Discovering Drobeta by night in a special way

How to discover a Romanian city at night

In the Romanian city of Drobeta Turnu Severin (only one city, believe me!) I have one of the most interesting experiences of my activity as a travel guide, and now I wanna to share with you. I hope you will enjoy, understand, finding also interesting.

Namely, I reached the wonderful city of Drobeta in the afternoon, guiding an active biking Romania tour from Launer Reisen. It was a wonderful weather, middle August. The city itself nice, clean, interesting and inviting. We arrived in Hotel Continental Portile de Fier, checked in and took our rooms, and had the dinner at 7 hours p.m. Was O.K., no objection, we also said good bye, as the German customers were supposed to go further in Serbia and I was supposed to go back to Bucharest, taking over another group. It was an excellent trip, that I enjoyed a lot, and I hope the tourists also.

A group of happy bikers, touring Romania through Launer Reisen ( see Mr Paul Launer the first on the left, in the black suit)

After the dinner, I made an unexpected proposition: let's go walking through the city and discover it at night! Just two persons showed to be interested: Dr. Renate and Norbert Lauppenheimer.

We walked through the city and discovered first a spectacular kinetic fountain. It is really one of the most interesting fountains in the all Romania, a masterpiece of a local scuptor. Besides, the market place around is nice, has a nice park and a monumental building (a museum in restoration). It was very peaceful in that marketplace, I noticed that was the locals' favorite meeting point. It was still day light, but the night came upon the city of Drobeta.

The Civic Centre of Drobeta Turnu Severin is charming and seducing

An old city indeed, very important for the Romanian history. The name itself sends immediately to the Roman Empire! Short and concrete, the Romans build here a bridge, engineered by Apolodor from Damascus, one of the most notorious architects of the old times. On that bridge came the Roman legions, invaded and conquered Dacia. Thus has been build the Romanian people and language, the Romans and Dacians are our ancestors.

The ruins of a foot from the antic bridge designed by Apolodor from Damascus. Discovering it by night was a thrilling adventure

As a proud Romanian I am, I invited my companion to show them one of the foot of that bridge. Meanwhile, the night falled and we walked and walked along a nice streets with big houses (traditionally a residential area of Drobeta Turnu Severin). Finally we found the foot, in the yard of the History Museum, which was in reparation and locked. It was a very unpleasant situation for me, and I didn't know what to do, as I ought to show that foot to my tourists.

I knocked strongly, waking up all the local vagabond dogs, but also the Museum guard. And that guard allowed us to enter the yard and watch the ruins of the bridge. My honor was saved, thank God. Further was not so easy, we discovered the foot on the Danube shore, after a little fight with a pack of barking dogs, crossing the railway and climbing a hill. Everything in dark, at night, don't forget!

I really think it was a fantastic experience, showing that in Romania everything is possible!

Discovering Romania by bus

Discover Romania by bus

There are so  many possibilities to discover Romania by bus. First of all comes not the bus, but the route itself. Fix it according your prior knowledge, interests, recommendations and main theme of your projected trip ( wine tour, history tour, culture etc, there are endless possibilities in this fabulous country!)

Culture tour with the painted churches from Bucovina  is naturally one of your first choices when thinking to Romania

Second and third, the bus and the guide (about the guide ask me first of all, I am doing this job since 20 years with huge success). The bus is easy to find, but take care of your costs and the level of performances you need ( e.g. in the mid summer when the temperatures reaches 40 degrees Celsius you need a bus with an efficient cooling system!). Speak to the bus company and to your guide (may be that is me) about your wishes, budget, time and allow them to give you good advices. Never forget that Romanians are proud to salute you there and are very happy to help you with every little matter.

Wine tours are also possible in the fabulous Romania

A good recommended solution is taking contact with a good incoming company. I personally recommend Karpaten as the best incoming company. A few of the best specialists will be happy to find a solution to your wishes and needs, combining different means of transportation and turning your trip in a real event.

