Summer Travel: Do and Don’t

While I certainly prefer to travel during the low season because I can save some money, summer travel is something which most, if not all, Europeans do. And we are no strangers to that. 1. DO plan short escapes close to home A weekend camping or going to thermal baths won’t burn holes in your…

Citadels and Fortresses in Arad County

…which I have visited. I’ve been a major fan of citadels and fortresses since I started traveling. It’s hard to pin-point how and why I have this passion but I remember that I was fascinated by Sighisoara Citadel when I visited in 2000. And while I was a student I made a point to visit…

A day in Gyula, Hungary

Before I actually made it to Gyula, I only knew that it was a small city close to the Romanian border. In fact, it’s just 1 1/2 h by car from Arad. However, we visited on the way back from Oroshaza. And in Gyula we met our Instagram friend who offered to show around. We…

Fortress of Bologa, Cluj County, Romania

If you happen to be visiting Cluj-Napoca or Oradea in the gorgeous region of Transylvania in Romania, consider taking a day trip to Fortress of Bologa. The Fortress of Bologa stands on the road between Oradea and Cluj-Napoca. It was built in the XIIIth century , on high ground, to guard the road from Oradea…

Fortress of Oradea, Romania

In the XIth century, Ladislau I built a fortified monastery. Between the XIth and XIIIth centuries, the fortress was a castrum. In the XIVth century , a new medieval fortress was built. During the communist times , the fortress belonged to the monastery. After 1989 the started working on rebuilding the fortress. It’s been more…

A day in Arad, Romania

I have written about A day in Sighisoara and A day in Alba Iulia, but it just dawned on me I have never written about a day in Arad, the very city I live in. The reason? Probably because I find it hard to focus on just some stuff when I know so much about…

A day at Alba Carolina, Alba Iulia, Romania

Alba Carolina Fortress, the most important landmark in Alba Iulia, Romania, can be easily visited during half a day. We arrived by car from Sebes (Arad – Lugoj -Deva – Sebes – Alba Iulia) but you can also get here by train from any part of Romania. The closest airport is (probably) in Cluj Napoca…

International Museum Day 2013

International Museum Day was established in 1977 and in 2012 it had reached 129 countries on five continents. For the past three years, Alex and I managed to be a part of this magnificent cultural event. In 2011 we visited the history section and the natural sciences section at Arad Museum. We also went to…