Radio România Internațional

Tag: tourism

  • March 6, 2025

    March 6, 2025

    EU The interim President of Romania Ilie Bolojan had a meeting in Brussels on Thursday with the PM of Poland, Donald Tusk, the topics approached by the 2 officials including the strengthening of NATO’s Eastern Flank. Mr Bolojan takes part in an extraordinary European Council meeting, where EU heads of state and government are discussing support for Ukraine and European defence. The president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zeleskyy and the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte were also invited to attend. The European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has already sent European leaders a plan to re-arm Europe, with 5 financing instruments: increasing national defence budgets, a EUR 150 bln loan for common defence projects, possible financing from the bloc’s cohesion funds, from the European Investment Bank and private funds. The plan also increases military aid to Ukraine. Last week, Mr. Ilie Bolojan invited the political parties in the Romanian Parliament to consultations, to discuss Romania’s response to the current security challenges. Most parties opposed Romania sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, in the event of an end to the conflict with Russia, but voiced willingness, in principle, for Romania to continue supporting the neighbouring country.

     

     

    TREASON Prosecutors with the Directorate Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism Offences (DIICOT) have detained six individuals over charges of forming an organised crime group and treason. According to DIICOT, the defendants apparently set up a paramilitary organisation and negotiated Romania’s exit from NATO with Russian agents. Prosecutors say that the organised crime group was structured like a military-type organisation, with management ranks and operative personnel. Radu Theodoru, a retired general and 101-year-old war veteran, was also among the organisation’s leaders. The group used online platforms to release video materials and recruit members. At the same time, it took steps to hold negotiations with foreign political and military actors regarding the replacing of the current constitutional order. In January, DIICOT also says, 2 of the defendants travelled to Moscow, where they came into contact with people willing to support the organisation’s efforts to take over power in Romania.

     

     

    GOVERNMENT The Romanian government is set to pass several emergency orders today, concerning, among other things, the heathcare reform and the spending of EU funds. In the field of healthcare, the government wants to improve regulations on public medical care for freelancers, on the taxation of medicines, on the organisation and operation of medical offices and the granting of sick leaves. In a separate emergency order, the Romanian government earmarks the financing for certain local authorities to complete works to extend and upgrade natural gas infrastructure. Finally, the cabinet is also to approve the amount of this year’s state aid for the livestock sector.

     

     

    EU FUNDING Romania has received over EUR 100 billion in European funds since its accession on January 1, 2007, the minister of investments and European projects, Marcel Boloş, said in a Facebook post on Wednesday. According to him, Romania is no longer an economic periphery, but a country that is rapidly catching up and has surpassed Poland, Hungary, Croatia and Greece in terms of GDP per capita, an essential indicator of the standard of living. If we are reckless, we blame the European bloc, but the fact that we are at the best moment of our country’s development is due to our EU and NATO membership, Mr. Boloş emphasised.

     

     

    TRAVEL Romanian tourism increased slightly in the first month of this year, compared to January 2024, with 12% more nights spent in tourist accommodation units, says the National Tourism Agency. Over 84% of visitors were Romanians, with an average length of stay of almost two days, while foreigners stayed in accommodation facilities for slightly more than two days. According to experts, the upward trend will continue this year, when it could exceed the level reported in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

     

     

    FOOTBALL The Romanian football champions FCSB take on the French team Olympique Lyon in Bucharest tonight, in the Europa League round of 16. The return leg will take place in France on March 13. The Romanian team qualified for the round of 16 of the Europa League, after outplaying the Greek team PAOK Thessaloniki, coached by the Romanian Răzvan Lucescu. (AMP)

  • March 5, 2025 UPDATE 2

    March 5, 2025 UPDATE 2

    Defense – The Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu welcomed the proposals launched by the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, regarding the exemption of defense spending from the excessive deficit procedure, a solution for which Romania has constantly advocated, he said. In a message posted on Facebook, the prime minister also stated that Romania supports the allocation of additional funds for weaponry, provided that the money reaches Romanian factories. He also specified that Bucharest remains on the same coordinates so far, namely in favor of increasing the defense spending and against sending Romanian troops to Ukraine. The President of the European Commission proposed the creation of a new “ReArm Europe” plan, which could mobilize almost 800 billion Euros for defense investments in the European Union and for military aid for Ukraine invaded by the Russian army.

     

    Russia – The air and naval military attaché of the Russian Federation in Bucharest and his deputy have been declared persons not welcome (personae non gratae) on the territory of Romania. The decision of the Romanian authorities was communicated on Wednesday to the chargé d’affaires of the Russian Embassy in Bucharest, who was summoned to the Foreign Ministry headquarters. The institution specifies that the two military diplomats were sanctioned for carrying out activities that run counter to the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961. Recently, the name of the deputy Russian military attaché, Evgheni Ignatiev, appeared in the criminal file of the former presidential candidate, the pro-Russian extremist Călin Georgescu. Prosecutors claim that people around Georgescu are in contact with Russian military attaches, suspected of being agents of the military intelligence service in Moscow. On Wednesday, Calin Georgescu’s complaint against the judicial control measure was heard in Bucharest, in the file in which he is being investigated for six crimes, including incitement to actions against the constitutional order. According to him, a decision is expected on Thursday. He was placed under judicial control by prosecutors from the General Prosecutor’s Office last Wednesday for 60 days.

     

    Travel Fair – Romania’s tourist offers are promoted over March 4-6 at the Berlin International Tourism Exchange (ITB Berlin), the world’s largest travel trade fair. Germany, Romania’s number one trade partner, is also the largest market for Romanian tourism, Economy Minister Bogdan Ivan says. Last year, Romania reported a 10% increase in the number of German tourists, totaling some 240 thousand. At the ITB Berlin, Romania is promoted by means of cultural circuits, active and adventure tourism, holidays on the Black Sea coast and in the Danube Delta, rural tourism and city breaks. One of the top attractions this year is also the “George Enescu” International Festival. The 27th edition will be held over August 24 – September 21 in Bucharest, bringing together 4,000 musicians, reputed orchestras, conductors and soloists which are bound to turn Bucharest into the capital of classical music.

     

    EU funds – Romania has received over 100 billion Euros worth of European funds since its accession to the European Union in 2007, said, Wednesday, the Minister of Investments and European Projects, Marcel Boloş. According to the official, Romania is no longer an economic periphery, but a country that is quickly catching up, surpassing Poland, Hungary, Croatia and Greece in terms of the GDP per capita, an essential indicator of the standard of living. Minister Boloş recalled that the European funds received are found in the infrastructure, almost 900 km of motorways and expressways having been built in the last two decades, are also found in the expansion of the sewage network, in grants granted to companies to develop, in thousands of renovated, equipped or expanded schools and hospitals or in the creation of new stable jobs. The reality is that the EU has been and remains Romania’s partner in development, Marcel Boloş concluded.

     

    EU – The citizens of European Union member states, including Romanians, can apply, as of Wednesday, to obtain the electronic travel authorization required from April 2 to enter the United Kingdom or to transit this country on the way to another destination. Requests must be sent on the official UK ETA application. The Romanian Foreign Ministry specifies that the electronic visa will be valid for two years and can be used for multiple trips to the United Kingdom throughout this period. ETA costs 10 pounds, around 60 lei, for all age categories, including minors. The fee will be paid at the time of application, and the money will not be refunded in case of refusal, the Bucharest diplomacy also specifies.

