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Tag: Danube Delta

  • Ecological tourism in the Danube Delta

    Ecological tourism in the Danube Delta

     The Danube Delta is considered a natural paradise and a destination for sustainable tourism.

    Today we will talk about ecological tourism and our guide will be Iliuță Goean, who established his own travel agency 15 years ago and ever since has been encouraging others to discover the beauty of the area and to preserve its riches:

    “Imagine paradise! This is the Danube Delta. It’s the last wild area in Europe, the only place where you can actually feel that you are in the middle of wilderness. It has the biggest biodiversity in Europe; the largest number of species of birds, insects, plants and fish. Ecological tourism is about not interfering with nature in any way, about trying to leave as small a footprint as possible when you pass through the area and especially about not destroying the area. We need to educate people more, especially young people, because they are the future, and teach them about ecological tourism.”

    The best way to visit the Danube Delta without feeling that we have destroyed something is to travel by average or low-speed boats, and in no case high-speed boats, says travel guide Iliuță Goean. Fast boats are especially damaging to the Delta’s ecosystem. Another environmentally friendly way of visiting the delta is by rowing. Iliuță Goean explains:

    “Rowing is truly the most ecological way of exploring the Danube Delta. I’m not from here, from the Delta. I came here 20 years ago to stay. I had been visiting this region for a number of years, every summer and autumn, for fishing. But 20 years ago, I decided I was going to live here and I moved to Mila 23. I had stayed at various places around the delta but chose this village because I think it’s the best place from where to explore the delta. It is located on a former corner of the Sulina branch and is not so heavily affected by commercial navigation as the Danube’s main branches. It’s a peaceful, beautiful place and has an exceptional traditional cuisine. The Ivan Patzaichin Museum opened here recently, a landmark in the Danube Delta at the moment. After many years, the Ivan Patzaichin Association has also managed to create a route for paddle boats and will soon launch an app that visitors can use to explore the Danube Delta. For those wishing to travel by motorboats, these run on Monday, Thursday and Sunday. We welcome visitors in Tulcea and take them to Mila 23. We work with local guesthouses run by people from the area who know all about the perfect Danube Delta food.”

    You may feel tempted, prior to coming to the Danube Delta, to look for accommodation yourselves, to search for transfers and trips. But we’ re dead positive the result may not be the envisaged one.

    “Many people think that, coming in the middle of the Delta they ‘re sure to ruin into guides and boats, in droves, who are waiting to take them somewhere. That is in no way true, because, by and large, accommodation units are small and their entire logistic is tailored to fit the size of their own house. So, if you booked accommodation somewhere and do not benefit from the boat programs, you’re sure to be left out. So I always recommend people to buy a full package, because that if the only way for you to be able to study what particular kind of boat will take you places. If there is that kind of plastic-enclosed isolette where you can hardly have the chance to see anything, that’s to be completely avoided. I wholeheartedly recommend the open boats, where you can live an authentic experience. You can see, you can hear. There are hundreds of bird species that mostly sing in the spring and it would be a pity for you not to hear them. And if would also be a pity if you miss the show of the flying birds. Half of the birds you shall see, you shall see them as they fly. In an encloses boat, you’re sure to be deprived of such an experience. “

    The Danube Delta is Romania’s perfect destination for the watching of special bird species. Birdwatching is a recreational activity enabling you to know the environment, to watch the favourable circumstance for the existence of birds or of other fauna species. While people are doing such activities, a too close invasion of birds’ nests is not recommended, lest you disturb the birds and scare them. Photographing is done with no flashlight on, while the communication between tourists should be a quiet one, so everybody can enjoy it: the tourists, who are passionate about nature, but also the birds that should continue their daily routine undisturbed.

    “Birdwatching programmes start from 1,500 lei per person for four days and three nights, and that timespan includes two transfers. The first and the last day are actually the transfers that are being made, with a stopover for birds, while the remaining two days are extremely eventful. There are also initiation programs for children. There are many families who want to educate their children and take them to that particular kind of ecological tourism. They bring them for a tour of initiation into birdwatching. There are dedicated guides for such projects, these people are eager to teach kids what the art of birdwatching actually is, to explain them all about birds. Children are fascinated with such pieces of information and with what they can discover and they can also forge a fine way in life for themselves, through such programs.”

    The photographers of those who are into bird watching can come anytime throughout the year. On the other hand, those who want to discover nature and relax, they can come from April all through to October. Some other time throughout the year, says Iliuta Goean, a tourist guide and the owner of a travel agency in the Danube Delta.

    “In late autumn fishermen come over, in winter photographers and birders also come as there are bird species that only winter in Romania. They can only be seen in winter, but not in summer. Yet bringing you child over with you on a winter holiday in the Delta, if you do not have such a passion, that is not very comfortable. From the bottom of my heart, I recommend that you come and see the Danube Delta, and discover it. Make sure you’re extremely cautious when you buy a tourist package! The boats need to be open so you can have a wonderful experience and I wholeheartedly recommend other people to see for themselves what you had experienced already. You can enjoy nature, cuisine, peace and quiet, you can enjoy all that you do not come across very often someplace else. If you’re into bird watching, please come over April 15-June 15, if you want to have warm weather and have a swim, if you also want to go to the sea, in Sulina, please come during the summer season. If you’re passionate about the migration of birds, September all through to October, that again is a fine period of time for you to come.”

    Therefore, the holidays season in the Danube Delta starts in April and s all through to October. The of events is quite comprehensive and includes the ANONIMUL International Independent Film festival, Tulcea Fest, The Days of Sulina, The Celebration of the Mile 23 village, The Celebration of the Fish Thick Sour Soup in Crisan, The Danube Delta Marathon in Sulina. These are scheduled during the season, during summer.

  • Romania and NATO in times of crisis

    Romania and NATO in times of crisis

    The report on the drones that fell last month in the Danube Delta was completed and submitted to the Prosecutor General’s Office in Bucharest. The drones were hit by the Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense and did not target Romanias territory. The information came from the Minister of Defense, Angel Tîlvăr, in Parliament, at the traditional ‘Government Hour’, called to provide explanations on this topic of concern for the authorities and for the inhabitants of the villages along the Danube border with Ukraine. The drones launched by Russia over the river port of Izmail were hit by Ukraines anti-aircraft defense and became uncontrollable in the vicinity of the target, which led to their accidental entry into the national airspace and their fall in proximity, on the territory of Romania.



    We did not notice any intent in any of these situations, Romanias territory was not targeted, the impact being accidental, Minister Tîlvăr stressed. According to him, the drones could not be observed by the surveillance and early warning systems for objective reasons, related to the low altitude at which they were flying, their uncontrolled movement as well as the shielding generated by the terrain and the port infrastructure of Ukraine. These limitations are specific to any radar system, no matter how powerful it is, explained Tîlvăr. He also recalled that the impact of the drones was non-explosive, as the drones had no active combat equipment. In all the situations reported, there was no material damage or casualties.



    The Minister of Defense also stated that more aerial surveillance systems have been recently installed in the Danube Delta area, near the Ukrainian ports attacked by Russian forces. Minister Angel Tîlvăr:



    “With regard to the maritime and river areas, we are considering measures to secure maritime communication routes for the discovery and neutralization of sea mines, because this is also a matter of concern for the citizens of Romania, as such mines are drifting from the Black Sea basin, within the joint effort of riparian NATO states. At the same time, we maintain the hydrographic and navigation coverage of the Romanian coast and issue notices for navigators, in order to increase maritime security, in the maritime and fluvial areas of interest. We have increased traffic surveillance in the area of ​​sea drilling platforms and, in the Sulina-Sfântu Gheorghe sector, naval research for the discovery and neutralization of drifting sea mines.”



