CALIROMANIA NEWS AND HELPFUL LINKS

2008-04-16T10:49:00.000-07:00

UNESCO Sightseeing Tours in Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary
By: Mike Orourke

Discover the UNESCO world heritage sights in Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary. Take a tour with a local guide to these countries most important monuments. UNESCO is an organization set up to protect and preserve cultural and natural areas and monuments that play an important role in the heritage of mankind. On this edition of the East Adventures Newsletter we will focus on opportunities to see these sights on tour in Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary.

Starting off with Transylvania, mostly known as Dracula's homeland but also is home to many historic medieval towns and fortified churches built by the Saxons. Sighisoara is a fine example of a small, fortified medieval town which played an important role to the Saxon era. The town is still inhabited and well preserved. Once you enter the citadel, you will think you have stepped back some 500 years, as little has changed inside the walls of the fortress. Nowadays you can eat a meal in the birthplace house of Vlad Tepes aka Dracula. Among other monuments the Saxons left behind are the fortified churches; Biertan being the largest and most praised. Among others include Prejmer, Vicri, Darjiu, Sashiz, Valea Vilor and Calnic; all are included in the World Heritage of Mankind List. These and more are included on the Medieval Towns, Castles and Fortresses of Transylvania Tour.

Maramures, located in Northern Transylvania, is full of life and tradition. This region has kept it's unique lifestyle and little can be seen changed within the past 100 years. Wooden churches with exquisite wooden sculptures can be found scattered through the mountains. 8 of these wooden churches are on the UNESCO heritage list. The churches reflect a great example of vernacular religious wooden architecture of the Orthodox religion. Among the most famous are the Birsana church, built in 1720, with amazing florid paintings, the best in Maramures and Barsana Monastery; a large monastic complex comprising of several wooden buildings, all constructed in the local style, including the wooden church. The Gate Tower is the highest wooden building in Europe. See these and more on the History and Tradition of Maramures Tour with a private local guide.

Then we have the famous Bucovina, located in the region of Moldavia in Northern Romania. This region is famous for its Painted Monasteries, also include on the UNESCO heritage list. With their painted exterior walls, decorated in the 15th century with frescoes that are considered masterpieces of Byzantine art, these seven churches are truly a unique sight in Europe. Sucevita is the largest, its walls illustrates the Ladder of Virtue. Moldovita, Vornet and Humour are among some of the other most visited. For a unique short stay in a traditional guesthouse the hear of the region is best accessed from Suceava or Iasi Airports. Bucovina can also be a great addition to another tour of Romania.

The Biosphere of the Danube Delta (declared this by UNESCO) is a region in Romania unlike any of that in this world. The main mode of transport is by boat once deep into the delta and is a natural treasure. Many opportunities occur here for some great bird watching. Enjoy the company of a local tour guide and travel by private boat through a network of channels, lakes, and lushly vegetated forests; and a huge diversity of birds, presided over by the greatest of them all, the pelican. Or enjoy the luxury of a 5 star Villa Resort with daily excursions. The Danube Delta can also be easily combined on tour with Transylvania and Bucovina.

After your tour of Romania why not continue to its neighbour to the south. Bulgaria also holds many opportunities to see some great UNESCO sights and can be a great addition to your tour. The tour can start from Sofia or the Romanian border. There are nine sites in Bulgaria – two natural and seven cultural, which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List; Boyana Church, Rila Monastery, Thracian Tomb at Kazanlak, the museum town of Nessebar, Madara Horseman, Thracian tomb at Sveshtari and Ivanovo Rock Monasteries. Bulgaria is a small European country, but rich in natural diversity, history and cultural monuments. Explore the UNESCO sights of Bulgaria with a private local tour guide

Hungary is a great starting point for an extended tour with its capital city of Budapest. On the banks of the Danube river you will find Buda Castle, a magnificent fortress and included on the world heritage list. The old quarter is one of the world's most outstanding urban landscapes and depicts great periods in Hungarian history. On one of the many excursions from Budapest you can discover such old villages as Holloko; preserved as an example of Hungarian rural life. Also we can't forget the wines of Tokaj. The Tokaj Wine Region has a long tradition of producing wine in the low hills and river valleys. On a tour of Tokaj you will visit great vineyards and wineries of this region with its array of wine cellars, caves and old towns such as Eger. Combine all the UNESCO sights on a private driven tour to see all this and more.

All of the above regions of Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary can be combined on a great extended tour meeting local guides along the way. Budapest is a great starting point as a base for the first week, then continuing to see the UNESCO sights of Romania, followed by ancient Bulgaria. Or customize your own tour of each region and country.

These World Heritage Monuments are treasures that must be included on your next tour, don't miss out on this opportunity!

Please feel free to contact us for any travel arrangements in Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria Eastern Europe Tours ~ General Inquiries Web: www.EastAdventures.com Email: Tours@EastAdventures.com

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2007-06-30T22:30:00.000-07:00

Have a fun and safe 4th of July in Southern California!

