Authentic Experiences

» Narrow Gauge Train Trips in Maramures - Romania
» Weekly Produce Markets Are Part of Village Life in Romania
» Visit the Romanian countryside with an American Guide
» Meet Romania's Living Human Treasures

» Narrow Gauge Train Trips in Maramures - Romania

Narrow Gauge Train in Maramures, RomaniaThe narrow-gauge railway and the steam powered locomotives (Mocanita) in Viseu de Sus are one of the most remarkable railway heritage attractions in Romania and in Eastern Europe. It is the only remaining, working narrow gauge forestry railway of many that were constructed -in 1932 - to transport timber from the vast, remote forests of the Carpathian Mountains and their foothills.

Starting from Viseu de Sus - a small logging town in Maramures - the railway climbs the beautiful roadless Vaser valley for 31 miles, deep into the forests of the Maramures mountains to the tiny hamlet of Coman. Today, four steam-powered locomotives (the oldest one was built in 1910) are transporting logs, down, and lumberjacks and visitors up and down the valley.

The train is the only access to settlements up the valley, other than on foot. During the relaxing journey, travelers can enjoy the views of woodland and rushing rivers. After a picnic and / or a walk in the forest while the train is loaded at the terminus travelers will return to Viseu de Sus. On the trip back in the afternoon, the engine driver whistles for brakemen to stop the train - sometimes for passengers, or even to pick mushrooms.

The local people are friendly with fascinating stories to tell. In short, this is a remarkable survival from an earlier age, well worth a visit, and one that will benefit from more tourist traffic in its efforts to survive in this fast modern age (not that speed and modernity have penetrated far into the Maramures region).

The train operates:

May 1st - June 30th & September 16th - October 17th
Thu., Fri. & Sat. & Sun. to Paltin Station (Km. 21.6)
Departs Viseu de Sus: 8:30 a.m.
Returns to Viseu de Sus: approximately 2:00 p.m.
Price for roundtrip ticket: 39 Lei ($23) Adults; 29 Lei ($9) Children,
32 Lei ($10.5) Students

July 1st - September 12th
Mon. to Sun. to Paltin Station (Km. 21.6)
Departs Viseu de Sus: 8:30 a.m.
Returns to Viseu de Sus: approximately 3:00 p.m.
Price for roundtrip ticket: 43 Lei ($14) Adults; 34 lei ($11) Children,
27 Lei ($8) Students.

Tickets can be purchased at Mocanita - Steam Train Station in the Viseu de Sus.
Ticket booth opens at 7:00 am.

Large groups need to reserve tickets in advance.

More information:
Web: www.cffviseu.ro/en/fahrplan.html
Email: info@cffviseu.com
Telephone: (011 4) 0262 353.381 or 744 686.716 

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» Weekly Produce Markets Are Part of Village Life in Romania

Slow-paced villages and gentle, welcoming people may be the words that best describe the Maramures region, situated in northwestern Romania.

Centuries-old traditions are still alive in the rural areas of Maramures.
In late afternoon, old women sit outside their gates coaxing coarse wool onto spindles. Many still favor traditional dress, meaning white frounced blouses, striped woven panels covering full black skirts, headscarves and opinci, a sort of leather ballet slipper from which heavy yarn criss-crosses over thick socks. On Sunday, such dress is practically de rigueur, even for little girls.

Although there are quite a few superstores and shopping malls in Romania's larger cities, people in the countryside still meet regularly to trade livestock, tools, seeds, grains and other agricultural products, as their ancestors did for hundreds of years.

Deals are sealed with a handshake, a sip of home-made plum brandy and cash payments.
Although children will easily find a can of Pepsi, they may be tempted by locally produced sweets such as nicely decorated gingerbread (turta dulce) in various forms and shapes and huge doughnuts (gogosi), made on the spot.

