Romania for tourists from Asia

Introducing Romania to the Asian tourists

Nevertheless Europe is stormed by Asian tourists, Romania is still out of the beaten path. We can receive much more tourists from Asia as we do know, they are highly welcomed.

Romania is an interesting spiritual destination due to the important role of the Orthodox church

I think Romania is a fantastic destination for any tourists, whether coming from Asia, Europe or another continent. We have everything, starting with urban life, to unspoiled nature and pristine beaches. Plus, we have a spiritual life, which Asian tourists can understand better than anyone else. 90 % of the Romanian population is deeply religious (Christian orthodox) and attends regularly the church, totally different from the Western world.

Romania is a wine destination, and I hope that the Taiwanese tourists will enjoy it

This simple fact makes Romania so different, and was really helpful in the history of Romanians, who peacefully withstanded much more powerful surrounding empires (Austrian, Habsburgic, Russian, Turkish etc). They all are gone, Romania and the Romanians are still here, with a pregnant identity. We are very proud of it!

Urban life in Bucharest Old Centre is a must for any foreign tourist

Many Romanians, due to their deep spirituality, felt attracted to Yoga, Zen, Chinese philosophy and Asian way of life. It may seem totally different, but it is only a different side of a special process, triggered by the basic questions of a human being. This dialogue of culture is the most important thing in the travel branch. It is not at all a clash, we respect and understand each other.

Pristine nature in Romania makes it even more attractive

Very soon I am going to have the opportunity to be the travel guide of an Asian tourists coming from Taiwan. It is a deep honor and a big pleasure, also a professional challenge. I will strive to present Romania in a realistic way, with good things and bad things. Maybe Romania is not the Paradise on Earth I dream, but is for sure nice place to see!

This group of tourists come to Romania in a bigger European Balkanic Tour, organized by the company  Albania Experience, and Mr Julian Trushi. It is going to be a fabulous tour, I am sure about it, and will keep you informed about that!

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.

Tips For Making Your Romanian Vacation Perfect

How to make your Romanian vacation perfect

Normally, nothing can go wrong during your Romania trip. It is such a nice land and the people are so friendly, they will set anything for you. They will invite you probably at their homes, as they have many thing to tell and show you with a natural born hospitality.

The Romanian Mountains and the Danube are highlights during your Romania Tour

Simply unbelievable are these people for sure, very normal and relaxed. They can improvise anything, they can make jokes from anything, or making big events from anything. My tip: say them sometimes "multumesc" or "mersi", is a fantastic reward to them. You really don't need to learn Romanian, most of them are cultivated and speak foreign languages. Say sometimes the magic words from above, will cause wonders. About "Salut" (Hello) or "Buna ziua" (Good afternoon) I won't insist.

The Romanians are 90 % Orthodox and you can see many splendid churches (like St. Nicholas from Brasov)

If you are on a budget, go to the market (avoiding the supermarket chains). From spring to autumn you will find a wide assortment of vegetables, which are cheap and taste totally different comparing of what you know from your country. If you love wine, you can find some good, even excellent wines, unbottled in specialized stores. My tip: search the red Cabernet Sauvignon, you will get addicted! Even better, visit a vineyard.

Romania is without doubt a wine land (here an impressive cave from Cotnari)

While on the way at lunch, never miss "The Day Offer", which you can find only in Romanian (Meniul Zilei) consisting on a medium meal with three courses for unbelievable  4 EURO!

Meniul Zilei (The day Offer) is not to miss, if you catch it

There are a few established destinations in Romania, and these are really must do and must see: Danube Delta, Black Sea coast, Bucharest, the painted churches from Bucovina, the fortified Saxon churches and towns from Transilvania. But besides, if you have time and budget, and are in the mood, you can certainly try to see Romania off the beaten path. Which is really fantastic and unbelievable, showing a strong character and an unforgettable hospitality. You can climb the mountains, discover the the rich fertile plains or visit the cities. Some of the Romanian big cities show extraordinary urban life, with culture, museums, theaters etc, e.g. Sibiu, Brasov, Oradea, Iasi, Craiova ( don't mention Bucharest here, it is something else). And I would have a special mention even for the small towns, who are very genuine indeed (e.g. Bistrita, Focsani, Tulcea, Suceava, Botosani).

