Looking out of our hotel window in Vratsa before the thunderstorms. Ruth: September 19, 2016Yesterday we cycled down to the Danube to a ferry to cross over to Bulgaria. Our final morning in Romania was hot, dry and rural. It was great to see the Danube... Read More

Gordon:  Last night we were ambling about the town of Caracal when we chanced upon an Orthodox Church that was open.  The churches are generally locked, but this one was being straightened up following a wedding.  The priest came out and gave us a tour... Read More

Gordon:  It turns out that we and the housekeeper were not the only residents of the Swiss style chalet a couple of nights ago.  We were once again sharing our bed with a few bedbugs.  It takes a day or two for the bites to... Read More

Gordon:  Today we had a ride through the Hobbit Shire that was probably the best outing of our journey (so far).  We started the day at our pension at the 1000 metre level in the foothills of the Carpathians.  Other than the caretaker and her... Read More

Ruth: For a moment I was dazzled by all those glowing faces carrying flowers to their teachers on the first day of school, after all, who doesn't like flowers? Well many in Romania apparently. As our Romanian guide in Brasov explained, the practice is very... Read More

Ruth: It's the first day back to school in Brasov and this Romanian city marks the day with certain traditions. Imagine a time back in the forties or fifties when school children donned their uniforms and went to purchase flowers to take to their teachers. Yes,... Read More