. Notice on the way Gherla with its pregnant Armenian legacy . Go back and forth between the nice villages from the valleys of the river Mara and Cosau.

Day 8 and 9. It is not too much to appreciate Maramures. E.g. Sighetul Marmatiei has an interesting jail and a visible Jewish inheritance; the merry Cemetery from Sapanta, where every cross has a poetry on it, refering to the dead; the high wood churches simply scrap the shy; the villages are simple genuin and charming, and the people very generous. Further through Pasul Prislop (DN 18) to reach Campulung Moldovenesc.  But stay to the countryside, in a small pension.

Day 10 and 11. Take your time to admire the many painted Churches from Bucovina and the interesting churches from this part of Romania.

Day 12. On the roads DN 2 or DN 2 E lead in the district Neamt. Around the town of Targu Neamt the monasteries from Agapia, Secu, Varatec are full of life and match wonderful with the superb landscapes.

The City of Iasi and its massive Culture palace

Day 13. Cross the Romanian Moldavia from West to the East reaching its local Capital of Iasi.. This city is full of life and has some secret trumps: student life, important churches and a fantastic Museum of Culture.

Day 14. Start the long downhill to the South. You won't get the time to bore, as the landscapes are very different: hills with forest, vineyards or orchards; empty plains; aquatic or arid areas. Short before Barlad, you cross the River Prut, which will be your escort until Braila and Galati.

Day 15 and 16. Cross the Danube in order to reach Tulcea, the turning plate of the Danube Delta. A good ship travel will offer a detailed picture of this natural paradise.

Constanta is a very nice touristic city

Day 17. From Tulcea to Constanta on DN 87. visiting on the way the Muslim fortress of Babadag, the Lipovan villages of Jurilovca and Sarichioi, as the antic Greek fortress of Histria.

Wine tasting possible every day, if you want it!

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The Big Romania Wine Tour

Romanian leading vineyards are spread throughout the country, and a  complete Wine Tour is also  a Big Romania Tour

As wine and vineyards have in Romania a long traditions, the leading vineyards are spread throughout the country, in all its historical provinces as Moldavia, Wallachia, and Transilvania. Up to now I have offered many Romanian tours, but I strove that my tours are shorter and smaller, as I thaught to offer Romania on a small budget. But many of my clients remonstrated, and said that they would have stay longer, in order to know Romania deeper.

O.K., let's do it, let's think big and globally, but I have to warn: Romania has many hidden faces, and even I don't know them all after living a life here! But I will strive to show you many of the Romanian mysteries, to the best of my knowledge. I also have something for those who are not wine afficionados, as me and most of my tourists: this is not exclusively a Romania Wine Tour, but also a Romanian culture tour, facilitating an in depth sight view of Romania. Even this Tour is not complete, there are a few vineyards from Transilvania missing

DAY 1

Arrival in Bucharest, departure to the Black Sea coast. Dinner and accommodation in Constantaor Eforie Nord, one of the seaside summer resorts.

Bucharest and its eclectic mix of architecture style has a secret charm

DAY 2Morning at leisure (you might have a sun bath, or just relax). Lunch with wine tasting at Murfatlar - in the biggest vineyard of Romania. In the afternoon visit to Constantaand Tulcea the city at the entrance of Danube Delta. Dinner and accommodation.
DAY 36-hour Danube Delta Tour, with lunch on board. Dinner and wine tasting at Niculitel the second largest vineyard of Dobrodgea. Special here are the Romanian red wines(”Feteasca”and”Babeasca”) of Niculitel

Wine tasting are important on this tour, but bear in mind that is also a Romanian Culture Tour , the  people who  are not so fond of wine will be also able to find interesting things to do and learn!