Some Romanian big cities show an impressive urban life (here the City hall from Oradea)

So, dear friends, visit Romania, enjoy it and be happy. You can do on your own, or in an organized group (I suggest the check the offer of the best incoming agency, namely Karpaten!)

Falling in love in Romania

Romania Travel Guide for Lovers

So, you are in love (first time, or again, or finally etc, there is no matter!). Or it just happened during your Romanian trip, and you are supposed now to reconsider all your trip, choosing a new configuration.

Go deep inside the Danube Delta, in the land of nowhere, where you can't find other human beings

First choice: keep it secret with your beloved one, or show and share with the others. Anyway, it is not a sin at all, but only a mean to better integer the world and the universe. Anyway, remember that love is not at all exclusively fornication (excepting maybe the one night stands), but has also a deep spiritual side. It is karma, it is Yin and Yang, it is a subtle holly union. Speak a lot to your beloved one, hold his/her hand, kiss and cores. It gives you such an unbelievable power.

The Ciuperca Sea in Tulcea is a good place for swimming at night

Best choice to start or strengthen a relationship while in Romania is not at all a big city like Bucharest, but a small town like Tulcea, the turning plate to Danube Delta. Make a trip deep inside the Delta, feel the miracle to be in love ( it is really divine and holly this union between man and women). The best thing would be hiring a paddle boat or kayak, and going somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Hear the water, feel the Earth energy and Prana, the cosmic energy. Make love there, like you were the only living creature on Earth, but come back in harbor of Tulcea.

The Restaurant Republica from Tulcea is a former war ship with big  wheels

The shore of the Danube in Tulcea at night is very nice and romantic, even sexy I would say. You can bath at night in the Ciuperca sea (no bathing suits, of course!), coming back on the shore and looking for a ship restaurant. I found, checked and recommend the Restaurant Republica, a former war ship with wheels, as seen on Mississippi River. You can even find a museum on board, opened until 18 hours. But you are not interested in museums, churches etc but only in the wonderful human being besides you!

You can eat there a good meal, but you can also take only some drinks. I suggest as a wonderful foreplay and prelude a Mojito for the lady, and a glass of Red wine for him (Cabernet Sauvignon, if possible). Check please, this lethal combination makes really wonders. Don't dare to think what comes after, in one of the leading Tulcea Hotels (e.g. the friendly Europolis *** or the exquisite Delta ****).

Varna at night is very spectacular and romantic, don't miss it

You can stay here in Tulcea for days, weeks and years with your beloved one billing and coo, but maybe you want change the landscape, go on the coast. In Romania I would recommend Mamaia, Constanta and Vama Veche, but the neighboring Bulgaria is also very attractive. Check the good friendly Erma Hotel from Golden Sands, if you can get a free room! From Golden Sands go to Varna at night, enjoying a wonderful seasight in one of the many beach restaurants. Simply unbelievable and unforgettable! If you still can, stand up early, at 5, bathing in the sea while the sun sets! It is really beyond words the huge harmony you feel doing this.

Travelling in Romania by train

As you are an environmental aware traveler and an avid tourist, you might want doing something for our planet and start thinking about traveling by train.

By the way, you can even reach Romania by train, in the most stylish way, with the legendary Orient Express leading from Paris to Istanbul. This real life for sure, and Agatha Christie is preparing to make the right flamboyant appearance. You need some time for it, at least a few days, up to two weeks, but it deserves every minute and every penny!  Daily life in the Orient Express is much more spectacular than a three hours flight from Paris to Bucharest with its fancy dinners, comfort suites, love stories and even crimes.

The first steam locomotive used 150 years  ago on the Romanian railways

The truth is that the railway is being there since a few centuries and traveling by train is one of the cleanest ways of transportation. The railway is more than any street a part of the landscape and environment and the railway tunnels or bridges are really spectacular. Some railway stations in Romania are really masterpiece of architecture, and I am going to name just a few of them: Baile Herculane, Oravita, Iasi, Suceava,Arad.

