I woke up Saturday morning to find VIKING VIDAR was in the Djerdap I locks. It actually took hours for the water to rise enough for us to get out. We then proceeded through a part of the Danube called the Iron Gate. It is a series of four narrow gorges that separates the Carpathian… Read More Saturday Morning Onboard Viking Vidar

In the morning, we visited Belogradchik rocks and fortress. In the afternoon, we visited Baba Vida Fortress and enjoyed tasting Bulgarian wines. The Belogradchik Rocks are a group of strangely shaped sandstone and conglomerate rock formations located on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains in northwest Bulgaria. The rocks vary in color from primarily… Read More Second day in Bulgaria

A few last things about Romania before I move on. There is universal healthcare but you only get it for free if you are employed. However, there are exceptions for retired people and people that are unable to work. There is a pension system for everyone and higher education is free for those that can… Read More First full day on long boat Viking Vidar

After a delightful breakfast in Brașov, we took the train back to Bucharest. The scenery was breathtaking. I was able to get some good pictures even through the window of the train. Unfortunately, some are a little fuzzy because they were taken through a window. We really enjoyed our stay in Brașov. It’s an incredible… Read More Brasov to Bucharest and the start of our Viking Tour.

This tour was basically through the area of Transylvania that was settled by the Saxons. This group of people mostly from Luxenberg and then later from other parts of Germany, settled Transylvania in various waves, starting from the middle and mid late 12th century until the mid 19th century. For centuries the main task of… Read More Tour #2: Feldioara Citadel, Rupea Fortress, Viscri, Sighisoara and Bunesti Monastery

Brasov is surrounded by snowcap mountains and on our way to Bran castle, we got to see them close up. Bran castle was built in the late 14th century by the residents of Brasov to block the Bran gorge from an enemy invasion. The castle was renovated in mid 20th century by Queen Regina Marie,… Read More Tour #1: Bran Castle, Rasnov Fortress and Peles Castle

I arrived in Bucharest early Thursday evening, after two very uneventful flights. Our hotel in Bucharest was small but very comfortable. We enjoyed a wonderful seafood pasta dinner. There seems to be a lot of Italian food in Romania. Friday morning we left to take the train to Brasov. We are staying in a two… Read More First full day in Romania

I am on my way to Europe. I will be visiting the castle country of Romania. Then taking a Viking River cruise from Bucharest to Budapest, going thru Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary.

I am on my way to Europe. I will be visiting the castle country of Romania. Then taking a Viking River cruise from Bucharest to Budapest, going thru Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary.