travel

#TravelPost – A charming little town called Mons

EN: If you prefer traveling and visiting charming small towns over large metropolises, Mons, Belgium should definitely be on your list. RO: Daca preferi sa calatoresti si sa vizitezi orase mici pline de farmec in locul marilor metropole, Mons, Belgia, trebuie sa fie pe lista ta.

EN: Discover this lively city where time seems to move differently, offering desirable tranquility. With its title as the European City of Culture in 2015, Mons has firmly established itself on the tourism map. RO: Un oras plin de viata, unde timpul pare sa curga in alt ritm, oferind o liniste aparte. Cu titlul de Capitala Europeana a Culturii in 2015, Mons s-a impus in mod definitiv pe harta turistica.

EN: What to visit in Mons, Belgium?
Only by strolling through the streets, you’ll come across numerous significant landmarks. One of the most striking is the Gothic church of Sainte-Waudru, dating back to the 5th Century, often compared to Notre Dame in Paris.		 RO: Ce poti vizita in Mons, Belgia?
Doar plimbandu-te pe strazi, vei descoperi numeroase obiective interesante. Un exemplu impresionant este Biserica Gotica Sainte-Waudru, datand din secolul al V-lea, adesea comparata cu Notre Dame din Paris.

EN: In the heart of Mons lies the Grand-Place, a beautiful square filled with terraces and cafés. Here, you’ll find the remarkable Hôtel de Ville (town hall). Don’t forget to touch the head of the monkey statue at the entrance, as it is believed to grant wishes. Originally, it was meant to assist women that wanted to get pregnant. RO: In centrul Mons se afla Grand-Place, o piata frumoasa cu terase si cafenele. Aici vei gasi remarcabilul Hôtel de Ville (primaria). Nu uita sa atingi capul unei statui cu o maimuta de la intrare, deoarece se crede ca iti indeplineste dorintele. Initial, aceasta era destinata sa ajute femeile care isi doresc sa ramana insarcinate.

EN: You cannot miss the Belfry of Mons, one of the 33 Belfries in Belgium. It now serves as a museum, offering a permanent exhibition and a breathtaking view from the top. RO: Nu poti rata Belfry din Mons, unul dintre cele 33 de turnuri Belfry din Belgia. Acum gazduieste un muzeu, cu o expozitie permanenta si o priveliste  minunata de sus.

EN: As mentioned above, Mons was the European City of Culture in 2015 so that’s why in 2021 there were still impressive cultural manifestations, structures, and constructions around the city. RO: Cum spuneam mai sus, Mons a fost Capitala Culturala Europeana in 2015 si din acest motiv in 2021 mai puteai gasi prin oras diverse manifestari culturale, constructii si structuri de genul.

La petite fille aux papillons / artist David Mesguich (o gasesti in piata Franklin Delano Roosevelt).

L’Escapade / artist Oli-B (in gradina Gustave Jacobs)

The Passenger / artist Arne Quinze (sculptura de lemn ocupa strada Nimy).

EN: How to get to Mons from Bucharest?
To reach Mons from Bucharest, you can take a flight and the train to Charleroi-South train station. More details on this post (scroll to the end). From Charleroi-South, you can easily catch a train to Mons for a one-way ticket price of 9 EUR.		 RO: Cum ajungi din Bucuresti in Mons?
Pentru a ajunge la Mons din Bucuresti, poti lua un avion si apoi un tren pana la statia Charleroi-South. Mai multe detalii in acest post (scroll pana jos). De acolo, poti lua un tren catre Mons, cu un pret de 9 EUR pentru un bilet dus.

