Alma Vii (in German Almen) is a village in Sibiu county in Transylvania and is definitely worth a visit!

The village is part of the municipality of Mosna and is also known by the old Romanian names Alma Saseasca and Alma Intre Vii, as well as in Hungarian as Almad, Szaszalmas, Nemet-Almas and Almas.

Information about the fortified church can be found here:
https://kirchenburgen.org/location/almen-alma-vii/

Brasov in spring (here pictures from previous years) … coming soon

Many more pictures and information about Brasov:
https://kronstadt-erleben.de | https://discover-brasov.com

This church/fortified church is located in the commune of Biertan (Biertan in German, Berethalom in Hungarian) in the district of Sibiu in Transylvania.

Biertan is one of the earliest German-Saxon settlements and was mentioned in documents as early as 1398 (other sources: 1402).

Like any Saxon settlement, it is characterized by a row of houses built around a central square, above which rises the imposing church fortress. Between 1572 and 1867, Biertan was the seat of the Saxon bishopric (episcopal see of the Evangelical Church A.B.), which fostered the building of one of the largest agricultural communities in Transylvania around this fortified church. It is a medieval and architectural treasure of Romania, definitely worth a visit.

Cetatile Ponorului is one of the largest karst areas* in Romania, located in the Apuseni Mountains, in the Padis area (Padis Plateau) in Bihor County.

The Padis plateau is rich in karst formations, caves such as the Lost World, the Bârsa Glacier, the Rădești Fortresses and the Caput Cave. There are several gorges such as Cheile Galbenei, Cheile Someșului Cald, Groapa Ruginoasa and others.

*In geology and geomorphology, karst refers to subterranean landforms (karst caves) and surface landforms (surface karst) in carbonate rocks (also in sulfate rocks, salt rocks and sandstones/quartzite). Source: Wikipedia

Image source: https://destinatiaanului.ro/
Photos: https://planiada.ro/

In Romania, Orthodox Easter is celebrated only in one week, so there is a perfect opportunity for every visitor to celebrate Easter twice.

The German-speaking hospitality industry in Romania wishes all those celebrating Easter today and tomorrow a Happy Easter, peace and a little reflection and tranquility in these sometimes hectic times.

The gorges are located in the municipality of Banita in Hunedoara County and run along high limestone walls.

They are about 300 meters long and were dug by deep water in the limestone. On calm summer days they can be visited, waterproof shoes are a must as the path from the quays also leads through the water.

The height of the cliff walls is about 10-15 meters and shows how the water has eroded the rock. In many places, the rocks form a roof, which was formed by horizontal erosion in the current over hundreds of years.

More information about Hunedoara county:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/…/landkreis…/

Thank you Vlad the Impaler – Dracula for giving us permission to use this image.

A beautiful picture by Paul Buchfellner ( https://karpaten-offroad.de ) from March 26, 2024 on the rooftops of Sibiu.

Our current online brochure:
https://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/ | https://welcome-to-romania.com

Photo: The church tower in Turnisor (Neppendorf), a neighborhood of Sibiu

Old and new, history and modernity, young and old, rich and poor, hectic and timeless… this is Bucharest, the capital of Romania.

If you have the time and the muse to look around, you will discover 1000s of things, feelings and more … that capture, inspire, but also make you think.

All photos were taken in the Piața Romana neighborhood, which covers an area of about 500 x 500 meters in the center of Bucharest.

Images: There are a large number of photos in Bucharest’s Roman Square at the moment: early June 2022

Old and new, history and modernity, young and old, rich and poor, hectic and timeless… this is Bucharest, the capital of Romania.

If you have the time and the muse to look around, you will discover 1000s of things, feelings and more … that capture, inspire, but also make you think.

All photos were taken in the Piața Romana neighborhood, which covers an area of about 500 x 500 meters in the center of Bucharest.

Images: There are a large number of photos in Bucharest’s Roman Square at the moment: early June 2022

Built by Prince Vlad Țepeș, the Chindienilor Tower has also been a symbol of the city of Târgoviște in the Dâmbovița district since the 15th century.

For centuries, the tower played a military role, as possible attacks could be recognized from the top.

Text source / image: https://www.destinatiaanului.ro/

Salina Turda is a real museum of the history of salt mining. It is located in the town of Turda, which belongs to Cluj county.

The temperature in the salt is constant at 10-12 degrees. It is one of the oldest and most famous salt mines in Transylvania.

Find out more:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/turda-salt-mine/

A short city tour in Sighisoara (in German Schässburg, in Hungarian Segesvar) with a visit to the Protestant cemetery and the Protestant church with mountain school, a stop at a rustic restaurant and a visit to the birthplace of Vlad Prince Dracula III, who served as a model for Irish writer Bram Stoker’s “Count Dracula”.

https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/destinations-romania-sighisoara/

Text and images by Roland Schmid. Dear Roland, thank you for your efforts, for all you do and for your enthusiasm for Romania

Current online brochure: https://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/

A short city tour in Sighisoara (in German Schässburg, in Hungarian Segesvar) with a visit to the Protestant cemetery and the Protestant church with mountain school, a stop at a rustic restaurant and a visit to the birthplace of Vlad Prince Dracula III, who served as a model for Irish writer Bram Stoker’s “Count Dracula”.

https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/destinations-romania-sighisoara/

Text and images by Roland Schmid. Dear Roland, thank you for your efforts, for all you do and for your enthusiasm for Romania

Current online brochure: https://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/

A short city tour in Sighisoara (in German Schässburg, in Hungarian Segesvar) with a visit to the Protestant cemetery and the Protestant church with mountain school, a stop at a rustic restaurant and a visit to the birthplace of Vlad Prince Dracula III, who served as a model for Irish writer Bram Stoker’s “Count Dracula”.

https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/destinations-romania-sighisoara/

Text and images by Roland Schmid. Dear Roland, thank you for your efforts, for all you do and for your enthusiasm for Romania

Current online brochure: https://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/

A wonderful movie/reportage by and about the Arts on the Romanian Black Sea coast in German.

La masă | Litoralul românesc al Mării Negre

It’s a beautiful day today in Galati (in south-eastern Romania, just before the Danube Delta). Lots of sunshine and up to 25 degrees

And … According to the weather app, tomorrow should be 26 degrees, Sunday 28 degrees and even 30 degrees on Monday, April 1. Perfect for a trip to the Danube Delta, the town of Sulina and many other places

Brasov up to 26 degrees | Bucharest up to 28 degrees
Photo: Sulina beach on the Black Sea (2023)

Find out more and book a tour and more directly:
https://discover-sulina.com/kajak/

https://discover-sulina.com/en/kayak/

https://discover-sulina.com/ro/caiac/

https://welcome-to-romania.com

Thanks to photographer Sorin Onisor ( facebook.com/sorinonisor ) for permission to use these wonderful images.

Cetatea Alba Carolina din Alba Iulia (Karlsburg) a fost construită între 1715 și 1738 sub domnia împăratului Carol al VI-lea ca o fortificație cu șapte (7) bastioane.

Aceasta a servit Habsburgilor ca punct strategic de apărare de-a lungul graniței militare cu Imperiul Otoman. Alba Iulia se află aproape de autostradă, pe drumul spre și dinspre Sibiu (Hermannstadt). Merită cu siguranță o vizită.

Dorim să îi mulțumim fotografului Rene Benner ( facebook.com/rene.benner.1 ) for sending us these wonderful pictures. Thank you very much!

The Bicaz gorge is located in the center of the Hașmaș Mountains, in the districts of Neamt and Harghita. The town of Bicaz is only 20 kilometers away.

Text / image source https://www.destinatiaanului.ro/

The cave is located at an altitude of 1,640 meters in the nature reserve Piatra Rea (in the Rodna Mountains), near the Cailor waterfall.

In Piatra Rea nature reserve you will find a diverse vegetation with rare subalpine and alpine plant species.

Text / image source: https://www.destinatiaanului.ro/

Târgu Mureș (in German Neumarkt am Mieresch) is the county seat of the county of Mures in Transylvania.

Târgu Mureș was first mentioned in 1230.

Transalpina, Transfăgărășan, Bucegi and Făgăraș Mountains (Făgăraș Mountains) and many others. There are many wonderful roads through Romania’s mountains and nature.

Let yourself be seduced and enchanted. Romania is looking forward to your visit.

Curtea de Argeș is a Romanian town in Argeș county. It is located on the right bank of the Argeș River, which flows here through a valley of the Southern Carpathians.

It is one of the oldest towns in Romania. According to tradition, it was founded in the 14th century by Prince Radu Negru, who made it the first capital of the Principality of Wallachia.

Curtea de Argeș Cathedral (Curtea de Argeș Monastery, Curtea de Argeș Cathedral) is one of the most famous buildings in Romania. It stands on the foundations of a monastery and is located about one and a half kilometers north of the city. It resembles a very large and ornate mausoleum and was built in Byzantine style with Moorish arabesques.

