Covinnus Travel

Best of Brasov Top 3

2012-01-25T20:08:00.000+02:00

Brasov is one of the most important tourist attractions of Romania. Located not far away from Bucharest – the main entrance of the country, Brasov is known for its well preserved medieval citadel and for its tree-covered hills that surround the town. Once in Brasov you could roam on the quaint cobblestone alleys and streets, some of them preserving an indelible mark of the medieval times. Let yourself magnetized by the charm of the old buildings and by their intricate architectural elements. Get lost on the mountain trails that encircle the old town, reaching serene and unspoiled mountain areas. In the end you could take a break on a terrace, enjoying a drink. But let’s see the main tourist attractions of Brasov, the most known landmarks.

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by Daniel Gheorghita

Licensed Tour Guide

felixromania.com - covinnus.com

Best Pictures of Romania in 2011

2011-12-22T20:33:00.000+02:00

Due to my job as a tour guide I have many chances to take good pictures. This year I had many tours – large groups, medium-sized groups or individuals. I went pretty much all over Romania and beyond its border in Hungary, Bulgaria or Serbia.
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by Daniel Gheorghita

Licensed Tour Guide

covinnus.com - felixromania.com

Metro ride - travel in time

2011-12-21T13:16:00.004+02:00

Buy a subway card and get the cheapest ticket for a trip back in time. How it is possible? Well, all you have to do is to buy this metro ticket and reach the station of Politehnica from Bucharest. Get off the train and literally step on the fossil-floor which dates back to Crateceous, just 65 million years ago.The story of the subway from Bucharest starts in the 70s when the second Romanian communist dictator Nicolae Ceusescu ordered the authorities to built a metro network for the city, albeit the idea had existed long before. The first stage of works took 4 years, 1975 – 1979. The metro station of Politehnica was inaugurated later, in 1983. Few people of Bucharest realize that the floor of this station is in fact a petrified ocean 65 million years old.

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by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
covinnus.com - felixromania.com - covinnusphoto.com

Count Kálnoky's Estate

2011-11-17T11:28:00.001+02:00

Count Kálnoky's Estate - Miclosoara

I had the chance to visit together with my tourists the quaint town of Miclosoara, Miklósvár in Hungarian. Located just 50km (31mi) north of Brasov, Miclosoara seems to be years and years back in time, just the main paved-road spoiling the medieval atmosphere. This is common for Transylvania, a magic land where tens of villages, maybe even hundreds, have been preserved very well, being kept far away from the bustling and modern life.Right after the anticommunist revolution of 1989 few people knew about this place. It is the moment when a young count came back to his roots and took back his estate which had been confiscated by the communists. Count Kalnoky put Miclosoara back on the map of the Szeklerland, the core of the present Hungarian minority from Romania. In fact he did much more, he had managed to make from this forgotten little village an important tourist destination of Romania. [reed more...]

Web page: Count Kalnoky's Estate

Tariff: €€€€

Recommendation: ♥♥♥♥♥

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide

www.covinnus.com

Sissi Creek

2011-10-16T22:20:00.000+03:00

The Cismigiu Garden, one of the most beautiful parks, not just from Bucharest, but from hole Europe, is a green oasis surrounded by a bustling city, too occupied by its daily businesses to notice its charm. Designed hundreds of years ago, in fact it is the oldest park in Bucharest, The Cismigiu Garden boast beside its wonderful green alleys, amazing flowers or birds, some interesting statues. They are not impressive through size but through their delicacy. They are characterized by a sort of modesty, many of them being placed in such a way that it seems they don’t want to disturb anybody with their presence. Not all of them belong to famous Romanians, like the ones which are part of the Romanian writers collection; some of them are little mysteries.

The Sissi Creek is one of them. Located in of the few bustling areas of the park, the playground for children, this statue is a gentle presence, a fountain of the tears. The statue represents a young woman holding a pot which has a hole for the water. The young woman pours the water in what seems to be a channel of a creek formed by stones. The entire monument is being surrounded by capitals of columns, stone ornaments or marble which once were part of different palaces. Some of them are older than the statue itself. In fact, this was a widespread custom years ago to keep around the house old artifacts (e.g. the stones gathered in the courtyard of The Stavropoleos Church).

The monument is dedicated to Stefanidi Sissi,a woman who died when she was just 21 years old. The tragic event happened in 1914. Her mother had asked Ion Dimitriu-Barlad to carve a statue which was revealed to the public in 1927. Unfortunately, the romantic statue was destroyed by a hooligan and several years remained without the head. It was found by the daughter of the carver and put back. Many years the stream of water dried out but in 2001 the mechanism that brings water in the pot was repaired.

Romania's largest cities

2011-09-18T13:06:00.005+03:00

One of the most difficult questions for me was in fact a very simple one: “Which city is the second largest one in Romania?”

It is well known that Bucharest is by far the largest city in Romania, its population reaching almost 2 million people. Then we have a group of cities scattered all over Romania that have a population around 300 000 people. It seems Timisoara became in 2010 the new second largest city of Romania with a population of 311 428. Iasi lost a position, being now the third city with just 309 631 people.

Bellow one can see the top of the Romanian cities for 2010 according to the National Institute of Statistics:

1 Bucharest: 1 942 254
2 Timisoara: 311 428
3 Iasi: 309 631
4 Cluj Napoca: 305 636
5 Constanta: 301 221
6 Craiova: 298 740
7 Galati: 290 593
8 Brasov: 276 914
9 Ploiesti: 227 194
10 Braila: 210 245

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Havasi to play in Bucharest

2011-08-08T23:00:00.000+03:00

One of the greatest pianists of the world, Havasi Balasz, in fact the fastest one, is going to play in Bucharest on November 15Th. The show will bring about 100 performers on the stage and many exotic instruments.
Born in Budapest, Havasi is being playing at piano since he was just 4 years old.

Romania and Bear Grylls

2011-08-08T17:51:00.004+03:00

Many of you might know the "crazy" Bear Grylls, the one who manages to survive almost in any kind of conditions and environments.

Do you know that in his first vacation without parents he went to Romania to build a church? Later he did mange to survive in the beautiful Carpathian Mountains in one of his TV shows.

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

A messenger for Zalmoxis?

2011-07-25T14:40:00.003+03:00

One of the most important aspects of the cultural life of the Dacians, the tribe which had lived on the present territory of Romania, was given by their religion which was characterized by the superiority of its principles. Their religion had many things in common with the present religious believes of the Romanians. They too believed in the immortality of the soul saying that they are going to reach the heavens and join their god Zalmoxis. The Dacians had a monotheist religion, rejecting all other gods despite the fact that there are some voices saying they worshiped god Mars.

The religion consisted of daily services, ceremonies and incantation which generally were performed in the mountains. The priests were considered to be prophets and doctors. In fact, through their living style, austere morality and their food, these priest represented a real monk order.

And now the interesting part. Once in five years the Dacians were sending a messenger to Zalmoxis and not by giving him directions like first to the left and then go straight ahead. First they were casting lots for the messenger who had to be a good person and then the one who had been chosen was thrown into 3 lances. It was a great shame for the messenger in case he didn't die being consider a bad person, a sinner. Another person was chosen in the same way and the hole process repeated.

The loss of life was not regarded as a disastrous event because for the Dacians the death was just the step to the eternal life. This had given them the power to fight till death in case of an war.

So, is anybody willing to become a messenger for Zalmoxis?

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

The Agathyrsi People

2011-07-20T19:36:00.001+03:00

Did you know that the agathyrsi, an ancient tribe, lived on the present territory of Romania? Herodotus mentioned them saying that in order to avoid the enviousness and hate they were sharing their wives. They are described by the same Herodotus as of luxurious habits, wearing many gold ornaments; finally, now I can understand something about the Romanian women...

It seems that they had some Scythian connections.

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Smoked Beer

2011-07-04T18:37:00.005+03:00

Smoked Beer

Because my last post was about food I thought that I should say something about a peculiar drink. It is about the smoked beer which I like to call it the sausage beer because of the taste which reminds me more or less of a smoked sausage or smoked ham.

When I had tried this beer for the first time I found it very bad, maybe even horrible. Now, I just look forward to taste its strange taste each time I have the chance.

Book one of my tours or write me if you want to know where you can have it. All I can say is that it is located in a medieval city of Transylvania.

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

The Shepherd's Bag

2011-06-30T15:28:00.001+03:00

Shepherd's Bag

If I would be a cook then by far I would be one of the worse of them. For me the food is tasty or bad and nothing more. In fact, I would be glad if instead of food I would find a substitute, for instance a simple pill. But even I must admit that there are some moments when a tasty food can take you in heaven. It is the case of the best meal in the whole Romania, The Shepherd's Bag, a mixture between meet, sausages, ham, sour cream and polenta (corn meal).

If my wife would call me on my cell phone while I would eat this dish asking me what am I doing than I would tell her I'm having sex. I'm pretty sure she would instantly pop up from nowhere right next to my table to check me and everything would end into a lecherousness menage a trois, the main attraction begin of course, The Shepherd's Bag. This would be my best description of this dish.

As a profane I might tell you that this dish consist of ham, cheese, slices of sausage, everything wrapped in a grilled chicken breast. It comes with sour cream and fried polenta. As a side dish I would suggest you some pickled cucumbers. It goes very well with a beer or even with some wine.

If you want to know where can you have this dish then please contact me or book one of my torus.

Dying before eating the Shepherd's Bag can be considered a great sin!

by Daniel Gheorghita

Licensed Tour Guide

www.covinnus.com

Nasty Romania - Rasnov

2011-06-30T12:24:00.002+03:00

One of my favorite tourist attractions was the citadel of Rasnov built by the Teutonic knights hundreds of years ago and certified by a written document in 1355.

Located on the top of a hill, the Rasnov citadel looks overwhelming when seen from the lower plateau of the Burzeland region while the view from inside the citadel can be stunning. Maybe today this is the only reason you should visit this place because other than that there is nothing which was not destroyed by the local authorities.

The citadel was given to a private investor by the local authorities which later were astonished by the fact that the investor transformed the hole place into a cheesy attraction. More than that, he modified parts of the medieval citadel without any kid of authorizations.

Collapsed walls

The Town Hall of Rasnov sued the private investor. You would say that the local authorities acted normally but how come a medieval citadel was given to a private investor who was not interested at all by the historical value of it? During the trial the walls of the citadel started to collapse while nobody could intervene to stop this because of the legal dispute. In the meantime the road to the citadel was repaired which made me to think that things will be better. I was so wrong!

After the end of the trial, the citadel being again under the administration of Rasnov, the mysterious businesses continued. The road to the citadel was blocked, and now if you want to visit it you must wait for a tractor which has one or two trailers with benches. Beside the fact that the door is left open many times, there is no safety measure for the pasangers. Once, I was here with my tourists and we realized that there is no tractor to take us so we had to go all the way up to the fortress. When asked why there is no tractor to take us they told us that if we don't like it then we should not come.

The worse part of the Rasnov fortress is the fact that the place is not safe for the visitors at all. Anytime the walls can collapsed over its visitors.

Unfortunately, there are many travel agencies which don't offer the Rasnov fortress anymore. Do you think that local authorities care? No.

One more thing. In their attempt to destroy even the last medieval atmosphere of the Rasnov fortress, the local authorities put some cheesy "Hollywood" letters right in front of the walls...

by Daniel Gheorghita

Licensed Tour Guide

www.covinnus.com

The Black Church

2011-01-18T15:38:00.005+02:00

The Black Church is one of the oldest religious monuments of Romania and a fine example of Gothic evolution in Transylvania.
There are known several “white churches”, one in Belgrade – Bela Crvka, White Church in Bucharest or villages bearing the white name, but there is just one Black Church. The construction of the church started in the second part of the 14th century on the site of a previous wooden church which was built probably in the 13th century.
At the end of the 14th century Brasov knew a great economical development because it was located at the intersection of important trade roads which were connecting the Orient and Romanian Principalities to the Western Europe. Thus, the Saxons of Brasov had been able to build a church which impressed the traders coming from Orient.
The Catholic priest Thomas Sander was the one who started the construction of the church in 1838. He served as a priest since 1377 till 1419. In 1421 when the church, dedicated to the Holy Virgin Mary, had been almost built, the Turkish invasion destroyed it partially. The inhabitants rebuilt it but this time they didn’t respected exactly the initial plans of the church because of the invasion threats. Thus the church’s proportion was not respected and the nave of the church is just 11m (36ft) longer than the choir which is 31m (102ft) long.
The constructions continued in the 15th century when, among others, two main benefactors had helped the church by donating a large amount of money. The first of them was John of Hunyadi, governor of Transylvania, his crest being visible even today on the pillar opposite the pulpit, while the second was his son, Matthias Corvinus, king of Hungary between 1458 and 1490. He is the benefactor of the mural painting located in the southern porch where his own crest is visible as well as that of his wife, Beatrix of Aragon whom he married in 1476.
1477 is given as the year when the church was practically finished although the works, modifications and renovations had been continuing till the 20th century. A first organ is mentioned in 1476 while in 1514 the church clock is mentioned for the first time.
The 16th century had been the century of great religious reforms which eventually were brought in Transylvania for the first time by the great intellectual and humanist, Johannes Honterus, who became the first evangelical priest in Transylvania. The Black Church is known for been the first church of Transylvania with an evangelical sermon held in 1542. In 1544, the year when Johannes Honterus became the first evangelical priest of the Black Church, all the Catholic frescoes were either removed from the church or covered with plaster.
In 1602-1603, during the plague epidemic, 150 bodies were buried in the church while many other were buried in the cemetery around the church. But the biggest calamity of Brasov was recorded on April 21st, 1689 when a big fire destroyed most of the town, killing about 300 people. The fire which had started on the Rope Makers’ street, today the Street of the Castle, spread out to the entire citadel destroying many important buildings. The roof of the Black Church had burnt down until fell down on the vault igniting the interior. It destroyed completely the organ, the altar, the pulpit, the rugs, the epitaphs and the pews. The only spared things were the baptismal font from 1472 and the treasury room.
For several decades the renovations had been continuing till 1772 when the church received a new vault. In the mean time, the Black Church had received a temporary roof, new bells and the first sermon had been held in 1691. Between 1710 and 1714 two side galleries were built because the church had become too small to host a larger number of parishioners.
In 1866 the altar was rebuilt while in 1923 the organ gallery was enlarged. The first modern renovations were done in 1937 when for the first time a new system for hot air was introduced in the church with the help of Samuel Schiel, a great businessman. In the same year new pews were brought in the church. What is interesting about these pews is the fact that their back rest is a mobile one, sliding back and forth in order to allow the people to attend either the sermon or the organ concert.
Many other renovations had been carried out in the last part of the 20th century. Since 2000 twenty spotlights had been illuminating the Black Church.

Exteriors
The church is considered to be one of the largest in southern Europe. It is 89m (292ft) long while its total surface is 4500m². It is located at 589m (19332ft) above the sea level.
The Western Portal, a fine example of the Central European Flamboyant Gothic architecture, is the main entrance of the church. It is narrow because the initial plans of the church had two towers, one each side of the portal. Due to the lack of money and invasions only one tower was built in the end. On the northern side of the entrance, traces of marks made by the swords of the knights are still visible. The swords were blessed in a religious ceremony and then the knights used to sharp them against the wall of the church.
Next to the portal lies the southern tower which is 65.5m (215ft) high. The builders didn’t dare to respect the standards for a higher tower of a Gothic church because they were afraid an earthquake could destroy it. In 1858 a clock had been placed on the tower and then changed twice.
The tower displays three bells. The first mention about the bells was done in 1512 when the metal for the bells had been bought. In the great fire of 1689 the bells were melted and replaced with others which fell down in 1605 and 1750. In 1839 a new bell of 1000kg (2204lbs) was cast and it tolls daily. In 1858 a second bell was made in Cluj and it is the heaviest bell in Romania weighing 6 tons. The third one is just 250kg 551(lbs) and it dates back to 1791 being the oldest one.
In the past, all these bells had been tolled manually, 8 men being necessary for the heaviest one, but starting with 1970 they operate electrically.
On the southern part of the Black Church there are different doors. The closest to the statue of Honterus leads to the gallery of the organ, the second is the Confessional Gate and the last one belongs to the southern porch or the former Wedding Portal. It is guarded by two statues which represent John the Baptist and the Archangel Michael.
The eastern portal on the northern side is the Golden Portal, once the most decorated portal of all. The pillars on this side had been decorated with more statues which were lost in the past. Today, only one of them was rebuilt. It represents a young bending man. The legend has it that this young man who is looking down from the church’s roof was the best apprentice of the construction site. His master, afraid that his apprentice will outclass him, taking his position, pushed the young boy one day while he was checking the pillars. The man died but the master had regretted his deed and confessed his murder. He received the death penalty.
The western portal of the northern side represents the Gate of Sacrifice which bears many Gothic elements.
The entire exterior of the church bears the traces of many kerfs. The legend has it that the fighters used to sharp their swords in the andesite stone of the church, a volcanic rock.

Interiors
The interior of the Black Church impresses with its long nave and altar, with it carpet collection or with its amazing organ.
The side galleries were built between 1710 and 1714 for journeymen and apprentices. One of the first exhibits that impresses is the pulpit made in 1696 and located on a southern pillar in the center of the nave. At the base of the pulpit one can see Moses while above him there are the signs of 4 evangelists. The lid of the pulpit holds Jesus.
Opposite the pulpit one can see the coat of arms of Johannes Hunyadi, a benefactor of the church and governor of Transylvania. Bellow it there are the golden crest of Brasov, a crown on log with stumps and a painting representing the father of the Reformation, Dr. Martin Luther (1486-1546). The pews of the councilmen are located behind the pillar with the crest while opposite there are the pews of the professors from the Honterus School. Some of the pews have painted tablets representing symbols of different guilds. The most interesting of them are those of the tailor guild which represent the 10 virtues: Diligence, Hope, Wisdom, Temperance, Chastity, Patience, Generousness, Love, Goodness and Godliness. On the eastern side one can see a painting from 1898 representing Honterus preaching in front of the councilmen. Another painting, this time located in the northern side, represents in a modern way the Wedding of Cana. Next to it one can see an old medieval fresco depicting the Assumption of Mary. During the reformation the all painting were removed from the church or covered with plaster.
The baptismal font, surrounded by a wrought-iron from 1714, is the oldest object in the church. Made in 1472 and donated by the parish priest Johannes Reudel, it survived even to the great fire from 1689.
At the eastern end of the church one can see the Neo-Gothic altar made in Vienna in 1866. Jesus, flanked by 4 evangelists, is represented preaching on the Mount.
Among many funeral stones and graves two of them must be mentioned. Behind the altar there is a funeral stone of Thomas Sander, the one who initiated the works of the present church in the 14th century, while in front of the altar one can see the grave of Johannes Honterus.
On the northern wall of the altar there is an altar brought here from Feldioara for safe kipping. It was made in the 15th century and shows the circumcision, the wedding of Joseph and Mary, while the painting in the right shows the twelve year old Jesus preaching in the temple. The altar is painted on both faces. Beneath the altar from Feldioara there is a tablet which contains the names of all parish priests from 1336.
The Black Church displays two organs. The small one, located close to the southern portal, was built in 1861 by Carl Hesse from Vienna for the evangelical church of Lechinta. In 1907 it had been taken to Pazmos and 80 years later to Brasov. It was restored in 1997 and now it is used for daily services and concerts.
The second Baroque organ is a true masterpiece and one of the most valuable in Romania. Built in Berlin between 1836 and 1839 by the organ maker Carl August Buchholz, the organ consists of 3993 pipes, 4 manuals with 56 keys, one pedal with 27 keys and 63 audio registers. It was inaugurated in 1839 by the master Buchholz in person. Regular concerts are being played since 1953.
The southern porch displays one of the best preserved frescoes in the Black Church. Virgin Mary with the child is depicted in the center of the fresco. On the left one can see St. Catherine of Alexandria holding a wheel and a sword pointing the location of the former St. Catherin Chapel. On the right one can see Saint Barbara holding in her hands a tower. The fresco represents the coat of arms of King Matthias Corvinnus and of his wife Beatrix of Aragon. Also, the southern porch displays a list with names from the First World War and the year 1654 on the cap stone which represents the time when the porch got the present form. One of the most impressive Anatolian collections in the world belongs to the Black Church. They are more than 100 carpets dating back to the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. They were donated by private persons or guild in order to decorate the church.
The museum of the Black Church, inaugurated in 1984 and located at the base of the tower, exhibits the life and work of the humanist Johannes Honterus, maps, pictures or the original statues which were displayed outside, on the buttresses of the church. Also, a number of tombstones were casted in the walls. They were located in the church where more than 300 bodies were buried.

The Court Yard
The Black Church is surrounded by several buildings which are connected to the history of this place. There are a parish house and a high school founded by Honterus in 1541. The statue represents Honterus pointing towards his school while in his left hand holds the Booklet of Reforms and the School Regulation. The statue was made by Harro Magnussen from Berlin in 1898 when they celebrated 400 years since the birth of Johannes Honterus.
In 1883, marking 400 years since the birth of Luther, three lime trees were planted in the court yard. The one in the middle is called Luther; the one in the eastern part is dedicated to Philip Melanchton, while the one in the eastern part is dedicated to Honterus.

The Black Church Schedule:
Summer time
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 – 17:30
Sunday: closed
Winter time:
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 – 15:30
Sunday: closed

The Black Church entrance fee: RON6

The Regular Organ Concerts Schedule:
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: 18:00 – 18:30

Location: 2-9 Curtea Johannes Honterus

View Larger Map
by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Bran (Dracula) Castle

2011-01-13T00:40:00.005+02:00

History of Bran (Dracula) Castle

Located 30km southwest of Brasov, between the Bucegi Mountains and Piatra Craiului Mountain, the town of Bran developed a lot since the revolution against communism mainly because of the famous Bran Castle but also because of the splendid location in-between two impressive mountains. Bran Castle is a very important destination for the Romanian tourism, because of its beauty, architecture, scenery and legend of Count Dracula.

It is the only medieval castle chosen by a part of the former Romanian Royal family

to become summer residence and more than that it is the oldest construction of the royal family. It was the favorite castle of Queen Marie of Romania, the English princess, granddaughter of the famous Queen Victoria. In fact without this queen, the castle probably would have crumbled. She is the one who renovated the castle in the 1920s.

Built on a rocky limestone crag, also known as Dietrich Rock, Bran (Dracula) Castle overlooks the pass road between Transylvania and Wallachia. The first construction, made of wood, was built in 1212 by the Teutonic Order. In 1370 was attached by the Turks, suffering many damages. It was reconstructed in 1378 by the people of Brasov,

back then part of Hungary, during the reign of Louis I by Anjou, king of Hungary; its main purpose was to protect the pass against the Turkish incursions. For a brief period of time, between 1412 and 1418, the castle was under the control of the Wallachian prince Mircea the Elder. John of Hunyadi, regent of the Kingdom of Hungary, also known as The White Knight, controlled the castle, ordering new works which reinforced the castle. The presence of Vlad the Impaler or Dracula at Bran Castle couldn’t be documentary certified.

Since 1948 till the middle of the 18th century the castle belonged to the people of

Brasov. Its military purposes lost and it was mostly as a custom point. Bran Castle was under the authority of 2 castellans nominated by the Senate of Brasov.

In the 19th century the castle was occupied by an Austrian regiment till 1883 when it was given back to the right owner, the city of Brasov. It was renovated and given to the Office of Forestry.

In 1916 Dr. Karl Shnell, mayor of Brasov, was almost to give Bran Castle as a gift to Karl I, Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Kingdom. The new historic realities made impossible this donation since the king abdicated and Transylvania joined Romania in

1918. Ironically, in the end the castle donated by the same mayor but to a different royal family, the Romanian one. Since 1920, 1st of December, Bran Castle belonged to Marie of Romania.

As for architecture, the main feature of the castle is the impressive donjon built in the northern part and used as a watching point. Bran Castle has another round tower built in 1593 in the south-western corner and a gate tower built between 1622 and 1625. In the same period of time another tower is added by Gabriel Bethlen, prince of Transylvania.

The New Life of Bran (Dracula) Castle

Queen Marie will start in the 20s a complete restoration of the castle being helped during this hard task by the chief architect of the Royal House.

Two new towers with staircases were added, the former loopholes were transformed into windows while new ceramic stoves were built. In 1931 a new terrace was built at the 4th floor. Even today it offers a great view over the surrounding mountains.

A room located at the base of the round tower was transformed into a small chapel.

With all these transformations the queen was very careful not to damage the medieval atmosphere of Bran Castle.

In order to make life at the castle worthily for a royal family, the castle was equipped with all modern facilities. Water was provided by a 57m (187ft) deep fountain while in 1928 the works for running water had begun. In 1932 the queen asked the construction of an electrical power house in order to illuminate the castle. In the same time 3 surrounding villages were given electricity for free.

Since 1938 these villages had to pay for it. For communication the royal family was using the telephones installed in the castle and modernized in the 40s at the request of Princess Ileana.

The castle, built on 4 levels on a high rock, was equipped with a “Stigler” elevator installed in 1937. The elevator was connecting the park with the castle by using the old fountain, 57m deep and the access to the elevator was done through a tunnel dug at the base of the rock.

Each day Queen Marie was enjoying the Five-o’clock tea in the Tea House built in the park. In order to facilitate the transportation of food a funicular was installed between the castle and house. In fact, the park at the base of the rock-castle had many other buildings, among them a hunting house, a wooden church, a wooden house and 2 shanties, one for the queen and another one for her daughter, Princess Ileana. The wooden church had been donated in 1928 by the locals of Luceriu village. Built in 1731, the church was dismantled by the communists in 1954.

The Park, surrounding the castle was arranged by Queen Marie of Romania. She personally took care of flowers and trees. More than that, she asked for several

swans which were brought to populate the lake in front of Bran Castle.

Queen Marie of Romania, the most loved by the Romanians, died in 1938 leaving the castle to Princess Ileana, her favorite daughter. Princess Ileana was already married with Anton of Habsburg and she was living in Austria. She came back permanently only in 1940 when her brother, King Carol II had abdicated.

Queen Marie wrote in her will that her heart should be buried at Balchick, back then part of Romania, where she built a small castle. When the Bulgarians conquered that territory, her heart was brought to Bran and placed in a niche behind a chapel located very close to the castle. In 1968 the casket with the queen’s heart was taken in the castle for safe kipping but unfortunately 2 years later the communists sent it to Bucharest at the History Museum where it is even today.

After the World War II Princess Ileana was forced by the communists to leave the country while her all estates were nationalized. In January 1948 the princess took farewell from the castle and left Romania.

Since 1956 the castle was transformed into a museum of history and medieval art. The castle was renovated between 1987 and 1993. In 2006 Bran (Dracula) Castle was given back to the descendents of the former owners. Today, as a private museum, the castle became one of the main tourist attraction of Romania, if not the most important, with an average of 500 000 visitors each year.

Bran Castle, Dracula and Bram Stoker

Many legends are connected to Bran Castle. It is said the castle belonged to Count Dracula (Vlad the Impaler), but there is no proof. Maybe Vlad passed through this area l but never stopped in the fortress. The real castle of Dracula, called Poienari fortress, lies on the Arges Valley, on the Transfagarasan road. Bran Castle became famous in 1897 because of Bram Stoker's novel, Count Dracula.

In reality Vlad the Impaler, known as Dracula because he used to sign with his father's name Dracul, meaning The Devil, was Prince of Walachia. Vlad the Impaler introduced a very strict order in Walachia, punishing the thieves, the boyars (noblemen) and others by impaling them. Also, he enforced the army, assisted trading with the neighboring countries and was merciless towards those who turned against him. He adopted a totalitarian leadership and fought against The Ottoman Empire.

Village Museum, Custom Buildings and Bazaar

At the entrance of the castle’s park there is a village museum representing the evolution of the peasant dwellings and the main activities the local economy based on. Occasionally, local craftsmen are invited to demonstrate their skills and sell their products.

The old custom buildings, located at the feet of the castle-rock, were gradually enlarged and used first by the queen’s functionaries. Later they became the winter residence of Queen Marie because the rooms were smaller and easier to be heated. In the communist time they served as headquarter of the Forestry Office and since 1987 as a museum of Bran. Starting with 2006, when the descendents of the royal family received back the castle, the old furniture own by the state, was moved in the rooms of the old custom building. The exhibition is open to the public.

