Mamaia - The Pearl Of The Black Sea

There is an expression in English"You can't see the wood from the tree"- that means you see things rather shallow without taking time to consider them thoroughly. Don't follow the crowd just be yourself. Sometimes you are mislead and things that appear glamorou in other's eyes do not shine in yours. Take for example the tourism. We've abridged and simplified other's opinions about overseas tourism that much we no longer see the beauties in our country. Yes, it's true, better conditions, civilization, other habits, customs and traditions; but we also have so many parts of the country we have never dared to dream about. The innate hospitability and respect for ancient traditions have deep roots in our soul. Have you been to Mamaia lately? Besides the traditional places loaded of history we've also imported Greek traditions, Chinese food, international repertoire, multicultural entertainers, fancy hotels, expensive restaurants. Mamaia is devided into two parts;on the one hand we have the holiday villge which displays the Roumanian way of life and on the other hand Occidental influences. More than that,you can explore the resort from the hight of the sky in a "telegondola".You can be dwellt upon at european standards in Aqua Land without being disturbed,in a very amusing river adventure,escapades in the water land. You can venture the watery black surface of the sea by boat or by hidrobicicle. There are places for people of all ages,condition or status.
There are full time children care services if you want to enjoy a peaceful day, or places where you can have fun with all your family where the water is not to deep and there is no danger to lose sight of your children. The shore is wide enough to offer a range of opportunities to spend time with other people or in the intimicy of a deserted beach. You have to be a little bit conceited to pretend you have nothing to see in our country just to brag you were abroad.Let's face it,our natural environment is challenging enough; why do you think foreigners invest in our country? Tourism has become an open market. Don't waste it!

Decebal's Heritage

I've always enjoyed previews because they are short, miningfull, essential for the great launch.

They are like a peak throgh the keyhole, you see enough to make you curious but too little to satisfy you. These are my feelings when I take a foray into unknown. It doesn't matter the time you have to spare to take a leap into the nature, you anyway watch TV too much. It is better to leave than to watch others lives. It doesn't matter if there is cold or warm, rainy or sunny, if risked wasting a day and you've last on a cloudly rainy day to Drobeta Turnu-Severin, Orsova, Cazane. Fortunately you can not predict weather that accurately and it soon changed, that's why we could have a picknic on the shore of Danube at a huge statue which people belive is a sightseeing but in fact it is a memorial. There are tables and chairs to have a rest, grass and even swings for children. Don't hope too much about it, is just a corner of nature, o moment of peace along the endless freeway. But the adveturs is just at the begining because you get to Orsova an dthe first thing you bump into is a catholic church with the roof in a curious shape, it worths seeing it both outside and inside. We followed the Danube path way, we enjoyed the breath taking view till Cazane - a break into the mountain - Decebal's head carved into the mountain an the hight covering its surface. After we charged out batteries with a drop of history, we went further to fulfill our spirituality to the last stop, a hermitage at the border of wilderness and the begining of civilization. We even met a couple of young weds; a begining at the end of the world.

Busteni resort

Here I am touring once again along the beauties of my country because even though it is considered a poor country, there are no words to describe the unspoilt scenery , the challenge nature push you into and the sightseeing of the environment carved by time, rain, wind and rivers- the real builders of these wonders. If you get to mountains resorts like Brasov, Sinaia, Busteni, you are in the zone because there are so many things to see and to do, it's an endless road of adventures. You can have fun inside the resort or outside visiting the scenery in the surroundings. Busteni is placed at the feet of Bucegi mountains in Prahova Valley at 850 metres and it is known as"The alpine paradise"because mountaineer have a wide range of slopes to choose. In Busteni in the summer are various fairs where tourists can buy souvenirs to fit anyone's taste or you can have a barbecue in the middle of the nature. One of the wonders of this resort is the" Urlatoarea waterfall". To get there you follow the signs on the trees, the way is practible on foot and on good weather because it's a country road, unpaved, in fact is just a path, very pitoresque. It is called Urlatoarea waterfall because the sound of the water falling and rolling over the rocks is very loud, almost deafening. You can come back to your hotel on the course of the waterfall (watch your feet, the stones are very sharp if you are bare foot) but at the end of this little adventure you get to few kilometres away from the resort in so called "Poiana Cerbului". This is just one of the touristis routes. If you're interested in history you can have a little bit of this visiting the house of the writer Cezar Petrescu or Cantacuzino Castle. All this is just a drop of the mountains' offert. Aren't you at least curious.