The carpenter’s tower of Sibiu / Sibiu ( in Romanian: Torreul Dulgherilor ) was in the 14th century. 17th century built by the Saxon carpenter guild of Hermannstadt. The tower was part of the city’s third fortified belt and is today the left tower, defensive wall and fortress still preserved. It is located on the Zitadellenstraße ( Harteneckgasse, named after the mayor Johann Sachs von Harteneck ).

The pottery tower was built in the 15th century by the Saxon guild. It was also part of the town’s third fortified ring and is located to the right of the preserved defensive and fortress wall.

Welcome to Romania! Romania impresses with its magnificent nature, unspoiled landscapes, rich history, towns and villages, sights and much more.

https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/ | https://uir-news.com/en/

From the Carpathian Mountains and the Black Sea coast to the Danube Delta, Romania as a travel destination offers a wide range of options for the perfect vacation. Modern cities, a wealth of history, interspersed with unspoiled nature and villages where people live according to centuries-old traditions enrich the experience of “vacationing in Romania”

Valcea Antim Ivireanul County Library | Ramnicu Valcea

The Valcea County Library, located in the county capital of Ramnicu Valcea, was built in 1950 and currently contains over 400,000 books and documents.

In addition to the large number of books, the glass roof, “The Creation of the World””, which was made of 86 modules is a special feature worth visiting and also unique in Europe in its kind. The glass roof has an area of 142 square meters and is located at a height of 30 meters from the base of the building.

Hunedoara Castle (also known as Hunedoara Castle, Iron Market Castle in German, Corvin Castle or Huniazilor Castle in Romanian, Vajdahunyadi var in Hungarian) is one of the most important non-ecclesiastical buildings in Transylvania.

The rock castle was built on the remains of a 14th-century fortification and is located in the south-western part of Hunedoara (German name: Eisenmarkt) in western Romania.

The listed castle has many other names (Castelul Corvinilor, Castelul Corvinilor, Castelul Corvinus, Castelul Corvinus, Castel Corvinești, Castelul Corvinilor, Castelul Corvinilor, Castelul Corvinilor, Castelul Piața de Fier, Castelul Negru, Castelul Vajdahunyad, Castelul Hunyadi), which can be attributed to its location or its owners.

After 1440, the Hungarian statesman and military commander Johann Hunyadi had an existing fortification converted into the Hunyadi family’s ancestral castle. In the second phase of construction, the castle was extended from 1458 under King Matthias Corvinus. At the beginning of the 17th century, Prince Gábor Bethlen carried out another major remodeling of the building. As a result, today’s castle is a mixture of different architectural styles.

The castle has been in Austrian hands since 1724, and since 1918 it has been owned by the Romanian state. Apart from being a tourist attraction, the castle is (and has been) used as a backdrop for a number of Romanian and international film productions. The castle currently houses a museum.

Seen today (March 26) in Brăila, the first stork of this year which has already started to renovate its nest.

You can finally see them again… The stork (stork in Romanian), which is now moving to breed in many villages, especially in south-eastern Romania.

Almost every pole, no matter how daring the cable construction may seem, is inhabited by a nest. We’ll be there live in a couple of weeks and we’re already looking forward to many, many wonderful photos of mom, dad and, especially, the stork chicks.

The city of Buzău is located on the river of the same name and at the southeastern foothills of the Carpathian Mountains in southeastern Romania.

The most famous symbol of the city is the Communal Palace (historically the municipal palace, now the town hall), which was built in 1903. It is a palatial building in the typical Romanian Brâncoveanu style, like many of the municipal theaters and other buildings of the time.

About 20 kilometers northwest of Buzău are the mud volcanoes of Berca, one of the most extraordinary natural attractions in Romania and Europe.

The Botanical Garden of the Institute of Biological Research in Jibou in the county of Sălaj is named after its founder, Vasile Fati (1932-2007).

It covers an area of about 10 hectares (100,000 m2) and is located in the north-eastern part of Jibou, on the banks of the Someș river.

Image: https://www.destinatiaanului.ro/

Pictures from August 2022 in Mamaia, Constanta and we are already looking forward to the next summer vacation 2024.

Thanks to Mr. Ovidiu Gabriel ( facebook.com/corazonlatino.romania ) from the dance school Corazon Latino Romania for permission to use these images.

Worth a visit at any time of the year. The lake is an oasis of peace and relaxation in the Banat region, where visitors can recharge their batteries in a place with fairytale landscapes.

Sovata, also known as the “Pearl of the Transylvanian Spa Resorts”, is a spa resort and a town in Mures County, famous for its lakes, unique in the world.

Sovata has been a European recognized all-season spa resort since 1850. The lakes with chlorine and sodium water – and their mud – have therapeutic properties for a variety of ailments.

Image source: https://destinatiaanului.ro/

The Muntele Mic massif is a mountain range in the Retezat-Godeanu Mountains, which are part of the Southern Carpathians.

It is situated between the Țarcu Mountains, the Godeanu Mountains and the Retezat Mountains. The highest peak is the Varful (mountain) Muntele Mic, with an altitude of 1802 meters. It is a small but popular ski resort in Banat, 130 kilometers from Timișoara. There are six (6) slopes with different levels of difficulty: Borlova 1, Borlova 2, Valsanu, Nordica, Isai, Felix.

Little Mountain is also popular with hikers in summer and is easily accessible by car.

We thank Mrs. Corinna Haisch Coliev for sending us the photos/text. We would also like to thank Little Mountain Online for permission to use the images.

Bran Castle (also known as Törzburg, Bran Castle in Romanian, Törcsvar in Hungarian) is located in the Transylvania region of Romania.

Whether Dracula (or his namesake “Vlad the Third Dracula”) lived here or elsewhere, the castle is definitely a sight worth seeing and worth a visit with its museum.

Between 1920-1947 it was the royal residence of King Ferdinand I and his wife, Queen Maria, and their daughter, Princess Ileana, who inherited the castle from her mother in 1938. The castle is currently owned by the Habsburg family, who received it back as legal property from the Romanian state in 2006 as part of the succession process.

Find out more about Bran Castle:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/bran-castle/

Thank you Castelul Bran for permission to use these images.

Find more information about the city, guided tours and more here:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/destinations-romania-timisoara/

It is a Romanian village in Transylvania that has been preserved in its original state and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage, where nothing can be changed, including the streets and houses.

The village is still home to old craftsmen such as bricklayers, who still use the original molds and materials to make bricks for renovating or repairing existing houses. Farm animals also roam freely around the village and return to the farms independently at feeding or milking time. One of the most important buildings is the house of King Charles III, and the second important building worth seeing is the fortified church of Viscri. The various craftsmen and craft shops also invite you to linger and observe.

Text and images by Roland Schmid. Dear Roland, thank you for your efforts, for all you do and for your enthusiasm for Romania

Heading home… Thanks to Roland Schmid for this video.

Video

It is a Romanian village in Transylvania that has been preserved in its original state and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage, where nothing can be changed, including the streets and houses.

The village is still home to old craftsmen such as bricklayers, who still use the original molds and materials to make bricks for renovating or repairing existing houses. Farm animals also roam freely around the village and return to the farms independently at feeding or milking time. One of the most important buildings is the house of King Charles III, and the second important building worth seeing is the fortified church of Viscri. The various craftsmen and craft shops also invite you to linger and observe.

Text and images by Roland Schmid. Dear Roland, thank you for your efforts, for all you do and for your enthusiasm for Romania

Topolnița Cave is a karst cave in Mehedinți County. It is the fourth longest cave (approx. 11 km) in Romania: only Vantului Cave, Humpleu-Poienița Cave and Hodobana Cave are longer.

The temperature of the cave fluctuates between 8.2 and 10.8 degrees Celsius, making it a relatively warm cave.

As a result, it is a suitable habitat for some animals, including the largest colony of big-shoe bats (bats) in Europe. Radiocarbon dating has shown that bat guano from this colony has been continuously deposited since 1694.

Thanks to Vlad the Impaler – Dracula for permission to use these images.

Nature reserve and biosphere reserve. We can’t capture the true beauty of this delta in photos, but we can help you get an idea of the aquatic paradise that Romania is home to in the south-east of the country.

The Danube Delta is a wild and charming corner where the only traces of civilization are the boats that occasionally pass through the labyrinth of water channels.

https://urlaub-im-donaudelta.de | https://discover-sulina.com

The town of Făgăraș is located on the road from Sibiu to Brasov. At the end of the 12th century, the castle was just a wooden fortress, which was enlarged into a stone fortress in the 14th century.

The castle contains a museum, which can be visited as well as the castle. The cathedral/church of St. John the Baptist is right next to the fortress.

Pictures with the Danube, Dubova Bay and Mraconia Monastery in the background. One of the most famous hiking trails in the Danube Gorge starts here: From Dubova to the peak (mountain) Ciucarul Mare.

Difficulty: Easy
Duration round trip: approx. 2 hours
Marking: yellow triangles
Starting point: exit Dobova village in the direction of Svinita

Thanks Banatul Montan (photos: Kokovics Laszlo Laszlo ) for permission to use these images.

https://www.arte.tv/de/videos/095775-000-A/transsilvanien-draculas-wildes-reich/

The town of Sighișoara (in German Schässburg / Schäßburg, in Hungarian Segesvar) is one of the most important and also the most colorful towns in Mureș County.