The Bazaar offers a wide variety of souvenirs, from those made in China to those done by talented craftsmen, antique shops or music shops. If you are interested in Dracula T-shirts then this is the best place for buying one of them. More than that, you could buy even a bottle of Dracula wine. And as a tip, don’t miss the tasty cake called Kurtos Kalacs, a traditional Szekely sweet cake.

Bran Castle schedule:
Summer time (May 1 – October 30)
Monday: 12:00 – 18:00
Tuesday – Sunday: 09:00 – 18:00
Winter time (November 1 – April 30)
Monday: closed
Tuesday – Sunday: 09:00 – 16:00

Dracula-Bran Castle Tours:
One-day tours
Dracula's Myth Tour
Dracula Biking Tour
Two-day tours
Glimpse of Transylvania Tour
Sighisoara 2-Day Tour
The Corner of Transylvania - Biking Tour
Three-day tours
Sighisoara 3-Day Tour
Seven-day tours
Dracula Tour
Nine-day tours
Transylvania & Bucovina Tour
Ten-day tours
Transylvania & Maramures Tour
Local Flavor Tour
Twelve-day tours
Enjoy Romania Tour

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Romania Photo Tours

2011-01-04T17:36:00.002+02:00

Photo Tours are highly customizable and it depends a lot of the clients what type of tour do they want. Therefore, the best way to organize a private photo tour around Romania is by contacting me. As your guide I’ll help you with the best suggestions for a perfect tour, whether you are focused on social matters, landscape or animals.

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Dracula's History Tour

2011-01-03T15:32:00.007+02:00

Day Tour
Bucharest – Targoviste – Curtea de Arges - Poienari Fortress – Vidraru Dam - Bucharest
This Dracula Tour is concentrated more on the real history of the famous Wallachian prince Vlad the Impaler. Therefore, you are going to visit all the places which are very connected with the real life of Dracula.
The tour starts in Bucharest but any other modifications can be done upon request.
Targoviste Princely Court In the morning, 8 o’clock, you’ll meet your guide in the hotel’s lobby.
First stop of the day will be Tsrgoviste, the former capital of Walachia. Here you’ll visit the Princely Court and the Sunset Tower built for the first time during Vlad Impaler’s (Dracula) reign.
Driving by Pitesti, you’ll reach Curtea de Arges. Here you’ll visit the monastery which is considerate to be one of the most remarkable masterpieces of the Romanian architecture.
You’ll continue your tour for a visit of the Poienari fortress, the real castle built by Vlad the Impaler (Dracula). The fortress can be reached only after you have climbed 1480 stone stairs. This path through the forest used to be surrounded by hundreds of impaled people, the image being terrified for the enemies of Vlad.
The last stop of the tour is Vidraru Dam constructed in 1965 in a beautiful mountain area. It impresses through its sizes: 166m high and305m long.
Back to Bucharest were the tour ends.

Tariffs:
1 person - 160 Euros/person
Group of 2-3 persons - 82 Euros/person
Group of 4-7 persons - 65 Euros/person

The tariffs include:
- car with A/C
- English speaking guide/driver
- Fuel for the entire trip
- Transfers from/to hotels
- Entrance fees
- Parking tickets
- Info folder; VAT, hotel taxes

For more tours visit www.covinnus.com
For more pictures of the tour visit: CovinnusPhoto
by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Michael Isador Tour

2010-12-23T22:42:00.001+02:00

I owe many pictures I take to one of my tourists, Mr. Michael Isador, who brought me a nice lens from America. Many thanks!
Michael Isador Tour
by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Valli Godlfield Tour

2010-12-20T20:38:00.001+02:00

In October 2010 I have enjoyed very much a tour around Romania with Mrs. Valli Goldfield from Canada. She was very interested by the genuine life of the simple locals, Gypsies, Romanians or Jews. This tour offered me the chance of taking some of my best pictures.
Pictures: Valli Godlfield Tour
by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

The Real Dracula Fortress

2010-12-16T12:02:00.001+02:00

While thousands of tourists head annually to Bran to visit the famous Dracula Castle, the real fortress built by Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) lies in the tranquility of the Carpathians.
See the pictures: The Real Dracula Fortress

By Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Death to the Pigs!

2010-12-15T19:23:00.001+02:00

The slaughtering of the pig, known in Romania as Ignat, is an ancient religious celebration in which the animal is scarified. In fact, it is believed that the slaughtering day coincides with the one of the ancient solar god who dies only to resurrect few days later, hence the reason for sacrifice.

This religious sacrifice is celebrated each year, generally on December 20th, by many inhabitants of the country side. It is an important day for the whole family who prepares everything for the sacrifice early in the morning. According to the tradition, the pigs have dreams about knifes the night before the butchering.

Several adults tie the pig with ropes and after that it is dragged to the place where is going to be killed. This is done with a long and sharp knife, the throat is stabbed and the blood vessels cut. This is the cruelest part of the process taking in consideration the pig’s struggle, noise, the fight for its life and the large quantity of blood. For Romanians and other nations of Eastern Europe there is an important distinction between an ordinary killing of an animal and this sacrifice. That’s why the owners of the pig follow a series of rituals. They are not allowed to work in that day or with the pig’s blood they draw a cross on the forehead of the kids. After that the pig is covered by a pile of straws or hays which are set on fire in order to burn its hair. Then it is washed with hot water and it is cut off in different parts. It is the time when parts of the pig’s skin is flayed and given to the kids to eat it with salt.

It is a lot of work in this day, pretty much eeach piece of the pig being used as food. Everything ends with a good portion of fried pork and some strong alcohol.

Due to the animal rights protesters some of the countries try to implement a more human method of killing the animal by using a captive bolt pistol. Even so, the traditional method prevails by far.

If you want to see this event you should be in Romania somewhere between the beginning of December and December 20th.

More pictures:Death to the Pigs!

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Snow Dance

2010-12-12T12:43:00.001+02:00

This is the picture of the week on my photoblog:Snow Dance
by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Tan Pey Ern Tour

2010-12-12T00:08:00.001+02:00

Today I’ve enjoyed a Dracula Myth’s Tour as a private tour guide and driver for a very nice couple from Malaysia. I’m glad that they had plenty snow, a good weather and quiet tourist places that usually are very busy.
View the pictres here: Tan Pey Ern Tour
Tan Pey Ern Tour

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Gregory Ford Tour

2010-12-10T10:53:00.001+02:00

Below you can see some pictures taken in November 2010 while I was touring around Romania with Gregory Ford and his uncle. For three days we visited Bucharest, Sinaia, Bran, Brasov and Sighisoara. I could say that one of the best moments of this tour was when we stopped in a village and went in a courtyard of a local where we attended the butchering of a pig, an ancient and important tradition in Romania before Christmas. In one of my next posts I’ll write more about this tradition.
Link for pictures:Gregory Ford Tour

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

CovinnusPhoto

2010-12-09T17:29:00.002+02:00

CovinnusPhoto is my latest webproject. It is a photo web page and blog including the most interesting pictures I took in the last years.

Enjoy the pictures!

By Daniel Gheorghita.
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Dogs of a Cemetery

2010-12-09T17:27:00.002+02:00

While on a tour around Romania, I had the chance to visit for the first time the Jewish cemetery from Iasi. It is a very interesting place, related to the history of the Jews in Romania. Today, most of them died or they went to Israel, USA or other countries. Probably that’s why the cemetery is in a very bad shape. Somebody takes care of it and of the dogs of this cemetery. In fact, I don’t remember seeing so many stray dogs in any other part of Romania the way I’ve seen it here. Tens and tens of dogs are “swarming” in the cemetery. Many of the visitors of this place are foreigners and probably it must be quite an interesting and frightening experience for them.
While I was roaming in the cemetery I came across several dogs who were enjoying a siesta right on top of a grave.

See the pictures on my photo blog.
by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Exotic images

2010-12-08T20:40:00.000+02:00

Exotic images

Google and Romania

2010-12-01T10:14:00.003+02:00

Today we are celebrating our national day: Happy National Day Romania! Even Google knows this.

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Gypsy meeting

2010-11-19T18:52:00.006+02:00

Many times a meeting with a gypsy group meant for my tourists an interesting and very pleasant experience.

Below we ca see the Gypsies of Brateiu (Transylvania), a town located between Sighisoara and Medias. They are know for practicing the craft of doing copper pots.

Passing so many times through Brateiu I had the chance to know them better and each time I stopped here at least 20 minutes. You can understand why, just by looking at these pictures taken by me and Mr. John Hayes from England, one of my tourists.

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Staking out Dracula's castle in Romania - CNN

2010-11-01T16:20:00.003+02:00

The ruins of Poienari Castle sit high on a mountain peak with a seemingly never-ending vista looking out over deep gorges, charcoal-gray cliffs and mountain streams.

It's a natural paradise, but we did not make the trip to this castle just for the awesome view. Visitors come for its connection to history's most famous vampire. Dracula.

The famous book and the ensuing movies are fiction, but since Bram Stoker published his novel in 1897, the world has been looking to...(more here)

Private tours: Dracula's Myth

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Roma Exodus

2010-10-29T10:27:00.004+03:00

While I was surfing on internet I've discovered this interesting photo page about the story of the deported Gypsies from France. A Romanian photographer followed their road to Romania and than back to France. Bellow you can read his thoughts about Romanian attitude in this problem and here you can see his amazing pictures.

My name is Mugur Varzariu. I started as a photographer in April 2010, on palm Sunday to be more precise. over the past 3 weeks I've been working o a project about the Romanian citizens of Roma origins that returned to Paris after a less then two weeks stay in their native country...During the project I followed them in their village, on the buss on their way to the Romanian border and in Paris during their daily activities. Romanians attitude towards the Roma's is simply racist. This is also reflected in past and present government lack of interest for their integration. It is easier for them to say that the Romas show no interest for integration. Yet, Europe's history proves that when presented with a viable alternative, many Roma communities choose the path of integration and now if asked they will never consider going back to their original way of living.
I started working on this project just to prove that not Roma are the same...Some might live a life filled with criminal activities but there are many of them who would give that up if offered a real chance. This ones are now struggling, living on the edge of our society. If pushed they will find refuge in criminal activities. If understood, they might clear their act and start living as low abiding citizens.
We can not count on our politicians to solve this issue. They have neither the will nor the experience to integrate the Romas. France, on the other hand, has a vast experience in integrating immigrants. Unfortunately, even though justified, France attitude today towards Romas and Romanians make is even more difficult for them to see a future in integration. This time, more than ever, France should appeal to it's moral role rather than to what it's justified...

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Dracula Bike Tour - 1-day tour

2010-10-26T19:45:00.008+03:00

Bucharest - Bran - Bucharest
The tour starts in Bucharest but any other modifications can be done upon request.
The tour starts at 7:30AM in front of your hotel.
You’ll be transferred to Bran where the tour starts. Here you’ll visit Bran Castle, the most famous castle of Romania. Located in the Barsa region, the Bran Castle is famous for the Dracula legend, but in reality has no link with the terrifying Count.
In the very first part of the biking tour you’ll pass through Predelut, a small locality which became in the last years a holiday resort located at the feet of the King’s Stone Mountain. Passing through Zarnesti you’ll have a first contact with the beauty of the mountain. You’ll enjoy a ride through the amazing gorges of Zarnesti and then you’ll follow a dirt road which goes up into the mountains. The peak of this road will give you the chance to enjoy a stunning view of the old and remote mountain villages.
Biking through these villages you’ll go down in Bran where the tour started.
The biking tour ends with a tasty traditional dinner.
In the end you’ll be transferred back to Bucharest.Biking technical details:
Distance: 25km (16mi)
Elevation difference: 353m (1158ft)
Time: about 7 hours
Difficulty: medium
Landscape: forest road and asphalt;
mountains, gorges, mountain resort,
Bran Castle.

Tariffs:
1 person - 184 Euros
Group of 2-3 persons - 95 Euros
Group of 4-6 persons - 70 Euros
Bike & helmet - 35 Euros/person

The tariffs include:
- English speaking guide/driver/biker
- Fuel for the entire trip
- Transfers from/to hotels
- Accommodation for guide
- Bike equipment (if booked)
- Parking tickets
- Info folder & VAT

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

The Corner of Transylvania - Biking Tour

2010-10-25T14:36:00.005+03:00

DAY 1 – 182km (113mi)
Bucharest – Sinaia – Brasov – Solomon’s Biking Tour
The tour starts in Bucharest but any other modifications can be done upon request.
In the morning, 8 o’clock, you’ll meet your guide in the hotel’s lobby.
You’ll be driven straight toward Sinaia, also known as the “Carpathian Pearl”, where you’ll visit Peles Castle, the most beautiful castle in Romania, residence of the former royal family. Driving on the beautiful Prahova Valley, you will have an astonishing view over the Bucegi Mountains, especially over the craggy Caraiman Massive with its Heroes’ Cross built in the memory of the soldiers who died in the First World War.
Further on, you’ll be driven toward Brasov, a city founded by the Saxons, who colonized Transylvania in the 12-13th centuries.
The biking tour starts after check-in. Biking through the old medieval center of Brasov you’ll reach the base of the mountain. From here, you’ll take a forest road which passes by the famous Solomon’s Stones, a beautiful massif of Postavaru Mountain. The bike tour continues through the quiet forest. The climax of the tour is reached in Poiana Brasov, a famous mountain resort. From here, you’ll enjoy the fast ride to Brasov.
The tour ends in front of the hotel.

- Peles Castle
- City of Brasov
- Biking Tour

Biking technical details:
Distance: 22km (14mi)
Elevation difference: 516m (1693ft)
Time: about 4 hours
Difficulty: medium
Landscape: forest road and asphalt;
mountains, gorges, mountain
resort, medieval town.

Accommodation in Brasov (4-star hotel).

