Sunset in Ruse and the dark side of politics

Storyline: Vidin to Ruse Bulgaria via Romania by train Jul – Aug, 2017

The dark side of politics

While waiting in a filthy bus station in Bucharest Alex said – I want to be in Favorit (this is our go-to hotel in Sofia). Continue reading “Sunset in Ruse and the dark side of politics”

Back to Bulgaria by bus after all

Storyline: Vidin to Ruse Bulgaria via Romania by train Jul – Aug, 2017

Hmmm, is this the bus?

We should have taken the train. The day after we arrived in Bucharest, we walked to the major international bus station, Filaret. Continue reading “Back to Bulgaria by bus after all”

Bucharest

Storyline: Vidin to Ruse Bulgaria via Romania by train Jul – Aug, 2017

The front of the Parliament

Bucharest was our last stop in Romania. And it was the only city we weren’t impressed with. Based on history, this was somewhat expected, yet the contrast shocked us. Continue reading “Bucharest”

Food in Romania

Storyline: Vidin to Ruse Bulgaria via Romania by train Jul – Aug, 2017

Never mind the fries and bread

We like food and we like to indulge once in a while. We like exploring local cuisines and trying new things. Continue reading “Food in Romania”

Braşov to Bucharest

Storyline: Vidin to Ruse Bulgaria via Romania by train Jul – Aug, 2017

Vacationers on board

The train to Bucharest was rather full. Families with kids and huge suitcases, families without kids and with huge suitcases, and younger people with duffel bags, were boarding the train. They were all vacationers, going to the Black Sea. Continue reading “Braşov to Bucharest”

Sinaia, Bran, Râşnov

Storyline: Vidin to Ruse Bulgaria via Romania by train Jul – Aug, 2017

Peleş Castle

Sebastian picked us up at 9 the next morning and we headed for Sinaia first, since it was the farthest destination. Continue reading “Sinaia, Bran, Râşnov”

Braşov

Storyline: Vidin to Ruse Bulgaria via Romania by train Jul – Aug, 2017

Tampa Mountain

We walked from the train station all the way to the old town and our hotel. It was a longish walk; first through some residential areas with apartment buildings obviously from communist times; then some nicer low-rise buildings and newly built houses mixed with old ones – some renovated, some not; many administrative buildings too. Continue reading “Braşov”

Sibiu to Braşov

Storyline: Vidin to Ruse Bulgaria via Romania by train Jul – Aug, 2017

Mind the gap

Upon arrival at Sibiu and before venturing the city we bought tickets for our next leg to Braşov. We would try an international train this time. Continue reading “Sibiu to Braşov”

Sibiu

Storyline: Vidin to Ruse Bulgaria via Romania by train Jul – Aug, 2017

Piata Mare – the big square

The train was delayed: we didn’t arrive in Sibiu until late evening. It was the end of a big rock festival. Continue reading “Sibiu”

Craiova to Sibiu

Storyline: Vidin to Ruse Bulgaria via Romania by train Jul – Aug, 2017

Off the train

Getting off the train in Craiova I ventured to discover the toilets. Continue reading “Craiova to Sibiu”

The surprise of Craiova

Storyline: Vidin to Ruse Bulgaria via Romania by train Jul – Aug, 2017

Palatul Administrativ din Craiova (Administrative Palace)

Researching our train trip from Vidin to Ruse through Romania we knew we would have to stop in Craiova. Continue reading “The surprise of Craiova”

Trains we took through Romania

Storyline: Vidin to Ruse Bulgaria via Romania by train Jul – Aug, 2017

Mind the gap

While planning this trip from Canada it was somewhat difficult to find information on crossing the Bulgaria-Romania border at Vidin-Calafat. Continue reading “Trains we took through Romania”

Prelude: Wagner in Magura Cave, Verdi in Belogradchik Fortress

Storyline: Vidin to Ruse Bulgaria via Romania by train Jul – Aug, 2017

A scene from Nabucco at Belogradchik Fortress

We started our trip indulging in some cultural events in Bulgaria. The times we have spent there in summer are often seasoned with a variety of outdoor concerts and festivals. Continue reading “Prelude: Wagner in Magura Cave, Verdi in Belogradchik Fortress”

Vidin to Craiova, the Romanian part

Storyline: Vidin to Ruse Bulgaria via Romania by train Jul – Aug, 2017

Calafat-Craiova, hay bales

There are some 119 km of railroad between Vidin, Bulgaria and Craiova, Romania. Of this, it’s about 30 km from Vidin to Golenţi railway station near Calafat, on new tracks built across the New Europe Bridge (also know as Danube 2 bridge). The bridge was opened in 2013 and the first passenger train between Vidin and Golenţi ran in May 2014.   Continue reading “Vidin to Craiova, the Romanian part”

Crossing the Danube over the New Europe Bridge

Storyline: Vidin to Ruse Bulgaria via Romania by train Jul – Aug, 2017

Danube Bridge New-Europe Vidin Bulgaria-Calafat Romania, credit MaxPixel

Sometimes dreams from the past do not survive the reality check of the present. With age marching fast, some dreams are better left unrealized. Continue reading “Crossing the Danube over the New Europe Bridge”

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