     

    Transparency International – The global picture regarding the corruption perception index has deteriorated in the last 12 years, shows a study published on Wednesday by Transparency International. In the European Union, the average score decreased by two points in 2024 compared to the previous year. Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Slovakia and Hungary recorded negative trends. Other member states, such as Romania, stagnated below the Union average. Romania is on 65th place out of the 180 included in the study, on the same level as Montenegro, Kuwait and Malta. Among the recommendations of the Transparency International organization for Romania is the increase in awareness regarding the law that protects whistleblowers in the public interest, especially in areas such as public procurement, the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing, environmental protection and public health.

     

    Football – Romania’s football champions, FCSB, on Thursday will take on Olympique Lyon of France at home in the round of 16 of Europa League. The return leg is scheduled for March 13 in France. The Bucharest club advanced to the round of 16 of Europa League after a two-leg win over PAOK Thessaloniki of Greece coached by the Romanian Răzvan Lucescu.

     

    Investigation – The Florida Attorney General’s Office is officially investigating the British-American influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan, after the two arrived in Florida last week, dpa reports. The Tate brothers are also being investigated in Romania for human trafficking and exploitation of young women. They were arrested in Romania in December 2022 and were initially subject to a ban on leaving the country. However, Romanian authorities eventually allowed them to leave, and the two went to Florida. According to the German news agency, their release is rumored to have been brokered by the Trump administration, but the White House leader has denied any involvement. Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer, has become a symbol of online misogyny in recent years, along with his brother Tristan. Romanian prosecutors accuse the two of coercing women to produce commercial videos with sexually explicit content. Investigations have revealed at least 34 alleged victims, including a 15-year-old girl. Both brothers deny any wrongdoing. (LS)

  • February 20, 2025 UPDATE

    February 20, 2025 UPDATE

    FAIR The 2025 springtime edition of Romania’s Travel Fair got underway on Thursday in Bucharest in the presence of the Minister of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Bogdan Ivan. According to him, authorities are preparing a series of visa facilities for tourists who want to travel to Romania. Currently at its 51st edition, the event is taking place until Sunday on a surface of 12 thousand square meters and brings together 190 exhibitors from Romania and abroad, thus strengthening its status as a reference platform in the tourism industry, the organizers say. This edition brings together a significant number of international participants who account for 52% of the total companies attending. Travel agencies and operators have prepared significant discounts for a wide range of travel packages. Romania’s most beautiful regions are being promoted during the fair offering the visitors the opportunity of discovering these marvelous regions for themselves. The present edition comes with a series of exclusive offers and special discounts for the holidays of 2025 and also includes inter-active presentations and conferences given by experts in the industry as well as virtual tours of the top destinations.

     

    TENNIS Romania’s male tennis team will be up against El Salvador in the Davis Cup’s World Group Two in September this year, the Romanian Tennis Federation announced on its Facebook page on Thursday. The matches are to take place over September 12 – 13 or 13 – 14. Romania conceded a 3-1 defeat to Bulgaria in Craiova, southern Romania, in the World Group One’s play-offs held in late January early February. In Group Two, El Salvador outperformed the Republic of Moldova 3-2 on their own turf in Santa Tecla. Romania hasn’t played Salvador yet whose best known player is Marcelo Arevalo, world leader in doubles contests. Worth mentioning is that the singles ranking doesn’t include any Salvadorian player.

     

    UKRAINE Ilie Bolojan, the interim president of Romania, stated after Wednesday’s informal meeting in Paris that Ukraine’s security is directly linked to the security of Europe and of Romania, reaffirming the importance of the collaboration between the European states and the United States to achieve a just and lasting peace. “A fair peace cannot be achieved without the participation of Ukraine and the European Union in the negotiations,” Ilie Bolojan also stated. Before the meeting, which was also attended by leaders from Norway, Canada, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Sweden and Belgium, the interim president of Romania had talks with the president of France, Emmanuel Macron. “We have ensured once again that, just as France has been by Romania’s side in the very important moments of our country’s history, it stands by our side today. We have reconfirmed the strategic partnership with France,” said President Bolojan. He also added, “we have reconfirmed the stability of the French military presence in Romania. At the request of our country, this presence will be strengthened in the coming period.” Bucharest and Paris will also continue their economic cooperation, including in the defense industry, with the development of production capacities in Romania being taken into account for the coming years.

     

    TALKS Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has said, regarding the peace negotiations in Ukraine, that the momentary harsh statements made by the world leaders are not important, what is important is a just and lasting peace in that country, which can only be achieved with the help of the US. He stressed that peace will bring lower energy and gas prices and an economic recovery throughout Europe. It is then vital to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine, it is a project of over 500 billion euros, from which Romanian companies must gain as much as possible, Ciolacu added. He announced, on the other hand, that during the working visit he will make to Brussels on Friday, he will meet with the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The discussions will focus, among other things, on aspects related to the renegotiation of the NRRP as well as the security situation in the current international context. The Head of the Executive specified that he will be accompanied to Brussels by the Minister of Investments and European Projects, Marcel Boloş, and the Minister of Finance, Tanczos Barna.

    (bill)

     

  • Ecotourist destination in Pădurea Craiului

    Ecotourist destination in Pădurea Craiului

    Themed paths and hiking paths, caves, old wooden churches, Via Ferrata, off-road running and mountain bike routes and traditional food are just some of the ingredients of an unforgettable holiday. Whether with families, friends or colleagues, for relaxation or adventure, Pădurea Craiului can be the perfect place to take refuge to in nature. Situated in the west of Romania, the area boasts dense forests and gentle hills, as well as a wealth of karstic phenomena and the biggest density of caves in the country.

    Paul Iacobaș, the manager of the Centre for Protected Areas and Sustainable Development, tells us more about where exactly this area is located:

    “Pădurea Craiului lies to the north-west of the Apuseni Mountains, into Bihor county. To the north, it is bordered by the river Crișul Repede, which flows from Cluj county to Bihor, with its gorges and karstic plateaus, an area known as Damiș-Ponoraș. The Beiuș depression, or the Beiuș Country, as we like to call it here in Bihor, lies to the south. This is a truly special ethnographic area. Westwards, to Oradea, we find a hilly area, and to the east, lie Valea Iadului and Mount Vlădeasa, which are also part of Apuseni Mountains. Basically, it’s a country between two rivers, Crișul Repede to the north and Crișul Negru to the south.”

    This region has in time become one of the most diverse nature destinations in Romania, packed with interesting sites:

    “I’m referring, first of all, to the caves, many of which are accessible to visitors.  We also have a network of more technical caves that can only be visited with a guide and with special caving equipment. There is also a number of Via Ferrata routes, a rafting course, and many areas for practicing cyclotourism and mountain biking. The  rocky sides of Pădurea Craiului are perfect for rock climbing. Tourist can also go hiking and educational trails are available to children, as well as adults. Last but not least, the area is good for mountain running, for which we have a developed infrastructure and, lately, the horse-back riding business has also developed a little, so there’s also that for tourists. It’s important to note that the area is also suitable for relaxation, whether it’s in the garden of a local guesthouse, often a traditional house that has been restored, or in a tent on glamping sites and campsites.”