DAY 4Departure to Iasi. We cross the Danube at Galati and we arrive late in the afternoon in Iasi, the capital of Moldavia after visiting the small but exceptional winemaker of Husi (the famous wine - ”Busuioaca de Bohotin”) Tis was one of the favorite wines of the former dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.. Dinner and wine tasting at Bucium, one of the largest winemakers of Moldavia.
DAY 5What about dinner in a monastery with wine made by the monks and their blessing for the rest of our tour? Morning at leisure, or a visit to Iasi to see the Mitropolitan Cathedral, Culture Palaceand Golia monastery. Lunch and wine tasting at Cotnari, one of the oldest wineries of Romania, where we can find the unique Romanian wine "Grasa de Cotnari" 

DAY 6.. Departure to Focsani, the center of Romanian wine. Here we will visit a couple of winemakers and have many wine tastings such as: specific in the area “Champagne” of Panciu, the famous wine of Odobesti and others of VINCON - Vrancea

Focsani is not only a Romanian Wine Capital, but also a cultural  city.

DAY 7Today we continue the yesterday program with wine tasting. Lunch and wine tasting at one of the wineries. Diinner and accommodation.
DAY 8Departure to Brasov, one of the most beautiful medieval cities of Transylvania. Lunch break. We will visit the Dracula Castle and have dinner and wine tasting at “Cerbul Carpatin” with Romanian Folk music.
DAY 9Departure to Ploiestiover Cheia Gorges to have lunch somewhere on the Romanian wine road, the largest red wine region of Romania: the Prahova area. Visit to the greatest winemaker of this area, in Ploiesti. Dinner and accommodation.

The savage Romania is also a highlight during a trip

DAY 10We visit several wineries of this area (Dealu Mare, Urlati etc.) and late in the afternoon we come to Bucharest. Lunch and wine tasting at Dealu Mare or Urlati wineries. Dinner and accommodation.
DAY 11Bucharest sightseeing, we visit the Palaceof Parliament (former Palace of Socialism during Ceausescu’s dictatorship - second biggest building in the world after the Pentagon). Lunch at a fancy restaurant. Last wine tasting and farewell dinner.
DAY 12 Transfer to airport. Departure. Please, let your air company know that you carry a precious luggage, containing at least 10 bottles of best Romanian wine!

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The genuine Romania and its unexpected sights

The last untouched European forests are in Romania, as this country had had for years a coherent policy in that field. Extending and generalizing, the last villages from Europe are also in Romania to be founded. You will notice in some remote settlement from Bucovina or Transilvania, with strong traditions, a strange feeling: the society seems to be entirely in order.

In Romania the meals taste and smell very different comparing with your usual meals

If you wanna know Romania in its deepest corner, don't avoid a stay in a remote pension, or even in the house of a local. Everything is different, comparing with what you usually, and even comparing to a hotel. All the meals taste and smell totally different comparing with what you eat at your place. The day starts with a strong breakfast based of fresh product from the neighboring farmers, maybe even a brandy or a glass of wine  for warming up!

In many places in Romania you may have the feeling that this society is still o.k. and still in order

Then you can walk or take the horse wagon, and you will got another dimension of life. Only thus you can discover a lot of details of the life to the countryside: the market, the bar, the land works, the animation around the fountains, cheese production (or other important local activity, like wine making), the acurate handicraft, the church, the football matches, the take off of the children to the school and their way back. You might be very upset about the proximity of the domestic animals, but you will accept the idea soon: the cows on the street  and the geese also free, the goats and the sheeps emitting unheared noises, and the bees visiting the flowers. You will be very pleased by the rural architecture, the nice peaceful houses, the sunny gardens, the monasteries. The smell of hay slightly excite your nose. You will find for sure during your walk in an unexpected tree a small, wizened, but very flavored tasty apple.

Wine tasting is a part of your Romanian trip, as this country is mainly a wine country

In the evening, a rich dinner, with wine of course. You will not succeed eating everything on the table, I can bet. As your vacation gets longer, you will find some differences from this idyllic image, as our grandparents described. The life at the countryside is not easy, even on the contrary, very tough. The old people living there alone see often the stranger only as a source of income, which is not so terribly wrong, as long the quality and the sincerity of hosting are still o.k.!