    In the relationship with our allies, who have deployed significant forces in the country, we are considering the review and adaptation of the measures to ensure host-nation support, according to the provisions of the allied plans and the requests of the partners, in accordance with the level of the allied presence on the national territory, stated the Minister of Defense. At the same time, the coordination and monitoring of road, air and rail transports belonging to the armies of allied and partner states are considered. (MI)

  • “Pathfinders of the Waters, Danube Delta” dell’Associazione Ivan Patzaichin, Premio Europa Nostra

    “Pathfinders of the Waters, Danube Delta” dell’Associazione Ivan Patzaichin, Premio Europa Nostra

    Il progetto Pathfinders of the Waters, Danube Delta / Gli esploratori delle Acque, Delta del Danubio dell’Associazione Ivan Patzaichin, che ha ideato e fondato il Centro Culturale e del Museo Ivan Patzaichin di Mila 23, in provincia di Tulcea, nella Romania sud-orientale, sarà insignito del Premio Europa Nostra 2023 nella categoria Istruzione, formazione e competenze, come ricorda l’Istituto Romeno di Cultura e Ricerca Umanistica di Venezia in un comunicato. I vincitori degli European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards 2023 saranno celebrati oggi, 28 settembre, al Palazzo del Cinema di Lido di Venezia, alla presenza della presidente di Presidente di Europa Nostra, Cecilia Bartoli. Durante la cerimonia di consegna dei premi, organizzata congiuntamente da Europa Nostra e dalla Commissione Europea, saranno proclamati i cinque vincitori del Grand Prix e il vincitore del Public Choice Award, premiati per i progetti di rilievo in materia di patrimonio culturale.

    In questa occasione, a Venezia sarà presente una delegazione dell’Associazione Ivan Patzaichin. L’Istituto Romeno di Cultura e Ricerca Umanistica (Palazzo Correr, Cannaregio 2214) ospiterà il 29 settembre, alle ore 17:00, la conferenza e la videoproiezione Il Delta del Danubio di Ivan Patzaichin. Inoltre, il 30 settembre, alle ore 12:00, presso il Padiglione Romania alla Biennale di Venezia, Giardini della Biennale, Sestiere Castello, sarà presentato il Museo Ivan Patzaichin – Centro per l’innovazione civica nel Comune di Mila 23.

    Maggiori dettagli nel comunicato dell’Istituto Romeno di Cultura e Ricerca Umanistica, la rappresentanza dell’Istituto Culturale Romeno a Venezia.

  • Tourist routes in the Danube Delta

    Tourist routes in the Danube Delta

    The Danube Delta is a genuine natural paradise. It stretches from the point where river Danube flows into the Black Sea. Delta. A habitat of the waterfowl that have been found here a vast expand of rush-beds, the Danube Delta is one of Romania’s greatest tourist attractions. Here you can take tours enabling you to watch the flora and the fauna, you can have photo safaris of boat rides, by boat or by kayak. Traditions, history, culture will not be in short supply for you, just like the numerous wine cellars.



    So we get to know a fascinating kingdom of waters, which, in the spring, change their appearance from one day to the next. The trees turn green and the show is in full swing, of the migratory birds returning from the hot countries. Ionut Calin is the president of the Danube Delta tourism Guides Association. Himself a guide in the area, he is always keen on revealing the uniqueness of the places to tourists.



    Ionut Calin: ”The Danube Delta, thanks to the variety of flora and fauna, has come to the attention of researchers as early as the inter-war years. In 1938, part of Letea forest was declared a nature reserve, at tha time being Romania’s second such area. It was not until 1900 when the first step was made, towards the setting up of the Biosphere reserve, having its own administration and its own scientific council. In 1991, the RAMSAR convention was signed (The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat) while, as we speak, has a threefold international status. Even if it is Europe’s second largest area, it is the best-preserved wetland area, it is the world’s only delta entirely declared a biosphere reserve and the world’s third such area regarding the importance of biodiversity. The great variety of flora and fauna, especially birds and landscapes, I think they make a great attraction of the Delta.”



    Usually, the town of Tulcea is the departure point in any undertaking to explore the Danube Delta. Access to Tulcea is provided by car, by train or by plane. Once you get to Tulcea, you continue your trip by water. During the summer season, several passenger boats are operational, linking Tulcea to the other localities in the Delta. Our guide today, Ionut Calin, tells us the main visiting programs are provided by the boat trips. By taking a boat trip visitors intend to discover the Delta in the most authentic way possible and are anxious to see as many waterways and lakes as possible and, of course, birds and plant species.



    With details on that, here is Ionut Calin once again: ”Also, certain birdwatching programs are carried, or photographing tours, for which we use boats and camouflage, so as not to disturb the birds. We can come closer, at a distance which is safe for them, without invading their habitat, but with the possibility of photographing and watching them in their natural habitat. Usually, watching is done from the boat, yet it can also be done while on land. By boat, access is easier in the area where birds fly to feed, or in certain areas of migration or nesting. Such a bird-watching tour starts early in the morning, since birds are more active at this time of day. Usually, we begin at 6 or 7 am according to the area and our clients’ availability. I stage a tour in the morning for about three or four hours, and another tour at sunset. The photo tours are similar to the birdwatching ones.”



    The offer also includes the kayak and canoe rides, says our guest today, tour guide Ionut Calin: “Its those trips we take in small boats. We go on channels less frequented by motorboats. There we discover the peace of the Delta, undisturbed by large boats or commercial ships. I have always tried to come up with something new, original and to show people the lesser-known face of the Delta. For instance, I still go out with my clients, together with the fishermen, to see how the fish are taken out of the nets. We go out early in the morning, at four or five, and accompany the local fishermen to the lakes, where the nets are prepared, where various net maintenance and cleaning works are done.”



    The historical region of Dobrogea, which also includes the Danube Delta, is famous for its multiculturalism. The ethnic communities that live in this space are an example of coexistence. Turks, Tatars, Greeks, Armenians or Jews, they all have contributed to the prosperity of the area and have left their mark on the region’s traditions and gastronomy.



    Ionut Calin: “In the Delta we can find craftsmen who still make thatched roofs or who simply keepsuch roofs in good condition. We also have sculptors and painters, local artists. Once in the Delta you can visit traditional fishermens houses, where they make or keep in good condition their fishing nets, where they weave baskets or various objects from reed. As a rule, when we have tourists, we go to local guesthouses or local gastronomic units in the Delta, where a traditional meal is served, consisting mainly of fish. Of course, for those who do not eat fish or who are vegetarians, there is also a separate menu. In these households, depending on the place we go to, people cook specific dishes, because we have more influences in the Delta. There are Ukrainians, Lipovan Russians in the Delta, we also have some Greek and Turkish influence, so we have quite a varied menu to choose from. The dishes are based on fresh fish, cooked by the ladies of the Delta, in their household.”