DAY 2 – 222km (138mi)
Brasov – Bran – Biking Tour – Bran – Bucharest
The day starts at 7:00AM with a good breakfast.
You’ll be transferred to Bran where the tour starts. In the very first part you’ll bike in Predelut, a small locality which became in the last years a holyday resort located at the feet of the King’s Stone Mountain. Passing through Zarnesti you’ll have a first contact with the beauty of the mountain. You’ll enjoy a ride through the amazing gorges of Zarnesti and then you’ll follow a dirt road which goes up into the mountains. The peak of this road will give you the chance to enjoy a stunning view of the old and remote mountain villages.
Biking through these villages you’ll go down in Bran where the tour started. Here you’ll visit Bran Castle, the most famous castle of Romania. Located in the Barsa region, the Bran Castle is famous for the Dracula legend, but in reality has no link with the terrifying Count.
The biking tour ends with a good traditional dinner.
In the end you’ll be transferred back to Bucharest.

- Biking Tour
- Bran Castle

Biking technical details:
Distance: 25km (16mi)
Elevation difference: 353m (1158ft)
Time: about 7 hours
Difficulty: medium
Landscape: forest road and asphalt;
mountains, gorges, mountain
resort, Bran Castle.

End of the tour.

Tariffs:
1 Person - 398 Euros
Group of 2-3 persons - 235 Euros
Group of 4-6 perons - 192 Euros

The tariff includes:
- car with A/C
- English speaking guide/driver/biker
- Fuel for the entire trip
- Transfers from/to hotels
- Accommodation for one night
- Accommodation for guide
- Bike equipment (if booked)
- Breakfast each day
- Parking tickets
- Info folder & VAT, hotel taxes

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Funny Romania - Weekly program

2010-10-22T20:25:00.004+03:00

In the picture one can see a weekly program. It's a souvenir which can be bought among many other things at Bran bazaar.

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Funny Romania - Leave the door open

2010-10-21T21:11:00.004+03:00

In the first picture one can see a sign put on a bathroom door in a guest house where I've stayed not long ago.
It says: "Please leave the door open after the use of the toilette."

In the next picture there is another sign put just above a toilette also in a guest house: "Please don't throw the toilette paper in the toilette." Unfortunately, they don't say what to do with it. Keep it for the next time :))

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Prince Charles about Transylvania

2010-10-19T23:48:00.002+03:00

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Nasty Romania - Churches vs. schools

2010-10-18T19:38:00.005+03:00

In Romania are 18300 churches, not taking in consideration hundreds of construction sites for new churches, and just 4700 schools, some of them being living ruins. The church wins. Amen!

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Romanian photographs

2010-10-02T18:11:00.004+03:00

Because I like to take pictures, many time I spend hours on internet looking to other photographs' works. In this way I came across on the works of Mihai Grigorescu, a Romanian talented photograph.

Spend some time looking at his pictures and you won't feel sorry.

Web page: Mihai Grigorescu
by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Balea Ice Hotel

2010-09-30T19:46:00.008+03:00

In 1970-74 Ceausescu, the former communist leader, ordered the construction of the highest asphalted road in Romania. It crosses the ridge of Fagaras, the highest point of this road being Balea Lake 2034m (6673ft). Here, the winter stays much more than in many other parts of Romania. That's why, somebody came in 2006 with a great idea of building the first and the only ice hotel till now in eastern Europe.

But the great success of this place was achieved in 2007 when they built not just the hotel but also an ice church which was used for religious services like weddings or baptisms. In addition to that an ice sculpture exhibition was organized.

If you don't want to enjoy a night in the "warm"-cold rooms of the hotel, you could have a drink straight from the famous ice glasses or you can enjoy a meal in the icy restaurant.

The place can be reached only by cable car. From Sibiu you must take the road to Brasov and after Scoreiu turn to the right on the Transfagarasan road. Leave the car at Balea Cascada and from there take the cable car.
Link: Balea Ice Hotel

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Romania in one Picture - Working the land

2010-09-30T18:43:00.003+03:00

I remember that in 2006 I had a tour in the Western Carpathians with a nice couple from Canada. While I was driving on a mountain road I stumbled across this old couple. They were working their land like 50 years ago with a iron plow puled by two oxes. Later I was impressed when I realized that I've managed to capture the pain of the old man trying to push the plow.
Year: July, 2006
Location: Izvoarele, Romania
Camera: Canon EOS on film
Author: Daniel Gheorghita

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Zob - Cantec de Dragoste (Love Song)

2010-09-25T00:24:00.002+03:00

Corvin Castle, the second spookiest building in the world, Lonely Planet says

2010-09-20T14:07:00.005+03:00

After Dracula, one of the spookiest characters of the history, if not the most spookiest, Romania has now according to Lonely Planet the spookiest building in Europe, second in the world. It is the Corvin Castle built in the 15th century by Iancu de Hunedoara, one of the most important European leaders in that time.

With its heavy Gothic architecture, slim and tall towers and dark history connected more or less to the famous Dracula, the castle can be used in any horror movies. In reality this place is today just a peaceful tourist attraction of Romania.

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Prejmer

2010-09-19T22:20:00.018+03:00

Prejmer (Tartlau in German) is a small town located 16km (10mi) north-east of Brasov.
It was founded by the Teutonic nights at the beginning of the 13th century. Here you can find the best preserved and largest peasant fortified church in south-eastern Europe.

The fortification wall was built starting with the 15th century and it is 800m(2625ft) long and 12m (40ft) tall. Behind the guarding gallery the locals built 270 rooms displayed on 3 and 4 levels. During the invasions the locals used to retreat in these rooms. In peaceful times these rooms were used as storage rooms. The fortification was protected also by watching towers, bastions, lifting bridges, iron gates and by a large and deep moat. It was attacked 50 times and never conquered.

In the center of the fortification one can see the Evangelical church built in 1218 and dedicated to the Holly Cross. Initially, the plan of the church had the form of a Greek cross, but later it became a Latin cross. The church is built in Burgundian early Gothic style which was brought to Transylvania by the Cistercian monks in the 13th century. It is still in use and displays one of the oldest polyptych altars in Transylvania built in 1450-1460.

One of the major attractions of Prejmer is given by the famous "Organ of the Death" also known as organ gun. It consist of a thick rotating wooden board on a iron axle with five barrels mounted on each side. The barrels on one side could be loaded with metal projectiles while the other was being fired at the enemy.

The site is part of the UNESCO world heritage.

View Larger Map

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Romania in one Picture - Trabant

2010-09-17T20:39:00.003+03:00

I took this pictures at the beginning of September in Gura Humorului, a small town of northern Moldavia. It is a Trabant covered by flowers. Nice :)

Year: September, 2010
Location: Gura Humorului, Romania
Author: Daniel Gheorghita

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Romania in one Picture - Guards of Sighisoara

2010-09-09T18:12:00.004+03:00

I consider this is one of my best pictures, especially now when gypsies' deportation from France made such big news all over the world.
In picture one can see two ways of bagging, two different cultures and perspectives.

In foreground there is a young gypsy mother with two children while in a blurred background one ca see a man playing a guitar.

Once upon a time, this medieval citadel was guarded by soldiers, today by them.

Camera: Canon EOS
Year: September, 2010
Location: Sighisoara, Transylvania, Romania
Author: Daniel Gheorghita

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

"Exploded" gypsies from France

2010-09-09T16:32:00.010+03:00

During the last trip I had an idea to make a detour for a place I've never thought will be part of a guided tour.
Not long ago I was driving toward Piatra Neamt from Bucharest and I had realized I'm just 5km west of Barbulesti, a village were my grandparents lived. Now, gypsies are the only inhabitants of Barbulesti, my grandparents selling their house to a gypsy family many years ago.

I asked my travel partner if he wants to see it and we went there. I knew very well half of the village since my childhood but now I wasn't able to recognize too many things beside the former house of my grandparents, even this one been very different. The whole village looks like been affected by a great turmoil shrouded in despondency.

We've been "welcomed" by 2-3 groups of women and children. I stopped the car and ask them what are they doing, what's their life.They told me they do nothing.

I asked them if somebody in the village was deported from France. The answer was vary hilarious. Yes, we've been "exploded" from France!

In Romanian "to deport" means "a expulza" while " to explode" means "a exploda", hence their confusion between "to deport" and "to explode".

The pictures show a dirt road of Barbulesti and a roof, gypsy style, of a house.

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Medieval Music

2010-08-29T20:48:00.004+03:00

This month I'm handling 4 large groups from America. The Romanian travel agency prepared a farewell dinner where they invited a Romanian band called Trei Parale which plays medieval traditional music from Romania.
They are doing this very well and I can tell you that the first American group was very thrilled about their music.

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Bucharest web page

2010-08-24T11:03:00.008+03:00

One of my colleagues and friends wrote probably the best web page about Bucharest. With good and bad, love and hate, with its hotel list, places where to eat, what to do, history and legends, with a nice graphic and a talented way of writing, this is a web page to be read before any coming to Bucharest.
Bravo Alex!
So, visit this: www.bucharestian.com

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Flying in the landing gear compartment

2010-06-09T13:12:00.004+03:00

Sounds almost impossible but a Romanian, age 20, mange to hide himself in the landing gear compartment of an airplane and to fly between Vienna and London. Usually, no one would be able to survive at -60⁰C but my Romanian fellow was lucky the plane didn't fly very high due to a storm. Now he's in a hospital from London after he suffered of hypothermia.

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Nasty Romania - The Building of Parliament

2010-06-07T19:49:00.007+03:00

Today I'm going to inaugurate a new thread about Romania. I've been told as a Romanian tour guide I always must promote Romania, its tourist attractions, culture and society. Well, it is true, but as a guide I should also help the tourist to avoid the nasty part of Romania.

The building of the Parliament is my very first option by far for this thread.
The largest administrative building in Europe, second in the world after Pentagon had become a great problem for the young free Romanian society right after the anti-communist revolution of '89. "What to do with it? " was the main question and problem. It would be better to continue the works, in 89 just about 60% of it being finished, or should we demolish it? The new democratic leaders, in fact former communists, decided to continue the works.

At the present, all its 1000 rooms are "fully booked" by the two chambers of the Romanian Parliament, the Constitutional Court, different Romanian and European institutions, museums and restaurants.

And now the present nasty part. Part of the building, about 5% of it, is open for the public. Beside the large rooms and the dull guiding focused mainly on numbers and not on the history of the horrors endured by the former inhabitants of this part from Bucharest, there is nothing much to see. In fact, in my opinion, is much more interesting on the outside than inside.

Even if you want to visit it you might not be able to do this. If don't have a reservation, you might have the luck of waiting about 2 hours for the next English tour. If you want to make a reservation, it is possible that nobody will answer at your call. You could send a fax, but nobody will reply at that fax, so you'll end up by asking yourself if that fax was red by somebody or not.

Let me tell you a story. I was waiting in front of the info desk to ask when the next English tour is, while in front of me a Romanian lady was already asking when the next Romanian tour is. The local guide told her there are fully booked for this day but she can make a reservation for tomorrow.
- Can I do it here, the visitor asked.
- Oh, no, but you can call at this phone number.
- I've called yesterday and nobody answered.
- Well, then you can send a fax, the lady form the desk replied with a nice smile on her face.
- But I don't have fax. Why cant I do it here, since I'm here?!
- That's the policy!

I think the people who are working here really like Kafka, 'cause otherwise I have no logical explanation for their policy.

Skip the Parliament, aka The House of the People, and visit something else, you have plenty options.

by Daniel gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Brasov Bike Tour

2010-06-06T22:24:00.004+03:00

Last week end I enjoyed a mountain bike tour around Brasov. It was a nice exercise for 22km with nice views and fresh air. It took me about 3 hours but I stopped many times to take pictures. You can see them here.

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Sibiu Blue Hour - Ibis Hotel

2010-05-26T19:09:00.003+03:00

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Bucharest Blue Hour - The Saving Bank

2010-04-28T15:43:00.002+03:00

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Poles and cables of Bucharest

2010-04-25T17:07:00.008+03:00

Well, it's Sunday and cloudy, a perfect day for a bike ride in Bucharest. More than that, I have an aim: the poles loaded with heavy cables. Through their outlandishness, ugliness, forming intricate meanders , they became a sort of dismal attraction of Bucharest. Many times I've been asked about these poles "What's all about them?"

The story is quite simple. Right after the revolution, Romania known a process of development but many times the infrastructure remained the same. It's the case of the TV cable, phone and internet companies which didn't find an underground project already made where they could put their cables. So, the poles became the main targets of these companies. Today, Bucharest looks like having above the streets and between these poles a real network of a giant spider.

The main guilty persons are to be found, of course, in the City Hall of Bucharest: among them the local council, Traian Basescu (now the present president of Romania), Adriean Videanu (now member of the government) and Sorin Oprescu, the first two, former mayors of Bucharest, the last one, the present mayor. There are other people guilty for this mess: those who voted for these incompetents, myself being among them.

Of course, there is a project to put these cables underground, in some parts of Bucharest already done, but there is no simple way to connect different buildings to this project called CityNet.

More than that, in 2008 a pole collapsed under the burden of the cables, one car being destroyed.

Well, behind these cables, stray dogs and pot polls, there is a beauty and a history, the beauty and the history of an interesting city called Bucharest. Give it a chance and discover it with good and bad parts. You won't feel sorry.

Update (24 July 2011):
The other day I was roaming on the streets of Bucharest when I came across this interesting sight. It is a huge pile of cables which finally have been taken down and stored in the Opera Square for a while. So, it means that some of the cables disappeared from one or two streets. Hundreds left.

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Bucharest Blue Hour - The Parliamet

2010-04-05T12:32:00.005+03:00

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

The Independent about Romania

2010-04-04T08:15:00.003+03:00

"Trail of the unexpected: Easter in Transylvania

Ancient traditions remain a way of life in rural Romania. Margaret Campbell experiences a Transylvanian Easter

'Hristos a înviat!", exclaimed the buffalo farmer, by way of greeting her customers. The phrase translates from Romanian as "Christ is risen!". The recipient knows to respond "Adevarat c-a înviat!" ("He is risen indeed!"). This turned out to be the usual exchange across Transylvania in the week following Easter – and, in rural areas, for up to 40 days after Easter Sunday. Romania may have endured one of the nastiest of the Communist dictatorships, but even in the most difficult days of the Ceausescu regime the population clung to a centuries-old mix of pagan and Christian traditions. Easter was – and is – the highlight of the Christian year.

I arrived in Transylvania on Good Friday, alas too late for Thursday's ritual of dyeing eggs in onion skins and decorating them with beeswax, leaves and symbolic motifs, but in time to hear another tradition. As we drove along the main Arad-Bucharest road, which passes through numerous villages, an unusual sound was audible from churchyards – the toaca, wooden sticks being beaten together to mark a special occasion.