The iconic railway station from herculane is one of the oldest and nicest countrywide

Traveling by train in Romania has a long tradition, and you can explore the full country up to its most remote corners exclusively by train. I even thought on a circuit covering all the country's most iconic regions exclusively by train, and I am going to propose it to you bellow, with a few mentions and observations. If you want to travel in style, look for the first class and the comfy Inter city trains. A 500 km long journey will cost under this exclusive conditions 40 Euros. If you would like, on the contrary, travel on a tight budget, count with the half of the mentioned amount, putting on the balance the fact that traveling by train is in Romania much safer than traveling by car. Your taste, your choice, I only want to inform you correctly!

Not any longer in use, unfortunately!

Start your Romanian train journey from Bucharest, where you can visit the amazing Museum of the Romanian Railways, showing even the first steam locomotive used in the country 150 years ago! Travel then over Ploiesti-Buzau-Focsani to Iasi and take a break there! (You can actually take more breaks than I propose during your circuit, the administration is very flexible about). Travel then from Iasi to Timisoara, over Suceava-Cluj Napoca-Oradea-Arad. Discover not far from Timisoara one of the oldest railway, with its fancy fantastic stations in Buzias, Oravita and Herculane, but go further to Craiova. Have a break and a rest there in Craiova, you are brave and totally deserve it! Now travel from Craiova to Bucharest and Constanta over Ramnicu Valcea-Pitesti. It is a total joy of life in everything on this royal journey, you must be only  aware of it, and let it overwhelming you. Traveling by train in Romania is wonderful for families, solo, gay or whatsoever.

The today technique on the Romanian Railways will bring you safe to the destination

How to choose the Best Romanian Cruises

The Romanian climate is usually lacking on rain during the hot summers, causing big problems to the local farmers (please don't worry for the vineyards, it is the best possible for the wine production, thanks.) Consequently, the water levels on the most important inside rivers diminishes dramatically. No chance for cruising, rafting etc.

You still have the option to build a loggers floating boat, as in the good old times of 100 years ago. But you must be born for that, having the deep taste of adventure. Historically speaking, it was once the main way for exporting the Romanian wood. You can do this unforgettable travel on the river Bistrita, living in Piatra Neamt, and sailing up to Galati. Olt, Mures  and Jiu are other big important rivers you can rely on, even during the hot summer.

The spectacular Orthodox Cathedral from Galati

A good opportunity for cruising in style is living from Tulcea in Danube Delta, a natural sanctuary and a must see in Romania. Karpaten Tourism is in my opinion the best agency able to organize for you something very special, with city breaks in Tulcea and Constanta, or wine tastings in Murfatlar or Niculitel. It will turn really in an event taking your breath away. Only inside the Delta there are so many maze channels, and some of them are only accessible by boat, and not by ship! You can go from Tulcea to Sulina, and then navigate even on the strange Black Sea, along the Romanian Black See coast, stopping in Constanta with its museums, or in Mangalia. Further is Bulgaria, with the renowned ports of Varna and Burgas.

The frenetic life of the Danube port of Tulcea turns around the water

But even if you are the marine sailing type, anything else is paling if you compare with the fantastic Delta. Don't miss it it so long, go back in Tulcea and (re)discover the Danube Delta with its spectacular birds nesting everywhere. eat fish, it is very healthy and very tasty if cooked by the locals. Besides, remember the old myth saying that the fish eater can cope better with the daily troubles, exactly like the fish does in his environment (some people name it crisis management) . Make a break in Tulcea, just to have an excellent short wine tour, with stopping in Murfatlar and Niculitel. Another excellent reason to enjoy your Romanian cruise and the life, broadly speaking.

Wine tasting is simply a must do during any Romanian trip

From Tulcea you still have a few days to explore the Romanian Danube. It is really impressive. Most of the ports are small towns, whose lives turn around the water, like Calarasi, Giurgiu, Oltenita, Calafat, Drobeta or Orsova. Since Constanta discovered its global vocation, controlling the most of the Romanian trade, these little ports lost their importance. Braila is bigger and much more spectacular, still proudly showing its ancient prosperity due to the cereals trade, and Galati is one of the biggest Romanian cities, ports and yards. Due to special deepening works, Galati is easy accessible for big sea tanks and mineral ships supplying the local steel factory, one of the biggest worldwide. Unfortunately, Galati has nothing to show to its visitors, is a typical industrial city with the same ugly blocks of flats.

