Cazare in Brasov » Romania

Castelul Peleş – Sinaia

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:28:44 +0000

Castelul Peleş, reşedinţa de vară a primului cuplu regal al României, regele Carol I ( 1866-1914) şi regina Elisabeta, a fost construit între 1873 și 1914, la dorința suveranului, după planurile arhitecților Johannes Schultz şi Karel Liman. Edificiul a fost decorat de celebrii creatori, J. D. Heymann din Hamburg, August Bembé din Mainz și Bernhard Ludwig din Viena.

Castelul Peleș este considerat cel mai important ansamblu arhitectonic de tip istorist din România, având caracter de unicat și prin valoarea sa istorică şi artistică, rămâne unul dintre cele mai importante şi frumoase monumente din Europa.

Program de vizitare

Program de vara
(15 Mai 2012 – 17 Sep 2012)
Marti: 11:00 – 17:00
Miercuri – Duminica: 9:00 – 17:00
Luni: Inchis
Program de iarna
(15 Septembrie 2011 – 14 Mai 2012
Miercuri: 11:00 – 17:00
Joi – Duminica: 9:00 – 17:00
Luni & Marti: Inchis

Roll on Romania: Tripping in Transylvania

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:26:37 +0000

Transylvania, a region situated in central and western Romania is most famous for its mysterious and spooky fictional resident: Dracula.

Though Dracula is a work of fiction, written by the Irishman Bram Stoker, its lead character was based in part on a real life figure: the Transylvanian-born Vlad III Dracula of Wallachia. Vlad ruled parts of Romania during the 1400s and remains a heroic historical character for Romanians due to his defence of the common people against foreign aggressors.

However, amongst the English speaking nations of the world, Vlad is most famed for his exceedingly cruel methods of punishment that he administered during his reign. Often referred to as ‘Vlad The Impaler’, as the name suggests, his preferred method of execution was impalement; victims would be forced on to oiled spikes or have stakes driven into them slowly, to cause an excruciating, prolonged death which could take several days.

Dracula has caused much interest in Romania and in Transylvania in particular, and it is possible to take part in a Dracula tour; but there is much more to this region than vampires. Transylvania is also now attracting tourists who are interested in visiting remote Transylvanian villages in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. The area is characterised by medieval villages that have remained the same for hundreds of years, and have avoided the blight of new development seen in other parts of Eastern Europe.

Winters are long in Transylvania, lasting from October till the beginning of April, and are known for being the most beautiful season to visit the region. Sports-minded visitors can ski at the Poiana Brasov resort, situated at 1900m, with 13 trails ranging in difficulty and served by 3 cable cars and 8 drag lifts. It also has an ice rink for slightly more sedate winter pursuits.

Animal lovers can indulge in tracking activities where a local wildlife guide will take you out and teach you how to identify various animal species from their tracks in the snow. The is also the option to go for a horse drawn sleigh ride, or if you’d prefer to do the walking, then there are plenty of snow shoeing trails that will allow you to the explore the enchanted forests of the area.

The entire Transylvania region is very picturesque, and often likened to a land of fairly tales, on account of the many turreted castles, and châteaus that dot the landscape. Plus of course the area will also satisfy history and culture enthusiasts, especially those interested in the medieval period. Accommodation varies from rustic holiday rentals to small hotels and guest houses and tends to be inexpensive.

Horror, Gothic and Vampire fans are likely to continue to be drawn to Transylvania as the blood thirst for Dracula shows little sign of slowing. However, the beautiful, largely untouched nature of the region is also attracting a growing legion of visitors, so if you want to see Vlad’s birth land before the crowds arrive, now is the time to take a trip to Transylvania.

