Nousmadic

11/12/2025

For the One Person You Actually Like

Still searching for a Christmas present that feels personal and genuinely special. Our Limited Edition fine art print collection might be exactly what you need. Each piece is printed on premium Hahnemühle Photorag paper, museum standard, archival for over a century, and produced in a fully carbon neutral way by a leading print studio in London.

These are quiet, atmospheric landscapes created to bring calm and a sense of space into any room. A thoughtful gift for anyone who loves nature, photography, travel, or simply a home that feels more grounded.

We are currently offering a 20% discount with the code ELF20. If you want to give something meaningful this year, visit NOUSMADIC.COM and choose the print that fits the person you like the most.

10/12/2025

Romania’s Toughest Trail? Durău to Toaca Peak Hike

The feeling of achievement after a tough hike (especially when you haven’t trained in a while) is unreal. The effort hits your body, and so does the soreness for the next 3 days… but it’s all worth it.

Hiking in Romania has challenged us in the best (and hardest) ways, but this trail was on another level. The Durău – Toaca Peak hike in the Ceahlău Massif is rated “hard”, and trust me, it lives up to the name.

We underestimated it big time, especially doing the full loop anti-clockwise (passing the Duruitoarea Waterfall) right after 3 days of heavy rain.
We attempted it in just one day, leaving late from Durău’s parking area. If you prefer to split the trail, you can stay overnight at Cabana Dochia, the mountain refuge at the top. A great option if you want to enjoy the views without rushing.

Oh, and don’t forget the 500–600 steps at the final climb up to Toaca Peak, the highest summit of the Ceahlău Massif. We skipped them this time: we were exhausted, racing daylight, and carrying 15+ kg backpacks.

TIP: Never underestimate the Romanian mountains (or any mountains). They’re beautiful, rewarding, and seriously challenging. Respect the trail, prepare well, and enjoy every step.

Save this if you’re planning a hike in Romania, and share it with the person you intend to drag along!

The feeling of achievement after a tough hike (especially when you haven’t trained in a while) is unreal. The effort hits your body, and so does the soreness...

05/12/2025

Râpa Roșie, Romania

Râpa Roșie is one of the most unusual landscapes in Romania: a geological and botanical reserve just a few kilometres north of Sebeș. The cliffs stretch for about 800 meters and rise up to around 100–125 meters, shaped naturally by erosion.

The formations are made of layers of clay, sandstone, and gravel that date back tens of millions of years, likely from the Oligocene–Miocene period. Rain, wind, and sediment movement continue to sculpt the ridges and columns even today, which is why the shapes shift slowly over time.

It’s a protected area with rare and endemic plant species, and the terrain belongs to the “badlands” type of relief: dry, dramatic, and full of unexpected textures. From below, the cliffs feel towering and quiet. From above, they look like the earth has folded in on itself.

The night before we filmed here, there was a lunar eclipse. Seeing the Red Moon rise over the red cliffs made the landscape feel even more striking.

If you’re in Alba County, Râpa Roșie is an easy stop: close to town, accessible by car, and ideal for a short hike or a couple of hours of exploring. A simple place, but a memorable one.

Romania has some surprises left.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DR4gRgYCIwx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

03/12/2025

People think “starting over” is one big dramatic moment…
but it’s not.
Changing your life is a thousand quiet decisions you make when no one’s watching.

It’s the everyday courage to let go of old versions of yourself and step into a new chapter you’re still figuring out.

This season for us has been scary, messy, uncertain and also unbelievably transformative.
We’re learning, unlearning, and rebuilding as we go.

And if you’re in your own season of starting over, we see you.
We’re right there with you.
You’re not doing this alone. 🤍

If this resonates, let us know in the comments:
What part of your life are you rebuilding right now?

People think “starting over” is one big dramatic moment…but it’s not.Changing your life is a thousand quiet decisions you make when no one’s watching.It’s th...

28/11/2025

Transalpina - Romania

If you ever needed a reason to drive the Transalpina in Romania, this is it.

One of the highest and most breathtaking mountain roads in the country: endless switchbacks, wild peaks, and that quiet feeling you only get above the clouds.

You need to wait next spring, though, as this road is closed until late Spring 2026.

For now, enjoy this view from Summer 2025.

If you ever needed a reason to drive the Transalpina in Romania, this is it.One of the highest and most breathtaking mountain roads in the country: endless s...