Transylvania is a corner of Europe whose rural areas have been largely overlooked by so-called progress. The landscapes specialise in enchantment: rolling hills of deep green, punctuated by farmhouses and cottages that look positively medieval – a sense emphasized by the use of livestock rather than motor vehicles to work the land.

These dream-like images were reinforced by the eerie, insistent soundtrack. The percussion was especially striking from the ruins of Soimos Castle, built on the summit of a hill overlooking the Mures Valley. At Gurasada we stopped at the tiny chapel and caught the tail end of an outdoor service: the congregation knelt on the ground as the priest issued final exhortations for Easter preparation, then we moved inside for a glimpse of the 14th-century murals.

Easter is an especially slippery feast in Romania. The Orthodox Church generally follows the Julian calendar for Christmas, but switches allegiance to the Gregorian calendar for Easter. Happily, this year the Julian and Gregorian chronologies coincide, and Paste will be celebrated tomorrow across Europe. It is a fascinating time to visit the country.

We were spending the Easter weekend in Hunedoara – a town whose steelworks actually precedes the grim decades of communism. There has been a foundry here since the 18th century: the writer Patrick Leigh Fermor noted it when he walked across Romania in the 1930s. The road into town is dominated by a vast and unsightly steelworks. But it makes only a modest dent in your appreciation of the imposing Corvin Castle, a magnificent Gothic edifice complete with moat, turrets and lookout points.

On Saturday evening, our hostess elected not to attend the Easter celebrations in the town's main church – "too many people, too much show" – so instead we accompanied her to a relatively new chapel near the hospital, picking our way down a footpath in the dark.

The church was packed and noisy, but settled down once the two priests arrived: one dressed in rich red and gold robes, the other in silver vestments. If devotion can be measured in time, this service was devout indeed: it lasted nearly three hours.

The high point came after midnight, when the entire congregation, holding beeswax candles in paper cones, followed the officiants three times around the building. It was an astonishing scene, witnessed from across the road by white-robed members of the hospital staff. They stood watching, their silhouettes framed by candles, and added another surreal aspect to proceedings.

Easter Sunday – and the next two mornings – began with wine-soaked bread, the wine and bread having been distributed at the previous night's service, and the ceremonial cracking and eating of the decorated eggs.

A veritable paschal feast of roast lamb followed, as our hosts ate meat for the first time since Shrove Tuesday and we shared pasca, a cheese-stuffed cake.

I had expected to see monks at the Prislop Monastery, a few miles from the village of Silvasu de Sus. But the complex turned out to be a convent, and I marveled at the young age of many of the black-veiled girls who guided the crowds of Easter Monday pilgrims.

Along with the other women wearing trousers, I was stopped at the carved wooden gates and given an apron to wear for the duration of the visit. Set in a beautiful wooded valley, the chapel is covered in rich frescoes, but hardier visitors climb past the small cemetery to a cave on the rock-cliff, once used by hermits and now housing an icon.

Some miles further, more nuns arrived while we toured the unusual Church of St Nicholas at Densus – constructed in part from Roman masonry (perhaps even the remains of a mausoleum). Roman inscriptions are legible on an inside column, longer-lasting than the eyes of several saints on the 15th-century murals, allegedly destroyed by iconoclastic Calvinists. As we examined the graveyard, where Hungarian tombstones lie alongside Latin inscriptions and Romanian crosses, the nuns began singing an Easter psalm, their unaccompanied voices drawing us back inside.

The rest of the week was spent dropping into small churches and exploring the Unesco-recognized Dacian and Roman ruins that lie scattered around Hunedoara County. The highlight was Sarmizegetusa Regia, reached via several miles of unpaved road followed by a strenuous uphill trek.

The capital of pre-Roman Dacia is worth the journey into the mountains: once the center of a vibrant and complex empire but destroyed by the Romans just after 100 AD, the site is now peaceful and crowd-free. The stone blocks and circular columns of the sanctuaries in the "sacred zone" contrast with the heavy stone fortresses that protected the residential area.

The walk to the Costesti-Cetatuia fortress, seven miles away, was easier, but the fortifications less impressive. However, the view across the neighbouring hills made it clear why this strategic spot had been chosen for a series of defensive terraces.

The Romans built a new capital 25 miles from Sarmizegetusa Regia, on a plain not far from the modern town of Hateg. The Colonia Ulpia Triana provided all the amenities expected of a Roman city – an amphitheater, thermal baths, a forum, temples and housing; although much lies in ruins (the Goths destroyed it in their turn), the historical reality seems very close, especially after a visit to the neighbouring museum.

Following a visit to the Hunedoara market, where local farmers sold buffalo products, including homemade yogurts and cheeses, we were invited to a small buffalo holding in the hills. Its owner was eager to show us her cattle; they were grazing in a communal field, but came lumbering towards her immediately, searching for the corn cobs they knew she hid in an apron. As other customers arrived and called out Easter greetings, I was delighted to have stumbled across this still-unspoiled corner of Europe."

More details here.

Bucharest Blue Hour - The Romanian Athenaeum

2010-04-03T14:09:00.005+03:00

Bucharest Blue Hour - The Romanian Athenaeum (Ateneul Roman)

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Biertan

2010-03-30T16:41:00.006+03:00

The place called Biertan, 30km west of Sighisoara, is one of the first rural settlements of Transylvania. The first documentary attestation was recoded in 1283. For nearly 300 years (1572-1867) it was here that the Lutheran Protestant Episcopate of Transylvania had its headquarter.

The town, with a population of 3000 inhabitants, is famous mostly becuase of the fortified church which was built on the site of a Catholic basilica between 1490 and 1524. It remained Catholic until the Reformation, after which became a Protestant church. It is an extensive Gothic building, with Renaissance and Baroque elements. Since 1993 it is part of the UNESCO world heritage.

The altar, one of the biggest polyptych altars in Transylvania, was built by the masters of Nuremberg and Vienna between 1483 and 1513. It contains 28 paintings that present scenes from the life of Jesus and Mary: the crucifixion, the baptism, the circumcision and various paintings with saints. During the Catholic time, the Holy Virgin was represented in the center of the altar; nowadays, it is replaced by the crucifixion of Jesus.
The pews were made of linden tree wood by Johannes Reichmut from Sighisoara between 1514 and 1523. Their value and beauty are emphasized especially by the remarkable marquetry that they contain.
The pulpit was built by the master Ulrich of Brasov in 1523. It is a remarkable valuable piece, as it was carved from a single rock. The bas-reliefs present biblical scenes: the crucifixion, the Ghetemani garden, Simon’s prophecy. The decorations are made in Gothic style, with Renaissance influences as well. The lid of the pulpit is made of wood and it has very beautiful painted decorations. It was built in 1754.

The organ, imposing in its dimensions and having an impressive sound, was built in 1869 by the master Karl Hesse of Vienna. It has 1290 tubes, 25 registers, pedals and 2 manuals. It is in good working condition.
The door of the vestry, unique in Europe, was built in 1515. It is made of oak wood tree and it is very solid. Its value is emphasized by the exterior plate which is decorated with very beautiful marquetries. There were made by the same Johannes Reichmut of Sighisoara, the one that also built the pews. As the door closed the room treasure, on the interior part a locking system was built. It blocks the door all around in 19 spots. In 1910, the door, together with the lock, was taken to the world exhibition in Paris where it was awarded a prize.

The defending walls and towers, which are protecting the church, were built in the same period when the church was built, 15th-16th centuries. Even today, traces of the battles that were fought against various barbarian peoples can be seen on the exterior walls.

One of the most interesting aspects of the fortified church is the matrimonial prison. It is a building with 2 rooms meant to shelter the couple that wanted to divorce. An original reconciliation method was used, which meant that the couple was forced to share a bed, a table, a chair, a spoon till they gave up the idea of divorce.

Right next to the fortified church, clung to it to be more precisely, there is Unglers, a good medieval restaurant, while across the road you can find Unglerus Pension 3*. The locals are offering accommodation as well.

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by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Romania in one Picture - Hiking in Fagaras

2010-03-28T14:28:00.004+03:00

Fagaras mountains with their 75km long ridge, highest peaks from Romania, stunning views or highest Romanian road called Transfagarasan, entice any mountain fan.The picture offers a glimpse of the Sambata Valley, a great way to reach the summits of Fagaras.
by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide
www.covinnus.com

Curtea de Arges Monastery

2010-03-17T17:22:00.008+02:00

Curtea de Arges is a small city located 151km (94mi) north-west of Bucharest at the feet of the Carpathians. Known as one of the oldest localities of Romania, Curtea de Arges became the second capital of Wallachia, southern part of present Romania.

Among other medieval attractions, Curtea de Arges monastery is by far a masterpiece of the Romanian architecture, many saying it boasts the most beautiful church in the country.

The church, founded by the pious Prince Neagoe Basarab (1512-1521), is one of the most important constructions of art and religious architecture. Begun in 1514 by Neagoe Basarab’s will to have a wonderful monument, the church was erected on the very place of the first Metropolitan Church of Wallachia, under Prince's supervision and following master Manole's advice. The church was built in stone of Albesti, marble and mosaic brought from Constantinople. Although unfinished, in 1517 the Prince founder decided that the Monastery of Curtea de Arges should be consecrated to the Assumption of the Virgin. It was Radu from Afumati, the Basarab’s son in law, which continued the construction and the decoration of the monastery and finished it in 1526. After its consecration, Neagoe Basarab kept on paying a great attention to this church, having the new monastery in Arges embellished with a surrounding wall, cells and a belfry. In 1521, when the founder passed away, his body was buried in the exonarthex, which thus became a princely necropolis. Here are also buried Radu from Afumati and the first royal couples of Romania, King Carol I and Queen Elisabeth, King Ferdinand and Queen Mary.

The Legend of Manole Master
The building of this church is linked with a famous Romanian legend. It says about Prince Negru Voda who, accompanied by 10 great masters, sets out to choose the place of a monastery that is to be the “most beautiful and highest as no other before”. He decided to build the monastery on the place of an abandoned ruin, haunted by ghosts, being convinced that the place would be thus blessed by the monastery’s construction. He promises fortunes and ranks to the masters, if they succeed in building the monastery; otherwise, he will “wall them alive”. Thinking of glory and slave, on the one hand, and of death, on the other hand, the masters started the workings. But soon they discover that what they were building during the day fell off during the night. Exhausted and desperate, the masters cannot find an answer to their worries. On the brink of despair, Manole had a dream, which told him that the monastery will not be built unless the first wife or sister of the workers who will arrive to the place of construction will be walled inside the foundation. Manole told his mates about this dream and they decided to wall in the first wife or sister who comes to the monastery. At seeing his wife coming towards the monastery with meal, Manole’s pain is unspeakable. He prays to God to send a storm, a rain to make her return, but nothing can stop Ana’s love for her husband. Her dedication defeats all the obstacles. With his soul torn by suffering, Manole decided to wall in his wife. Ana considers everything a game and amused, she accepted to play it. Manole started building her, and as the wall grew taller, she realized he wasn't going to stop and it was not a game. She started to cry and implore him to spare her. In the fight between man and destiny, the destiny wins. The church must be finished. The monastery is built, its walls stoped falling off and Prince Negru Voda comes to admire their work. He asked the masters if they could build a more beautiful monastery. When Manole and his masters told the prince that they can always build an even greater building, Radu Negru had them stranded on the roof so that they could not build something to match it. After a few desperate days, they fashioned wooden wings and tried to fly off the roof, but, one by one, they all fell off. The last one to jump was Manole himself. He flew furthest, but crashed on the ground and died. On the place where he fell off a spring of clear water appeared (Manole’s Fountain). Nowadays, the story says, if you listen carefully, you can still hear Ana crying from inside the wall.

Accommodation: Casa Domneasca 4* or Hotel Posada. Both of them have good restaurants.
Location on the map:

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by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed tour guide
www.covinnus.com

Spring in Bucharest 2010

2010-03-11T14:55:00.003+02:00

Red Lake (Lacul Rosu)

2010-03-11T11:40:00.010+02:00

Red Lake, known in Romanian as Lacul Roasu is a natural storage lake formed in 1837 by a landslide of the Killer Mountain. This landslide formed a natural dam flooding the valley of the present lake. The pine forest was covered by water. The stumps didn't go rotten due to the calcium carbonate which was deposited on the stumps, petrifying them. It is named Red Lake beacuse of the reddish alluvia broght in the lake by its tributary rivers during the heavy rains.

The Red Lake legend has it that once upon a time a local girl named Estera went to a fair in Gheorgheni. There she met a young handsome man and they fell in love. She was asked to be her wife but unfortunately the wedding didn't take place because the man went in the army. While she was waiting for him, the girl was kidnapped by a thief and taken in the mountains. She was promised gold and silver to fall in love with the thief but she didn't need it. In the end, the thief, irked by her refuses, wanted to marry to Estera without her willing. Despaired, she begged the mountains for help. They answered with thunders. The storm had destroyed everything in its path while parts of the mountains collapsed killing the thief and the girl. Then, the mountain waters gathered in that place, forming the Red Lake.

The second legend has it that a sheepfold was located in the valley where the lake is now. During a storm, the shepherds tried to find a shelter for themselves and their sheep but they were killed by a landslide of the Killer Mountain.

Located at the feet of Hasmas Mountain, at the border between Transylvania and Moldavia province, this beautiful mountain area offers the chance of enjoying not just the beauty of nature but also a tasty meal or a nice accommodation over night.

Location on the map for Red Lake (Lacul Rosu):

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by Daniel Gheorghita
licensed tour guide
www.covinnus.com

Attention: Drunks!

2010-03-10T15:29:00.005+02:00

The authorities of Pecica, a small town located close to the Hungarian border and famous all over the country for its bread, decided to erect new street signs, warning Romanian drivers to be careful of drunken pedestrians laying on roads. The signs, representing a man crawling and having a bottle in one hand, were declared illegally, therefore they will be dismantled and replaced with legal street signs. Too bad, I've found them quite amusing and they would've become a tourist attraction.

by Daniel Gheorghita
licensed tour guide
www.covinnus.com

Sleeping in a wine barrel!

2010-03-04T20:24:00.016+02:00

Have you ever slept in a barrel? If not, you can discover a place where you could do this.

