Romania - Europe's Best Kept Secret

Romania – Gem of the East

How refreshing it is to visit a country on the move! Yea, its Europe but an up and coming star in the east. Romania is a country that despite its communist past and other labels, is showing signs of emerging as a new economic and cultural center for Europe.

When a recent comment was made by an unimpressive politician he unwittingly characterized what Romania is in the East of Europe – the New Europe. Having completed a short but intense visit of Romania and its absolutely gorgeous Carpathian mountain country, I am thrilled to come home and get more people going on our tours. While its true that across Romania you will still see a lot of the remnants of communism in the form of block housing and ugly industrial architecture, it is at the same time possible to see how these housing blocks are being renovated, painted, and it would be hard to miss all the new construction! Among the many hotels I have visited in the last few days, all have undergone renovation in the last 2-3 years or less. Bucharest 3 star hotels are on par with the best Paris 3 star hotels as well as several excellent 3 star hotels I visited in the countryside which are equal and in some cases superior to many 3 star hotels in other more established western European tourist destinations.

Of note in these hotels is the fact that beds are large – queen and king size commonly available. All other amenities like minibar, safe, hairdryers, cable TV, are commonly found in 3 star and up. More impressive is the average size of the rooms which tend to be much larger than western hotels. The final kicker though is the price: 70 euros per night for an apartment of approximately 1000 SF overlooking the main place in the medieval village of Sighisoara where in the room you have a super king bed placed under a restored authentic 17th century fresco on the ceiling! Breakfast included! Price is a huge difference and great investment in travel dollars now.


A person could visit any number of restaurants and dine on typical Romanian dishes or other commonly found dishes with average prices of: $2.50 for an entrée, $5 for a main course, $6 for bottle of good Romanian wine, and $1.50 for desert! You could go all out at the Hunters Lodge restaurant in Predeal where you can enjoy high quality venison and other game with wine, desert, entrees, and more for 700,000 Lei or about $22!

So what is there to see in Romania? As an outdoor company, we find plenty to do in the form of walking and trekking. Romania is blessed with the imposing Carpathian mountains, which are not so high as the alps, but offer sheer cliffs and spectacular views without snow caps. The trail system is well developed, and more importantly the trails are not overrun. In fact, the wildlife of Romania remains fairly wild by comparison to other western countries where natural habitats and fauna have been so squeezed that nothing remains to see except the squirrel and occasional rabbit on main trails and rarely in the high alps it is possible to see varieties of mountain goats. In Romania, it is estimated that 6000-8000 bears still roam in their natural habitat as well as wolves, foxes, lynx, elk and deer. The bear and wolves remain in remote areas, but sightings are possible for strong trekkers. It also happens that Romania has some of the best natural spring waters generously flowing throughout the country. A half liter of mineral water in the bottle purchased in a store is only 11,000 Lei or about 33 cents.


Coming to Romania one can’t help but feel energized about the pace and spirit of the people and their new direction upward. The Romanians have not had much luck in the last 130 years as they have been over run in wars and overlooked when WWII was over and Stalin took control of the east. Now as Romanians throw off the collar of communism its sad to see that some older generations will not adapt but at the same time the young so vibrant, educated, and involved. Romanians are sending their talent around the world to work with best in the high tech sector and because of the wage and labor advantages in Romania, some Western European countries are outsourcing skilled jobs such as programming and software development. There is therefore some of the blight of a once poor nation such as run down housing and a somewhat less organized feel than commonly found in the western economies. It’s a strange and wonderful juxtaposition and with the right steps Romania could emerge as Ireland did to become a strong economic and tourist force.

Of course it’s the people that give it this energy and spirit. They have a renewed sense of optimism and they are working very hard to bring their country up. In all my hotel stays I found charming and pleasant people willing and eager to help. In most restaurants there was an English language translation (in fact throughout Romania you see English language signs and expressions.) Most Romanians speak a 2nd and even 3rd language and since the Romanian language is rooted in latin it is considered to be very close to Italian with a lot of similar French words as well.

You may wait and visit in a few years when Romania joins the EU, but the real money and excitement is now. As an example Italian and French and Dutch companies are buying up land and property now to get in on the ground for when 2007 arrives they will be in perfect position to take off in the east. Prices and wages that are low now, will in that time will rise and so will the cost of travel. Though the Romanian currency, the Lei, isn’t scheduled to join the EU monetary union until about 2017; its purchasing power will rapidly rise after 2007.
In 2005 we will offer 2 walking tours that explore both culture and the countryside. High points include the capital city of Bucharest, Vlad Dracula’s castle and birth towns, and walking among forested paths, bald peaks, and alongside streaming mountain springs. For those who really like to discover new places and are open to less than totally developed cities and services, then you will find a real gem in Romania. Hurry though, it won’t be long before the mass tourism companies catch on and run the prices up.

Press Release - Volcanoes of New Zealand Walking Tour

Value for the Volcanic Wanderer:

Volcanoes-Virgin Forests-Vintage Wines

Pure Adventures Offers Guided Hiking Tour on New Zealand’s North Island

Scottsdale, AZ, October 2004 – Pure Adventures, a boutique tour operator, created from their highly successful sister company Discover France, now enters its 2nd season with their new-guided walking tour in New Zealand. Pure Adventures biking and walking itineraries allow their clients to venture off-the-beaten path and experience the country in a more personal fashion, meeting the locals and seeing the sights through their eyes.