The Peles Castle

The merge between civilization and wilderness is perfectly accomplished in the surroundings of Sinaia resort at the foot of the mountains to determine a competition between God's creation -nature and man's creation- The Peles Castle. Carol of Hohenzollern Sigmarigen's residence was built as a unique and pitoresque castle given its location at the foot of the Pitrele Arse mountains, a highly touristic area turned into museum with possibilities of sightseeing any time of the year. In the winter the small replicate of Peles, Pelisor Castle is to be visited. the Castle is vaste with numerous and different rooms: the Ball Room. the Mirror Room, the Thetre Hall, the Room of the Arms, the Royal Suit, the Concert Hall and Maur Hall and plenty more. If I raised your curiosity, hurry up ,in short time the Castle is going to be given back to its owners and it won't be a touristic location opened to visitors.

Sinaia Resort

Have you wonder how it's like to live in a place where the shadows give you another perspective on the site, where you are overwelmed with the changes that the scenery undergoes second by second ? Maybe if you keep your breath, in a glimse of an eye you might hear the nature trembling with life, whispering its transformation into something that cannot be grasped. The huge greatness of the mountains bearing their royal crown over the mortals makes you think about your ephemeral condition. Have you experienced this feeling ? If not, try spending some time in a place like Sinaia, situated along Prahove river valley into Bucegi massive. Technology has always been in competition with the natural woders of the world tryng to give them a scientific explination and the perfect incentive for our evolution is to try to equalize them although the environment is far beyond us. Climb up to 1400metres high by cable cars or by chair lifts. You run out of words floating somewhere above Sinaia, above its old monastery, above Peles Castle, above Casino Palace. Don't they seem little compare to the peeks brushing the clouds? And if you're there and its winter time you can go skiing and on your return don't miss the hot tea with a bit of rom, nothing warms you better. The sightseeing you can visit down the resort are the beginning of an unbeliveble adventure if you dare to follow the path of the mountains. You can find a cottage or a cosy hotel on European standards at any altitude . If you aren't a mountaineer, you will experience climbing by cable cars but make sure the wind doesn't blow strongly because they aren't working. Sometimes nature afford to be whimsical.

Sunrise On Romania

No matter when or where we live there are so many choices to suit your taste so many arguments to convince you for or against, pro or con, to be or not to be at the seaside or at the mountains. I personally prefer mountains for the wonderful display of offers and challenges raised on every step. But there are so many interesting resorts lying on the shore of the Black Sea which doesn't deny its name and keep its secrets hidden in the dark folds of its waves. Either you go by yourself or with your family, with the gang and simply with your special one, there is a place for everyone. Costinesti is a resort trembling with life with noisy endless nights and long goodbies where teenagers feel like home. Don't miss the fireworks because there are nights with festive themes in places like "Vox Maris' a town within a town with all forms of entertainment and accommodations. If you're cold resistent you can afford to lose a night on the beach to capture the first rays of the sun looming from the core of the sea. Mamaia is a family resort endowed with facilities to fit each of the members of the family; playgrounds for kids, clubs and casinoes, luxurious restaurants and cosy rooms. This seaside resort is the brightest of all and the" Aqua Land" park is a touristis spectacular site with a great variety of activities for both children and grown ups. And if you're in the area take a trip by Gondola few kilometers high over the city. Children can escape from the city monotony by means of a voyage in resorts like Navodari. The sand is hot but this is a wonderful opportunity to avoid the boiling sun swimming in the water, rowing a boat or sailing away from civilization. It's an alternative to exploring the unknown. The seaside is motionless for eternity regardless the changes it undergo during the seasons.

