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september 2025

Romania

A journey with Explore Travel on their "Best of Romania and the Danube Deita" trip. Läs mer
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    🇷🇴 Bacău, Romania
    Andrew's TravelsRomaniaResenär
    Viseu de Sus; The Mocanita
    Vans and cars modified for use on the line are on displayOur steam-powered train uses timber for fuelView en routeOn the trainOur train from a windowOur drop-off point enables a view of the complete train as it moves awayMaramures Mountain hike; logs along the valleyWe had to remove our walking shows to cross the river!Animals seen along the forested pathView down from the steep ascentThis is what a bear did in the woods the day before!Our packed lunch stop at the top of the ascentView back to the Maramures MountainsAnother view from the meadow part of the hike back to the Maramures MountainsThe meadow areaView across to the Rodna Mountains; our hotel is at the base of the ski slope seen in the distanceView down to the town of MoiseiHouse with wood for the winterCrossing the riverEnd of Maramures Mountains hike; A church in MoiseiSki Chairlift; views down and up!Rodna Mountains hike; the ascentViews on the ridge walk when the clouds liftEnd of Rodna Mountains hike; View across to the Maramures Mountains

    Maramures 2; Mountain hikes

    14–15 sep., Rumänien ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    For the Maramures Mountains hike, we drive from the ski complex area to Viseu de Sus at the end of the Vaser Valley and the starting point for Europe's last operational steam-powered forest trains, the Mocanita. The line was built in 1933 to transport timber from the valley to the sawmills in the town. The trains still operate, but mainly for the benefit of travellers. We take the train through the beech and spruce forests as far as Novat to start our hike (only 6 from the group opt for this).

    We walk along a forested valley for an hour before starting a steep ascent along logging tracks - hard work. We eventually reach a ridge and stop for our packed lunch before descending via meadows to a turning off to walk down a steeper path down to the small town of Mosei. Here, our Explore tour guide, Horea, treats us to a beer while we wait for the tour bus to pick us up. It's been a 10-mile hike in the Maramures Mountains, with over 500 metres of ascent from our starting point at Novat (itself 650 metres above sea level).

    We enjoy an included meal of beef stew followed by pork with rice at the hotel after a much deserved shower. We have been lucky with the weather today.

    Our second hike on the following day is into the Rodna Mountains. We take the ski chairlift close to our hotel and then continue with the ascent to join a ridge followed by a long mild descent to meet the bus; it is a shorter walk at 3 miles, with 200m ascent and 1200m descent, and less clement weather than yesterday at the start (it did improve) - the walk was still enjoyable.

    It is then a short drive to enter the region of Moldavia.    Läs mer

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  • Andrew's TravelsRomaniaResenär
    Welcome to Maramures; wooden gate structures are traditional entry points to villages etc
    Coffee stop; inside were stained glass indications of the traditional lifestyle in MaramuresBogdan; Church of St NicholasViews inside the church (through the tiny window slots)Statue of Bogdan, the first ruler of MoldaviaAn example of the "Tree of the Housewife", an old tradition relating to the ladies of the houseBarsana Monastery; entranceThe ChurchInside the church1View of the Barsana Monastery siteA nunViews of the siteSapanta; Traditional washing machine by the river / weaving a blanketA traditional meal in a traditional house; chiftele (meatballs) with veg stew/ dobos cake and coffeeThe room for entertaining guests; traditionally called the "good room"2Two members of the Explore group in local marriage clothesSapanta; The Merry Cemetery - the ChurchInside the church; nave / ceilingA young married couple (look familiar?)The rear view of the churchThe Tomb of the Merry Cemetery founder, Ioan Stan PatrasThe front and rear of a tombGeneral view of the cemeteryTypical countryside view in east Maramures

    Maramures 1; Barsana and Sapanta

    13 september, Rumänien ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    As we drive through Northern Transylvania toward the Maramures Region, we see many orchards, mainly apples for eating and making apple brandy (they are not used for cider).

    The Maramures Region of Romania is in the northwest of the country and home to Europe's last remaining peasant culture; this includes wooden churches, traditional village lifestyles, and traditional clothing. The region is 70-80% forest and mainly hills; wood is the main resource here. We stop off at Bogdan en route to Barsana to see the wooden Church of St. Nicholas.

    Although there was a monastery on the hillside site in Barsana many centuries ago, it fell into disrepair, and the new monastery (actually a convent) was established in 1993; it is very beautiful.

    From Barsana, we travel west through Sighetu Marmatiei (which has a Jewish history) along the border with Ukraine, formed by the River Tisa, to Sapanta. Here, we enjoy a traditional meal at a house before going to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Merry Cemetery, which, unlike other cemeteries, seems to celebrate life; each gravestone features a humorous caricature and a short poem about the deceased. It was started by the folk artist Ioan Stan Patras in the 1930s, and the tombstones are hand-carved from oak and painted in the traditional colour of hope. It is a very colourful and interesting site.