Sighișoara is located in the historic region of Transylvania, in the heart of Romania.

Image: Bianca Fazacas

138 years ago, Timișoara proved its uniqueness as a city in Europe.

On November 12, 1884, almost 60 kilometers of streets in the center of Timișoara were electrically illuminated* with 731 lamps. At the time, it was the record in Europe and second in the world after New York.

* The number of lamps and the number of kilometers are based on different sources, with the same claim on the internet

** Of course, the lamps were smaller than the one in the picture This lamp is just a memory and is no longer used for lighting in Timișoara

In the summer of 2023, we followed the journey of “Schnuff” and his biker friends. We were able to share with them many wonderful pictures and experiences.

The fortified church of Biertan is located in the commune of Biertan (Biertan in German, Berethalom in Hungarian), in the district of Sibiu in Transylvania. Biertan belongs to the first German-Saxon settlements and was mentioned in documents as early as 1398 (other sources: 1402).

Like any Saxon settlement, it is characterized by a row of houses built around a central square, above which rises the imposing church fortress. Between 1572 and 1867, Biertan was the seat of the Saxon bishopric (episcopal see of the Evangelical Church A.B.), which fostered the building of one of the largest agricultural communities in Transylvania around this fortified church. It is a medieval and architectural treasure of Romania, definitely worth a visit.

Visit the European Capital of Culture 2023 in western Romania and the historic Banat region.

https://discover-timisoara.com

Sibiu is an important cultural and economic center in southern Transylvania, with about 420,000 inhabitants (source: Google). In 2007, Sibiu was European Capital of Culture, together with Luxembourg.

Find out more about Sibiu:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/destinations-romania-sibiu/

Thanks to Living in Sibiu Association ( https://www.instagram.com/living.in.sibiu/ ) for permission to use these images.

The village of Viscri (German: Deutsch-Weisskirch, Hungarian: Szaszfeheregyhaza) is located in the district of Brasov (Kronstadt) in Transylvania.

It lies north-west of the town/castle Rupea (German: Reps) and south-east of the town of Sighisoara (German: Schäßburg). The village had about 700 inhabitants between the 18th and 20th centuries, mainly Transylvanian Saxons plus a Romanian part of the village. Viscri is characterized by both the fortified church and the village structure, which was shaped by the Saxon farms.

The village was founded by the Transylvanian Saxons at the end of the 12th century and was first mentioned in a document from 1185. The fortified church stands at the north-western end of the village.

In the 12th century, the Szeklers (a Hungarian-speaking population group in eastern Transylvania) built a small Romanesque hall church here before the German settlers. It was enlarged in the 13th century. After the first Turkish invasions, the church was fortified in the 14th century and a fortified ring with defense towers was erected.

We would like to thank the photographer of the images (early September 2021) Brian Randall for permission to use them.

Visit the European Capital of Culture 2023 in western Romania and the historic Banat region.

https://discover-timisoara.com

The Orizont hotel complex in Brasov county is the ideal place to explore the beautiful mountain world of the Prahova Valley in the fall and/or to make excursions to Peles Castle in Sinaia, Bran Castle (Törzburg), Rasnov Castle with Dinoparc or to Brasov …

… but also to enjoy the winter with all its various offers around Predeal

The hotel has 139 4-star rooms, a modern spa, the Orizont Forum conference center, the Orizont restaurant with international cuisine, the Miorița restaurant with traditional Romanian cuisine, a wine cellar and a bar with an excellent selection of drinks.

All rooms offer 4-star comfort, and the SPA area (with indoor pool, jacuzzi, fitness room, sauna and massage) is an oasis of tranquility that combines relaxation with rejuvenation. Hotel Orizont’s relaxation center offers an indoor pool, fitness room, jacuzzi, dry sauna, wet sauna, infrared sauna, massage facilities and more to help guests unwind perfectly.

Find out more about the hotel and all the offers:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/hotel-orizont-predeal-en/

The Teiuș monastery in the Caras-Serverin district was built in 1999. It comprises several small churches surrounded by an impressive garden with roses and trees.

Thanks Banatul Montan for permission to use these images.

Life in rural Romania is very different from life in the cities. It is characterized by family, hospitality, traditions, hardship and hard work until old age.

And … it is often a happier life than we think. Those who have little don’t have much to worry about, and the many daily messages from the world that we receive every hour on our phones (and don’t really need) reach these people less often or perhaps not at all.

Thanks to photographer Sorin Onisor ( facebook.com/sorinonisor ) for permission to use these beautiful and atmospheric images.

In July/August 2023, I followed “Schnuff” and his biker friends on their journey through Romania, with wonderful images and experiences.

Here the municipality of Bazna (in German Baaßen or Baassen, in Transylvanian Saxon Baußen, in Hungarian Bazna or Felsobajom) in the district of Sibiu in Transylvania (pictures from mid-August 2023).

The fortified Protestant church in Bazna was built in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 16th century. Today, the church and part of the community center are listed buildings.

Photo: Ruxandra Gogea

The Valcea Village Museum is located in the village of Bujoreni, about 4 kilometers from the capital of the county, Râmnicu Valcea.

The museum is organized like a village and presents life in rural settlements in times gone by. The idea was developed in 1969 and realized piece by piece. Definitely worth a visit.

We thank Mr. Alexander Laszlo for his efforts and for sending us these pictures (taken on September 17, 2023).

Hunt, prepare and eat truffles. The Conacul Grigorescu estate in Buzău County is offering this truffle hunt, which includes a 3-course truffle dinner, wine tasting and slow food brunch in the fall of 2024.

Request info and offer:
https://conaculgrigorescu.com/truffle-hunting-weekend

While it rains in Galati, it snows in Brasov.

Perfect for a winter vacation in the mountains less perfect if you wait for the sun and spring.

Thanks to Mr. Cristian Macedonschi for this morning’s photo.

The town of Sighișoara (German Schäßburg, Hungarian Segesvar, Latin Castrum Sex, later Saxoburgum) is one of the most important towns in the county of Mureș, in the Transylvania region of Romania.

Find out more about the town:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/destinations-romania-sighisoara/

Pictures from a trip to (national road 7C, exit behind Sibiu in the direction of Brasov) and through the Transfăgărășan, Balea Lake, Vidraru reservoir and the Olt river.

Here: Approaching and climbing the Transfăgărășan

We thank Mr. Roland Schmid for sending us the photos from his trip, which he took in August 2023. Thank you Roland

Pictures from a trip to (national road 7C, exit behind Sibiu in the direction of Brasov) and through the Transfăgărășan, Balea Lake, Vidraru reservoir and the Olt river.

Here: Approaching and climbing the Transfăgărășan

We thank Mr. Roland Schmid for sending us the photos from his trip, which he took in August 2023. Thank you Roland

Pictures from a trip to (national road 7C, exit behind Sibiu in the direction of Brasov) and through the Transfăgărășan, Balea Lake, Vidraru reservoir and the Olt river.

Here: Approaching and climbing the Transfăgărășan

We thank Mr. Roland Schmid for sending us the photos from his trip, which he took in August 2023. Thank you Roland

Relax, luxury and wonderful experiences in the Danube Delta. Visit the 5* Lebada Luxury Resort & SPA and let yourself be pampered.

https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/lebada-luxury-resort-spa-en/

187 rooms and suites, divided into 17 categories and with panoramic views of the Danube, await guests. Relax at the in-house wellness center, go hiking in the Danube Delta or “just” go fishing. Lebada Resort’s wide range of offers will convince you too.

All 2024 events and much more information can be found on the Discover Sulina website (also in your language).

https://discover-sulina.com

Valea Zânelor Castle is located about 40 kilometers from Sibiu (towards Brasov), in the village of Porumbacu de Sus, right next to the children/family park Povestea Calendarului.

Find out more about the clay castle: today, the ‘clay castle’, which looks like it was built for hobbits, is visited and admired by hundreds of visitors every day.

Read more about Romania and the region:
https://kronstadt-erleben.de

On May 25 and 26, 2024 – after last year’s great success – the fourth edition of the SLOW FOOD Festival will take place next Saturday and Sunday in Berca, near Buzău.

Enjoy regional delicacies and take them home with you. Lots and lots more will be on offer, to taste and also to buy

The Slow Food Festival takes place in the Craftsmen’s Square (market) in the town of Berca. As soon as you see the monastery of Berca or arrive in the town, turn left just after the bridge and continue about 200 meters. Open between 10:00 and 18:00 and on Sundays between 10:00 and 17:00.

Read more: Slow Food Buzău

Images: The first edition of the festival on May 6/7 and preparations for the set-up

Many tourists arrive with their own car or rent a car at the airport and are … a bit overwhelmed by the parking situation in Romanian cities. So here are some tips and information.

Relaxed parking in Brăila
The city of Brăila is located in south-eastern Romania and has around 150,000 inhabitants. In fact, there are always plenty of parking spaces in the city center and … all parking lots in the city of Brăila are free.