Voineasa

At the beggining of the road every traveller establish a plan to follow, a way to go. But there are so many choices. Which is the best? The adventurer would say that it doesn't matter the aim of the voyage but the steps you have taken to achieve your purpose. The more challenging the road was , the greater satisfaction you'd feel at the end of it. So first decide upon your priorities if you wish a pleasent trip, a fast trip, an adventurous trip or a quest trip and there are different ways to suit your taste. I would follow the path of the mountains and I actually did so; Valcea, Calimanesti-Caciulata, Cozia and finally Voineasa. The resort is cosy and relaxing, hidden in the Lotru Valley at the foot of the Lotru mountains between Capatanii and Lotru mountains. You can rest at the Lotru hotel which offers the possibility to spend time at the cafeteria. at the bar, disco or cinema. Being a very small resort you can visit the surroundings, strolling on the marked routes or driving to Vidraru Lake(you won't forget this site, the air, the feeling of merging with the nature). You'll be amazed to see how much fun you can have away from the civilization, noise and ordinary ways of having fun. Words are useless. That's why I leave the pictures to speak for me.

Baile Herculane

The best trips are those spontaneous and usually somewhere around the city you live in. If I get the chance to leave home and a day to spare, a trip for two hours is ideal especially if the place and the surroundings have a wide variety of offers. Take Herculane spa for example, it's placed in the middle of the mountains, you have acces to water too in the Cerna river and also multiple possibilities to relax giving its treatment base. The existence of the baths in The Herculane resort is well known sience times out of mind. Human existence in these places is certified by numerous archaeological discoveries. The stones tools and weapons found during the diggings on the archaeological site „The Outlaws Cave“, and in other places, as well as pottery relics reveal the fact that primitive civilisation in this part of our country. The names included in the inscription belong to five remarkable citizens in Dacia, sent to Rome as reprezentatives of the province, take part in the ceremony of appointing M. Sedatius Severianus as consul in 153 ad. The unintrerupted use of the baths by the romans was first and foremost facilitated by the efficiency of thermal springs.

The balnear city Baile Herculane is posted in south west of Roumania , at the crossing of the 45 degreees 52'N parallel with 23 degrees 52'E meridian, in the same position vith Venice and Nice. The city is on the board of Cerna river sheltered by Mehedinti and Cerna mountains. Its position in the Cerna Valley created the opportunity of a National park Cerna-Domogled which it shouldn't be missed. Downtown you can admire the architecture of the buildings , the well known statue of Hercule, the hole city being a shrine to the gods and also the Grota Haiducilor (Outlaws Cave) a hidden grotto lasting from old times. The hotels are endowed with a wide variety of facilities and an interesting offer of trips in the surroundings: in Semenic mountains and Cerna Valley, Cerna Gorges; Drobeta Turnu Severin city (Traian's bridge, Tabula Traiana, Tismana Monastery), Cerna's waterfall and let's not forget the most important sightseeing "7 Hot Springs" the most famous place in Herculane for its healing effect and of course for health waters used in a great variety of medical treatments. Either you came for entertainment reasons or for health reasons this place is amazing and breathtaking.

