Hitchhiking to the Black Sea 2016
This was my third hitchhiking adventure in the summer of 2016 — and the first I did not undertake alone. Together with a friend I started from Ostrava in the Czech Republic and set off towards the Black Sea. Our destination: Romania and Bulgaria. How far the outstretched thumb would take us, we did not yet know.
From Slovakia to Romania
The weather was rainy, but we made it to Košice in Slovakia. There we met two older men who invited us to a pub. We had a few beers — and since we had no accommodation, one of the men spontaneously invited us to his home.
When we arrived, his wife welcomed us with little enthusiasm. She asked loudly who we were — he had forgotten to ask her. Fortunately the situation quickly calmed down: we were given a bath, accommodation, and the next morning even a huge breakfast. Almost like a "mum's hotel". Very grateful, we continued on to Romania.
Cluj-Napoca, Brașov and Count Dracula
Our first stop in Romania was Cluj-Napoca. We explored the city, tried the local food, and enjoyed the relaxed character of the city. Then we continued to Brașov — and from there we visited Bran Castle, the legendary Dracula Castle. The atmosphere there was fascinating and we learned a lot about the myth surrounding Vlad the Impaler.
In Brașov we met two men who spontaneously invited us to their home. We spent a wonderful time with them, stayed overnight, and received many tips for continuing through Romania.
The Transfăgărășan
My personal highlight in Romania was the Transfăgărășan — one of the most spectacular mountain roads in Europe, running through the Carpathians. It is legendary especially among motorcyclists, but also a real experience for hitchhikers.
We were lucky to meet a couple who accompanied us for two days. Together we enjoyed the breathtaking nature, the mountain passes, and the vast silence of the Romanian Carpathians. These days are among the most unforgettable of the entire trip.
Vama Veche – The Black Sea
From the mountains we headed to the Black Sea — our actual destination. We arrived at Vama Veche, a small village on the Romanian coast right on the border with Bulgaria. In 2016 this place was truly lively, buzzing, and special: a mixture of bohemian atmosphere, beach bars, and free spirit. Exactly what we had been looking for.
Bulgaria
At the border a young woman stopped for us and took us all the way to Varna. There she met her boyfriend at a hotel — and both spontaneously invited us to stay with them for several days. The hotel was very nice and this unexpected generosity truly moved us.
We explored the Bulgarian coast: Obzor, Burgas, and the surroundings. It was my first time here and I liked the coast very much. Then we continued to the capital Sofia, where young men showed us around the city. Sofia was beautiful — but the most impressive thing about all of Bulgaria was the people. Everywhere we were welcomed with genuine warmth.
The Journey Home
After two weeks on the road it was time to return to the Czech Republic. We were very lucky: we found a driver who took us directly to Brno. It was my longest ride with a single car — it lasted about two days.
This trip showed me how much you can achieve with little — if you are open to what you encounter. The warmth of the people in Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria made this trip something truly special.