Make Romania The Destination Of Your Summer Vacation

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:26:30 +0000

Planning a vacation? Well Romania is ìtheî place to beÖit is the most diverse country in terms of climate, terrain, flora and fauna; snow capped mountains and a sultry coastline- you can ski on snow or on water! It is located in southeastern Europe. Romania is surrounded by Ukraine to the north, Hungary to its north west, Moldova to the north east and Bulgaria in the south. The famous river Danube flows through Romania from the northwest to the east into the equally famous black sea after forming a picturesque delta- the famous Danube delta! Romanians are known to be very friendly and hospitable people. The national language is Romanian and others include Hungarian and German. Most Romanians can also communicate fluently in English. How to get to Romania?If you are in Europe you can get to Romania by train, road or a sea cruise! If you are in another part of the world then the most convenient airline is the AUSTRIAN. For the flight details, you can either visit an international travel agent in your area or book your tickets online the latter is preferable if you want to move about and discover the place on your own and of course if you have done it on previous vacations to other places. You can opt for a tour package if you are not too sure of going on your own.Places to stay once you are there: Why not try the 4 Star Hotel Europa in Eforie Nord. Situated in a dramatic setting overlooking the bay in the scenic Efories Nord. Or perhaps spend your holiday at the 3 Star Vox Maris Club Resort Hotel an ideal short haul summer destination. In Costinesti the Vox Maris is a self-contained club resort and is a perfect location to enjoy the Black Sea. Or finally why not stay at the excellent value Raluca Hotel in the beautiful Black sea beach resort of Venus. Places to VisitLooking for leisure?The beaches along the black sea coast of Romania are your best bet. Romania has a 225 miles stretch of the most beautiful pristine white sandy beaches dotted with hotels and natural spas. The lakes and rivers of the Danube delta are another place for leisure and for the romantic at heart!For the history enthusiastThere are a number of ancient castles and fortresses and still intact medieval towns for the history buff to visit. The most famous castles are Peles castle, Bran castle, Corvinesti castle and the Royal Palace Bucharest. Among the best preserved medieval towns are Brasov, Sibiu and Sighisoara. One of Sighisoaraís most famous attractions is the Clock Tower also known as Council Tower built in the 14th Century; another famous attraction is Vlad the Impaler or Dracula House. The painted monasteries are another very interesting must see place in Romania!Looking for Natural Therapeutic Remedies?Spas are said to have been started by the Romans and Romania is home to a third of Europeís mineral and thermal springs. Romania’s main spas are located at Mangalia, Neptun, Eforie Nord, Covasna, Slanic Moldova, Vatra Dornei, Borsec, Sovata, Tusnad, Calimanesti, Govora, Herculane, Buzias and Baile Felix. Activities: Given Romaniaís diverse terrain, climate, flora, and fauna you can choose from a number of activities such as Bird watching, camping, cycling tours, fishing, golf, hiking, horseback riding, rafting, skiing.

Romania – A Short Guide For Holidaymakers

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:26:23 +0000

Projects Abroad Volunteers in Romania Take Orphans on Trip to Dracula?s Birth Place

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:26:17 +0000

Romania Country Director – Gabriela Badea-Gheracostea tells us about some extra activities that our Care & Community volunteers have recently been involved in.

‘Sighisoara is a picturesque town in central Romania, best known for its beautiful churches and being the birth place of Dracula. Early on a Saturday morning, courtesy of McLain Finlan Advertising who funded the trip, six Teaching & Projects Abroad volunteers and twelve children from a Brasov orphanage began a day trip to Sighisoara.

Sighisoara is about 2½ hours away by train. During the journey we played games and got to know the children better. When we arrived in Sighisoara, it became apparent why this location was so highly regarded. There were many traditional Romanian homes situated on the small hills with extravagantly decorated churches dotted around. We first went to see the museums and the churches. After the cultural visits we had lunch in a restaurant in town and in the afternoon we went to the park and played games like football and volleyball. In the late afternoon we went back to the train station and caught our train back to Brasov. We arrived back in the evening tired but a good time was had by all.

On this first trip the children were a bit shy and reluctant to put their names forward for the excursion. After the stories of the children who did come with us, for the next trip to Rasnov, there were many more children wanting to join us!

