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@National Flag, Romania

"Welcome to Bucharest!" The tour guide's voice boomed over the murmurs of the weary pets as they assembled round the baggage reclaim carousel. It had been quite a long flight, involving a change midway. Nevertheless, Bill, a Bashful Badger with a penchant for history, could hardly contain his excitement as he clutched his guidebook close to himself. Bill’s friend, Speckles, a Blue Poison Dart Frog, was perhaps a little less keen on history, but was still looking forward to the tour of Romania. Along the streets they passed on the way to their hotel, several times they spotted the Romanian flag, with its distinctive colours of dark blue, bright yellow and red, flying from buildings.

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@Danube Bridge links Romania & Hungary

The coach passed the famous Danube Bridge and other grand sights, then eventually pulled up outside the hotel, a modern building that gleamed against the backdrop of the city. Catatonia ° and Speckles couldn't wait to explore! The pets all hurried to their rooms to drop off their luggage and have a wash.

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@Ornithology Site, Giurgiu

The hotel restaurant served them a mouth­watering tradition­al Roman­ian meal for luncheon, a stew of meat and vegetables, that satisfied their hunger and warmed them through. After the meal, the tour guide led them through the bustling streets of Bucharest, the scent of fresh baked bread and the distant sound of street musicians waft­ing through the air. The city was alive with a vibrant energy that seemed to resonate within each of the pets.

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@Water Park, Bucharest

Their hotel rooms had a cosy feel with large windows that over­looked the hotel's water park, its inviting waves sparkling under the sun.
After their return from the brief tour of Bucharest, the pets took advant­age of the warm weather to bask and swim in the water park.

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@Bucharest

That evening, Adriana, their guide, escorted them on a walking tour of Bucharest, Romania's capital city. As night fell, lively clubs and bars filled with pets and the illuminat­ed buildings were reflected in the River Dambovita.

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@Street market, Bucharest

After breakfast the following morning, the pets assembled for another tour of the capital city, Bucharest. The scent of freshly baked biscuits and confection­ery drew the pets to a bustling street market. Their eyes lit up as they beheld a kaleido­scope of colours and shapes. They filled their baskets with sugary delights, some for immediate consumption, others to take home as souvenirs for those who had been unable to come. The market buzzed with activity, a caco­phony of pets haggling in Romanian and laughter filling the air.

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@Handsome Timepiece, Bucharest

As they strolled, they caught a glimpse of the iconic clock tower, standing tall amidst the cobblestone streets. Across the top was displayed Bucureşti, which their guide, a wise old owl named Adriana, explained was Romanian for Bucharest.

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@Retro mechanism

Adriana paused to explain the intricate workings of the clock's mechanism, her feathers ruffling with pride as she recounted tales of the city's history. Baby Snowflake and Speckles leaned in closer to take it all in, their curiosity piqued.

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@Herastrau Park, Bucharest

The tour group meandered through the streets, the warmth of the sun on their fur or feathers as they approached Herastrau Park.

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@Bench with Bucharest coat of arms

Ethan and Speckles couldn't resist the allure of a bench, adorned with the Bucharest old coat of arms, an eagle bearing a cross in its beak standing on a crown.

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@Forget-me-not

They sat down, breathing in the scent of the blooming forget-me-nots and ivy that climbed the weathered stone wall nearby.

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@Ivy

The serenity of the park was a stark contrast to the bustling market they'd just left behind, and they felt a sense of peace wash over them as they watched the world go by.

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@Weathered stone wall

Adriana, their guide, had arranged for them to visit the National Museum of Romanian History later that day. As they stepped into the grand­iose building, the cool air whisper­ed secrets of the past. The pets were usher­ed through the hallow­ed halls, their eyes widen­ing as they took in the grandeur of Romanian history.

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@Royal Crown of 1881

A highlight of the tour was a viewing of the crown jewels, particular­ly the crown made for Queen Elisabeth of Romania in 1881. Its gold and precious gems gleam­ed under the soft lights, telling a silent story of power and elegance. Their guide explained that Romania was a monarchy from 1881 until 1947. During this time, the country was known as the Kingdom of Romania. It became a republic in 1948.

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@Peles Castle, Prahova

The next day dawned bright and early as the group board­ed the coach once more, this time head­ing for the majestic Peles Castle in Prahova. The journey was filled with tales of kings and queens, and the pets listened intent­ly, their imagination soar­ing with each new detail. Upon arriving, they were struck by the castle's fairytale-like archi­tecture, nestled amidst the lush forest. The castle's turrets pierced the sky, as if yearn­ing to touch the clouds.