    And, if you have more time on your hands, Ionuț Călin, the tour guide, suggests you should explore the area on land as well, where you will find no less than 20 wineries: “I also organize trips to Dobrogea, Tulcea county, where we visit fortresses, monasteries and wineries. We really have a good collaboration with the wineries in the county. In recent years, wine tourism has developed a lot throughout Romania, which makes us happy. When we go with a group to a winery, of course, we announce in advance the number of people, the day and the time. There, the people in charge make a presentation of the winery, of the vineyard and of the process of transforming the grape into wine, which is then stored in barrels or bottled. Of course, a tasting follows. Whether we are talking about specialists or simple nature lovers, tourists were impressed by the Danube Delta thanks to the authenticity of the places, the unique landscapes, the variety of flora and fauna, the hospitality of the locals and the traditional dishes. I can say that these were the perfect ingredients of an unforgettable holiday in the Delta. I especially had tourists from Germany, France, Great Britain, the Nordic countries, Israel, who came especially for birds and kayaks, and from Spain.”



    The holiday season in the Danube Delta starts from April and lasts until October. The calendar of events is extensive and includes the ANONIMUL International Independent Film Festival, Tulcea Fest, Sulina City Days, Mila 23 Village Festival, Fish Borscht Festival in Crișan, the Danube Delta Marathon in Sulina. They are scheduledduring the summer.


    So, this is a destination recommended primarily to responsible tourists who want to discover the Danube Delta in its pure, wild form. (EN, LS)

  • Tourism and holidays in Romania

    Tourism and holidays in Romania

    For two years, the Romanian tourism industry has been operating with interruptions, and the efforts for recovery have been thwarted by the anti-Covid measures. Restrictions on leaving or entering the country, the obligatory quarantine upon reaching the destination or returning home, the introduction of “green certificates” and the facilities granted only to vaccinated people or the constant change of the traffic light system have generated a wave of travel cancellations, refunds and litigation.



    Due to restrictions, Romanians chose the tourist destinations of Romania. But in 2021, holiday vouchers were canceled, although they largely ensure the survival and development of the sector, which has lost more than 30% of its workforce in 18 months. Even so, last year, revenues increased compared to the first year of the pandemic, although they did not reach the level of 2019. On Easter and May 1, the number of tourists in Romania’s hotels and guesthouses was double compared to a normal year.



    Tourist destinations from all over the country were chosen, especially rural guesthouses, mountain and spa resorts, as well as the Danube Delta. The star of the summer season was, by far, the Black Sea Coast. On the New Years Eve, Romanians spent 45 million Euros on foreign destinations and 30 million Euros on domestic ones — show data from the National Association of Travel Agencies in Romania. “2022 New Years Eve celebrations do not compare with the last normal New Years Eve celebrations, in 2020, but considerable growth was reported as compared to the ones in 2021” – said Traian Bădulescu, the spokesman of the National Association of Travel Agencies in Romania.



    According to him, with the announced relaxation of restrictions on December 7, reservations for the New Year’s Eve across Romania increased by 30%. Among the Romanians’ favorite destinations abroad we can mention Egypt, Dubai, Zanzibar, the Dominican Republic, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Mexico and Costa Rica. It was obvious that people wanted to travel where there were less restrictions, especially to green destinations. Consequently, the Western European countries were less popular this time.



    For 2022, the new Liberal- Social Democratic coalition, which has been governing the country since the end of last year, decided to grant holiday vouchers again, as the employer’s associations forming the Alliance for Tourism even recommended a law on granting holiday vouchers for a period of at least 5 years.



    These days, the Romanian Association of Spas and Spa Resorts has proposed to the Executive to grant health vouchers for medical recovery in the 34 existing spa resorts nationwide. According to the president of the Association, Gheorghe Paciu, it would be very important that the medical recovery, so necessary in the current context of the pandemic, should be done in spas, and Romanians should use the national resources of recovery, the therapeutic, thermal waters and mud, which are famous internationally. (LS)

  • January 22, 2021 UPDATE

    January 22, 2021 UPDATE

    NATO — NATO has inaugurated a new Cyber Incident Response Capability for the Moldovan Armed Forces, to help minimize any threat resulting from cyber incidents, provide quick and efficient recovery and prevent similar incidents in the future. The inauguration was marked through a virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană and the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Moldova, Victor Gaiciuc. “NATO and Moldova have been partners for more than 25 years. Our cooperation supports Moldova’s efforts to reform and modernize its defense and security structures and institutions, in full respect of Moldova’s constitutional neutrality,” Mircea Geoana said.



    Restrictions — A number of restrictions in place in the capital Bucharest, in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, will be lifted as of Monday, Prefect Traian Berbeceanu has announced. Thus, theaters and cinemas, as well as restaurants, bars and cafes will be open between 6 am and 9 pm, with an occupancy rate of a maximum 30%. At the same time, licensed gambling operators will be allowed to resume their activity, with the observance of the 30% occupancy rate. The decision to ease restrictions was taken following a contamination rate below 3 cases per thousand people, for three consecutive days.



    Protests – In Bucharest and other cities of Romania, protests organized by one of the biggest trade union confederations in the country, Cartel Alfa, continued on Friday. After trade unionists representatives discussed with labor minister Raluca Turcan, they said they only got promises that pensions would be recalculated and certain corrections would be made to the public servants’ salaries. Employees with the Interior Ministry also staged protests on Friday, unhappy with the salary cap announced by the government.



    Coronavirus — Some 2,699 new cases of infection with SARS-C0V-2 were reported in the last 24 hours in Romania, following a total of 29 thousand tests at national level. At the same time, 74 died from the virus. 7,968 people are being treated in hospitals, of whom 977 in ICUs. Since the onset of the pandemic, over 700,000 contaminations have been registered in Romania. Prime Minister Florin Cîţu announced that the country has a stock of 2.4 million doses of anti-Covid vaccine to be used by the end of March.



    Tourism — The number of tourists who visited the Danube Delta, in south-eastern Romania, in 2020 was by almost 30% smaller as compared with 2019, due to the sanitary crisis. The cruise tourism was the most affected, given that over 95% of the ships due to arrive in the area last year cancelled their trips. An unique area in Europe, the Danube Delta is on UNESCO heritage list.



    UN — A UN treaty on a comprehensive ban on nuclear weapons took effect on Friday. The document includes a commitment not to develop, test or threaten to use nuclear weapons. This is not the first treaty initiated by the UN which is aimed at encouraging nuclear disarmament. The Non-Proliferation Treaty, concluded in the 1970s, was signed by 119 nations, but its main objective was rather to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, rather than to totally ban them. Although there have been some reductions in weapon stocks, countries have continued to modernize their arsenal, while other countries have simply ignored the treaty. None of the 122 states that have signed the new treaty on a ban on nuclear weapons has such weapons, the BBC reports. (Translated by EE)


  • On the Danube Delta under a different light

    On the Danube Delta under a different light

    The ‘Dimitrie Gusti’ national village museum in Bucharest is
    among the must-see objectives in Romania’s capital city. This green spot on
    Bucharest’s map is renowned for its fresh air and village households dating
    back to the 17th-18th centuries. In recent years the
    museum has played venue for numerous cultural events, from photo and painting
    exhibitions to concerts and various workshops for children. An association
    entitled ‘SOS Save the Danube Delta’s flora and fauna’ has been staging
    workshops for children on the museum premises for a year. These workshops allow
    children to learn everything about the Delta and its wildlife. Here is Delia
    Popescu, project coordinator with the aforementioned association with more on
    the issue.


    We have been present here on a
    weekly basis staging children events on Saturdays. Through these activities we
    have been trying to teach them about the Delta, about what this delta means for
    Romania and for us as a people and why we need to preserve its wildlife. All
    these events have been tailored as games and playing activities for a better
    assimilation of knowledge. We are glad that kids are attending these events on
    a constant weekly basis.


    Delia Popescu has further elaborated on the children activities
    and workshops staged here at the Village Museum.