#TravelPost – One day in the medieval city of Bruges

EN: Initially, I wanted to write one post about Belgium, but once I started putting my thoughts into words and looking through pictures I realized I have to dedicate one post to each of the 5 cities I visited in this unique and special country. First Bruges because it was the first place I wanted to visit (and the only other city I knew besides Brussels) once I’ve decided to go to Belgium. RO: Initial mi-am propus sa scriu un post despre Belgia, dar cum am inceput sa asez in cuvinte amintirile si sa ma uit printre poze am realizat ca vreau sa dedic un post diferit pentru fiecare dintre cele 5 orase vizitate in aceasta tara unica si speciala. Incep cu Bruges, fiind primul loc in care mi-am dorit sa ajung din momentul in care am decis sa calatoresc in Belgia.

EN: Bruges has a distinct medieval air because of the captivating architecture, with impressive old buildings, like gingerbread houses, and more than 80 old or new bridges that cross over its canals. Bruges is often called the “Venice of the North“. RO: Bruges are un aer medieval aparte datorita arhitecturii captivante, cu ale sale  cladiri vechi, care zici ca sunt din turta dulce, si cele peste 80 de poduri mai vechi sau mai noi care trec peste canelele orasului. Bruges este numit adesea “Venetia de Nord“.

EN: What to visit in Bruges? You can just walk through the narrow paved streets and you will be easily enchanted by colored and brick facade houses in typical style of Flemish architecture. Most of these houses have been turned into shops and impressive top list restaurants. There are 32 Bruges chefs recommended by Michelin, Gault&Millau and Bibgourmand. RO: Ce poti vizita in Bruges? Poti doar sa te plimbi pe stradutele inguste, pavate cu piatra, iar cladirile colorate sau cu fatade de caramida, specifice arhitecturii flamande, te vor cuceri cu usurinta. Majoritatea cladirilor au fost transformate in magazine sau restaurante impresionante de top. In Bruges 32 de maestrii bucatari sunt recomandati de Michelin, Gault&Millau si Bibgourmand

EN: If you get to the city by train as you head to the old city you cannot miss Minnewater Park. The Lake Of Love is the heart of the park, surrounded by trees, green lawns and dozens of white swans. Lovers believe that walking around this lake will bring you eternal love! RO: Daca ajungi in oras cu trenul, cum te indrepti spre centru, nu ai cum sa ratezi Parcul Minnewater. Chiar in centrul parcului este Lacul Iubirii imprejurat de copaci si zone verzi cu zeci de lebede albe. Indragostitii cred ca daca te plimbi aici vei avea parte de dragoste eterna!

EN: One step away from Sint-Jacobskerk – Saint Jacob’s church or Saint James’s Church – an iconic old gothic church, founded in 1240, you will find Bonifacius Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in Bruges. It really has a special vibe and maybe because of it’s location, many say it is one of the oldest, but actually dates back to 1910. RO: Chiar langa Sint-Jacobskerk – Biserica Sfantul Iacob – o cladire remarcanta in stil gotic construita in 1240 o sa ajungeti la podul Bonifacius, unul dintre cele mai fotografiate poduri in Bruges. Are cu adevarat un aer aparte si poate ca din cauza pozitionarii sale multi spun ca este printre cele mai vechi poduri, dar de fapt a fost construit in 1910.

EN: Another interesting building, architectural and also story-wise is located in Burg Square, the Basilica of the Holy Blood. The church gets its name from a relic said to contain the blood of Jesus Christ. RO: O alta cladire interesanta din punct de vedere arhitectural, cat si a istoriei sale este Biserica Sfantului Sange din piata Burg. Se presupune ca aici se afla o relicva care contine picaturi cu sangele lui Isus Hristos.

EN: And here we are in the main square Bruges’ Markt, filled with amazing & one-of-a-kind buildings. On one side you can find guild houses with rich and opulent architecture that in present days have been turned into restaurants. The way they were built was meant to be an expression of wealth and power. RO: Iata ca am ajuns in piata centrala Bruges’ Markt cu multe cladiri captivante si unice. Pe o parte a pietei sunt casele de breasla, cu o arhitectura bogata, opulenta, care in prezent au fost transformate in restaurante. Modul in care au fost construite s-a dorit a fi o expresie a bogatiei si puterii.

