The trıp down from Plovdıv to Istanbul was ınterestıng one! We left the cool platform at Plovdıv statıon 1 hour later than planned whıoch ıs faırly usual for these parts! Settlıng ınto 3 abreast cabıns was luxury ın comparıson to the frequent 6 to a cabın confıguratıon of overnıght traıns and all ıs wrıtten ın German as well as Turkısh ın thıs case, the pıoneers of overnıght traın travel. Ouyr guıde offerred to gıve me a nıght of peace but & [View Full Entry]

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Continuing on down the Rhodopean mountains, we were blessed with lovely fien if chilly weather. The town got it's first dump of snow the night previous, given the cool temps (!) and we woke to snow capped mountains and ice on the roads. That made for bracing jogging but that could not stop me, of course. The private transfer to Plovdiv took less than 3 hrs and we settled into the Pension Plovdiv guesthouse in the old town by 1pm, ready to explore. The afternoon saw a brief tour with Jenni, our guide, and then we were let loose until 7pm [View Full Entry]

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Entering Sofia after a 3 hour plus bus journey was absolute delight after bustling Bucharest - it is half the size, has indications of more investment thanks to joining the EU several years ago, good tourist infrastructure (bus, train stations near eachother and commute to or within town on trams, trolley buses etc). Having had a rough deal since the earthquake and loss of some buildings, many have also been well preserved. I would have noticed no fewer than 10 churches on my wander around the city that afternoon. Our guide with Intrepid gave us a quick tour of the key [View Full Entry]

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It was a stunning ride from the tranquility of Sinaia to Bucharest, slightly later than planned due to train delays but arrived before lunchtime at gare du Nord, the main terminus. Watch your pockets as usual, and after a 5 minute stroll out the right exit, bedde down in hotel Elizeu for some water, food and getting settled. Meeting up againa fetr this break, we headed to town to see the Presidential Palace. This attractions is well worth the 20Lei entrance fee, if you can hack the stringent security checks and waiting time. The informative English speaking guide (they do other [View Full Entry]

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The trip from Sibiu to Brasov was impressive. We left to a cool morning with sun emerging across the mountains jutting into the sky like a knife. It became misty as we approached the mountains in the private mini bus, in search of the glacial lake known as 'Balea'. The ascent through pine forest gave way to barren tussock land, then rock, following a series of switchbacks that had an amazing view across the valley from whence we came. The military entertained us at the summit, firing mortars with accompanying sounds, that seemed as though they were blasting the mountain apart! [View Full Entry]

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The last town in complete upheaval within the citadel was a stark contarst to what was to come in Viscri, human ulation estimated at under 500 I would reckon, and cows, geese, mallard ducks, roosters, turkeys and similar game likely exceeding 2000! Viscri is 1 hour by taxi from Sighsoara and basically a dirt main street, ditches either side, houses joined togather and of many paint coats indicative of their quirky owner tendencies or time of restoration. We visited the Saxon church that with a small community has beguns ome restoration of it's creaky foundations and floorboards. There is a mu [View Full Entry]

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The break in Debrecen for 3 hours was deserved, as the rest of the afternoon was spent travelling across country by rail and then minibus to our final destination at Sighetu Marmatiei. This small town is only 2km from the Ukraine border and beyond which is some 'no mans land', being forbidden to cross. Debrecen, Hungary, has several impressive buildings but only worth a short stop to do internet, stock up on any groceries etc. It is on the edge of the Hortobagy national park of Hungary, a superb place evidently to see birdlife and rambling plains (the highest peak in [View Full Entry]

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After leaving the beutified promenades, Basvice inlet swimming cove, grapes, figs and heat of Split, I headed to Zagreb on September 26th. Before leaving, I spent my final Kunas at the local markets and went to where I though a lovely beach would be in Solin, 10 mins by train out of Split. This proved to be a motorway and tank farm area, with no beach in sight.........but huge rampantly growing fig trees by the road side and underpasses. The figs I picked were incredible and I have developed a love having never tasted them before (Croats I hear have had [View Full Entry]

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After the experience of crystal clear water in Hvar and Korcula, it was time for the token visit to Dubrovnik, of which I had mixed reports from other travellers. I was extremely lucky to avoid an early sdtart on the Wednesday by not leaving at 6,45am, and instead leaving at a civilised hour of 10,30am. I decided to get accommodation from an agency in Korcula, whom the lady knew having flatted in this apartment before. On this recommendation and 240 kuna later, I stayed in a lovely new apartment in Lapad, 10 mins by bus to the old town of Dubrovnik. [View Full Entry]

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Fortunate for me I made the train at Ljubljana bound for Rijeka in time. And strangely the toilets at the station, like ,many others so far, did not cost 1 euro to use! The train trip was through lovely lush sub tropical forest, and with 2 rather efficient border checks taking 15 mins, entering Croatia from Slovenia (population 2 million) was a joy. Except for the different currency! Having met and chatted with a medical student on board that spoke good English, I determined the best stop would be Opatija, the station being 5km from town but 200m to the "blink [View Full Entry]

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