Neighboring city Galati … not so relaxed
The city of Galati is also in south-eastern Romania and is the neighboring city of Brăila, with about 300,000 inhabitants. In many parts of the city (in the city center, but also in outlying areas) parking is paid (Monday to Saturday, between 8:00 and 20:00). Payment can be made via an on-site parking machine or by SMS (a Romanian phone number is required). IMPORTANT: On average, it takes a short time to find a yellow or orange smart immobilizer on the front wheel if the parking ticket is not validated. Depending on the time of day, you will have to pay 200 or 300 lei (about 40 or 60 euros) to remove it.

Brasov, take your time / plan your search
It’s not easy to find a parking space in or near the center of Brasov at almost any time of the day. There are few parking spaces and, due to many restrictions (one-way streets), it can take some time to find a parking space. You really shouldn’t rush here! The parking lots are paid (Monday through Saturday, 8am to 8pm) and can be paid via an on-site parking machine (usually only one or two hours) or via an app (also 24 hours/day). There are also paid parking lots throughout Brasov, so always look out for relevant signs.

Timisoara, European Capital of Culture 2023 … the modern age
First of all, parking spaces in the city center are also taxed, but looking for “bad parking offenders” is very modern here. With the help of a specially purchased and equipped camera car, which regularly checks the streets and squares, parking tickets are issued in no time. The camera car drives through the streets and records all parked cars / license plates, compares in real time whether a parking ticket has been issued and … we don’t know this, but we suspect … gives the “bad guys” among the parkers a parking ticket.

Bucharest … without words
Parking in Bucharest is easy, either in the hotel parking lot or 20 km outside the city. Anyone who has ever traveled by car in Bucharest will quickly realize … it takes a lot of time, patience and also a certain calmness in terms of driving style, which is similar to some Italian movies/cities. In many parts of the city, downtown, shopping malls and more, traffic is usually quite slow (sat nav: You reached your destination in 800 meters. Estimated travel time: 48 minutes). Parking is charged and can usually be paid on the spot, by SMS (a Romanian phone number is required) or by app. Depending on the neighborhood (old town), it is very, very difficult or extremely expensive (300 lei (60 euro) for 24 hours in a “private parking”) to find a parking space. Our advice is therefore clear. Look for a hotel with free parking and walk or use a taxi/Uber or buses/subways. It’s worth it!

In the countryside and small towns
Things are almost always very relaxed here – park, period. However, you should always look out for any signs (usually near places of interest/trip destinations). You may also have to pay to park there.

More cities, experiences about parking in Romania are welcome as comments!

And by the way: RO vignette … To be able to drive on Romanian highways and country roads (so it’s compulsory for every car), you need a vignette. The vignette (RO Viniete) can be bought and paid online (German interface) one month in advance (i.e. before your vacation). The costs are also controllable and ok. For a car it costs 3 euro for 7 days, 7 euro for 30 days, 13 euro for 90 days and/or 28 euro for a whole year. Usually rental cars already have this vignette, but it never hurts to ask … it never hurts. Here is the link: https://www.roviniete.ro

As soon as the Transfăgărășan reopens at the end of June, but also earlier in many other regions, you can meet them again… brown bears.

Our big request in advance:
DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!
DO NOT ATTRACT BEARS !!!
BEARS are wild animals of the forest and not “adventure objects”, please respect this during your trip and when you encounter one or more bears! Have fun, but stay in the car and keep going slowly.
There are around 8,000-10,000 brown bears living in the wild in Romania and more and more bears are heading for the roads and cities, the bears unfortunately getting food from some travelers and so they come back again and again with their cubs.

We understand, it’s quite an experience … but bears can also be dangerous and, more importantly, feeding them destroys their natural habitat … for a moment’s thrill.

Therefore, please let the bears … be bears and show responsibility … Do not feed the bears and please do not stop when you see one or more bears at the side of the road. This behavior will attract the bear because it thinks it has food. However, leaving your vehicle in such a situation to get a closer look at a bear should NEVER happen. Thank you!

Please note that when traveling in and to Romania. As of July 1, 2023, lights have also become mandatory during daylight hours in cities, as well as outside cities (i.e. everywhere).

Please also note that you need a vignette for almost all roads outside cities (highways, but also country roads). The costs are not high, and the vignette can be purchased in advance at many gas stations, but also online (at least one month before arrival): https://www.roviniete.ro/de/

You also need a vignette for traveling to and from Hungary (on the highway). This can also be purchased online (link as before). You only need to buy the Austrian vignette at a gas station. Tip: If you are staying in Romania for more than 14 days, buy two 7-day vignettes, and the second vignette should be “pre-punched” with the date of your return trip. This way you are already prepared. Please always keep the invoice, in Austria you can check the proof of payment as well as the vignette.

Please note the speed limits in Romania:
max. 50 km / cities
max. 90 km / country roads
max. 130 km / highways

Even if other drivers (trucks!!!!) drive faster in cities, please respect the speed limit. For safety reasons and to avoid fines.

Pedestrians ALWAYS have priority at zebra crossings (unless there are traffic lights). Please note!

Have a safe journey | Have a good road

Near the town of Anina is the Bigar waterfall, which was created from travertine (calcareous tuff) and in 2013 topped the World Geography website’s list of the world’s most impressive waterfalls.

A large slab of cantilevered travertine collapsed under its own weight on June 7, 2021. Since then, the waterfall’s image has changed, but it is and remains worth a visit

Mount Ciucaș is the highest peak in the Ciucaș Mountains, with an altitude of 1,954 meters.

From its summit there is a beautiful view over the regions of Țara Barsei and Brasov, as well as the mountain resort of Cheia.

The main accommodation options and access points in the massif are the Cheia holiday resort/mountain village, the Muntele Roșu hut and the Ciucaș hut, which can be reached via the Bratocea Pass from Brasov.

Visit the Kronstadt Erleben (in German) and Discover Brasov (in eight other languages) websites and find out more about the city and its surroundings.

https://kronstadt-erleben.de | https://discover-brasov.com

Now, in early spring, but all year round … a great place for a hike in the mountains of Transylvania.

Besides a marvelous view of the still snow-capped Bucegi Mountains, you’ll also find the rustic-elegant restaurant Amfiteatrul Transilvania. It is located in a restored 19th-century farmhouse, about 10 kilometers south of Bran (commune of Moieciu de Sus, accessible via Bran, Moieciu de Jos, Cheia).

Find out more about the restaurant: Amfiteatrul Transilvania

Thanks to Mrs. Teodora Mocanu for permission to use this photo. Thank you

Sibiu at night … a city full of life.

In spring, summer and fall, the temperatures are very pleasant at night as well, and many people come out to meet for a coffee in the city, to take advantage of the many offers or simply to stroll around the historic center of Sibiu.

Guided tours of the city can be found here: https://heide-reisen.de

Discover breathtaking nature from July to September.

More information and all travel dates:
https://www.karpaten-offroad.de/tour/rumanien-retezat-gebirge/

Guided trekking tour in the Retezat Mountains | Făgăraș Mountains with the highest and most important mountains, as well as a visit to the Alba Iulia Citadel, Hundoara (Corvin) Castle and the National Park of the Bison in Hațeg … and of course with lots and lots of nature.

Some more pictures from Timisoara last Friday. Spring is coming and slowly but surely you can get ready for your vacation / many vacations in Romania

http://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/ | https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/

The National Village Museum “Dimitrie Gusti” (Village Museum) is an open-air museum in Bucharest that presents rural life as it has been lived in the Romanian countryside for centuries.

Founded in 1936 by Dimitrie Gusti, Victor Ion Popa and Henri H. Stahl, it is located on Kiseleff Boulevard and covers an area of over 100,000 square meters.

Image source: https://destinatiaanului.ro/

A typical Romanian “cable installation”, as seen in many cities. Fiber optics for every house and every apartment, laid quickly and super cheap

And practically never fails … Fiber optic cable for internet and cable TV (example: 1,000 MBit download, 800 MBit upload, no volume limit, including cable TV with German channels and lots of live football matches from the European football leagues (including Bundesliga, Spanish league and also Saudi league), including fiber optic router: approx. € 13.50 per month.

We also admire the technicians who not only install a new fiber optic connection in 2-3 days, but also maintain and follow everything. Thank you for that!

Peles Castle is located about 1.5 kilometers northwest of the town of Sinaia.

It was built between 1873 and 1883 for King Carol I of Romania and was seized by the communist regime in 1947. After the Romanian Revolution in 1989, Peles was transferred back to the former King Michael, who was living in exile in Switzerland.

The oriel windows and stuccoed walls are reminiscent of Hohenzollern Castle, the king’s residence. Seven terraces surround the castle. Some of the 160 rooms can be visited today. The castle museum contains weapons, sculptures, furniture and decorative artifacts from the 15th-19th centuries, as well as an orchestrion. The castle is particularly impressive for its magnificent carpentry.

Find out more about Peles Castle:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/peles-castle/

Text and images by Georg Schenk … Many, many THANKS

The Jgheaburi church (in the village of Piscul Mare, Valcea county) was built on a land with two wooden churches. One of the churches (Radu Negru) was built around 1300, the second around 1600 and restored in 1640. In 1827, one of the churches was rebuilt in stone and brick as it is today.

