OUR TRAVELS
Photos of sightseeing enthusiasts
A TRIP ROUTE
INTERESTING STORIES
When German and Soviet forces attacked Poland in September 1939, Romania accepted approximately 100,000 Polish military and civilian refugees. Although the Polish authorities were interned by the Romanians, no Poles were extradited to the Germans, despite intense pressure from Berlin. On September 17th, the Polish authorities, before crossing the Romanian border in Zaleszczyki, released the Kingdom of Romania from its obligation to provide armed assistance in the event of Russian aggression. It was only thanks to the Romanian authorities' stance that the evacuation of 80 tons of Polish gold from the National Bank of Poland was successful. Despite enormous pressure from both Germany and the Soviet Union, the Romanians agreed to the transfer of Polish assets through their territory. After crossing the country, the Polish gold was loaded onto a ship in the Romanian port of Constanța, from where it continued its journey to the West. At the request of the Polish authorities, approximately 4 tons of Polish gold remained in Romania as part of the aid granted to Polish refugees. When Romania defected to the Allies in 1944, government officials hid the national gold and Polish valuables from the Germans. The treasures survived the rest of the war in a Carpathian cave and were returned to Warsaw in 1947. (source: www.chwalazapomniana.pl)
IT IS WORTH KNOWING
The sleepy town of Babadag in Romanian Dobruja lent its name to Andrzej Stasiuk's book "Going to Babadag." In his diary, published in 2004, the author recounts his travels through various countries of Central and Eastern Europe, creating a map full of forgotten and seemingly unattractive places for tourists. Hitchhiking, on foot, or by train, he describes the countryside, impoverished villages, and deserted landscapes where time seems to stand still. During his journeys, he delves into the lives of simple people: workers, farmers, and bluebirds. In Romania, he observes the contrast between traditional rituals and the contemporary decay of society. During his travels, the author visits places rife with poverty, such as the titular Romanian Babadag, forgotten villages in Albania, and Hungarian-Slovak Roma settlements. He describes them as spaces where time stands still, and the inhabitants' lives proceed according to tradition. The past blends with the present, and modern elements seem dilapidated and marked by decay. (source: www.poezja.org)
Romania - Dobruja, Bucharest
July 2025
My previous stay in Romania was very successful, and even then I decided I absolutely had to return. Rumunia is a large country, incredibly diverse in terms of terrain, history, and culture. It delights with impressive mountains, pristine nature, Europe's largest biosphere reserve, and the sandy beaches of the Black Sea.
The idea to visit the Danube Delta arose in unusual circumstances. On my way home from a walk, I noticed a photography exhibition by Romanian artist Florin Andreescu titled "The Danube Delta - The Amazon of Europe" on the fence of the Public Library on Rajska Street. The beautiful, original photographs and descriptions of nature made such a huge impression on me that I decided to go there. I figured that since I hadn't been to the Amazon yet, I would at least see the "Amazon of Europe." The logistics of preparing the trip were quite complicated, but fortunately, everything turned out well.Tulcea and surroundings
Tulcea turned out to be an excellent base for both the Danube Delta and nearby attractions. Since renting a car for a day proved impossible, I didn't manage to visit the Old Believer villages. However, I did reach the godforsaken town of Babadag, which featured in the title of Andrzej Stasiuk's famous book. I also had the opportunity to admire the ruins of the medieval fortress Enisala, picturesquely situated on a former bay of the Black Sea.
Danube Delta
I have already booked tours around the Danube Delta in Poland. I decided to go on all-day motorboat trips along two branches - Sulina and Sfantu Gheorghe. It was a fantastic adventure. Although the captain liked speed and didn't swim too close to wild birds, I still managed to take some nice photos. An unexpected attraction was the wreck of the Georgian-flagged ship Turgut S, which in 2009 ran aground at the mouth of the Danube into the Black Sea.
Constanta
The founding of the city of Constanța (Greek Tomis) is linked to the myth of the Argonauts. I must admit that I left the place of exile of the Roman poet Ovid somewhat disappointed. The reason wasn't the city itself, but the ubiquitous renovations that prevented me from seeing the most interesting attractions of the capital of Dobruja, the Roman House of Mosaics, home to the world's largest floor mosaic, and the Archaeological Museum.
Bucharest
Bucharest is called the Paris of the East, and there's no exaggeration in that statement. Although Nicolae Seausescu did much damage, the city still boasts numerous Orthodox churches, monasteries, and eclectic and neoclassical buildings. However, I especially enjoyed the open-air museum, which houses nearly three hundred original houses, farm buildings, workshops, churches, and chapels from all over Romania.
Our favorite photos