Unspoiled nature for the nature freaks is a another amazing side of Romania

Another solution is to organize your trip in Romania as an extension to a trip in another European country. There are line or special buses from the neighboring country or from Austria, Germany etc. When thinking to Austria and its many very serious and reliable bus companies, RATZENBOECK REISEN comes first in my mind, as I have worked with this small, but excellent manged company. Their program is outstanding, including an interesting circuit from Satu Mare to Timisoara, over Maramures, Bucovina and its painted churches, Szeklerland, Brasov and Bucharest. And that means totally from Austria/ St Aegidi and back a convincing itinerary of 3000 km! A fantastic trip, I must say, offering you a good piece from Hungary and Austria as a bonus!

Ceausescu Palace in Bucharest is a must, and RATZENBOECK REISEN offers it!

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!

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.

Romania for Nature freaks

Romania Travel Guide for Nature freaks

If you are a nature freak, you might find in Romania a few interesting areas and landscapes.

Fantastic road in the Fagaras Mountains

Even if you are not a big fan of the wet lands, Danube Delta is a must. It is the big winner of the strong  rains falled this year throughout Europe. Also UNESCO appreciated as a part of the world heritage, is really spectacular. But please, as a nature freak, don't take part to the organized cruise ships turning Danube Delta to mass tourism and ruining it. Discover Delta on your own, from a fishermen village in its middle, which you can reach by a line ship. Observe the locals already on the deck, they are amazing. Will seem to be not very friendly, but a bottle of alcohol will save everything. Observe carefully the environment, there are some problems for sure, and first of all this plague of the plastic bottles (PET), turning to the worse threatening and provocation in the all Romania. It is really an issue.

Try to discover the pelicans in Romania without disturbing them at all

Once there in the middle of nowhere, go in a canoe or kaiak discovering further the secrets of the Danube Delta. Go bird watching, there are a few protected areas, trying not to disturb the pelicans, as other sensitive birds. Go fishing, and ask the fishermen about their prey. There are for sure a few endangered species, mainly the sturgeons. Nevertheless, The Danube Delta is a trip worth. If you aren't a nature freak, can take a cruise ship, and I suggest to use Karpaten, it is the most serious and has largely contributed to environment protection.

Fishing in the Danube Delta

If you are a montagnard, or even a climber, The Romanian Carpathians will offer you many magnificent places and unforgettable landscapes. You can start with the Romania's highest mountains, Fagaras. Discover them from Sibiu or Ramnicu Valcea. They are not very high or impressive for you, with their 2500 meters, but really spectacular in some places, e.g The Lake Balea or the Waterfalls Balea. Very close to them there is a cabin for the convenient discovery.

St. Ana lake is the only volcanic lake in the Romanian mountains

Also very interesting to discover are the Retezat Mountains, a protected area and a national park. Please notice there the strange extincted animals and plants, as the fantastic glacial sees. Don't dare to bath in them, unless you are not a skilled swimmer: they are deep and cold! Close to them, and similar from many points of vue, the Parang Mountains. Observe everywhere the plastic pets, it is a national obsession and dilemma!

Man made or natural erosion? Totally strange limestone rocks in the Romanian Carpathians

In many places of the Carpathians small, but hardworking  rivers managed to digg impressive  keys: Prahova Valley, Olt Valley etc. But the most spectacular of all is the fantastic Bicaz Gorges, near Lacu Rosu (The Red Lake; due to the ferric and ferrous oxides, its water have strong red reflexes. Walk through the gorges only one kilometer, becoming already anxious due to the high rocks overwhelming you. Really strange, yet great sensations.

And a last tip: the caves, e.g Scarisoara, or Pestera Muierii. Or even the deserted salt mines, waiting their visitors. You have a lot of work in Romania as nature freak indeed.

Most important things to know about the rural Romania

If you wish becoming an expert in Romanian problems, or think you are already, you must have noticed the regional differences between the Romanians from Moldavia, Wallachia or Transilvania, due to the historic occupations from different people.

