When it comes to infrastructure, the Belgians are kings and have been kings for a long time. The first part of this line was built early in 1885, while the rest was finished after the First World War, with small adjustments in the last decade. You would think that with the expansive distance the trams come every five hours. Well, they don’t. The tram comes every twenty minutes in offseason and every ten in the summer. And that is because it is not only for tourists. Thousands of Belgians use it every day to commute.

   The trams are new, silent and they get you from one end to the other in approximately two hours and twenty minutes. They run from 6:00 am until almost midnight and stops at every station, although you should be careful to push the button and let the driver know you want to get out.

How to get there?

   The tramline is connected to railway in De Panne, Oostende, Blankenberge, Zeebrugge and Knokke, so you can also take a train to Brussels for example. I recommend the route Brussels – Brugge- Oostende so you wouldn’t miss the wonderful Brugge, a former port to North Sea. The connections are usually every hour, the trains look exceptional and the voyage lasts about one and a half hours. A return ticket will not be more than 12-13€ per person and if you don’t believe me check the Belgian railway website www.b-rail.be. It’s interesting to see how from Brussels to Brugge the language in which the messages are displayed slowly changes from French to Flemish. Even if you take the tram from another place you should stop at Oostende and take the train to Brugge. You will not regret it.

From Paris there is a fast train to Oostende by Thalys, but it’s a bit expensive.

From England there is a ferry from Kingston upon Hull to Zeebrugge by P&O Ferries.

What is there to see:

-      Many art galleries

-      Oostende – a nice port where you can eat fresh see fruit for a few Euros

-      Fort Napoleon in Oostende

-      World Cartoon Festival in Knokke

-     Paul Delvaux Museum

-      Bredene –  5 kilometers of deserted beach and dunes

-      Knokke-Heist

-      De Paane

-      De Haan

-      Koksijde

-      Brugge for being near

-    charming cities, beaches, the North Sea and day to day life of Belgian people

Prices:

A journey from one end to another costs 2 Euros

A day pass costs 5 Euros

A 3-day pass is 10 Euros .

   The tram has an official site with many pieces of information including about ticket prices, the route in every city, maps and interesting places to visit on the way. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have an English version, not even a French one, so feel free to use Google translate:  www.dekusttram.be

   We also enjoyed old time Kinder eggs, which we found in a small boutique, or the apple vodka of which we took plenty, back home.

   It’s a city that deserves a weekend, perhaps more than a ride to Braşov. It is easily reached by car after you pass Giurgiu bridge (5€ a crossing, 5€ bulgarian vignette). There are plenty of road signs. If you are a student don’t forget to bring your student card – it can save some money. Between 17th and 24th of July there will be the International Folklore Festival.

   But this article is not about Veliko Tarnovo..

Hotnitsa Waterfall

   Ok, you saw Veliko Tarnovo. You must take another day or at least a few hours for a relaxing walk in the nature at Hotnitsa. It’s not so easily found if someone doesn’t show you the way. Meanwhile signs started to appear.

   The only thing we knew when we wanted to get there was that, on the road to Ruse, we had to turn left somewhere. Obviously we missed the spot and there was nobody to ask. We eventually found a group of 3-4 Bulgarian people, one of which, we noticed afterwards, had a gun. And was wearing plainclothes. Anyway, after a few long minutes of gesticulations – we didn’t speak Bulgarian, they didn’t speak English – the guy with the gun got in a car and made a sign to follow him. After exchanging frightened looks we decided to follow him. We locked the doors, as if that could have stopped any bullets, and we started praying not to be shot. After about 2 km the guy stopped, made a sign telling us we need to go straight ahead, through the open field, all alone. We finally got to the destination.

   Hotnitsa is, to use the right words, a small piece of heaven. It’s quiet and not at all crowded because only locals know about it. The water is clear and has the nicest shade of blue. It smells heavenly, especially in spring due to the thousands of flowers around and you have about 2 km of marked trails, small bridges through a small canyon full of plants, butterflies and small waterfalls. Near the waterfall there are plenty of paddocks where you can lay for a short afternoon nap. But I will let the photos convince you:

Click here for more pictures

How to get to Hotnitsa

   From Veliko Tarnovo you head to Ruse. After 8-9 km you reach Samovodene village, where you have to turn left at the first crossroad. You go straight ahead and at the next crossroad you turn left again. And after a few km you reach Hotnitsa village, where there should be signs to Ecotrail or Hotnitsa Waterfall. You will have to turn left just when you enter the village, then keep the road and pass through a paddock. The road will split in two again. Remember to go on the right road, which descends slightly. After a few hundred meters you will reach a parking lot from where you can see the waterfall. Enjoy.