The populace of Bucharest habitually goes for a weekend trip on Prahova Valley to Sinaia, Busteni or Predeal. These places are packed for two days by a large mass of tourists and their cars. Long lines for everything, noise, no free tables in restaurants or worse, a nightmare traffic are things you wouldn't like to experience in a mini vacation.

In exchange to all these you could choose for a weekend to go in a quiet place, not crowded by tourists or worse by snobs, a place of nature and history. Once out of Bucharest, the traffic is good and in about two hours, north-east, you are in Buzau. Not far away from here there is a village called Pietroasele known for its vineyards. It is a place where you could discover the surroundings during the day while in the evenings you could enjoy the local wines.

Since I've just mentioned the wines, I should mention the most interesting, if not peculiar, accommodation known not just in Pietroasele but in Romania.

A local young family had the brilliant idea of building a strange boarding house formed by barrels, hence the name of this location: "La Butoaie" (butoi=barrel, butoaie=barrels). Yes, barrels, 10 000 liters each, with a door cut in the lid of the barrel and a window on the other side. On each side of the barrel there is a bunk, no bigger than the one in a train berth. Both beds, separated by a small night table, have storage places beneath them. I was to forget, the barrels have electricity but no private bathroom. This one is located outside in the courtyard.

Some years ago I had the chance of sleeping in these barrels and it is fun. Of course, if you like the luxury of a 5-star hotel, then this place is not for you.

I liked this boarding house because for many tourists a room is just a room for one or two nights and a bed is just a bed. Well, the owners succeeded to transform these simple ideas into the main attraction of their pension.

Beside the barrels, the boarding house has a common kitchen where you could prepare your own food and a large terrace with a table pool. But another attraction of this place is given by the wine cellar where the owner of the house keeps his awarded bottles of wine.

As I've said, during the day you could enjoy the surroundings of Pietroasele. A first visit can be done at the famous Muddy Volcanoes, 50km from this village. These volcanoes are nothing else than formations created by natural gases emanated 3000m below the surface. In their ascension toward surface, these gases pass through an argillaceous layer combined with underground water. Once at the surface, this cold mud is dried and solidified by air, forming small volcanic cones. Because nothing grows on the area of the volcanoes, you could experience the outlandishness of the moon.

Next stop should be Magura Sculpture Camp. About 256 stones were brought in the vicinity of Ciolanu Monastery and carved between 1970 and 1985 by a team of students from the Academy of Arts. Each sculpture is numbered and has a name.

Right next to the sculpture camp you can visit Ciolanu Monastery. The first church of the monastery was built in the 16^th century by the will of Lady Neaga, wife of prince Mihnea II, descendant of the famous Vlad the Impaler, better known outside of Romania as Dracula. The monastically life was interrupted for a period of time in the 17^th century and resumed in the next century. The large church, dedicated to St. Paul and Peter, was built in 1828. It is to be mentioned that Gheorghe Tattarescu, a famous Romanian painter, realized three paintings for the wooden screen: The Savior, The Mother of God and John the Baptist.

In conclusion, if you want to experience an interesting, fun and peculiar short vacation, then "La Butoaie" is your place. And the outlandishness of this accommodation goes beyond the guest house when you'll visit the Muddy Volcanoes (Vulcanii Noroiosi) or Magura Sculpture Camp.

Web page: Pensiunea la Butoaie
Tariff: cheap
Category: 2*
Recommendation: good
Location: 120km north east of Bucharest

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by Daniel Gheorghita
licensed tour guide
www.covinnus.com

Sinaia - Bran (Dracula) Castle - Brasov: Day Tour

2010-03-02T13:31:00.019+02:00

Day Tour
Bucharest - Sinaia - Brasov - Rasnov - Bran - Bucharest
In the morning, 8 o'clock, you'll meet your guide in the hotel's lobby.
You'll set off straight to Sinaia where you'll visit Peles Castle, the most beautiful castle in Romania, residence of the former royal family. Sinaia Monastery was the first building of this town, and it's not far away from the castle.

Driving on the beautiful Prahova Valley, you'll be enjoying an astonishing view over Bucegi Mountain, especially over the craggy Caraiman Massive with its Heroes' Cross built in the memory of the soldiers who died in the First World War.

Further on, you'll be driven toward Bran Castle built 700 years ago and famous for the Dracula legend. Built on a calcareous rock, the castle, surrounded by a small village museum, attracts thousands of visitors each year.
After your lunch, you'll visit Rasnov medieval peasant fortress, 500 years old. Here, the main attractions are the well, 146m deep, and the panoramic view over the Barsa region.

The last stop is Brasov, a city founded by the Saxons, who colonized Transylvania in the 12-13th centuries. Here you'll visit the old center, where you'll admire the beautiful buildings such as the astonishing Black Church which was built in Gothic and Renaissance style. As well, you'll see the narrowest street in Romania, Rope Street, Schei and Catherine's Gates, St. Nicholas Church, and the old Schei neighborhood.

After Brasov you'll take the road back toward Bucharest where the tour ends.

Tariffs:
1 person - 172 Euros/person
Group of 2-3 persons - 93 Euros/person
Group of 4-7 persons - 75 Euros/person

The tariffs include:
- car with A/C
- English speaking guide/driver
- Fuel for the entire trip
- Transfers from/to hotels
- Entrance fees
- Parking tickets
- Info folder & VAT, hotel taxes

Vizualizaţi Dracula's Myth Tour pe o hartă mai mare

For more tours visit www.covinnus.com

Tour organized by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed tour guide.

March 1st - Day of "Martisor"

2010-02-28T14:40:00.009+02:00

The legend has it that the Sun, looking at the people having fun wanted to enjoy the pleasures of them. So he decided to come to Earth as a young man and take part to a festival. But his happiness was shortly lived because an ogre kidnapped and imprisoned him in a castle.

The people were very sad because there was no more sun. The birds would not sing any more, the children weren't happy and the rivers stopped flowing. But still nobody dared to face the ogre, until one day when a brave warrior stepped forward and he went to challenge the ogre. When he arrived at the castle the brave warrior faced the ogre and they fought for days, until our warrior killed the ogre. In the end the exhausted warrior, with almost no strength, freed the Sun which immediately started to shine, thus bringing spring again into the world. Unfortunately the warrior died before he could see the spring season. His warm blood flowed on to the snow till the last drop; where the drops had felt a snowdrop rose.

From that moment, young men make white and red strings which are offered to the girls whom they love or to those close to them. The red color reminds us of the warrior’s blood and the white is a symbol of health, purity of the snowdrop and the first flower of spring.

What does "martisor" mean?

"Martisor" is, in popular tradition, a symbol of weeks, months and years gathered and twisted into a string with two colors, the colors representing the winter and the summer. It represents a present given to women on March 1^st. The richer families had "martisoare" with strings made of silver and gold. Children would wear it tied to their hand, on their chests or on their necks.

It is believed that those who wear it will not be burned by the Sun during the summer and that they will be healthy, lucky and beautiful like flowers.

At the beginnings, a “martisor” was just a coin attached to a white-red thread. After some time, beads, beautifully colored, took the place of the coin. Today a “martisor” could be represented by a horseshoe, a clover, chimney sweep or other modern figurines.

by Daniel Gheorghita
licensed tour guide
www.covinnus.com

Hardest driving machines

2010-02-25T08:42:00.006+02:00

In December I had the chance to meet two members of the BBC team who came in Pitesti, Romania for shooting their new show about the most difficult and dangerous machines to drive. In the images below you can see how they are trying to learn and drive a Romanian tank in just a week. Enjoy the new BBC show: "World Toughest Driving Tests".

by Daniel Gheorghita
licensed tour guide
www.covinnus.com

There is life beyond Hollywood!

2010-02-24T11:51:00.005+02:00

Yes, believe it or not, there is life beyond Hollywood. Indeed, I've seen many good Hollywood movies, but there are others who can make good movies, too. Among them the Romanians have became quite good in the recent years. These days, another Romanian movie received two prizes at Berlin Festival. "If I want to whistle, I whistle" (Eu cand vreau sa fluier, fluier) is a movie directed by Florin Serban, a young Romanian director. So, if you have the chance to see it, don't miss it.
The story evolves around a teenager prisoner who falls for a Psychology student, kidnaps her and tries to escape 5 days before his release. The shooting took place this year in a village on the Danube river. The cast includes mainly nonprofessional actors, including real teenage prisoners chosen after a six months casting process.

by Daniel Gheorghita
licensed tour guide
www.covinnus.com

Piatra Mare Mountain - Winter hiking

2010-02-18T23:01:00.015+02:00

Driving from Bucharest, via Sinaia and Predeal toward Brasov, on a tortuous road (DN1) you'll reach Timisul de Jos, just 5 km far from the outskirts of Brasov. Many are passing through this small locality without knowing what hides behind of it. On the right of the road, driving from Predeal to Brasov one can see behind this locality is in fact the hillside of Piatra Mare Mountain.

It is not a high mountain, the highest peak is just 1843m (6046ft) and not much tourist developed, which in my opinion is a good thing. It has an apart beauty which summons for mountain incursions or adventurers and ready to subjugate its hikers and climbers.

This mountain, basically made of limestone and conglomerates, offers good hiking trails properly marked. I like this mountains especially for one reason: 7 Stairs Canyon. Of course, it is beautiful seeing this trail in the spring, summer or autumn but the best time to make an incursion there is the winter when you can enjoy the universe of this mountains by yourself, in a perfect silence, disturbed not by other hikers but by the sound of Sipoaia small River.

In front of the Dambu Morii Chalet, located on the national road DN1, turn to right, traverse the bridge and follow the water course. From now on, you are in the valley of Sipoaia. Walking along the river, admiring the landscape, you'll reach the beautiful canyon of the 7 Stairs which entices the hikers with its very narrow gorge, 60m (197ft) high and 160m (525ft) long. Formed of 7 steps, the highest measuring 35m (115ft) and traversed by water, this gorge is one of the most beautiful places in Romania.

You need about 30-45 minutes to reach the canyon from the main road. The trail, passing through canyon continues all the way up to Piatra Mare Chalet.

by Daniel Gheorghita
licensed tour guide
www.covinnus.com

Romania in one Picture - Bucegi Mountains

2010-02-15T11:24:00.005+02:00

This picture was taken by Chris Fischer, one of my clients, tourists and friends. It was taken in Bucegi Mountains, one the way between Babele Chalet and Heroes' Cross. In the background one can see Sinaia, known as the Pearl of the Carpathians.

Camera: Canon EOS
Year: September, 2008
Location: Bucegi Mountains, Romania
Author: Chris Fischer

by Daniel Gheorghita
licensed tour guide
www.covinnus.com

Medias

2010-02-10T13:21:00.005+02:00

Located on the course of Tarnava Mare River, Medias, Mediasch in German, is the second city of Sibiu county. This locality was founded in the 12th-13th centuries by the Hungarian kings who sent the Germans to populate this area. Today, Medias has 55000 people.

Margaret Church is the main attraction of the town and know especially because of the leaned tower. The construction of the superb building, in late Gothic style, is located in the center of the Saxon fortification. The church was finished at the end of the 15th century and has an organ in good working conditions, dating back since 17th century.

The polyptych altar was done in 1480 in Gothic style and presents Jesus Passions. A Viennese landscape can be seen behind crucified Jesus due to the fact the altar was painted in Vienna. The church preserved some of the original frescoes which later had been plastered in the context of reformation. Jesus Genealogy is one of this frescoes, dating back since the 15th century. The oldest baptismal font is displayed in the church.

The tower of the church, known as the Tower of Trumpets because from here the guards were announcing the dangerous by blowing in a trumpet, leaned when other stories have been added. Later was consolidated, at the present the difference between the base center and the top being more than 2m (6.56ft).
Medias citadel is partial preserved, at the present parts of the defending wall and some watching towers can be admired.

Accommodation can be found at Traube Hotel 4* (centrally located), Binderbubi Hotel 4* or at Vila Flora 3*. All these location have restaurants as well.

by Daniel Gheorghita
licensed tour guide
www.covinnus.com

Winter in Bucharest

2010-02-08T11:07:00.007+02:00

Well, after more than a month of snowing, Bucharest and parts of the south-eastern Romania were knocked-down by heavy snow.

by Daniel Gheorghita
licensed tour guide
www.covinnus.com

Sinaia - Peles Castle

2010-02-04T10:46:00.011+02:00

If you come to Romania for a short or long period of time there is no reason to skip or miss Sinaia. With its beautiful landscape, old Orthodox monastery and staggering castle, Sinaia, hunkered amid craggy cliffs of the Bucegi and Baiului Mountains, is a great summer and winter destination.

With a long history in tourism, 10 hotels being already built at the very beginning of the 20^th century, Sinaia offers many choices when it comes about accommodation.

The main attraction of this place is without no doubt Peles castle.
In 1866, the new state of Romania, back then without Transylvania, chose as its ruler a German prince in the person of Carol I (Charles or Karl).

In the same year, King Carol I went to Sinaia (at that time named Podu Neagului) for the first time and he has been lodged at Sinaia Monastery. He was impressed by the landscape and he chose the location for the castle. The castle was built between 1873 and 1914 in two stages. The castle’s name is drawn from the neighboring creek which passes through the courtyards.

The building of the castle began in 1873 under the order of the architect Wilhelm Doderer but because of some disagreements with the Romanian king, he was replaced by his assistant, Johann Schultz. Queen Elisabeth, king’s wife, wrote that a team of 300 workers was involved in the construction of the summer residence, many of them being not just Romanians but also Italians, Gypsies, Albanians, Greeks, Germans, Hungarians, English, Turks, Polish and Czechs. The works had been interrupted between 1977 and 1978 when Romania fought for its independence. In 1883 the castle has been inaugurated in its first form. Staring with this year, Karel Liman became the chef architect of the castle, collaborating many times with the Romanian king. The works had been finished in 1914, the year when King Carol I died right here in his summer residence.

In its final form, the castle stretches on 3200 square meters, having 160 rooms and 30 bathrooms.

It is to be mentioned that the park around Peles Castle was open for the large public since King Carol I reign. In fact, Orient Express, the famous train, stopped in Sinaia for Peles castle during its first ride in 1883.