The Romanian churches are a good place to gather the locals on every Sunday

Everything is set now, we made peace with our historic enemies, we love and esteem them whether they still live in Romania or have gone in other countries searching their happiness. The Romanians are deeply tolerant, and have an overwhelming force to assimilate other people. The most important thing for you is briefly this: you are welcomed! The people will enjoy your company, will try to speak to you and will probably invite you to lunch or dinner. You can accept or refuse, they will be not upset.

A welcoming wine tasting room

Less than 5 % of the Romanian village population is to fear, and those are not necessary the poorest. You are supposed to feel these dangerous people and avoid them, if you are really a world traveler, as I assume. If you aren't, take big care, and maybe the best thing for you is booking through an established incoming agency, e.g. Karpaten.

If you insist knowing Romania by your own, you can still book your flight over Internet to get a good price., but once in Romania use the local buses or train, they are perfect for this choice. They will observe, despite your desperate try to dress and look like a local (probably you don't speak Romanian perfect!). Most probably, the invitations will start to fall, and you are not ought to accept the first. Anyway, take a look to the room and ask about the price, it is totally normal. If you still want to stay on an adventure budget travel, you can even cook by yourself  your local specialties, inviting your host to join. They will appreciate very much this way of socializing, and will totally adopt and love you.

Country landscape in Romania, with a good fresh air

In some remote parts of the country, e.g Maramures or Danube Delta, you can simply seduce the locals giving them cigarettes and alcohol, but broadly speaking the Romanians are becoming more sophisticated. Try to visit the local gathering points, e.g. the church and the pub. Be very careful about the proper decent suit during the Sunday service in the village church. To the pub don't take such severe precautions anymore. Visit also the local markets (flea market, vegetable market) and you will surely find many interesting things.

In some remote regions, e.g. Danube Delta, is usually a good idea giving to the locals  cigarettes and alcohol

Even to the countryside you have good opportunities to discover Romania in style. In many regions with an intense touristic circulation four stars pensions or hotels will be happy to welcome you, even in the middle of nowhere. Enjoy your senses in a fancy restaurant or to the spa.

Whether in style or on a budget, discover your piece of Rural Romania, counting on the locals welcoming you. With the unavoidable exceptions, they are friendly, polite, have good manners, and the big wish to help their guests. Give them something back, learning a few elementary words and phrases of the Romanian language. And drink a glass of Romanian wine with them.

UNESCO World Heritage sites in Romania

Visiting a World Heritage Site in any part of the world is one of the most important thing to do in order to get  the best from tour destination. It is on one side, a small tribute to the hyper qualified, but independent, team of the UNESCO experts searching world wide treasures of the mankind, worth to a visit from you. On the other side, you go to the best destinations certified by independent authorities, sparing precious time and money for your searches.

Romania is one of the happiest examples worldwide of perfect coincidence between the recommended UNESCO sites and the most frequented destinations. The complete list of the approved UNESCO world heritage sites in Romania is easy to check at http://whc.unesco.org and most of these destinations I am warmly recommending with any possible occasion, in writing or speaking, inline and offline.

A floating hotel is a wise way to visit Danube Delta

Briefly, the approved UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Romania are the following:

1. Danube Delta is one of the best preserved Deltas in the world, a last refugee for many endemic and endangered species of plants and animals (mainly birds). Strongly protected by the Romanian authorities at local or national levels, offers even spectacular human encounters with the fishermen from that region. Most of the are the descendants of fugitive persecuted Russians from the XIXth century, making this piece of water and land simply unique!

Voronet, a breathtaking pearl of the Middle Age

2.Painted Monasteries from Bucovina have used secret recipes for their colors, making sometimes the restoration works almost impossible (most renowned of it is the "Blue of Voronet", compared with " Veronese green" or "Tizian's Red"). Painted in the Middle Age, they tried to bring the region myths closer to the people. It is amazing the perfect harmony with the environment (soil, sky, villages and the surrounding hills)

Barsana Church from Maramures

3.Wooden Churches from Maramures are very traditional, build in same way as few centuries ago. They are to find in a remote insulated region of the country, where there is still plenty of wood. Also to observe in the region, the massive wooden gates, measuring the wealth of the locals. They have been build during an oppression period, when the Romanians were not allowed to build in concrete or stone. But these fantastic wooden churches lasted better!