See Hotnitsa Waterfall on a larger map

Let’s go back to Veliko Tarnovo

   About Veliko Tarnovo you can find a bunch of information.

   Veliko Tarnovo is also known as a meeting place for climbers; A kind of Mecca of climbers. Plenty of rocks in the area (e.g. Trinity Rocks – 80m high and 1 km wide, Usteto – 40m high) are perfect for stuff like that.

   Here are some photos for the excitement of climbers:

Click here for more pictures

   You can find out more about where and how you will climb from Diana Peeve. We met Diana on an evening at a couple of Bolyarka beers. She is joyful all the time, absolutely passionate about her climbing and she can teach you how this stuff works.

   If you want to learn how to climb, rappel or if you are a professional and you need an escalade partner to show you the best places you can count on her. Diana and her colleagues offer beginner courses (and much more).

   They were the first to rappel on Hotnitsa Waterfall. It was crazy! We would have wanted to take a swim in the water but sadly it was too cold.

   You can find Diana at clilmbing.bulgaria@gmail.com or  +359899 87 16 88. She can give you an introductory course, which means climbing half a day and having fun or a more detailed course where you learn more about equipment too. The prices are according to what you want to do and how much you want to learn and they start from 20 Euros.

   The readers of nomadic.ro get a 5% discount if they mention in the email or at the phone the code: nomadic climbers

Where to stay in Veliko Tarnovo?

   We recommend Phoenix Hostel. We stayed there and felt like home. The owners are two Scottish people (Nick and Cathy) who got bored of the strict rules in Scotland, jumped on a motorbike and saw the world. They wanted to settle in Turkey but they found Veliko Tarnovo on the way. They liked it so much so they bought a house from 1850, renovated, convinced it to smell like wood and good spirit and they opened up the hostel. They have some very interesting stories in their bag.

   It is not the cheapest one in Veliko, but it surely is the most pleasant.

    A bed is 20 leva a night (approximately 10 Euros) and you get a delicious breakfast and a beer included in the price. The double room (actually the 4 bed one if booked in time) is 50 leva a night. They have free Internet and everything you can possibly need, and on a wall there are photos with people who stayed at them. You can also park the car or the motorbike near the house, only you have to be pretty handy to get it on the narrow steep roads.

   You will get precious information at the hostel about what more to see, including about the road to Hotnitsa. They can also plan trips with their car.

   They have a special offer: if u book in time and it’s not a big holiday (Christmas, Easter) and you pay for 2 night the 3rd night is free. You can find their contact details on their site www.phoenixhostel.com

   Except for Hotnitsa and Veliko Tarnovo you can also see:

- Arbannassi village, which we didn’t find extraordinary, but it gives the city a nice perspective

- Emen Eco Trail – a small but spectacular canyon with a waterfall, at about 25 km from Veliko Tarnovo on the way to Sophia.

- Dryanovo

Monastery

- Monastery, which is right near the cit and also gives a nice view

- The stone monasteries from Ivanovo Dryanovo on your way to Ruse

]]> http://nomadic.ro/en/europe/hotnitsa-%e2%80%93-the-piece-of-heaven-near-veliko-tarnovo/feed 2 http://nomadic.ro/en/europe/fuckin-civilized-%e2%80%93-amsterdam-live-sex-show http://nomadic.ro/en/europe/fuckin-civilized-%e2%80%93-amsterdam-live-sex-show#comments Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:17:45 +0000 Laura http://nomadic.ro/en/?p=49       This article is a bit unorthodox. Therefore, if you blush and leave the room the second you hear the word FUCK (fornication under consent of king), you should better get to the next article.

      Ok, let’s get to facts. We know you’re planning to go to Amsterdam. Don’t try to bring up the story about the old city and stuff. We all know why you are really going there. Well, to help you sin a little more I come with an advice: if you ever get there and you are open minded enough you must go to a live sex show. I know what you are thinking: You pig, do you think I need something like that? Wait a minute though. We are talking about the Netherlands. If in other places the same show would have involved two priests, three hookers, five midgets and a horse, in Amsterdam this is a very..mundane and civilized thing.

            However, when you go to a sex show you are expecting the worst. Well, it’s not really like that. Here’s how it works:

      You pay the guy (usually bald) at the entrance 25€ and walk through a pretty long hallway. You rub your hands lasciviously, push the black door and enter..a theatre. Because that is your first impression. The long row of chairs and the lightened stage make you stop for a few seconds. Luckily, you have the drinking bar and that stripping bar on the stage that lets you know where you really are.

