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!

Why should you choice Romania  your favorite travel destination

There are so many reasons to make Romania as your favorite travel destinations. I will reveal them all bellow with the necessary details and explanations.

First of all, because of the people. Don't try to understand them, they are rather sensitive and emphatic, and no one can understand them. But they are really lovely, well mannered and educated, and make their guests feel like kings. Even the poorest peasant will try to help you, will invite you in his home and to dinner. Is a matter of education, of their Christianity and of national pride. They are always there for you, if necessary, ready to help.

For the nature freaks, Romania is unbeatable in some parts of it

Second, if you start thinking of your favorite kind of vacation, you are going to find it in Romania. Sometimes you must dig longer and deeper for it, but you can find it, no doubt. Ask me and ask Karpaten, the best incoming agency for any details. Here you are the most frequent tours and vacations you might looking for. Even if you can't find your specific tour, don't lose your temper, we can also tailor it for sure:

Culture freaks won't be dissapointed at all in Romania. Here one of the painted churches of Bucovina/Northern Moldavia

-Romania Tours with the highlights in Transilvania, Moldavia, Wallachia of 7 to 14 days in many different variations, even for your specific taste

-Wine and food tours. Keep in mind that Romania is a wine country, as a former part of the Roman Empire, and we developed a wine culture, similar with France, Italy and Spain. As you are a wine afficionado, you must have heard about Murfatlar, Niculitel, Cotnari and other leading Romanian vineyards.

Wine and food tours in Romania have a long tradition

-For the beach lovers, there are a plenty of pristine beaches on the Romanian Black Sea coast, and the resort Mamaia has a tremendous night life. That resort is totally comparing with Ballerman or Rio.

-For the nature freaks there are many options. One is the fantastic Danube Delta, a UNESCO natural reserve, and another the Romanian Carpathians (e.g. Fagaras, Retezat, etc)

-For the endurance sportsmen, you can climb and walk the mountains, discovering some landscapes of an untouched breathtaking beauty. For the bikers, an excellent offer you can find at Launer Reisen, Germany for more difficulty degrees.

During a Bucharest Architectural Tour you have the unique opportunity to see the world's second biggest building, build by the former dictator Nicolae Ceausescu

-About city breaks, don't miss Bucharest, Sibiu, Iasi, Oradea, Timisoara, Brasov which are really seducing and worth a visit in any season. Even the little towns have in Romania a special fantastic charm.

-The culture freaks won't be disappointed at all in Romania. There are interesting museums in every major city, there are the fantastic painted churches of Northern Moldavia or the wood churches from Maramures. There are antic ruins in Constanta, Histria, Drobeta and so much more.

And the last argument: Romania is still cheap. You can eat in some places a good lunch with 3-4 Euros (ask about "Meniul zilei"). And most important of all, Romania is very safe, as the criminals moved out in richer countries, and the police is very active.

The history of the Romanian Germans

Myths and legends about the Germans from Romania

I must confess, I like and love Germans, as the most of people in Romania also do. They have been for centuries very esteemed and beloved, being a sort of people who had major contributions to the culture and civilization in Romania.

German Made Architecture in Sibiu/Hermannstadt, still having today a German Mayor

They have been very orderly, hard working  and industrious, they build hospitals, schools, museums etc and we, the Romanians, would like to say "Danke!" /Thank you! Comparing to them, the Romanians seem to have a better sense of humor, as they are oriented to enjoying life, while the Germans are hard workers and the last to understand a joke! But nowadays this cliche does not apply anymore, my German tourists understand a joke better, deeper and more sweeping than I do myself!

The Black Church from Brasov is one of the most impressive in Romania

The Germans came to Transilvania during  the XIth century brought by the Hungarian King Geza I, who aimed to secure the boundary. For almost 1000 years they did not only defense and securing the boundaries, but also developed cities like Brasov/Kronstadt or Sibiu/Hermannstadt. They made business, they build houses in an easy to recognize style. But the history has been very ruthless to the Germans during the 20th century. After the WWII the Romanian Germans have been deported to Romania or Russia. Many of them did not come back.

Old Habsburgic Uniforms to the guards from Alba Iulia

Besides, after a catastrophic economic policy of Ceausescu, he simply bought a good part of the German experts to the Western Germany. It was a major success of the Romanian economy during the communist time! After the dissolution of the communist regime and the fall of Ceausescu, all the economy collapsed and almost all of the remaining Germans took the decision to emigrate in the reunified Germany (it was obviously the only possible option, not only the best one).