The local craftsmen keep the Romanian rural society stil in order

A total different way of life can you experiment visiting on the Romanian Black Sea coast. This coast is not very long, and were during the communist time a must do for every people in vacation. Forget the illusion to find lonely beaches. Mamaia and other resorts are overcrowded day and nights and lives passionately, you must do the same. Whether peaceful, or frenetic, don't let the best Romanian wine to stay out of your vacation!

Mamaia on the Romanian Black Sea coast means  a huge difference comparing  to the  peaceful  villages.

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The most interesting cities of Romania

For the most urban of you, Romania has also something to offer, besides seaside, mountains and Danube Delta. And be sure to find in the Romanian restaurants the exquisite house wines, or special wine tastings. Many parks, museums and monuments will make your delight for sure.

Bucharest, the romanian Capital, is an eclectic city

The star among Romanian cities is Bucharest, without any doubt. Once named "Little Paris", Bucharest is neither the most beautiful, nor the agreeable city you can find, but for sure the most fascinating among the Romanian cities. Bucharest emits a lot of energy, you are going to feel it, and presents also a rather unique mix of Architecture styles. The treasures of the city, together with its wounds or its ugly places, make from Bucharest a half western, half oriental, and very Romanian Capital.

Sibiu is a charming typical Saxon city, with a remarcably well preserved Downtown. In 2006 Sibiu was the European Cultural Capital 

Transilvania counts a few big cities, charming through the mix of Architecture styles and culture. The magic charm of Sibiu (in German Hermannstadt) and Brasov (German Kronstadt) with their Medium Age and Saxon flair is easy to understand by anyone. They are similar in many aspects through history and culture, and conserved a lot of the Old City.

Cluj Napoca is a dynamic Romanian city

Cluj Napoca(German Klausenburg, Hungarian Koloszvar) is a very dynamic economic and cultural hub of Transilvania. Also very dynamic is Timisoara, the country's first free city during the Revolution of 1989. Timisoara represents really an economic wonder, and proudly rebuild all its German, Hungarian or Jewish houses.

Pradea was reinvented by genial architects by the beginning of the XXth century

Oradea has been transformed by genial architects by the beginning of XXth century, without losing something from its genuine baroque charm.

All these charming medium cities luck in Moldavia and Wallachia, with two or three exceptions. There also some differences in the quality of life, mentality among Transilvania and the Old Kingdom. Impossible not to notice.
Iasi has been for centuries the Moldavian capital. Amazing today, near the old buildings, museums, and churches, there is a Bohemian, student, liberty wind. Iasi (or Jassy) is a fascinating city, with a rich history (between the World Wars there were many Jewish living here).
Braila is maybe the most surprising Romanian city. Today it may seem ruined and sleepy, but only 100 years ago rich businessmen coming from all over Balkans and Armenia made it very thrifty, and you can notice it through the many churches and other public buildings.
Constanta is a big port to the Black Sea and a tourist hub.  Constanta proposes many bars, restaurants, as also a little historic city, which is maybe not very well preserved, but charming.

Besides all these wonderful cities, you have the little towns, which have been artificially developed during the communist regime to become industrial centers. Towns like Piatra Neamt, Calarasi, Bacau may seem very depressing on a winter afternoon, but you will find them also full of joy and life in a Spring morning. Notice everywhere in suburbs the obsolete factories which are not anymore in use.

Many of these cities have vineyards very close, and you can go for a wine tasting, if you don't feel the City breaks so interesting.

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Best time for a Romanian vacation

Which is the best time for visiting Romania? Which is best time for a wine tasting? There are a lot of opened questions about the unknown Romania, about its wine and its people. I am going to try to give you some answers to these questions, as you must be aware and get more from your Romania trip.

Wine tasting is in my opinion a part of any  Romania trip

When it comes to wine and wine tasting, any season is advisable, as I already discussed. But, broadly speaking, what about Romania and the best time for visiting it?

