Most impressive Romanian Churches, As Seen by a Group of Lebanese Tourists

Most impressive Romanian Churches, As Seen by a Group of Lebanese Tourists

One of the most important things to know about Romania is quite simple: despite the pregnant existence and influence of the minorities (specially, the Hungarian one), the people is very unit and homogene: 90 % of the population are Romanian, speak Romanian as Mother's language and are members of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

Here started the all story: Arrival of Lebanese tourists on Bucharest airport

Every small village has a church, and the tour leader Ziad Khairallah from Vladimir Travel/Beirut made a special selection of the most impressive and spectacular Romanian churches, with the help and on the competent suggestion of Euforia Travel/Nicoleta Balasa (I had the pleasure and honor to be the tour guide, and I was totally fascinated by their joy of life! Another story, though.)

The fantastic church of Voronet Monastery, probably the most impressive and spectacular church from Romania

Visiting the Romanian Churches is maybe the best way to learn and understand something about the Romanian history. We saw together a lot of churches, ones of them very renowned, like the Black Church from Brasov, but also one almost unknown, totally off the beaten path, the Monastery of Rasca/Suceava.

I learned on this tour (thank you, Zyad & Co from Lebanon) that nowadays the biggest orthodox church of Romania lies in Targu Mures. There the people were preparing the Easter, the most important feast of the Christianity. Everything on the way reminded us those preparations, and it was really an event celebrating Easter with this fantastic group of Lebanese tourists.

A wood church in the Village museum from Bucharest, another hit

We also saw and visited one of the oldest Romanian Churches: the church from the Old Courtyard from Bucharest, which has hosted from centuries the intronization of the happy Romanian princes! It was overcrowded, because is in the middle of Bucharest, a city with 2 Millions inhabitants. Another old church, build by the Cantacuzino family, is in Sinaia,( also known like the pearl of Carpathians, a romantic and royal getaway not far from Bucharest). The old church is little, but more interesting than the new big one.

The St Nicholas Church from Brasov

A special mention for the painted churches from Bucovina. We choose the most beautiful one, namely Voronet. It is really amazing, and totally overwhelming. The colors are based on a secret recipe (probably lapis lazuli powder, with other vegetable ingredients) and have lasted for 500 years without restoration!

As the Columbian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez used to say: the most important thing in life is to tell the story of it! I must not forget the Cathedrals from Sighisoara, Sibiu(on the model of St Sophia Cathedral from Istanbul) or the Monastery of Bistrita.

Seeing this long list of churches or monasteries ( add the Evangelic Churches from Sighisoara, Targu Mures) could lead to the idea of a religious pilgrimage. Totally wrong, it was much more than that, and the churches are just a small part of of the Romania Introduction Course! We still remember museums, restaurants, songs and dances!

Lebanese Tourists in Romania

Guiding Lebanese Tourists in Romania

When I first knew that is highly probably guiding a big group of Lebanese tourists coming to Romania, I felt it could be an interesting provocation. Despite the huge differences of language and culture, I did not say now, when the local organizer Euforia Travel from Bucharest proposed me to run this tour, with the clients from Vladimir Travel/Beyrouth.

My group of Lebanese tourists in Castle Peles, Sinaia

And it really was a wonderful experience, a pleasure and an honor to me. We drove 1600 km all over Romania, and I have struggled to introduce and present Romania in the most realistic way, without hiding the unpleasant details (Romania might be nice and fabulous as travel destination, but it is not perfect. No matter, even the sun has a lot of stains!).

The Lebanese Tour Leader, Zyad Khairallah (in the middle, by the monk) with  Mr Asuccar, ar left

I hope that the tourists, perfectly organized by the tour leader Zyad Khairallah (thank you, Zyad!) have been happy about the new discoveries. But I also started to discover a fantastic and fabulous culture. We sung and danced Romanian and Lebanese, and this  cultural mix and mutual acceptance is by far the most important asset of this tour. I loved from the first minute the Lebanese for their joy of life and deep beliefs, I loved their relaxed way to overcome some troubles and problems. I was a little disappointed that most of them never drink alcohol, even the Cabernet Sauvignon from Romania, but those who tasted, really enjoyed!