The exterior of the castle was designed in the German Neo-Renascent style as its elements show: the litheness of the vertical lines, the asymmetrical volumes, the pointed roofs and the richness of the carved wood and sculptures. The terraces, surrounded by fir trees, are arranged according to the landscape architecture of the Italian Neo-Renaissance, being adorned with fountains, decorative vases, bas-reliefs and marble statues, many of the signed by Italian sculptor Raffaello Romanelli.

King Carol I imposed from the very beginning the idea that the castle should be equipped with the most modern equipments such as: the central heating with warm air (the fireplace having just a decorative role), the bathroom with up-to-date equipments, the elevators, the telephones, the central vacuum cleaner and one of the most important of these, the electricity provided by a hydro plant built on the Peles creek next to the castle. In this way, Peles Castle was to be the first in Europe fully electrified.

The interiors of the castle were designed not only in the German Neo-Renaissance style, but also in other styles such as: Italian and English Neo-Renaissance styles, Rococo, Turkish and Hispanic-Moorish, German or Austrian Baroque.

The most important are the Hall of Honor, The Halls of Arms, The Working Office of King Carol I, The Library with its secret passage, The Old Hall of Music, The Florentine Hall, The Moorish Hall, The Turkish Room and The Theater.

In every room, impressive statues, ceramics, gold and silver plates, Sevres porcelain, collections of Oriental tapestries and weapons are embellishing the castle.

Basic information for Peles Castle:

Daily Program:
- Summer (May 19^th-September 13^th) - 9:00AM - 4:15PM
Monday - closed
- Winter (September 14^th-May 18^th) - 9:00AM - 4:15PM
Wednesday - 11:00AM - 4:15PM
Monday & Tuesday - closed

* In November, for a short period of time, Peles Castle is closed for general maintenance. Check in advance for this period if Peles Castle is open.

Tariffs:
Standard Tour: 20RON/adult and 5RON for children
Extended Tour: 50RON/adult and 12.5RON for children

- Photo: 30RON
- Video: 50RON

Contact:
Phone No: 004/0244 310 918

Dirrections:
Coming from Bucharest: 120km (about 2 hours half of driving)
Comig from Brasov: 50km (about 50 min or less of driving)

Restaurants:
Taverna Sarbului - traditional Serbian meals
Anda Cellar - traditional Romanian meals and wine tasting

by Daniel Gheorghita
licensed tour guide
www.covinnus.com

Urma - Romanian Rock Band

2010-01-30T22:34:00.004+02:00

Urma is maybe one of the best Romanian alternative rock bands of the new wave and the less promoted band compared to its talent and quality music. Few radios play this band in their list. Well, there is a good thing even in this: few people know about them, in this way you can have the feeling this band belongs entirely to you. I know I do.

Web page: Urma

by Daniel Gheorghita
licensed tour guide

House in Bucharest-Mogosoaia

2010-01-28T20:37:00.002+02:00

Imagine you would come home and this would be your house. It would be something fantastic! I like it because this house respects nature in a way today we don't know how to do it. Instead of modern metal roofs, they used reeds, instead of modern furniture they used an original one.

This building which is divided into two separated houses, located in Mogosoaia, at the outskirts of Bucharest, was built by two men, Count Tibor Kalnoky whose family was expelled from Transylvania by the communists and and Dr. Andrei Stoicescu. Count Tibor Kalnoky is known for being involved in the restoration of Prince Charles's properties in Transylvania.

One more thing, this house is for sale. Price 1 350 000 Euro. If you think you don't have so much money you could rent it for 3840 Euro per month.

For more details visit manoirdulac.eu

by Daniel Gheorghita
licensed tour guide

Casa cu Zorele - Crit

2010-01-28T10:20:00.025+02:00

As a tour guide, I had many chances to stay overnight in all kind of places all around Romania. I've stayed in 5 and 4-star hotels - taking advantages of their many offers, from king size beds to wifi Internet, in medieval building, some of them 800 years old, or in traditional guest houses, where the owners' hospitality can match the beauty of a room.

Well, nothing matches my small-2 kilos tent with its tiny veranda pitched beneath a ridge of Fagaras at an altitude of 2400m (7874 ft) on a rainy day. The silence, disturbed by the rain drops only, the fresh air, the smell of the rich grass, the staggering alpine landscape and the emotions of a secluded adventure are by far much better than a 5-star hotel.

Despite my tastes regarding types of accommodation, I must admit there is a place which impressed me a lot. It is Casa cu Zorele or Morning Glory House. While driving 100km/h between Brasov and Sighisora, at a certain point you'll pass by the small village of Crit located in a valley. From the main road you can see its old fortified church and the reddish tiled roofs of the scattered houses. Few travelers observe this village, fewer visit this quaint place.

If your curiosity, or something else, pushes you towards the village of Crit, once at the outskirts of this place you'll have the impression you made a journey hundreds kilometers long and now you are in a very remote place of Transylvania. Deeper in the village, on the dirt roads, where the dust behind a wooden cart traps like in a phantasmagoria the shimmering light of the mornings, you'll have the feeling you made a trip not just for hundreds of kilometers but a trip back in time hundreds of years.

Trapped by each detail of this world you'll observe the old houses built by the Germans, some of them 200 years old, now dwellings of gypsies and Romanians, the animals - cows, horses and many others, walking freely on the roads or the people greeting and scrutinizing you in the same time.

In order to make this place even more interesting and attractive, a couple from Brasov had quit the jobs and adventured in buying an old German house in Crit. From the outside it looks like an ordinary house of this village, although it's clear from the first glimpse somebody properly takes care of it. But once in the interior courtyard, you are astonished by the medieval feeling of this place. Everything looks neat but in the same time very old and in very good conditions. You would say the first owners of this place have just left the house and in the evening you would expect to see them coming back to their house. Each detail is like a rural symphony of the Saxon life, the ceramic tiles embellishing the windows frames, the wild flowers and plants of the courtyard bringing a corner of the nature in the yard, the old door handles reminding of the ancient crafts, the barn telling the visitors this was a rural house.

They renovated this house taking in consideration the traditional methods of building a German house, adding to each room a private bathroom. The rooms, quite large, respect the old atmosphere of the Saxons who colonized Transylvania 800 years ago, the German furniture adding a beautiful touch to this atmosphere.

To this beautiful renovation of an old German house I must add the owners who manage to become the main attraction of this place and it is quite hard to do this when taking in consideration this forgotten and bucolic village. This family, middle-age, is a great pleasure to be with for a couple of days or more. The owners, educated, speaking French, Italian and English, will be more than glad to give you information, talk with you about these places, to assist you with good advises.

The Lady of the house is not just a pleasant presence but a great cook, her meals being just precious and delicious moments. By any reason, don't skip their dinners and breakfasts. On the other hand, the man of the house can arrange different entertainment activities. He can arrange a wooden cart ride in the village and its surroundings, he can organize for you a bicycle tour in the vicinity or he can take you to observe old and dyeing crafts like the one of the charcoal makers.

Of course, I don't like to transform my recommendations into beautiful apotheosis and I'll try to find things I didn't like. Well, there is no one. Despite all these, I must say I didn't like owners' negative attitude regarding a certain city of Romania. It is good to criticize things that are not as they should be and Romanians have this quality in criticizing themselves but rejecting the values of a place just because it has many other problems it's just a mistake. I understand their mistake 'cause I did it myself, too.

In the end I must say if you want to dive in the history of Transylvania, to observe the old architecture, to enjoy tasty meals and have interesting conversation or just to relax then this is the place: Casa cu Zorele.

Web page: www.casa-cu-zorele.ro
Tariff: 37 Euro based on double occupancy / breakfast and dinner included
Location: Crit - 31km from Sighisoara on the national road DN13
Category: 3*
Recommendation: the best

by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed Tour Guide

Sighisoara - Clock Tower

2010-01-27T23:04:00.002+02:00

Symbol of the public authority in the past, now symbol of Sighisoara, The Clock Tower (Town Hall Tower) is one of the most expressive architectural monuments of Transylvania. Erected in the eastern part of the citadel inferior plateau, it defended the main gate of the town. The tower, 64m (210 ft) high, is a rectangular prism with massive walls, with a base of 12m (39 ft) by 8.66m (28 ft), on 4 floors and an observing balcony. From the ground floor to the base of the roof the tower measures 30m (98.5 ft), while from the base of the roof to the weathervane in the spike it measures 34m (111.5 ft). The weather-vane indicates wind direction.

At its base the tower is crossed by two passageways provided in the past with massive gates and grates. In front of the tower there are even today two interior defending courts named barbicans.

The rooftop, rebuilt in Baroque style after the great fire since 1676, is done by the masters Veit Gruber from Tirol, Philip Bonge from Sazburg and Valentinus Auslander.

The tower has symbols of the local public authority, the 4 spires located on the corners’ roof being symbols of the Town Council which had the right to give and execute capital punishments. Other symbols of the public authority are the clock and the figurines, the gilded globe from the top – a capsule with 1m (3.28 ft) diameter which contains different documents, as well as the coat of arms representing the bicephalous (two headed) eagle of the Austrian Empire placed right above the globe.

The researchers have information that before the 14th century the present tower would have been preceded by a more simple tower. At the base the walls are about 2.35m (7.7 ft) thick, while the thickness of the next two floors is reduce at 1.3m (4.2 ft). Later, it seems that the old roof was demolished and 2 other floors made of brick were added, as well as the gallery and the new roof.

for more details visit www.promotesighisoara.com
by Daniel Gheorghita
tour guide

Sighisora 2-day Tour

2010-01-26T09:39:00.010+02:00

Day 1.
Bucharest - Sinaia - Bran - Rasnov - Brasov - Sighisoara
In the morning, 8 o’clock, you’ll meet your guide in the hotel’s lobby.
You’ll be going straight toward Sinaia, also known as the “Carpathian Pearl”, where you’ll visit Peles Castle, the most beautiful castle in Romania, residence of the former royal family. Sinaia Monastery was the first building of this town, and is not far away from the castle.
Driving on the beautiful Prahova Valley, you will have an astonishing view over Bucegi Mountain, especially over the craggy Caraiman Massive with its Heroes’ Cross built in the memory of the soldiers who died in the First World War.
First stop in Transylvania is Bran Castle, the most famous castle of Romania. Located in the Barsa region, the Bran Castle is famous for the Dracula legend, but in reality has no link with the terrifying Count.
On the way to Brasov you’ll visit the peasant fortress of Rasnov. Built in the 14th century, the fortress, with its beautiful panoramic view, is a good occasion to see how the locals defended themselves against different invaders.
Further on, you’ll drive toward Brasov, a city founded by the Saxons, who colonized Transylvania in the 12-13th centuries. Here you’ll visit the old center, where you’ll admire the beautiful buildings such as the astonishing Black Church which was built in Gothic and Renaissance style. You’ll see the narrowest street in Romania, Rope Street, Schei and Catherine’s Gates, St. Nicholas Church, and the old Schei neighborhood.
From Brasov you’ll be transferred to Sighisoara where you’ll spend your night.
Accommodation in Sighisoara.

Day 2.
Sighisoara – Viscri – Brasov – Bucharest
In the morning you’ll visit Sighisoara, the only inhabited medieval citadel in the world. With its narrow alleys, medieval houses, towers, ramparts and legends about Dracula, Sighisoara is a world-wide attraction for tourists. You’ll visit the symbol of Sighisoara, the Clock Tower, Casa Vlad Dracul (the house where Vlad the Impaler was born), School’s Staircase, Church on the Hill and the watching towers. Sighsiaoara is also the best place to find out more about the legend and history of Vlad the Impaler.
On the way back to Brasov you’ll visit the beautiful Viscri fortified church. Located 35km southeast of Sighisoara, the village of Viscri is known for the well-preserved peasant fortress which surrounds one of the few Romanesque churches in Romania. The Teutonic Knights built the citadel in the 12th century on the site of an existing church. The village was mentioned in documents for the first time in 1400, under the name "Alba ecclesia". Being a UNESCO heritage site since 1990, the fortress has huge walls with watching towers, the main tower being 10m high. The villagers used the fortified church as a hiding place when the Tartars attacked them.
From Viscri you’ll continue your road back to Bucharest where the tour ends.

Tariffs:
1 person - 355 Euro/person
Group of 2-3 persons - 202 Euro/person
Group of 4-6 persons - 190 Euro/person
Single Supplement: 20 Euro

The tariffs include:
- car with A/C
- English speaking guide/driver
- Fuel for the entire trip
- Transfers from/to hotels
- Accommodation for one night in a 3* hotel
- Accommodation for guide
- Breakfast each day
- Parking tickets
- Info folder & VAT, hotel taxes

For more tours visit www.covinnus.com

Tour organized by Daniel Gheorghita
Licensed tour guide.

Romania in one picture - Cold days

2010-01-25T15:54:00.003+02:00

These days Romania is swept by a very cold air. It recorded even -35⁰C.
I found this picture taken in 2008 in the mountains of Bucegi when I had tried to ski. Obviously, due to the bad weather it was impossible.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel XTi
Year: December, 2008
Location: Bucegi Mountains, Romania
Author: Daniel Gheorghita

London Bucharest - 35 Euros a return ticket!

2010-01-21T16:39:00.005+02:00

I've just received an email from Blueair, being announced from March they will fly from Luton and they promote this change with a very good offer. A return ticket, London-Bucharest is just 35 Euros (all taxes included) and it's true.

So, people of London, do not miss this kind of offer, you could see Bucharest, the beautiful Sinaia with its staggering Peles Castle and mountains, the famous Bran Castle, also known as Dracula Castle, the medieval peasant fortress of Rasnov or the medieval city of Brasov.