First of all, depends on you and on your vacation schedules. There is no way to quit a job for a trip to Romania (don't do like me, I quitted a job for visiting Rome!). Bear in mind that Romania has huge differences between seasons, due to its continental-temperate climate (very important: the 45 degrees of northern latitude crosses through Romania. Why should this latitude be so important? It marks the half of the distance between Equator and the North Pole, the most extreme climates of the world). In spring and autumn there are strong winds; on the other hand winter ans summer are getting longer due to global heating. In summer of the last years have been registered temperature of 40 degrees Celsius; also very unusual, the Black Sea froze. But the width of Romania, the diversity of its forms of relief and the diversity of its folkloric festivals are almost a guarantee of a high quality vacation in any season.

The winter is tough in hills and mountains and a paradise for the skiers. The snowy villages are superb under a blue clear sky, while the houses and the animals smoke. The hot soups, boiling wine or brandy will warm you up. Unfortunately, the closed roads will not allow to discover the remote villages, which are by far  the most interesting. On Christmas and New Year you have the unique opportunity to see some very interesting and picturesque customs, coming from the ancestors. Also a good occasion for the families to stay together, and have traditional meals, sprinkled with wine. A wine tasting in winter is unforgettable, and sometimes even necessary to warm you up.

The winter as you like in the pictures!

The summer is the best time for discovering mountains, while the life in Bucharest is almost unbearable. It is maybe the peak season, if you allow me a cliche! The seaside is full of people, while other groups are simply invading the cities of Transilvania, Bucovina, Danube Delta and Maramures. But you must be very careful and book in advance for a hotel room.

The Summer in the romanian Carpathians

The spring means Valentines, field flowers invading gardens, and orchard in hills and mountains. The singing birds start their concert and the people clean their homes. It is maybe the best time for discovering the cities, as the blocks disappear behind the trees in blossom. Billions of birds from the all world come back in Danube Delta. Also important for Eastern, the biggest orthodox celebration.

The Spring in Romania means a total resurection 

The autumn is very cute and picturesque, mainly in the mountains, when the forest is literally on fire due to falling leaves, which take very different colors. Harvesting time, inclusive for the grapes, which will do an excellent opportunity for wine tasting.

For a skilled photograph, the autumn is by far the most beautiful season

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Danube Delta cruise and wine tasting on the ship

Really hard to speak to someone about Danube Delta, as you must see it, in order to understand it.
But, let's try, I need your attention and I hope to be not very abstract. Maybe you know already something about Danube, having its sources in Germany,Donaueschingen, where it is only a very little brook! Afterwards, it grows and grows, receiving many rivers and going through a few of Capitals like Vienna, Budapest and Belgrad. Bucharest and Sofia are also not far away from the longest European river, after Volga (Volga has also a Delta, but Danube Delta is bigger and better preserved).

Typical view from the Danube Delta, a virgin natural paradise

Danube Delta with its 5000 sqkm is a nature miracle and paradise. The river brings with mood and the soil in  Delta is permanently forming and disappearing. There are floating islands (plaur) and the exactly place where the river goes into the sea is unknown, it changes every moment.

Danube Delta means 6000 square kilometers, 90 % in Romania. Observe on the map the three arms Chilia, Sf Gheorghe, Sulina. Not far from here the vineyards from Murfatlar and Niculitel (not visible on the map). But they are there, don't be anxious seeing only water.

On the forementioned surface of 6000 sqkm live only 12000 people (4000 in Sulina, a port to the Black Sea) resulting an average density of 2 people on square kilometer, the lowest in all Europe. All these people living in some villages like Crisan, Maliuc, Mila 23  (none is bigger than 500 people) are mainly fishermen and gain very difficult access to the sanitary network. Most of them are Lipovans, former Russian refugees after the Lenin's Revolution, and there are many legends about their alcohol addiction.