4. The Horezu Monastery is an unique architecture masterpiece in the Romanian Brancovan style. Has a perfect balance among colors, shapes and ornaments, simply  overwhelming for any culture freak!

The amazing Sighisoara Fortress during a Medieval Carnival

5.The Historic City of Sighisoara is the only one Medieval Fortress still inhabited. Easy accessible from any point of the town Sighisoara, offer broad view to the all region. My secret tip: discover the traces of Dracula, eating in its birth house!

The Fortified Church from Biertan

6.The Fortified Churches from Transilvania could shelter for weeks the all population of an entire village, if the reserves were enough! Most renowned in Biertan or Viscri (where Prince Charles of Britain owns a few properties)

7.The Antique Fortifications of the Dacians from the Orastie Mountains are not easy to access, as they belonged to the ancestors of the Romanians, running from the conquering Romans. Most renowned is the Sarmizegetusa Regia. Savage mountains, mysterious artifacts complete an interesting getaway.

Traveling solo in Romania

There is no reason to fear traveling solo in Romania. The country is safe, and no rape against tourist have been reported since a long time;thus  you are supposed to do the right difference with other parts of the world, e.g. India or Mexico.

There are a few perfect destinations for singles in Romania, but you must make the right choices, as the agencies tailor their offers usually for families.

If you wanna be totally alone, select a remote cabin in the mountains, off the beaten path. I would recommend Soveja in the Vrancea District and Mountains and the hunting cabin Lepsulet, outside the village. If you are a woman, you are not supposed to go hunting, but you can climb the mountains. Simply doing your toilet in the morning in the ice cold water of the creek will simply refresh you, much more than a hot shower in a fancy hotel room.

A remote cabin in the mountain could make the perfect destination for a  solo tourist aiming to be lonely

Of course, there are much more perfect places for singles in the Romanian mountains, ask me about the most appropriate ones. Besides, another fantastic retreat for the  seekers of the loneliness is the Danube Delta, Europe's best preserved. You can admire the genuine nature in all its splendor,  while doing your daily yoga exercises. If you really feel yourself a small happy part of the huge Universe, full of joy and love to the other human beings you are totally saved from depression. If not, search the company of a local wise fisher or shepherd.  They know and understand so much about life, and you will understand everything, beyond the language. Just trust him and watch deeply in his eyes.

Danube Delta is my saving hint

Supposing further you are that kind of single very fond of clubs, pubs and this kind of social life, please be aware that Bucharest downtown consists on a huge number of such pubs, which very empty on weekends and full of clients during the week. You can find there all the people you are used to see in a club outside: hipsters, corporate, escorts, students and drivers. Many of them are also single and if you are happy enough you can find the right for you. Other destinations for clubbing, but on weekends: Brasov, Poiana Brasov, Constanta, Mamaia

Sibiu is a fantastic city break, and has also a leading art collection

Romania makes also a perfect destination for the culture freaks. There are interesting art and history museums in almost every city, with special mentions for Iasi, Timisoara and Craiova. You can try also unforgettable city breaks in Sighisoara, Cluj Napoca and Oradea. There are good theaters in many places, and German theater in Sibiu. If you feel is not enough, add the painted monasteries from Moldavia, or the Saxon fortified churches from Transilvania.

For the gourmets and wine afficionados, I must say only a few words, like Riesling, Merlot, meat balls, soups etc, in order not to offence your trained tasting cells! Discover your Romania, I can give you good offers next to these tips and tricks.

Most Important Reasons to Visit Romania

You are not supposed to believe when I am declaring about the Romania being a paradise on Earth (but this is the true and the fact). Historically speaking, in the 70's Romania was a favorite target for foreign tourists, despite the huge differences in the politics and ideology compared to the non communist world. It was maybe the good bright side of the communist dictatorship ruled by Ceausescu.

Digging deeper in the past, in the 30's the glamorous Bucharest was called by all its tourists "The Little Paris", and I think that you already understood why from other books and authors.