Another example of K.u.K architecture, in Suceava

But nowadays we need another Geza to bring our Germans back! The Romanian economy started to move, the country is stable, it is possible to make businesses here. Best prerequisites to come in Romania. Some of the Germans who left Romania really come back. The life is cheaper, and the environment better than in the Western Europe. The city of Sibiu still has a German Mayor, Klaus Johannis, and this is maybe the best guarantee for the returning Germans.

Myself, as a travel guide, never forget in my trips to mention all these things about the history of the Germans and their contribution to the local culture and civilization. And all the Romanians feel the same, we love our Germans. And nowadays, we call sometimes one Romanian as "The German", being the most beautiful compliment: he is the best in his area!

Most important things to know about the Jews in Romania

Most important things to know about the Jews in Romania

Nowadays, unfortunately, there are only few Jews still living in Romania, most of them very old. We, the Romanians, or most of us, repent  very much this unhappy evolution.

But there are few things remembering their importance presence in the Romanian history. You can still find in Bucharest a huge Jewish district, with the Choral temple and the synagogue. You can still find people able to tell you some stories about the good old times, about the Romanian Jews, their ability for trade and our life together.

The Choral Temple from Bucharest is still impressive and still in use

Many Jews have  played for centuries an important role in the Romanian society (economy, culture, etc). They came and set here in waves, from different parts of the world where they was subject to persecutions and unfair treatment ( e.g. Galitia/Austrian Empire, Russia etc). The brave people escaping the Holocaust gone to Israel, getting finally a home there. Fortunately, we still have a few living and working in Romania!

Almost 100 years ago every Romanian town had a synagogue (here in Focsani)

Most of the cities and towns from Moldavia or Wallachia have their legends with Jewish traders and a central street full with different shops belonging to them. They had to be very innovative in their areas, as the Romanians, Armenians, Greek or Turks competitors were not waiting with crossed hands! Many of these downtowns in cities and towns with their obsolete atmosphere have been destroyed, turning in industrial towns. About these industrial towns with their uniform grey blocks of flat, everybody agree: they are not nice and attractive for the tourists, and the locals must reinvent themselves.

A much bigger, more modern and in use synagogue, in Cluj Napoca

Thus, a good opportunity for foreign investments, specially from the Israeli Jews who know Romania. We have shared our lives for a while, and wait for them to come back. For the younger ones, is to recommend a special tour for discovering the Jewish traditions. I will warmly and salute all of them, recommending the next steps!

And another important fact: Romanian is in Israel almost an official language. Everywhere the Romanian are respected and very well treated. We must say thank you for all these things, and trying to act in the same way!

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.

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!

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.

Most impressive hot spots in Sibiu

Only other very few Romanian cities can compete Sibiu as interesting targets for travelers. Sibiu is totally special. It was shortly a sort of Transilvanian Capital, preferred to bigger cities as Cluj Napoca, Timisoara or  Brasov.

Sibiu has been for centuries an example of peaceful living together of Romanians, Germans and Hungarians and even today is the first city when coming to the Romanian Germans, their intensive history or their newer investments in Romania. One of the legends about the first people living here mentions around year 1000 a German shepherd called Hermann, coming here from Nuremberg! The history is totally different, but the German name of Sibiu is Hermannstadt (or Nagyszebenyi in Hungarian).

Bruckental Museum in Sibiu, one of the hottest spot , really a World Attraction  deserving your time and money

Sibiu in its downtown is full of old historic houses having played a major role during the intensive life of this millenary city. For history or architecture  freaks is really thrilling discovering Sibiu. Make it walking in style, with a noon break at Imparatul Romanilor, the city's most exclusive restaurant (don't even think asking about horse meat, becoming shortly one of the favorite Romanian meals).

 The fortress of Sibiu is one of the most important city's landmarks, and you may not miss it. Build in the XIIth century and then modified and enlarged until the XVIth century was the strongest in the all Transilvania/Siebenbuerger and is still able to show very proudly  in some places its former glamour. At the peak of its development counted 39 towers, 2 platforms and 4 bastions. Access was granted exclusively through four well guarded gates (Cisnadie, Tower, Elisabeth, Ocna). Unfortunately, during the quickly development of Sibiu in the XIXth century most parts of the fortress have been demolished. Discover first the Stairs Tower, at Grivita Square, one of the city's oldest buildings (1292) and observe its Roman style. Bellow the tower, there is a tunnel connecting with the Fortress Hospital (nowadays an asylum for elder and seniors). It is actually the first Romanian  hospital using pharmaceutical recipes.