    A Via Ferrata route means climbing rock walls, stepping on metal pieces, firmly fixed in the rock, secured with specific equipment, by a metal cable. In short, maximum adventure with minimum risks. The Via Ferrata routes in Pădurea Craiului offer challenging experiences to both beginners and the most experienced. Viorel Lascu, cave diver and mountaineer, tells us more about the history of the via ferrata trails:

    “The history of the Via Ferrata dates back to the Second World War, when Italian troops had to cross from one side of the mountain to the other. They created iron steps with cable. After the war, they started to be used as tourist trails. Thus, from one place to another, the Via Ferrata route was developed. In recent years, it has become very popular. We have designed routes in this area, many for professionals, but the number of professional climbers has decreased, there are not so many anymore. However, the Via Ferrata area can be accessible to everyone who is fit enough and has a minimum of training. You don’t have to be a professional. Next to those iron steps, there is a cable we call “the cable of life”. It starts from the bottom, from the beginning of the route, to the exit of the route. For their own protection, tourists wishing to go on Via Ferrata must have a harness with silencer, silencer, helmet and, if they want to, gloves.”

    At the start of the trails, you will also find a small QR code. By scanning it with your phone, you’ll find out all the details. It’s something that helps the tourists, cave diver and mountaineer Viorel Lascu says. There are many trails, of various degrees of difficulty, for advanced, beginners, but also for children.

    “We have a trail, for example, made before the two professional tracks, called Piticot. It’s for children, and it’s 20 meters high at most. I see the parents standing on the sidelines and cheering them on, but they don’t realise that 20 meters is a lot. It’s as high as a four-story building. But gradually you start to get used to it. Those who finished the small routes a few years ago have already moved on to the big ones. The big ones reach heights of 40, 60, 80 meters. The vast majority of routes are approximately 150 meters long. Each Via Ferrata route is different, because the rock is different. All are beautiful, all must be tried. We’ve noticed that there are already people who want to experience all Via Ferrata routes in Romania.”

    Pădurea Craiului is also crossed by a European route of wooden churches, says Paul Iacobaș, manager of the Center for Protected Areas and Sustainable Development:

    “We are specifically referring to two historical monuments: the wooden church in Beznea and the wooden church in Valea Crișului, both located near Crișul Repede, in the northern part of the area and easily accessible. But there are others. For example, there is still a wooden church in the northern area at Josani, in the village of Măgești. There are also churches in the southern part. Even if they are not that valuable, because they are not listed as a historical monument, they are very interesting because of the architecture and the paintings inside, the age and the fact that they have lasted for so long.”

    On the page of the ecotourism destination padureacraiului.ro, you will find detailed information on all tourist activities available in the area, both above and beneath the ground.

  • Winter holidays in Banat

    Winter holidays in Banat

    Caraș-Severin County, located in the southwest of Romania, is a multicultural place and the site of unique tourist attractions. Its mountainous area is truly fascinating, especially around the winter holidays, boasting charming villages, old water mills, which are still in operation, as well as skiing facilities.

    Dan Mirea, the manager of the Centre for traditional culture creation and promotion in Caraș Severin, says that this part of Banat can be the perfect destination for the winter holidays.

    “Some big cities in Romania have understood that Christmas celebrations must be like those in Europe. What is happening right now in Craiova, Sibiu and other big cities is proof of the fact that we are trying to align ourselves with the latest trends in cultural tourism and religious tourism, because these holidays are all abut bringing families and people together. The area known as Banatul Montan covers the mountains of Banat surrounded by various tourist resorts. These include Semenic and, especially, Văliug, a resort that has reinvented itself in the last ten years. The place now boasts over 30 guesthouses. For the last several years, tourists have come here in large numbers. Right now, in Văliug, hotels are 100% full, and that’s because of the skiing. Văliug has some of the best slopes in western Romania and it attracts lots of tourists. In the past they used to come mainly from Romania, but for the last two or three years, we’ve also had tourists from abroad coming here for the ski slopes.”

    EU funds have been channelled to the area, and now there are countless possibilities for visitors wishing to spend their Christmas holidays in these parts. Dan Mirea, the manager of the Centre for traditional culture creation and promotion in Caraș Severin tells us hotels are fully booked. Investments were also made in Muntele Mic massif. Let’s find out more:

    “There was a lot of talk about the ski slope there and now, this slope is also undergoing modernisation work. The two slopes, on Mount Semenic and Muntele Mic, will most certainly attract a lot of winter sports lovers in the near future. In the last three years, I myself have spent New Year’s Eve right up there, in Văliug, up the mountain, because there is a wonderful atmosphere. There are also special villages there. For example, the famous Gărâna, which is mostly known for hosting the International Jazz Festival. There are over 30 guesthouses there. Gărâna is a village with German origins, which has developed a lot in recent years, and in the last two years, I spent New Year’s Eve and Christmas holidays in Gărâna, in the guesthouses there and on the ski slope. Two years ago, I actually spent New Year’s Eve on the ski slope.”

    “Banat is leading the way”, says Dan Mirea, quoting an old Romanian saying. He explains that the local authorities in this region take tourism promotion very seriously. The Caraș-Severin County Council has even set up a team that will be dedicated exclusively to the promotion of the area and to attracting tourists:

    Track: “I think this old saying obliges us to put the spotlight on our past to tourists and visitors to Banatul. We are very good hosts in these parts and we have a lot of attractions. These include the Semenic Mountains and the Danube Gorges, areas which have developed a lot. While in winter it’s the mountains that are the biggest attraction, during summer, every place in the Danube Gorges, all the way to the border with  Mehedinți county, is fully booked, especially with foreign tourists. The area boasts that spectacular place where the Danube flows into the sea cutting through mountains. It attracts tourists who come from much further than Europe, as well as many Romanians who live abroad. Banat has the biggest ethnic German community in Romania, but there is also an ethnic Hungarian community, not to mention some who went abroad before 1989 but have since returned and started businesses in Banat.”

    The biggest attraction in the Danube Gorges is the likeness of the Dacian king Decebalus, carved in stone. It is 55 meters high and 25 meters wide. To help you imagine the size of the statue, let us just say that it is only six meters shorter than the Statue of Liberty in New York, eight meters taller than the statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro and ten meters taller than the Colossus of Rhodes. It is the tallest stone sculpture in Europe. Very close to the famous statue of Decebalus, lies the Băile Herculane spa resort, says Dan Mirea, the manager of the Centre for traditional culture creation and promotion in Caraș Severin:

    “Many historic buildings in Baile Herculane have been renovated. There are many projects and European investments in this resort, the Karlovy Vary of Romania. This year, the Hercules Festival took place in the new fully renovated summer theatre, and every day we had over 3,000 people coming from all over Romania and abroad to see the beauties of Banat. But there is still a lot more to be done and Baile Herculane is still a challenge for the local authorities. But things are looking up, not in small part thanks to the town’s mayor. He has understood the need to restore the town to its former glory, a town that used to host Princess Sisi and the elite of the Austro-Hungarian Empire for their holidays. There are thermal waters here and hotels from the time of Austria-Hungary, as well as the house where Maria Theresa lived, and the original furniture is still there.”

