Category: Traveller’s Guide

Happy New Year and welcome to the first edition of Traveller’s Guide in 2015!

Today we will look back at some of the most interesting holiday destinations that we presented to you last year. We tried to include offers for all tastes and budgets, for those who seek adventure as well as those who just want to relax, for mountain and seaside lovers, popular as well as under-the-radar destinations, but all of them ideal places to spend a holiday to remember.

The first shows last year were devoted to an RRI competition called From the Wine Route to the Princes’ Route. The competition focused on Prahova County and was inspired from tourist promotion programmes such as The Fruit Route, The Wine Route and The Princes’ Route run by the Prahova County Council. We received 606 correct answers, and the Grand Prize was an 8-day full board trip for two, between September 1st and 9th, 2014 in Prahova County. The winners had the chance to cover the tourist routes that inspired this contest and to visit the cultural, tourist and historical attractions of the area. Juan Antonio Casillas Ascencio, from Leon-Guanajuato, Mexico, was the winner of this prize. On July the 15th, 2014 another prize-winning contest initiated by RRI came to an end. Titled A Contemporary of Brancusi: Milita Petrascu, it was dedicated to two great Romanian artists, the sculptor Constantin Brancusi and one of his students, Milita Petrascu. The grand prize consisted in a 6-day full-board stay for one listener of RRI, in the second half of August 2014, in Gorj County, the home place of sculpture giant Brancusi. We received 199 correct answers, a remarkable number considering that the competition ran for a shorter time than usual, with only one month for listeners to complete their research and send us their entries. The winner, Jean-Marc Olry, from France, visited Brancusi’s works in Targu Jiu, the artist’s home, as well as a variety of other cultural, tourist and historical attractions in the area.

Last spring we talked about the most interesting low-season packages in Romanian Black Sea resorts, as well as the most attractive packages available at the 31st Romanian Travel Fair, held between March the 13th and 15th in Bucharest. A city break option that we discussed in our show was the north-eastern city of Iasi, one of the most attractive in Romania. Whether we talk about the ancient Cucuteni civilization or the great medieval boyar families, this city has played a major role in the history of Romania. In April we invited you to spend Easter in Romania. But we did not forget those who like more unusual destinations. Our choice for them was Arsenal Park, a military-themed park on an 88-hectare piece of land in western Romania, in Orastie Mountains. Arsenal Park is the perfect holiday place for both adventure seekers and families with children, who can spend time in the play area or by the pool. And last spring we also invited you on a tour of Bucharest, we explored the caves of Romania and spoke about the opening of the summer season in Romania.

Summer found us on Transfagarasan, one of the most spectacular roads in Romania, which crosses the highest mountain chain in the country, the Fagaras. The landscapes are breathtaking, and the places that offer accommodation in the area have started diversifying their services in the last few years. During the summer season, we presented the Romanian seacoast, not only as a great destination for beachgoers, but also as the perfect spot for a wide range of activities, from visits to wineries, trips around Dobrogea and the Danube Delta, to beauty centres and spa resorts, aqua parks and horse farms. Also during the summer we talked about the Golden Apple, the trophy awarded by the International Federation of Travel Journalists and Writers, FIJET, to outstanding tourist destinations. Constantin Brancusi’s works displayed in Targu Jiu played a decisive role in FIJET’s decision to grant this trophy to the southern Romanian town where the great sculptor was born.

Last autumn we turned to a unique place in Romania and Europe, the Danube Delta, where trips by floating hotels, leisure speedboat tours, fishing and guided photo-taking sessions are some of the most sought-after tourist programs. We also presented special tourist packages for young people, as Romania’s Ministry for SMEs, Business and Tourism recently launched the world’s first youth tourism cluster, a joint venture between the state and the private sector aimed at attracting young foreign tourists to Romania. We ended the year 2014 with a review of the most beautiful Christmas fairs in the country, as well as of the most interesting winter holiday packages in Romania.

So today we decided to present to you the best of the festive bunch. We start with Sibiu, in central Romania. The Christmas market there is a cultural project initiated by the Austrian Embassy’s Social Attaché Office in Romania, represented by Barbara Schofnagel, in partnership with the Sibiu municipality. Exhibitors from 20 Romanian counties will present their offer. Visitors can choose from a variety of handicraft objects and Christmas decorations and can also taste sweets, roast chestnuts, homemade cakes, specialties of the Romanian and Hungarian cuisine and of course, mulled wine. Andrei Dragan Radulet, the event’s manager, says the reactions of the visitors of the Sibiu Christmas market have been positive.