The small town of Calarasi  is peaceful, but spectacular

There is a wonderful relaxing travel this Romanian cruise through a neverending plain, which is not lacking on charm. It is in a way similar to the Hungarian puszta, displaying the same excellent fertile soil, small forests. Figure the landscape a few centuries ago, you could see only unbeaten forests. Approaching Drobeta and the Iron Gates/Portile de Fier the landscape changes totally and dramatically. Wild mountains, excellent for your outdoor adventures: climbing, hunting, fishing. Observe the big lake from the dam, its building meant the remove of a few villages and of the iconic island Ada Kaleh, a pirates nest. From this point of vue, the spectacular town of Orsova is the most modern Romanian one, being the newest!

Here in Iron Gates Romania says hello to the Danube

From Iron Gates you can go further to Belgrade, Budapest, Vienna, or you can choose to turn back to Tulcea, whether by ship, or by bus/train ( simply on land, after all!). You have a wide offer to your disposal, and I am sure that you are going to make the right choice. I am going to help and support you, you need only to name your wishes!

Seeing Romania on a budget

If you want to visit Romania, but you can't afford see it in style, there is no problem. I am still very happy for that, and I am going to help you with all what I can, e.g. insider tips for finding the best destinations in Romania on a budget.

Romania is anyway normally not at all a very expensive destination. Who really wants to see it style, congrats, there are some exquisite  places with luxury hotels and restaurants. But you can go also backpacking in Romania, mixing with the locals and staying on a tiny budget. My first tip: sparing by meals is very easy in Romania, and you have got two possibilities doing that. First one: almost all the restaurants have an unbeatable offer, called Meniul zilei (Today's special) costing 4,5 Euros and containing 3 courses! The other possibility is buying vegetables from the locals markets, exactly like the happy Romanians! Not only that you are going to spare a lot of money, with respect to the tiny budget you have, but you will probably rediscover the incredible genuine flavor of the vegetables.

A typical cheap pension in Romania, offering human contacts and cheap  excellent food.

And be sure to find a lot of best  wine in bulk, at prices of around 2 Euros for the best sorts. You will surely draw the conclusion of affording to stay longer even with your low budget! And the people here are fantastic friendly and ready to give you a hand in every situation. If you tell them about your Romanian ancestors or about the fantastic feeling this wonderful land is awakening in you they will be very happy, and will surely invite you to the dinner. Hereby you won a friend for the rest of your life.

You can stay on a budget even in the exquisite expensive Bucharest. Don't need to stay to the Intercontinental Hotel **** in the very center( which is ugly and artificial, btw), you can choice Hotel Cismigiu ** and enjoy better the life and the present minute.

Hotel Cismigiu in Bucharest is a cheap extremely satisfying  alternative to a fancy hotel, but you can better enjoy the life 

In the rest of the country you can find everywhere cheap pensions, which are not very hard to find. They offer also cheap but excellent meals (e.g. Meniul zilei!). Better than that could only be staying by a local, who has invited you, as he enjoys your presence, or hires his extra rooms, as the pupils have left home (working and living probably somewhere in the wide world). My advice: ask about the price, to avoid any unpleasant surprise, and don't pay more than 20 Euros per night!

Backpacking in Romania is really an event, offering you the perfect opportunity to stay fit and see some of the savagest landscapes in Europe. Backpacking in Romania also allows you visit the most remote mountain cabins. After a few hours of climbing mountains no one will notice the lack of comfort, but only warmly appreciate the soft mattress from the common dormitories. And if the running water doesn't work perfectly, you have the creek outside. The view and landscape will perfectly compensate any efforts. I reckon to recommend now The Fagaras Mountains, the highest in Romania. Search there the cabins Balea Lac or Balea Cascada, climb our national symbols Moldoveanu and Negoiu, relax and enjoy. Observe the fantastic view on the Transfagarasan Road, which is really spectacular, one of the world's best.