    The attractions of the mountainous part of Banat also include a park of water mills, unique in Europe, included on the UNESCO heritage list and restored in the early 2000s by the Astra Museum in Sibiu, using European funds. The mills are located in the village of Eftimie Murgu and are still operational. No less fascinating is Ineleț, a hamlet high up in the mountains and which can only be reached by vertical wooden stairs. Due to the difficult access, the village still looks like a hundred years ago.

  • Băile Herculane Spa

    Băile Herculane Spa

    The two-millennium history of the Băile Herculane spas begins in 153 CE, when it was first mentioned in historical records. In the modern era, the Emperor of Austria described Băile Herculane as “the most beautiful resort on the continent”, while Empress Elizabeth mentioned the spa in her diary. Wishing to keep the history of the place alive, Iacob Sârbu, a collector from Băile Herculane, gathered dozens of objects that reconstruct the former glory of the region. He exhibited them at the Romanian Travel Fair, where we caught up with him and asked him to tell us his story:

    “I first started collecting when I was a small child, during my holidays spent at my mother’s grandfather in Reșita and who was a keen collector. I learned a lot from him. The Herculane collection, which is my present subject, has been my hobby for about 8 years, and started at a difficult time in my life. Putting together this collection helped me find my peace and channel my energies. While in the beginning I only showed the collection to only a few friends, things changed when I met two remarkable people, Ioan Traia, the president of the association of rural media journalists in Banat and Gheorghe Rancu Bodrog, a former teacher and owner of a museum in Şopotul Vechi, in the Almaju area, in Caraș-Severin county. The two them helped bring out the best in me and it is thanks to them that I started showing everyone what I have collected. It is also thanks to them that I agreed to take part in many cultural events in Banat and in the Serbian Banat, and in February this year, at the invitation of the County Council, I agreed to take part in this fair. I want to show parts of my collection, and these are in fact fragments of local history.”

    Like any passionate collector, Iacob Sârbu loves all of his objects in equal measure:

    “All the objects in my collection are important to me. It’s impossible to differentiate between them. An inexpensive postcard from the interwar or communist period is just as valuable to me as a rare postcard or a lithograph that costs several hundred euros. There is no difference. However, there is one object that is very dear to me, a replica of the statue of Empress Elizabeth from Herculane. The statue did exist once, but it no longer does, no one knows where it is, whether it broke or was thrown away. A friend recreated this replica based on old photos. I insisted that he made it as close to the old one as possible, so that I can present both the replica of Sissi’s statue from Caransebeș, which I got from Gheorghe Rancu, and this replica from Herculane. In time, ever since I started work on this collection, I have come to know a lot of people who can help me get hold of things like books, objects, photographs, postcards, and which I can find on eBay or Delcampe.”

    Some of the objects exhibited by our interlocutor come all the way from Argentina, in the form of postcards sent from Herculane and dating from the spa’s heyday. Iacob Sârbu described to us some of the more special postcards from his collection, starting with the oldest one, dated July 7, 1894:

    “This postcard is vertical. In the top part of the postcard there is an image of the Ghizel Park, as it was called back then, today the Central Park, flanked by the two hotels, which at that time during the imperial period, were called Franz Joseph and Rudolph. Each postcard has a story, each has something special. For example it is printed on silk and the silk is glued to cardboard. This postcard is from 1899, if you put a light source behind it, all the windows of the buildings appear lit up. The same type of postcards can be found for other places, such as Vatra Dornei, Lipova, Buziaș and Băile Felix. This one here makes fun of how busy the resort is and this one shows a man who comes with a lot of money to Herculane and goes home bankrupt.”

    Vertical panoramic postcards, 54 cm long, kept in a frame by those who received them, an advertisement page from the Curierul Banatului newspaper, dated 31st December 1934, chromolithographs with Băile Herculane from 1840, 1842 and 1860 are also part of the collection, which will soon also be available to see online.

  • H.E. Manika Jain, Ambassador of India to Romania, at the Romanian Travel Fair

    H.E. Manika Jain, Ambassador of India to Romania, at the Romanian Travel Fair

     

    The autumn 2024 edition of the Romanian Travel Fair took place in Bucharest between November 21 and 24, organized by Romexpo and the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The most important event of this kind in the country, the Romanian Travel Fair is an opportunity for tour operators and other stakeholders to launch new products and services, to meet decision makers, to discover new opportunities and build sustainable partnerships.

     

    RRI’s Stefan Baciu took the opportunity to talk to Her Excellency Manika Jain, India’s ambassador to Romania and the Republic of Moldova, who explained why India should be promoted on the Ro market, and listed a number of must-see sites in her country.

     

    Looking beyond tourism, however, the relations between Romania and India, which used to be quite strong in the past, can be improved, H.E. Manika Jain also said. (AMP)

  • November 21, 2024 UPDATE

    November 21, 2024 UPDATE

    A roundup of local and international news.

    RULING – The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and the leader of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, Al-Masri, known as Mohammad Deif. The Hague-based court’s Pre-Trial Chamber rejected Israeli challenges to its jurisdiction and said there were sufficient grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant committed war crimes and crimes against humanity by approving attacks on civilians in the Gaza Strip. The ICC also issued a warrant Thursday for the arrest of Muhammad Deif, Hamas’ military chief. Israel said in August that it had killed Deif but Hamas has not confirmed his death.

     

    ENERGY – The Bucharest Government on Friday adopted the national energy strategy for the next 10 years, with an extension until 2050. It aims at gradually shifting from coal-based production to natural gas-based production, which is less polluting, and, in the medium and long term, to nuclear energy. Three other economic strategies were also on the Government’s agenda. The first is the Romanian industrialization strategy for the period 2024-2030. This involves the transition of Romanian industry towards clean energy. The second strategy is the one regarding non-energy mineral resources and aims to develop an integrated chain in the mining industry, from research, exploitation and development to processing. The third national strategy is the one for market surveillance. It is about a single market and the need, on the one hand, to guarantee the free movement of products in the European Union and, on the other hand, to make sure that these products meet quality standards.

     

    ELECTION – The first round of the presidential election takes place in Romania on November 24. The second round is scheduled for December 8, and legislative elections are held on December 1. There are 13 candidates in the race for president, 10 supported by parties and 3 independents. There are 14 names on the ballots, but one of the candidates withdrew in favor of another. The authorities opened 950 polling stations for Romanians outside the borders, a record number. They can vote, in the first round of the presidential election, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

     

    TRACTORS – Small Romanian farms that own old and polluting tractors will be able to buy new ones by applying to the “Tractors Scrap” program. The budget allocated to the project by the administration of the environmental fund is 500 million lei (the equivalent of about 100 million Euros). The registration of the companies from which farmers can purchase the tractors starts on Friday and can be done until November 28 at the latest. The vouchers acquired by farmers will cover between 65% and 80% of the purchase value, which should not exceed 55,000 Euros.