2007-06-29T13:38:00.000-07:00

Va reamintim ca Duminica, 1 iulie 2007, ora 10:30, sunteti invitati cu drag si asteptati cu bucurie la Sfanta si Dumnezeiasca Liturghie care va fi urmata de un picnic traditional romanesc (mititei, carnati, costite etc.). Dorim participarea Dvs. pentru a initia si constituirea Consiliului Parohial si a Comitetului de Constructie a Bisericii "Sf. Apostol Andrei".
In Hristos Domnul,
Pr. Viorel-Vasile Visovan

BISERICA ORTODOXA SFÂNTUL APOSTOL ANDREI
11921 Saticoy St, North Hollywood, CA 91605 Tel/Fax: 818-982-8294
standrewmission @ sbcglobal.net
www.standrewmission.org
Pr. Viorel-Vasile Visovan
Informaţii suplimentare la: 818-982-8294.

2007-04-24T17:45:00.000-07:00

2007-04-24T17:16:00.000-07:00

You can learn English from VOA Special English on the Internet.
Check out the 4/24/2007 VOA Special English news stories below:
Tuberculosis Can Be Cured, But It Must Be Treated the Right Way
On SCIENCE IN THE NEWS: If TB is not handled correctly, it can become resistant to drugs -- a serious problem in many countries. Second of two reports.Officials Hunt for an Explanation of Pet Food Scare
On AGRICULTURE REPORT: One theory is that ingredients contained a chemical to create appearance of higher protein levels.White Sands National Monument: A Wonder of Nature, in New Mexico
On THIS IS AMERICA: Explore an extreme desert environment in the American SouthwestAce in the Hole: Put on Your Poker Face
On WORDS AND THEIR STORIES: Terms that come from card games.Newest Warnings on Climate Change Present It as a Security Threat
On DEVELOPMENT REPORT: A study warns of risk to US. Also, the UN Security Council discusses climate change for the first time, though with dissent from some developing nations.Barbara Jordan, 1936-1996: A Powerful Voice for Justice and Social Change
On PEOPLE IN AMERICA: Jordan was the first African-American woman elected to the United States Congress to represent Texas. In 1974, she gained national recognition as a member of the congressional committee investigating President Nixon.Issues After Killings at Virginia Tech Go Beyond Debate Over Gun Laws
On IN THE NEWS: Friday was an official day of mourning in Virginia for the 32 victims. It was also the eighth anniversary of the shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado.US Brings Two Trade Cases Against China
On ECONOMICS REPORT: American officials say the Chinese are not protecting intellectual property. China expresses "great regret" at the actions.Awards Recognize Young People Trying to Make the World a Better Place
Also on AMERICAN MOSAIC: A museum in Baltimore, Maryland, tells the story of the first railway and shipyard owned by African-Americans. And a question from Zimbabwe about the Billboard Hot 100 music chart.The Formula for Becoming a Pharmacist
On EDUCATION REPORT: A look at pharmacy education in the US, and the requirements for foreign-trained pharmacists. Part 33 of our Foreign Student Series.Civil Rights Movement: In the '60s, a Struggle for Equality in US
On THE MAKING OF A NATION: Activists marched, held sit-in protests and led "freedom rides" to demand better treatment of black Americans. Martin Luther King Junior lived by the idea of nonviolence, but his murder led to riots in more than 100 cities.Vaccines: How They Work (and How Caterpillars Could Help)
On HEALTH REPORT: Most influenza vaccine is made in chickens eggs. But scientists are testing a design made from caterpillar cells.Eleanor Creesy Helped Guide One of the Fastest Sailing Ships Ever
On EXPLORATIONS: In 1851 the Flying Cloud set a record for sailing from New York to San Francisco. It made the trip in 89 days, 21 hours.

2007-04-11T15:31:00.000-07:00

EVENIMENT EXTRAORDINAR
LA LOS ANGELES

CENTRUL CULTURAL ROMÂNESC
DIN SUDUL CALIFORNIEI
ORGANIZEAZĂ SPECTACOLUL TRUPEI

3 SUD EST

VINERI, 20 APRILIE 2007,
ORA 8:00 PM

ADRESA:
18858 ERWIN ST., TARZANA, CA 91335
(Banquet Hall)

INTRAREA:
Adulţii: $25 de persoană
Tineretul 12 - 18 ani: $15
Copiii sub 12 ani: gratuit

