BEAUTIFUL DUBLIN 2 days/2014

                In Dublin we landed in february, it were 8 degrees Celsius, sunny and all green. Nature was not dead like back in Romania (winter time) and that made us happy, it is a nice feeling when you leave from a desolate landscape and you arrive in another one full of colours and life. Our friends picked us up from airport and it took us 20 minutes to arrive in Dublin. When we arrived we were inpressed by the city's arhitecture. English specific, buildings no more than 4 floors, renovated or built after the same plan.

        

               We started from the center of the city and we visited Trinity College, the most famous university in Irland, we scoured all shops :D. all arranged in chain, like in Bucharet's old city center, but better organized. Then we lingered a little in Temple Bar, the oldest bar in capital, where we served tea with milk, like irish people do, but it was not on our taste :P. I watched how relaxed they were, some accompanied the singer, they really achieved to induce us that good state. After this, we went to a canteen to have lunch (chicken wrap+french fries+soda+coffee-12 euro/person).

Trinity College

Temple Bar

      

             Then we walked along Liffey river, during which we observed how open-mind and friendly irish people are: a lady just stopped me and admired my hat :D ! We also observed the city cleanliness, I didn't sow one package or cigarette butt.

                In the evening we stoppedover at Restaurant 777, with mexican specific, it has steep prices (50 euro/person), but it deserves because the food is delicious.

 Liffey river

Post Office

Restaurant 777

                  The second day, was raining and the wind was blowing, we went to Dublinia Museum which is dedicated to vikings and to city's medieval age, entrance 8 euro/person. We received a map with the Museum's 3 areas: at ground floor – vikings history, first floor – Dublin's medieval history and at the second floor you can see archaeological evidence of the first 2 areas. In every room there are interactive displays that tell the story of the vikings, and their musical background that make you get into the characters. Near the Museum it is Christ's Church, imposing and of a rare beauty. We didn't gt the chance to visit it, you should check it's schedule before because it closes early in winter time.

              In the evening friends took us to Johnnie Fox's Pub near Dublin, very old which dates back from 1798, where we served spaghetti carbonara (15 euro/person), piglet chops and Guiness beer (25 euro/person). If you go on Saturday you can catch irish dances! :D

             This way we want to thank our friends for the hospitality they've showed us!

 Dublinia Museum :)

 Dublinia Museum

Dublinia Museum

Dublinia Museum

Christ's Church

Johnnie Fox's Pub

Johnnie Fox's Pub

 

BUDGET/PERSON:

Airplane – 280 Euro

Food – 50 Euro

Diverse (entrance tickets, souvenirs) – 30 Euro

TOTAL – 360 Euro/person

WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR ONE DAY IN BRASOV 1 day/2009

               Brasov is near the capital Bucharest and it is one of the most beautiful cityes in the country that knows hot to capitalize its history and that should be visited. For transportation we choosed the train, also the personal car, we recommend both. What can you do for one day in Brasov?

1. We will begin, of course, with Counsel Square which in the Middle Ages was the place where fairs were organized for both saxon merchants and romanian merchants as well as those coming from Hungary. Near the market is the Black Church, Blacksmiths and Graft bastions, White Tower, Black Tower, Schei Gate and Ecaterina Gate.

Counsel Square

Counsel Square

Florist in Counsel Square

Counsel Square

 

2. Black Church was built in 1390 and is the largest religious building in the Gothic style in Southeast Europe, measuring 89 meters long and 38 meters wide. It can hold about 5,000 people. The church, originally catholic, was first known as the Church of St. Mary. The building was partially destroyed by the great fire from 1689, when it received its current name. The main organ of the church was built by Carl August Buchholz in Berlin in the period 1836-1839 and is the largest one from the 140 organs built by master Buchholz family.

Black Church

3. Also you can enjoy a walk along the narrow streets full of history. :)

CE PUTETI FACE O ZI IN BRASOV 1 zi/2009

                Brasov este la o aruncatura de bat de capitala Bucuresti si este unul dintre cele mai frumoase orase din tara care stie sa isi valorifice istoria si care trebuie vizitat. Ca mijloc de transport am ales trenul, dar si masina personala si le recomandam pe ambele. Ce puteti face o zi in Brasov?

