Sibiu Watchtower, Romania by Thomas Quine

Sibiu

The most physically attractive town in the heart of Romania is this little town called Sibiu. It is divided into two parts; lower town and upper town. The lower town is like a canvas painted with colorful houses that are nicely placed on the cobblestone path. The place is restricted by the fortified defense towers that dominate another attraction of Sibiu; Cibin river. The attractions of the lower town Sibiu are The Bridge of Lies, Goldsmith’s Square, the Stairs Passage and the Haller Bastion. The upper town is historically rich and is occupied by some of Romania’s best monuments. The famous squares; the Great Square, the Little Square and the Huet Square are all located in the upper town of Sibiu. Roman-Catholic Church and Brukenthal Palace form part of the Great Square where one can enjoy the artifact collections. The little tower is linked to the Great Square and one can visit this place for splendid illustration of the town. Huet Square has some of the best gothic buildings and is renowned for the Evangelic Cathedral that features five pointed towers. Apart from all these places; historic churches, indigenous museums and Saxon & Romanian Traditions of Sibiu cannot be missed.

Orthodox Cathedral in Sibiu, Romania by Camil Ghircoias

Sighisoara

A small medieval town formed by the Saxons of Transylvania, Sighisoara is an elegant illustration of Romania’s aesthetic sense. The whole town has old buildings, old lanes, old café and old churches wedged with traditional as well as modern populace. The most famous Bran Castle or call it the Dracula Castle in Romania is located in Sighisoara. One must visit the castle which, at one time, was the residence of Vlad the warrior. He was a renowned Gothic fighter who stayed in the Bran chamber for two days, but there is no confirmatory that he lived there. The imaginary character Dracula is based on him and hence the bran castle is also known as the Dracula Castle. Apart from the castle, the 14th century Clock Tower, Sighisoara Square, old passageway, Teo’s Cellar and Scala Coperta are some places of attractions to stopover for exploring. Teo’s Cellar is the most recommended place for experiencing ageing wine and strong spirits. Those interested in folk art can opt for Art Crafts and Tea shop where the owner makes wooden spoons. It’s quite an amusing view to watch him make spoons. Next is the Scala Coperta which is more than 370 years old wooden bridge that stands as a national treasure for Romania. The Sighisoara museum and old passageway have their own charm.

Sighisoara, Romania by CrimsonC

Transylvania Countryside

The countryside is like any other countryside with cattle grazing, bicyclers, horse cart rides and vast green mountainous landscape that makes any place more picturesque.

About Author

Irina Kirilov is an editor for Rent Car Romania. She started blogging 3 years ago and plans to do this for the rest of her life. You can follow Irina on Twitter: @carhireromania

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Here are some of the best places to go walking in the UK, covering everything from architecture to waterfalls and everything in between.

Pen-y-Fan, South Wales, UK / Photo by Ben Gallivan

The Brecon Beacons

Situated in the lower half of Wales, this range of mountains is part of the larger National Park of the same name. They are situated just to the south of the town of Brecon and are hugely popular with walkers. The six peaks range from 2000-3000ft and are easily accessible for less experienced walkers. Paths are also available for those who are looking for more of a challenge. One of the best walks is the ‘Beacons Horseshoe’ which takes in 3 of the peaks and provides some of the most spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Further to the east in the National Park is another great walk at Ystradfellte where you can take in many majestic waterfalls; there are plenty of paths available for those wanting to take a leisurely amble around all of the waterfalls.

London

Many people don’t consider London to be the best place to head out for a walk; too much pollution, too many cars and overcrowded? Well you’d be surprised. London is a great place to set out for the day and see the many sights by foot rather than travelling by the underground. First of all, there is the splendor of the many Royal Parks. Hyde Park and Regents Park are two of the largest and you can while away the hours admiring the greenery and lakes (along with the varied wildlife) and spare yourself from the noise of the traffic. Another place worth visiting is the town of Richmond. There is a charming walk besides the river that takes you to the locks at nearby Teddington, on towards Kingston and beyond.

Angle Tarn, Lake District National Park, UK / Photo by Ben Gallivan

The Lake District

The Lakes, as they are commonly known are situated in the North West of England and have become increasingly popular with walkers and now attracts up to 16 million visitors per year. Don’t let this put you off however; the area is vast and although you may not have the various routes and paths to yourself at any one time, there is a likelihood that you will find yourself with plenty of breathing space when you’re out on the trail. Most of the walks are hilly, as the roads take over the routes around the lakes themselves; there are many guide books on the area inspired by the works of Alfred Wainwright who discovered many of the routes in the mid-20th century.

Ben Gallivan is a keen walker based in Wales, UK. He has been hiking for many years and writes for Appalachian Outdoors who stock all the best walking gear as well as products from great brands such as Life Is Good clothing.

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Firstly consider the clothes that you will be travelling in. These should be lightweight, roomy and comfortable. Buses are often heated or cooled as the season demands, but a pair of tight jeans will start to become uncomfortable after a few hours of sitting still in them, no matter how great they look.