Two weeks later, we took our next trip with the children. The original plan was to stay in a cabin overnight but due to the cold weather we decided that that this was not sensible and took a day trip instead. When we arrived in Rasnov we went on a 45 minute hike to the top of the mountain where the town fortress is situated. The fortress dates back to the fourteenth century when it was built to protect the town’s people from invasion. We took some pictures and then proceeded down the mountain to begin the barbeque we had planned. We had our barbeque at the local tennis club. The barbeque took a while to prepare, so in the meantime we played some games and had a sing-song, with a guitar that a volunteer had brought along. After this we sat down and enjoyed the food prepared by the sports instructor and a couple of the children before catching the bus back to Brasov.

We now have a few more trips planned for the future, and I hope that they will be as fulfilling and enjoyable as our days in Sighisoara and Rasnov.’Find Out About Our Care Placements in Romaniawww.projects-abroad.co.uk

Discover The Surprising And Medieval in a Romania Tour

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:24:51 +0000

Most of the Romania tours that you can take will include a tour of Bucharest, a very interesting city. You can also take guided tours outside the city, and see some of the most amazing castles, monasteries and cemeteries that date back to the Middle Ages. One of the royal palaces is the Peles Palace that is in Sinaia-Azuga Brasov and has ornaments outside and inside as well as painting and wood sculptures that are representative of the scenes of some of Wagner’s works. This is set in one of Romania’s most beautiful mountain resorts. The tour continues on to the village of Bran. Here is the famous Bran Castle for you to explore.

Romania holds such wonderful treasures from the past. There are so many things to visit and explore. In Bucharest alone, you can see the House of the Free Press, the Village Museum, the Herastrau Park and the entrance point to the center of the city, Victoria Place. On the way to Sibiu, you can stop and visit the Orthodox Monastery of Cozia. This beautiful church is on the gorgeous valley of the River Olt. Price Mircea, who was the grandfather of Dracula, Vlad the Impaller, built it. It was erected between the years 1387 and 1391.

On the arrival in Sibiu, which is considered a jewel of the Romanian Medieval times, you can tour some of the wonderful sites of Medieval Sibiu. You will be put up in a hotel in Sibiu or one of the quaint rural guesthouses. Just visiting the Liars’ Bridge, The Tower of the Council, The Protestant Church that dates back to 1321 or the Bruckental Museum you will feel the magic of the Medieval ages that are all around you. It will take you back to the times where the world was just beginning to expand and so many great things were being discovered.

Again you will move on with this Romania tour and come to the Valea Viilor, which is most impressive, to where the ruins of the Fortress of Slimnic and the Fortress in Seica Mica are. In Medias, there is the Gothic Church that has a magnificent alter from the late XV century and unique wall paintings that date to the early XV century. This is also the area where you find the Saxon fortresses, the most beautiful and valuable of the Medieval monuments, which are on the UNESCO heritage list. Some of these fortresses include Boian, Mosna, Richis and more but some of them were never preserved properly.

In the town of Sighisoara you might get some free time to explore and discover the untouched splendor of this citadel. It almost seems that time was stopped in this quaint town and you can again feel the Medieval atmosphere around you.

Another jewel of Transilvania is the town of Brasov. This town has the Old Square in the middle of town and within this square is the famous Black Church that takes up most of the area. All around this town you have the gorgeous landscape of the mountains that surround you.

So, don’t just tour Bucharest – see the whole country. You will never forget the wonders of touring Romania after you have visited it and you may want to visit this wonderful country again sometime to explore some of the places that you were unable to the first time there.