Andrei Dragan Radulet: “When we opened the Christmas Market in the city’s Big Square the venue proved to be too small for the many visitors. Their number grows every year and their expectations are higher and higher. It is our responsibility to make sure we don’t let our visitors down. The Christmas lights are as beautiful as we expected and so are the small cottages. Visitors spend a lot of time here, that’s why shows are usually scheduled on weekends when people have enough time to attend them. The daily schedule is posted on the event’s website with versions in Romanian, English, French and German. All cottages are open daily, between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.”

The Sibiu Christmas Market and the “We Help” Association are partners of the ShoeBox program this year as well. Under this program, everybody can make presents to poor children. The idea is that each donor should offer presents that fit a shoebox, hence the project’s name. Boxes should be nicely wrapped and should be presented at collecting centers unsealed, to be prepared for their recipients on categories such as gender and age.

Andrei Dragan Radulet also told us about another project initiated three years ago: “We have a city break offer that starts from 45 euros per person for two nights, Friday to Sunday. 12 accommodation facilities are included in the program, from three star guesthouses to four-star hotels, all located in the city center. The offer also includes the transfer from airport or train station to the hotel and a guided tour of the city. The tour ends at the Christmas market and the bonus is a visit to the Council Tower. Mulled wine tasting and a gift card for souvenirs are also part of the offer, which is taken every year by around 500 tourists. This gives them the chance to visit one of the youngest Christmas markets in the country, comparable with those in other European cities. So we’re kindly inviting tourists to visit the city during winter holidays.”

If it’s gingerbread hearts, Santa hats and traditional objects that you’re after, then the Bucharest Christmas market is the perfect place for you. Between November 29 and December 28, the capital city makes the most of two of its assets, the Cismigiu Park and the University Square. Stalls focus on Christmas decorations, contemporary ceramics, jewelry and paintings by local craftspeople but also on food, with traditional jams, pretzels, pies and cakes being the favourite with tourists.

Ema Stoica, one of the project’s coordinators, tells us more about it: “There is also a place for children to meet Santa and a merry-go-round. As usual, the now traditional humanitarian campaign organized by the Bucharest mayoralty in partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Romania, aimed at solving social problems is under way. Toys and books can be donated and there is even a wish fir tree, which can make children’s dreams come true through donations. Daily shows held in the University Square with music for all tastes are also part of the Bucharest Christmas Market. So we think that Bucharest is worth visiting at this time of the year. “

Add Timisoara, in western Romania, on your radar this month, if you want to be part of the 8th edition of its Christmas market. The city’s deputy mayor, Dan Diaconu, tells us what’s special about this year’s edition.

Dan Diaconu: “This fair has a long tradition and can easily be one of the city’s tourist attractions this month. The Christmas light in the Victory Square creates a fairytale atmosphere. We have a large offer of products and special shows every day. This month we also celebrate 25 years since Timisoara, the city where the 1989 revolution started, became free of communism. We are sure that Victory Square will be crowded with people eager to attend concerts and shows. “

One of the favorite destinations for thrill seekers is the Crisul Repede Gorge in the Bihor county, in northwestern Romania. One can practice sports on an area of about 48 kms, where the rivers cuts its way through cliffs that reach 80 meters in certain locations. The Crisu Repede river is a second-degree river, which means that it is ideal for family rafting and team building, says Adrian Iohas, the manager of a company from Vadul Crisului.

Adrian Iohas: “Every weekend tourists come for rafting and team building. They always return with pleasure because our team uses all its resources to make people feel good. 30% of the tourists who come to visit us are foreigners, mainly from Hungary. The river is perfect for rafting. We train many children for this sport, and they enjoy it very much. Unlike others, we promote rafting for people with disabilities. Each year we organize in Romania a rafting tournament for people in wheelchairs, and we sponsor the rafting competition for the people with disabilities. I guess what we have been doing for 4 years is unique in the world. Rafting is the emblem of Bihor county.”

In one of the previous editions of “Traveler’s Guide” we told you that Romania could rely on its own salt resources for the coming one thousand years. But what is the link between salt and rafting? Here is Adrian Iohas, talking about the Romanian rafters of yore.

Adrian Iohas: “In the 18th and 19th centuries salt was being transported from Romania to Hungary. This year we marked the 46th edition of the Salt Customs in Vadul Crisului, in early June. On the occasion we made a demonstration using a raft built only of wood, according to traditional methods. The oars are also made of wood. The boys are dressed in folk costumes and they transport salt. We also have a customs officer, to recreate the atmosphere of times past. Salt used to be transported by carts from the Praid salt mine up to Huedin, from where it would be uploaded on rafts. The rafts would reach as far as Hungary. There, people would sell the salt and wood, and then return home using other means of transport. When crossing the border the rafters had to pay customs duties consisting in a lump of salt. Each June as many as 2 thousand people come to see this demonstration”.