    Today, as the year is drawing
    to an end, our games are inspired by holidays in Dobrogea; we are making a
    traditional doll, which is wearing a traditional costume that children can take
    at home. So kids can get acquainted with traditional folk costumes specific to
    Dobrogea and also have a toy to play with.


    According to Delia Popescu, these workshops have been constantly
    attended by a good number of children.


    Each workshop has been attended
    by 5-15 children. We’ve had pottery workshops, during which we’ve built animals
    and birds from the Danube Delta. By using straws, wood and clay we have tried
    to build dioramas illustrating various parts of the delta. Children have been
    taught to build traditional households from the delta and windmills as the
    region is renowned for its windmills. We post these activities on our webpage
    at ‘www.sosdelta.ro’ or on the museum site and children submit their online
    applications for the workshops, where they can join free of charge. Parents
    will pay only the entrance fee to the museum.


    According to Delia Popescu, children’s happiness is the most
    important thing.


    Kids are happy and that’s the
    most important thing for us. They are excited because these activities are
    interactive, different from what they do in front of a computer or a smartphone.
    They work, they are making stuff and last but not least they get valuable
    information about the delta and its wildlife, which will eventually come in
    handy in their adult life. There are kids who have been attending these
    workshops on a weekly basis and we encourage them to learn about ecology,
    environment issues and things. They read books and we have round table talks on
    certain issues in our next workshops.


    Maria is 7 years old and has attended almost all workshops with
    delight.


    I am
    loving it, as I am always doing new things. Today I am making dolls. I first
    made a boy doll and haven’t finished his clothes yet, so I don’t know how he is
    going to look like in the end. Last time I made a diorama entitled ‘Fishing in
    the Delta’ when I made a pelican out of cardboard.


    Delia Popescu has told us how the first
    workshop organised in February has grown into what we see today:


    Parents always stand by their children and proof of this is also the
    workshop we’ve organised today. Parents and children alike worked shoulder to
    shoulder. It’s been more difficult at the start of the year, because people
    were unaware of our weekly activities here, but now they know and are deeply
    involved in our actions, as we want to spend quality time with our children.
    Even though the weather is not really fine outside, the Village Museum is a
    spectacular museum and it is beautiful all the year around. Now, in winter, we
    carry out our activities indoors, but when the weather is fine, we spend the
    entire time outdoors. We try to carry out many activities in the open because
    most parents do not have enough spare time and keep their children indoors. And
    children should learn to spend time in the open.


    It’s worth mentioning that the Save
    the Flora and Fauna in the Danube Delta Association was founded in 2007, at the
    initiative of a group of friends, out of their wish to protect this unique
    region in Europe and the world: the Danube Delta. In time, the Association has
    enriched its activities included in the initial project, such as protecting the
    fauna and flora by identifying the species on the brink of extinction, cleaning
    up the areas affected by pollution, promoting ecological tourism and this
    educational component at an early age, a warranty to instil real values in the
    young generation.

    (Translated by D. Bilt & D. Vijeu)

  • The Danube Delta Cart View

    The Danube Delta Cart View

    Imagine a virtual explorer that
    allows you to admire pelicans taking flight on a small canal snaking through a
    flooded forest, among marshes and lakes. Then it veers off on Șontea Canal,
    among wild vines, under the willows hanging over the nearing canal, creating a
    spectacular vegetation tunnel. A few clicks away the scenery changes: a lake
    covered in water lilies, with egrets, great egrets and pelicans. Birdwatchers can
    also admire the cormorants feeding on Puiu Lake, or they can take a turn onto
    Sacalin Lagoon. On land, you can also explore the traditional buildings in the
    Delta, in Letea village, or may take a stroll on the narrow streets in the
    village called Mila 23. In the end, you can relax on the Sf. Gheorghe wild
    beach, or admire a panorama from the top of the old Sulina lighthouse. All this
    is made possible by Google Street View, which last week opened the Danube Delta
    to everyone.


    Gabriela
    Chiorean, communications manager for Google Romania, told us how the team got
    the idea. It all started in 2012, when they seemed to be stuck, after covering
    the length of the Danube from Bratislava to Cernavoda.


    Three years ago, Street View allowed people to navigate the Danube
    virtually from Bratislava to Cernavoda. We were missing something very
    important. That very important thing is now available, inviting us to visit the
    wonderful places in the Danube Delta. In the places where we couldn’t walk we
    used horse view. The company used the tracker on islands, in the desert, but we
    have never used this horse view, images from a horse drawn cart. We covered
    over 1,500 km, on canals and on paths and roads. The tracker weighs a bit over
    20 kg, and has 15 cameras so as to cover 360 degrees. Images are recorded every
    two and a half seconds.


    Camelia Ionescu, project manager for
    WWF Romania, told us how her organization joined forces with this Google
    project:


    I want to point out why we, as an environmental organization, joined
    this project. We have over 30 ecosystems with over 10,000 species that we have
    identified in the Delta, many of them protected, we can talk about the Delta as
    an area in which we find the largest compact reedy area in the world. We, as an
    environmental organization, keep in mind the fact that the Danube is inhabited
    by people too, and it is important that they have their own distinctive
    culture. People have been using natural resources, took artistic inspiration
    from nature, have decorated their homes with images of fish, sturgeon, and have
    built thatched roofs over their houses. The Delta has economic value, the reedy
    areas can be used for resources, while the fish population is an important
    attraction for tourists: people come here to take in the sights, to fish, but
    also to taste authentic fish soup that they make in the Delta. It was clear as
    early as a year ago, when these talks started, that it would be extraordinary
    for any person on the planet with Internet access to visit the Delta, it is
    incredible, and we are convinced that this will help the Delta find a place in
    people’s hearts. From there on it should be a small step towards protecting the
    Delta, as people start to value it more.


    Cristian Mititelu Raileanu went to
    the Delta with the tracker, and it is she that we owe the pictures to. She told
    us about his experience:


    If you really add up all the canals and all that appears in blue on
    Street View, maybe it’s not exactly 1,500 km, but I can tell you that I am sure
    I walked more than that, because certain lengths of road took two or three
    trips back and forth to properly cover the area. As for the tracker, this is
    Google equipment in its mobile version, a portable camera system in a backpack
    or on supports that allow it to be carried by a vehicle. In our case, in the
    boat I had to use anchored makeshift wooden supports, because boats move
    differently compared to cars. In the end it all worked out great, the images
    were excellent, and the colors beautiful, so it was all as we wished. One of
    the coolest moments was when we took a turn into a canal and we suddenly saw a
    great flock of pelicans and cormorants, and I realized that all this would be
    on Google. There are some things in the Delta that you don’t see all the time,
    when you take a canal you may see something one time, and miss it completely
    another time, like seeing hundreds of pelicans flocking on a lake or canal.
    Those were the moments when I was wondering what the Street View images would
    look like.


    Elisabeta Moraru, Business
    Development Manager for Google Romania, summed up for us the importance of this
    project:


    Imagine, at 8:15 in the morning, in a small mountain town in a
    classroom, that the kids are coming in, and the teacher says: ‘Take out your
    phones, today we are going on a trip to learn about the Delta’.

    (Translated by C. Cotoiu)

  • A summer season on the Romanian Black Sea coast

    A summer season on the Romanian Black Sea coast

    The Romanian Black Sea coast has a rich tourist offer: crowded resorts with a very active nightlife, spas or even deserted beaches with a beautiful wild landscape hard to describe lying between the Black Sea and the Danube Delta. Corina Martin, president of the Federation of the Associations for Tourist Promotion in Romania has more details.