A Visit to Romania

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:24:48 +0000

1.) Bucharest City In Bucharest, you can visit Romania’s famous museums like the Village Museum and the Museum of the Romanian Peasant as well as Curtea Veche Museum. A lovely walk along the Old City is also a must for any visitor. Likewise, visiting the many churches here as well as monasteries should also be included. 2.) Brasov City in Transylvania This city has a lot of beautiful places and buildings to see, among them is the Old Town where you will find the Black Church as well as the Piata Sfatilui or Council Square. There are also museums here as well as the infamous Bran Castle, known to be Dracula’s Castle. There are great places to ski here in Brasov also. 3.) Sibiu City of Transylvania There is an old town here that you can visit if you want a taste of history as well as culture. Likewise, there is also the Citadel of Sibiu and the Huet Square for you to see. You can also see many fortified churches during the Medieval Period that are still standing. 4.) Sighisoara City For a culture-high, this city is a must-visit as well. Here, you will surely enjoy the sights of the Sighisoara Citadel. You can also visit its Weapon Museum, which houses a lot of medieval weaponry. 5.) Cluj-Napoca City So far, this is the most popular city in Romania and is the capital of Transylvania. As such, there are a lot of places to see here like the many museums such as the National Art Museum ad the National Museum of the History of Transylvania. Or you can always visit its parks like the Botanical Garden as well as Central Park. 6.) Constanta City This city is home to many museums such as the National Museum of History and Archeology, which houses artifacts dating from the Greek and Roman eras. You can also find here the Statue of Ovid. If you want more of nature, then this is a great place to sunbath in its beaches or walk in its parks. 7.) Lasi City The Place of Culture can be found in Lasi City, which is also another tourist destination if you want to know more about the culture and history of Romania. There are also several churches like the Trei Lerarhi Church as well as the Metropolitan Church. You can also take a relaxing stroll or a nice rest in the city’s Botanical Garden. 8.) Suceava City The main tourist destination here is the Suceava Fortress. This ancient fortress was erected during the 14th and 15th century and was made more impressive by Stephen the Great. As such, this was never overpowered by attackers. 9.) Timisoara City This is a wonderful city to visit as it has the Opera Square or the Piata where you will also get to enjoy the wonderful sight of the Roman Orthodox Cathedral as well as get to see majestic palaces of the rich Romanians. In this city, you will surely love a walk in its parks. You can also visit the Union Square or the Piata Unirii where you will get to see historical buildings like the Catholic Dome and the Baroque Palace, etc. 10.) Gura Humorului This is not in par with the other cities but still a good place to visit nonetheless. Along the way to Gura Humorului, do not forget to drop by Bucovina to see the Painted Monasteries. You can also go to Voronet where you and your loved one will surely enjoy a leisurely walk where the landscape is a great sight to behold.