If you are curious to learn about the profile of the tourists seeking adventure, their ages range between 15 and 80 years and they have average incomes. But quite frequently children under 7 take part in river rafting competitions, says Dan Panturu, the manager of a company from Brasov: “Rafting is ideal for both people who want to practice it on their own or in teams, it’s a synchronicity sport, with a designated leader, which is perfect for the Romanian and foreign team building activities. The rivers on which rafting can be practiced are located in disadvantaged, poor areas, but this could be turned into an advantage because the whole experience is like going back in time. The outdoor activities, such as rafting, can generate profit. Not only for the company making the offer but also for the whole area. We practice rafting on various sectors of the river, with both grown-ups and children, in conditions of maximum safety for everyone. We would like more and more people to discover these adrenaline-producing sports than can be practiced in total safety.”

If we look at Romania’s rivers, we could say that we are covered by water, according to Sabin Cornoiu, the director of the Gorj County Mountain Rescue Public Service: “The tourists who are now coming to Romania can practice rafting, kayak and canoe sports, abseiling in waterfalls, free diving and also cave diving. There are many sports that can be practiced in water and that can be combined with mountain-specific activities. All these activities are well prepared, on various degrees of difficulty, so that they can be approached both by beginner and advanced sports lovers. We believe that those who visit Romania will also discover these sports, beside the country’s culture, history, traditions and people’ hospitality. There are many areas in Romania worth visiting where to practice such sports like the north of the southern region of Oltenia, Moldavia (in the east), Transylvania and the north of Romania.”

Foreign tourist operators have become aware of the potential Romania has in this respect and have started to show interest in the programs Romania has to offer. Here is Catalin Campeanu with details: “Romania is perceived as a country with an incredibly wild nature, where animals still enjoy the wilderness. Westerners who come to Romania have the opportunity to take a leap back in time, 100 years back. People are looking for what they don’t have in their countries any more. For example the Danube Delta is a hot spot with tourists from Germany, Austria, UK and many other countries, who are mainly into kayaking.”

We’ll go back to the north of the country to let Adrian Iohas, from Vadul Crisului, extend a special invitation to you all: “We’ll be organizing a special bachelor’s rafting day with a lot of surprises. The future bridegroom will be surprised in a variety of ways. We have friends who promote these activities in the city of Cluj. Last year we had 5 bachelor’s parties on water. The future bridegrooms came with their eyes covered, they didn’t even know where they were taken”.

Prices for river rafting vary according to area and the group size, and start from 40 euros for a one-hour-and-a half ride for a group of 6. For a complete offer, including transport to the destination and accommodation, call your tour operator right now. We hope we have convinced you that it’s worth coming to Romania if you are seeking thrill and adrenaline. Until our next encounter, have a nice trip and good weather!

People’s lack of free time and the daily stress have prompted tourist operators to come up with a new concept, that of city break, meaning a few days off at the weekend to a new tourist destination where people can recharge their batteries for a new working week. We have tried to find out from tour operator Anca Serban, if Romania is ready to meet this modern requirement:

Anca Serban: “For a city to be regarded as an appropriate city break destination, it has to comply with certain criteria, namely accessibility, tourist attractions and accommodation facilities. Romania does have tourist attractions and accommodation facilities, only accessibility has been a problem until recently, but now the problem is solved and many direct flights of low-cost and regular airlines link the European cities to Romania, at very accessible prices.”

According to statistics, in the first half of the year, foreign tourists came to Romania for business purposes, to participate in congresses, conferences, fairs and exhibitions, accounting for 57.9% of the total number of tourists who came to Romania. 42.1% of the tourists came to Romania on a private visit, for holidays, for shopping, for cultural and sports events, to visit friends and relatives, for medical treatments or to attend religious services or other events.

Next Anca Serban will tell us which cities are most visited by tourists:

“The favorite cities for city breaks are Bucharest, Sibiu, Cluj Napoca and Timisoara. Bucharest provides the widest range of offers because it is the city where a lot of things happen. Bucharest, just like Cluj and Timisoara is an attraction for opera lovers but Bucharest draws many young people thanks to its clubs. Sibiu draws tourists thanks to its rich cultural life, which is the result of cooperation between the local authorities and the tourist operators on the market. As to the city of Cluj, it will be a European Youth capital in 2015, so it is bound to attract many young people through the events dedicated to youth”.

Every year, about 100,000 foreigners come to Romania for health services, with most of them visiting spa resorts in Covasna and Herculane, which treat cardiovascular diseases and rheumatism. Most tourists who come here for treatment are from Israel, Germany and Italy.

Foreign tourists who visited Romania in the first half of the year spent here an average of 2500 lei each.