The group of Lebanese tourists in the huge impressive Romanian Parliament house, with special mention for the little guide Fouad

The cultural difference was not so big. We were very pleasant to discover some unbelievable identhical superstition (e.g. a women's bag lying on the floor brings poverty!). They were very familiar with the Byzantine ritual from the Romanian churches, excepting the language. They understood almost all the Romanian jokes, myths and legends and laughed, and I also understood theirs. It was a grace of God meeting these friendly temperamental people I was afraid to the beginning of our adventure.

To be more specific, this unique tour took place between 1st and 7th of May, 2013 with starting and living from Bucharest Airport. I will be back with details, but these facts of life are much more important to know. I hope to have in the future other occasions to cooperate with Lebanese Tourists, I won't hesitate any minute to accept! Mes meilleurs voeux pour les tourists de Liban.

5 Most Captivating Castles in Romania

5 Most Captivating Castles in Romania

The Romanians suffer on a strange disease: they are very generous when come to naming a building as a palace. It must be a relic from the bad communist years, when the buildings were almost identical, and the local identity totally destroyed. Under these circumstances, maybe you you will understand easier: any older building, different to the contemporary stalinist style became automatically a palace.

Any small town has a palace, and even many villages have an own palace! Most of them totally decayed or insignificant, showing to be big disappointments! That's the reason why I shall name the massive, old, special and significant buildings as castles!

Trying to make a selection of the most impressive castles in Romania, Peles comes first, no doubt. It has been built by the first German King of Romania by the end of the XIXth century. It lies in a wonderful alpine landscape, in Sinaia, where the neighboring forest turned to be a park. Inside is a sophisticate expression of the best taste. From the castle's 100 rooms you will allowed to visit only 4 or 5, during a guided tour. But they are really the best ones, and the most spectacular. You will see even a present from an Indian maharajah, but I don't unveil more!

The Bran Castle had nothing to do with Dracula, but takes a huge profit of this myth

Second comes the Bran castle. Also owned by the former King's family, was intended to guard a trade way between Transilvania and Wallachia by its inauguration in the XVth century. On mysterious way, it has been tighten with the myth of Dracula (not true at all, to be honest!) and enjoys crowds of visitors. That's why I  recommend to start the visit in the morning.

The massive Corvin castle from Hunedoara

Another interesting and recommended choice, for the third place, is the Medieval Castle from Hunedoara, who belonged to the Prince Iancu de Hunedoara. He ruled over Transilvania, and the Romanians claim this name for him, together with his Romanian origin. The Hungarians name him Janos Hunyady, and say he was Hungarian. Maybe the true is in the middle, or maybe beyond: new approaches said it was a Serbian! The historic truth is that he was very brave, fought successfully more times against the Turks and died suddenly on plague. This castle belonged to him, and you can admire the some unhappy restoration works, but also a shocking torture room.

The Fortress of Poenari really belonged to Dracula, but lies off the beaten path!

On the fourth place, The Fortress of Poenari, waits only the trained skilled people, who can climb 1000 stairs. It really belonged to Vlad Tepes Dracula, who used it for refuge and defending fortress. There are still rumors for lost treasure of the Prince Dracula, hidden in this remote area, many people are still searching!

The Fortress of Rasnov is another Eagle's nest, very rewarding for the pacient tourists

On the 5th place, also last, but not least, the Fortress of Rasnov, by Brasov, offers a fantastic unique view to the Carpathians!

Most important things to know about the Jews in Romania

Most important things to know about the Jews in Romania

Nowadays, unfortunately, there are only few Jews still living in Romania, most of them very old. We, the Romanians, or most of us, repent  very much this unhappy evolution.

But there are few things remembering their importance presence in the Romanian history. You can still find in Bucharest a huge Jewish district, with the Choral temple and the synagogue. You can still find people able to tell you some stories about the good old times, about the Romanian Jews, their ability for trade and our life together.

The Choral Temple from Bucharest is still impressive and still in use

Many Jews have  played for centuries an important role in the Romanian society (economy, culture, etc). They came and set here in waves, from different parts of the world where they was subject to persecutions and unfair treatment ( e.g. Galitia/Austrian Empire, Russia etc). The brave people escaping the Holocaust gone to Israel, getting finally a home there. Fortunately, we still have a few living and working in Romania!