     

    TOURISM – The autumn edition of the 2024 Romanian Tourism Fair opened on Thursday in Bucharest. Visitors have access to a wide range of promotional packages, exclusive discounts and holiday ideas for all tastes and budgets, the organizers say. More than 100 participating companies offer destinations from all over the world, and discounts on vacation packages during the fair are up to 50%. Among the participants are tour operators from Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Israel, Austria, Hungary, Egypt, Vietnam and Italy.

     

    EC – The right-wing, centrist and social democratic parties in the European Parliament reached, on Wednesday evening, a political agreement to approve the new European Commission makeup. The Romanian Roxana Mînzatu will thus become Executive Vice-president for People, Skills and Preparedness in the European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen. The European Parliament will give its final vote on the new EC membership on November 27, in a plenary session in Strasbourg.

     

     

  • Romania’s wine story

    Romania’s wine story

    The itineraries and the tours taken around Romania’s wine cellars are focused on one single eventual aim: getting acquainted with the regions dedicated to the production of wine and to wine tasting. Tourists can take part in wine-tasting sessions, can make guided tours in wine cellars and vineyards. Not the least, they can make the most of of their extraordinary culinary experiences. Any time of the year has its charm yet the most sought-after timeframe is between May and October, when the temperature outside allows tourists to enjoy having experiences other than the wine-related ones.

    Alexandra Gălbează is the founder of Romania’s Enotourism Association. There has been a growing trend in recent years as regards this form of tourism. Moreover, the offer has become more diversified. Or at least that’s what Alexandra Galbeaza told us.

    “Of course that, strictly speaking, enotourism means visiting a wine cellar, yet in recent years, especially after the pandemic, the vine growing tourism also has other connotations. It does not only mean visiting a wine cellar but also the opportunity to enjoy a different experience, apart from the wine-tasting proper. We’re speaking about staging musical live concerts in a vineyard, picnics, also in the vineyard, musical evenings, plays, concerts, theme parties with camp fires that carry on late into the night, especially if we speak about the wine cellars that also have accommodation capacity. So tourists can stay the night at the wine cellar, having visited it. “

    Accompanied by the founder of Romania’s Enotouriosm Association, Alexandra Gălbează, we start our journey from the Dealu Mare vineyard, which lies very close to Bucharest.

    “We began with this region become it is very close to Bucharest where we have very many people. Those who want to escape the capital city have the opportunity to go, at a stone’ s throw away, to a place where they can enjoy a enotourism experience. It also is, arguably, the region with the greatest number of wine cellars. It is a dense area, with the wine cellars lying quite close to one another. So the enotourism activities can also be diverse and many. It is also at this point that we can speak about the recently-built wine cellars, but also about wine cellars with a rich history. We’re speaking about the wine cellar known for the production of the sparkling wine but also for being the purveyor of the Royal house. Also, here we have accommodation facilities. We can start off with a tour of the cellar, with a wine-tasting session and it is also in this region that we can speak about another wine cellar as well, whose history is also rich, which used to be a royal property and which is now owned by Prince Nicolae of Romania and his wife. This wine cellar has developed very many enotourism packages. We have accommodation, theme parties with wine and food pairing can be staged, there also is the personalized partying that can offer a personalized experience. These are initiatives the wine cellars took the liberty to have, yet there are also initiatives that started from the region’s wine cellars uniting their forces. “

    We continue our journey and we’re heading to eastern Romania, in Moldavia, and here our stopover is the Vrancea region. Here we can find a wine cellar with a long-standing tradition in wine production, whose premises have nonetheless been modernized in recent years, and which are placed in a dreamlike landscape. This wine cellar offers accommodation as well, while those who wish to spend more time here can benefit from multiple experiences.

    ” Apart from the fact that they can enjoy the tasting and the local wines, they can stay there for a couple of days, they can cycle all the way to the vineyard, sports aficionados can even stay over night for a game of tennis, if the weather is friendly, we also have a swimming pool. Then travelling further to Moldavia, in the Iasi region we can find a wine cellar with a rich history. It is the cellar where wines are made of indigenous sorts alone: Frâncușă, Grasă de Cotnari. So enotourism cannot be limited to the wine-tasting proper. I am not the only one to say it, also saying it are the European initiatives starting the Wine Road, Iter Vitis, the cultural road of the wine. That means we blend the wine into the cultural story of the place. In Moldavia, we speak about the local wines, however, the Cucuteni civilization can be found close by. Tourists can visit, can find out the story of the place, of the Cucuteni civilization, which is known to be Europe’s oldest civilization. “

    The schedule of a visit to the wine cellars needs to be made well in advance. It is a kind of tourism that can be made all year round. For instance, if we want to enjoy the landscape, the vineyard, the best period would be autumn or spring, where we can enjoy the scent, the fragrance, the green landscape. Also, we can go there in the cold season, yet the tour of the wine cellar will be limited to the interior experience. With more on that, here is the founder of Romania’s Enotourism Association, Alexandra Galbeaza.

    “Those who want to go the wine cellar and enjoy the experience need to make a call and schedule a visit in advance so they can make sure that at the wine cellar, there is someone who can welcome them. Also, having reached the wine cellar, the story begins with the tour of the cellar, with the story of the place. Specific info is being offered on how the wines were obtained, on the way the wine is produced, starting from the vineyard and all the way to the end product. A point the visit also covers is the bottling area so that visitors can see how wine is bottled, and, not the least, there also is the eagerly-awaited visit to the barrels area, while the tasting oftentimes also takes place in the barrels area or the hall especially dedicated to tasting. That depends on each wine cellar yet it also very much depends on the experience the tourist wants to have “.

    The founder of Romania’s Enotourism Association, Alexandra Gălbează, has organized the Enotourism Forum. Here she is once again, this time breaking the news about other interesting projects.

    “The next event, it will be in the spring of 2025, most likely. It is an event exclusively dedicated to this particular sort of tourism where we seek to invite representatives of the wine cellars tourism agencies, but also tourist guides, in a bid to think together of what actually happens and what it is required so that this segment can develop in Romania. Also, we intend o create a wine route at national level, accessible, of course, according to the country’s major regions, so that in the future we can integrate this route into the European cultural route. “

    A great many tourists are in pursuit of authenticity, of the peaceful life and are happy to discover that, in Romania, there are still traditions and local cuisine. They are delighted with the Romanian wines, especially with the indigenous sorts, all that and the high-standard accommodation offer turn the visit to the wine cellars into an unforgettable experience.

  • Holiday in Timiș county

    Holiday in Timiș county

    Timiș is a multicultural county and an example of cohabitation among different ethnic groups. This ethnic diversity is also to be seen in the architecture, the crafts and the culture of the place. Today we will look at some of the most interesting tourist sites in this county with the help of Iosif Nicoară, the executive director of the Association for Tourist Promotion and Development in Timiș County. The city of Timișoara itself, which is the county seat, is home to over 900 tourist sites, according to this association. This includes the city’s heritage buildings, with Timișoara boasting the most extensive surface area with heritage buildings in all of Romania. Iosif Nicoară takes us on a walk through the city that was the European Capital of Culture in 2023:

    “I would start with a visit to the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, which is the second largest building of its kind in the country. It has a very distinctive architectural style and from the steps leading to its entrance you can have a nice view over the centre of the city. It’s also a place laden with history. The outbreak of the anti-communist revolution of 1989 is linked to this area. We could then visit Victory Square, Freedom Square and Union Square, all of which are also full of history. Union Square is home to the National Museum of Art, which hosted the big Brâncuși retrospective exhibition. It was an immense success and people came from as far as the United States to see it. It was the first exhibition in the last 50 years to bring together, in this country and in one place, most of the works by sculptor Constantin Brâncuși. Another site worth visiting is the Timișoara fortress, also known as the Terezia Bastion, and which today houses the National Museum of Banat. The Banat Village Museum is another interesting tourist site in the city.”