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@Peles Castle, Prahova

As they explored the opulent halls, Puff and Speckles couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder. The walls whisper­ed of grand ball­room dances and clandest­ine meetings, while the intricate tapestries de­picted scenes from Romanian folk­lore. That night, they stayed in the castle's guest quarters, their heads spinning with the day's adventures. The heavy velvet curtains and four-poster beds promised a slumber filled with dreams of royal banquets and noble deeds.

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@Paltinu Lake, Prahova

The next day, the coach journeyed to Paltinu Lake, Prahova. The serene body of water was a stark contrast to the bustling city they'd left behind. They watched in awe as the sun danced across the lake's surface, casting a golden glow on the arch­ed bridge that stretch­ed over it. The bridge looked like a delicate arc of history, connect­ing the past with the present. Moon and Speckles took a moment to appreciate the tranquillity before their advent­ure continued.

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@Vidraru Dam, Arges

They travelled to Arges and stopped at the Vidraru Dam. The pets queued up for the jet­skis. The engines sprang to life, and the vehicles sped across the lake in thrill­ing curves. The wind whipped through their fur and feathers as they zipped down the lake, the spray of water cooling them down. The exhilaration was palpable, and their cheers echoed across the water.

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@Carpathian Mountains, Arges

The next destination was the breathtaking Capra Waterfall, nestled deep within the Carpathian Mountains. The coach climbed the wind­ing roads, each turn reveal­ing a more magnificent view of the rugged landscape.

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@Capra Waterfall, Arges

As they approached the waterfall, the roar grew louder, a thunder­ous symphony that seemed to beckon them closer. Tammie's eyes grew wide as they dis­em­barked, the spray misting their faces. The water plummeted down from a great height, a spectacle of power and beauty that left them all speechless. Speckles, the more adventurous of the two, couldn't resist the urge to get closer, his tiny paws scrambling over the wet rocks. Tammie watched nervously, but her friend's excite­ment was contagious, and soon she joined him, their laughter melding with the waterfall's crescendo.

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@Capra Waterfall, Arges

The group took the scenic Route Transfagarasan, a serpent­ine road that snaked through the tower­ing peaks of the Carpathian Mountains. The coach hugged the cliff­side, the view out­side their window a breath­taking pano­rama of jagged cliffs and verdant valleys. Foxy Sir and Speckles pressed their noses to the glass, taking in every detail, from the delicate alpine flowers to the occasional Carpathian mountain goats that watched them pass with curious eyes. The journey was as thrill­ing as it was terrifying.

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@Lake on the Route Transfagarasan, Arges

As they descended the mountain, a picturesque lake emerged, its surface as smooth as a mirror. The tour guide announced it was time for lunch, and they pulled over to a picnic area beside the lake. The pets spread out blankets and un­packed a feast of Roman­ian delights: meats, cheeses, and crusty bread, accompanied by bottles of chill­ed local fruit juices. The air was cool and fresh, scented with pine and wild­flowers, and they ate and drank heartily, their spirits lifted by the beauty around them.

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@Traditional ceramics, Horezu, Valcea

The journey through the Carpathians continued, the road winding through ancient forests that seemed to hold secrets in their shadows. The trees grew taller, their branches stretching out like welcoming arms, creating a natural cathedral of leaves.

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@Traditional ceramics, Horezu, Valcea

In the afternoon, they reached Valcea. At an exhibition hall in Horezu, they marvelled at the intricate patterns and vibrant colours of traditional Romanian ceramics. Each piece was a story­teller in its own right, whisper­ing of the artisans who had shaped them with loving care. The air was thick with the scent of clay and paint, a remind­er of the touch that had brought these beauties to life. They couldn't resist purchas­ing quite a few souvenirs, although it was difficult to choose between all the items on show!

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@Bread, cheese & wine, Vintage restaurant

That night's hotel was a cosy retreat nestled in the heart of Dolj. The evening meal was delicious, finish­ing with a selection of Roman­ian breads, cheeses, and wines.
As they all made their way up to bed that night, they wonder­ed what advent­ures the coming days would bring!

Speckles has enjoyed their tour of Romania, but it is time to go home. Please select another pet as visitor, so they can also enjoy this event!