    From here, we drive east along part of the route we travelled to get to Sapanta and on to Borsa in the eastern part of Maramures; this town is located at the foot of the Rodna Mountains and known for being a good ski resort in the winter season - we are staying outside the town, at the complex in the ski resort area.    Läs mer

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  • Andrew's TravelsRomaniaResenär
    Brasov; Catherine's Gate; once the main entrance to the walled city
    Schei GateView of the Old Town fortifications and the Black Church behind1Rope Street, 1.2 meters wideThe Black ChurchStatue of Johannes Honterus outside the Black ChurchInside the Black Church; nave / organThe Altar / The PulpitThe Nativity Mural; a fresco of the Virgin Mary, Baby Jesus, and two SaintsPersian rugs hang inside the churchMain Square; Council House, now a museumMain Square; view towards the Black Tower, a WatchtowerChurch of Holy TrinityStreet sceneSighisoara; The Tailor's Tower, on the Western flank of the Citadel and the main entranceView up to the Church on the HillThe Church on the HillGerman CemeteryLunch - langos, a doughnut base with pizza toppings / town centre street sceneThe Clock Tower, the symbol of the cityView from behindView back to the Tinsmith's TowerThe Roman Catholic Church, 19th centuryBootmaker's Tower, the northern flank of the CitadelFurrier's Tower / Butcher's Tower

    Transylvania 3; Brasov and Sighisoara

    12 september, Rumänien ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    We drive to Brasov; this town has a population of 250,000 and is Romania's second most visited place, after Bucharest. It owes its existence to Teutonic Knights, who established a town in 1211, and it grew into a German colony named Kronstadt; the Saxons added churches and a medieval town wall in the Middle Ages to make it a fortified city. The main attraction is the Black Church, named for its charred appearance following the Great Fire of 1689. We explore the town in the rain (see captions on photos for details) before leaving for Sighisoara.

    Sighisoara was established by the Saxons who built a magnificent fortess town that is now a UNESCO-protected Citadel. It was a booming commercial centre in the Middle Ages, supporting many guilds; these have towers around the city bastions that honour them. Sighisoara is also allegedly the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. We walk up to the towering medieval citadel and explore it (see captions on photos for details).

    We then drive to our next overnight accommodation in Bistrita in northern Transylvania.    Läs mer

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  • Andrew's TravelsRomaniaResenär
    Casa Zada Guest House
    View of MoieciuShepherd's hutView of Carpathian MountainsViewView of Carpathian MountainsCowsChickensHay stacked in a traditional local way around a frameCiorba (vegetable soup)Sarmala (stuffed cabbage leaves), mamaliga (polenta), varza myrata (sauerkraut)

    Transylvania 2; Moieciu

    11 september, Rumänien ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    We arrive at our group guest house in the town of Moieciu for the evening, and most of us set off on a local walk led by our Explore group leader, Horea. The walk is used by local shepherds to reach their animals higher up on the surrounding hills.

    It is a steep ascent through woods initially, but we eventually reach the top and enjoy good views. We descend by another less steep path and then have a short road walk to get back to the guest house. It has been an interesting 5 km walk, taking longer than expected for this distance.

    After a quick turnaround, it's dinner at 7:30 pm; a traditional meal with an apple palinka aperitif first, and then lots of local red wine to go with the delicious food (see photo captions).

    It has been a very full first day!    Läs mer

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  • Andrew's TravelsRomaniaResenär
    Dinner last night; Pastrama and mamaliga
    Peles CastleStatue of King Carol IStatue of his wife, Queen ElizabethPelisor PalacePelisor PalaceDining RoomTea RoomDoor with Lilac EmblemThe Gold RoomElizabeth RoomSteinway PianoBran CastleEntranceVlad the Impaler family lineHidden staircaseView in CastleThe origins of Count DraculaVlad the ImpalerNosferatuCount Dracula cloakMummyView in CastleThe Explore Group

    Transylvania 1; Peles and Bran Castles

    11 september, Rumänien ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    We left home early yesterday and spent most of the day travelling to Bucharest, the capital of Romania.

    Romania became an Eastern Bloc country after WWII but is now a member of the EC. It has a population of 19 million, of which 89% are Romanian, 5% Hungarian, 4% Roma and 1% Muslim; it is 86% Christian. The country comprises 1/3 mountains, 1/3 hillside, and 1/3 plains and grows a wide range of grain, fruit, and vegetables, as well as having vineyards and good wines (not well known outside of the country, though.

    After arriving at our hotel, it's a very quick turnaround to go out for dinner; I enjoy local beers with a traditional Romanian pastrama mutton dish, mamaliga (cornmeal polenta and sour cheese) and some veg (mainly gherkins) - nicer than it sounds!

    Early next morning, we leave northern Bucharest and drive across the flat countryside of the Wallachia Region towards the Gateway Town to Translvania; Sinaia. Sinaia is named after Mount Sinai and stated out as a monastery before developing into an expensive and desirable town. Here, we visit Peles and Pelisor Castles. Peles Castle was commissioned by Romania's first king, Carol I, in 1873. A little uphill from it is another Royal residence, Pelisor Palace, built from 1899 to 1902 for the heirs to the Romanian throne, Ferdinand and Marie. See captions on photos for details.

    We then cross the Carpathian Mountains further into the Transylvania Region to visit the town of Bran and Bran Castle; this was once home to Queen Marie of Romania, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria. There is no connection between the castle and Bram Stoker's novel, Dracula, but it is now a major tourist attraction regarding the vampire (see photos). It is a great place to visit.

    Afterwards, we travel to the town of Moieciu.    Läs mer

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    10 september 2025
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