Another hot spot is the Old Mayoralty, one of the nicest and most interesting Gothic monuments of Transilvania. Build at 1470 hosted 400 years long the Mayor of the fortress.

Very typical for the Orthodoxe Church Architecture is the Old Church from street 1 Mai, similar to the church St Sophia from Istanbul.

But most probably the hottest spot in Sibiu, even if you are not necessary an art freak is the Bruckenthal Museum. His founder, namely Samuel Bruckenthal, was governor of Transilvania and private adviser of the Austrian Queen Maria Terezia (still having a statue in Sibiu). Observe first to the entrance the portal with the coat of arms of Bruckenthal Family. The Art Museum was opened in 1810 (three years before The Paris Louvres) and is the oldest in Romania. You need a few hours to watch all the masterpieces hosted by the museum, but you are going to feel much richer afterwards. It definitely deserves your time and efforts, due to the fantastic building and excellent paintings from different European schools!

On the Liar's Bridge from Sibiu you can check and double check  the strength  and reliability of your beloved partner!  Please don't cause any harm to the bridge!

If you need a break after this intensive cultural tour, take it on your own. You can make it on a budget in one of the city's many terraces and small, yet chic small restaurants ( special personal mention and recommendation for Crama Sibiul Vechi). But you can take also in style in the Hotel Restaurant "Imparatul Romanilor", the city's best, who hosted during the XIXth century some prominent personalities, like the King of Sweden, Franz Liszt, Johann Strauss etc. Enjoy the wine, enjoy the life, enjoy Sibiu with all your body and soul, as a World Attraction!

Sibiu Downtown looks very Medieval

Zalau, an unknown Romanian pearl

Zalau/Zilau/Zilenmarkt is not very known neither among Romanians, nor travelers, and I think it is not right. The much nicer, bigger Cluj Napoca is only a half hour driving away. Every local teenager  aiming to make a future goes to Cluj Napoca, after its secondary school, becoming there a student.

On the surrounding hills and mountains there are a lot of plum orchards and the local plum brandy is legendary strong (double refined). Up to a few years ago any visitor could notice the locals carrying bigger or less recipients full of an interesting liquid. Well, it was water, as the town had not running water. Meanwhile, the situation has been improved. For sure, if you see anyone carrying nowadays a recipient is whether plum brandy, or , more rarely, wine.

A really wonderful Calvinist Church in Zalau, worth a visit, and makes the city so multicultural

Zalau still has a strong industry, but is also a wonderful touristic city with fantastic neighborhoods. You can hike on the mountains around, the legendary Mezes, there are a few trails available. Whether on the trails, or on the road, you can discover the interesting villages around through short trips. Keep in mind and discover Romanasi, Poarta Salajului, Treznea or Guruslau. Very interesting, in many of them you can still find Roman ruins. When the Romans conquered the local Dacia, they stopped in the area, further did not take the chance. The Salaj County, and also Maramures have managed to be still free.

The central square from Zalau with the mayoralty

Since almost 100 years Zalau is Romanian, and nowadays 80 % of the inhabitants are Romanian. Before, the  structure was totally reversed, the Hungarians were more. Two prominent personalities are tighten to Zalau, the Romanian politician Iuliu Maniu, and the Hungarian politician Wesselenyi, having a monument in the very centre of the city.

The Central Square of Zalau with the Mayoralty and the mentioned statue of Weselenyi acts interesting, like one or two centuries ago, without the daily routine. Few steps away, the Salaj County Museum, with a few interesting relics from the Roman era. All the city hotels are in the area, and you can see the city in style staying there. Zalau lies mainly on the main street, and along the River Zalau.

First the Dacians, and then the Romans settled in the area. In 1220 Anonymus makes a mention about "Villa Zilac" as a part of a Romanian county, and in 1241 the Mongols completely destroys Zalau, which recovers miraculously, becoming an important trade area for the local agricultural or craft products.

As a conclusion, you have many things to do and to see in Zalau and around, would suggest to plan few days for it.