Baile Olanesti

Roumania is a golden mine not only for the scenery you can become addicted to, but also for its natural resorces, for the healing effect of this environment and the mental relief you can achieve geting in touch with your self. It's startling to think that you can go to a place where you can complete your soul and heal your mental and phisical wounds. One of these places can be Olanesti, a balneo-climatic resort endowed with endless mineral water springs to cure kidney, liver, stomach diseases and other illnesses. There come people all over the world for all kinds of treatments in treatment bases which consist of a good material endowment and a high quality prepared personnel, organised by a lot of specialities: electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, parrafin wrappings, sulphur baths and pool, gym room, massage room, aerosols, analysis lab, acupuncture. Although it is considered a resort for elders I was amazed by the great number of teenagers especially at night the benches in the park aren't enough and the "closing hour" is at dawn. You can go sunbathing on a small beach along a spring with a small waterfall or have a barbecue in one of the numerous places, the only problem is chosing the clearing. I strolled on the paths marked of the mountains to the place named by local people "Piatra scrisa"(written stone) - which is in fact a rock on the edge of the mountain on which you can write or draw different things hoping to find them when you go back some day. One of the attractions is the water lily lake lying in the neighbourhood of "1 May" one of the Ceausescu's villas. The place was preserved and now it's a touristic area. But the road continues through an apple orchird on a paved path specially designed for the former president in his visits to the second luxurious accommodation but this one opened to public with visit hours and only after you pay a ticket. Anyone can book a room to the hotels (Parang, Olanesti ) and villas spread all over the resort. What can I say about the opportunities on the mountains? Sky is the limit

Brasov resort

Many Romanians would rather spend their holidays abroad than bother to discover the miracles born at every step in our native country. Even if you go to the mountains or to the seaside the landscape and the opportunities to explore the hidden beauties and also the displayed wonders of our relief are boundless. Maybe bad publicity or an unfortunate management drive people away, but nowhere in the world the touristic routes are marked by history, time and legends full of ancient wisdom understood only by the local people. That's way there are a lot of places with Roumanian specific, inns with flowers in the windows, accomodations that exceed your expectations especially decorated to mimic a journey in the past. This kind of place innate as a mixture between the wisdom of the nature, the past perseverence and the modern technology is Brasov, a mountain resort in Bucegi at the foot of Tampa mountaiside. Brasov is an international town known for the most famous Roumanian contest "The Golden Stag" and the competitors came all over the world had the chance to climbe to 1400 meters height in Poiana Brasov and had a traditional meal at "Crama Haiducilor" a placed preserved from ancient times since outlaws used to have dinner here. You can have dinner on the top of the mountains because there are restaurants endowed with modern facilities to suit everyone's taste. You can climbe the mountain on foot, as dangerous as it may be, but not without a guide or you can go with a sky-lift only if you don't suffer from acrophobia. Brasov has a dinamic night life and it is ideal for both elders as well as for the young tourists and it is practicable any time; in the winter you can go skiing on the slopes or other winter games and in the summer the landscape provides you a bracing holiday. So what are you waiting for?

Bran Castle

At the end of the Rucar Bran pass, looming from nowhere as a haunted castle, arises the well deserved prize for such a long and adventurous road, the Bran castle. People consider it the former residence of Vlad Tepes who actually was arrested here and murdered by Matey Corvin for political reasons. His real fortres was at Targoviste but for touristic reasons and also for its position and dramatic architecture specific to Roumanians, it was turned into Dracula's Legend and people don't make the difference anymore. The castle and the surroundings although important from historic point of view have developed into a bussines because people's curiosity on myths and mysteries is unsatiable. The resort provides a lot of opportunities to spend time and the fair beside the castle gives you the chance not to leave empty handed because there are a lot of souvenirs to remind you about your journey into the past. Everything in the resort has developed around this theme, Dracula's habitat and the picturesque landscape completes and at the same time makes up for the terror the stories about Tepes' habits imply. The local people do not belive in them because Vlad Tepes was considered a right ruler very determined to put an end to injustice and maybe that's way it was belived to be too harsh. Roumanians honour his memory even if the stories embraced a devilish character. This castle really deserve to be visited.

