After leaving the harbor Orsova and driving about half an hour along the Danube, we reach the Town of Hercules Spas. Our first stop is at the Archaeological Museum, which in his former shape housed the first Romanian Casino. Here we can admire objects dating from the Roman period like coins, statues, bas-reliefs.  Afterwards we make a short break at the beautiful Ferdinand Hotel for a coffee and some pastry.

 

The excursion continues with a walk on the main alley, along the Cerna River, passing by the imposing Hercules’ Statue and by the Catholic Church built in the time of Emperor Franz Joseph till we reach the Roman baths, which are covered today by the original Austro-Hungarian walls. Afterwards drive back to the ship.

 

 

We drive from the harbor towards the Archaeological Museum” the Iron Gate, where we will get acquainted with the Romania’s history, from the early beginning till the end of WWII. Here we visit also the Ethnographical part of the museum and the Aquarium.   Next to the building we can see also the ruins of the bridge, constructed on behalf of Emperor Traian by the architect Apolodor of Damascus between 103 and 105 AD. The bridge was the biggest accomplishment of that time, because for its construction were used only wood and stone and it measured approx. 1400m in length, 14m in width, and 19m in height. 

Driving through the old town, passing by the only remaining tower of the old medieval fortress, towards the Iron Gates we can admire the magnificent landscapes of the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains, viaducts and gorges.

 

On the Danube’s shore, right next to the hydroelectric station of the Iron Gates we stop at a local restaurant to taste four of the best wines of the Banat region. Afterwards we drive back to the ship.

 

 

We drive for about 1hour through the fields of the Walachia region, which is known as one of the most fertile region of Romania. This part of the country, with large fields, is strongly used for agriculture, thus you can see miles of cornfields, sunflowers, wheat, etc...  We drive through many villages, this way having a glimpse in the way of living of the peasants, on the Romanian countryside. After 1hour drive, we arrive in the southern part of Bucharest and we start the city tour. we make a stop at the Palace of the Parliament, the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon. After the photo stop, the road leads us to the Patriarchal Church, where the residence of the Head of the Romanian orthodox- church is. At the same time, we can see here other wonderful sights, like the Patriarchal Palace, as well as theBell Tower of the Patriarchal Church.

 

Along the wide boulevards of Bucharest, we arrive in one of the nicest neighborhoods of the city, with large parks and beautiful houses of the capital’s high society, where one of the most famous restaurants welcomes us for lunch. 

 

For a better appetite, we receive a glass of Romanian wine. During lunch, an orchestra with Romanian folk music creates the good atmosphere and the folkloric program gives us the opportunity of getting familiar with the Romanian traditional dances.

 

During the first hours of the afternoon, we visit the Village Museum, which covers over 18 Ha. During the years, here have been gathered houses of peasants from all over Romania. An image of the life of the Romanian villager is strongly spotlighted.

 

Afterwards we drive along the longest Boulevard of Bucharest, the Kisseleff – Street, to get to the Revolution square, where we can admire the Royal Palace of the Romanian Royal family of the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, as well as the former headquarters of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, building from which the Romanian dictator Ceausescu escaped by means of a helicopter during the Revolution of 1989.

 

In the end drive back to the ship in Oltenita.