After the fall of Ceausescu, the collapse of the communism and the dissolution of its regime, the Romanian tourism has suffered for years on a bad management, lack of infrastructure, high prices and bad services (the worst ratio between quality and price, I must accept). All these things are already past, and nowadays the Romanian tourism and the professional see again good reasons to be optimist.

History and archaeology tours in Romania are interesting for many people

For you as a potential visitor in Romania there are many reasons for doing it and taking this decision. You can only win doing this, and I want give you the most important reasons to visit Romania.

1. The professional of the travel industry are doing their homework right. They speak foreign languages, are able to find the best quotes and to organize unforgettable travels and circuits, being also nice pleasant persons (but believe, most of the people are like this, you are going to love the Romanian for sure!). I am discovering daily smaller or bigger travel agencies or companies with skills, informations and strong recommendations (e.g Euforia Travel is not very big, but very well managed and has some excellent offers!)

In Romania you can find luxury at unbeatable prices, and broadly speaking, a good ratio between  price and  the quality of the service. Also important: low tips!

2.If you are a nature freak, remember that Romania still possesses large populations of bears and wolves. We can also proudly show you tall mountains (nevertheless accessible for medium trained people, including women and children) and the unique Danube Delta.

3.If you are a culture freak, you can do a lot of fantastic tours: archaeology tours, urban archaeology tours, religious tours. Some of the Romanian museums from Bucharest, as also the Bruckenthal Museum from Sibiu   have an excellent reputations among the art conaisseurs from all over the world.

A wine and gastronomy tour in Romania might be the right thing for you

4. If you like to eat, or you love wine, I have also planned something for you. Romania has a long tradition as a wine producer, but you can also drink your beer here!

5. Romania is not only a wonderful country, but also a very safe one. The crime rate is very low, even in Bucharest downtown. There is no danger of rape as in other parts of the world, you can visit it and enjoy your lover/fiancee.

6. The prices are very good nowadays reported to the quality of the services and you can take profit on it. Romania is also a fantastic target for incentives and team building, I can recommend again an expert, namely Euforia Travel.

These are in my opinion the most important reasons for visiting Romania. And I can find many others, supposing you need more. Remember, please, that the Romanian tourism is booming, and you can still win to the favorable quotations!

Best tips for family travel in Romania

Coming in Romania with your family is an excellent idea. In order to turn it in an unforgettable adventure or vacation there are a few important things you should be aware of.

First of all, make the good choice from the start. Book through a well known, well established travel agency. In my opinion, after working and checking in more companies,the best one for incoming is Karpaten with a wide offer and excellent prices, which you can't get on your own. Ask me about it, or contact directly Karpaten.

The Romanian traditions will totally seduce you

Second, if you come in Romania on a budget, is very helpful booking a few weeks in advance in order to get the best deals to the air companies. There are many sites for that, a good local one is www.vola.ro . Will be great avoiding staying the hotels from the big Romanian cities, starting with Bucharest, as many of them are oriented to the luxury and stylish tourists. Nevertheless, you can find *** or ** hotels, or even hostels at decent prices. Much better, stay in a smaller city, off the beaten path, most of them are really charming, peaceful and you can find many bargains while shopping in the central vegetables or flea market.

Climbing mountains in Romania might be just the thing you need

A great option is also staying to the countryside and have a fantastic contact with the nature and local meals. The available pensions are simply exaggerating with their meals, no one can eat so much. Besides, they are for sure among the children friendliest places on Earth, they will simply spoil your children.

Staying by the locals who hire a few rooms might be a good idea only if you inform about the prices. Please take big care about it! Once this detail set, you will dip in a fantastic traditional culture, and I am pretty sure you will be deeply and pleasant surprised about it. Please rediscover some noises and flavors which you can't find anymore at home.

Don't miss the Rural Romania

If you want climbing mountains, don't neglect the prior training for your family, mainly the kids. Don't forget good maps, GPS, mobile phones (112 for emergency call), lights as they can save your life and health. There are cabins and hiking trails in the mountains to your convenience, inform about them and select right according to your skills, training level  and mood.

