Quantcast
Channel: Productive » Travel stories
Browsing all 14 articles
Browse latest View live

Bran, the Capital of Kitsch

Five days after Romania joined the EU I visited Bran Castle. I was sadly disappointed by the incredible kitsch on display in the carpark, the ruination of the village by uncontrolled banner advertising...

View Article



Traveling into the unknown

Trying to compete with the west when it comes to tourism cannot succeed if the locations and infrastructure are as poor as they are in Romania. Romania’s beaches and ski resorts are promoted abroad...

View Article

The Balkans by Train

In my view the best way to travel in Eastern Europe is by train.  It is cheap, interesting and relaxing.  But why, you might be wondering, would anyone want to travel across the Balkans in the winter,...

View Article

How to get a grant

When I was in Montenegro recently I checked into a small guest house and asked if they had internet. “Of course we do” boomed the big cheery lady who runs the place, but when I tried to get online it...

View Article

Magical memories

On the one hand my credentials for writing about magic would appear to be good: I come from Scotland, a country which promotes itself as a land of mystery, magic and legend. On the other hand...

View Article


What I found in Scotland

Click here to see Rupert’s photos of Edinburgh When I went to Edinburgh recently I expected to see high street shops selling off their stocks at huge discounts and “everything must go” signs.  But I...

View Article

Travelling through Kitsch

In Romania, as in every country, there are stereotypes about which places are worth visiting. If I tell people I am from Scotland many say they would love to visit Edinburgh but it is rare you hear...

View Article

Diary of a bike

I got ridden to Laurentiu’s house in the dark on a road through the centre of Bucharest, a road that is usually crowded but at that moment was deserted because it was the middle of the night; Laurentiu...

View Article


Does Serbia need a brand?

When discussions about promoting Serbia take place the following comment often comes up: “shouldn’t we develop a country brand?” The short answer is “NO”.  I am from Scotland, I now live in Romania,...

View Article


Get on your bike and see Romania

You can see Rupert Wolfe Murray’s photos of his cycling journey here. There are certain places in Europe that are known to be great for cycling. Amsterdam has been pro-bike for generations; in...

View Article

Sighisoara Needs Your Help

This article was also published in Romanian on Hotnews. Anyone who knows Romania is aware that Sighisoara is a pretty amazing place. Guidebooks describe is as the only medieval citadel in Europe that...

View Article

Prince Charles’ New Guest House in Covasna County

Most people know that the Prince of Wales is fabulously wealthy and will one day become the King of England. But how many of you know that he recently renovated a country cottage in Romania and, in...

View Article

Recycling is Rubbish

One of the most impressive things about Vienna is the shops – they are varied, stylish and often innovative. But when I went down Schleifmuhlgasse, which is not far from the Opera House, I was stopped...

View Article


Prince Charles of Romania

You can also read this article in Romanian, on the Contributors section of Hotnews. I don’t have a TV as I can’t stand the sensationalist nonsense pumped out by ProTV or the endless “analysis” the 24...

View Article
Browsing all 14 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images