This church is also visited for its sulfur springs, which have a positive effect on the body. The name of the hermitage “La Jgheaburi” was given by the locals because of these springs.

Thanks Centrului Național de Informare și Promovare Turistică Vâlcea for permission to use these images.

There are still a large number of feathered friends in the wilderness, in the vastness of the country and especially in the Danube Delta (there are about 320 different bird species here alone).

Thanks to Bogdan Popa Photography for these wonderful images and for permission to use them.

Video

Beautiful cottages for families and groups in the mountains east of Sinaia and south of Brasov in Prahova County.

The houses are situated in two orchards of 5,000 and 10,000 square meters. There is plenty of space, trees and lots and lots of peace and nature.

https://airbnb.com/h/mandraioana
https://airbnb.com/h/lasat
https://airbnb.com/h/radudragu

In addition to a fully equipped kitchen and good WLAN, there is above all adventure (you can reach many things in a short time, such as the Prahova Valley, Brasov and especially the Slanic salt mine) and pure relaxation.

Sihăstria Putnei Monastery is located in northeastern Romania, about 70 kilometers from the city of Suceava.

Better known is Putna Monastery (commune Putna), which is also close to this monastery (about 3 kilometers to the northeast).

Thanks to Vlad the Impaler – Dracula for permission to use this image.

Carturesti Carusel bookstore is much more than just a “bookstore”. It is located in the historic center of Bucharest and covers six (6) floors with a total area of 1,000 m2.

A bistro on the top floor, a multimedia room in the basement and a contemporary art gallery on the first floor invite you to browse, linger and shop.

The elegant 19th-century building came into the possession of the famous Chrissoveloni banking family in 1903, then was confiscated during the communist period and converted into a shop. After 1990, the building was brought back to life by the current owner, Jean Chrissoveloni, in collaboration with the architectural firm Square One.

Pure relaxation, being pampered with delicious meals made with local produce, a swimming pool and yet adventure everywhere.

https://conaculgrigorescu.com (site în germană, gazde vorbitoare de limba germană)

Moșia Grigorescu (Buzău county, near the town of Berca) offers a family atmosphere and is centrally located in the triangle Bucharest – Brasov – Danube Delta. It is also a perfect starting point for excursions to the Dealu Mare wine region or for hiking and sports adventures in the UNESCO Buzău Geopark.

If you are ever in Bucharest, you should definitely visit it! Caru’ cu Bere is a famous brewery in Bucharest, which was opened in 1879.

The brewery is located in the eastern part of the city center (Old Town) of Bucharest, between Lipscani and Stavropoleus streets.

The dining room on the first floor is seven (7) meters high, decorated in Gothic style with columns, stucco ceilings, carved panels and paintings. Access to the other floors is via a carved oak staircase.

Pictures from Timisoara, yesterday (March 15). Spring is coming and you can already enjoy the sunshine and a coffee outside.

Curtea de Argeș is a Romanian town in Argeș county. It is located on the right bank of the Argeș River, which flows through a valley in the Southern Carpathians.

It is one of the oldest towns in Romania. According to tradition, it was founded in the 14th century by Prince Radu Negru, who made it the first capital of the Principality of Wallachia.

Curtea de Argeș Cathedral (Curtea de Argeș Monastery, Curtea de Argeș Cathedral) is one of the most famous buildings in Romania. It stands on the foundations of a monastery and is located about one and a half kilometers north of the city. It resembles a very large and ornate mausoleum and was built in the Byzantine style with Moorish arabesques.

Thanks to Mr. Liviu Jakob ( facebook.com/leaveu.jacobs ) for the photos and permission to use them. Thank you!

Sighișoara (Sighișoara in German, Segesvar in Hungarian) is one of the most important towns in the county of Mureș, in the Transylvania region of Romania.

https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/destinations-romania-sighisoara/

The town is situated on the river Kokel Mare (Tarnava Mare in Romanian). Thanks to Andreea Postolache for these pictures (summer 2021).

A small village (Mergeln / Merghindeal) in the historic region of Transylvania, photographed in mid-May 2022. beautiful

Thanks to photographer Sorin Onisor ( facebook.com/sorinonisor ) for permission o use these images.

The Cantacuzino Castle was not only the filming location for “Nevermore Academy” in the TV series Wednesday, but it is also one of the most beautiful and important historical buildings/castles in Romania.

The 60,000 square meter castle park, framed by its own 1,000 hectare private property, invites you to linger and is today one of the most visited tourist attractions both in the holiday resort of Busteni and in the Prahova Valley.

The hotel is the ideal place for a weekend in the countryside, away from the noise of the big city.

https://discover-valcea.com/de/hanul-vatra-de/

For private parties, hikes with friends in the mountains, courses, team-building meetings or simply to relax. There are many places worth visiting nearby, such as the Hurezi Monastery (Horezu Monastery).

From Tulcea to Sulina or vice versa, to Sf. Gheorghe, Crișan, Mila 23 and many other places in the Danube Delta.

https://www.navromdelta.ro/ (also in English)

Book your ticket(s) online and simply enjoy the beautiful nature and the journey to your destination:
https://www.navromdelta.ro/en/buy-tickets/

Petroșani (Hungarian: Petrozseny; German: Petroschen) is a town with about 30,000 inhabitants in Hunedoara county, in the historical region of Transylvania in Romania.

“Pietros” means “stony, rocky” in Romanian. The town of Petrosani was founded in the 17th century (around 1640) as Petrozseny. In 1720, an Austrian cartographer noted that the whole of the Jiu Valley (in which Petrosani is located) was densely populated and that settlements could be seen from one end to the other.

Transylvania is famous for its more than 160 fortified churches dating back to the Middle Ages.

Find out more about fortified churches:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/fortified-churches/

At the time, the region was a disputed border area. The inhabitants reacted to threats by fortifying their churches with defenses. Over the centuries, fortifications were extended and remodeled. Many of them have been preserved to the present day and form a unique landscape of fortified churches, characterized by the particular density and diversity of these architectural monuments.

We would like to thank the Fortified Churches Foundation for permission to use these images.

Pure relaxation, being pampered with delicious meals made with local produce, a swimming pool and yet adventure everywhere.

https://conaculgrigorescu.com (German website, German-speaking hosts)

Grigorescu Estate (Buzău county, near the town of Berca) offers a family atmosphere and is centrally located in the triangle Bucharest – Brasov – Danube Delta. It is also a perfect starting point for excursions to the Dealu Mare wine region or for hiking and sporting adventures in the Buzău UNESCO Geopark.

Visit Romania’s stand at the Vienna Holiday Fair until next Sunday.

“Vero Italiano” (Real Italian). Italian-style food, freshly prepared right in front of your guests and located at the foot of Brasov’s landmark.

Visit the Cucinino Pasta & Pizza restaurant and indulge. And if you want to stay the night, Boutique Hotel Casa Chitic is looking forward to welcoming its guests

https://urlaub-in-rumänien.de/de/uir/cucinino-pasta-pizza/
https://urlaub-in-rumänien.de/de/uir/casa-chitic/

Beautiful cottages for families and groups in the mountains east of Sinaia and south of Brasov in Prahova County.

The houses are situated in two orchards of 5,000 and 10,000 square meters. There is plenty of space, trees and lots and lots of peace and nature.

https://airbnb.com/h/mandraioana
https://airbnb.com/h/lasat
https://airbnb.com/h/radudragu

In addition to a fully equipped kitchen and good WLAN, there is above all adventure (you can reach many things in a short time, such as the Prahova Valley, Brasov and especially the Slanic salt mine) and pure relaxation.

Relax with the whole family in this peaceful place, close to the Coresi Mall in Brasov.

https://www.airbnb.de/rooms/721372088640987046

The quietly located apartment can accommodate up to four (4) people, is newly renovated and offers a wonderful panoramic view of the city and the Tâmpa Mountain, as well as free parking directly in the courtyard.

See also for up to three (3) people in Brasov:
https://www.airbnb.de/rooms/984813783001328971

Herds of goats, sheep and much more are still part of everyday life in Romania.

These pictures were taken at the end of January 2020, we traveled through the countryside (here near Focșani, Vrancea County in eastern Romania) with the herd for an hour. Absolutely calming and pure relaxation!

A lovely day, pictures from May, three years ago.

https://kronstadt-erleben.de | https://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/

Also known as Lake Bulea, it is a glacial lake in the Romanian Carpathians.

It is located in the Făgăraș Mountains, on the Transfăgărășan Great Transfăgărășan Highway, between the Negoiu and Moldoveanu Mountains.

Many other information and travel destinations in Romania:
https://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/ | https://welcome-to-romania.com

The lake is located in Sibiu county and is just under 80 kilometers from the city of Sibiu and about 70 kilometers from the city of Făgăraș (Fogarasch or Fugreschmarkt).

All information and our new brochure “Holidays in Romania” (60 pages in German and English) are available online.

https://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/ | https://welcome-to-romania.com

A house built more than 100 years ago… in the middle of the mountains in Brasov county. Simple yet connected to nature, an experience you’ll always remember

https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/house-pelinica/

Romania has a large number of salt mines, most of which are open to visitors all year round. It’s a special experience for the whole family and definitely recommended as a day trip.

