Highlanders of Transylvania V4.0

Highlanders of Transylvania
V4.0
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Romania
Romania is the perfect land of contrasts and paradoxes the country of Constantin
Brancusi, Eugene Ionesco, Emil Cioran, Mircea Eliade, and Nadia Comaneci, but also of
Dracula and Nicolae Ceausescu. The Old World of Romania is a vast museum of ancient
heritage and still alive even if only through its famous painted churches and
monasteries, its folk art, or its feudal castles in the Carpathian Mountains. The New
World may be embodied by the Parliament Palace and the subway network in
Bucharest, or by the Western styles of life adopted by Romania’s townsfolk.
But Romania is much more than this: just think of the Black Sea coast, the
wild and picturesque Carpathian Mountains where one goes hiking or skiing; the
cultural, historical, architectural or archaeological tours of the country.Many
tourists also come to Romania for health purposes: a huge richness of mineral and
thermal springs spread across the country, associated with many other natural
factors, have made this land very famous for its spas and treatments.
There are many other tourist attractions in Romania: some are unique in the
world, as the enchanting monasteries of Bucovina with their churches entirely covered
with 16th century frescoes on the outside walls, appearing among hills and woods
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Transylvania is home to some of Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns,
most notably Brasov, featuring Old Saxon architecture and citadel ruins; Sibiu with
its cobblestone streets and pastel colored houses, and Sighisoara, adorned with a
hilltop citadel, secret passageways and a 14th century clock tower. Tiny shops offer
antiques and fine hand-made products by local artisans and artists.
Visitors will also encounter stunning castles such Bran, near Brasov, - a
Gothic fairy-tale structure, often associated with 15th century Walachian Prince
Vlad Tepes, the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. While the connection with
Vlad is tenuous the deep bond of local villagers with the legend is not.
In close proximity to Brasov and Bran are the fortified churches at Harman,
with its massive 13th Saxon towers, and Prejmer, the largest fortified church in
Southeastern Europe. The 15th-century Corvinesti Castle, located 15 miles away
from Hunedoara, has a sumptuous Knights Hall – that can be used for functions or
parties as well as towers and buttresses reminiscent of the medieval times.
Transylvania’s multi-ethnic heritage (including German and Hungarian ) is
delightfully apparent in the folk costumes, architecture, cuisine, music and festivals.
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Brasov
Brasov
City of over 270.000 inhabitants,
it is for sure the most pleasant city to
live in Romania. The center of the
tour-ist city revolves around the City
Hall Square (main square of the city)
where there are many coffee houses
and restaurants. On its north -western
side rises the imposing Black Church.
After the fire of 1689, due to the
colour of the blackened outer walls, it
received the name of „ The Black
Church” and it is known as a symbol of
the Transylvanian Gothic art.
For beautiful views of the city
you have to go to up on the Tâmpa
moun-tain; you can access it on foot
or using an aerial tramway.
How to get to Brasov
By Air
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Brasov does not have its own airport but is located close to some cities which
have airports.
The easiest way is to land in Bucharest, the main entrance gate of Romania and
then you could take the train/car all the way to Brasov. There are about 170km
(106mi) between Bucharest and Brasov.
In Bucharest there are two airports. The first one is Otopeni – Henri Coanda
Airport, much bigger and modern. It is located 16km (10mi) north of Bucharest.
The second airport of Bucharest is Baneasa Airoprt. Sibiu is another city where you
could land if you come by air. The airport of Sibiu is located about 160km (100mi)
far from Brasov. The airport of Targu Mures, 175km (109mi) far from Brasov, could
be a third option when you come by air.
Most of the flights come from Europe, Paris, Munich, Frankfurt, London, Roe
and few from Middle East – Tel Aviv, Jordan, Dubai, Cairo. There is no straight
flight between Romania and North America. Pretty much all major European flight
companies operate in Romania. Tarom is the Romanian company.
Budget airline companies or smart line companies as they like to call themselves offer
many inexpensive flights. The main budget companies operating in Bucharest and in
other parts of Romania are Blue Air, WizzAir, Germanwings, EasyJet, Carpatair,
FlyNiki.
By Train
The railway in Romania is quite undeveloped as the Union leaders have been
always against major reforms of the system. The main problem lays in the fact that
the transportation is slow.
Some of the trains like IC, offer good conditions. Here you can check the timetable
of the trains.
By Road
Brasov is located pretty much in the center of Romania. Therefore if you want to
come here by car you need to drive a good part of Romania which could be a little bit
difficult for some of the foreigner drivers. Romania has few highways while the most
important roads, although generally they are in good conditions, they could be busy.
Also, the Romanian drivers are known for their aggressive driving behavior. Despite all
these, many foreigner drivers are to be seen daily driving all over Romania.