Anca Serban: “In Bucharest, a city break package that includes direct flight, with transfer from the airport to the hotel included, with two nights of accommodation in a double room in a three-star hotel, located in a central area, a dinner with artistic program included and a half-day city tour costs around 238 euros per person. If tourists opt for a 5-star hotel, the cost is 268 euros. The same price goes for other cities as well. It is a competitive, even tempting price.”

Romania will participate in the London Tourism Fair where tour operators will present their offers. Anca Serban tells us what other options foreign tourists traveling to Romania have:

Anca Serban: “Including Romania among the Lonely Planet top ten value destinations 2015, will increase tourists’ interest in our country. This is something we need, given that at present Romania is little known on the western tourist market, and that the information about it is not always positive. Our satisfaction is that, once in Romania, tourists are pleasantly surprised about what they find here, so the positive impression they go back home with, is the best way to advertise a tourist destination.”

Given that, in our opinion, the best time to visit a city is spring and autumn, don’t hesitate to contact your local tour operator to receive an offer to your taste.

Valenii de Munte is a town with deep historical roots. This little town in Prahova County has played many roles along the centuries: county seat, customs area, the seat of Teleajen Country, as well as a regional cultural and political center. It is famous among Romanians for being the home town of Romanian historian and political figure Nicolae Iorga and the place where you can find his memorial house.

Valenii de Munte boasts the Teleajen Valley Ethnographic Museum, the Plum Growing Natural Science Museum, as well as the Queen Marie Devotional Art Museum. Valenii de Munte is a fruit-processing center, and as a result, Prahova County Council has come up with another tourism project, the Fruit Road trail, in addition to the Wine Road and the Prince Road projects. As the name indicates, the Fruit Road takes you from one fruit-growing village to another, places where locals have a long experience in turning fruit of all kinds into sweets and drinks.

Every year, Valenii de Munte holds in late October a traditional homemade liquor festival, an event that brings together tourists, fruit growers and makers of preserves and liquor. Nicolae Andrei, manager of the Valenii de Munte Cultural Center, gives us details about the festival:

Nicolae Andrei: “The Valenii de Munte Homemade Liquor Festival reached its 17th edition, and we eagerly await visitors from the area and all throughout the country, with good aged homemade drinks and lots of fun. Each time I find the city merrier and more animated. For anyone who wants to spend a great weekend, a great end of autumn, Valenii de Munte is an excellent place, because the local producers eagerly await you with pastrami, cheese, and, of course, the local drinks. Just to give you an idea about the atmosphere, you have to imagine that this is a time of the year when the sun plays hide-and-seek, so it is cold enough to need a taste of plum liquor and to stroll around the stalls making pastrami, to smell the food prepared outdoors for the visitors. It is a constant bustle, because you also have there the makers of leather products of all kinds, and you can smell everywhere the freshly tanned leather. Children gather around the places set up especially for them, and we have a large stage where folk ensembles perform. In the evening, famous artists arrive to entertain everyone at the festival.”

This is an area ideal for plums, as we found out from our interlocutor, and most locals who grow fruit have plum and apple trees. Part of the harvest is processed into jams, preserves and strong drinks, while another is stored for the winter. The Fruit Road project was created for visitors to see how fruit is processed traditionally. It passes through Adunati, Cornu, Brebu, Alunis, Scorteni, Varbilau, Valenii de Munite, Teisani and Posestim, all home to liquor makers who gather at the festival in Valeni. Each of these villages has a special road sign, and can be visited, having its own monuments. It is already tradition for Valenii de Munte to be visited by locals of its twin towns, Cimislia from the Republic of Moldova and Eaubonne of France.

Nicolae Andrei, who manages the Cultural Center in town, is back at the microphone:

Nicolae Andrei: “In addition to this fair, Valenii de Munte has five churches, national monuments built in the 18th and 19th century, each with its own specificity. You can visit the Nicolae Iorga Memorial Museum, the house he lived and wrote in. You can also visit the Teleajen Valley Nature Museum, a beautiful museum that has on display all the flora and fauna from the area. And, of course, those who like taking walks should know that if you stand on top of the hills in town you have a great view of Teleajen Valley. If you want to spend a wonderful weekend in a great area, Valenii de Munte is the place for you.”

In Valenii de Munte you have lots of possibilities for accommodation, especially in B&Bs where you can enjoy the peace and quiet of a hill town.

