A Travel Writer's Travel Blog

First Snow Fall of the year in Arad , Romania

cs_dima — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:39:59 +0000

View from my kitchen window (taken around 10 a.m.)

View from my kitchen window (taken around 4 p.m.); it has snowed the entire day, so far.

Arad Town Hall by night

cs_dima — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:03:02 +0000

All photos by Cristina Dima and might not be used without permission.

Town Hall and Moon, with a splash of light

Town Hall by night, Dec 1, 2009 ; right after the National Day Parade.

Christmas Market in front of the Town Hall, Arad, Romania

cs_dima — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:40:15 +0000

It opened before Dec 1 and I’ve taken some photos wt my cell (from a long distance and haven’t downloaded them yet either).

But here are some captures from the Town Hall’s cameras.

View of the Christmas Market.

View from above.

Scenic Drive in Romania: DN7 on River Olt Valley

cs_dima — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:52:35 +0000

There are several possible routes to get to Bucharest by car, from the western part of Romania. Three of them are absolutely gorgeous and it’s rather hard to decide which one to take.

The Transfagarasan is the highest and most dramatic national road (DN7C) in Romania, connecting Sibiu to Pitesti (Transylvania to Wallachia). The road climbs to 2,034 meters altitude, with its most spectacular part being in the North section, but the road is only open between late June and early October, because the rest of the time there’s always snow in the area.

So many people end up taking DN7, the shortest route connecting Transylvania to Bucharest. One scenic part of the drive crosses the Southern Carpathians along the River Olt Valley. The area is dotted with monasteries, spas, lakes, hotels and places to stop and take photos (and trust me, you need a lot of space on your card!).

Close to Calimanesti (a well-known spa destination), there’s Cozia Monastery, erected by Mircea cel Batran (ruler of Wallachia between 1386 and 1418). The monastery is one of the most valuable monuments of medieval architecture in Romania. Although it is possible to pray in the monastery, it also doubles as a museum, featuring old manuscripts and prints, objects of worship, embroidery and Mircea cel Batran’s tomb. Behind the monastery, there’s river Olt, an incredible site for taking photos of the valley and the mountains.

The entire section which passes through the mountains is spectacular, with S-curves and sudden climbs and drops. You are really tempted to stop every couple of km to take photos and enjoy the mountain air.

The third route passes through Brasov, along the famous ski resorts. This (DN1) is the most crowded route all year round.

>>read more about the Most Scenic Drives in Europe

DJ Project opened the summer season at Nefertiti Club, Arad

cs_dima — Sun, 17 May 2009 08:48:15 +0000

May 16, 2009

Nefertiti Club, Arad, Romania

Entrance: 15 lei (abt US$5)

Me & hubby are not the kind to go clubbing that often but last night we were asked by some friends to tag along. And we gladly accepted. I didn’t know about the event but LOVED that we managed to see one of our fav band in concert.

Nefertiti Club opened the summer season yesterday at the Strand Location. Crowded as usual , some technical hick-ups but, over all, nice. I remeber seeing them in concert maybe 8 or 9 years ago when they were not famous all over the country.

Hubby managed to take some photos and film but we haven’t downloded them yet (today, promise).

Easter 2009: Bunnies in Front of the Town Hall in Arad

cs_dima — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:09:43 +0000

Cute bunny in front of the Town Hall, Apr 19, 2009.

Square in Front of the Town Hall, Arad

Daily Photo - Arad, Romania

cs_dima — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 19:26:59 +0000

The Town Hall on a spring day

Bucharest, Romania: taking the train to Henri Coanda (former Otopeni) Airport

cs_dima — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:04:48 +0000

This news gives me great joy! Finally there’s a train linking Bucharest (Romania’s capital) to its international airport (called “Henry Coanda” but commonly -still- known as Otopeni).

Each day, a train leaves Gara de Nord (North Train Station) every hour, starting from 5:15 a.m. until 10:15 p.m. The route is: Bucharest (Gara de Nord) - Chitila - Mogosoaia - Balotesti. From Balotesti, you’ll take the bus to the airport.

The joruney takes about 40-45 min. The price is 6 RON (about $2) and you’ll be traveling in modern trains and buses. The price includes both fares.

You travel like Tony Wheeler

cs_dima — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:10:28 +0000

I travel like Tony Wheeler !
You are someone who others will come to rely on for their best travel advice and information. With any luck at all, you’ll eventually get bought out by the BBC, so you can retire, and then keep traveling anyway.
What type of traveler are you? Take BootsnAll’s Travel Quiz to find out.

I travel like Tony Wheeler !

You are someone who others will come to rely on for their best travel advice and information. With any luck at all, you’ll eventually get bought out by the BBC, so you can retire, and then keep traveling anyway.

What type of traveler are you?

Take BootsnAll’s Travel Quiz to find out.

Arad: Frozen in Time

cs_dima — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 12:26:53 +0000

It started to snow on Christmas Eve…by Christmas morning the snow was enough to look nice [see photo below]. Then it started to be freezing…way too cold for my nose. -6C/21F for the past 3 days is not exactly funny or nice. The scenery looks great but the cold is not something you might want to face.

I should be brave enough to go out and take some photos but I’m still reluctant to do so.

On my way to my parents