A Travel Writer’s Travel Blog

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

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).

Cute bunny in front of the Town Hall, Apr 19, 2009. Square in Front of the Town Hall, Arad Copyright ... [Continue reading this entry]

The Town Hall on a spring day

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 ... [Continue reading this entry]

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 ... [Continue reading this entry]

Yup, the Christmas tree is up in front of the Town Hall. It's going to be decorated tomorrow (Dec 3) and lit on Thu. You can watch live images here.

For whatever reason I kept forgetting to post abt this...as we stayed in a hotel and the weather was downright horrible in Bacau (RO) we took the taxi cpl of times to go to the Mall. Well, to my surprise, ... [Continue reading this entry]

So yesterday (Nov 21) it was cold and rainy and the forecast said - and still says - that today would snow. What do you know? I woke up to see a LOVELY sun! Granted it's 3C/37F at 1 PM ... [Continue reading this entry]

...actually I'm a small gal in a big world and an ugly city...I'm a tourist and not a traveler for the only reason that this city cannot and will not leave a mark on me. And God is my witness ... [Continue reading this entry]