Sibiu was the largest and wealthiest of the seven walled citadels built in the 12th century by German settlers known as Transylvanian Saxons. Sibiu makes an ideal base for the exploration of the nearby countryside and villages which display an interesting mixture of Saxon and Romanian traditions. Gyongyi Takacs, a project coordinator with the Sibiu Tourist Association, tells us why Sibiu is worth visiting:

Gyongyi Takacs: “Tourist routes in the Sibiu county’s five ethno-geographic regions are numerous and interesting. We invite you on the Cheese Road in the southern part of the county, to the famous Margininea Sibiului. Located at the foothills of the Cindrel Mountains, a half-hour drive from Sibiu, this region is considered one of Transylvania’s best-preserved ethnographic areas. On September 19, shepherds bring sheep flocks down from the mountain and that’s something worth seeing. Tourists are also invited to take walks through fruit orchards, and admire the breathtaking landscape of the Cindrel Mountains. Visiting the Museum of Icons on Glass founded by Father Zosim Oancea in Sibiel, or the Collection of pastoral objects in Jina is another excellent option. We also have an attractive offer for those who are into cycling. Bicycle lovers are invited to try out the mountain cyclopaths leading to the heart of the Cindrel Mountains. Make sure you don’t leave the Sibiu area without spending at least one day in the fresh air of the Paltinis resort. Don’t forget to get your fair share of adrenaline in the Arka Adventure Park.”

Following the course of the Olt river, tourists can visit the baron von Brukenthal’s Palace and garden in Avrig and the Cistercian Abbey in Carta. Taking the cable car up the Transfagarasan route, all the way up the to the Balea Waterfalls, offers visitors a wonderful view of one of Romania’s most spectacular roads.

The region of Sibiu is also famous for its wonderful cuisine. With details on that, here is Gyongyi Takacs again:

Gyongyi Takacs: ”Memorable food festivals are held along the Hartibaci river. Make sure you book an organic picnic with traditional food in the middle of the scenic landscape of the Fagaras Mountains. It’s also worth visiting the Old Mill in Hosman to have a taste of Sibiu’s traditional bakery. Then go towards Agnita to taste a dessert inspired from the Saxon cuisine”.

On the Tarnave Valley, also known as the Fortifications road, the charm of the fortified churches is enhanced by the colors of the autumn scenery, typical of Transylvania.

The city of Sibiu, first documented in 1911, has a strong Medieval character. No less than four rings of fortifications were built here between the 13th and the 16th centuries. The old center of the city, consisting of three historic squares – Huet, the Grand Plaza and the Little Plaza – are the most important Medieval sites in Romania. The Grand Square is a square of buildings bearing the crests of the most important families of the 15th to 18th century. The most important tourist spot here is the palace of Baron Samuel von Brukenthal, the first arts museum open to the Romanian public, as early as 1817. Built in the Baroque style between 1778 and 1788, the palace was the baron’s home. If you go to Sibiu on your own, you can find plenty of tourism information centers, some run by the City Hall, some by private companies. These centers offer all the information that tourists need, in English, German, Spanish and French. If you want to visit the city in an organized tour, there are plenty of opportunities too. Here is Gyongyi Takacs back at the microphone:

Gyongyi Takacs: “You can opt for a complex tour, with food tasting at the Tower of Butchers and accommodation at the Axente Sever fortified church. Don’t leave before you also attend a wine tasting session at the Traube wine cellar in the historic center, or without relaxing at the Bazna spa. In the city of Sibiu, autumn comes with a rich cultural offer: the opening of the theatre season at the Radu Stanca Theater, the Sibiu Jazz Festival, in its 46th edition between October 23 and 26, continuing with the Mozaic Jazz Festival between November 13 and 16. Between November 15 and 17, you can attend the Festival of Traditional Choirs in Saliste. You can also visit the ASTRA Open Air Museum for a bit of history.”

Hoping that we have told you all about the importance of Sibiu as a tourist site, it’s your turn now to contact your travel agent and book a trip there.

Romania’s Ministry for SMEs, Business Environment and Tourism has recently launched the world’s first youth tourism cluster, a joint venture between the state and the private sector, aimed at attracting young foreign tourists to Romania. An annual 10% increase in the number of young foreign tourists traveling to Romania has been forecast officially. Tourist packages target people aged between 20 and 32, who travel abroad in search for new experiences, adrenaline, adventure and relaxation and usually opt for accommodation in hostels and cheap hotels. We asked Radu Vadeanu, a hostel manager in the county of Cluj, if Romania is a favorite with young foreigners.

Radu Vadeanu: ”The answer is definitely yes. There is a quite significant increase in the number of young foreign tourists visiting Romania. Those who come to Cluj are usually heading towards the Apuseni Mountains, while others are interested in the cities of Sighisoara and Brasov. In fact, there is a classical tourist route, as we call it, linking Cluj to Sighisoara, Brasov and Bucharest. Some of them choose to visit Maramures. These are the favourit tourist destinations in the area.“

Accommodation for one night costs around 12 Euros per person, breakfast included, says Radu Vadeanu, who has confessed he constantly keeps in touch with tourists.