The Big Romania Tour of former Capitals

I am fascinated by the Middle Age, I wonder about all the conveniences from a Royal Court. It must have been a hard time comparing with a modern club when the girls are wearing shirt skirt as an uniform. I wonder how was during Middle Age accosting, dating and loving a women wearing a very long dress with a crinoline. Hard times indeed.

We can only speculate about, I am sure we can discuss a lot more about this hot issue. Visiting the former Romanian Capitals and asking or answering the right questions would be an interesting thing, I am sure, that's why I am proposing you the Tour of Former Romanian Capitals. As you might remember, during Middle Age the history mentions three Romanian countries : Wallachia, Moldavia and Transilvania. In Wallachia, before Bucharest gains its overwhelming importance, the capital was closer to the mountains, much easier to defend, successively in the towns of Campulung, Curtea de Arges and Targoviste.

Alba Iulia at night, inside the citadell, the Orthodoxe Church

The Moldavia Capital has been long time in Suceava. Even the legendary Stefan cel mare/Stephen the Great was located in Suceava and had here its Capital and headquarter. Later, under the constant pressure of the Othoman Empire, Iasi became the Capital.

Transilvania was under a strong Hungarian-Austrian influence, but I am not going to send you away in Budapest or Vienna. Go better to the headquarters of the local Diet (Parliament) in Alba Iulia, Sibiu or Cluj Napoca.

Cluj Napoca is former Capital, and a nice city for sure!

A difficult task indeed for a Swiss, overwhelmed by the huge Romania! Romania is not so big, would only say is a medium sized country with its 237 000 sqkm and 20 000 000 inhabitants. According my researches and ideas, if you are on a time pressure we can manage to see all these cities within 3 days. Less means to pass some interesting places.

The trip shall start  from Bucharest in my opinion, but I am very flexible about that. During first day visit please the former Wallachian Capitals Targoviste, Campulung and Curtea de Arges, which might appear nowadays unsignificant province towns. Digging deeper, you can find some wonderful, really royal churches (all the court was orthodox and attended the church regularly) or museums, even fortifications necessary for the defensive purposes. If you are in the warm season and the wonderful road Transfagarasan is opened, cross the mountains on it, the landscape is really fantastic. Reach then Sibiu, and visit it in detail, it is a still a wonderful city. You have all the time in the world, we are going to spend the night here, in an excellent **** hotel, with wine tasting to the dinner. Don't miss the Bruckenthal museum, it is also worth to a long visit.

The Culture Palace from Iasi, which is even today a Romanian Culture Capital

Start your second day leaving Sibiu and visiting Alba Iulia and its very well kept citadell, and the city of Cluj Napoca/Koloszvar/Klausenburg, still being today an interesting mix of populations, who lives in a perfect harmony (my opinion, the Hungarian shall correct me if I'm wrong, koeszonem szepszi!). Unfortunately, we have not much time for Cluj-napoca, as we have to reach Suceava's  hotel Bucovina. Visit Suceava citadell next morning, and imagine the legendary Stefan cel Mare ruling the city and the country. He was rather small, violent and with a soft spot  on beautiful women, no one could resist him, or didn't dare to say no. Live for Iasi, the Moldavian capital up to 1859, which is still nowadays a very important cultural city. The last for 400 km up to Bucharest are only a play. Please keep in mind that the all trip comprises 2000 km, and give the good news about dedicating it longer than three days. Also, according your budget, I can find a good solution! The trip as described above, 3 days with complete pension and lodging in exquisite hotels, would cost 500 Euros.

Most amazing palaces in Bucharest

Bucharest is an amazing overwhelming city, and has the huge advantage to have an excellent position between East and West. The strong trade always drove the city in the right way, and its supremacy against other important cities of Romania is obvious.

You can guess in Bucharest behind the civilized western buildings a strong vibration, coming from the opposite direction of the East full of myths, stories and unbelievable legends. But you need some training to feel this vibration, it is not easy, and totally impossible from the first sight!

Besides its old churches, its legendary fountains or its parks, the secret spirit of Bucharest still lives through its wonderful castles and palaces. There is no a clear regulation or systematization, these buildings are still in public use, many of them, after successive restaurations, and they could emerge in the middle of otherwise totally boring and insignificant streets.