      You take a seat near the stage, ‘cause you paid 25€ and you want to see everything. You take a glass of whisky in one hand, like men do, and you wait. In a few moments, you already start feeling weird. You haven’t seen so many men in suits since the annual shareholders meeting. Besides, there are a lot of women too. Anyway..the music starts.

      The first lady shows up. A bit plump, I say. A sip of whisky. Hey, she’s not that fat. After 5 minutes of choreographic dance she finally gets rid of the clothes, but just when the smile appears on everyone’s face, she leaves. Hey, where’s the SEX in sex show? Another girl shows up, a bit older but very athletic. She is showing us how to use a banana and a marker if you want to be…creative. The fun starts – she’s picking people from the audience now. Dancing around them. Lucky bastards..or not, because she is hardly touching them. Nothing tacky, and the girl is smiling all the time. It’s an actual relaxing atmosphere. The guys get off the stage, shake hands with the girl and they kiss on the cheek in a civilized way. Cool. Finally, a couple. Bartender, a gin please.

      The music starts, something cheesy but nice. The stars: a muscular Chinese and a cute blondie with a face of an angel. In a few moments everything becomes clear. If these guys have sex, then what I am doing is a bad hora – these guys are really dancing. It’s a choreographic show, as all the former moments. I almost can’t find a thing that’s vulgar. You are feeling as if you are watching an erotic film much too censored and not a live sex show. The crowd is applauding, civilized.

      A Dutch guy who drank a little too much is head over heels for one of the dancers and he is heading towards the backstage. Three friends pick him up, get him out of the bar and apologize for his behavior. Nice. I finish my drink and step out.

      Was I to the theatre or to a live sex show? I have no idea..

I went to Moulin Rouge
Oudezijds Achterburgwal 5
1012 Amsterdam
usually the entrance fee is 35€ drinks included, but we negotiated

There also are:
Casa Rosso – which, some say, it’s more classy
Oudezijds Achterburgwal 106-108
1012 Amsterdam
30€ no drinks or €45 drinks included

and

Bananenbar -I’ll let you think about the reason it’s called like this
Oudezijds Achterburgwal 37
1012 Amsterdam
45€ per hour (it’s enough, after an hour the show starts over), drinks included

      The rumor is that Amsterdam is planning to close the sex show theatres, a large number of windows (you know which windows I’m talking about) and even coffee shops. The world is coming to an end..

Click here for more pictures

   The only ‘must’ in order to jump is not to have any heart problems or major health problems. Most of the centers give you an instruction before blowing you up the tunnel. Don’t worry, it is not dangerous and you can breath normal. Even young kids can do it. The experience is cheaper than bungee jumping.

   Romania doesn’t have such a center yet, but we found some in other places in Europe. If you get around there, don’t skip this experience.

   At a real jump, the free fall lasts about 30 seconds. So don’t get scared if the “jump” doesn’t last long.

This is what it’s about::

If you want to, you can learn how to do it and practice it in:

England

  In Milton Keynes at 87km from London – www.airkix.com – 45€ for a 2 minute flight

  In Bedford at 92km away from London, pretty close to Milton Keynes -www.bodyflight.co.uk – they say they are the largest center. Moreover, these guys have other ‘goodies’ for us – 45€ for 2 flights of 1’15”

France

  In Paris at www.aerokart.com – the flight lasts 2,5 minutes and costs 70€. Bonus: they also have a kart lane

The Netherlands

  In Roseendaal at 143km from Amsterdam and 106km from Brussels – www.indoorskydive.com – 50€ for 2 sessions for 60 seconds each.

Spain

  At Alcantarilla Air base 14km from Murcia City and 230km from Valenica. 41€ for a 2 minute flight.

Germany

  In Bottrop –www.indoor-skydiving.com. The prices start from 49€, while the tunnel is entirely made of glass and it’s the taller of this sort.

  60 km from Dusseldorf www.air-power-arena.de. A training session is 50€, it’s compulsory and includes a 3 minute flight.

Russia

  In Chekov at www.realfly.ru where 2 minutes of adrenalin costs 30€.

In Moscow, however, at www.bodyflightmoscow.com a one minute flight costs 13€.

The United Arab Emirates

  In Abu Dhabi – www.indoorskydiving.ae – 2 minutes are 37€

Serbia

   In a nice city which is very close to Romania: Novidsad – www.skydivenovisad.com – 20€ for 3 minutes

Latvia

  47 km from Riga – www.aerodium.lv – 21€ for 2 minutes

Switzerland

  Somewhere in Rümlang - www.bodyflying.ch – 70€ for an hour and a half lesson.