    Timișoara’s historical centre is unique in Romania in that it consists of three different squares, each with its own architectural style. The dominant style of the city is the Viennese Baroque, but there are also many buildings in the neo-Byzantine and Art Nouveau styles. The city has the most diverse ethnic and religious make-up in the country, with 21 different ethnic groups and 18 religious denominations living here in harmony, says Iosif Nicoară, the executive director of the Association for Tourist Promotion and Development in Timiș County:

    “The city of Timișoara and the whole county of Timiș, in fact, are home to ethnic Germans, Hungarians, Serbs, as well as many other different communities. And if there’s one thing that best sums up this county is that all these communities live together in harmony. There was never any hostility between them, on the contrary, they learnt from each other, they took the good things, they grew in harmony with each other and made this city and this county to grow and to become a tourist attraction for any foreign traveller to Romania. Little Vienna is what they used to call Timișoara and it fully deserves this description.”

    But there are many more places worth visiting in Timiș county apart from Timișoara, and Buziaș is one of them. This spa town is mostly known for its treatment facilities specialising in heart diseases. The treatment is based on the natural resources available here, such as mineral springs and mofettes, which are discharges of carbon dioxide believed to help with peripheral circulation. Last but not least, the air in Buziaș is rich is ion, its concentration similar to places located at an altitude of 1,000 metres, despite it only being at an elevation of 128 metres. So the bioclimate here is most suited to rest and treatment. Iosif Nicoară explains:

    “If a tourist’s time is limited and it is only two or three days, after seeing Timișoara in one day, very briefly, the first place I would take them, it would be extremely close, it would be Buziaș. Moreover, very few people know that there is a hill, Dealul Silagiului, right next to Buziaș, where there are six wineries. Few people know that there are six wineries in one place on the stretch of this hill, which have developed harmoniously. There are local producers there who make a special wine, and where we intend to do this year, on the second of June, a Marathon of the Heart. There will be races for children, starting at 600m, because they are the target audience to exercise outdoors and see how beautiful the area is. By car, it takes 30 minutes from Timișoara to Buziaș, and, in addition to the extremely generous offer of the city, this hill of Silagiu offers beauty and splendor in terms of nature. I was talking about the six wineries, but there are also local producers who offer all kinds of natural products in the area, honey, very good cheese, meat from some producers, as well as other authentic local products.”

    Called Bucovina Banatului, Șara Făgetului lies in the eastern area of Timiș County. It is a picturesque area, the possibilities for rest and recreation being multiple here, as we learned from Iosif Nicoară, the executive director of the Association for the Promotion and Development of Tourism in Timiș County.

    “I was born in a hilly area towards the mountain, and the second destination to which I would guide and lead them would be the Făget area. It is an extraordinarily beautiful area, where there is also the oldest documented church in the area, where you can visit the Șopot Waterfall, see the place where the Bega River springs, and go by car or motorcycle. Those who want to ride a bike can choose a very beautiful route, called Transluncani. You can cross to the other side, in Caraș-Severin county. In the area, you can find the Cornet Waterfall, the Jdioara Fortress, the Surduc Lake, on which you can take a trip with the catamaran that belongs to our association. So this area is also extraordinarily beautiful. It’s a hill and mountain area where people can relax and feel great.”

    Also in Timiș county, you will find many craftsmen. Unlike other areas of Romania, here, the wealth of traditions fascinates, due to the multi-ethnic character of the region. Thus, the rural universe is expected to be discovered without haste, as the reward will be commensurate. And, to visit the craftsmen at their homes, you can contact the Association for the Promotion and Development of Tourism in Timiș County. They can organize a trip to folk craftsmen from all over the county.

  • Skiing holiday in Romania

    Skiing holiday in Romania

    Mountain resorts are full at this time of the year, all the more so as the weather has been good and there’s enough snow for the winter sports. It’s also the time of the so-called “skiing holiday” in Romania, a one-week break from school taken in the period between 12th February and 1st March, as chosen by each county. Only two counties chose to have this holiday between 12th and 18th February, with 25 other counties and the capital Bucharest going for the current week and 14 counties for next week.

    The mountain resort of Poiana Braşov in central Romania is one of the most popular destinations these days. According to the Snowpro ski instructors association, conditions are good or acceptable here and the layer of snow is 20-30 cm. Romanians’ interest in spending their holidays in their own country is up this year, says a big travel company, with bookings growing by 30% compared to the same period last year, especially as a result of special offers requiring lower advance payments. The increase reflects the trend seen in 2023, when the number of tourists grew on average by 11% compared to the previous year.

    According to the National Institute for Statistics, tourist arrivals stood at 13.65 million in 2023, up 10.5% compared to 2022, with 88.6% being from Romanian tourists. The biggest increase in the number of tourists was recorded by the capital Bucharest and the country’s main tourist regions: Constanţa county, which includes the resorts on the Black Sea coast, and Braşov county, with its well-known mountain resorts. Most foreign tourists who arrived in Romania last year came from Germany, namely over 218,000, Italy, almost 187,000, and Israel, around 150,000. The number of Romanian tourists who spent their holidays abroad grew by 12.6% in 2023 compared with 2022. (CM)

  • New Year’s Eve in Romania

    New Year’s Eve in Romania

    In Romania, there is a tradition of organizing parties in the squares of big cities at the turn of the year. The big stages, on which well-known artists perform, the merry atmosphere and the spectacular fireworks have been the ingredients in the New Year’s Eve recipe for success for quite a while. Moreover, hotels organize various raffle and costume parties, while rural guesthouses organize folklore shows.



    The town halls of the big cities, Brașov, Sibiu, Timișoara, have already prepared a very busy program for the night between years. Traian Bădulescu, a travel consultant and spokesperson for the National Association of Travel Agencies is at the microphone with details: “Tourists have developed this tradition of going into the streets at midnight and then go back to their hotel or where they’re spending their holidays. There are shows, fireworks and there is also a special atmosphere, as there are hundreds or thousands of people in the streets, who are really partying and feeling happy on the New Year’s Eve. We have long traditions about the New Year’s Eve party.



    Baile Herculane or Herculane Spa, a resort recognized for its waters with curative powers and for its air quality, can be a perfect destination for the New Year’s Eve. Thus, a four-night stay, in a double room, at a four-star hotel, costs around 1,300 euros. The price includes breakfast, a festive dinner on the New Year’s Eve and a late brunch on January 1st. There are also budget offers in Herculane. You can rent, for example, a room in a two-star holiday house for only 150 lei (50 euros) per night, without meals included.