 

1. Vom incepe bineinteles cu Piața Sfatului care în Evul Mediu era locul în care se organizau târguri atât pentru negustorii sași și români cât și pentru cei veniți din Ungaria. In apropierea pieței se află Biserica Neagră, bastioanele Fierarilor și Graft, turnurile Turnul Alb și Turnul Negru precum Poarta Șchei, Poarta Ecaterinei.

Piata Sfatului

Piata Sfatului

Florarie Piata Sfatului

Piata Sfatului

 

2. Biserica Neagra a fost construita in anul 1380 si este cel mai mare edificiu de cult în stil gotic din sud-estul Europei, măsurând 89 de metri lungime și 38 de metri lățime. În această biserică încap circa 5.000 de persoane. Biserica, inițial catolică, a fost cunoscută mai întâi sub numele de Biserica Sfânta Maria. Clădirea a fost parțial distrusă după marele incendiu din 1689, când a primit numele actual. Orga principală a bisericii a fost construită de Carl August Buchholz din Berlin în perioada 1836-1839 și este cea mai mare din cele 140 de orgi construite de maeștrii familiei Buchholz.

Biserica Neagra

 

3. De asemena va puteti delecta si cu o plimbare pe stradutele inguste pline de istorie. :)

LOST IN SIGHISOARA 3 days/2010

           Sighisoara is a romanian city located in Transilvania's heart that should be visited at least once in this lifetime. It is the best preserved medieval fortress, where the tradition of old times is kept alive. We chosed to visit it in april, for 3 days and we can say that it is a lot to be seen there:

1. Sighisoara's Fortress was build at the beginning of 14^th century and it is the place where events with medieval air are taking place every year. It is a pleasure to explore it, because it hides most landmarks. House Dracula, where Vlad Tepes was born and lived, House with deer and Venetian House are some of the most beautiful houses that you'll encounter during the walk.

 

2. Leper Church is particularly remarkable for its Gothic arhitectural style. The impressive building served as home for lepers in the period 1647-1684.

Leper Church

 

3. The Clock Tower from where you can see the city.

View from the Clock Tower

View from the Clock Tower

View from the Clock Tower

 

4. Schoolchildren's Scale, was built in 1642, expecially for highschool students from J. Haltrich highschool.

Schoolchildren's Scale

 

5. Rope's Tower, Tailor's Tower and Shoemaker's Tower, marking some of the most important medieval guilds active in the town.

 

BUDGET/2 PERS:

Accomodation 2 nights/pension – 50 Euro

Train transportation from Bucharest– 54 Euro (we do not recomend - it has delay)

Food – 33 Euro

Divers (entrance tickets, souvenirs) – 12 Euro

TOTAL – 149 Euro/2 pers

PIERDUTI IN SIGHISOARA 3 zile/2010

 

             Sighisoara este un oras romanesc din inima Transilvaniei pe care trebuie sa il vezi cel putin odata in viata. Este cea mai bine conservata cetate medievala, unde traditia acelor vremuri a fost pastrata vie. Noi am ales sa il vizitam in luna aprilie, timp de 3 zile si va putem spune ca aveti foarte multe de vazut: 

 

1. Cetatea Sighisoarei a fost construita la inceputul secololui 14 si este locul unde se desfasoara evenimentele cu aer medieval din fiecare an. Este o placere explorarea acesteia deoarece ascunde cele mai multe obiective turistice. Casa Dracula unde s-a nascut si a locuit Vlat Tepes, Casa cu cerb si Casa Venetiana sunt unele dintre cele mai frumoase case pe care le veti intalni in timpul plimbarii.

 

2. Biserica Leprosilor care este remarcabila prin stilul arhitectural Gotic deosebit. Impresionanta cladire a servit drept azil pentru leprosi in perioada 1647-1684.

Biserica Leprosilor

 

3. Turnul cu ceas de unde poti vedea tot orasul.

Vedere din turn

Vedere din turn

Vedere din turn

 

4. Scara scolarilor, construita in anul 1642, special pentru elevii de la liceul J. Haltrich.

Scara scolarilor

 

5. Turnul Franghierilor, Turnul Croitorilor si Turnul Cizmarilor, ce marcheaza cateva dintre cele mai importante bresle active in orasul medieval.