    Corina Martin “It is just one of the wonderful holiday destinations in Romania where there are resorts catering for all tastes as well as for all budgets, with 245 km long beaches with the finest sand in Europe. Mamaia is the number one resort, in terms of entertainment and of the active daytime and nightlife in Romania. Were waiting for foreign tourists to come over as many international events, international music festivals that have become famous abroad too, a lot of sports, fashion and music events are held on the seacoast. Those going in for spa tourism can go to Techirghiol, Eforie Nord and Eforie Sud for mud packing. Tourists who want a quiet holiday can go to the resorts in the South of the coast, resorts with all inclusive for families with children in particular. Actually, there are all-inclusive hotels throughout the seacoast. Tourists can also go on local trips or on a one-day cruise in the Danube Delta. So, there is everything for a nice and active holiday on the Romanian Black Sea coast.



    Corina Martin further tells us about the resort where most events take place in summertime: “For a few years now, the most important events are held in Mamaia, but not only. Events are held all over the coast. Vama Veche is the ‘flower power of the Romanian Black Sea coast, where fantastic events are organized during a carefree and exciting holiday. Mamaia boasts the most famous nightclubs in South-Eastern Europe. Mamaia will host the NeverSea Festival, a variant of the annual electronic music festival held in Cluj-Napoca. The best DJs will perform in that resort in the first half of July. So, you have all reasons to come to Mamaia resort where youll find the largest beaches, exciting experiences and adventures.



    Corina Martin says that foreign tourists often share nicer impressions than Romanian tourists. A few years ago, they had certain prejudices about our seacoast. Now they are convinced that a sojourn in Mamaia resort this year is worthwhile.

    Corina Martin “The resort provides all you can wish. Foreign tourists coming by cruiser and landing in the port of Constanta or just coming on holiday, on a city break or to attend an event such as the NeverSea Festival have very nice experiences, which they share in the social media. This brings added value to the image of the Romanian Black Sea Coast. They are all very excited and for us this is a promise that they will return. We will be waiting for them. The biggest number of foreign tourists in the past 4 years have come from Israel, because we have an Israeli tour operator, which we supported to be able to start a charter line between Tel Aviv and Constanta. The number of flights has increased every summer. We started with one flight a week to have now 4 flights a week. We have practically inaugurated several flights that link Constanta to various destinations in Europe. And this allows many west European tourists from Rome, Paris, Brussels, and Milan to come to Romanias Black Sea Coast. London is also on the list. We have more and more British tourists who rediscover the Black Sea Coast. There are Britons who come to Mamaia for bachelors parties, thus giving up the famous Ibiza.



    The Constanta Public Transport Authority provides hop-on hop-off double-decker buses, with tickets valid for one day. The line is called City Tour and stops at the most important tourist objectives: the Anghel Saligny silo, the old Maritime Exchange, the Maritime Station, the History and Archaeology Museum, the mosaic Roman edifice, Carol I Mosque, the Casino, the Aquarium, the Genovese Lighthouse, the Tomis tourist port, the Dolphinarium, the Holiday Village Camp and the Casino in Mamaia. A 1-day ticket costs 1 euro. If you have more time on your hands, you can visit the surroundings, says Corina Martin, the president of the Federation of Tourist Promotion Associations in Romania.



    Corina Martin: “The Danube Delta is always a winner destination. Its the golden destination of Romanian tourism, unique in Europe. It is not promoted enough, but it is a fantastic experience and destination.



    Stefan Necula is the manager of a travel agency and he also talked to us about tourist experiences in Romania. He says that the trip to Romanias Black Sea Coast should also include a visit to Dobrogea, since there are tourist programs adapted to those who like 1-day trips.



    Stefan Necula: “I want to remind you of the rich spa offer, of the many experiences offered by the region of Dobrogea, of the food and wine offer. We provide trips that promote the area, and we also have an English-speaking guide. We have not had requests for other languages but we can meet any demands. We offer one-day trips and the most sought-after destination is the Danube Delta. The itinerary in the Delta is quite rich and tourists are offered lunch and dinner in a fishermens village near Tulcea where they can also see a show of Aromanian dances. The Romanian Black Sea Coast is ready to receive its tourists and hoteliers have better and better services.

  • The 1st of May Mini-Holiday

    The 1st of May Mini-Holiday

    On May 1st Romanians are proving once again they are no commoners. While most countries mark the International Labour Day though marches and rallies, in an attempt to obtain better working conditions and higher salaries, in Romania this day is celebrated in a completely different way. It is an opportunity to enjoy nature, grab the grills, forget all about the daily burdens and turn the country into the European pole of fun.



    Some people prefer short trips to the mountains or picnics right outside the city, while more and more young people are heading for the Romanian beaches. No wonder that on Friday afternoon, when this mini-holiday started officially, thousands of tourists took by storm the mountain, Black Sea and Danube Delta resorts. The Black Sea resorts of Mamaia and Vama Veche are already crowded. High-end and fancy nightclubs are the main attraction, but some people prefer to party right on the beach, in spite of cold weather. The seawater is only 17 degrees Celsius so not many tourists venture into the waves.



    The parties on the Black Sea coast have become famous abroad and it wont be long until the resort of Mamaia, a party paradise, competes with Ibiza. Thousands of tourists have opted for the Danube Delta, a UNESCO heritage site and the place where the Danube flows into the Black Sea, to enjoy some great moments in a breathtakingly beautiful landscape. In the Southern Carpathians, on the Prahova Valley, Sinaia is the most crowded resort these days, being fully booked. It is also the most sought after destination by mountain bikers.



    The equally beautiful Bran-Moeciu area is also very popular with tourists, who are welcomed with delicacies specific to the region, among which pastrami and home made plum brandy. Cycling and horse riding are some of the outdoor activities provided by guest-houses there. In Poiana Brasov, also in the Southern Carpathians, hotel owners offered special tourist packages that include free access to spas and shows and last but not least they light bonfires.



    Many tourists have opted for the county of Maramures, in the north, for a trip by Mocanita, the narrow gauge train, a steam train crossing the beautiful Vaser Valley. Whether they spend their mini-holiday away or at home, barbecuing is already tradition on May 1st. The “mititei, a Romanian specialty consisting of grilled minced-meat rolls, paired with fresh beer, is still the main dish for 1st of May enthusiasts.



    Romanians are expected to eat over 30 million “mititei these days, by 15% more than last year. Unfortunately, on the evening of the 1st of May, tourists will come back home because Wednesday is a working day.(Translated by E. Enache)

  • Autumn in the Danube Delta

    Autumn in the Danube Delta

    The Danube Delta, a natural paradise, is covering the area where the Danube flows into the Black Sea. Here the river ends its 2,860-km long journey from its source in the Black Forest Mountains in Germany. For centuries, this area of the Delta has been expanding due to the sediment carried and deposited by the river. A maze of canals, lakes and reed-covered islands formed here. In addition, here we find tropical forests, pastures and sand dunes, which cover an area of over 5,000 sq. km. This incredible area of water and land is home to more than 300 species of birds and countless species of fish, from sturgeon to carp and perch. We also find 1,150 species of plants, including lianas, winding up tree trunks in the oak-tree forests, as well as lotus-flowers. No wonder that UNESCO designated the Danube Delta a biosphere reserve.



    The starting point for any adventure into the Danube Delta is usually Tulcea, a city almost as old as Rome, located close to the area where the Danube splits into three arms. The city is located 71 km (45 miles) from Sulina, a settlement as old as Tulcea, located at the opposite end of Sulina arm. Cruises can be made between these two points, allowing tourists to admire the Delta’s flora, fauna and the traditional villages from the comfort of the ship’s deck.