Brasov is located at the crossroad of E60, E68 and E574
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About the mountains we visit
Piatra Craiului
Piatra Craiului Mountain was
declared as natural reserve in 1938 due to the
unique character of the massif, landscape
beauty and rare species like Garofita Pietrei
Craiului (Dianthus callizonus) – endemic to
Piatra Craiului National Park, Edelweiss
(Leontopodium) or Sangele voinicului
(Nigritella nigra and Nigritella rubra).
A famous Romanian mountaineer
called Piatra Craiului a mountain for lifetime with one day routes.
This is a special tour that leads our steps into the most wild and spectacular places of Piatra Craiului
Ntional Park, climbing rocks and trails where black goats are living and just a few people are passing.
The beauty and wilderness of these routes are unique. A passionate mountaineer could
spend every weekend in this mountain and never get bored.
The Piatra Craiului Orchid
The Garofiţa Pietrei Craiului (Dianthus
callizonus) is a beautiful purple flower only found
in Piatra Craiului.
It is protected as is the Edelweis growing on
the high slopes.
About the mountains we visit
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Bucegi
In old Romanian language “a bucegi” means “to choose” – these are “the chosen” mountains; and
some of the events occuring in the area (see below) give a true meaning to their name.
The Bucegi mountains unfold their beauty and grandness along the westbank of the river
Prahova, like a defense wall for all the small cities and resorts located at the base of the mountains.
Two major tourist attractions are located at above 2200m altitude (2216m, to be precise): the
Sphinx , an old stone looking like a human face, apparently formed by wind erosion, and the closeby ”
Old Women” (Romanian: Babele), a rock formation resembling human silhouettes.
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About the mountains we visit
Piatra Mare
The Piatra Mare Mountains is a small mountain range in Brașov County, southeast
of Brașov, Romania, and also close to the resort town of Predeal.
Geologically the Paitra Mare Mountains stand at the southern end of the grand arc of the Eastern
Carpathians, and between the inner ring of the Inner Eastern Carpathians and the outer ring of the Outer
Eastern Carpathians. The neighbouringPostăvarul Massif is also positioned in the same transitional area.
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Weather in Brasov
Brasov has a temperate-continental climate with cold and relatively wet
weather in the mountains. The summer nights in Brasov could be a little chilly. The
transition between summer and winter occurs gradually by the insertion of two
other seasons called “spring” and “autumn”.
The average temperature is 7.6 degrees C and the annual average humidity
in the air is 75%. The highest temperature in summer is 35.0 degrees C and the
lowest in winter is -30 degree C.
The yearly amount of rain is said to be 1300 mm/ sq. m in the mountains and
600 mm/ sq. m in depressions. Usually the wind is blowing from West with 1.5 to
3.2 m/s speed.
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The language
GREETINGS
SALUTĂRI
Welcome!
Bine ați/ai venit!
Good morning!
Bună dimineața!
Good afternoon!
Bună ziua!
Good evening!
Bună seara!
Good night!
Noapte bună!
GOOD BYES
RĂMAS BUN
Good bye!
La revedere!
See you soon!
Pe curând!
Farewell!
Rămâneți cu bine!
Have a nice trip!
Drum bun!
MEETING SOMEONE
A FACE CUNOȘTINȚĂ
My name is…
Mă numesc…
How are you?
Ce mai faceți?
I’m fine, thank you!
Mulțumesc, bine!
Nice meeting you!
Încântat de cunoștință!
GETTING INFORMED
A SE INFORMA
Where is…?
Unde este…?
Where are…?
Unde sunt…?
The language
YES OR NO
DA SAU NU
Yes
Da
No
Nu
Sure!
Desigur!
Of course!
Bineînțeles!
You’re welcome!
Cu plăcere!
That is right!
Așa e!
Never!
Niciodată!
I do not know.
Nu știu!
FOOD & DRINKS
MÂNCARE ȘI BĂUTURĂ
Coffee
Cafea
Milk
Lapte
Cream
Frișcă
Tea
Ceai
Sugar
Zahăr
Ham
Șuncă
Cheese
Brânză
Butter
Unt
Bread
Pâine
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What to bring
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We’re going to do a lot of hiking here so please remember to bring your
hiking gear. You will also need enough worm clothes. You can never have enough
worm clothes!
Things you really need:
- good quality clothes
- good quality boots
- good quality backpack (light and comfortable)
- sleeping bag
- towels
- personal hygene stuff
- worm socks
- water bottle
- pocket knife
- rain coat
- lighter
- flashlight
- compas
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Contacts
In case you encounter some problems please contact us!
Don’t forget to save our contacts on your mobile phone agenda!
Florea Alin
Mihai Dragan
Event coordinator
E-mail: [email protected]
President of BEST Brasov
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +4 0731 464 986
Phone: +4 0741 086 891