About the meals, a special tip: many restaurants off the beaten path have fantastic offers called "Oferta Zilei" (The Offer of The Day) where you can eat a good 3 dishes lunch with 3 Euros!

Urban Archaeology in Romania

Romania is one of the few countries in the world where almost a half of the population still leaves to the countryside, and this is one of the reasons making this unbelievable country so attractive.

But I don't want to propose you this time another Romania Rural Tour. Not at all, even on the contrary. I love also the Romanian cities, and all of them have their obvious or secret charm for the hard workers searching for it. There is a very interesting thing to observe in every Romanian city, namely the circular structure. If the specific city you are visiting has a downtown, see the upcoming rings, estimating their age. A Romanian city is really like a tree, and you can guess its history and successive ages  judging only based on these rings.

I am becoming more and more a fan of the older Bucharest and its way of life. What do you think about it?

To be more specific, I would rather refer to Bucharest. The Downtown counts in its core buildings from the XVIIIth century, and even much older ones. 500 Meters further you will surprisingly see buildings from the late XIXth and the young XXth century in a charming mix of architectural styles. It is very similar with Paris, the visitors used to call Bucharest the little Paris. After other 500 metres discover the traces of The Ceausescu Era, who massively destroyed downtown for building modern luxury blocks of flats for his devoted nomenclature (about 1985).

The Romanian Television Central Office is already obsolete, but still very useful

Another 500 Meters away other blocks of flats, from the 1950's with much lower standards, for the developing working class of those times. These blocks of flats have big problems nowadays, when celebrating their 50th anniversary or more. The installations are not working properly anymore, and the destroyed Romanian industry doesn't hire any more. The inhabitants are old and poor, not able anymore even to paint the flats, neither outside, nor inside. The fact is that everybody's dream is to move away from these sad living silos, but only a few .can afford to do that.

You might be tired, you already walked a few kilometres through the Romanian history! Take a break in an underground bar from an old house, some of them are really charming with their strange atmosphere. Once refreshed, keep on walking or take a cab. You are looking now for the former huge industrial factories, the pride of the Ceausescu regime. After his fall, most of these factories showed themselves to be not able to compete or perform or to make a profit. Most of them closed their gates, and left behind huge buildings. Find them, they are amazing and overwhelming, as the creativity of the Romanians giving these huge spaces a second life. In some of them, between lathes and milling machines, one tried to start up a bar, club, wholesale or whatsoever. But huge surfaces are still available, maybe you can start a business in Romania!

Take a deep breath and a long walk on these sites, trying to figure their former life, full of  noises or fumes. Imagine the obsolete production methods, based on hard human work, and ask yourself if progress necessarily means better! And after this breathtaking visit, observe beyond the factories the last ring: building from 1990 up today. Mainly villas, very modern and sophisticated, but also some small or medium sized companies, looking very modern. To be honest, I like better and even love so much more the old factories and neighborhoods, they are full of life, joy and joy of life.

Best yoga retreats in Romania

If yoga is a philosophy or a way of life, or may be both, is still an opened question. But when it comes to be happy enjoying life, nothing compares to yoga! I agree with the yoga freaks, gurus or master, I do totally!

If you practice yoga, there is no reason breaking your lessons and sessions during your Romanian holidays, but on the contrary. Many Romanians are also practicing, you can join one of these groups (unfortunately the best Romanian guru, namely Gregorian Bivolaru, is not in the country anymore!). You can find these open groups in the big cities like Bucharest or Iasi, Cluj-Napoca, Constanta etc, mainly in the student quarters or high intellectual circles. Or you can keep practicing on your own, as usually, with the necessary mention that some places are much better than others for your exercises!

Even a fancy luxury hotel like Bucharest Radisson can offer good conditions for practicing yoga

First of all, the Romanian shore of the Black Sea offers excellent conditions for yoga. If you can get the wet stripe during sunrise all your chakras will enjoy. You can do it in the rustic Vama Veche or in the cosy Costinesti. Don't bother about the other people on the beach at that time. They might be drunk, tired or are doing the same thing (some of them might be even practicing tantra, don't bother them please). It is also possible to find a remote corner only for yourself, if you prefer being alone during these fantastic moments.

