I say Romania. You say Nadia Comaneci, Hagi or Ilie Nastase.
But Romania is so much than perfect ten gymnasts, football or tennis players.
Few people know that Angela Gheorghiu, the famous opera singer, Eugen Ionesco, one of the founders of a style of drama called the Theater of the Absurd, Henry Coanda, the aerodynamics pioneer, or Dr Popescu Iulian who discovered the limphocite T are also Romanian symbols.
Even fewer people know that King Charles owns at least ten properties in Transylvania where he spends time regularly.
Why?
Because Romania is an amazing country, with so much to see, so much to fall in love with. There are the Carpathian mountains, the Danube Delta, the Black Sea, the monasteries, the painted cemeteries, the caves, the mineral waters, the castles, the legends, there is Dracula and there is an amazing cuisine.
Drob
Kurtos
Cozonac
So, when writing a post about Romania, it’s easy for one to feel overwhelmed.
Where should I start? And where does it end?
Perhaps I should not write one single line. Perhaps one should simply go there. Let himself be surprised. Experience life in a traditional village, spend the Easter night in a centuries old monastery or witness a Christmas traditional mask dance.
I’ll share only a few highlights of my trip there:
Horezu Monastery, a beautiful sacred place built in 1690 and inscribed by UNESCO on its list of World Heritage Sites.
Pestera Muierilor and Pestera Polovragi, 4 million years old caves, full of secrets and wonders. In Pestera Muierilor, a 30000 years old woman’s skull was found, which made the researchers believe at that time that Romanians might be the first people in Europe.
There are more than 12,000 caves all over Romania, most of them being open to the public.
The drive from Rinca, Obirsia Lotrului, Dobra, Voineasa, the most scenic part of Transalpina. The highest point on the road is 2,145m above sea level. The road is very good, however due to very bad weather it is closed during the winter.
Voineasa, a resort between the mountains where you can find many bed and breakfast places and you can easily spend a couple of days if you just want to rest.
Cozia Monastery build in 1400. It is one of my favourite places and you can read more about the history of the place here.
Here I found out that Saint Livia actually exists in the Orthodox calendar and is on the 25th of June, the same day when I have visited the place. However, I assume that my middle name, Livia, is the only thing we share.🙂
Cozia Monastery, close to Caciulata and Calimanesti, both famous for their thermal waters good for stomach, nerves and all sorts of ailments.
Bucharest, Romania’s capital, a city packed with charming cafes, museums and wonderful architecture.
Coltea Hospital
Old City
Restaurant ” Lacrimi si Sfinti”
Piatra Neamt, a city in Moldavia, close to my heart.
If you are interested in going to Romania, you can read more on my adventures in this country in my book, When Dreams are Calling. The book has been featured in numerous travel magazines in Australia and around the world.
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