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

   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..

    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