The Justice palace strives to remain official

On Dambovita River, not far from the controversial Parliament Palace ( also knew as People House, or Ceausescu house) meat the nice Justice palace, a temple of the right things. It has been build in a record time, 5  years long ( please don't smile, between 1890 and 1895) according project of French architect Ballu, who build other famous Justice palaces in Paris and Brussels. The sculptures giving the building charm and refinement have been carved by an important Romanian artist, Carol Storck, and represent The Justice, The Law, The True, The Force and The Caution. The Architecture Style is New Renaissance, and the Room of lost steps covers a quarter of the building.

The ruins of the Old Royal Court can be visited in the very center of the modern Romanian capital

Very close, one of the oldest buildings of Bucharest, nowadays only ruins where you can visit a small museum, namely the Old Royal Court, where many ruling princes, e.g. Dracula, had their residence. Observe carefully the poor furniture, and imagine that they haven't smart phones or Internet, specially if you are computer addicted and need detox!

Next to The Old Royal Court, a very picturesque Inn, The Manuc's Inn, dating from a totally different period, the begin of the XIXth century. It is still one of the best restaurants in Bucharest, but the hotel is a
little obsolete. Manuc bey was a Turk and his grounder. The Manuc's Inn saw and hosted many important historical events, e.g The Peace talks and Treaty between Turkey and Russia from 1812. Make again the above mentioned fantastic effort of imagination, and figure out where were the horses, the camels or the best rooms.

The picturescque Manuc's Inn hosted  important crucial moments of the Romanian history

Only a few steps further a sort of mall from the XIXth century, Hanul cu Tei/ The linden Inn. Observe the wide inside court (patio), very similar to Manuc's  Inn. In the Linden Inn you have unique possibilities to buy hand made objects, all the former city guilds still have representatives here! Which doesn't happens very often in a city like Bucharest!

My tip: visit all these palaces and Inns during a Bucharest Architectural Tour, as they all are located in the Old town, inside a small circle, and you can see them all easily by walking or riding bikes.

Epic  stories about the most famous churches of Bucharest

As you know Bucharest nowadays, it is a seducing capital, perfectly mixing the most modern buildings and hotels with the old ones. Bucharest is worth a visit for any people, of course, but first of all for any Architecture student, due to its unique Styles mix.

One of the most important part of the Romanian history  and tradition are the churches, and Bucharest is of course not an exception. Near its picturesque fountains, wonderful palaces or sad communist blocks of flats, the churches are for sure a landmark for the big city. At the Romanian countryside, the church is supposed to be the highest building. You can realize, that in Bucharest was impossible to keep this old unwritten traditions. The Bucharest churches still hold full of pride the famous names of their founders, members of the renowned aristocratic Romanian families. Nowadays the churches remained small islands of peace and worship in the middle of a busy city. Locals and visitors as well find them very lovely and inviting.

The curses triggered by the moving of Mihai Voda church caused the tragic death of Ceausescu and his wife!

The Michael Church/Biserica Mihai Voda was founded by the Romanian prince and ruler Michael the Brave and is an amazing and convincing splendid example of  Oriental Byzantine Architecture. His grounder build it on a hill, but when Ceausescu build the new Downtown, the church has been removed by a tank behind the blocks of flat. On that occasion the treasure hunters searched desperately for special prey, but did not find anything. The curses triggered on this occasion have finally hit Ceausescu.

The Patriarchy Cathedral rules over the city from the top of a hill!

The Patriarchy church has a much better position, and has been build in the XVIIth century; the noble prince and ruler Constantin Brancoveanu added later the bell tower. The church hosts nowadays the relics of St Dimitrie The New, the Protector of the Romanian capital. The impressive palace nearby was up to year 2000 the headquarter of the Deputies Chamber from the Romanian parliament.

The small Bucur church is accounted to the City founder, the shepherd called Bucur, which is not accurate, historically speaking, as the charming church dates back from the XVIIIth century! Please close your eyes about it, take it easy and don't ask so many questions!

The Good News Church; the news were good for sure for the ruler crowned years for centuries!

Very old, maybe the oldest, is doubtless The Good News Church/Biserica Buna Vestire, from the old court! Build around 1550, it has been for two centuries the place where the local rulers from Wallachia  have been crowned.

Smaller, newer, but very beautiful and even arogant, is the Stavropoleos church, build around 1720, by a Greek monk. It is after all a magnificent example of Brancoveanu Architecture style