VelvetTours

Painted Monasteries from Moldova

2010-07-05T10:28:00.001-07:00

Another trip, another great chance to take photos of places I find close to my heart. Last adventure into Moldova was together with David, a great photographer from Atlanta, Georgia. No painted monastery was too far, not even one moment was lost. Photos bellow are only a small tribute to Moldova, the hidden treasure.

My lovely country

2010-03-14T04:38:00.000-07:00

Last week we took a trip into the country.

This is something we are doing each and every spring. It is the best way to find out the condition of the roads, if the crops will be good or if Ileana’s dog has had puppies.

On the first evening, as we were approaching Iasi, we were coming short on gas, but the petrol station we stopped at, could not provide any…since 1997.

In Iasi we have visited the Jewish cemetery. The oldest synagogue in Romania built in the 17^th century is also to be seen here yet it is nowadays under a well deserved restoration process.

The Jewish population in Romania decreased continuously after the atrocities in the WWII.

Sorin was the designated driver and whenever he started looking like this, we knew is time for lunch.

Our next stop was Voronet Monastery. The frescoes here are painted using a color blue which could never be reproduced. Built in the 15^th century, Voronet Monastery is a milestone of the Romanian Orthodox religion.

In Bukovina we have learned that our country has the second largest population of brown bears in Europe (about seven thousand). The brown bear can get up to 780kg (1700lb) and it can make quite a mess when bothered. The one we’ve met looked pretty angry.

In the evening we were invited by Aunt Ileana for dinner. She has also prepared the guest room for us to stay overnight.

Maramures was covered in snow and the air was so fresh…

In the morning we headed towards the “Merry Cemetery”.

This name is due to the vivid colours of the crosses and the amusing poems carved on them. It is said that this joyful attitude towards death is a legacy of the Dacians who believed in the immortality of the soul and that death was only a passage to a better life.

The whole afternoon we have spent visiting The Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance in Sighet.

It was very difficult to imagine how could one live in such conditions,once imprisoned in here.

In here we have learned how in communism the reality was distorted.

People were prisoners in their own lives.

Justice was blind.

Few products were available and those were of a poor quality.

Thousands of people suffered during the communist regime, ruled by Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu.

It is our duty to remember those that lost their lives fighting for freedom.

„All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.”- George Orwell – Animal Farm.

Later that day we have crossed the mountains, and found more crosses. We’ve crossed ourselves and continued home.

Once again we found Romania inviting,impressive, interesting.

Snow in Bucharest

2010-02-09T05:28:00.001-08:00

Last year, around Halloween we have decided to spend New Year’s Eve up in Apuseni Mountains. We bought snow disks, warm clothes and we were ready to “rumble”.
Well, one day before we left home we learned that there is no snow at all in the mountains. Moreover it started raining, so our plans turned upside down. We’ve stayed home playing "The Settlers of Catan", drinking wine and praying for snow. I told my wife that I wish we would get that much snow, that I would not see my car from it.
It seems that God found my wish in one of His Almighty pockets and rushed to make it true. Saturday He turned the snow on. His plan was to stop it after one day, but I believe He was watching the New Orleans Saints Vs Indianapolis Colts football game and forgot about the snow.
And it snowed, and snowed, and snowed, until yesterday. Kindergartens and primary schools were closed for 2 days. Most shops were emptied by those who until then believed in global warming. Streets were under heavy snow. The Mayor almost had a heart attack figuring out what to do with all this snow.
Last night I was telling my wife that I feel guilty. I should have asked God for a new bicycle or something…
As I gave some thoughts -before going to sleep- about what happened, I had a dream. In this dream I met God. I couldn’t see how He looks because when I go to sleep I take my glasses off. He told I should not worry. This heavy snow makes people nicer. You see – He said- every time one gets his car stuck in the snow, another one come to help by pushing. As soon as they succeed, they smile to one other with gratitude. Also, since the public transportation vehicles are very crowded, people have no choice but to hug each other.
It all made sense to me.
Then God sneezed and I didn’t know what to say…
Oh, and He also mentioned something about me eating healthy food. I‘m guessing that was in my wife’s prayers last night.
I woke up having all the answers and feeling a lot better about the whole thing. I had a strong coffee and head to the park to take some photos of the snow that gets people work together.

To all of you out there: clean your snow and be nice. Otherwise, I'll ask Him for more.

Have a great day!

Me and Vlad (the Impaler)

2010-02-02T11:02:00.000-08:00

Good day to all you readers … it is I Sorin, let me tell you about a magical place, full of history and beauty, one that is especially dear to me.

Sighisoara, a medieval citadel built in the 12th century at the base of the Carpathian Mountains in the Land of Transylvania. It seems like it has just stepped out of a Dracula story … doesn’t it? Well to be honest it’s not that far away… Vlad the Impaler, the historical character that inspired Dracula was actually born here in one of the houses inside the citadel. But that’s not all you can see in Sighisoara, most of the buildings are historical monuments and the Citadel itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

But enough history, the real reason for which I told you about Sighisoara is because whenever I visit this place there is one thing that I swore I must do every time… In the small square next to the City Hall there is a bust of Vlad the Impaler and every time I visit him I pull on his mustaches to convince myself that he is not faking. You see through the years me and Vlad developed quite a fondness for each other. This ritual of ours is been going on for a couple of years now and it will only stop when Vlad will step down from his stone foundation and shout he`s had enough of my bullying. I would have to stop then because I feel that our friendship is much more important.

