Just a quick note to announce the opening of a photography blog. It belongs to my friend Valentin, whose work I know quite well.

You can find it here.

Make sure to check back often, the site is brand new, but I know he has a ton of photos he will upload over the next few weeks.

Enjoy!

Post from: Balkan Trails

Valentin’s photography website

Even there are many things I associate with Easter in Romania (the smell of the long awaited spring, family get – togethers), there are two things I was very much looking forward to as a child. And yes, they are both food:)

Cozonac

Cozonac with poppy seeds

Traditionally, Romanians used to cook this type of cake for Christmas and Easter, even though nowadays you can buy them from most bakeries all year round.

My granny is an expert at making these, and I can tell you it takes a lot of work. I remember as a child I was mesmerized at the huge quantity of dough she would knead for hours on end (insufficient kneading would lead to having small, hard cozonac). Then the filling would be added (her recipe involved poppy seeds or ground walnuts) and in the oven they went!

My favourite was the poppy seeds one, which was a problem, since in the late ’80s poppy seeds were hard to come by, so my granny would start stockpiling it a few months ahead of the holidays, just to make sure she has enough.

Dyed eggs

Easter Eggs from Bucovina region

A long standing tradition in the Christian world (especially in Eastern and Central Europe), dyed eggs are the joy of children at Easter time, since they are a clear sign the Easter Bunny has been around, so presents must be there, somewhere, as well:)

The traditional color of the Easter eggs is red (symbol for the blood of Christ), but over the ages, people allowed their creativity to go free, so nowadays we use various colors, and in some regions of Romania (and not only) egg – painting has been an art in itself for centuries. Another way of decorating eggs is with creating intricate patterns using tiny beads that are stuck to the egg using bees wax.

Now, art it may be, but we do eat the eggs we dye at home. The “egg – knocking contest” takes place on Easter Sunday, at breakfast, when we each hold an egg and knock it against the others. The egg that makes it unbroken is the winner, but yes, that one gets eaten as well:)

Post from: Balkan Trails

Easter – Cozonac and dyed eggs

We are safely home in Texas after a wonderful experience in Bulgaria. Toma was an excellent guide, always professional, courteous, and well informed. Each of our stops was enjoyable and worthwhile.  Bulgaria has much to offer thoughtful travelers, and Balkan Trails helped to make it a great choice for us.

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Kasten, traveled to Bulgaria in June 2010

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Kasten

In all of our travels, we have never worked with a tour company that is more professional and accommodating than Balkan Trails.

From the beginning of our planning with this company we received highly personalized attention and quick responses to our questions and concerns. We have never before experienced such personal attention from a tour company!

Gail and Frank Raymond, traveled to Bulgaria and Macedonia in April 2011

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Raymond

The itinerary, accommodation, transport, sightseeing arrangements and driver-guides were excellent. Both Tom (Bulgaria) and Isabella (Romania) spoke perfect English and were very safe drivers. They were absolutely professional with imparting information and ensured we participated in local experiences, a highlight being the Easter Sunday Orthodox Church service and traditional festive dancing in a rural village.

Vanessa and Richard Arndell, traveled to Bulgaria and Romania in April 2011

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Arndell

We thoroughly enjoyed our Romanian tour and had a great time. You were so responsive to our wishes that it made the tour very personalized.

Valentin, our guide, was outstanding. When he put us on the train he handed us a package with special Easter bread (with Turkish delight), dyed eggs, fruit, chocolate bunny and hot tea plus iced tea. It was so above and beyond the expectations of a tour guide that he will always be one of the highlights of our trip.

Deanne and Wendell Langman, traveled to Romania in April 2011

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Langman

We enjoyed the holiday so much, and sing our praises of Sorin Crupa our wonderful guide, who made the whole holiday most interesting and enjoyable with his extensive knowledge, it has left us wanting more in the future.

Ms. Patricia Wale and Mr. Ivor Jones, traveled to Romania in June 2011

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Wale

The tour exceeded our expectations. Our tour guide, Mihai, was outstanding. We could not have asked for a better guide.

We also appreciated the accommodations and the opportunity to meet people in the bed & breakfast places.

Many thanks for your planning and for the extraordinary guide.

Sheryl and Dov Kadmon, traveled to Romania in June 2011

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Kadmon

We had a fantastic time – our guide and now our friend Isabela was wonderful- the country side just mind blowing and my new home Peles just jaw dropping.

Thanks for helping make this an unforgettable trip. I am and will continue to tell people to go to Romania!

Ms. Stephanie deChellis, traveled to Romania in July 2011

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De Chellis

We have traveled extensively in Europe and in many other parts of the world both independently and with groups and feel that in Bulgaria having a private, customized tour is ideal. I feel that the itinerary you planned was very good and covered many important and varied sites.

Thanks for the great experience!

Ann & Bruce Willis, traveled to Bulgaria in August 2011

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Willis