traveller reviews

• The willingness of the villages to engage with the strangers was amazing. As we hiked across the beautiful villages, we were often stopped by villagers and farmers who told us about their lives. The hospitality shown to the tourists had no bounds. We experienced this first hand by invitations for baptism ceremony and a house party where we enjoyed limitless servings of plum brandy (strong alcoholic spirit produced in Romania), delicious food and taking part in their traditional dancing. Francois Bellard who shepherded us was amazing and we want to thank him profusely for his guidance. We have done many guided tours and must acknowledge that he has raised the bar on good guiding. He was patient, gentle and quick to recognize our needs. Our enjoyment was his prime concern and he did all within his power to make this happen. The attentiveness and sincerity he showed to the villages in listening to their ramblings demonstrated his deep love for the people and the land has adopted (Francois is French). He truly connected us to the locals by not taking the liberty of answering questions posed by us without directing them to the locals first. Francois is truly the best of the best – a guide par excellence. A. Pickens. Montara, CA. USA.