Oltetului Gorges

To be spontaneous means to love, to be inlove with life, to be adventurous but also to be unssettled. This word describes the basic needs of our human being the need to follow your primary instinct so long controlled and educated. Where else can we do this but in the wildlife. A special place in the heart of the mountains is on the one side of the Oltet river called likewise "Oltetului Gorges". The place is picturesque in the middle of the wilderness because it is tore from civilization and one cannot find accommodation or any kind of entertainment besides fishing, camping, swimming, sunbathing or taking photos. The only way you can stay overnight is to take the tent but be careful not to be attacked by the bear. We experienced this but fortunatelly the bear found the rests of our barbecue and then he left peacefully without harming anyone and we wouldn't have known it if the grill hadn't been damaged. The feeling of walking on the dew in the dawn is priceless and it worths the chills over night. Make sure you have warming blankets and someone to share the loneliness and the quietness of the night with. It is the perfect place to go hiking being located between the Parang and Capatanii mountains. If you are passionate of the mountains there are plenty of opportunities to go hiking because in the neighbourhood of the "Oltetului Gorges" there are the Polovragi cave, The Polovragi Monastery, Muierii cave, Iedului cave and Baia de Fier. This location is like a squid with numerous tentacules, it doesn't matter your destination there is always something to see.

Calimanesti-Caciulata

I know that holidays like Christmas, Easter are holidays to spend together with the family but for me these are opportunities to do something special. There were times when I felt sorry being away but what can be more interesting than to aknowledge new things about places totally different which arose the spirit and make you get in touch with yourself. I have never experienced Christmas away because I can't imagine giving presents from the distance but it can be a challenge for the future. Instead Easter is a period of wandering and searching for God. I had the chance to do this few times but today I am going to talk about the first time the way it remained in my memory untained by the passing time. Calimanesti-Caciulata are in fact two resorts very closed each other that are no longer separated. So Calimanesti-Caciulata resort in Valcea county is situated on the right bank of Olt river, being one of the oldest and best known balneo-climatic resorts in Roumania. We accommodated to Traian hotel endowed with restaurant with bording, day club, disco (although wasn't suited to this occasion), conference room and own treatment base. The resort waters are real health sources since the Romans time. Napoleon the III-rd, following the doctor Carol Davila's medical advice, used Caciulata mineral waters in order to cure himself. You can travel in the neighbourhood of the hotel or you can go visiting trips to the monasteries among which Cozia offers the greatest view and it has historic importance here being buried Mircea The Elder one of our ancestors who died on the battlefield. It's quite a spectacle attending a religious service. You can't understand unless you go there.

Polovragi Cave

"A prize is precious only to those who value it". Indeed there are moments priceless in our life but few of us appreciate them to their real value and the meaning of the things is not obvious to everybody. We sometimes take fights with ourselves just like the world we live in. This universe has to handle the competition between the beauties on the surface and the wonders underground. Have you ever felt the chills a cave can provake, have you ever touched the stalactites and the stalagmites born in the core of the mountain? You can do this in numerous places in Roumania because their purpose was to hid in their darkness the wives and children of our ancestors while they were fighting against enemies. One of these caves is Polovragi also called"Pahomie's cave" because here ended his last days a monk who was later canonized. You can find it on the "Oltetului Valley "in the south of the Parâng and Cãpãtânii Mountains. The cave has 9000km lenght but lot of it is still unexplored because speologists stopped here giving the supposition that the cave ends somewhere on the other side of the mountain. If you bring a torch you can see on the walls drawings preserved from Pahomie's perioud representing the monk's dreams or nighmares because on one of the walls there is even Death with its scythe. Besides this, the visiting of the cave and the surroundings will leave you with unfotgetable memories, memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Lainici Monastery