    Ioana Voinea, manager of a hotel compound in the Delta, tells us how tourists feel after spending some time in the area: ”They leave the area with a good impression, amazed by its potential, its beauty, but also by how poorly advertised this place is. All of them said they were very surprised by the breathtaking landscape here and wondered why so few people know about the sites that can be visited in Romania. We had tourists coming over from France, Germany and England many of whom were interested in bird watching. We also had tourists from the US, Austria and the Netherlands.”



    Fortunately, the Danube Delta has a long tourist season, that starts in April and ends in November, Ioana Voinea says. The weather is quite nice, there is lush vegetation in spring and summer and birds can be watched from a short distance. Fishermen come to the region mostly in autumn. Recommended for a visit of the Delta are the months of September, October and November.



    Ioana Voinea: ”I should like to invite everybody to come to this place and discover a natural haven and enjoy a fish broth prepared in the traditional way and served outdoors, with the fish grilled in front of the tourists. If they spend at least four hours in the Delta, they will surely be impressed. Most of the people who visit the place come as tourists and leave as friends. It is a unique place in Europe.”



    Dragoş Cătălinoiu Gociman, the vice-president of the Danube Delta Travel Employers’ Association, tells us more about this biosphere reserve: ”Tourists coming here should know that the Danube Delta is not only a place for fishermen, hunters and nature lovers. The Danube Delta is also a place where you can feel free in the middle of nature. The Danube Delta is different from season to season and also from one area to another. I find it hard to pick a favourite area, but what I would highly recommend is the one called Erenciuc, where flying fish can be seen, the place where the Danube flows into the Black Sea and also the Letea Forest and the Mila 23 area. There are lots of places like these in the Delta, and all of them are very different and very beautiful. “



    If you come to a village on the bank of this river, you can see fishermen cooking their own version of the Russian soup and you can also taste it. Those with more sophisticated tastes can try the Danube herring or sturgeon patties, which go well with tasty local wines served in restaurants in Tulcea and Sulina.



    Romania’s rowing champion Ivan Patzaichin, is part of an association that for more than ten years has been promoting the Danube Delta: “I have always said the Delta has to become the queen of Europe’s eco-tourism. And the association is constantly working in this respect, trying to promote tourism and along with it local traditions, gastronomy and the beautiful landscape here, as the Delta is a very wide place and every corner stands for something. Very few people know that and we mainly try to attract tourists who understand that a one-day trip is just not enough.”



    Apart from a breathtaking landscape and an incursion into the world of the archaic village, the Danube Delta offers various ways of spending time. Travel agencies have on offer numerous holiday packages tailored to the needs of every tourist. The region abounds in accommodation facilities ranging from guesthouses to floating hotels. Tourists are advised to book their tickets in advance in order to enjoy discounts.


  • Holiday in the Danube Delta

    Holiday in the Danube Delta

    Today we invite you to have a stopover in the Danube Delta. Most of the tourists who once chose to spend their vacation there, came back to the Danube Delta. The tourist offer in the region is varied and generous. It targets active people, who are also lovers of nature. The holiday offer in the Delta includes trips by bike, by boat, speedboat, sailing trips by the local longboat along waterways and lakes, looking for wild horses and bird colonies. It even includes trips by helicopter.



    Doru Vladescu is the manager of a four-star floating hotel. He is very familiar with the area he promotes for tourists, and is also in love with it. No wonder about that, as the Danube Delta is one of the world’s largest wetlands, home to water birds. It is also the largest compact reed area on earth.



    More on that, from Doru Vladescu himself.


    “The Danube Delta can be viewed as a living core of biodiversity, with 30 types of ecosystems. It has a priceless value for the world’s natural heritage. The Danube Delta is bordered by the Dobrogea Plateau in the south-west, in the north it makes the border with Ukraine, while in the east its waters flow into the Black Sea. Also, the Danube Delta is part of an area with a semi-arid, temperate climate, typical of the Pontic steppes. Flat and vast water expanses, covered with vegetation in various degrees, are interrupted by the sandy islands of the marine fields, forming an active surface area, specific to the delta and the lagoons. It is totally different from that of the Pontic steppes. What is also very important is that the Danube Delta is the world’s only delta which in 1990 was declared a biosphere reserve, being included in the international network of biosphere reserves, under the UNESCO ‘Man and Biosphere’ programme”.



    The Danube Delta is a destination with a rather special kind of tourism, precisely because it is a special area. Doru Vladescu once again.



    “There are more than 30 species of birds in the Delta. There is a lot of vegetation. The air is very fresh, apparently the freshest in the country. Measurements have been made and it appears the air is even fresher than in the mountains. Tourists can meet Delta’s local people, they can get acquainted with what they do, and with their customs. They can also have the chance to see traditional fishing methods, that are hundreds of years old. They can get to know a little bit about our great rower Ivan Patzaichin. There is also a museum of the local longboat. They can visit the town of Sulina, a cosmopolitan and very special town, boasting several important tourist landmarks such as: the Turkish Lighthouse, the old Lighthouse, old, period buildings. There is also a very beautiful beach, on the Black Sea shore. They can also visit Sfintul Gheorghe, a locality about which you get the impression it lies at the end of the world. They can also taste the local food, which is not only fish-based, as the Dobrudjan cuisine is very rich”.



    Moments you’ll never forget, in a place beyond what you would expect. That’s how the slogan goes, promoting the floating hotel whose manager is Doru Vladescu. But what, in fact, does a ‘floating hotel’ mean? Doru Vladescu once again.



    “A floating hotel is a different accommodation concept. Just like the snail, you walk about with your little house on your back. You can have a one-week or a three-day cruise, you can get to see a lot of things: you don’t have to hire a boat, the local longboat or the speedboat. You can have a sip from a soft drink, you can taste a glass of champaigne or a glass of good wine and you can also look all around you, as floating hotels have access to waterways. Actually, you go to bed in one place and wake up somewhere else. Or you can have lunch while admiring nature. It’s a different type of tourism and leisure. The only difference is that this is organized for groups of 14 to 18 people. Most floating hotels have maximum nine rooms. It is true, the offer includes 2 to 5- star boats. For instance, our boat is a four-star hotel. We did not get 5 stars because at that time, a few years ago, we did not have an elevator and a parking lot. We did have jacuzzi, but that was not enough. For 18 people, our all-inclusive offer covers food, beverages, including alcoholic drinks, boat rides, a specialized guide and costs up to 65 Euro per day. We also have Wi-Fi and satellite TV, with some 150 channels”.



    On the first floor, the hotel has double furnished rooms, with a unique design, which are both sound proof and thermally insulated, and which also have air conditioning. On the second floor we have a restaurant, a bar, a library, a conference room equipped with audio-video equipment, a satellite antenna, flat TVs, a karaoke system and wireless internet. Also on the second floor there is a sun proof terrace, for observation and relaxation. On the top floor there is a sunbathing deck, with 20 lounge chairs and a spa-jacuzzi. The place is also good for bird watching, landscape watching, parties, disco, and parlour games. Upon departure, all guests are invited to write in the guest book, as Doru Vladescu told us:



    “We have a book in which lots of guests have written their impressions along these four years of activity. We’ve had American, French, English and Swiss guests, and nobody has ever had anything negative to say. Everybody’s been very happy about the food, and don’t imagine we have famed chefs to cook for our guests. It’s just traditional, tasty food, with ingredients from the Danube Delta area, such as goat and sheep cheese, turkey, chicken, pork, fresh eggs, pickles.”