EN: Also in the main square is the Belfry of Bruges. It is one of 33 Belgian belfries that are protected as World Heritage sites. If you go up the 366 steps you will have an unforgettable panoramic view of Bruges and her surroundings. RO: Tot in piata centrala este turnul Belfry din Bruges, unul dintre cele 33 de turnuri Belfry din Belgia protejate ca situri de patrimoniu mondial. Daca urci cele 366 de trepte vei avea parte de o priveliste panoramia de neuitat al orasului si ale imprejurimilor sale.

EN: How to get to Bruges from Bucharest? More exactly, how I got there 😉 From Bucharest Otopeni Airport you first take a plane to Brussels South Charleroi Airport. Search the low-cost airlines (Ryanair, Wizz Air) and you will find tickets at reasonable prices (starting from 50 EUR). From the airport take one bus (TEC, ticket 3 EUR one way) directly to Charleroi-South train station and from there, you have a train directly to Bruges (ticket about 23 EUR one way). RO: Cum ajungi din Bucuresti in Bruges? Mai exact cum am ajuns eu 😉 Mai intai din aeroportul Otopeni Bucurest te urci in avionul pana la aeroportul Brussels South Charleroi. Cauta la companiile low-cost (Ryanair, Wizz Air) si vei gasi bilete la preturi rezonabila (de la 50 EUR). O data ce ai aterizat in aeroport poti lua autobuzul TEC (bilet 3 EUR) in directia gara Charleroi-South, iar de acolo ai tren direct catre Bruges (biletul aproximativ 23 EUR one way).

Hope you get to see Bruges as soon as the world opens again. Kisses :* my darlings!

#TravelPost – Enjoying Venice and the Carnival of Venice

EN: Visiting Venice was on my list for some time now and I’m happy I got there this February! I wanted to see the city during the Carnival of Venice, to feel the energy and admire the amazing, colorful and mesmerizing Venetian carnival masks & costumes. RO: Sa vizitez Venetia a fost pe lista mea de ceva timp si sunt bucuroasa ca am ajuns acolo in luna februarie! Am vrut sa vad acest oras in timpul Carnavalului de la Venetia, sa simt energia si sa admir mastile si costumele uimitoare, colorate si fascinante ale carnavalului venetian.

EN: Bucharest to Venice on a budgetSearch a low-cost flight from Wizz Air. This is what I did and got a good price. I bought my ticket shortly before leaving and was less that 50 EUR round trip. Low-cost carriers land on Treviso Airport which is located 40 km north of Venice. RO: Bucuresti – Venetia cu buget redusCauta un zbor low-cost prin Wizz Air. Eu asa am facut si am gasit un pret bun. Am cumparat biletul cu putin timp inainte de calatorie, a fost sub 50 euro dus-intors. Companiile low-cost aterizeaza pe aeroportul Treviso, la 40 km nord de Venetia.

EN: The best way to get from Treviso airport to Venice is by bus ATVO. You can buy the ticket from the bus drive or online (12 EUR one way ticket). A 45 minutes ride will get you directly to Piazzale Roma, to the entrance of the city on the Ponte della Costituzione. For sure you can take a taxi or train from Treviso, but the bus has by far the best price-time ratio. RO: Cel mai convenabil mod de a ajunge de la Treviso in Venetia este cu autobuzul ATVO. Cumparati biletul direct de la sofer sau online (12 euro biletul). O plimbare de 45 de minute si ajungeti direct la Piazzale Roma, adica la intrarea in oras pe Ponte della Costituzione. Bineinteles, puteti lua taxiul sau trenul din Treviso, dar autobuzul are de departe cel mai bun raport pret-timp.

EN: Accommodation in VeniceVenice is the capital island of the Veneto region formed by a group of 118 small islands. Look for accommodation on Venice island because from there it is easy to go visit other amazing islands, like Burano, Murano, Lido etc.