Cabana Balea Lac in the spectacular Fagaras mountains, next to the Transfagarasan road

I gave you a few suggestions, let me know about your opinions about it, and tell me if I shall be more specific about programs and prices. But remember the important thing: it is very easy to visit Romania on a budget. Anyone can and shall afford it, and in some directions you can do it with style! I stay to your disposal for further detailed matters.

Best secret retreats nearby Bucharest

No matter how charming might be Bucharest, you need sometimes to move away. You are no more in the mood to socialize in a big city, you need to disconnect totally. Bucharest parks are a possibility, Bucharest churches another one.

But if you wanna go deeper in nature, you have excellent possibilities only 100 km away from Bucharest (excepting the rush hours on week ends, when the traffic jams are terribly frequent !). The all Prahova Valley, as the favorite  destinations of the Bucharest inhabitants, is sometimes overcrowded and overbooked, and also polluted. But you can still find some peace and quiet islands, in order to gain yourself and make peace with the inner you.

My suggestion for this noble goal would be a remote isolated cabin in these mountains. Reach first of all the little town of Predeal, only 20 km away from Brasov. You can reach it over Ploiesti and Sinaia, if is not week end and you hope on a fluent circulation, or over Cheia-Brasov, from the opposite side. Besides, you have the train option, which is pretty comfy and costs effective.

Belvedere Cabin offers fantastic view to all neighboring mountains.  It is also remoted and isolated, almost a romantic place, up to the big dormitories!

Once there in Predeal I can propose first the Diham Cabin, accessible after a two hours climbing. For that purpose, live the station and walk along the central boulevard Mihai Saulescu (Romanian poet, falled nearby in WWI). After observing a few shops, Post office and the Firemen, take care not to miss a panel to Hotel orizont, followed by another to the Cabin Trei Brazi (Three Firs). Start walking on the street leading to Trei Brazi, cut the road sinuosities as you are smart, and discover first Cabana Vanatorilor (The Hunters' Cabin), but don't  be happy, it is not your target! Notice here the two marking paths, one with a yellow band, and one with a blue cross. If you are not sure about them, enter the forrest. Inside  a small lighting the blue cross marking turns suddenly left. This is right, please follow it carefully, and start climbing The Mountain Fitifoiu for one or two hours (depending on your mood and shape). At a moment you will join a another path originating in Cabin Trei Brazi, carrying the same marking, a blue cross, whose finally destination is the same: Sipote lighting. At the end of the path, after 2-3 hours climbing you are going to reach your target, the Diham Cabin. Which is big and welcoming, with 70 places in rooms of 6-10 beds, hostel type. No chance of romance, unless you have practice and skills. I have some ideas, will reveal them soon. It is hot, you have running water, hot water and electricity. Limit yourself to the basics, and enjoy life, as the other also do. The cabin lies at an altitude of 1300 meters, you are away from the big city of Bucharest.

The Diham Cabin, not far from Predeal, is a good base for other sorter or longer  hiking trips  in Piatra Craiului Mountains.

If you think that this cabin is not easy enough reachable (which should make you seriously thinking about your way of life, shape and condition!), I can give you another option: The Belvedere Cabin. You can reach it by car, coming whether from Bucharest, or from Brasov, and living the highway to Piriul Rece- Rasnov. The street narrows, but is still o.k., and you can reach the cabin in the best condition. Don't expect a four stars hotel, is a simple cabin, organized as a hostel, but offers a fantastic view over of the nearby mountains.

There are many other options for cabins and almost secret retreats in the Piatra Craiului Mountains, by Predeal, but I wish limiting on these two, it's my choice and personal recommendation. You have wonderful possibilities for relaxing, outdooring and even socializing.

Epic stories about the inhabitants of the Danube Delta

Once arrived in the Danube Delta you might try visiting it off the beaten path. O.K., your choice, your risks. Without joking anymore, it could be a good idea, if you don't forget these tips!

In order to visit Delta in its depths and to discover all its secret, try to stay close to the people, the amazing locals. Take a regular ship from Tulcea in any direction, and start observing discretely the inhabitants. They are all fishermen, but I am sure that you can make the necessary distinction between the locals and the visiting fishermen!The locals won't wear fancy  suits, they have worked hands and a special look. They seldom go out shopping, only the really necessary things.