Almost 100 years ago every Romanian town had a synagogue (here in Focsani)

Most of the cities and towns from Moldavia or Wallachia have their legends with Jewish traders and a central street full with different shops belonging to them. They had to be very innovative in their areas, as the Romanians, Armenians, Greek or Turks competitors were not waiting with crossed hands! Many of these downtowns in cities and towns with their obsolete atmosphere have been destroyed, turning in industrial towns. About these industrial towns with their uniform grey blocks of flat, everybody agree: they are not nice and attractive for the tourists, and the locals must reinvent themselves.

A much bigger, more modern and in use synagogue, in Cluj Napoca

Thus, a good opportunity for foreign investments, specially from the Israeli Jews who know Romania. We have shared our lives for a while, and wait for them to come back. For the younger ones, is to recommend a special tour for discovering the Jewish traditions. I will warmly and salute all of them, recommending the next steps!

And another important fact: Romanian is in Israel almost an official language. Everywhere the Romanian are respected and very well treated. We must say thank you for all these things, and trying to act in the same way!

Medium Romanian Wines

Despite my deep love for my country, Romania, I must accept that not everything is perfect here! We have corrupted politicians, o.k. (who hasn't?), but we also have fantastic, charming, helping, normal people (and this matter really counts, I hope).

Romania is before all a wine country

Thinking to Romania as a wine country, but trying to be unbiased, I must say that could be a problem if you want to buy a good wine from the supermarket, it  might be a tricky moment! Better search for a reliable producer, but what you do when you are in the mood at night for a glass of wine? You go to the supermarket, I did myself yesterday. I avoided the cheap import wines, and I also avoided the cheapest Romanian wines.

I was not very happy with these specific wines

I made first a good choice, I was hoping: a bottle of  half dried Merlot Rose from Murfatlar/Conu Alecu. It was to be a special occasion, I payed for a bottle of 750 ml 15 RON (almost 4 Euros) and I was not happy at all with that wine.Maybe I have too high expectation for this producer, and is entirely my fault then! But the liquid I found in the bottle was not at all a good wine, as I can recognize one! 

Don't miss anymore opportunities to visit caves and vineyards in Romania!

I made another try, hoping to a much better experience. I checked and double checked a bottle of dried Merlot from Rovinex/Romanian Classic/Dealurile Vrancei with the same results. It is not a premium wine I could recommend or drinking the second time. But it was cheaper, 12 RON/3 Euros for a bottle.

First conclusion: don't expect to find a very good wine under 20 RON/ 5 Euros and don't miss opportunities to visit caves, wineries and vineyards! You can find excellent unbottled  wines for 2-3 Euros/100 cl, which means a significant difference!

Most important things to know about the rural Romania

If you wish becoming an expert in Romanian problems, or think you are already, you must have noticed the regional differences between the Romanians from Moldavia, Wallachia or Transilvania, due to the historic occupations from different people.

The Romanian churches are a good place to gather the locals on every Sunday

Everything is set now, we made peace with our historic enemies, we love and esteem them whether they still live in Romania or have gone in other countries searching their happiness. The Romanians are deeply tolerant, and have an overwhelming force to assimilate other people. The most important thing for you is briefly this: you are welcomed! The people will enjoy your company, will try to speak to you and will probably invite you to lunch or dinner. You can accept or refuse, they will be not upset.

A welcoming wine tasting room

Less than 5 % of the Romanian village population is to fear, and those are not necessary the poorest. You are supposed to feel these dangerous people and avoid them, if you are really a world traveler, as I assume. If you aren't, take big care, and maybe the best thing for you is booking through an established incoming agency, e.g. Karpaten.

If you insist knowing Romania by your own, you can still book your flight over Internet to get a good price., but once in Romania use the local buses or train, they are perfect for this choice. They will observe, despite your desperate try to dress and look like a local (probably you don't speak Romanian perfect!). Most probably, the invitations will start to fall, and you are not ought to accept the first. Anyway, take a look to the room and ask about the price, it is totally normal. If you still want to stay on an adventure budget travel, you can even cook by yourself  your local specialties, inviting your host to join. They will appreciate very much this way of socializing, and will totally adopt and love you.