Radu Vadeanu: “We get in touch with tens of foreign tourists every day. Our hostel can accommodate up to 50 people. We often spend time together and chat. This is a hotel for young people, which means 4 or 6 tourists sharing the same room, storage space and kitchen. They are usually cooking together and it is very interesting for them to share dishes they never tasted before. Booking rooms in advance is necessary only for the summer season.”

Apart from accommodation, the hostel offers 2 or 3-hour trips on special routes, in the company of guides. The hostel collaborates with a tourist agency, which offers visitors tourist packages in Transylvania. A guided tour of the city of Cluj costs 20 Euros per person, while a trip to the Apuseni Mountains costs 40 euros per person. Radu Vadeanu, also recommends a tourist package in Maramures.

Radu Vadeanu: ” The offer includes an overnight stay in a traditional village in Poienile Izei, a traditional evening with music and dance, traditional food, visits to several churches included on UNESCO’s heritage list and to the Sighet memorial, a must-see for foreign tourists coming to Romania. We can also organize trips by the narrow gauge train along the Vaser Valley for around 80 or 90 euros per person. “

Many young Europeans who come to Romania are quite familiar with the Euro 26 program. Florin Maxim, card manager for the Euro 26 Association of Romania, member of the European Card Association, explained to us what the advantages are:

Florin Maxim: “Euro 26 is a card for young people aged 14 to 30, distributed for free in Romania. It is a part of the European Card network, set up 28 years ago, at a European level. Right now the network includes 38 countries and 42 partner organizations. The European community now has 5 million young cardholders, 40 to 50 thousand of them in Romania. Euro 26 card holders get discounts and have dedicated special events and projects.”

Here are a few destinations recommended by Florin Maxim to young tourists:

VFlorin Maxim: “Bucharest is one of them, because here we have a lot of places that take the card: museums, theaters, entertainment venues, restaurants and clubs. Nightlife has developed tremendously in Bucharest, and young people are very interested in this. Other urban areas I would recommend are Timisoara and Cluj. The discount card network is well developed there too.”

We asked Radu Vadeanu, who runs a hostel in Cluj, where most of the foreign tourists to Romania come from:

Radu Vadeanu: “Most of them are from Europe, especially since low cost flights can land on the airport in Cluj, about three years ago. However, we have Americans too. Most times, though, Americans want to see several countries. As a result, they spend only a few days for Romania. We have Asians as well: Japanese, Koreans, but fewer. We have lots of memories of them, but one of the most interesting is of a Japanese man. We asked him what he liked most about Romania and his answer was quite surprising: he said he liked the sky. In Japan, because the city was so bright, he could never see the stars. When he came to our mountains, he saw fantastic skies, he thought it was a very special thing to see the night sky in all its splendor, here in Romania.”

Whether you choose to go to a city or to breast the mountains, you will find special customized packages for young people. All you have to do is ask your travel agent.

This summer in Brussels, the Romanian Embassy and the Romanian Cultural Institute in Belgium applied on behalf of the city of Iasi for the title “2021 European Cultural Capital”. For this reason, this city in northeastern Romania is the destination today for our travel feature. It is one of the main university centers in Romania and a provincial capital.

Iasi is one of the cities with the most students in Europe as against the total population. In addition, this was the city with the first national theater and the first Jewish theater in the entire country, as well as the world. Each building stone, street and edifice in Iasi has its own story. If you are a history buff, you will not be bored traveling in that city, according to Carmen Chiorcea, head of the Center for Tourism Promotion Association.

Carmen Chiorcea: “Most of the tourist attractions are in the central area of the city, and therefore can be visited on foot. Many others are in the Copou Park area, where you can also see the Al. I. Cuza University. There are also museums showcasing Romanian culture and history. You can also visit the Golia complex, a historic monastery, with its Golia Tower, 30 meters high. From the tower balcony you can look at the entire city. One important recommendation is writer Ion Creanga’s home, where he lived when he was a deacon in Golia. We also have two towers where we hold thematic exhibitions. One of them houses an exhibition on Orthodox Christian spirituality, and the other one houses a folklore exhibition. The city is also home to the Union museum, related to the historic event of the union of the two provinces of Moldavia and Wallachia. The cultural venues on offer are numerous.”

Iasi also boasts a great number of traditional fairs, according to Carmen Chiorcea: “They are generally used by traditional craftsmen from around Iasi. We have organized fairs where the local craftsmen were teaching children things such as knot string weaving, traditional beaded weavings, as well as making leather objects such as wallets, and crafted wooden objects.”

The Iasi City Hall organizes each year in October a series of events, cultural, humanitarian, commercial, athletic, and entertainment. These come in addition to the ample religious program put together by the Metropolitan Bishopric of Moldavia and Bukovina on St. Parascheva’s day. Saint Parascheva is the saint protector of Moldavia.