    If you are into a more conventional type of accommodation, here is the offer of a four star hotel, presented by its manager, Mihaela Andrei:



    “We can provide a broad range of services, from accommodation to leisure and trips to the Danube Delta. We have a big outdoor pool, a warm indoor pool, a sauna, a fitness room, jacuzzi, sports grounds. Our compound covers an area of 10 hectares. We can organize trips along the Danube Delta’s channels, to Sfantu Gheorghe, where tourists can see how the Danube flows into the Black Sea, to the monasteries in the area. We have many activities, enough to cover a seven day stay for an entire family.”



    A double room in this hotel costs 83 Euro per night, for two adults, and an apartment costs 104 Euro. The price covers accommodation, breakfast, the hotel fee, towels and lounge chars by the outdoor pool, wireless internet, parking, free access to the leisure and fishing area on Lake Murighiol.


    (Translated by E. Nasta & M. Ignatescu)

  • Holiday in the Danube Delta

    Holiday in the Danube Delta

    Today we invite you to have a stopover in the Danube Delta. Most of the tourists who once chose to spend their vacation there, came back to the Danube Delta. The tourist offer in the region is varied and generous. It targets active people, who are also lovers of nature. The holiday offer in the Delta includes trips by bike, by boat, speedboat, sailing trips by the local longboat along waterways and lakes, looking for wild horses and bird colonies. It even includes trips by helicopter.



    Doru Vladescu is the manager of a four-star floating hotel. He is very familiar with the area he promotes for tourists, and is also in love with it. No wonder about that, as the Danube Delta is one of the world’s largest wetlands, home to water birds. It is also the largest compact reed area on earth.



    More on that, from Doru Vladescu himself.


    “The Danube Delta can be viewed as a living core of biodiversity, with 30 types of ecosystems. It has a priceless value for the world’s natural heritage. The Danube Delta is bordered by the Dobrogea Plateau in the south-west, in the north it makes the border with Ukraine, while in the east its waters flow into the Black Sea. Also, the Danube Delta is part of an area with a semi-arid, temperate climate, typical of the Pontic steppes. Flat and vast water expanses, covered with vegetation in various degrees, are interrupted by the sandy islands of the marine fields, forming an active surface area, specific to the delta and the lagoons. It is totally different from that of the Pontic steppes. What is also very important is that the Danube Delta is the world’s only delta which in 1990 was declared a biosphere reserve, being included in the international network of biosphere reserves, under the UNESCO ‘Man and Biosphere’ programme”.



    The Danube Delta is a destination with a rather special kind of tourism, precisely because it is a special area. Doru Vladescu once again.



    “There are more than 30 species of birds in the Delta. There is a lot of vegetation. The air is very fresh, apparently the freshest in the country. Measurements have been made and it appears the air is even fresher than in the mountains. Tourists can meet Delta’s local people, they can get acquainted with what they do, and with their customs. They can also have the chance to see traditional fishing methods, that are hundreds of years old. They can get to know a little bit about our great rower Ivan Patzaichin. There is also a museum of the local longboat. They can visit the town of Sulina, a cosmopolitan and very special town, boasting several important tourist landmarks such as: the Turkish Lighthouse, the old Lighthouse, old, period buildings. There is also a very beautiful beach, on the Black Sea shore. They can also visit Sfintul Gheorghe, a locality about which you get the impression it lies at the end of the world. They can also taste the local food, which is not only fish-based, as the Dobrudjan cuisine is very rich”.



    Moments you’ll never forget, in a place beyond what you would expect. That’s how the slogan goes, promoting the floating hotel whose manager is Doru Vladescu. But what, in fact, does a ‘floating hotel’ mean? Doru Vladescu once again.



    “A floating hotel is a different accommodation concept. Just like the snail, you walk about with your little house on your back. You can have a one-week or a three-day cruise, you can get to see a lot of things: you don’t have to hire a boat, the local longboat or the speedboat. You can have a sip from a soft drink, you can taste a glass of champaigne or a glass of good wine and you can also look all around you, as floating hotels have access to waterways. Actually, you go to bed in one place and wake up somewhere else. Or you can have lunch while admiring nature. It’s a different type of tourism and leisure. The only difference is that this is organized for groups of 14 to 18 people. Most floating hotels have maximum nine rooms. It is true, the offer includes 2 to 5- star boats. For instance, our boat is a four-star hotel. We did not get 5 stars because at that time, a few years ago, we did not have an elevator and a parking lot. We did have jacuzzi, but that was not enough. For 18 people, our all-inclusive offer covers food, beverages, including alcoholic drinks, boat rides, a specialized guide and costs up to 65 Euro per day. We also have Wi-Fi and satellite TV, with some 150 channels”.



    On the first floor, the hotel has double furnished rooms, with a unique design, which are both sound proof and thermally insulated, and which also have air conditioning. On the second floor we have a restaurant, a bar, a library, a conference room equipped with audio-video equipment, a satellite antenna, flat TVs, a karaoke system and wireless internet. Also on the second floor there is a sun proof terrace, for observation and relaxation. On the top floor there is a sunbathing deck, with 20 lounge chairs and a spa-jacuzzi. The place is also good for bird watching, landscape watching, parties, disco, and parlour games. Upon departure, all guests are invited to write in the guest book, as Doru Vladescu told us:



    “We have a book in which lots of guests have written their impressions along these four years of activity. We’ve had American, French, English and Swiss guests, and nobody has ever had anything negative to say. Everybody’s been very happy about the food, and don’t imagine we have famed chefs to cook for our guests. It’s just traditional, tasty food, with ingredients from the Danube Delta area, such as goat and sheep cheese, turkey, chicken, pork, fresh eggs, pickles.”



    If you are into a more conventional type of accommodation, here is the offer of a four star hotel, presented by its manager, Mihaela Andrei:



    “We can provide a broad range of services, from accommodation to leisure and trips to the Danube Delta. We have a big outdoor pool, a warm indoor pool, a sauna, a fitness room, jacuzzi, sports grounds. Our compound covers an area of 10 hectares. We can organize trips along the Danube Delta’s channels, to Sfantu Gheorghe, where tourists can see how the Danube flows into the Black Sea, to the monasteries in the area. We have many activities, enough to cover a seven day stay for an entire family.”



    A double room in this hotel costs 83 Euro per night, for two adults, and an apartment costs 104 Euro. The price covers accommodation, breakfast, the hotel fee, towels and lounge chars by the outdoor pool, wireless internet, parking, free access to the leisure and fishing area on Lake Murighiol.


    (Translated by E. Nasta & M. Ignatescu)

  • Social Enterprises Gain Popularity

    Social Enterprises Gain Popularity

    Social economy, a non-profit sector based on social solidarity and environmental protection, accounted for 4% of the GDP as early as 2010. In Romania, as early as 2009, social enterprises employed over 3.3% of the total working population. This sector has been slow in growing, but finally last year a law was passed on the social economy, aimed at developing an alternative model of social inclusion for vulnerable groups.



    Dobrogea is one of the regions of Romania with the worst combination of social and environmental problems. 10 social economy structures (SES) have been created in that region, as well as around Bucharest. These micro enterprises appeared as a result of the TURECO project run by the National Center for Sustainable Development, with European financing. TURECO aims to help 460 people through this initiative. These are members of families with more than two children, single parent families, school dropouts, people in isolated communities, people living on minimum wage, people with disabilities, ethnic Roma, as well as people over 18 years of age who have recently left a child protection institution.



