Word of advice: AVOID Calarasi at all costs! There isn’t ANYTHING to do , seriously!
You can see the town in 30 min at most….

So we’ll go back to Bucharest this afternoon.

Day 4: Jul 30

We spent the day in Bucharest. went shopping, went “window shopping” and pretty much were lazy. went to Plaza Mall, but only to see what’s up.

Day 5: Jul 31

went a bit in town. “Tested” the subway (underground)…went shopping again and in the afternoon left for Calarasi to visit my parents in law.

Romania –The Paradise between the Carpathians and the Black Sea

Written by: Cristina Dima
Date: Feb 20, 2006

“Considered by many the most beautiful country in Eastern-Europe,
Romania still claims regions that seem bastions of a
medieval past long since lost elsewhere.”
(Fodor’s Eastern and Central Europe)

Romania (formerly spelled Rumania or Roumania; Romanian: România) is a country in southeastern Europe. It is bordered by Ukraine and Moldova in the northeast; Hungary in the west; Serbia and Bulgaria to the south along the Danube River. Romania has a stretch of sea coast on the Black Sea and the eastern and southern Carpathians Mountains run through its center.
Facts and Numbers:
• Official name: Romania (România)
• Capital: Bucharest (Bucureşti)
• Official language: Romanian
• Surface: 237.500 square km
• Inhabitants: 22.77 million (96 inhabitants/square km)
• Religion:
o Orthodox: 87%
o Catholics: 5%
o Other: 8%
• Currency: new leu
• Government: republic
• National day: 1st of December

Getting here:

By air

Regular and charter flights of Romanian air carriers (notably Tarom the national airline) or of the foreign airlines with offices in Bucharest (Delta, Air France, Lufthansa, Alitalia, Swissair…) connect Bucharest and the world’s major airports. Romania’s international airports are Bucharest-Otopeni, Constanta-Mihail Kogalniceanu , Timisoara and Arad.
Otopeni International Airport at Bucharest is 16 kms from the city centre. Transfers can be made by airport coach or by taxi. In the latter case it is wise to agree the price with the driver before beginning the journey. Check with your travel agent as tour operators can often supply transfers at very competitive rates.

By rail

International express trains connect the main central European capitals with Bucharest, the Black Sea coast and main cities. Romania is a member of the International Railway Tariff Systems RIT and Inter Rail.

By sea and river

Cruise ships call at the Port of Constanta (on the Black Sea coast), the country’s biggest port. Passenger boats also operate on the Danube and the new European riverway Rotterdam-Constanta, including the Romanian Danube Canal-Black Sea.
Romania applies the international regulations of the Convention for the Customs Facilities for Tourist Traffic.