Here is Carmen Chiorcea once again: “October 14 is the day we celebrate St. Parascheva, the protector of Moldavia. This is a time of pilgrimage. In addition to scheduled religious activities, the Iasi City Hall holds other events along the entire month. Usually, 14 of October is celebrated with a torch procession, with concerts and fireworks. The city hall also organizes a white night. All museums in Iasi have entrance free of charge that night. Some museums also hold shows at that time.”

Each October, as part of the Iasi Celebrations event, the Celebration of Fruit Jam is held in front of the Golia Monastery Historic Monument Ensemble. You can find there all sorts of goodies prepared at home by the local holders of traditions.

Sebastian Buraga, spokesperson for the Iasi City Hall, told us that the idea for these events emerged in the 1920s and 1930s: “That is when important fairs in the Moldavian area were organized. Together with the Bishopric of Moldavia and Bukovina, we have revived this month in the city of Iasi, and decided to hold the city’s days on St. Parascheva’s day. The most important aspect I want to talk about is the spiritual side. If we were to talk of lay events, the foremost I can think of is a popular celebration, somewhat similar to Oktoberfest, but instead of beer it is a celebration of wine. Let’s not forget that Moldavia is famous for its wines. The wines in Vaslui have won international fame. Iasi has become an open city lately, if you love beauty, culture, art and spirituality you can come here to see how the city turns into a European cultural capital with every year that passes.”

There are a lot of tourists from the US, Israel, and even Brazil who come to visit Iasi. Carmen Chiorcea told us what their impression of the city was: “Their reaction is great. We ask them all the time what they think of Iasi, of Romania and Romanians. We are very happy to see that people are delighted at what they see, at the fact that Romanians are warm and welcoming people, that the cities are beautiful, that foreigners find here something different from what they expected. We had English tourists who said they were asked by their friends why they chose to go to Romania and what they planned to do there. Many of them come to Iasi through Erasmus scholarships to visit the tourist venues.”

Iasi Airport has connections with the main airports of Europe, and all you need to do is call your agent to book a flight this very October.

This summer in Brussels, the Romanian Embassy and the Romanian Cultural Institute in Belgium applied on behalf of the city of Iasi for the title “2021 European Cultural Capital”. For this reason, this city in northeastern Romania is the destination today for our travel feature. It is one of the main university centers in Romania and a provincial capital.

Iasi is one of the cities with the most students in Europe as against the total population. In addition, this was the city with the first national theater and the first Jewish theater in the entire country, as well as the world. Each building stone, street and edifice in Iasi has its own story. If you are a history buff, you will not be bored traveling in that city, according to Carmen Chiorcea, head of the Center for Tourism Promotion Association.

Carmen Chiorcea: “Most of the tourist attractions are in the central area of the city, and therefore can be visited on foot. Many others are in the Copou Park area, where you can also see the Al. I. Cuza University. There are also museums showcasing Romanian culture and history. You can also visit the Golia complex, a historic monastery, with its Golia Tower, 30 meters high. From the tower balcony you can look at the entire city. One important recommendation is writer Ion Creanga’s home, where he lived when he was a deacon in Golia. We also have two towers where we hold thematic exhibitions. One of them houses an exhibition on Orthodox Christian spirituality, and the other one houses a folklore exhibition. The city is also home to the Union museum, related to the historic event of the union of the two provinces of Moldavia and Wallachia. The cultural venues on offer are numerous.”

Iasi also boasts a great number of traditional fairs, according to Carmen Chiorcea: “They are generally used by traditional craftsmen from around Iasi. We have organized fairs where the local craftsmen were teaching children things such as knot string weaving, traditional beaded weavings, as well as making leather objects such as wallets, and crafted wooden objects.”

The Iasi City Hall organizes each year in October a series of events, cultural, humanitarian, commercial, athletic, and entertainment. These come in addition to the ample religious program put together by the Metropolitan Bishopric of Moldavia and Bukovina on St. Parascheva’s day. Saint Parascheva is the saint protector of Moldavia.

Here is Carmen Chiorcea once again: “October 14 is the day we celebrate St. Parascheva, the protector of Moldavia. This is a time of pilgrimage. In addition to scheduled religious activities, the Iasi City Hall holds other events along the entire month. Usually, 14 of October is celebrated with a torch procession, with concerts and fireworks. The city hall also organizes a white night. All museums in Iasi have entrance free of charge that night. Some museums also hold shows at that time.”

Each October, as part of the Iasi Celebrations event, the Celebration of Fruit Jam is held in front of the Golia Monastery Historic Monument Ensemble. You can find there all sorts of goodies prepared at home by the local holders of traditions.