Travel Tips To European Countries: Romania

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:24:45 +0000

Lying in the Southeastern Europe Romania is slowly emerging from the shackles of its dark history. Modern Romania was formed by merging two Principalities i.e. Moldavia and Wallachia in 1859 which were ruled by Ottoman Empire for centuries before. Romania is bordered by Moldova, Ukraine, the Black Sea, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro and Hungary. Bucharest is the capital of Romania. Transylvania and Moldavia constitute the northern half of the country. Romania’s main attractions include Black Sea Coast, the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvania. The Black Sea Coast is popular for its white sandy beaches and offers a perfect experience for families. The Carpathian Mountains are beautiful and covered by dense forests which offer skiing opportunities. There are many health resorts also in Romania. Transylvania is popular for Romanian Spas which have been known for its many healing powers. Local food specialty includes cuisines like ciorba de perisoare (soup with meatballs), ciorba tanancasca (meat with vegetables), lamb bors, giblet soup and a variety of fish soups.Population & LanguagesThe population of Romania is around 22.5 million and the official language being spoken is Romanian. The other popular languages are Hungarian and German.ElectricityThe voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plug used are round pin with attachment and “Schuko” plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.Geographic LocationIt is located in Southeastern Europe bordering the Black Sea between Bulgaria and Ukraine. It is bordered by Hungary and Serbia to the west, Ukraine and Moldova to the northeast and Bulgaria to the south. Carpathian Mountains pass through the center of Romania.ClimateThe climate of Romania can be termed as Temperate and it has four seasons. While spring and autumn are cool and pleasant. Summers are very short and hot occurring in July and August. The winters can be harsh and cold with snowfall between December and March. The best months to visit Romania are May and June and September and October.Local CustomsHandshaking is the common custom. It is also customary to kiss when being introduced to a woman. Mostly all normal European customs apply to Romania also. Dressing is conservative and casual. Smoking is prohibited on public transportation vehicles and theaters. Romanians like smoking themselves and thus like if you gift them cigarettes. Tipping is 5 to 10 percent in restaurant, hotels and taxis.AttractionsBucharest: Once used to be known as Paris of the East the city of Bucharest is a city of lights bustling with cafes, night clubs and restaurants. It also has Romanian Opera House and a huge National Museum. The historic sites include the Palace of Parliament, Old Court Church and Athenee Palace Hotel.Brasov: Not to be missed places are Castles in Transylvania which include Bran Castle, Rasnov Castle and also do miss to see Sighisoara about 90 miles from Brasov, the birth place of Vlad tepes.Romanian Riviera: This is along the coast of Black Sea which is huge tourist attraction. It is also home to several resorts and Romanian spas famous for their healing powers. TravelBy Air – The national airline of Romania is Tarom. Many popular airlines that fly to Bucharest include Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa and Swiss. The biggest airport is Bucharest Otopeni Airport which is located like 10 miles north of the city.By Sea – Constanta is the major port on the Black Sea. Currently no ferries are being operated. But there are many cruises available which stop at various points of tourist interest like Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Bazias, Giurgiu, Calafat and Bucharest. By Rail – There is an international service to Bucharest from Western Europe which runs only in summer months i.e. from June to September, the name of the train service is Wiener Waltzer.Duty Free Items1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 200 gm tobacco2. 200g cocoa and 200g coffee3. Perfumes, medicines and souvenirs4. Two cameras, One small movie camera, Twenty Four cassettes, One portable radio, One TV set, One tape recorder, One pair of binoculars and One typewriter.5. Gifts up to €175Prohibited ItemsUn-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Brasov The Most Visited Places in Romania

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:24:43 +0000

Fringed by the peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains and resplendent with gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture, as well as a wealth of historical attractions. Brasov is one of the most visited places in Romania.
Founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211on an ancient Dacian site and settled by the Saxons as one of the seven walled citadels. Brasov exudes a distinct medieval ambiance and has been used as backdrop in many recent period films.
The location of the city at the intersection of trade routes linking the Ottoman Empire and western Europe, together with certain tax exemptions, allowed Saxon merchants to obtain considerable wealth and exert a strong political influence in the region. This was reflected in the cities German name, Kronstadt, as well as in its Latin name, Corona, meaning Crown City.
Fortifications were erected around the city and continually expanded, with several towers maintained by different craft guilds, according to medieval custom.
Stroll around the old Town Hall Square where you can admire colourfully painted and ornately trimmed baroque structures. Take a peek inside the Black Church, the largest gothic church in Romania. Its name derives from damage caused by the Great Fire of 1689, when flames and smoke blackened its walls. The interior is impressive and well kept and houses one of the largest organs in Eastern Europe.
Nearby are towering mountains, rolling fields, thick forests and villages with fortified churches.
Brasov is home to what is said to be the narrowest street in Europe. The Rope Street is approximately four feet wide and links Cerbului Street with Poarta Schei Street. The street was initially used as an access route by fire fighters.
The Saxons built massive stone walls and seven bastions around the city that are still visible today, as well as ornate churches, elaborately trimmed buildings and one of the finest central squares in the country, said to be the spot to which the legendary Pied Piper led the children of Hamlin. Located at the heart of old medieval Brasov and lined with beautiful red roofed merchant houses, the Council Square, known to the Saxon population as the Marktplatz, is a nice place to rest and soak in the beautiful scenery.
In the centre of the square stands the Old Town Hall, now home to Brasovs History Museum, while the southeast corner is dominated by the towns most famous landmark, the Black Church. Around the square, youll find the renaissance style Merchants House, now the Cerbul Carpatin restaurant, the beautiful archway of the Orthodox Cathedral and the memorial museum of the Mureseanu family. In late summer, the Golden Stag music festival takes place here.