Croatia

  In Novi Golubovec, but it looks like it’s also possible in Zagreb: www.vugrek-skydive-simulator.com – approximately 55€ per person.

Turkey

  In Istanbul – 30€ for 3 minutes.

Unfortunately, they don’t have a website. Contact: Carnaval Organization
carnaval.org@hotmail.com
00902122254062 | 00905336465131

*If indoor skydiving seems too dangerous, tell us and we will have a special article for you about where you can play bridge..

   Theoretically you can camp anywhere in the world if you can find the land’s owner and he gives you permission. Or if you are careful to set your tent after dark, leave early and keep you camp fire low. In a seashell: be discrete.

   However..

   Let’s see which countries allow you to camp the tent for free anywhere..and which don’t.


It’s permitted or tolerated in:

• Turkey
• Iceland
• Czech Republic
• Scotland – not on private property
• Estonia - it’s permitted on public land and public forests. In addition, any land strip closer than 6 meters to sea is considered public land.
• Finland
• Sweden – the concept is called Allemansrätten (every man’s right). You are allowed to camp anywhere as long as you are at a minimum distance of 300m of a house.
• Norway - the same as in Sweden, up to 48 hours and at minimum 150m far from houses.
• Ireland- it is not illegal and it is tolerated, but better ask beforehand.
• Poland
• Croatia
• Bulgaria
• Australia – it’s legal
• New Zealand – it’s legal
• SUA – you can camp anywhere on public federal land at minimum 100m away from the road. This is not the case for national parks where you must camp in special places.
• Russia – you can camp anywhere, except the church land, private gardens and near water reservoirs (you’ll usually see a sign).
• Morocco
• Hawaii – in a few national parks it is free of charge if you already payed the entrance fee for the park. In others you must get a permit, which is free.
• Argentina – in national parks
• Mongolia
• Vietnam – especially in the north (Halong)
• Laos – some areas
• Cambodia
• Thailand – in national parks and on some beaches
• India - in rural areas

It is not permitted or harder in:

• Switzerland
• Netherlands
• Belgium
• Greece -  in Grecia still are some places in south Peloponnese where you are allowed to camp. It is forbidden to camp you tent on the beach and you can even go to jail for that. You should keep in mind though that it is only forbidden to camp the tent, not to sleep without the tent. And summers in Greece are very hot.
• Italy – only with the land owner’s permission. It is forbidden on the beach.
• England and Wales
• Croatia – it not actually legal, but it is possible
• Spain –  is it forbidden to camp, but you are allowed the so-called “pernoctando”, which means sleeping with the visible intention of staying only one night, better without the tent.
• Portugal – forbidden, but tolerated
• France – forbidden, but tolerated considering that there are many large lands almost unpopulated.
• Germany
• Austria
• Canada – it is allowed only in province areas and the more wild ones.
• China – especially in East
• Brazil
• Japan – although many people do it anyway
• Denmark –  you are not allowed to camp everywhere, but there are special places (about 750 actually) especially on the coast and in the forests, where you are allowed to stay not more than two days.

The list remains open.

   To keep in mind: you are forbidden to set fire, about everywhere.

    Curiously enough, the countries where camping is allowed and you have plenty of open wild land, are also the countries where the locals are happy to let you stay in their own homes.

   It is best to ask the locals first. Who knows, maybe you won’t even need a tent.

Would you try something like this?

If you did, share your experience with us.

    Considering that when you think about going to the mountains with the one you love, a fireplace usually pops out in your head, we thought to inspire you and show you the places where you can rent a room with a fireplace in Romania.
   We focused on finding rooms with fireplace, not a living room with fireplace. You can find the reason in romantic movies. So, we have a short list of options. Can’t help you with the bear fur in front the fireplace though.

1. Sinaia – Tudor Villa
   Nice, clean and close to Bucharest. The lodge has a few small apartments with fireplace, but there is also a studio for two. If you can’t find it vacant, try the twin lodges Luca and Călin .

   Prices:
   • Apartment: 4 people
   .: 250RON/night/apartment
   • Studio: 2 people
   .: 160RON/night/studio




2. Brașov – at Ischia Tour
   A rustic style room. Price: around de 40€/night.
   Unfortunately, the room is in repair, but it will soon be ready and the owner thinks about offering other 3 rooms with fireplace.




3. Râșnov at Pensiunea Cheile Râșnoavei in …Râșnoavei Keys

   You can find there a studio with a fireplace at 200RON/night.