"A step to the sky hidden in the corner of heaven" this way begins the description of Lainici Monastery where for centuries faith in God was honored and protected against pagans. The Monastery lies on the Jiu Valley path way between Târgu Jiu and Petrosani, both wonderful locations in the mountains. The monastery can be a halt for the tired traveler or a place where you can be oneself again. It should be mentioned this is a monk monastery so be aware what you are wearing because your entrence in the monastery can be denied for the reason that you might tempt the monks who had chosen chastity. The monastery is placed in the mountains as most of the places for solitary meditation away from the noise and the pollution of the town. You can breath fresh air and also receive spiritual conseling. There are also a lot of inns sprang at the demand of the visitors in search for their soul. Everyone can attend religious service on Sunday and of course on holiday when numerous people come and if it happens not to be enough room the monastery is endowed with modern technology and the service can be attended from the yard of the monastery where there are benches for old people who cannot stand and monks' small rooms because they swore to live in poverty and reclusion. Although they live a simple life away from the temptations, they are also up to date and understand the needs of the modern man without judging you whatever you might say at the confession. Try to include this place in your plans for the vacation, it won't take long to get in touch with the sanctity of this hamlet.

Sirnea - In The Middle Of Nowhere

Never forget to turn to your roots; your village, town, resort or any place that means home. Everything is changing, family values, eating habits, the work rythm even the relationships between people; everything besides our origin. When we feel neglected or torn by anything that matters we come back to the begining of our being: nature. In conclusion don't destroy the most important part of us, our nature, our hope for resurection. Did you ever wonder why people find their peace in the middle of the nature? Maybe because we have a special invisible bounding with nature, a bounding which cannot be tore regardless where we are and sometimes we try to find ourselves in the middle of nature. This is one of the cases where nature overcomes any imagination and preserves itself in spite of the calamities. Adventure yourself along the Rucar Bran pass on the winding dangerous climbing on the mountains. Amongst the deep valleys, lakes, rivers and peaks are wonderful resorts like Brasov, well known by natives as well as by the foreigners. Although these are interesting places to visit for their history and the superb display of relief don't be mislead by them because the true beauty is behind the obvious, in the small villages of peasants and shepards. One of these places is the hidden hamlet located couple of miles before Brasov named Sirnea. Pay attention to the road because is a country road unpaved and there is no turning back being very narrow and unlit at night, somewhere beyond civilization. Don't be full by that because people are hospitable regardless the arrival hour and there are wooden challet endowed with modern facilities. The scenery is magnificent and tempts you to go hiking on any route but don't take your chance to adventure on the mountain paths without a guide. Don't miss it , it can be a revigorating, resourceful holiday in reclusion.

Valea Mare-Mateias

As I've already mentioned in the previous episode near Câmpulung city is a masterpiece of human sacrifice in the monumental esemble at Valea Mare-Mateias called Mateias Mausoleum. At the end of the year 1916 when the Roumanian Army strongly opposed to the invading troops, in the Carpathians, one of the hard fights were held in the Muscel zone. The heroic deeds of the Roumanian soldiers were payed with many sacrifices. Soldiers from Muscel and many others will rest in peace in the holy land that they defended with their life price, in this historic place where they shed their blood so that everybody can honour them as we did when we saw their story written on the walls of the mausoleum. The land around the monument was leveled, spaces for festivities, two exhibition halls, a bas-relief were made. A promising land as a standforward proof of the beauties who are to come; the Rucar Bran pass, Brasov and so on...

Rucar Bran

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" said once a wise man and he was right because things that amaze me and make my heart thrill mean nothing to others. This is my point of view, the way I saw things and the way I felt at a certain moment in my life and the person who I explored these sights with, influenced the scenery around me or maybe I was the one influenced by the wonders I was so blessed to be part of. This is one of the case I was talking about. Are you a mountain lover or a seaside one because I am going to talk about the hights and depths, hills and valleys, woods and rivers, lakes and caves. The first stop Campulung-Muscel a location important more for its monument built in the memory of the soldiers killed in the war. The name of the monument is "Monumentul eroilor" and is endowed with an impressive building in the middle of a field on the foot of the mountains because this is in fact the start on the winding road of the Rucar-Bran". In front of the monument there is a canon (don't worry is harmless, as props) and also a museum which is a close replicate to the battlefield. You can take picture of the soldiers only after paying a ticket at the entrance. The view is spectacular at night and there is a legend among the drivers according to which a ghost bride wanders at night and stops the cars to scare the late travellers but I didn't get the chance to meet her although I got chills just knowing about it. Its a dangerous road for the unexperienced driver but it worths every minute even those moments when you have to drive through a dark, thick, endless fog. The novelty and the picturesqueness of this place is the presence of the peasants selling different natural preparations and also amulets tipical to these areas. You'll get use meeting them in this part of the country trying to convince you to buy souvenirs although you don't need them to lock these memories in the heart so you can visit them any time in your mind.