Blueair web page: www.blueairweb.com

by Daniel Gheorghita
tour guide

Promote Sighisoara - travel guide

2010-01-21T16:26:00.004+02:00

This is my newest project: www.promotesighisoara.com
Sighisoara is one of the most beautiful places of Europe and deserves a web page dedicated entirely to it.
This site offers everything a tourist needs: accommodation, restaurants, history, surroundings, transportation pictures, and tours.

by Daniel Gheorghita
tour guide

Viscri - Music and winter images

2010-01-18T23:56:00.004+02:00

Funny Romanian advertise

2010-01-17T11:24:00.003+02:00

This is one of the most funniest Romanian adds. Romanians have no reluctance when it comes of making jokes about themselves. I like to think this is a quality. In fact, humor helped Romanians to survive just a little easier in the communism time.

by Daniel Gheorghita

Romania - UNESCO sites

2010-01-16T10:22:00.007+02:00

I've just received an e-mail with a link toward this page which contains pictures of Romanian UNESCO sites, and as amateur photographer I must admit some of them are terrific. I'm glad that another simple Romanian, just like me, is trying to promote this country.
Enjoy the pictures!

by Daniel Gheorghita

Dacian Ciolos - the new European commissioner for agriculture

2010-01-15T22:44:00.002+02:00

After three hours of questions asked by the members of the European parliament's agriculture committee in Brussels, Dacian Ciolos became the new European commissioner for Agriculture. His performance in front of this committee was so confident, effective and patient that in the end all the members not only they voted Dacian Ciolos in unanimity but all of them gave him ripple of applause.
After many years when Nicolae Titulescu was the president of the Nation Leagues in 1930-1931, Dacian Ciolos is the first Romanian who has such an important function.

Romania in one Picture - Gipsy of Brateiu

2010-01-14T22:38:00.002+02:00

The town of Brateiu located close to Medias, Transylvania, is known also for the gypsies who built their un-plastered brick houses at the outskirts of the town trying to sell their hand-made copper crafts. In the image one ca see a gypsy and his craft. In the background, to other gypsies are working at their pots using just hammers and anvils.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel XTi
Year: March, 2008
Location: Brateiu, Sibiu County, Romania
Author: Daniel Gheorghita

The perfect woman is a Romanian

2010-01-13T18:48:00.005+02:00

According to ProTv, after tens of years of studies, the American scientists have discovered the perfect woman. For the moment they have refused to give more details about her life, revealing just her Romanian nationality.
According to these scientists (have you noticed these scientists are always invisible regardless their nationality) the perfect woman is the dream come true of any man regarding not just her physical aspect but also her emotions.

One thing is for sure, the Romanian women are indeed very beautiful.
(picture: Catrinel Menghia)

by Daniel Gheorghita
licensed tour guide
www.covinnus.com

Accommodation in Sibiu - Huet Residence

2010-01-11T22:34:00.024+02:00

When it comes about accommodation in Sibiu there are so many options that sometimes it can be quite confusing for visitors to choose the right place, weather they would stay in a hostel, bed & breakfast or a hotel. Therefore I shall give you one option, already mentioned briefly in one of my posts of this blog.

My first option is Huet Residence. It has just 4 rooms and is part of the 13^th century medieval defense system. Do not worry, just because it was built 7-800 years ago, doesn't mean you'll stay in a place like 8 centuries ago. On the contrary, each room has a a modern private bathroom and central heating.

Rooms number 3 and 4 are very large, therefore you'll have plenty space. While room number 3 has preserved an original fresco painted up in one of its corners, room number 4 has another surprise. Once you've open the door, you'll notice in your room a big piano. Although I don't think it is well tuned, still brings a nice touche to this room. And it doesn't even matter your piano is a big one because the room is very large.

Generally, the beds of the Romanian hotels are not so big but the beds of Huet Residence are very large and comfortable.

Did I mentioned the medieval views which can be admired from your windows? Well, you can stay hours admiring the Passage of the Stairs glimmering, especially during the nights, its medieval atmosphere, almost letting you to believe that any time a knight riding a horse will pass by your window.

Most of the people who come to stay here are very connected to the modern world and need to stay in contact with their friends or other people. Well, Huet Residence offers a "medieval" wireless connection, so bring your laptop. And if you don't have a laptop, don't worry, the entrance hall has a "medieval" computer and you can use it whenever you want.

Since I've mentioned the entrance hall, I need to say that it is very cozy, although during the winter days it can be cold. Bring your own beer and enjoy it together with your friends.

Room number 1 is indeed much smaller and doesn't offer even a good view compared with the other two, therefore most of the times this is my room. For me, it's more than enough. It is clean, has a private bathroom and a large bed.

I didn't have the chance to see room number 2.

Because I don't want to make from this post an apotheosis of Huet Residence, I'll try to find the negative aspects of this place. Let me think.

I'm still thinking...

Well, let's be really very demanding and say that the furniture could have a stronger local German influence by being painted with flowers according with the local custom. But this type of furniture is quite expensive and probably the tariff for a room wouldn't be so affordable.
I don't know how easy would be for the staff to serve the breakfast in the entrance hall (probably not easy), but would be a good idea instead of doing that in a different location.
And yes, I was almost to forget. The rooms don't have a minibar.

In the end, I wold recommend to anyone this place. For me, a hotel/guesthouse is just a place to stay overnight. But sometimes these places can be part of the trip becoming highlights of the vacation. Huet Residence is one of this places. You'll never forget it.

Web page: www.huet-residence.ro
Tariff: affordable
Location: right in the old center
Category: 3*
Recommendation: the best
Tip: because there are just 4 rooms, make the reservation well in advance.

by Daniel Gheorghita

Panoramic views of Romania

2010-01-10T21:29:00.004+02:00

While I was surfing on internet I've came upon an interesting site which offers beautiful panoramic views of different Romanian tourist attractions. This is the site. Enjoy.

by Daniel Gheorghita

Bucegi Mountains (3) - The Sphinx & Old Ladies

2010-01-09T20:28:00.016+02:00

Once on top of the mountain, getting off the cable car you are close to the Babale Hut. The name derives from the strange shaped rocks around the chalet. They are many but two of them are much more famous: Babele (the closest translation would be The Old Ladies) and the Sphinx.

Around these two big rocks, located on the Bucegi Plateau at an altitude of 2216m (7270 feet), many legends have been said. Some say they are not made by the nature, but by the humans, others say the rocks discharge positive energy, while the most originals say they are made by the aliens. In reality, the rocks are shaped by the wind, rains and by the water freezing and melting process.

These big stones are nothing more than a sandwich of rocks, with different hardness. But for the tourists they are amazing rocks in shape of a giant head or in shape of an old ladies group.

by Daniel Gheorghita

Elena Udrea, our sexy minister of Tourism Office

2010-01-07T20:22:00.012+02:00

Elena Udrea, yap. That's her name and she is the minister of the Romanian Tourism and Development Ministry.

During my tours around Romania I had many discussions with my tourists about the fact that Romania is not promoted, therefore nobody knows about this country, especially in America, nobody wanting to come and spend the vacation here.

Well, for the first time in years I had the nice surprise seeing on CNN advertise about Romania. The number of the tourists didn't grow up instantly but it's a step, many other steps must come. Anyway, I would joke and say that we don't need anymore to advertise this country since we have such a sexy bomb as head of the Tourism Office. All we need is just to put her at the exit terminals saying to everybody come and visit our sexy minister.

She was accused by many as being corrupted, but nothing was proved. Indeed, many were the scandals around her or her husband and some of them can be true but I don't care too much. With so many corrupted Romanian politicians, most of them ugly men, I prefer a sexy lady. So, leave her to to do her job (showing on TV shows would be enough) especially she's the one who signed my tour license.

PS. Do you have such a sexy minister in your country?

Update March 14, 2010:
Yes, by far this is the most viewed post of mine until now.

New Years Eve Party in Bucharest

2010-01-01T10:56:00.009+02:00

You can admire some of the fireworks which made the people of Bucharest gathered in the Constitution's Square, right in front of the largest building of Europe, to be very happy.
Happy New Year 2010!

Bucegi Mountains (2) - The Cable car of Busteni

2009-12-23T17:26:00.008+02:00

It would be a very good idea for those who can't hike for a longer period of time but also for those how would enjoy a staggering view over the peaks of Bucegi to take the famous cable car of Busteni.
The cable car links the town of Busteni to Babele Chalet since August 11^th, 1978. The route of the cable car follows Jepilor Valley (Mugo Pine Valley) and is 4350m (14271 ft) long while the altitude difference is 1235m (4051ft).

It has a capacity of 25 persons and the ride takes about 12 minutes if everything is OK :) The highest point of the ride is located at an altitude of 2180m (7152 ft), close to Babele Chalet.

The year of 1982 marked the inauguration of the second cable care which goes down on the other side of the mountain to Ialomita Cave, another interesting spot.

Once you are on the top of the mountain, you can enjoy the geological formations named Babele (Old Ladies) and the mighty Sphinx. From here, as I've told you in my previous posts, you can reach in one hour the Cross.

Bucegi Mountains (1) Caraiman Cross - update

2009-12-21T22:06:00.004+02:00

I've just found two other pictures of the Heros' Cross.

Ghita by Cleopatra Stratan

2009-12-21T20:01:00.009+02:00

Several years ago, I think about 3 years, an angel appeared as a young, very young singer. Her name is Cleopatra Stratan and Ghita was her smashing success. In fact, she holds several records for being the youngest artist who performed live for two hours in front of a large audience, the highest paid young artist, the youngest artist to receive an MTV award and the youngest artist to score a #1 hit in a country.
Her father, a Moldavian singer who lives in Romania, takes care of her, composing songs for Cleopatra.

The coat is inside out,
There is no sun above
Nothing is going good
Since I think of Ghita.
But Ghita's not in town
I asked why he's not around
It seems to me he's gone
He's gone abroad

Hard, I think it's very hard
Want, I don't know what I want
I know that you like me too
Ghita, what is up with you?
Young, come on in or go
Young, tell me yes or no
Ghita, please don´t anger me
Tell me how your life will be

Ghita,
Tonight I'm waiting at the wicket
Me at the station I bought a ticket
Come to,
But don't come as you did before
As usually with empty hands...
Who else
Will and sing for you as I do
Entire evening just getting there
Ghita,
Show me a girl who's found of you
That loves you more as much as I do...

Bucegi Mountains (1) - Caraiman Cross

2009-12-20T12:01:00.046+02:00

Taking the road from Bucharest to Brasov, via Ploiesti is a very good idea and you won't be sorry, no matter of the season. Starting with Sinaia you'll be overwhelmed by the beauty, grace and size of the Bucegi Mountains, part of the Meridional Carpathians. And if you'll continue your road toward Busteni, the next locality right after Sinaia, you'll be amazed by the stupendous craggy cliffs which look like huge rackets ready to take off.

To all these add a beautiful cross guarding thevalley of Prahova River. Built on the Caraiman Massif, part of the Bucegi Mountains, at analtitude of 2291m (7516 feet), the Heros' Cross stands as tribute to the soldiers who died in WWI. Built at the request of Queen Maria and King Ferdinand I, between 1926 and 1928, the cross, unique in Europe, is 28m 92 (feet) high, its each arm being 7m (23 feet) long.

The cross is made of metal bars which were installed on a concrete pedestal. During the nights, though not all the time, the cross shimmers over the valley.

The cross can be reached by hiking the mountain in about 3-4 hours or by taking the cable care from Busteni to Babele Chalet. From Babele Chalet in about 1 hour of easy hiking you can be at the base of it. The cross offers in my opinion one of the greatest views in Romania, if not the best.

Do not miss it if you are in Romania.

The 7 wonders of the Romanian communism

2009-12-16T17:54:00.006+02:00

1. Everybody had a job.
2. Although everybody had a job, nobody was working.
3. Although nobody was working, the plan was always 100% fulfilled.
4. Although the plan was always 100% fulfilled, there was nothing to buy.
5. Although there was nothing to buy, everybody had everything.
6. Although everybody had everything, all of them were stealing.
7. Although everybody was stealing, nothing was missing.

Reghin "The Town of the Violins"

2009-12-13T16:38:00.009+02:00

Reghin is a small town of 36 000 people, located in Transylvania, Mures County to be more precisely. Well, this small town is quite famous in Romania and outside among the violin players. Known as "The Town of the Violins", Reghin has two factories which are making musical instruments. One of them belong to Vasile Gliga, a rich Romanian luthier, ranked as the 11^th luthier in the world by a catalog published in Cremona, the town of Stradivarius. In this video-clip you can see him making a new instrument. A violin needs 200-300 hours of work, 20 layers of lacquer, good sycamore and spruce wood.

The history of the violins from Reghin is quite interesting because it started about 200 years ago when the Italians found very good sycamore and spruce wood in the same valley, not far away from this place. During the years the locals started to learn how to make parts of a violin after that shipping them to Italy where they were put together.

Another great luthier of Reghin is Nicolae Ciurba who worked for Roman Boianciuc, the founder of this industry in Reghin in 1951. Now he works for himself together with his son. He doesn't make more than 3-4 violins in one year because he prefers to do them from the beginning till the end.

Teleptean from Maramures

2009-12-10T23:33:00.008+02:00

One of my favorite places to stay overnight is Teleptean guest house from Vadu Izei, Maramures.

What's so special about this place? Well, before anything else, you get the chance to be in contact with a real Romanian family for some days, to observe their way of living, to find out more about the local traditions, music, food and culture.
I like to go there each time I have the occasion because the owners are so natural and happy to have guests, that immediately you get to know them better, you have the sensation you are part of their family.
Each and every member of the family is involved in the business of this guest house of 16 rooms. The father is doing the hard tasks, the mother and daughter are preparing the food (I don't want to mention how good it is) while the boy takes care of traditional music and helps everybody else.
The rooms are clean, simple, big enough and have private bathrooms.

In addition to all these, Vadu Izei is a very good base for a 2-day tour in the surroundings. You'll get the chance to see a traditional village, to taste local brandy called "tuica" at the local distillery, to observe the life, to visit places like the famous Merry Cemetery, Peri wooden church, the tallest of this kind in the world or to learn about the horrors of the WWW2 by visiting Elie Wiesel's house or the horrors of the communism regime by visiting the former political prison of Sighet.

And yes, you'll have more tuica than you'll be able to drink. :)

Therefore, come to Teleptean in Vadu Izei.

The New Dacia: Duster

2009-12-09T18:33:00.004+02:00

Dacia published some pictures of Duster, the latest model of them. I must tell Romanians were very suspicious when Renault bought Dacia, many of them saying it would have been much better for the Romanian manufacturer under the umbrella of a German company. Well, Renault proved not only to the Romanians, but also to the rest of Europe, that their poor communist Dacia will remain their national car, this time as a reliable car.
Logan had came first, with different versions, before Sandero, the most appreciated car of Dacia.
Now, Duster will be the first SUV of Dacia. I must say I have never imagined our Dacia will have this type of car. Bravo Dacia!