Sebastian Buraga, spokesperson for the Iasi City Hall, told us that the idea for these events emerged in the 1920s and 1930s: “That is when important fairs in the Moldavian area were organized. Together with the Bishopric of Moldavia and Bukovina, we have revived this month in the city of Iasi, and decided to hold the city’s days on St. Parascheva’s day. The most important aspect I want to talk about is the spiritual side. If we were to talk of lay events, the foremost I can think of is a popular celebration, somewhat similar to Oktoberfest, but instead of beer it is a celebration of wine. Let’s not forget that Moldavia is famous for its wines. The wines in Vaslui have won international fame. Iasi has become an open city lately, if you love beauty, culture, art and spirituality you can come here to see how the city turns into a European cultural capital with every year that passes.”

There are a lot of tourists from the US, Israel, and even Brazil who come to visit Iasi. Carmen Chiorcea told us what their impression of the city was: “Their reaction is great. We ask them all the time what they think of Iasi, of Romania and Romanians. We are very happy to see that people are delighted at what they see, at the fact that Romanians are warm and welcoming people, that the cities are beautiful, that foreigners find here something different from what they expected. We had English tourists who said they were asked by their friends why they chose to go to Romania and what they planned to do there. Many of them come to Iasi through Erasmus scholarships to visit the tourist venues.”

Iasi Airport has connections with the main airports of Europe, and all you need to do is call your agent to book a flight this very October.

Oradea has always been a cosmopolitan city with a heterogeneous population and a large cultural and religious variety. For centuries now, Oradea has been a major cultural and trade center. The city was documented in 1113 and the citadel whose vestiges can still be seen today was first mentioned in 1241. In the Middle Ages, it was a real ethnic melting pot including Romanians, ethnic Hungarians, Austrians, Slovaks, Jews, Ruthenians and Turks. Mircea Oaie, chief executive at the Oradea City Hall will tell you why the city is worth visiting during this period:

Mircea Oaie: “No doubt about it, Oradea is now a city attracting tourists, given that its historical center was rehabilitated. The center includes the Citadel that was rehabilitated, its history being highlighted. The International Short Theatre Festival kicked off on September 20th. Between October 3rd and 12th, events will be devoted to the city’s day, October 12th.”

One of the attractions of Oradea is the Assumption Cathedral or the Moon Church, as it is also called. The Moon Church in Baroque style was built over 1784-1790. On top of its tower there is a sphere, which includes a mechanism made by watchmaker Georg Rueppe. The sphere moves in accordance with the Moon’s rotation around the earth and shows the moon’s phases.

A must is also the Roman Catholic Cathedral, the largest church in Baroque style in Romania. Raised over 1750-1780, it is a stately construction with beautiful interior decorations. The Baroque Complex made up of the Baroque Palace, the St. Mary Basilica and the Row of Canons is the most important Baroque compound in Romania and one of the most representative in Europe. The Row of Canons built in 1773 is an architectural complex made up of 25 arches supported by columns that form a corridor stretching over 100 meters. The Baroque Palace was meant to be the seat of the Roman Catholic Bishopric in Oradea. The U-shaped palace was raised on three levels, with a broken roof specific to the Austrian Baroque style. Its foundation was laid in 1762 and its construction lasted 15 years.

Another attraction of Oradea is the State Theatre. Its erection started in 1899, being one of the representative edifices in eclectic style in Oradea. Its main façade is in neoclassical style with columns with capitals supporting a triangular fronton decorated with bas-reliefs.

The early 20th century brought a new, original style to Oradea, different from the academic ones, namely the Secession style. Such a building is the Black Eagle Palace, currently hosting the hotel of the same name. It is also in the early 20th century that the Apollo Palace was built, which is currently the Unic shop, a construction in Berlin Secession style, with decorations reminiscent of the Empire style. The past and the present intermingle in Oradea, which lends it a special atmosphere. As to accommodation, Oradea boasts a lot of three, four and even five star hotels and there are many guesthouses nearby.

We asked Mircea Oaie what surprises they were preparing for the Oradea Autumn Festival.

Mircea Oaie: “Concerts will be given by the band Mezzoforte of Iceland, Brody Ianos of Hungary and the band Pasarea Colibri featuring Dan Andrei Aldea, who will perform in Oradea after 33 years of absence. Various events will take place in the December 1st Park, which is emblematic for Oradea due to its size and central position. On October 11th, there will be a Military Music Festival, a first in the city. Four military bands from Constanta, Bucharest, Bistrita and Oradea will give concerts. Culture Beat, a well-known band from the 1990s will give a concert on October 12th. We’ll also organize the Double Distilled Plum Brandy Festival and the Wine Festival. We expect you to come to Oradea hoping that you will discover a new, lively city where you will feel at home.”