Pentru informaţii si rezervări, sunaţi la:
818-645-7110 (Agripina & Doru Şerban)
562-773-8077 (Ana & Greg Birtoc)

www.rom-cal.org

2007-04-01T10:35:00.000-07:00

Although it's April 1st, 2007, and you may think we're up to no good, there are some great news we'd like to share with you:
1. We are currently working on our very own website: www.caliromania.org where we will have online chatrooms, including a scheduled room with voice and video, online English classes, discussion boards, and numerous resources for our visitors.
2. In the spirit of friendship and colaboration, we're building the website: www.caliworldfriends.com where people from many cultures who either live in California or would like to learn more about it, can meet and exchange ideas as well as make new friends. This website was inspired by our idea of CaliRomania, but it expands to numerous other cultures and communities, having them all in one virtual space where people who wouldn't otherwise interact, would do so. So far we've created more than 10 Blogs, including: CaliWorldFriends, CaliMexico, CaliKorea, CaliChina, CaliVietnam, Cali India, CaliGuatemala, CaliNicaragua, CaliFrance, Cali Italia, and more are on the horizon.
Please let us know if you'd like to help by hosting some discussion board sections, participating in this blog, or hosting chats.
3. We've created and are currently hosting a website for St. Andrew Mission Orthodox Church in North Hollywood. The website is undergoing upgrades, but here it is:
http://www.standrewmission.org

2006-05-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

CaliRomania now has an online audio forum through www.vaestro.com in the "Communities" channel. You can go there directly by using this link:
http://www.vaestro.com/viewforum-115
This free service enables our members, visitors, and friends to participate in our online discussion forum by simply using computer-connected microphone and speakers. Still, if speaking and listening isn't your preference when communicating with others online, you can always use our discussion board. I've been organizing my website which includes a section on CaliRomania. You can check it out at:
http://www.maestrosersea.com
Hopefully I'll be able to create a website dedicated entirely CaliRomania in the near future.

2006-05-01T08:37:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to our trivia tournament winners for April 2006. To see who they are, click here/Felicitari castigatorilor din Aprilie 2006:
http://www.funtrivia.com/private/halloffame.cfm?tid=50484

2006-04-28T12:06:00.000-07:00

The CaliRomania discussion board is now active and operational. To access our discussion board, please click here:
http://caliromania.proboards92.com

Looking forward to your participation,
Thank you,
Elvis

2006-04-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

CaliRomania now has it's 1st Poll. It is dedicated to making improvements and creating a more positive environment within the CaliRomania discussion board.
You can participate in the poll by clicking here:
http://www.pliner.net/apppoll/51e335

Thank you for your participation,
Elvis
:)

2006-04-28T11:57:00.000-07:00

CaliRomania now has a chat room! :)
To access the chatroom, go to:
http://www.pliner.net/appchat/51ac78/

Enjoy,
Elvis
:)

2006-04-25T23:58:00.000-07:00

Our first official Online Tournament of General Knowledge of Romania and California is ON.
You are invited participate in it at:
http://my.funtrivia.com/tournament/CaliRomania-Trivia-1-50484.html

2006-04-09T13:51:00.000-07:00

Romanian Orthodox Monasteries and Churches Photos

Here's some background information and numerous photos:
http://www.orthodoxphotos.com/Monasteries_and_Churches/Romanian/index.shtml

This can come in handy to those of us planning to visit Romanian monasteries in the near future...

2006-04-09T13:43:00.000-07:00

Want to learn more about Romanian culture?
Check out: http://www.romanianvoice.com/

At Romanian Voice, you will find: Over 1,600 Romanian Poems in seven languages. Over 155 professional Romanian Images in true color. A searchable Romanian Directory, add your own site too. Romanian humor, theatre, short stories, folk legends, lyrics and more. Romanian carols, traditional, folk, rock and old music - including mp3s.

2006-03-20T23:18:00.000-08:00

Here's a page with pictures from Bucharest, Romania and additional links. I put together this page back in December 2001, early 2002 or so:
http://www.geocities.com/maestrosersea/romania

2006-03-13T00:28:00.000-08:00

Here's a good site to get you started with your research on Romanian politics and current events from the point of view of the Romanian government:
http://www.roembus.org/. It's the site of the Romanian Embassy in Washington D.C.

2006-03-05T20:38:00.000-08:00

Welcome! Bine ati venit!
The idea behind the conception of this blog and the CaliRomania discussion board is simple: many of us Romanians, or Romanian-Americans, here in Southern California find it difficult to connect with other like-minded Romanians for friendship, fun, and exchange whether trivial or important information with our peers. Most social outlets for Romanians here are religious communities which may, or may not be viewed as inviting places of worship and social events. Some of us have lived in the U.S. for so long, we are no longer confident in our Romanian linguistic skills while others may wish to re-connect to the mother-tongue and communicate primarily in Romanian. Keeping in mind that Romanians are a true minority among minorities and that we are hardly ever publicly validated as a community among other ethnic communities, it is also true that few attempts are made to create opportunities for Romanians and Romanian-Americans to meet without a religious, political, or economic motive. This blog and forum is free - and will remain free. It has been created in the interest of friendship and discourse. Looking forward to your participation. To participate in our online discussion forum, please click here:
http://caliromania.proboards92.com
If you would like to moderate your own board and have a topic in mind, please comment/respond to this blog and you will be contacted shortly.
Sanatate,
Elvis