This local fishermen is probably Lipovan, speaks  Russian and drinks  a lot of spirits

You can imagine, there is no other possibility to see Delta than by ship. I will propose you a full day cruise starting from Tulcea to Sulina, and back, with little incursions on the little channels, which is the most important and picturesque thing here (most probably, we must descend from the big ship and go further by little boats) . It will be a quite relaxing day ( if not stormy) turning in an unforgettable event. On the ship, during lunch, a surprise: wine tasting with the best Romanian wines (5 sortiments and a good meal). Man, we will have a good time. The wine selection is personal and I will only reveal on place!

No way not to love Delta. Some tourists even settled here for the rest of their lifes

But maybe I should be more specific: transfer from and to Bucharest Airport, 2 nights in a 3 *** hotel in Tulcea, Delta Cruise with wine tasting compose a strong package costing only 300 Euros; for booking in September you are going to receive a discount of 5 %.

Danube Delta has a rich history, as it was a strategic position for controlling navigation and commerce on the river. You will be amazed of the strange beauty of the town Sulina. I can tell you much more about the history, climates and ecosystems from Danube Delta, but this remains open fort the trip! For bookings mail at dorugiu@gmx.net

A wind mill in Delta, another pearl you must see

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Special offer for August

I have gotten another surprise/ proposition for you, which represents a special offer for August, and namely a trip at high altitude, in the Fagaras mountains, the highest romaniawide.

Transfagarasan Road is a place of intense and savage beauty

There are more things doing this trip so special:
-I strove to obtain a bargain, and hope to have succeeded
-this road is opened only in July and August, you have to hurry up, in order to find it opened! There are places of a savage beauty, impossible to ride bikes.
-I included a wine tasting, a special surprise for wine afficionado

No chance to ride bikes on Tranfagarasan, maybe with the exception of very well skilled and trained bikers

The necessary details here under.

First Day: Arrival in Bucuresti/Bucharest
    Arrival at Bucharestairport in the afternoon. Meeting with the English speaking guide and transfer to Curtea de Arges, former medieval capital of Wallachia. Lunch en route. Visit the Episcopal Church where the Romanian Kings are buried. Few kilometers away from Curtea de Arges are the ruins of so called real Castle of Vlad Tepes, better known as Dracula, and the stunning views of Arges Valley and Transfagarasan, the unique road running at 2 034m above the sea level, are worth the pain of climbing the 1 480 steps. The trip would not be complete without the stop to the 166m high Vidraru Dam with the gigantic monument of Electricity, located 4 km further.We continue our trip by visiting Vidraru Dam built on Arges river, in Fagaras Mountains. It is one of the most imortant in the country, and many cities depend on it,  but it also offers great views . Stately mountains, shy water falls and green trees, almost all year long. Dinner and accommodation in a good hotel near the dam.   Second Day: Transfagaras Mountain Road

   This entire day we will discover the wild panoramic scenery that Romaniaoffers. The road called Transfagarasan was built between 1970 and 1974, during the rule of Nicolae Ceauşescu, mainly with military forces. A journey on this road will offer you dramatic views and breathtakingly beautiful places. Passing by the Balea Glacial Lake (2034 m altitude, through the longest road tunnel in Romania (884 m) and having the most tunnels and viaducts than any other road in Romania, Transfăgărăşanul is one attraction that must not be missed. The road became even more popular when the crew from Top Gear filmed a show on the Trasfăgărăşan, in September 2009. The host of the show, Jeremy Clarkson said that Transfăgărăşan should have the title of the best road in the world, and that they were mistaken when they gave the StelvioPass in Italy this title. This panoramic scenery is also host the movie Ghost Rider 2. We continue our trip to Fagaras. Here we will discover Fagaras Fortress, the most impressive monument of the town, and the core around which the town was actually built. Ladislaw Kanstarted to built it in 1310 on the former place of a 12th century wooden fortress strengthened by earthen walled fortifications. The former fortress had been burned down by the Tartars in 1241. The fort was enlarged and rebuilt in the 15th-17th centuries in the Transylvanian Renaissance style and came to be known, alongside with Deva, as one of the strongest fortifications in Transylvania. Dinner and accommodation in a good  hotel.   Third Day: Brasov/Kronstadt-Bran / Dracula Castle-Sinaia