Weekly fairs and produce markets take place in many villages in Maramures. Below is a schedule of such events:

Day of the week/ frequency  Name of the village  Local information 
Every Monday Somcuta Mare
Ulmeni
Arinis		 0742 972.120
First and second
Monday of each month:		 Bogdan Voda 0262  330.602
Every Tuesday Rozavlea 0262  330.602
Every Friday Stramtura
Podul Slatioarei		 0262  330.602
Every Saturday Botiza 0262  330.602

Maramures Info
Str. Gheorghe Sincai 46
430311   Baia Mare
Telephone: (011 4) 0262 206.113 
E-mail: office@visitmaramures.ro
www.visitmaramures.ro

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» Visit the Romanian countryside with an American Guide

English-speaking visitors interested in horseback riding and visits to Romanian villages now have the opportunity to ride with an American guide in Romania. The "Stefan cel Mare" riding centre, situated in the beautiful mountains of northern Romania, is run by Californian Kelli Ross and her English husband, Julian.

Kelli is an experienced horse trainer and wilderness instructor. Julian is an official Romanian equestrian tourism guide, and has been offering equestrian holidays in Romania for the past five years. Their horses include the rare Hutul mountain horses, Lipizzaners and Arabians. One- and two-week trails are offered through scenic mountain terrain, passing historical remains dating from the Roman Empire through to the Habsburg era. Trails run from April through October.

This is still horse country, and many draught horses remain in use in the fields and forests. Julian and Kelli also offer horse-drawn carriage trips, including visits to the "Borgo Pass", a site featured in Bram Stoker's Dracula - a real place! Where you ride or travel by carriage, you will experience the diverse culture, good food and hospitality of this tranquil area.

A ride may easily be combined with a wonderful sightseeing trip to see such treasures as the Painted Monasteries of the Bucovina, the Saxon towns and villages of Transylvania, or the Maramures complete with the narrow-gauge steam railway at Viseu de Sus.

For more details please visit
www.hiddentrails.com/europe/romania/index.htm
or contact Julian and Kelli Ross:
jcross@bistrita.astral.ro
Telephone/ Fax: + 4 0263 378.470

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» UNESCO-designated "Living Human Treasures" - gateway to
Romania's cultures and traditions

"Living Human Treasures" are persons who possess to a very high degree the knowledge and skills required for performing or creating specific elements of the intangible cultural heritage that the Member States have selected as a testimony to their living cultural traditions and to the creative genius of groups, communities and individuals present in their territory. 

Working within the guidelines established in 1989 by UNESCO, the Museum of Folk Culture "ASTRA" in Sibiu, established a Living Human Treasures Program. For exceptional cultural contribution of selected individuals in traditional folk arts, more than 220 individuals have been so recognized. In 2001, Romania was one of six countries recognized by UNESCO as having fulfilled the goals of the Living Human Treasures initiative.

Living Human Treasures The Romanian Living Human Treasures are spread throughout the country, and their skills and area of expertise is as wide as it is diverse. From wood carving to egg painting or embroidery, these people have inherited their skills from their parents and grandparents. Their art, their skills and their stories are genuine and give a first hand introduction into the local culture.

Meeting people like Mr. Teodor Barsan - an expert in wood carving from Romania's Maramures region - or Mr. Sorin Apan - an expert on the symbolic meaning of costume designs in Brasov - in their home communities is a unique opportunity to experience a way of life and a set of values that has been long gone in the rest of Europe. Axis Mundi Travel now offers you the opportunity to meet these Ambassadors of Romanian culture while enjoying the best of Romania in terms of lodging, food and local wines. This cultural immersion is led by the most knowledgeable and hospitable hosts, some of them true Ambassadors of Romanian culture themselves.

For more information and availability schedules, please contact:
Andrei Roth
sales@romaniandiscovery.com
61 Moraga Way, Suite 1
Orinda, CA 94563 USA
Phone: +1 (408) 674 4681
URL: www.romaniandiscovery.com/Pages/Descr/Itineraries/LvngTrs.html

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