No local has car, would be useless, but all of them have boats

Since a few decades the population of Danube Delta is practically the same. They really love their places, otherwise won't stay here. This territory is one of the thinniest populated in Romania and Europe, nevertheless human settlements have been for milleniums here, remember Tulcea or Sulina, as the most important representatives. But along the years many other simply vanished, leaving behind some amazing ruins and monuments. The water had no mercy at all and gulped down many artifacts.

Locals (Lipovans) fishing in the Danube Delta

The locals of Danube Delta are one of the most important assets and attractions of the area. Their look and daily life are absolutely amazing. Most of them are very strong and tall, it is a basic condition for surviving. The men usually wear huge beards and spend most of their lives in the boats, searching for fish to make a living. Their stories, myths and legends are tighten to the river and fishing adventures (don't bother believing them, just pretend, as otherwise you can offend them). They are perfectly mastering the canoes or Kayaks, and some of them became renowned sportsmen and recordmen, e.g. Ivan Patzaichin, a Romanian legend living in Bucharest now.

You will appreciate at once, from the first sight, the uncomplicated way of the locals. They are really charming, due to their optimism and hospitality. Staying by them is an event and an honor you can refuse. Don't go there with empty hands: a bottle of strong alcoholic drink (vodka or brandy) will be the most welcomed present, together with cigarettes. And thus you will get a fantastic fish soup, secret recipes, with few different species, bigger or smaller, depending on the last captured prey.

Lucky skilled people get the deserved result of their  fantastic work

But who are these amazing people and where did they come from? If you were an outlaw, would go to idea that Danube Delta is the perfect hiding place. Remote villages, difficult communications, seldom policemen. Most of the locals came here as fugees, and the most important community is the Lipovans'. They had to live Russia by the beginning of the XIXth century due to strong confessional repressions. They are actually orthodoxe of the old communion, keeping on the Julian's calender. They are blond, strong and tall, and speak perfectly Romanian, but also a sort of Russian among them. You can find them all over Danube Delta, in Ilgani, Rosu, Ceatalchioi or Rosetti, Chilia etc. They build their houses from mood and wood, cover with bulrush. These houses are not supposed to hold a life, as these harsh locals are used to build more houses in a life. The houses are not very rich, but clean and well kept.

If you are a fisher they will adopt you at once, taking with them to the daily fishing. Please observe carefully, even note, and learn, as they are are really masters with a huge knowledge and unbelievable stories, far beyond your imagination. As a wine afficionado I had no easy task here, but I managed doing good friend among these excellent people you can rely on.

Fantastic places in Buzau and around

The city of Buzau counts even in the Romanian consciousness rather as an industrial city, than a touristic or cultural one. Which is not fair at all, and I am going to prove it!

Only 100 km away from Bucharest, Buzau is one of the oldest Romanian cities, with many significant trade privileges dating from centuries ago. The first name of the city and the river, you really can't separate them, was Mousaios, as it appears in official documents from the IVth century, kept in the Vatican archive. One of the most interesting story about Buzau is tighten to "The hen with golden chickens", which is an impressive gold thesaurus lieing today in the Romanian National History Museum from Bucharest. It was discovered during ordinary digging works on the hill Istrita by Buzau, when the people was searching stones for building the Orthodox Seminary. The discoverers did not notice its huge value, it is the richest thesaurus found before Tutankhamon's one! Consequently, according to a local legend, one of the discoverer asked the blacksmith to fix a gate hinge with the help of a small piece from the Thesaurus. The people first hide all the pieces, fearing the authorities, courses etc., but sell the treasure to a local entrepreneur, who sells it to a Bucharest jeweler. Very soon the authorities became aware about the huge value of the treasure, and take measures against all  the involved persons, who die shortly afterwards. The Thesaurus have been more times restored and copied; nowadays the original is in the Bucharest Museum above mentioned, and one of the copies in the local History Museum. When German troops invaded and conquered Romania in WWI the original, together with other valuable pieces, has been evacuated in Moscow, and this one is among the few pieces coming back.