Fun in the snow

2010-01-24T06:36:00.001-08:00

On this fine day of winter, with temperatures well below 0° (-13° Celsius) we have decided to take advantage of these optimal winter conditions.
So, we have armed ourselves with snow disks, went to the park and picked a slope.

We were having so much fun that soon enough the slope became the most popular one. Of course, four crazy adults sliding down on red plastic snow disks, making more noise than the kids, is not a show one can see every day.

Anyway since the weather is suppose to stay as cold as today, we are planning to do it again and with the experience of this fine day in our portfolio, our next “Snow fun” Day will definitely be something special.

www. velvettours.com

The magic of the Danube Delta

2010-01-21T01:42:00.000-08:00

The Danube Delta is one of the biggest treasures of Romania. Located in the South-Eastern part of the country it is the second largest Delta in Europe and the best preserved ecosystem of this sort.

The wildlife is also impressive ... over 300 species of birds can be found here, the migrating birds are one of the symbols of the Danube Delta. Amongst these 300 species we find Spoonbills, Glossy Ibises, White Pelicans, White-Tailed Eagles, Cormorants and Egrets.

Also there are at least 90 species of fish including pike, carp, bream and sturgeon, famous for its black caviar.

All these and more are waiting to be discovered by you in the heart of this amazing natural sanctuary.

www.velvettours.com

International sunglasses

2010-01-19T07:29:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, I was leading a tour through Eastern Europe.
I had about 40 travelers on my bus and we were in Bulgaria. Our trip was going form Ruse to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi, two lovely places filled with history.
When traveling with such a large group, finding toilets for all becomes an issue. We found a good place, at a hotel in Veliko Tarnovo and we have decided to stop there. Good, you’d say…but please bare with me for a while.
You see, whenever you have many ladies in the group, they have to line up at the toilet. This is the moment when I usually step in and solve the problem by guarding the door at the man’s room and let the ladies use that as well.
Good, everything fine so far, except the fact that I had to explain to some local gentleman (in language sign, since I do not speak Bulgarian) that the toilet is unavailable for the moment.
Skipping forward … all the travelers are all onboard, when a lady approaches me with the request to retrieve her sunglasses she forgot in the men’s room. “That’s easy!” I said to myself as I was on my way to the toilet. At the toilet’s entrance, there is a Chinese man standing, blocking my way in. He explains that his wife is inside.
Now, remember, me, the Romanian, in Bulgaria, looking for an American lady’s sunglasses and there is a Chinese man blocking my way.
“Could you please ask her if she can see some sunglasses?” I asked him. “She saw a boy taking the sunglasses” he replied; “that boy over there” he continued pointing a kid in the lobby of the hotel.
So, I went to this boy trying to get back the glasses. The boy is Russian. I am about to faint. Instantly I have decided to ask my Bulgarian colleague for help. The Bulgarian and the Russian languages are somewhat similar.
So now, my Bulgarian colleague went and told the Russian kid that the Chinese man at the toilet saw him taking the American lady’s glasses and the Romanian guy is here to get them.
I cannot explain the face on that poor kid…he immediately gave back the glasses like being afraid not to start an international conflict.
Once back on board, I had to tell the story first.
This is when we decided that those were international sunglasses.

Peles Castle again! :))

2010-01-13T01:39:00.000-08:00

I guess I should start by introducing myself: I am Sorin and my business is "smooth traveling".

Seeing that all the formalities are taking care of we can go ahead and start the story.

Once upon a time ... actually, come to think of it ... last week, I visited Peles Castle (the summer residence of the Royal Family of Romania) for the 100th time. Yes, I had the same reaction when I realized it; the good thing about it is I still enjoy going there.

Why, you ask?

Well for one because I love traveling and nature, and Peles Castle has both, it is 75 miles out of Bucharest, in the small beautiful town of Sinaia, a very popular ski resort.
The castle is neatly tucked away on the side of the mountain between the tall pine trees overlooking the Prahova Valley.

Another thing I love is history and "the summer residence of the Royal Family" has plenty of it, built in late 19th century it stood witness to quite a few events in its life time.

Also a good thing about Peles Castle is the fact that it is really beautiful, and this makes my job easier, the tourists are naturally in loved with it, the architecture is Neo - Renaissance and the interiors are exquisite.

Oh and don`t get me started on the food, I know this restaurant that serves the best sarmale I had in a long time.

I am looking forward to our 200th anniversary ... I have a special surprise planed for that occasion.

Velvet Tours's blog Grand Opening

2010-01-06T23:12:00.000-08:00

We have decided to create this blog in order to give you the chance to know more about us and help you plan your trips to Eastern Europe.

The purpose of this is to gather as much information, ideas and tips as possible, to make YOUR traveling more comfortable and turn Romania into your favorite destination.
Our posts will include news about Romania, stories about Transylvania and updates from our friends from allover the world.

We will debate upon "spicy topics" such as: "Dracula- Myth vs. history", "Transylvania-the fairytale land between Romania and Hungary" or "Red Bucharest- my life in Communism".

Join us on this trip from legends to facts! Comment our posts and add your suggestions, all for the same purpose: smooth traveling!

www.velvettours.com