    By choosing a spa resort, you can spend the night between years and equally relax in the first days of 2024, says Traian Bădulescu: There is a big increase in demand for spa resorts. The rates are more affordable than those of the top hotels in the mountain resorts. And its worth noting that spa resorts are also located in picturesque, hilly and mountainous areas. The degree of occupancy is currently 90% to 100% for many hotels. There is great demand for resorts such as Băile Herculane, Băile Felix, Balvanyos, Sovata, Călimănesti-Căciulata. Most tourists do not necessarily go for spa treatment during this period, they go for the quality of the services and the picturesque landscapes of the regions. But there are many who choose relaxation, wellness and spa services as there are many such offers at hotels in spa resorts.



    The world of the Romanian village is fascinating during Christmas, and the atmosphere of celebration continues until the New Year’s Eve. Packages for New Year’s Eve in Bucovina, for example, include up to five nights of accommodation, between December 28 and January 4, with meals included, festive dinner and various shows. A double room, at a 3-daisy guesthouse, costs 1,245 lei (250 euros). The festive dinner is paid for separately and costs 450 lei (90 euros) for adults and 150 lei (30 euros) for children. Guests will admire a beautiful firework show and will listen to the carols from Bucovina.



    Traian Bădulescu: There are many tourists who choose rural tourism for the New Year’s Eve and go to such localities as Bran-Moieciu and Fundata. The famous English journalist Charlie Ottley has already settled in Șirnea, Fundata, Șirnea being the oldest tourist village in Romania. There are tourists who choose Mărginimea Sibiului, Bucovina, Maramureș, Neamț area, Apuseni Mountains, Oltenia under the mountain and Vrancea. There are many rural tourism destinations in Romania and prices are also quite affordable. Some tourists choose to rent a room, but there are also groups of families and friends who rent an entire guesthouse to spend their holidays. People started making reservations for rural guesthouses with 5 up to 15 rooms as early as this spring, more precisely in April and May. In the last 10-15 years, in many rural localities, events for tourists have been created, leaving aside the accommodation and festive dinner. Among the events and activities on offer are: small handicraft fairs with local artisans on the first and second of January, sleigh rides, or horse-drawn carriage rides. I’m glad that Romanian tourists have returned to Romanian traditions in the recent years.



    People also choose to spend the New Year’s Eve at the Black Sea. They can watch the sea in winter, sometimes troubled, sometimes calm and frozen. The offer of a five-star hotel on the Romanian Black Sea Coast is 966 euros for a three-night stay, for two adults. At a three-star hotel, a double twin room costs about 510 euros for a two-night stay, for two people.



    Traian Bădulescu: The Black Sea Coast is also an option for the winter holidays. More and more people are booking hotels at the seaside. There are dozens of hotels permanently open on the coast. The rates are lower, of course, than in the mountains, because in the mountains its the peak of the season. There are quality hotels that offer wellness and spa centers, as well as New Year’s Eve parties and festive dinners with well-known guest artists.



    The offer for the New Year’s party in Romania is very diverse and for all budgets, and the common denominator, regardless of the option chosen, is joy and hope for a better year. Happy Holidays and A Happy New Year! (LS)

  • Tourist Attractions in Bacau County

    Tourist Attractions in Bacau County

    Although known mainly because of the Slănic Moldova spa resort, Bacău county has many tourist attractions and lends itself to almost all forms of tourism. We will get to know the most interesting sights in the area, starting from the city of Bacău towards the mountain area of the county.




    The municipality of Bacău, the seat of the county of the same name, was documented for the first time 615 years ago, in the year 1408. Over time, the city was inhabited by various ethnic groups, and the various cultural influences were reflected in the architecture and local traditions. However, a significant development of the settlement was recorded only in the 19th century, with the appearance of industry in the area, especially textile and wood. In general, Bacău has a diversified cultural life, with numerous cultural institutions, from theaters, museums, libraries, to art galleries. Bacău Jazz Festival, Bacău Fest, Bacău Music & Film Festival, and Bacău Street Art Festival are just some of the most anticipated annual events of the city. Romulus Dan Busnea, expert inspector at the County Public Service for the promotion of tourism, says that, although it is not so well known, the whole area can be the ideal vacation destination for all tourists.


    “Bacău County has, indeed, a growing potential for the development of rural, agritourism, spa, leisure tourism, pretty much everything that means forms of Romanian tourism. There are a number of important objectives in Bacău county, starting with the municipality of Bacău which has a series of art and ethnography museum complexes. There are also two memorial houses. One is that of the poet George Bacovia, and the other is of the painter Nicu Enea. They were reintroduced into the tourist circuit after a series of renovations. We have the Astronomical Observatory too, which has an exceptional endowment, unique in the country.”




    At the Bacău History Museum you can admire archaeological objects, historical documents and traditional costumes, while the Art Museum exhibits a valuable collection of paintings and sculptures. Next to icons made in the 18th – 19th centuries stand masterpieces of Romanian painting, made by Grigorescu, Petrașcu, Tonitza, or Pallady. Another objective could be the Radu Beligan Summer Theater, one of the oldest summer theaters in Romania. Romulus Dan Busnea, our guide today, invites us to get to know the other attractions of the county.


    “If we head towards the Trotuș Valley area, which was very nicely compared to the Loire Valley, coming from Bacău, we can visit the George Enescu Museum, the Tescani branch, which is located in a mansion. Going down Trotuș Valley, we reach the town of Comănești, where you can visit Ghica Palace. In Dofteana commune, there is Ghica Castle. Between them there is the town of Dărmăneşti, where the Nemira Nature Reserve and the Poiana Uzului dam and reservoir are located. Dărmănești was even awarded the prize of the Destination of the Year contest, given that Dărmănești also hosts a large international jazz, blues, and rock festival every year, right at the foot of the Nemira Mountains, at the Uzu stadium.”


    Near the town of Dărmanesti, there is the Târgu Ocna resort. It is known for its salty mineral waters, which have therapeutic properties. Here is also the Vasile Pârvan museum, dedicated to archeology and local history, with collections of archaeological and ethnographic objects that illustrate the evolution of culture and civilization in the Târgu Ocna area and its surroundings. Romulus Dan Busnea, expert inspector at the County Public Service for the promotion of tourism, also recommends a visit to the third largest salt mine and one of the oldest in Romania. “We can visit historical monuments such as the monastery and the Heroes Monument on Măgura Hill, but also the well-known salt pan, the Târgu Ocna salt mine. It is full of visitors because it has something to offer in terms of recreation and therapy. On the surface, next to the salt mine, a saltwater beach is also open until September. This leisure base includes several spaces for children, sports games for adults, theater hall, cinema hall, a museum. Therefore, tourists can spend several hours in the salt pan. Treatment sessions can be arranged. Tourists stay in hotels in Târgu Ocna, but also in the Slănic Moldova resort, known as the Pearl of Moldova. Thus, those from Slănic Moldova can also come to benefit from the treatment at the salt pan.”




    The mineral waters of the 20 springs in Slănic Moldova come from underground water layers, without toxic substances and without pollution. Their quality has been recognized by specialists, and constantly monitored. In the center of the resort you will also see the casino building, built in 1894, a heritage monument of great historical value. The Tișița Gorges nature reserve should not be missed either, as a protected area known for its spectacular landscapes and hiking trails.