    The Danube Delta, an ecologically significant area, but faced with social challenges, was one of the targets of the project. In Maliuc, on the Sulina canal, two social economy structures have emerged: a travel agency for nature watching and photography, and another one for producing local souvenirs.



    Florin Palade from EcoPontica Foundation, the creator of the two SES, told us why they picked this village: “This village has around 1,060 inhabitants, in five clusters. This village has a crucial position, being placed at Mile 24 on Sulina Canal, close to the city of Tulcea. At the same time, it is close to Fortuna Lake, an area considered one of the best for photography by us, nature and fauna watchers.” The Delta has always been attracting foreign bird watchers, and the project initiators aim to attract more and more. However, they don’t aim to develop mass tourism in the Delta.



    Florin Palade points out that more advantageous would be small scale, ecologically responsible tourism: “We try to educate tourists, even the Romanian tourists, to show more respect for nature and to discover the pleasure of nature watching. Compared to central and western European countries, we are just beginning. However, we notice that more and more young people from Romania take up nature photography and protection. The market is growing.”



    Also in Dobrogea, in the northwest, close to Braila and Galati, you can find the Macin Mountains National Park, as spectacular and diverse an area as the Danube Delta, but unfortunately lesser known. The local administration in Greci also developed two SES: a bicycle rental center for exploring the mountains, and a souvenir shop. In addition, they organize a cycling competition, a marathon, and a photography camp, in the hope of elevating the tourism and economic potential of the area.



    Deputy mayor of Greci, Bogdan Bajenaru, told us about the local attractions: “Macin Mountains National Park is not a big one, it has around 11,000 ha, but has a great biodiversity. You can find here over half of Romania’s flora, over 1,900 plant species. Macin Mountains are the oldest in Romania, among the oldest in Europe, around 350 million years old, way older than the Carpathians. Its highest point is Tutuiatu Peak, within our village limits, and has an elevation of 467 meters.”



    The people in the Macin area also want to encourage eco-tourism, as opposed to mass tourism. Here is Bogdan Bajenaru once again: “This is an area that attracts tourists who love nature and want to enjoy it in tranquility. They walk or bike in the area. The possibility offered by the SES to rent bikes, or hire a guide, is another important aspect, which encourages locals to try new things or develop existing opportunities. This is what we’ve been trying: to make them understand that the area is their home, it brings added value through agro-tourism and eco-tourism. We have developed a food market where we sell exclusively natural and traditional products. We also use the local granite, wood and roof tiles. At the market, the locals sell their merchandise, supplying tourists with organic products. The market also has a tourist information center, that provides local souvenirs.”



    The TURECO project has created 4 jobs in Greci, and has provided counseling to 40 people, helping them discover alternative sources of income. A best practices guide is also available for people interested in developing the social economy.

  • The Development of Rural Communities in the Danube Delta

    The Development of Rural Communities in the Danube Delta

    Formed around three branches of the River Danube that flow into the Black Sea, the Danube Delta is the largest wetland in Europe. It is also the only Delta declared by UNESCO a biosphere reserve and ranks third in the world in terms of biodiversity after the Great Barrier Reef and the Galapagos Archipelago. Although the tourist potential of the area is huge, the locals there are too poor. They have no drinking water supply and sewage systems, no jobs or medical care services. An area such as the Danube Delta, disadvantaged from an economic point of view, needs development and support programs. Capitalizing on the local crafts, traditions, the beauty of the landscape and the specific cuisine, would be just one way of increasing the Delta’s chances of development. Unfortunately, the offer of high-quality services is scarce, mainly because of the lack of infrastructure and also because of the lack of skilled staff.



    Given the growing number of tourists, both Romanian and foreign, interested in spending their holidays in the middle of nature, the “Ivan Patzaichin — Mila 23” Association has come up with a new approach to tourism in the Danube Delta. A kind of tourism that respects the balance between the need to capitalize on the local heritage of the place, such as its biodiversity, local traditions and fishermen’s communities , and the economic component, which would bring money to the area. The project is called “Lotca Habitat — Fish Tourism in the Danube Delta”, a concept new in Romania, but already popular across Europe. Here is Teodor Frolu, Vice-President of the “Ivan Patzaichin — Mila 23” Association with details about this project:



    “It’s about one day, or even just half a day, that the tourist spends together with a fisherman. They go fishing together, using a traditional boat, called “lotca”. As you know, fishermen have some 20 or 30 fishing spots across the Delta, so fishing there also means taking a beautiful trip. At the end of the fishing trip, they take the fish they’ve caught together and they cook it at the fisherman’s house and thus turn it into an added value product, as it is a local traditional product, representative for the local cuisine. So, it’s a different type of stay amidst nature, which any tourist, be it foreign or Romanian, will never forget.”



    Representatives of the “Ivan Patzaichin — Mila 23” Association have calculated some of the benefits of this project. Here is Teodor Frolu again:



    “ First of all, the pressure on the fish stocks will thus drop, because we are talking about a much smaller quantity of fish that is caught, and which is actually included in the economic circuit, being sold to the tourist at a higher, added value, because it is cooked right there. Therefore, although the fisherman catches less fish, he gains more. The second very important thing is that this is a specific eco-tourism service, meaning that we actually capitalize on a very important component of the local tradition, of the local heritage. It’s not a commonly known fact that the gastronomy component is called ‘intangible heritage’ and it’s actually one of the major assets of an area. Also, this project provides an alternative to fishing, another source of income for the Delta’s fishermen. And even if the quantity of fish that leaves the Delta is small, we have here some 1800 accredited fishermen. If at least one percent of them manage to diversify their economic activity, it will be a significant gain for the area and for the community.”



    Five families of fishermen have been included in this project. They have already been identified and are now ready, starting this spring, to help tourists live the life of a local fisherman for a brief period of time. The lotca was designed to be able to carry up to 10 people, and the 5 horse-power engine ensures an autonomy of approximately 6 hours, at a speed of 8 km per hour. While riding the traditional boats, tourists will have the opportunity to watch the birds and take pictures, an activity that has become a passion for a growing number of people. The Danube Delta is a paradise of birds and fish. It is visited by over 325 species of birds, of which 70 from outside Europe. Also, every spring, pelicans return to the Danube Delta, which is home to the biggest colony of pelicans. Delta is truly spectacular in spring, ornithologists say. It is the season of migration, when the Delta is crowded with birds coming from all over the world. Also, the birds sing until the month of June, when the mating season ends. In April — May everything is green. Reeds are growing, lilies are blooming, and the shores are covered in spring flowers.



    With this project, the association would like to create a model to be replicated across the entire Delta. At the end there will be a presentation film describing the main activity of the project, fish-tourism, and there will be a caravan traveling to another ten villages in the Delta, where meetings and discussions will be held with the communities there, for the experience of the Mila 23 fishermen to be disseminated. Here is Teodor Frolu once again:



    “ We provide assistance and we bring experts who can help them develop their own tourist offer. We also give them three traditional boats , which have been redesigned to service tourists. We would like the lotca to become just like Venice’s gondola, therefore a point of attraction, both as an item of local craftsmanship and as a tourist service.”



    The project “Lotca Habitat — Fish Tourism in the Danube Delta” is funded by the German Association for International Cooperation, through the Tourism Cooperation Platform for the Danube Delta Region. The project started in October 2014 and will be finalized in July 2015, and the total budget stands at 29,320 Euros, of which 25% from the Ivan Patzaichin Association’s own budget.