 

BUGET/2 PERS:

Cazare 2 nopti/pensiune - 220 LEI

Transport tren din Bucuresti – 240 LEI (nu recomandam trenul- intarziere mare)

Mancare – 150 LEI

Diverse (intrari obiective turistice, suveniruri) – 50 LEI

TOTAL – 660 LEI/ 2 PERS

VENICE – OH YESSSS 4 days/2012

           For travelling to Venice – city of romance, we choosed air transportation. The landing took place on Treviso Airport and from there we took the bus to Mestre 12euro/pers/round way (30 minutes). We stayed for 4 days in august. We booked accomodation in Mestre, a little city near Venice, being cheapper. From there you can take the bus or the train to Venice (10 minutes) for 1,3 euro/person/one way. More details about prices you can find on www.actv.it .

           When we arrievd in Venice, at the bus station, it didn't impressed us much. We found out that we can take Vaporetto to Piazza San Marco, but we decided to walk 'til there on the narrow streets, full of diversified boutiques, the ones with masks are wonderful. On few houses you can see indicators to Piazza, but the city's beauty will make you forget about it and get lost. :D

  

A little channel

   

Mask store

         

                    Finally we managed to arrive in Piazza San Marco (after 2 hours walking)...we remained speachless for a couple of moments, we looked at the fabulous buildings and we listened to the music band wich was playing life music.

                    We visited Doge's Palace and the Museums from Piazza for 16 euro/person. People who haven't height sickness can climb the tour for 8 euro/person. The Church can be visited for 3 euro/person and you should be armed with patience because the queue is large.

Piazza San Marco

  

Church San Marco

                  Prices are quite big, but if you have time you can easly find acceptable restaurants and bistros. We decided to try the FAMOUS ITALIAN PIZZA, but we didn't find it :))). All pizza we tried could not be compaired with Romania's pizza wich is very tasty. We ate also at a restaurant near Piazza San Marco 15 euro/pizza and it was weak. The price for a bottle of water of 1L is 1,5 euro at the store and of 2L is 2 euro. After the bad experience with the food in Venice we decided to eat at a restaurant near Mestre's Train Station some lasagnia for 6 euro that it was tasty and sandwiches/slices of pizza/panini at 3 euro/piece.

                 The second day we went for a trip to 3 islands: Lido, Murano and Burano, with Vaporetto at price of 25 euro/pers/36 hours. You can choose from a lot of types of subscriptions.

                 The first island was Murano, we visited the glass plant and the plant's store from where you could buy murano glass, very expensive. Then we walked into the wilderness of the streets and between the houses that seemed deserted, disappointing...

                 The second island, Burano, was the surprise of the day, It is faboulous! We are in love with it! Very colourful houses, streets very well maintained, embroidery stores, patisseries in the true sense of word, smilling and welcomming people. All this gave us a worm and happy feeling. We didn't want to leave Burano :).

 Burano Island

                    The last island Lido, has a beautiful and large beach, we tried to get into the water, but something was bitting us and we gave up :)))).

 Lido Island

           

                            When returning to the bus station we took Vaporetto and rowed on Grand Canale. Amazing! Venice is more beautiful seen from boat. A trip with the Venetian boat is 70 euro/on small channels and 120 euro/small channels and Grand Canale.

Grand Canale

Grand Canale

               

                    The third day, we decided to walk all over Venice. There is no street we didn't walk on. The channels didn't smell bad, like we were told, the ground floors of the buildings were uninhabited, maybe because of the damp or that the sea's level is growing. We visited lots of churches, but one impressed us more – Saint Mary Gloriosa dei Frari that presents lots of arhitectural styles. Then we walked on Rialto bridge, a magnificent architectural masterpiece, in whose arcades you can find jewelry and souvenir stores. We continued to the Bridge of Sights, threw where the sentenced to death were passing, from Dodge's Palace to the place where they were executed, through whose window they could see for the last time their family and the sun light. At an intersection of streets we saw a a group of people that were dancing tango. Just like in fairytails! As simple as that, with a cassette, in the middle of the intersection. Tango! What can be more romantic than this :) ?
                   At the end we relaxed in a superb park...with sea view.. Yes! There is a park! :D

Church Saint Mary Gloriosa dei Frari's interior

          

                           Venice should be visited by all people. It is a thing to do once in a lifetime. When you start walking into it...it is like beginning of a tale...

BUDGET 2 PERS:
Airplane - 150 Euro
Accomodation hotel/3 nights/breakfast - 260 Euro
Food - 140 Euro
Divers (bus tickets, vapporeto tickets, tourist entries tickets, souvenirs) - 200 Euro
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TOTAL - 750 EURO/2 pers