    “Also, in Slănic Moldova, a diverse range of diseases are treated: digestive, respiratory, nutritional, or metabolic. Mineral springs are the wealth of the Slănic Moldova resort. They have been recognized and awarded medals over time. We also have treatment and leisure facilities here, we have the Nemira ski slope, we have a special farm located at an altitude of 900m, next to which there is also an interesting monastery. The place where it is located is extraordinary. On the other hand, at the farm, one of the few events of this kind in the Moldova area is organized annually, an ancient shepherd ritual. Its almost a unique area. Within a few kilometers, traditional festivals with winter customs are held, one of the biggest being the one in Bacău, and the other one that also attracted foreign tourists is the one in Comănești. The festivals are held in Bacău, Moinești, Comănești, Târgu Ocna and Slănic Moldova. It is a gathering of all the ensembles of the area with traditional dances and games, starting with the bear dance, the goat dance, etc. It is an explosion of color and sound, a very interesting event, which takes place during the festive days around Christmas, up to, and including New Years Eve. In addition to the locals, there are also tourists who come specifically to the area to film, and even participate in, these exceptional events.”




    You will find many traditional guesthouses in Bacău County. And almost all of them promote authentic Romanian gastronomy: Moldavian stuffed cabbage, the traditional bulz, which is a cheese and polenta preparation, or the delicious dumplings with cheese. To explore all the tourist attractions, you can contact the national tourist promotion and information centers. Also, the guesthouse owners can be your local guides, their hospitality being well-known.


  • Promotion of Romanian tourism

    Promotion of Romanian tourism

    With the mission of attracting 10 million foreign tourists in the future, several dozen travel companies are promoting Romania these days at the tourism fair in London – World Travel Market, one of the most important events in the tourism industry worldwide. Romania’s presence is remarkable, exceeding the level of 2022. With a number of 40 co-exhibitors, of which 25 are travel agencies specializing in incoming, with a generous space and meeting tables, we are ready to promote and develop the Romanian tourism in front of a global audience. For the first time, we are also participating as tour operators, companies and not just as associations, employers associations or public authorities.



    Romania has finally managed to resolve an incomprehensible limitation that has blocked our access to international events on our own for years, said Adrian Voican, the vice-president of the National Association of Travel Agencies – ANAT. According to ANAT, those who are not in London, as incoming tourism professionals, do not exist! No small or large country is missing from the event. The budgets are absolutely shocking. Romania needs a minimum of 30 million euros annually to matter in the ‘war’ of brands and to fulfill its mission of bringing 10 million foreign tourists in the future, Adrian Voican explained.



    Held between November 6 and 8, the World Travel Market gathers this year 3,500 exhibitors from 184 countries, and the organizers have announced that during the 3 days of the event, 72 conference sessions and presentations on the most topical issues of world tourism will be held. According to ANAT, Romania’s participation in this fair underlines the importance of promoting Romanian tourism at global level – with an impressive list of exhibitors and a tight competition, we remember how small Romania is in the context of world tourism and how much work and how much money are involved in the industry that brings in 10% of the global Gross Domestic Product, with the 1.2 billion people who travel around the world. In this sense, ANAT firmly believes that Romania must no longer miss any major fair.



    At the Romanian pavilion organized by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, no detail was overlooked – the desks were designed to include all the essential elements for the best possible promotion of the destination, there will be tastings of Romanian wines, various networking meetings with tour operators and companies on various topics, and the eight films promoting Romania, made in collaboration with the British producer Charlie Ottley, will also be presented. In Romania as well, the biggest players in the tourism industry will present their best offers between November 9-12, during Romanias Tourism Fair 2023, the autumn edition. Dedicated both to families looking for all-inclusive or proximity holidays, and to travel enthusiasts who venture to more distant exotic destinations, the fair organized in Bucharest brings very advantageous offers and contributes to the consolidation of the tourism industry in Romania by promoting tourist attraction areas. (LS)

  • October 14, 2023 UPDATE

    October 14, 2023 UPDATE

    Tel-Aviv – At 16:00 hours local time (13:00 GMT), the deadline given by the Israeli Defense Forces to Palestinian civilians in the north of the Gaza Strip to leave the area safely has expired. Israel has repeatedly accused the terrorist group Hamas of using civilians as human shields. The Israeli militarys order for more than a million Palestinians to leave the northern enclave is seen as a sign that it is planning a ground offensive. The Israeli army announced on Saturday that its bombing of the Gaza Strip resulted, among other things, in the death of another Hamas leader. The bloody attack launched on October 7 by the terrorist movement resulted in the death of over 1,300 Israelis, mostly civilians, and 3,200 wounded. Over 100 people, Israelis and foreigners, were taken hostage and taken to the Gaza Strip. For their part, the Palestinians announced that more than 2,200 people were killed and 10,000 wounded in the Israeli bombings of Gaza.



    Repatriation — The Romanian Foreign Ministry – MAE confirmed, on Saturday, the death, in the context of the security situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip, of two more people with dual Israeli-Romanian citizenship, residing in Israel. Also, the Romanian Embassy in Tel Aviv is in dialogue with the Israeli authorities to verify the information regarding the disappearance of a person with dual Israeli-Romanian citizenship. All in all, four Romanians have died in this country since the outbreak of the armed conflict. On the other hand, another 58 Romanian citizens returned to Romania from Israel on Saturday, with a flight operated by a private company, the Foreign Ministry informs. Over 2,200 Romanians returned home after the Hamas attacks on Israel.



    Football – On Sunday, Romania’s national football team meets Andorra, in Group I of the EURO 2024 preliminaries. The match is hosted by Bucharest, and access is only allowed to children under 14, according to a UEFA decision. In the same group, the match Switzerland versus Belarus is played. On Thursday, Romania drew 0-0 in Budapest with Belarus and remains on second place in the group, after Switzerland. Israel, whose games were postponed, and Kosovo are also part of Euro 2024 Qualifying Group I.



    Paris – The Louvre Museum in Paris, the largest museum in the world, closed exceptionally on Saturday at noon for security reasons, in the context in which France raised the threat alert level following the Islamist attack committed on Friday in Arras (northern France), France Press reports. The Louvre Museum received a written message evoking a risk for the museum and for visitors, a spokeswoman for the institution said. France has once again raised the threat alert level which allows the exceptional mobilization of means, after the assassination of a teacher, who was stabbed by a young man in front of a high school from the city of Arras. This act was labeled as “Islamist terrorism” by the French President Emmanuel Macron. The Elysée Palace announced on Saturday the deployment of 7,000 soldiers on the French territory.



    Tourism — Romania will be promoted as a tourist destination for one month, between October 15 and November 15, on the British BBC television station. TV producer Charlie Ottley, known for his documentaries about Romania, such as “Wild Carpathia” and “Flavors of Romania” also collaborated in designing the campaign. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism points out that the purpose of the action is to increase the visibility of Romania as a tourist destination in Europe, with special focus on Great Britain. The ministry also mentions that the BBC is available in almost all countries of the world, the content being accessible in millions of hotel rooms, on planes, cruise ships and mobile devices. (LS)