Country landscape in Romania, with a good fresh air

In some remote parts of the country, e.g Maramures or Danube Delta, you can simply seduce the locals giving them cigarettes and alcohol, but broadly speaking the Romanians are becoming more sophisticated. Try to visit the local gathering points, e.g. the church and the pub. Be very careful about the proper decent suit during the Sunday service in the village church. To the pub don't take such severe precautions anymore. Visit also the local markets (flea market, vegetable market) and you will surely find many interesting things.

In some remote regions, e.g. Danube Delta, is usually a good idea giving to the locals  cigarettes and alcohol

Even to the countryside you have good opportunities to discover Romania in style. In many regions with an intense touristic circulation four stars pensions or hotels will be happy to welcome you, even in the middle of nowhere. Enjoy your senses in a fancy restaurant or to the spa.

Whether in style or on a budget, discover your piece of Rural Romania, counting on the locals welcoming you. With the unavoidable exceptions, they are friendly, polite, have good manners, and the big wish to help their guests. Give them something back, learning a few elementary words and phrases of the Romanian language. And drink a glass of Romanian wine with them.

UNESCO World Heritage sites in Romania

Visiting a World Heritage Site in any part of the world is one of the most important thing to do in order to get  the best from tour destination. It is on one side, a small tribute to the hyper qualified, but independent, team of the UNESCO experts searching world wide treasures of the mankind, worth to a visit from you. On the other side, you go to the best destinations certified by independent authorities, sparing precious time and money for your searches.

Romania is one of the happiest examples worldwide of perfect coincidence between the recommended UNESCO sites and the most frequented destinations. The complete list of the approved UNESCO world heritage sites in Romania is easy to check at http://whc.unesco.org and most of these destinations I am warmly recommending with any possible occasion, in writing or speaking, inline and offline.

A floating hotel is a wise way to visit Danube Delta

Briefly, the approved UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Romania are the following:

1. Danube Delta is one of the best preserved Deltas in the world, a last refugee for many endemic and endangered species of plants and animals (mainly birds). Strongly protected by the Romanian authorities at local or national levels, offers even spectacular human encounters with the fishermen from that region. Most of the are the descendants of fugitive persecuted Russians from the XIXth century, making this piece of water and land simply unique!

Voronet, a breathtaking pearl of the Middle Age

2.Painted Monasteries from Bucovina have used secret recipes for their colors, making sometimes the restoration works almost impossible (most renowned of it is the "Blue of Voronet", compared with " Veronese green" or "Tizian's Red"). Painted in the Middle Age, they tried to bring the region myths closer to the people. It is amazing the perfect harmony with the environment (soil, sky, villages and the surrounding hills)

Barsana Church from Maramures

3.Wooden Churches from Maramures are very traditional, build in same way as few centuries ago. They are to find in a remote insulated region of the country, where there is still plenty of wood. Also to observe in the region, the massive wooden gates, measuring the wealth of the locals. They have been build during an oppression period, when the Romanians were not allowed to build in concrete or stone. But these fantastic wooden churches lasted better!

4. The Horezu Monastery is an unique architecture masterpiece in the Romanian Brancovan style. Has a perfect balance among colors, shapes and ornaments, simply  overwhelming for any culture freak!

The amazing Sighisoara Fortress during a Medieval Carnival

5.The Historic City of Sighisoara is the only one Medieval Fortress still inhabited. Easy accessible from any point of the town Sighisoara, offer broad view to the all region. My secret tip: discover the traces of Dracula, eating in its birth house!

The Fortified Church from Biertan

6.The Fortified Churches from Transilvania could shelter for weeks the all population of an entire village, if the reserves were enough! Most renowned in Biertan or Viscri (where Prince Charles of Britain owns a few properties)

7.The Antique Fortifications of the Dacians from the Orastie Mountains are not easy to access, as they belonged to the ancestors of the Romanians, running from the conquering Romans. Most renowned is the Sarmizegetusa Regia. Savage mountains, mysterious artifacts complete an interesting getaway.