Turda Salt Mine, Cluj county
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/…/turda-salt-mine/

Praid Salina, Harghita county
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/…/praid-salt-mine/

Salina Slanic, Prahova county
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/…/slanic-prahova…/

The statue of the Dacian king Decebalus (ca. 86-106 AD) is 55 meters high and is the largest / tallest stone sculpture in Europe.

It is located on a rock formation in the Almăjului Mountains, on the banks of the Danube, near the village of Dubova (Mehedinți district), in the Iron Gates Natural Park (Parcul Natural Porțile de Fier).

It took 10 years, a million US dollars and 12 sculptors to create it… and was perhaps not designed by the Dacian king himself, but commissioned by a Romanian businessman and historian between 1994 and 2004.

Want to learn more about the area or vacation there?
https://uir-news.com

Lake Tarnița is a reservoir located between the communes of Râșca, Mărișel and Gilău, west of Cluj-Napoca. It has an area of about 215 hectares, a length of almost 9 km and a depth of up to 70 meters.

Learn more about Cluj-Napoca and Cluj county:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/cluj-county/

Thanks to Vlad the Impaler – Dracula for permission to use this image.

You should visit … the opera, museums, the Grand Mosque, the lion house, the marina, many cafes and restaurants in beautiful squares, parks and much more …

Constanta on the Black Sea has a history of over 2,000 years, which is documented in the National Museum of History and Archaeology. Roman floor mosaics from the 4th century AD can be seen in the nearby Mosaic Museum. Also nearby is the Charles I Mosque, covered with a huge Persian carpet and whose minaret towers above the city.

You should visit … the opera, museums, the Grand Mosque, the lion house, the marina, many cafes and restaurants in beautiful squares, parks and much more …

Constanta on the Black Sea has a history of over 2,000 years, which is documented in the National Museum of History and Archaeology. Roman floor mosaics from the 4th century AD can be seen in the nearby Mosaic Museum. Also nearby is the Charles I Mosque, covered with a huge Persian carpet and whose minaret towers above the city.

You should visit … the opera, museums, the Grand Mosque, the lion house, the marina, many cafes and restaurants in beautiful squares, parks and much more …

Constanta on the Black Sea has a history of over 2,000 years, which is documented in the National Museum of History and Archaeology. Roman floor mosaics from the 4th century AD can be seen in the nearby Mosaic Museum. Also nearby is the Charles I Mosque, covered with a huge Persian carpet and whose minaret towers above the city.

Thanks to Relu Chiriac for permission to use these images.

The Medveles találkozóhely bear reserve in Covasna county is located about 35 kilometers from the city of Brasov (Kronstadt), northeast towards Sfântu Gheorgh. And yes, the name doesn’t just sound Hungarian, it is Hungarian… because in this part of Romania, albeit far in the east of the country, the main spoken language is Hungarian.

Info and more (in English)
https://medveles.hu/en/programs/tourist-bear-watching

According to current estimates, between 8,000 and 10,000 brown bears live in the forests and mountains of the Romanian / Transylvanian Carpathians, and anyone who has always wanted to meet a bear “eye to eye”, without danger, has the opportunity to do it up close here. The Bear Viewing Center offers visitors and photographers professionally guided and mentored contact with lots on offer, from bear sightings to off-road vehicle tours.

Thanks Observator de ursi for permission to use these wonderful images.

The Targu Ocna salt mine is located in the spa town of Targu Ocna in the county of Bacau.

It is the third largest salt mine and one of the oldest salt mines in Romania, housing at a depth of 240 meters the Trotuș mine, the largest facility in the country for the treatment of respiratory diseases. The mine is also home to one of the few places of worship in Romania built in the salt mines and dedicated to Saint Varvara.

The salt mine is still used today to extract, process and sell salt in Romania and abroad. Between 90,000 and 120,000 tons of salt are extracted every year.

Salina Târgu Ocna is one of the oldest salt mines in Romania and is mentioned in documents dating back to 1502, being listed as a salt extraction area since at least 1353.

Other salt mines in Romania:
Turda salt mine, Cluj county
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/turda-salt-mine/
Praid salt mine, Harghita county
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/praid-salt-mine/
Slanic salt mine, Prahova county
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/slanic-prahova…/

Pictures that need no words. Traditional Romanian food (here in Transylvania, in Sâmbăta de Sus) is, let’s put it this way … “substantial”, but also infinitely delicious.

https://kronstadt-erleben.de

Images:
https://www.facebook.com/pensiuneatransilvaniasambata

Wonderful pictures of the Danube Delta, which we received from Iara Pension ( https://www.pensiunea-iara.ro ). Thank you for this

Want to go on vacation in the Danube Delta?

https://urlaub-im-donaudelta.de | https://discover-sulina.com

Two pictures, one of the Stelvio Pass in Italy, the second highest mountain pass in the Alps, and one of the Tranfagarasan in Romania, the second highest mountain pass over the Carpathians (in Romania).

We thank Mr. Thomas Götten for the hint and the picture of the Stelvio Pass.

Peles Castle was built in 1874 and is located in the town of Sinaia, about 50 kilometers from Brasov (Kronstadt). It is one of the most beautiful castles (and fortresses) in Romania and has been open to visitors since 1993.

https://kronstadt-erleben.de

Siriu Lake is a reservoir on the Buzău River, located in the municipality of Siriu.

The national road DN10 crosses the dam/lake through several viaducts, connecting Brasov and Buzău.

https://kronstadt-erleben.de | https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/

Black Sea… Constanța… Mamaia… Costinești… and many other seaside resorts.

Soon it will be time again, and we are already preparing you with the right feelings for vacation (photos)

Cocoș Monastery is located 35 kilometers from the city of Tulcea and is run by a community of monks.

The monastery is located in a secluded spot at the foot of a hill, surrounded by the fragrance of lime trees. The first documented mention of a religious settlement in the area dates back to 1679.

Find out more about monasteries in Romania:
https://urlaub-in-rumänien.de/ro/manastire-manastiri/

The fair (March 5-7) is over and we have to say that we are pleased and delighted with the large number of visitors and the positive reactions to Romania.

https://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/ | https://welcome-to-romania.com

Many visitors have taken our travel brochure (German and English) 2024 with them (thank you), but it is of course also available online throughout the year.

The city of Arad was first mentioned in 1078 and has a rich cultural and historical heritage, with architectural styles from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

In addition to a variety of cultural events throughout the year, visitors will find in Arad and its surroundings a large number of artistic and historical monuments, as well as buildings in Baroque, Renaissance, Eclectic, Classical, Neo-Gothic and Secession styles.

Thanks to the city of Arad for permission to use these images:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/destinations-romania-arad/

The church in the village of Ieud in Maramureș county.

We thank photographer Sorin Onișor (https://www.facebook.com/sorinonisor) for permission to use this beautiful image (June 08, 2022).

Wonderful pictures from Maramureș county in northern Romania, early February 2022.

Thanks to photographer Sorin Onisor (facebook.com/sorinonisor) for permission to use these images.

Bucharest is the largest city and the industrial and commercial center of the country. With a population of almost 2 million, Bucharest is the sixth largest city in the European Union.

Thanks to Vlad the Impaler – Dracula (Photo: Panorama Group) for permission to use this image.

Thank you Visit Romania for permission to use this image ( Marius Iuliu Neamțu).

Beusnița Protected Area is part of the Cheile Nerei – Beusnița National Park. It is located in the county of Caras-Severin, in the administrative area of the communes Sasca Montană and Sopotu Nou.

Learn more about gorges/waterfalls in Romania:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/excursions-romania-lakes-waterfalls/

Valea Viilor is a municipality in Sibiu county, in the historical region Transylvania.

Valea Viilor, originally Vorumloc, was probably first mentioned in documents under the Hungarian name Baromlak in 1224 (possibly also in 1305). The Transylvanian Saxon village, which was originally the property of the nobility, later managed to join the See of Mediaș and thus became free. Until 1964, the village was known in Romania under the German name Vorumloc, later renamed ‘Valea Viilor’ (German meaning: valley of the vineyards).

In 1850, the proportion of Germans was over 65%, and in 1977 over 50%. Today, only about 1-2% of the inhabitants are German.

Thanks to Vlad the Impaler – Dracula (photo: Adrian Arsu) for permission to use this image.

The Museum of Traditional Folk Culture in Sibiu is one of the largest open-air museums in Romania.

Situated south of Sibiu, the museum is located in the “Dumbrava Sibiului” forest, on the road linking Sibiu to Rășinari, about three (3) kilometers from the city.

It contains installations of traditional Romanian folk civilization, pre-industrial. Houses, workshops and building complexes are scattered around a lake among the trees of Dumbrăvii Sibiului.

Thanks to Mrs. Farkas Ildiko Farkas ( facebook.com/farkas.ildiko.75 ) for permission to use these images.

White bean soup in bread at the restaurant “La Taifas”, directly on the main ring road in Sibiu.