When to come

Romania is truly a country for all seasons. A country for lazing in the sun and taking it easy, touring for cultural enrichment, winter sports, hiking, boating and activities of all kinds.
When to come thus depends on what you want to do! Beach holidays on the Black Sea are at their best between June and September, and at the other end of the scale winter sports in the Transylvanian Alps are best practiced from Christmas until March. Spring and autumn are perfect for touring vacations through out the country, while Bucharest is at her best right through from spring to autumn, although not lacking charm in winter too. This is the time to take in the opera season, attend concerts, and partake of hearty Romanian cuisine in warm and welcoming restaurants.
Romania offers a rich tapestry of tourist attractions and vacation experiences unique in Central-Eastern Europe: medieval towns in Transylvania, the world-famous Painted Monasteries in Bucovina, traditional villages in Maramures, the magnificent architecture of Bucharest, the romantic Danube Delta, fairy-tale castles and the Black Sea resorts, the majestic Carpathian Mountains, spas and much more.
The Medieval Festival in Sighişoara just ended, it takes place every year at the end of July. Travelers from every corner of the world come to enjoy the city and the traditions. Originally a Roman town, Sighisoara is one of the greatest medieval cities left in the world. The city has a walled citadel on the hilltop with secret gateways and passages, a 14th century Clock Tower and the house where Prince Vlad Tepes lived. The doors of the house are intricately carved. Colorful traditional costumes are worn on Sundays and for weddings and festivals because they have special meaning. As for festivals, you will find them in full swing beginning with Easter. The Saxon town background is unrivaled as a setting for fully costumed re-enactors. The Medieval Festival project is based upon certain principles essential for organizing such an event, bearing national and international impact, in accordance with the patrimonial value and uniqueness of Sighisoara burg.
Because the historic centre of Sighişoara has preserved in an exemplary way the features of a small medieval fortified town, it has been listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a World Heritage Site.
Along with the great medieval towns, Romania also is proud of the mountains, especially of Prahova Valley (Romanian: Valea Prahovei), a string of resorts that bring magic in ones life. It is a touristic region, situated about 100 km north of the capital city of Bucharest.
The region is a popular destination for mountaineers and for winter sports fans. The most important resorts are:
• Predeal, an important mountain resort, Predeal is located of the Prahova Valley
• Azuga: Azuga is located at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains, and contains the longest ski run in Romania, the Sorica. The town also has a famous beer factory that brews Azuga Beer.
• Buşteni: is a small mountain town in the north of the county Prahova, in the center of Romania. It is located in the Prahova Valley, at the bottom of the Bucegi Mountains, that have a maximum altitude of 2500 m. Busteni’s average altitude is 900 m. It is one of the most popular mountain resorts, offering spectacular views, with lots of year-round tourism opportunities, ranging from skiing to mountain climbing.The town and the surrounding mountains have been a place of military confrontations in 1916, during the First World War. A large commemorative monument (about 25 m high), Heroes’ Cross ( Crucea Eroilor) lies atop Caraiman Mountain, at nearly 2100 m. The average population is 15,000 inhabitants, although numbers vary greatly because of tourism. The main local industries are wood industry and tourism. Many holiday houses have been recently built in the town by Romanian politicians and celebrities
• Sinaia:(population: 14,636), one of the most beautiful mountain resorts of Romania, presents itself to the visitor with a past rich in cultural and social events. Former Royal Summer Residence and bearing a holy name – the name of Mount Sinai – a name that was given for the first time to the homonymous monastery by Prince Mihail Cantacuzino (XVII Century) - Sinaia combines in a unique way the beauty of nature with the beauty of the architectural art. Here it is found the Peleş castle, the summer residence of king Carol I of Romania.The town was named after the Sinaia Monastery around which the town was built. The monastery is in turn named after biblical Mount Sinai.Sinaia is about 60 km North-West of Ploieşti and 50 km South of Brasov, in a mountainous area on the Prahova river valley, the altitude of the city varies between 767 m and 860 m.Among the touristic landmark, most important are the Peleş Castle, the Pelişor, the Sinaia Monastery, Sinaia Casino, Sinaia train station, Franz Joseph and Saint Anne Cliffs.
Romania is also proud to have The Danuble Delta –the best preserved delta in Europe.
Every year, the alluvium deposited by the Danube increases the width of the Delta by around 40 meters, making it extremely dynamic. Near Tulcea, the Danube is divided in three river branches before it flows into the Sea: Chilia, Sulina and Sfântu Gheorghe (Saint George), but many other channels make split the Delta into areas with reed, marshes and forests, some of which are flooded during the spring and autumn.
The Danube Delta has been entered onto the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites and Biosphere reserves. Around 2,733 km² of it are strictly protected areas. This is the place where millions of birds from different places of Earth (European, Asian, African, Mediteraneean) come to lay their eggs.
The soft sandy beaches along Romania’s tideless Black Sea coast are the country’s main tourist spots with the prospect of warm water, plentiful sunshine and an extremely low cost of living attracting more and more foreign visitors.
The high season runs from mid-May to late September and there are currently nine main resorts lining the coast.
Most are well developed and lively but we feel the one that provides the best option for both couples and families is Mamaia, just north of Romania’s largest port, Constanta. An 8 km strip of beach between Lake Siutghioln and the Black Sea, the main activities here are swimming, sunbathing, drinking and strolling along the beachfront boardwalk.

Gastronomy

Although international cuisine is available in restaurants, make sure that you savour the local Romanian dishes. Romanian cooking is rich, tasty and substantial, as befits a country where all food is still naturally grown, where fruits and vegetables follow their normal seasons, and where the winters are cold.
Pork is a special favorite, but you will find good beef, veal, and chicken too. They are all delicious simply grilled. Typically Romanian specialties include a range of soups - try “ciorbă”, a sour soup made from fermented bran, bacon, potatoes and beef or chicken. Hearty stews such as “Tochitura Moldoveneasca” are accompanied like many Romanian meat dishes by “mămăligă”, a maize polenta. “Sarmale” is a spicy dish of bitter cabbage leaves stuffed with meat, and “mititei” is small grilled sausages perfumed with aromatic herbs. Among fish dishes sample carp on the spit, a local specialty in the Danube Delta.
A range of excellent white and red Romanian wines of the famous vineyards of Murfatlar, Cotnari, Jidvei, Dealul Mare, Odobeşti Valea Călugărească, accompany local and international dishes to perfection, while ţuica, the local plum brandy is often drunk as an aperitif. But be ware, it carries a sting in its tail! The local Romanian beers are excellent.
“No journey to Eastern Europe would be complete without paying a visit to Romania…”
(The Rough Guide)
Reference:
1. Statele lumii de la A la Z, 1998, Editura Tess-M, Timişoara
2. www.romaniatourism.ro
3. Information center in Arad, Romania