   In the morning, drive on to Brasov, formerly Kronstadt, founded in the 12-th Century  by the Saxon colonists. Walking tour through the old town centre, including the Black Church, the Council Square, the Hirsch house, the baroque style buildings from the Habsburg Imperial times. Continue to Bran to visit the medieval castle built as a fortress - The "Dracula's" Castle (1377). Drive across the mountains to Sinaia, named the "Pearlof the Carpathians". Stop in Azuga for a wine tasting. Dinner and accommodation in a good hotel in Sinaia   Fourth Day: Bucuresti/Bucharest   After the breakfast, visit the famous Peles Castle the most famous royal residence in Romania, that was built between 1875 and 1883 – when it was officially opened. Walking tour in Sinaia and transfer to Bucharestairport.
End of our services.      Included services:
3x Halfbord in good Hotels in Romania
Air-conditioned car (for 2 pax), van, minibus or coach for all the above itinerary and program
English-speaking guide throughout (for parties of 2-6 pax the guide will also drive)
All entrance fees to museums and sites included in the program

Important: Transfagarasan road is open only in July and August !   Price starts from 2 Persons: 
from 299,- Euro/Person in Doubleroom
from 389,- Euro/Person in Singleroom

For booking until 15th of August you will receive 5% discount and a special present!
  

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Romania Special: Bike Tour of the painted monasteries from Bucovina

I really have a surprise for you, dears. Namely a tour in Romania, which is not a wine tour. This is possible for sure, neither the Romanians, nor you are wine addicted. Anyway, you don't need to worry about: there is plenty of wine in the restaurants, you won't miss it. The explanations and the concrete proposition are to find bellow.

Voronet is simply the pearl, a Madona Sixtina  of the Romanian  middle Age.  The  blue color  is simply  unbelievable, and its recept remains secret, no one could discover it (I give you a tip, is based on lapiz lazuli dust)

This proposition of mine, based on your specific wishes, is a good example in my opinion of sustainable tourism: a bike tour to the painted monasteries of Bucovina (Northern Moldavia). We can put together sport,culture and even some joy of life, tasting a glass of wine (and even drinking it with the right food)

All these monasteries seem to be perfectly set in the environment

The Romanian painted monasteries aimed to bring the faith nearer to the people. They are unique and their original secret vegetable paintings still hold on today. 
These painted monasteries have been made in majority by the Moldavian ruler Stephen the Great, called by the Pope from that time (1457-1504)  " an athlete of Christianity".  He fought against the Turks, being also very cruel! Actually he lives even today in the local legends!
To reach all the above mentioned monasteries you will notice the wonderful wooden hills, and the villages where the ancient traditions still play an important role. Nowadays these monasteries are UNESCO protected, and represent one of the most important attractions of a visit in Romania. 

Sucevita is another noticeable target  for any visitor, put it on your  list! It is a  part of this tour.

They are compact and easy reachable during a short vacations of 4 days, as follows:
The Romanian painted monasteries  by bike

Day 1 Arrival in Bucharest, transfer in Suceava by bus. Good *** hotels for  the next 3 days, breakfast included, any other meals will be extra charged.

Day 2 50 km bike ride with visits in the monasteries of Dragomirna and Putna. Bikes and entrance fees in organizer's charge.

Day 3 50 km bike ride with visits in the monasteries of Sucevita, Moldovita and Voronet

Day 4 Transfer by bus to the Bucharest airport with city breaks in Bacau and Focsani (lunch possibilities, extra charge)

Final prize  is 350 $ comprising hotel, bikes and logistics, guiding, entrance fees. The prize does not comprise any other meals and plane tickets!
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