I used Booking.com and found a great Bed & Breakfast on the island (~ 160 EUR/4 nights/person). Once there you can go to all of Venice’s attractions on foot. No need for transportation. But in case you want to use public transportation you will see that cars, buses and roads are in fact boats/vaporetto, gondolas and canals connected by 400-plus bridges.

 RO: Cazarea in VenetiaVenetia este insula capitala a regiunii Veneto, formata dintr-un grup de 118 insule mici. Cautati cazare pe insula Venetia, de acolo este mult mai usor sa vizitati alte insule uimitoare, cum ar fi Burano, Murano, Lido etc.

Am folosit Booking.com si am stat la un B&B (~ 160 EUR / 4 nopti / persoana). Odata ajunsi la cazare puteti explora toate atractiile Venetiei pe jos. Nu aveti nevoie de transport. Dar, daca vreti sa incercati transportul public, o sa vedeti ca masinile, autobuzele si drumurile sunt de fapt barci/vaporetto, gondole si canale conectate de poduri cu 400 de plus.

EN: What to visit in Venice? Canals and bridges of VeniceVenice has hundreds of canals and 400-plus bridges. The largest canal is Canal Grande and it divides the island into two sides. You cannot miss it on the map, it is shaped like a large reverse-S. So, even if you get to Venice without setting certain attractions to visit, just walk on the streets and you will stumble upon beautiful little bridges and one of the four bridges that cross the Grand Canal: Ponte dell’Accademia, Ponte degli Scalzi, Ponte della Costituzione and Ponte di Rialto. RO: Ce poti vizita in Venetia? Canalele si podurile VenetieiVenetia are sute de canale si peste 400 de poduri. Cel mai mare canal este Canal Grande, care imparte insula in doua. Se poate observa pe orice harta, are forma unui S invers. Deci, chiar daca ajungeti in Venetia fara niciun plan, trebuie doar sa va plimbati pe stradute si veti descoperi poduri micute, frumoase, dar si cel putin unul dintre cele patru poduri care traverseaza Canal Grande: Ponte dell’Accademia, Ponte degli Scalzi, Ponte della Costituzione și Ponte di Rialto.

EN: Piazza San MarcoFor sure, during your walks, you will get to the city’s main public square, Piazza San Marco. Here are famous buildings such as Basilica di San Marco and Campanie the bell tower, also the tallest building in Venice, Torre dell’Orologio or Clock Tower in Venice, Museo Correr one of the most renowned museums in Venice or Palazzo Ducale, used as a fortress and prison or the Doge’s Palace. RO: Piazza San MarcoIn plimbarea voastra pe stradute veti ajunge in piata principala, Piazza San Marco. Aici sunt cladiri celebre precum Basilica di San Marco si clopotnita Campanie, cea mai inalta cladire din Venetia, Torre dell’Orologio sau Turnul cu Ceas din Venetia, Museo Correr unul dintre cele mai renumite muzee din oras sau Palazzo Ducale, folosit ca fortareata si inchisoare sau Palatul Dogilor.

EN: Churches of VeniceYou will notice that there are so many churches, according to Wikipedia 139 churches are located within Venice and its Lagoon. Why? Well, when the area was first populated there were no bridges between the small islands formed by the canals. Each small green patch of land was an individual village, so each island community in the city built its own church.

Being funded by wealthy merchant families who wanted to display their wealth, the churches are really beautiful, with amazing paintings and art.

 RO: Bisericile din VenetiaInevitabil, veti observa ca sunt foarte multe biserici. Wikipedia ne spune ca sunt 139 biserici in Venetia si in laguna. De ce? Ei bine, atunci cand zona a fost populata initial, nu existau poduri intre micutele insule formate de canale. Fiecare petic mic de iarba era un sat individual, iar fiecare comunitate insulara din oras si-a construit propria biserica.

Fiind finantate de familiile instarite de comercianti, care voiau sa-si etaleze averea, bisericile sunt cu adevarat majestoase, cu picturi impresionante.