Thanks to Mrs. Göddert from Heide Reisen in Sibiu (https://heide-reisen.de) for this photo and good advice!

Porumbacu de Sus is a municipality in Sibiu County in the Transylvania region of Romania.

The village is located halfway between Fagaras (Fogarasch or Fugreschmarkt in German) and Sibiu.

We thank Vlad the Impaler – Dracula ( Image: @george.mihaiescu ) for permission to use this image.

The Cozia Monastery, built in 1388 by Mircea the Elder near Călimănești and which also houses his tomb, is one of the exceptional monuments of national medieval art and architecture in Romania.

The Sphinx (Sphinxul in Romanian) is a natural rock formation located in the Bucegi Mountains*, at an altitude of about 2,215 meters.

*The Bucegi Mountains are located south of the city of Brasov (Kronstadt), on the eastern edge of the Southern Carpathians in Romania.

Transylvania is rich in history and some 160 fortified churches invite interested visitors to take a journey through the past and present of the Transylvanian region.

An overview of all these fortified churches and much more information:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/fortified-churches/

We would like to thank the Fortified Churches Foundation (https://kirchenburgen.org) for permission to use the images and data.

Thank you Your Guide in Transylvania for permission to use this wonderful image. Thank you!

Visit the Kronstadt Erleben (in German) and Discover Brasov (in eight other languages) websites and find out more about the city and its surroundings.

https://kronstadt-erleben.de | https://discover-brasov.com

Sibiu (Sibiu in Romanian, Nagyszeben in Hungarian and Hermestatt in Transylvanian Saxon) is a town in the geographical region of Transylvania and was/is one of the centers of the Transylvanian Saxons.

The first German settlers arrived in the area probably in 1147; they settled on the hill above the river Zibin, today’s Oraș de Sus. The first documentary mention of the town dates back to 1191, under the name praepositum Cibiniensem; a prepository was established. The Latin name “Villa Hermanni” is documented from 1223 and the German equivalent Hermannstorf from 1241.

In the 14th century, Sibiu developed into a trading center of international importance. It was one of the most important towns in Transylvania – perhaps even the most important, as it was not only the center of trade, administration and the church, but also had the largest fortifications in the whole of Transylvania.

The fortified church of Richis is located in the commune of Biertan, Sibiu county, and was built as a monastery in the second half of the 14th century (14th century: 01/01/1301 – 31/12/1400). Around 1400, the monastery was transformed into a fortified Catholic church and completed in 1451.

Today, the visitor encounters an Evangelical Lutheran church, a real treasure that gradually reveals itself to the visitor’s eye. The interior of the church is rich in unique zoomorphic (animal-shaped representations in the form of animals) and vegetal motifs.

Thanks Your Guide in Transylvania for permission to use these images.

“Moskovits Palace” in Oradea, Bihor county, was designed in 1905 by architect Rimanoczy Kalman jr.

It is a two-storey building with many ornate plant motifs and one of the finest examples of the Secession style (a variant of Art Nouveau, which developed mainly in Austria) of the period.

Photo: Indre Ioana

The Clock Tower is a landmark of Sighișoara and a popular movie and photo subject both day and night.

The Basilica of the Assumption in Cacica, Suceava County, is a Roman-Catholic church built in 1904 by the Polish community of the locality.

It was built in neo-Gothic style and is 40 meters long, 23 meters wide and the tower is 50 meters high.

Thanks to the photographer Corina E. Mateescu for these images and accompanying text

The Church of Salina (salt mine) Ocnele Mari is located directly in the salt mine and is dedicated to St. Varvara and St. George.

https://discover-valcea.com/en/ocnele-mari-salt-mine/

Țara Hațegului is a historical and ethnographic region in Hunedoara County, in the south-western corner of Transylvania. It is located near the town of Hațeg, in the Hațeg valley.

Retezatul Țara Hațegului has been recognized by UNESCO as a UNESCO World and Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO International Geopark. Since 2016, Țara Hațegului Retezat has also received national recognition, being the third ecotourism destination in Romania certified by the Ministry of Tourism.

Source: https://www.destinatiaanului.ro/
Image: Discover Eco-Romania & Mihai Moiceanu

Nobody knows it, but the church somehow looks very nice and we happened to get “lost” there.

Sarichioi is about 35 kilometers from the city of Tulcea, directly on the Razim Lake and therefore practically on the Black Sea.

The Caraiman Peak is a 2,384 meter high mountain in the Bucegi Mountains (Muntii Bucegi) in the Romanian Southern Carpathians.

The mountain is located in the eastern part of the Transylvanian Alps massif and is one of the highest mountains in the Bucegi Mountains. It is famous for the Crucea Eroilor monument (Heroes’ Cross). In the valley below the mountain is the small town of Busteni, Prahova County.

Spring, summer and fall are perfect for hiking and excursions, as well as e-biking in the beautiful countryside.

https://kronstadt-erleben.de | https://discover-brasov.com

Romania offers varied landscapes and unspoiled nature… all year round.

Thanks Royal Compass for permission to use these images.

Hunedoara Castle (also known as Hunedoara Castle, Iron Market Castle in German, Corvin Castle or Huniazilor Castle in Romanian, Vajdahunyadi var in Hungarian) is one of the most important non-ecclesiastical buildings in Transylvania.

The rock castle was built on the remains of a 14th-century fortification and is located in the south-western part of Hunedoara (German: Eisenmarkt) in western Romania.

After 1440, the Hungarian statesman and military commander Johann Hunyadi had an existing fortification converted into the ancestral castle of the Hunyadi family. In the second construction phase, the castle was extended from 1458 under King Matthias Corvinus. At the beginning of the 17th century, Prince Gabor Bethlen carried out another major remodeling of the building. As a result, today’s castle is a mixture of different architectural styles.

A city tour in Timisoara with culture and history … or do you prefer a personalized multi-day trip through Romania with many, many interesting destinations?

https://toptravelromania.com/

Just browse around … you will find a wide range of vacations at AVA Top Travel travel agency in Timisoara.

It’s getting warmer in many parts of Romania. Spring is coming and summer is not so far away …

Time to start thinking about time (=vacations) to relax and enjoy the sun!

https://aqua-romana.ro/

Băile Daco-Romane, Geoagiu Băi, east of Deva, Hunedoara county

Thanks Go Hunedoara for permission to use these images.

The German-speaking Conacul Grigorescu is located in the Buzău region, close to the mud volcanoes and other excursion destinations.

https://conaculgrigorescu.com

We can only recommend this place and the Slow Food Festival that takes place several times a year in Berca, just a few kilometers from the guesthouse.

The Oravița – Lisava – Anina railway line (in Caras-Severin county) was inaugurated on December 15, 1863, the first mountain railway in what is now Romania.

Construction began in 1861 and was a difficult engineering task, as the railroad is located in a mountainous region (the western part of the Banat Mountains). The 33.4 km long railway line has no less than 14 tunnels with a total length of 2.1 km and nine (9) viaducts.

The route starts in Oravița and then climbs the plateau of the Semenic Mountains on a route where no other road exists.

Thanks Banatul Montan for permission to use these images.

Hotel, restaurant, Charlie’s Pub and more in the European Capital of Culture 2023 … Timisoara … experience.

The Best Western Plus Lido Hotel offers modern and comfortable accommodation close to the center of Timișoara (about 15 minutes’ walk). Despite its good position in the city, the hotel offers its guests free parking (locked and supervised by the rooms). The hotel’s interiors, rooms and conference rooms are furnished in an elegant and high-quality style.

Find out more and book online:
https://www.hotel-lido.ro/

The hotel has 60 rooms with a capacity of 144 beds and is ideal for visitors wishing to explore the city, as well as for business travelers and conference travelers of all types. Single rooms, double rooms, junior suites, family suites and DELUXE suites are available.

Many cultures, many names and much (much) history come together in one city: Timisoara, Timisoara, Timisoara or Timisoara and more …

More about the city and lots of information and suggestions:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/destinations-romania-timisoara/

Here we are and the fair is in full swing.

https://welcome-to-romania.com

All the information, as well as our new brochure “Holidays in Romania” (60 pages in German and English) is also available online.

Union Square in the city of Oradea, north-western Romania.

Oradea (in German Großwardein, in Hungarian Nagyvarad) is a large city with about 200 thousand inhabitants and the capital of Bihor county.

Thanks to Bogdan Popa Photography for permission to use this image.

Historical documents prove that the ancestors of today’s horse population in the Danube Delta were brought there by the Tatars 300-400 years ago, became indigenous and became increasingly wild.

The Letea Forest (Pădurea Letea in Romanian), which covers more than 5,000 hectares (50,000,000 m2), is also in the northeast of the delta (Tulcea county), between the Chilia and Sulina arms of the river. It is the northernmost subtropical forest in Europe, the oldest nature reserve in Romania and the habitat of these horses.

Thanks to photographer Sorin Onișor (facebook.com/sorinonisor) for permission to use these images.

At the highest point of the Transfăgărășan is Lake Balea

The road is a magical route in and through the Făgăraș Mountains. It links the two historic regions of Wallachia and Transylvania in a breathtaking mountain landscape.

