Friday, December 16, 2016

Round trip in Romania and Moldova Aug.30. -Sept.9. 2016

A group of 20 Finnish traveller flew via Istanbul to Bucharest to stay for two first nights at The Sheraton Hotel. On the second day we visited the huge Parliament House and the home museum of the former president Ceausescu. Even Buchrest is called the Paris of Balkan with it's parks and boulevards, I did not find the city as that interesting. On third day we continued by bus 200 kilometers to Brasov known also with the German name Kronstadt. This medieval city of 275.000 inhabitants charmed me totally. But before arriving to this partly or mostly German speaking city we overnighted 2 nights in beautiful surroundings of magnificent Carpathian mountains,in 4star Teleferic Grand Hotel. During the day we did stop at Peles Castle (one of the most beautiful ones in the world), in Sinaia a romantic resort. The castle belongs to King Michael of Romania, and it's treasures are fantastic. We then visited in Azuga the famous winery Rhein&Cie with different wine tastings. It still supplies the king. Transilvania, where Brasov lies, became a new home of North German Saxons in 13 century, and you can see the German influence in buildings and architecture. I just wondered, why this beautiful country and this city is not better known by tourists. Nearby lies also The Castle of Bran, "Draculas" home. We then visited Sighisoara town, where Vlad III (Dracula) was born and still suppose to be around. On the 7th day we did round driving in Bukovina country side studying some medieval monasteries which are on Unesco list. Next day we visit Iasi town before continuing to Moldova. The border between Romania and Moldova is River Prut. In Moldova we will see an antic site Orheiul Vechi, partly over 2000 years old and Cricova's Winery with cellars over 165 km. It's told that cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin lost his way in these tunnels for two days. At liest he had something to drink. We were offered a nice tasting with good food and entertainment. Next day we walked round the capital of Moldova Chisinau, but my main target was the terrace bar of our 5star hotel Radisson Blu. This hotel was elected by customers as the best Radisson Blu in Europe.And I was taken very good care by the pretty waitresses of the terrace bar. My favorit experience of this trip. Next day we still visited the last communist country in Europe, Transnistria, with 15000 Russian peacekeepers. Huge statue of Lenin to see with some government buildings and a Sheriff-department store. Then back to Moldova and next day via Istanbul to Helsinki.