EN: T Fondaco Dei TedeschiWhen you get to Ponte di Rialto you must go to T Fondaco Dei Tedeschi, it is a retail chain offering duty-free goods such as handbags, fragrances & more, but besides shopping its terrace offers the best view of the Grand Canal. You just have to book online your visit in advance otherwise you will not be allowed to go on the terrace. RO: T Fondaco Dei TedeschiCand ajungeti la Ponte di Rialto nu uitati sa vizitati T Fondaco Dei Tedeschi, un magazin cu produse fara taxe, genti parfumuri si altele, dar, pe langa shopping, aici descoperti o terasa care va ofera cea mai faina vedere deasupra Grand Canal. Trebuie doar sa faceti rezervare online, altfel nu va este permis accesul pe terasa.

EN: Carnevale di VeneziaIf you have the opportunity to visit Venice during the carnival, do it. All the public celebrations, parades, masks, and costumes add a special vibe to the city. The origin of Venice Carnaval is not clearly defined, but I like this explanation it creates a climate of anonymity ideal to remove social differences, everybody enjoys the same party. RO: Carnavalul din VenetiaDaca aveti ocazia sa ajungeti in Veneta in timpul carnavalului, faceti-o! Sarbatorile publice, paradele, mastile si costumele adauga un vibe aparte orasului. Originea Carnavalului de la Venetia nu este clar definita, dar mie imi place aceasta explicatie: creeaza o atmosfera de anonimat care inlatura diferentele sociale, cu totii se bucura de aceeasi petrecere.

#TravelPost – Cappadocia, the realm of hot air balloons

RO: Sa ajung in Cappadocia, Turcia a fost una dintre rezolutiile pe 2019. S-a implinit, asa cum s-au intamplat multe experiente asemantoare din ultimii ani… fara prea multe si detaliate planuri, la cel mai mic imbold am cumparat biletele de avion. In acest caz le-am luat cu aproximativ doua luni inainte de decolare (Pegasus Airlines – economy class – Bucuresti Kayseri, dus- intors ~ 180 euro).

EN: Traveling to Cappadocia, Turkey was one of my 2019’s resolutions. So, it happened like many other similar experiences in the recent years … without too many and too detailed plans, at the slightest impulse I bought the airplane tickets. In this case I both them with about two months before take-off (Pegasus Airlines, economy class, round trip – Bucharest Kayseri, ~ 180 euro).

RO: Se zboara cu escala in Istanbul; o ora zborul Bucuresti – Istanbul, apoi o escala de 5 ore pentru un alt zbor de o ora Istanbul – Kayseri. Da, nu e cel mai placut, dar am avut cardul de debit Idea::platinum, care iti permite accesul gratuit in aproape orice lounge din lume, prin programul LoungeKey.

Cazarea am ales-o prin Booking.com, special pentru balconul cu view spre oras – Goreme Cave Rooms – 140 euro/4 nopti camera 2 pers).

Daca v-ati decis sa va aventurati in Cappadocia, luati in considerare doua zile pentru drum (cel putin din Romania). Am plecat intr-o miercuri si am stat pana duminica. Au fost 3 zile complete in care m-am bucurat de aceasta destinatie si credeti-ma cand va zic, nu au fost suficiente.

EN: The flight is with stop in Istanbul; one hour flight Bucharest – Istanbul, then a 5 hour stop for another one hour flight Istanbul – Kayseri. Yes, it’s not the best, but I had my Idea::platinum card that offers free access in almost every lounge in the world, through the program LoungeKey.

I chose the accommodation on Booking.com, especially for the special view balcony – Goreme Cave Rooms – 140 euro / 4 nights room for 2 persons).

If you have decided to travel to Cappadocia, take into account two days only for the way there (at least from Romania). I left on a Wednesday and stayed there until Sunday. There were 3 full days to enjoy this destination and believe me when I say they were not enough.