Seven Reasons to Invest in Romania Real Estate Properties

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:24:40 +0000

Romania – famous for its beautiful palaces and castles, wonderful liquors and food, Dracula, dazzling women is a beautiful country located in central-eastern Europe. It is the 12th largest country in the Europe. The economy of Romania has shown potential growth in the past few years. Since 2000, Romania has shown a rhythmic growth of 4.5% raised by 8.3% in 2004.The current economy statement in Romania is steadily increasing the levels of GDP and significantly high levels of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The economy investment grade has recently been upgraded by Fitch and P&S. Romania benefits from the rising FDI flows due to the privatization process, and the advantages of its big internal marketRomania is also having a great geographical location at the intersection of some great trade routes joining the Far East with the Western Europe. With population of more than 20 million people, Romania has a large domestic market. After having such great property investment opportunities, Romania is continuously attracting more and more foreign investors to invest in Romania. Stable and encouraging government of Romania is the other reason which is creating great investment opportunities in Romania. The Real estate market in Romania is growing at a rocket speed. Following are some best reasons for investing in Romania.Reasons to Invest in Romanian Real Estate Property:1. With strategic and visionary efforts by Romanian government, the economy is becoming stronger and stronger over the years. Romania is one of the fastest growing economies in Europe. 2. Falling inflation and increasing employment are two other boosters of rapidly growing economy. Inflation has dropped to 7.5% low in 2005 from 22% high in 2002. Unemployment rate also fell to 6.2% in 2006 with less than 3% in capital Bucharest which is far lower than the many other developed European economies. With under control inflation and falling unemployment rate Romania is confidently creating the strong property buying opportunities over the country.3. Foreign investment in Romania is increasing drastically. From 2001 to 2005, foreign direct investment in Romania has reached over 5000 million euros and more 8000 million euros added in 2006. With 55% of FDI in capital city Bucharest, major companies from all over the world are coming to invest in Romania.4. Along with capital city of Bucharest, other cities in Romania like Brasov, Transylvania, Craiova, Constanta and Iasi are also attracting investors. Transylvania is the Romania’s biggest tourist asset and the expected to attract more investment with immense number of investment opportunities. One more golden opportunity where investors want to invest is in Brasov, the most visited city of Romania. Having facility of international airport, Brasov is also linked with new motorway for fast transportation. 5. Report given by investment experts says that house prices in Romania are expected to increase by 4 times higher over the next 10 years. In past few years, property prices are already raised by 25%. Even such a great rise, property price in Romania are still 20-30% lower than the other eastern European countries.6. After accession to the EU in 2007, the real estate market in Romania has been influenced dramatically. EU funding to Romania has been invested into the infrastructure development in road, hospitals, schools, bridges etc. EU funds will help to create more jobs and therefore potential customers seeking to buy/rent properties. 7. Low tax rates are the other main reason to invest in Romania. Romanian government has set up a flat rate of only 16% for corporation and income tax. Such low and fixed rate of tax is powering Romania to draw more foreign investors seeking for new business places.Some other secondary factors are also responsible for great investment opportunities in Romania. Romania has great network of international airports with two in capital Bucharest. Developed and fully facilitate ports in Romania is also boosting its economy drastically. Romania has huge network of telecommunication systems equipped with modern telecommunication equipments. Also there are nearly 48 industrial parks. As far as it looks, the boom is yet to come! Buying property in Romania will be great ROI in near future. So what are you waiting for? Invest now in Romania for your better future.