The original thesaurus from Pietroasa/Buzau in the Romanian national History Museum

The oldest house of the city, called Vergu-Manaila, is nowadays an Ethographic Museum, and constitutes one of the most important things to see in Buzau. Another one is the Mayor's Palace, a charming building, older than 100 years, still in use, whose exquisite architecture is to observe, notice and wonder.

Now you may to leave Buzau towards Brasov, through the mountains, but you don't need to hurry up. One of the most important things to observe during this trip, its mainly highlight, are the people living in all the villages on the way. Traditional and genuine, they are very friendly and welcoming, and is very easy setting contact with them. You can use every little opportunity for that, and you won't be disappointed. They are wise, know many things, and share them gladly with you! Besides, the fantastic landscapes you will meet. First, observe the huge, neverending Romanian plain, turning soon to hills or even mountains. On the way the most important thing to see is the Siriu Dam and lake. It is really huge and spectacular, and almost natural ( at least the locals name it like that). Actually, there is no a huge concrete dam, as you could expect and find in other places in Romania. The dam consists on rocks, put on a former hill, making it bigger and higher. All the construction looks pretty discrete, a small hill stopping the river. There are many pensions in the area, you can hike and climb these mountains for days and weeks, enjoying the unspoiled nature. While you travel, be very careful in summer about rocks fall after heavy rains!

Iconic landscapes in the Romanian Carpathians

Leaving Piatra Neamt towards Transilvania offers the good possibility to drive on the Highway 12 C, to Gheorheni, and further to Sighisoara or Brasov. Thus you go through an important Romanian National Park, called The Hasmas Nature Reserve, based on the neighboring mountains, also called the Hasmas Mountains.

It is not an easy way, if you reckon riding the bikes along, but also not impossible. Neither by car is not much easier, on certain parts of the way the street is very narrow, causing very often traffic jams. But the beauty of the landscape in The Bicaz Gorges / Cheile Bicazului makes you surely to forget any unpleasant things, as they are simply fantastic!

The impressive Bicaz Gorges,or  Bicaz canyon

I think the Americans would name it Bicaz Canyon. Call it anything you want, it is amazing and iconic. A small river, namely Bicaz, dug in the soft lime rocks one of the most impressive gorges in Romania. You are going to love these gorges from the first sight for sure. There are good possibilities to climb the mountains all around, watching the highway from the top of the rocks is simply breathtaking, but only recommended and permitted to skilled tourists. The beginners have other many possibilities.

Even in the mountains you  can find bargains and good shopping possibilities

A good idea to discover and conquer the Hasmas mountains is lodging in Lacu Rosu/Red Lake,  a resort on your way, with many hotels and cabins. A main attraction of the Red Lake is even the lake, born through a land slide in the XIXth century. The water is very cold, and deep, also full of trees trunks!  Also, not the best conditions for swimming, but you can take a boat. On the terraces you can enjoy afterwards a glass of beer or wine, and you can make shopping, there are many craftsmen in the area exhibiting their works.There is a wonderful legend about forming of Red Lake/Lacul Rosu. according this legend, a young beautiful girl has been kidnapped and raped by a local outlaw. She, very ashamed, has been crying for 1 day long, and implored the mounting, who finally accepted to let the rocks fall onto the bandit. That's why the falled mountain is called The Killer! Its colour is really reddish, due to the iron oxydes and the red rocks mirroring in the lake!If you are a mathematics or statistics freaks, note some numbers: altitude 983 meters, surface 13 hectars/26 acres, maximum depth 12,5 meters; extent 3 km, length 3 km, and a total volume of 680000 cubic meters. From the lake starts its journey the river Bicaz, but other  small rivers are tributary to the lake. The have been dammed, in order to prevent the lake from collecting mood, which could destroy it. You can fish in the lake, as any other visitor is entitled to do it. You can catch trouts, up to 1,5 kg, and you must notice the two distinct species: the lake trout has black point, while the river trout coming from the tributary rivers has red points.

The little but persistent Bicaz River starts its journey in the Red Lake/Lacul Rosu,  born through  a landslide. Nevertheless, there is a wonderful legend about it!