4. Ciucea - Pensiunea Casa Rustică

   This one is 80 km far from Cluj, on Crișul Repede Valley and you can find there an apartment with a fireplace, not exactly like you see in the movies, but still worth taking into consideration, especially with the wonderful surroundings.




5. In Poiana Stânii near Sinaia you can find three rooms with fireplace
   You can find information and contact details on: www.poiana-stanii.ro
   The prices are between 240 and 370 RON per room per night.




6. At Bran - Wolf Complex right at the entrance in Bran.
   You can find there two luxous apartments with jacuzzi and fireplace (around 270 RON per night).
   More here and here

    If you know about other places (maybe cheaper) where you enjoyed a functional fireplace and a bottle of wine, please leave a comment and we will update the article.

      Let’s see where we can find these European bison over Romania’s territories.

1. Bison and Carpathian fauna reserve “Dragoş Vodă” – Neamţ





      Here, because of a project according to which the bison will be set free, the creatures are taught to eat less and find ways to keep themselves alive without depending entirely on humans. The first group should be released in the mountains near the reserve in the winter of 2010-2011.

Amongst bison (which the chances are you won’t see very close), you can also admire Carpathian deer, roe deer, foxes, wolves or different types of birds. There are also a few ponds, especially for fishing carps, crucians, zanders, river pirates or perchs.

      The reserve had twenty-eight bison at the last counting, but only six of them are kept closer for touristic purposes.




Official site: http://www.vanatoripark.ro/

How to get to the reserve: On the way from Târgu Neamţ to Neamţ Monastery, at about 1,5 km after taking the district road turn left. The roads are good.

How much: The entrance fee is 3 RON for adults and is 2 RON for children.

What to see nearby: Neamţ Fortress, Mihail Sadoveanu Memorial House, Ion Creangă Memorial House, Nicolae Popa Museum, Veronica Micle Memorial House, Monasteries: Secu, Sihăstria, Sihla, Văratec, Neamţ, Agapia




2. Haţeg – Slivuţ bison reserve





      This is the oldest bison reserve in Romania. The first two bison were brought from Poland in 1958, now there are seven of them, and they are in good shape. While it is not luxurious, if you have guts you can pet a bison through a hole in the fence. Not recommended though..




How to get to the reserve: You will find signposts leading to the reserve. On the road from Haţeg to Strei turn left at the signpost. Drive (or walk) about 3km on a good road through the forest.

How much: The entrance fee is 3 RON for adults and is 2 RON for children and students.

What to see nearby: Prislop Monastery, Sântămăria Orlea Castle, Densus Church – the oldest church in Romania.




3. “Neagra” – Bucşani bison reserve





      This is the largest bison reserve in Romania. It’s more of a ranch from where bison are sent to Neamţ reserve to be set free. There are thirty-seven bison now, all born in captivity and named starting with RO. If you really want to learn something about the bison, ask the caretaker. He is more than willing to share his experiences and, believe me, he has lots of stories to tell.

       To see them close you have to follow the road in the grass to a kiosk. Whatever you do, don’t jump over the kiosk because although you can see the fence, it’s not closed up and the bison can be very territorial. If you want to touch a bison there is a stuffed one in the cottage at the entrance.




How to get to the reserve: The best way (roadwise) we could find would be that on the DN72 road, between Târgovişte and Ploieşti – there is a district road from Adânca to Bucşani. Most probably there are no signposts, so you’d better ask a local. The young people usually know English, but to be sure remember these words: “spre rezervaţia de zimbri?” You pass Bucşani and the next village is Răţoaia where you turn left at the church. And then you keep driving till you get to the reserve. But our advice is to ask a local from time to time, just to be sure.

How much:1,5 RON + taxes (that’s about 1.8 RON)

What to see nearby:A unique collection of road bumps. And Târgovişte city, which is close.




4. “Bison Valley” natural reserve– Vama Buzăului





      This is Romania’s youngest bison reserve (since November 2008) and currently has only eleven bison, a deer and two kids. If you ask politely the caretaker he might let you touch the deer, which grew up in a human family and she’s not very skittish.

       The bison that are born here will be released in the Carpathian Mountains. One more thing, the administrators want to find each one of them a godfather that should buy them food for 12 months. Anybody interested?




How to get to the reserve: On the road DN10 from Buzău to Braşov, at Întorsura Buzăului exit, in the Brădet village to be exact, change direction to Vama Buzăului. You can find the reserve in Acriş, on the left side of the road.

How much: nothing

Vezi Zimbri in Romania pe harta mare