Pictures of the beach in Constanța and the Black Sea, Mamaia and many other places around.

More about Romania:
https://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/

In addition to the many visitors and interested guests, Vlad III Draculea, the former voivode of Wallachia, also known as Vlad the Impaler / Vlad the Impaler, also surprised the fortress with his visit.

The festival “The Festival of the Teutonic Knights Return” took place on Saturday, September 2 and Sunday, September 3, 2023 in the fortress Feldioara | Marienburg.

Read more: Cetatea Feldioara – Castelul Marienburg

Beautiful pictures of the waterfall (Cascada) La Vaioaga in the National Park Cheile Nerei-Beușnița, Caras-Severin district.

Thanks to Mrs. Corina E. Mateescu for permission to use these images.

Pictures of Dănilești cave in Bulzești commune in Hunedoara county.

Thanks Go Hunedoara (Photo: Nicu Ardeu ) for permission to use these images.

Horezu Monastery (also known as Hurezi Monastery) is a Romanian Orthodox monastery of nuns located in the historical region of Muntenia Mică, in Valcea county.

Situated at the foot of the Căpățânii Mountains, a mountain massif in the Transylvanian Alps, in the area of the village of Romanii de Jos, the monastery is about three kilometers (as the crow flies) north of the small town of Horezu.

The cries of nocturnal birds of prey (huhurezi in Romanian) nesting in the woods around the monastery probably gave the place its name. The monastery was founded in 1692 by the then Prince of Muntenia Constantin Brâncoveanu (1654-1714) and completed in 1709. It was a men’s monastery until 1862. After the monks were transferred to Bistrița, nuns came to the monastery. The monastery complex has been restored several times since 1827 and is a listed building.

Situated on a hill, the monastery complex is surrounded by two fortifications. The smaller outer wall surrounds the entire monastery estate with its hermits. The second is formed on three sides by buildings of different heights and a wall to the east. The entrance to the monastery is on the south side through a bell tower with a massive wooden gate armored with steel. The monastery church of Saints Constantine and Helen, built in the center of the complex in the shape of a cross, is 32 meters long, 14 meters high and was built between 1693 and 1697. There are several tombs in the vestibule of the church, the most beautiful of which is decorated with marble and has a carved lid, intended for Prince Brâncoveanu, but which did not fulfill its purpose and was therefore never used. The large iconostasis is carved in lime wood and covered in gold.

The square chapel with an octagonal tower, whose windows are the light source of the chapel, is located on the west side opposite the entrance to the church and was built in 1697. The frescoes in the chapel were created between 1705 and 1706 and are still in good condition today.

Text: Wikipedia

Thanks to Mr. Relu Chiriac, Galați, for permission to use these images.

Many, many trips and offers (in German)

https://www.karpaten-offroad.de

Pictures from the Transalpina, “Road of Kings”, from June 2023.

Thanks to Mr. Michael Steffen for sending us the photos taken during his motorcycle tour in Romania in June.

St. Nicholas the Great Church in Iasi is an Orthodox church.

It was built by Stephen the Great in 1491 and 1492 and rebuilt between 1884 and 1904 by the French architect André Lecomte du Noüy by demolition and reconstruction on the same foundations and approximately in the original form.

The monastery / commune of Bârsana (old spelling Birsana) is located in Maramureș county.

Located in a breathtaking landscape, Bârsana has tourist attractions such as the wooden church “The Entry of the Mother of God from the Church”, built around 1720 in the center of the village. The monastery of Bârsana Monastery, located on the south-eastern edge of the village, was first mentioned in 1390, but was abandoned and demolished around 1800. Today’s buildings on the site were rebuilt in wooden construction at a later date. There is now a Romanian Orthodox convent of nuns on the site.

We would like to thank Mr. Amstad Beat for sending us these photographs and for permission to use them: https://motobiketrips.ch/

Oradea (German name Großwardein), hundreds of diverse views and facets of this city in wonderful pictures.

We would like to thank the photographer Maciu Alexandru ( https://www.instagram.com/maciualexandru/ ) for the permission to use these pictures.

The small town of Bicaz is located in Neamt county, on the eastern edge of the Ceahlau Mountains, which are part of the Eastern Carpathians.

Through the deep gorge of the 10-kilometer-long Cheile Bicazului (Bicaz Gorges), whose rock walls rise vertically to over 100 meters, a pass road leads in a south-westerly direction to Lacul Roșu (Red Lake), about 30 kilometers away.

We followed the journey of “Schnuff” and his biker friends in the summer of 2023 and got so many new impressions and wonderful pictures.

Bistrița is a city in northeastern Transylvania, in the district of Bistrița-Năsăud. The Bistrița River of the same name flows through the town, which is located near the Bârgăului Mountains, on the slopes of which is a wine-growing area

The Red Lake (Lacul Rosu ) is a natural reservoir in Harghita County in north-eastern Romania.

It is located in the Hasmas Mountains at the headwaters of the Bicaz River and at the foot of the Hasmașul Mare peak near the Bicaz Gorge, about 25 kilometers from Gheorgheni and about 30 kilometers from Bicaz (Neamt County).

Images (AP), mid-July 2022

The town of Sighișoara (German Schäßburg, Hungarian Segesvar, Latin Castrum Sex, later Saxoburgum) is one of the most important towns in the county of Mureș, in the Transylvania region of Romania.

Find out more about the town:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/en/uir/destinations-romania-sighisoara/

Cetatile Ponorului is one of the largest karst areas* in Romania, located in the Apuseni Mountains, in the Padis area (Padis Plateau) in Bihor County.

The Padis Plateau is rich in karst formations, caves such as the Lost World, the Bârsa Glacier, the Rădești Fortresses and the Caput Cave. There are several gorges such as Cheile Galbenei, Cheile Someșului Cald, Groapa Ruginoasa and others.

*In geology and geomorphology, karst refers to subterranean landforms (karst caves) and surface landforms (surface karst) in carbonate rocks (also in sulfate rocks, salt rocks and sandstones/quartzite). Source: Wikipedia

Image source: https://destinatiaanului.ro/
Photos: https://planiada.ro/

The Alba Carolina Fortress in Alba Iulia (Karlsburg) was built between 1715 and 1738, during the reign of Emperor Charles VI, as a fortification with seven bastions.

It served the Habsburgs as a strategic point of defense along the military border with the Ottoman Empire. Alba Iulia is located near the highway on the Cluj Napoca – Sibiu route.

Spring is coming soon, and we are already welcoming it with these beautiful pictures from Bucovina, taken by Cătălin Urdoi

Thanks to photographer Cătălin Urdoi (facebook.com/urdoi.catalin) for permission to use these images.

In Ilfov County, just a few kilometers northwest of Bucharest (Romania’s capital), Mogosoaia Castle is located on the shores of Lake Mogosoaia, in the commune of Mogosoaia.

The castle contains a main courtyard and several buildings, such as the watchtower and the church of St. George near the courtyard.
Wallachian Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu had the castle built between 1698 and 1702 on the estate of the widow widow Mogoș (from which the later name Mogoșoaia derives) in the Brâncoveanu architectural style that bears his name.

In 1714, when Constantin Brâncoveanu and his entire family were executed in Constantinople, the Ottomans confiscated the entire family fortune and turned the palace into an inn (a kind of inn). In the following decades, the palace was conquered, destroyed and rebuilt several times, until in 1912 it came into the possession of George III Valentin Bibesco, married to the French writer Marthe Bibesco, who came from Romanian nobility. He gifted the estate to his wife, and Marthe Bibesco then had the castle extensively restored.

The castle can be visited without entrance fee, it has a large and beautiful park where it is possible/permitted to have a picnic or simply to linger all day. Inside the castle you can park for 10 lei (approx. 2,10 euro), there are restaurants, museums and much more … or a long walk with a stop on a bench overlooking the lake … many things are possible and beautiful.

The only downside … You shouldn’t take a camera with you or put it safely in your bag! Taking pictures with a cell phone is not a problem, but as a “camera owner” you will be vehemently informed at the entrance that a 400 lei (approx. 80 euro) fee will be charged for professional photos.

Photos: Early September 2021, almost blue skies at about 32 degrees

Șinca Veche Monastery is located in the commune of Șinca, Brasov County. It is about 22 kilometers from the city of Făgăraș.

Sinca Veche was mentioned in a letter of Pope Innocent III as early as 1204.

The cave church of Șinca Veche is also known as the temple of the fulfillment of prayers, the temple of the bears, the cave monastery and the cave monastery (temple of the fulfillment of prayers, temple of the bears, cave monastery, cave monastery, cave cave monastery)

The marquis is a typical gift for March 1st in Romania. It consists of a red and white ribbon, usually with a small pendant pendant and attached to clothes.

The so-called “mărțișor” symbolizes spring and was originally worn by women and children. The two colors (red and white) symbolize snow and the sun.

Nowadays, it is mainly women who receive the “Märzchen” as a gift; lucky charms are attached to the string, and as soon as you (or in this case a woman) see a tree in blossom, you (or she) throw the “Märzchen” into it and make a wish!