Another amazing place for yoga practicing is the Danube Delta. Make the right choice and stay in a remote pension, or camp in the middle of nowhere. The Danube Delta is still almost genuine and waking early in the morning means to hear some fantastic bird songs, or the fishermen living in their boats. There is a strange strong energy coming from anywhere, you need only let it flooding you.

You can even dare keep practicing your favorite yoga positions while staying in one of the country's leading hotels, but under these circumstances you should adopt the Tina Turner's method: take an extra room, only for your exercises, if the budget is not an issue! Ruling this healthy way of life should not exclude tasting and enjoying a glass of wine (my personal opinion and experience).

The spa retreat from Herculane is one of my secret tips for yoga freaks

Other great yoga destinations in Romania are the spa retreats from Felix and Herculane, no doubt. Their pools with thermal water and their surrounding hills covered with forest offer the most fantastic conditions for feeling the prana!

For the lonely type, my last tip: climbing mountains will help better understanding and enjoying God and life. The peaks of Moldoveanu or Ceahlaul are not an impossible task to achieve, offering royal rewards and compensations!

How To Discover The Amazing Hercules Bath In Romania

Baile Herculane/Herculesbad/Hercules Bath is really special among the Romanian spa resorts. Its huge prestige is due not only the long history of its wonderful healing powers(more than 2000 years), but also to its amazing hot mineral waters. These fabulous waters have been used by the legendary Hercules himself, representing according the locals one of the reason of his unearthly strength.

These waters have have many healing properties, and one can use them for inside or outside cure. Besides, qualified personnel offer some useful helping treatments, e.g. geriatric, acupunctural, apitherapic. You can have your daily water treatments very private in small bathrooms, or in bigger luxury pools (Ruschita marble. Your choice, your taste!). And if you come for a cure, you may not miss the fabulous environment. The town and resorts are surrounded by picturesque mountains and forests. You can walk there for days and weeks!

The fantastic Railway Station from Herculane is one of the most beautiful in Romania, and reminds to a Turkish bath

The position and climate of Baile Herculane is totally unique. Strong Mediterranean influences are to feel in the lack of very cold days, even during the worst Romanian winters. And about the vegetation, take a walk in the amazing Domogled National Park, with its unique endemic species, right near the resort.

The legendary Hercules must have been a local of Herculane

Reaching Herculane by train, you see first the railway station, of course. It is very old and stylish, one of the most beautiful railway stations in Romania. Its amazing Architecture reminds a Turkish bath! First, we walk and discover through Pecinisca, a quarter of the town Hercules Bath. Modern, with sad blocks of flats, and totally unspectacular. Cross the bridge on the Cerna River, build in the 70's on the place of an older, much nicer one, from 1896. On the right bank the rich forest simply falls on the town, while the left bank you can see the Domogled heights, inviting to a demanding walk. Not far is the breathtaking Central Park with a perfect mix of species. Very peaceful environment, with old couples walking, while the young kissing ones must be searched at night whether here, or in the hot pools. Daily, during the summer season, be sure to find the orchestra singing in the middle of the park. Discover here around the hotels Diana, Afrodita, and the old Bath Venera, build in 1752. On the other side of Cerna River, discover the wonderful Villa Livia, deeply Romanian in its Architecture. Very close, the Central Swimming Pool (1871) and the Hotel Traian, build in an interesting Vienna baroque style. A proud representing building is the former Casino, nowadays the Town museum. Don't miss the statue of Hercules in Hercules Bath, please, it is the symbol of all town and the locals are very proud about. They know a lot of myths and legends and pretend Hercules is simply one of them.

Baile Herculane is very stylish and peaceful

About the trekking and hiking trails I will let you know very soon, meet first this fabulous resort and spa retreat. You can do it in style in one of the resort's leading hotels, or on a budget. You are only pleased to enjoy life and the special environment of Baile Berculane.