New Zealand Walking Tour – 8 days, 7 nights for only $2149!
The lush native rainforests of Te Urewera National Park and the fury of the active volcanic plateau are explored through a variety of walks, carefully selected to inspire, challenge and reward the enthusiastic walker. New Zealand’s North Island is where it all happens, from Rotorua, the tourist center world famous for its thermal attractions and strong Maori culture, we travel through the largest untouched rainforest on the North Island, to the East coast wine country, and then inland to the Central Plateau volcanic wonderland.

The tour starts in Rotorua – about 100 miles southeast of Auckland, Pure Adventures suggests arriving at least one day in advance in order to enjoy sights. Rotorua’s community philosophy is beautifully expressed with the word manaakitanga. In the spirit of Maori hospitality, manaakitanga encompasses the cultural strength of the people here; the amazing geological forces of the region; the natural beauty of the forests, lakes and rivers; and the development of sustainable tourism. It is also your invitation to discover the very essence of New Zealand in this exceptional region. Rotorua has been voted New Zealand’s most beautiful city and with its striking gardens, cobbled streets and the fascinating mix of Maori and English Tudor architecture that gives the city a unique character. Beyond the urban center, a backdrop of geothermal steam, volcanic mountains and huge crater lakes remind you that this region rests immediately above the Pacific Ring of Fire.

The Volcanic Wanderer Tour begins with a moderate hike of 2 hours around the rim of Mt Tarawera crater and continues on through the Waimangu Valley past boiling mud pools, geysers and steaming vents. You will also have the opportunity to partake in a traditional Maori (native people of New Zealand) hangi: a feast and interactive show explaining elements of Maori culture.
The tour takes you through dense native forest and small Maori settlements into the heart of the Te Urewera National Park to discover the dazzling beauty of Lake Waikaremoana staying in chalets on the lake’s edge. By boat we will visit a submerged fossilized forest, secluded beaches, and the idyllic Korokoro Falls followed by a night in a classic New Zealand bush hut.

Moving on the group leaves the Te Urewera National Park and heads to New Zealand’s gorgeous East Coast, which is known for its Chardonnay grape varieties, for wine tasting at a premier winery in Napier, before heading on to Taupo. Lake Taupo fills the largest volcanic crater in the world and is home to the powerful Huka Falls. Heading south along the shore of Lake Taupo the group moves on to the Central Plateau. This unusual area has a desert-like landscape caused by volcanic activity and altitude, is dominated by 3 towering volcanic mountains and is the gateway to the Tongariro National Park.

On day 7 of the tour you have 3 hiking options: Tongariro Crossing, known as the best one day walk in New Zealand; Ruapehu Crater Lake, ascend first by chairlift and then by foot for spectacular scenic views; Short Walks, range from 30 minutes to 2 hours, taking in the volcanic features of Mt Ruapehu such as lava flows, rock formations, and waterfalls.

The tour concludes in Wellington, the arts and culture capital of New Zealand. Here you will have an opportunity to see the sights such as the Kaori Wildlife Center and the Te Papa National Museum before your departure.

Priced at $2149 per person double occupancy, this trip includes seven nights’ lodging, all breakfasts except day 1, 6 lunches, 4 dinners, all transport, Lake Waikaremoana boat trip, hiking equipment except boots, permits and entry fees to all activities included in itinerary. An experienced local guide will accompany you for the duration of the trip, and expert travel planning services of the Pure Adventures staff. The trip is rated “intermediate,” requiring an average level of fitness. This tour is available for as few as 2 people, thereby eliminating any chance of cancellation due to low participation. Available November through February; and upon request year round 2004/2005.

About Pure Adventures
Pure Adventures is a creation of the highly successful Discover France, now in its 10th year. The tour format is the same: small and intimate tours that give vacationers a low-cost, high-quality alternative to large group tours. Pure Adventures applies the proven Discover France tour model of soft-adventure activities like cycling and walking to interesting, unique destinations inside and beyond France. A "Pure Adventure" is one that gives tourists the independence to move about their destination and interact with local people as they see fit. This approach to touring also results in "pure savings" to the traveler. Because the tours don't involve expensive guides, tour busses and other overhead, Pure Adventures can pass the savings on to tourists – making more of their vacation dollar available to them.

For reservations or additional information, contact Pure Adventures, tel: 800-960-2221; Web site: http://www.pure-adventures.com/

A call to Vote

A call to my fellow Americans:

Exercise your right to vote tomorrow! No decent, concerned, and awake citizen can shirk his/her duty tomorrow. A non vote is the worst possible vote. Anyone able to vote and not availing themselves is the worst excuse for a citizen - you deserve to be exchanged for immigrants wanting to be citizens!

If you are a person who travels around the world either for a bicycling or walking tour, or whether its for business or other reason; you must be a person who is concerned about the course of our government's actions. There is no education like travel, and where ever our travels take us, the path is being "paved/re-paved" by the actions of our government and how we vote. It doesn't take a world traveler to see that change is needed in Washington DC.

Its important to stand for something, and whether you agree or not with my opinion; at least go and vote; and encourage everyone you know to do the same.

LT