RO: Zborul cu balonul cu aer cald in Cappadocia

Din pacate, in zilele in care am fost acolo, din cauza vantului zborurile au fost anulate. Dar, in prima dimineata, dupa 4 ore de somn, mai exact la 4:30, am fost cocotata pe cel mai inalt deal si am urmarit spectacolul baloanelor cu aer cald 😉 

Recomandarea localnicilor este sa vizitezi Cappadocia in luna iulie, atunci sunt cele mai mici sanse sa se anuleze zborurile.

EN: Flying with hot air balloon in Cappadocia

Unfortunately, during the days that I was there, all flights were canceled due to wind. But on the first morning, after 4 hours of sleep, exactly at 4:30 AM I was on the highest hill watching the hot air balloons show  😉

Local people recommend to visit Cappadocia in July, during that period you will have the lowest chances of flight cancellations.

RO: Ce poti vizita in Cappadocia? Fiind un oras pregatit pentru turisti, de la rasarit pana la apus poti alege dintr-o multitudine de activitati speciale: excursii de o zi cu ghid in regiunea Goreme, tur cu ATV-ul sau tur cu caii, zbor cu parapanta, plimbare cu masini de epoca, petrecere turceasca sau hammam – baie turceasca. Fiecare cazare iti pune la dispozitie aceste activitati sau la fiecare colt de strada gasesti o agentie turistica care te poate ajuta.

EN: What can you visit in Cappadocia? Being a city ready for tourists, from sunrise to sunset you can choose from so many special activities: daily colored guided tours in the Goreme region, ATV tour or horseback riding, paragliding, strolling with epoch cars, Turkish party or Turkish bath – hammam. Each accommodation provides you with these activities, or you will find at every corner of the street a tourist agency ready to help you.

RO: Red tour, 28 euro (plecarea de la hotel, intre orele 9 si aprox. 17): Muzeul National in aer liber Göreme; panorama Love valley; demonstratie de olarit in Avanos; valea Pasabag cu formatiuni din cenusa sau “calugarii impietriti”; valea Devrent (Imagination valley).

EN: Red tour, 28 euro (starting point the hotel, from 9 AM to about 5 PM): Uçhisar panorama; Göreme Open Air Museum; Love valley view point; Avanos traditional handicrafts demonstration; Paşabağ fairy chimney rock formations; Devrent valley (Imagination valley).

RO: Green tour, 30 euro – orasul subteran Derinkuyu, valea Ihlara, manastirea Selime, demonstratie atelier onyx, vizita la un centru de covoare lucrate manual, panorama Pigeon Valley.

EN: Green tour, 30 euro – Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley, Lunch, Selime Monastery, Onyx Demonstration, visit handmade carpet center, Pigeon Valley vista point.

RO: Mancarea turceasca inseamna proteine si zahar 😀 pot kebap,  kunefe, baclava, dulciuri cu foarte mult zahar. Sa nu va abtineti cat sunteti in concediu, nu exagerati, dar incercati ce va face cu ochiul.

EN: For me Turkish food means proteins and sugar: D pot kebap, kunefe, baclava, sweets with a lot of sugar. Don’t restrict yourselves on vacation, just don’t exaggerate, but try what you feel like.

RO: Fiecare oras, destinatie inseamna un amalgam de amintiri si trairi pe care le pastrezi, le aduci cu tine acasa si iti alimenteaza starea de reverie mult dupa ce calatoria s-a incheiat… prin aceste #travelposts incerc sa pastrez cat mai vii, mai prezente descoperirile mele din lumea mare.

Pastrez in bucket list aceasta destinatie… in una dintre lunile iulie din viitorul apropiat o sa va salut din balonul cu aer cald, de deasupra Cappadociei!

EN: Every city, destination gives a mix of memories and experiences that you can bring home with you, they are the ones that feed your spirit long after the journey has ended … through these #travelposts I try to keep alive as long as I can my discoveries from the big world.

I will keep this destination on my bucket list, and in one of the July months in the near future I will wave to you from the hot air balloon above Cappadocia!

Kisses and please go discover the world!