Golf Vacations
Written by: Cristina Dima
Date: Oct 16, 2005

Planning for a golf vacation and you have nothing in mind? Tired of the plain ordinary golf club near by? Then, hit Las Vegas. Known as the “Entertainment Capital of the World” , Las Vegas offers , beside the regular attractions and casinos, a couple of resorts that welcome golf enthusiasts.

Lake Las Vegas Resort is one of the places for you. It currently offers two award winning golf courses, with a third being built as we speak. The courses were designed by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf. The new resort course bares the signature of Tom Fazio. All sites are beautiful but they are also known for their playability.

What are the other places in Las Vegas that offer golf packages? There is The Hyatt Regency Resort Spa and Casino , The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vega and MonteLago Village Resort’s. The packages include one night deluxe accommodation, two gold vouchers valid for 18 holes, unlimited range use on day of play and cart fees for the first round. Cart fee of $25 per person applies to additional rounds.

~~~meant as a sample; all copyrights reserved to Cristina Dima ~~~

Jalama Beach County Park
Written by: Cristina Dima
Date: Jan 12, 2006

General Description of Beach- Jalama Beach County Park is a picturesque 28 acre park, situated in Central California, the northern most portal for surfing in Santa Barbara County. The cost line is backed by cliffs and lush.

Surf, Tides, Climate, Water Temp: Three sports are recognized here as surf sports: the Beachbreak, Cracks and Tarantulas. The currents can be bad, it’s all shifty, semi-hollow sandbars best on a high tide with clean, peaky swells; the place holds size, but getting out becomes a problem (or outright impossibility).
(I will provide link to weather/climate/tides)

Beach Activities:
It’s one of the best places to surf but it is a good beach for intermediate to advanced surfers and the best season for surfing is fall. Due to winds, the beach is excellent for windsurfing, being one of the most popular sites.
Situated near the mountains, hiking can prove to be a great way to spend some spear time.
Very nice sceneries and great sun sets provide best places for photography.
Additional activities include whale-watching, birdwatching, nature photography, rock hounding, and fishing the surf or rock outcroppings for perch, cabezon, kelp, bass, or halibut.

Scenery and Wildlife: Here is one of the places where u can find many protected California native plants like sand verbena, saltbush, and sea rocket, grow within park boundaries.

Places to Stay/Eat: 1-2 sentences, what’s available nearby find 1 or 2 links
The beach maintains 98 campsites, all overlooking the ocean or beachfront, each site has a picnic table and BBQ pit, with hot showers, restrooms and water nearby. 29 sites offer electrical hookups, and dump stations are available.
All trailers have a queen size bed in a private bedroom area, full private restroom, TV w/DVD player (DVD’s can be rented at the beach store), a 6′couch that folds into a double bed, heating & a/c, microwave oven, double kitchen sink, refrigerator & freezer, and they are all super clean. Some units have a dining table that folds into a 3rd bed, other units have a dining table and chairs and do not make into a bed. Trailers DO NOT include cookware, bedding or towels.
Loads of lodging facilities, just need to fill in the dates and check for availability.
Lodging facilities can be found also in the town nearby ,Lompoc.

Pet, Rules:
Vehicles are allowed, however all vehicles must have a gate permit. The permit may be revoked without refund for violation of park rules. Travel only on designated roads.
Pets must be restrained on a leash of 6′ or less, or confined to vehicle or cage.
Public nudity, abusive or indecent language or gestures, and disorderly assembly are strictly prohibited.
Following fees are applied:
• regular day use, per vehicle $ 6.00
• additional charge for dogs (must show proof of current rabies vaccination) $ 3.00
• bus / commercial $35.00

Location/Access/Map: I will provide

Local Flavor, Crowds, well known local events: Amongst the well known locals events are: Fiesta activities in August, featuring a wide range of music, California Lemon Festival (in Goleta) held in the 3rd week-end in October, Annually Guadalupe Beach Festival (October), Annual Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention (October) featuring American folk music and Jalama Beach Halloween Kite Festival (October) , featuring kite flying competitions and wacky events.

Best times to visit: Mid June to early September is the best time to come to the beach as it is also the tourist season. However if you want to come here for surfing , best season is fall.

