• Transluncani, a spectacular road which was built in the mountain

    Transluncani, a spectacular road which was built in the mountain

    The Transluncani is a spectacular road which was built in the mountains and you will find it near the village of Luncanii de Jos, Timiș County. The construction of this road was finished in 2019 and it was built mainly to facilitate the access to the plateau where the locals have their lands. The plateau is at an altitude of around 700 meters. On the Translucani you will find many steep hairpin turns and sharp descents. The highest gradient is around 20%. It’s recommended to drive slowly and carefully because the road is very narrow and two cars can barely fit.

    The Transluncani road is a smaller version of Transalpina or Transfăgărășan which currently are the most popular mountain passes in Romania.

    Transluncani road.
    The road at different altitudes.
    The Transluncani road in the summer.
    The mountains surrounding the Transluncani road.
    Road drainage.
    Sharp turn with the forest in the background.
    The mountains which surrounds the Transluncani road.

    Other things to visit in the area:

    • Valea lui Liman – This is a popular touristic complex which has a nice restaurant and a hotel. It’s only about 7 km away from Transluncani.
    • Sopot waterfall – This is another popular attraction in the area that you must visit.
  • The Hungarian City Of Gyula

    The Hungarian City Of Gyula

    Gyula is a charming city in the eastern part of Hungary, located very close to the Romanian border. Despite its small size, Gyula is a popular destination for visitors, thanks to its rich history, relaxing thermal baths, and beautiful surroundings.

    The Gyula Castle

    Right next to the Gyula Castle Bath stands the Gyula Castle, a magnificent medieval fortress. The construction of this castle was completed in the 16th century, and it has a fascinating history. The castle was once conquered by the Ottomans and later recaptured by Christian forces in 1694. Today, visitors can tour the castle and explore its well-preserved interior.

    Inside the castle, there is a fantastic museum with many interactive exhibitions. The museum offers a glimpse into the past, with displays about the castle’s history and the life of the people who lived there. You can easily spend more than an hour exploring the exhibits and learning about the rich history of the region.

    The castle during sunset.
    The castle during sunset.
    The Gyula Castle.
    The Gyula Castle.
    The Gyula Castle in the summer.
    The castle and with a terrace next to it.
    Statue near the castle.
    Statue near the castle.

    Very close to the Gyula Castle you will find the memorial to the Defense Force Officer’s or Honvéd Officers who were executed by the Habsburgs after the 1848-1849 Revolution. Each column is inscribed with the names of the officers, offering a solemn reminder of their sacrifice for Hungary’s freedom.

    Defense Forces Officer's Memorial
    The Defense Forces Officer’s Memorial.

    The Almasy Castle

    Another must-see attraction in the Hungarian city of Gyula is this Almasy Castle which in my opinion is a fascinating museum. It offers a wide range of interactive exhibits that are both fun and educational. Visitors can easily spend more than an hour exploring everything the museum has to offer. Its location is also very convenient, as it’s close to two other popular sites—the historic Gyula Castle and the relaxing Gyula Castle Bath.

    The Almasy Castle in the Hungarian city of Gyula.
    The Almasy Castle
    The castle's balcony.
    A small balcony.
    The main entrance into the Almasy castle located right under the tower.
    The entrance into the Almasy Castle.
    A part of the the Almásy Castle.
    The view from the tower.
    Flower garden in front of the Almasy Castle.
    Flower garden with the Gyula Castle in the background.

    Discovering the city’s sights

    Gyula is a city full of surprises, and there are many other attractions to explore besides the castle and the thermal baths. One of the most pleasant ways to experience Gyula is by taking a walk along the Élővíz Canal.

    Another must-visit area in Gyula is Városház Street. This street is home to the impressive World Clock (called Világóra in Hungarian) and the beautiful Church of the Assumption of Mary. The World Clock is a unique landmark that shows the time in various cities around the world. Városház Street is also lined with restaurants, shops, and boutiques, making it a great place to shop, dine, and enjoy the local atmosphere.

    Church of the Assumption of Mary.
    Church of the Assumption of Mary.
    The World Clock in Gyula.
    The World Clock.
    Fountains in the downtown.
    Fountains in downtown.
    The Eloviz canal in the city of Gyula.
    The small Eloviz canal.
    Brick bridge over the canal in downtown.
    Old brick bridge over the canal.
    Downtown of Gyula
    A part of Gyula.

    Gyula may be a small city, but it’s full of charm and character. It’s a place where you can relax, explore history, and enjoy the beauty of nature. Whether you’re soaking in the thermal baths, wandering through the medieval castle, or simply strolling along the canal, Gyula offers a peaceful and enriching experience.

  • Constanta Promenade

    Constanta Promenade

    Nestled along the western coast of the Black Sea, Constanta is Romania’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Founded around 600 BC as a Greek colony known as Tomis, Constanta has a storied past that includes Roman conquest, Byzantine influence, and Ottoman rule. This city is about 220 kilometers from Romania’s capital, Bucharest. During our short visit, we spent most of our time in the old town, which is where you’ll find most of the city’s main tourist attractions. After exploring a small part of the old town, it was time to check out the promenade. We started and ended our walk near the port of Constanta.

    As you walk along the promenade, you’ll pass by some of Constanta’s most iconic landmarks, including the famous Casino, a stunning Art Nouveau building that has become a symbol of the city. The promenade also takes you past the old Genovese Lighthouse, a historic structure that once guided ships safely into the port.

    The Casino

    The Casino, an Art Nouveau masterpiece, is perhaps the city’s most iconic landmark. This beautiful building is located on the seafront, near the port. The photos below were taken before the Casino began its restoration. As you can see, the building was neglected by the local authorities at that time, and it had started to fall into disrepair. I’m really curious to see how it will look once the restoration is complete.

    The Casino in the city of Constanta.
    The Casino in Constanta.
    The Casino before the restauration.
    A close-up photo of the Casino.
    The Casino and the promenade in Constanta.
    People leisurely strolling along the promenade, enjoying the fresh sea breeze and the historic landmarks.

    The Genovese lighthouse

    Not far from the Casino, you will find the old Genovese lighthouse which was used until 1913. Today it only serves as a landmark along with other old buildings in the area. As an interesting fact, this lighthouse was visited by Price Carol I in 1879.

    The Genovese lighthouse.
    The Genovese lighthouse.

    Near the port of Tomis

    Continuing our walk on the seafront, we reached a large white building which today is actually the Fleet Command. Not very far from this place, you will find the port of Tomis.

    The Fleet Command and the seafront.
    The Fleet Command.
    The Black Sea and the entrance into the port of Tomis.
    The Black Sea near the port of Tomis.

    The port of Constanta

    The port of Constanta is the largest in Romania and sits on the Black Sea. It’s both a maritime and river port because it’s connected to the Danube through the Danube-Black Sea Canal. This connection allows some cargo to be transported along the Danube to European countries that don’t have direct access to the sea.

    The port of Constanta.
    The port of Constanta.
    Large cranes and buildings in the port.
    Cranes and industrial building in the port.

    What else can you do near the Black Sea

    In the small city of Mangalia, which is about 45 km away from Constanta, you can take a boat ride in the port of Mangalia. Usually you can find these small boats that take tourists on ride around to port in the Touristic Port of Mangalia.