You should also think about the hotels that you will be staying in each evening and whether there are any excursions planned. This may necessitate smart clothing and a capsule wardrobe is a great idea here as it will leave you plenty of space in your luggage but allow you to look stylish each evening.

To make sure that you are as comfortable as possible during your time on the bus itself you should take a travel bag onboard with you. Buses will often have overhead compartments just like planes so you can afford to take a reasonably sized bag on with you. In this bag you should have your toiletry kit so you can freshen up when you stop at any services.

You should also include a light blanket and small pillow, although it is best to check with your travel company when you book as some bus trips provide these to passengers. Those that don’t will not object to you bringing them and you will be pleased you did when you want a nap. A change of clothes is also a good idea for your carry on bag just in case.

Consider bringing snack food and drinks with you in case the length of time between some of the stops is long. Most bus companies do not have a problem with the type of food and drink you bring onboard and some allow you to bring alcohol too, although they ask that you drink it in moderation. You will often find that there is a spirit of camaraderie on a bus trip and people can be found pooling their snacks and having a picnic.

Things to keep you occupied while on your bus trip are also a good idea to include in your travel bag, but remember you do not have to cram everything into it at once. Each evening when you stop you will be able to exchange books from your main luggage and you can also do this with music or games that you have decided to pack as well.

This article is written by Laura Donnovan. She is currently living in Denmark and working for a travel agency for 3 years. She loves to cook, meet her friends and travel all over the world. If you like her tips for bus trips (or as it is called in Denmark bus rejser) you can follow her @LauraDonnovan.

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Tuscany landscape / Gabriele Cantini

Airfare is usually the largest concern. Fortunately, there are so many options and airlines now that you just have to do a little homework to find a deal. Sign up for daily deal newsletters; there are many companies that will comb through flight deals and email them directly to you automatically. Some airlines, however, won’t publish their prices anywhere except on their website. Compare your email savings to the airline pages to find the cheaper source. You can use flight cost predictors as well if you want to track changing fares and try to nab the best one. A last resort should be a bidding or blind cost-naming site. While you can get really amazing deals with these tools, you’ll have little control over the flight times or details. If you’re part of a small travel group, this might be best for you. But if you’re traveling with children or many others, don’t gamble with the air travel.

The second largest cost of a vacation is usually accommodations. But if you’re looking at expensive Tuscany hotels, you’re not only wasting money, but you’re also wasting the culture of Tuscany! Tuscany is a countryside region of Italy that is famous for its lush landscapes and stunning villas. But though you may feel intimidated by the airy, luxurious architecture, most villas are actually for rent. It may seem surprising, but Italian homes are not just for celebrities and locals; you can relax in style with Tuscany villa rentals. Just like regular rental homes, villas are available in all sizes and can hold your group whether you’re as few as a couple or as large as a family reunion. These are fully furnished homes, so you’ll have access to a kitchen and private bathroom: Just remember that an Italian kitchen can be quite different from what you’re used to. Look at all of your options before you rent a villa. It’s best to compare between rental companies or property managers and web sites that let you book directly through the owner. There will be many options, so make sure you take everything into account.

Amazing sitting area at the villa in Tuscany / Jeremy Vandel

Don’t worry about spending money once you’ve settled in; Tuscany has numerous cheap activities. If you’re an outdoors person looking to enjoy the famous mellow Mediterranean weather, then the beaches won’t disappoint. The most famous beaches are Versilia, Pisa, and Livorno, which have been awarded by the Foundation of Environmental Education. If you’ll be staying in Tuscany for a while, there’s no reason you can’t see all three!

Especially if you’re traveling with a family, you might want to make sure that you experience some culture and education. Fortunately, most of the museums and landmarks are either free or very cheap! You can visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but Florence is the star when it comes to art. Don’t miss the Uffizi, famous for housing paintings by Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli.

Don’t fret about transportation either; Italy has a cheap and efficient train system, and you can easily explore all of Florence on foot. The countryside, littered with medieval fortresses and villages, can be explored by hiking or biking. Save money by skipping the tour group and you’ll find that discovering the countryside on your own is much more exciting.

If you combine the savings from discount airfare, Tuscany villa rentals and experiencing all that Tuscany has to offer on your own, you’ll be able to afford the trip of a lifetime without spending your life savings!

Matt Papa is a professional inbound marketer, discussing Tuscany villa rentals, who guest blogs for a variety of online publications. Matt is a part of an elite team of writers who have contributed to hundreds of blogs and news sites, including Reuters, SEOmoz.org and The Washington Post. Follow him @MattPapa77.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Victor Sounds

Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park was founded in 2005 by combining Pallas-Ounastunturi National Park and Ylläs-Aakenus Nature Reserve. It consists of peat bogs, which are surrounded by forests. It is an untouched corner of our planet and is breathtaking to see it with the northern lights (aurora). The local countryside is really beautiful. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is also very popular in winter, there are ideal conditions for cross-country skiing. The highest peak in the park is Taivaskero, which reaches an altitude of 807 meters above sea level.

Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is crossed with a series of marked hiking trails with a total length of 350km. They are suitable both for hiking or cross-country skiing. There are several log huts in the area of the park, where you can rest or even stay for a night. However staying here is not free. The park is home to reindeer.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Victor Sounds

Already mentioned Pallas-Ounastunturi National Park was the first national park in Finland, founded already in 1938. The park was established to protect unique parts of forestless highland areas, which stretch through the forests of Lapland. Finnish national parks are golden treasures of Finland and are waiting for each tourist with open arms.

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Bodiam castle is situated in the undulating countryside of southern England and was originally built as a protection against possible invasions of French during the The Hundred Years’ War. However French army has never come here. So today, more likely version is that the castle was built by Sussex Knight as his headquarters. The castle was inhabited until the 17th century, when it was during the civil war (which began in 1642), damaged in an attack by parliamentary troops. The roof has been destroyed which made it useless and non-recoverable. In 1664 thus became unoccupied and remained abandoned.

Fortunately, thanks to the sandstone, which was used as its building material, it has withstood the ravages of time and remained preserved until today. In 1919, Bodiam Castle was restored by Lord Curzon, who later gave it to the state.

Now the castle is open to the public and is one of the major attractions of the region. From the outside it looks perfectly intact and you will find also impressive interior remains which show you how the castle was equipped.

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Though flying to the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland is a good option, it will probably then mean a battle to get around the country.

For many people, not least stag parties, Dublin is their favourite destination in the Republic of Ireland. And the capital not only has many attractions but has a good transport system.

So anyone intending to limit their Irish holiday to a weekend in Dublin will not be inconvenienced by not having a car, if they choose to fly there.

There is an excellent bus service in Dublin, and if you wish to travel north or south of the city centre then it is a good idea to use the Dublin Area Rapid Transit. That is an electric train service which runs from Howth in the north to the lovely seaside town of Bray in the south.

Flying into Dublin Airport is a pleasant experience, just a short hop from Great Britain, and you can then take Aircoach into the city centre.

However, Ireland has such wonderful towns and countryside that it is a real shame to limit your time in Ireland to just Dublin. Plus Dublin Hotels, food and attractions are expensive – as you would find in any capital city – so if you’re planning on staying in Ireland for a bit longer, it pays to spread your wings and explore other, more cost-effective parts of the country.

However, those who want to explore Ireland will find that the Irish rail system is not the best. It is possible, though not speedy, to get to lovely towns like Limerick and Galway by rail, but the best way to get around is by car. You can then choose to stay away from city centres, where you find cheap hotels, as opposed to the pricier establishments closer to the centre that are designed to trap those tourists who are unable to stay anywhere else.

Car hire in the Republic of Ireland, however, is generally not as cheap as in the U.K., which can add considerably to the total cost of your trip.

Definitely worth considering is the option of taking the ferry to Ireland. However, depending where in the U.K. you live, that can involve a lengthy drive.

Ferry connections between the two countries, via the Irish Sea, are available from Holyhead, Birkenhead, Doughlas, Stranraer, Cairnryan, Troon, Swansea, Fishguard and Pembroke.

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Although the Apulian countryside is literally dotted with trulli buildings, most fairy houses can be found in the town of Alberobello, which was, due to its unique structures, included in UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Hundreds of trulli houses are stuck next to each other in the winding streets. They survived in an almost authentic state, for which we can thank to the Italian conservationists. Already in 1909, Trulli was declared as a protected monument.

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Currently fairy houses serve mainly to tourists – as small shops and pubs, but sometimes as a romantic and rather expensive little hotels and guesthouses. Renting the renovated and modernly equipped Trulli for two to four people outside the main season cost €600 a week (during the holidays up to €800).

Lots of houses are also on sale, at the lower prices. However, in the state before the general reconstruction.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Grzegorz

According to an ancient legend, Błędów Desert was created by the devil, who tore the the bag of sand at the local church tower.

In fact, the sand is the remaining of melting glaciers. However it overgrown after some time. The present appearance of the countryside made people already in the thirteenth century, when they began to use land here, water and cut down forests. A narrow layer of the soil was destroyed and the sand appeared again. At the beginning of the 19th century, the desert had 80 km2. Now the sand is overgrowing again, and the desert is shrinking.

Since 2010, some projects have been initiated to save this unique area. Błędów Desert is often referred to as the Polish Sahara. This similarity is often used by the filmmakers. In the past, it was a training area for army. Today, you can find here the remains of fortifications however the part of the desert is still a military area.

Błędów Desert is best accessible from the village of Chechlo and Klucze, where you can follow the tourist trail. A popular way to see the beauty of this unique European piece of desert is from horseback.

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The national park is popular with hikers and mountaineers, but not suitable for beginners. Sarek National Park has no marked trails, no accommodation possibilities.

Sarek National Park was established in 1909 (in this year the first national parks in Europe have been established) and protects nearly 2000 km2 of wilderness.

Sarek National Park is best reached from Kvikkjokk. Another way is by ship from Ritsema on the north side through the lake Akkajaure. Whether you choose any path you will get into absolute wilderness. You will find here more than 100 peaks that are higher than 1,800 meters and over a hundred glaciers.

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