The Danube - Path Way

We continue our voyage along the Danube, there are many places to admire and many more things to say but we can only stop to the most known and most interesting. The sadest thing is that the most fascinating views cannot be described not even from the accurate brush of the painter.

I can no longer continue without mentioning few locations in discution and I must stop to Orsova the first town on the Danube path way. Just when you pass Orsova you get into the most amazing sculpture at "Cazane" a split in the mountain to let the Danube follow its course, the image of Traian carved into the mountain as a huge, eternal presence over the water the time and the history; a heritage from our ancestors. The next stop is to "Portile de Fier" - The Iron Gates from Drobeta Turnu-Severin an endless source of energy with geographical and economic importance and at the same time a touristic spot where you can go sightseeing. If you ever get the chance to visit Turnu-Severin don't miss the Hystory Museum, the Aquarium and "Portile de Fier" Museum. You also have to see the rest of an ancient bridge build across the Danube in 105 B.C. by the well known greek architect Apolodor from Damascus, the favourite of the Roman Emperor Trainus. The Danube path way continues along other more cities as Calafat, Turnu Magurele, Giurgiu and so on, anyway the cities it crosses doesn't raise to its wonderful opportunities it offers in your leisure time or the unrivalled scenary .

Piatra Scrisa

Imagine climbing the highest mountains, trying to conquer the most adventurous peaks or exploring the deepest caves secret hidden places underground like salt mines.Some of us are lucky enough to see these places as tourists but most of us can only dream or do the most in the most common locations.

More details here:http://www.caransebes.ro/piatrascrisa/index.htm

For example if you want to visit places at random , just get on the car and take a trip along the Danube. The view is unforgetable in spite of the long road although there are a lot of inns to get rest and have a traditional meal. You can also have a spiritual revelation because in your way there are plenty monasteries as Roumanians are a very religious people and one of the most interesting places for its history as well as for its spirituality is the"Piatra Scrisa" church hidden somewhere in the breach of the mountain. The legend says that while the local people were trying to built the rail way Caransebes-Orsova in that place the mountain split and in front of the workers appeared an icon of Virgin Mary which determined people to build a church in that very spot. The pictures on the wall are originally and people consider it as a saint place. If you have the chance don't miss the opportunity to light a candle and say a pray. I did.

Craiova

For starters I would present you my native town, Craiova. This city lies in the south of Roumania ,it is crossed by Jiu a river that flows from the Carpathians and Craiova is just one of the locations it pass.

Being the only town I have ever lived in for me is a common place to work , have fun, make new friends, travel but what makes it special are the numerous places you can walk in amongs which is the famous Romanescu Park well known as the third park in Europe. The park is enormous endowed with broad alleys, a lake filled with white and yellow water lilies in the summer, a bridge over the lake that offers a wonderful view for the lovers and that's why many fresh couples come here to take photos on their wedding day. There are many reasons for my preferences regarding this town but in the end it isn't too big or too small but the most important thing is that it is a cultural centre known for its famous actors on the stage of the National Theatre or for the students that highlighted the academic roots of The University of Craiova. I don't have to forget about the most advertised team of all the times "Universitatea" Craiova. A football team famous more for its past and its fans than for its performance.

In conclusion take your chance and come visit this town maybe you are interested in the most antique wall in the town known as the ancient relic from Michael the Brave, a former ruler of medieval Romania in The XVIIth Century.

An interesting live view from Craiova you may see following this link:
http://www.fantanamuzicala.ro/live.htm