~~~meant as sample; all copyrights reserved to Cristina Dima ~~~

Finland
Written by: Cristina Dima
Date: Apr 6, 2006

The Republic of Finland is one of the Nordic countries. Located in northern Europe, the country is bordered by the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland to the South and the Gulf of Bothnia to the west. Interesting to note, the Finnish name for the country is Suomi. The capital and the largest city is Helsinki. The official language is Finnish and Swedish is the second official language.

Finland offers a wide array of holiday options, though it isn’t the land of mass tourism. If you are looking for a quiet place, away from crowded beaches, noise and traffic, the best destination is Finland.

If you are passionate of unspoiled landscape and lakes, if you like to go hiking, Finland is the best option for you. But nature is not the only reason to come to Finland. Swedes, for example, like to come for romantic and exotic holiday in Finland, while Italians look for out of the ordinary. Germans have known Finland as a travel destination for years and come to Finland to enjoy the nature. The British come to Finland for the lovely winters and to visit Santa Clause in Lapland. The Americans come to enjoy Europe and its old history. If you think the language differences might pose problems for you, fear not because English is the most widespread foreign language in Finland.

Finland’s climate is influenced particularly by its geographical position; hence the climate has characteristics of both maritime and continental climate, depending on the direction of air flow. Hence the temperature in Finland is usually several degrees higher than in other areas on the same latitude, like Siberia or south Greenland. When the western winds prevail, the weather is warm. When the Asian continental climate extends to Finland, the winters are very cold and the summers very hot. However, the weather can change rapidly especially in the winter.

What to visit? Where to go? Helsinki is the best destination if you want to go shopping, particularly before Christmas. You can find anything and everything can be found in shops, from gifts, cards and wool sweaters, to the fancy stores on the Esplanade, the most picturesque boulevard in Helsinki.

Of course you can take the kids and visit Santa Clause in Lapland. It will be the trip of their lives and I bet everyone will have fun being kids again.

Finland is also a great destination if you like to visit cultural sites. There are several World heritage sites in the country: Petäjävesi Old Church, Bronze Age Burial Site of Sammallahdenmäki, Old Rauma, Fortress of Suomenlinna, Verla Groundwood and Board Mill.

~~~~meant as sample; all copyrights reserved to Cristina Dima~~~

The Tower of London
by Cristina Dima
Written on:Feb 6, 2006

Good day and welcome to the Tower of London! Hopefully you are here for a tour and not a stay behind the prison walls!

The Tower of London, officially known as Her Majesty’s Palace and Fortress, The Tower of London, is a famous landmark in central London. The construction of the tower was begun in 1078 by a non-Englishman, William of Normandy. He did have some relationships with England as he was the cousin of King Edward, England’s king at that time.

Being mad at Edward for now crowning him England’s king, William attacked Edward and the battle took place at Hastings in 1066. Once he was crowned king, William now called “The Conqueror” ordered forts to be built everywhere. One of them was to be built on the north bank of the Thames River, near an old Roman Fort. This was named Tower of London and William ordered the tower to be built of stone specially imported from France.

Twenty years later the tower was finished and it housed a chapel, guardrooms, apartments and crypts. As protection, the tower was surrounded by a ditch, a new wall, as well as the old Roman one and a river. The Tower was in fact a prison, hence the protection measures. The first distinguished prisoner was probably The Bishop of Durham but he lived very well inside the tower as he bribed the guards with gold. He escaped one night when he got the guards drunk at a huge banquet he gave. There are a lot of stories about the former prisoners of the Tower and one of them is linked to Queen Anne Boleyn who was beheaded in 1536 after being convicted for treason against King Henry VII, who is seen walking around the tower carrying her head under her arm.

King Henry III made the tower his home around 1240. He painted the tower white, included a church, a great hall and some other buildings and renamed the Tower the White Tower. However, it was still a prison. Among the buildings he added there was a Lion Tower, a zoo that greeted visitors as they entered the grounds because it was built near the drawbridge.

~~~meant as sample; all rights reserved to Cristina Dima ~~~