24/11/2025

Hidden Blue Lake in Romania You Need to See 🇷🇴

We came here fully prepared to be disappointed.
Lacul Ochiul Beiului in Romania looks almost too unreal to believe... until you see it in person.

This natural turquoise lake sits in Cheile Nerei–Beușnița National Park and is fed by an underground spring, which keeps the water crystal-clear and never freezing all year long.

If you’re planning a Romania trip or searching for hidden gems in Europe, this place needs to be on your list.

📍 Location: Ochiul Beiului Lake, Cheile Nerei–Beușnița National Park, Romania
🇷🇴 Why visit: unreal blue water, insane visibility, peaceful forest setting
🗺️ Perfect for: nature lovers, hikers, photographers, explorers

👇 Save this for your Romania trip

We came here fully prepared to be disappointed.Lacul Ochiul Beiului in Romania looks almost too unreal to believe, until you see it in person.This natural tu...

20/11/2025

How about a 200-meter ride straight into Earth’s underworld?

In Slănic Prahova, Romania, you actually descend by bus straight into one of Europe’s largest underground salt mines, a place carved by miners but created by a sea that vanished millions of years ago.

Inside, the air is naturally therapeutic, the chambers are the size of cathedrals, and the whole place feels like stepping onto a different planet made entirely of salt.

👇 Save this for your Romania trip

In Slănic Prahova, Romania, you actually descend by bus straight into one of Europe’s largest underground salt mines, a place carved by miners but created b...

03/11/2025

3 Months Across Romania: Wild Roads & Hidden Wonders 🇷🇴

Three months. A van. And a country that completely surprised us.

From driving the legendary Transfăgărășan and spotting bears along the road, to following the curves of the Transalpina, wandering through the vast Turda Salt Mine, and visiting timeless monasteries like Sucevița or Voronet, Romania showed us its wild and soulful side.

We hiked through Cheile Turzii, got muddy at Vulcanii Noroioși, ventured into Peștera Topolnița cave and stretched the journey where the land meets the sea, on the unspoiled sands of Vadu Beach.

And just when we thought we’d seen it all, Lacul Ochiul Beiului appeared, like something straight out of a fairy tale.

Romania surprised us with raw nature, epic winding roads, the kindest people and adventure wherever you go.

Three months weren’t nearly enough.

Maybe it’s your turn to discover Romania. 🇷🇴

Three months. A van. And a country that completely surprised us.From driving the legendary Transfăgărășan and spotting bears along the road, to following the...

21/10/2025

When the Rain Finds You - Vanlife in Romania

Not every day on the road is sunshine and perfect views. Sometimes it’s rain - for days. You find yourself parked somewhere between here and nowhere, waiting for the clouds to pass. But even those quiet, grey moments are part of the story.

Before the storm, we grabbed vegan burgers from the Drive Thru next to our parking spot - a small comfort before three long days of rain in the Romanian mountains.

Vanlife isn’t always calm. It’s unpredictable, alive, and full of surprises.

🎧 Turn the sound on - this is the other side of life on the road.

Not every day on the road is sunshine and perfect views. Sometimes it’s rain - for days. You find yourself parked somewhere between here and nowhere, waiting...

09/10/2025

Tonlé Sap Lake, Cambodia - Southeast Asia’s Largest Freshwater Lake

Explore Tonlé Sap Lake, Cambodia’s largest freshwater lake, and discover its floating villages, stilted houses, and rich biodiversity. From the dramatic dry and wet seasons to the daily lives of local communities, this guide offers everything you need to plan a visit, including top villages, tours, and cultural insights near Siem Reap.

https://www.nousmadic.com/tonle-sap-lake-cambodia-complete-travel-guide-to-southeast-asias-largest-freshwater-lake/

08/10/2025

Patterns in the Mud: Pâclele Mici from the sky

Honestly, I can’t stop looking at the drone photos we took at Vulcano Pâclele Mici in Romania. Out of the two volcanic fields, this was definitely our favourite. We could stand right next to the mouths of the little volcanoes and actually watch the mud bubbling away at our feet: absolutely incredible!

We liked it so much that even when it started to rain (thankfully nothing like the storm from the day before), we didn’t leave. We just huddled under the small roof of the ticket shelter, checking the weather forecast every minute and hoping it would pass.

And it paid off, the rain stopped, the evening light started to creep in, and the whole place looked even more stunning. To top it all off, we even got a rainbow!

The Mud Volcanoes weren’t on my bucket list, but I’m so glad our travels through Romania brought us here!