Category: Traveller’s Guide

Baile Herculane spa resort, located on Cerna Valley, south-western Romania, is a place where the therapeutic properties of the mineral waters have been known and used ever since the Roman period. It is an area full of history and legends, where all forms of tourism can be combined successfully. Today we discover the attractions of this resort, but also its surroundings, together with Laura Pătru, a PR with the Pro Turism Herculane Association: Băile Herculane is one of the oldest spa resorts in Europe, first mentioned by documents around the year 150. Its history goes back to Roman times. The resort has two historical periods that left their mark on it – the Roman period and the Austrian period. The architectural style of the buildings in Baile Herculane is proof of that. Baths dating back to Roman times are still functional today. The Romans are believed to have put Baile Herculane on the map, after discovering the miraculous properties of the waters here during their expansion campaigns, when they also treated their horses with the help of the waters there. Then, they understood the waters were very valuable, and the resort became famous in the empire, with several emperors of that time coming here for treatment. Another important period was the Austrian one. The buildings from that period can still be seen today. It is the place where the kings met, when the navigable channel on the Danube was opened. The resort has an impressive history.

If in the big cities the presence of negative ions in the air is 80 to 100 per cubic centimetre, in Baile Herculane the figure increases to 2,000. Ions are the ones that ensure a light sleep and balance the nervous system. Negative ions also stimulate metabolism and speed up healing. In the resort, tourists can benefit a wide range of therapeutic factors and procedures. The thermal sulphur bath is first on the list. In addition to that, herbal thermal baths, with plants, not chemical essences, are also very popular. Mint, hawthorn, calendula, acacia flowers, mouse tail and, last but not least, lavender are used.

Laura Pătru: “Thermal waters treat a variety of diseases, from dermatological to bone conditions, gynaecological conditions and, of course, due to the negative ionized air, central nervous system conditions. However, they are not recommended for children. Just as water acts on our mature bones and helps them, so it acts on their bones and can prevent them from growing. The resort also has entertainment options for the little ones, but not through spas. The high concentration of negative ions, makes the body feel the air there as if it were at an altitude of over 1,600 meters. The air in Băile Herculane is compared in terms of quality to that of the Swiss Alps, except that we are at a short distance from sea level, only about 100 meters. The air influences the nervous system and many of our guests come here for relaxation and to treat their insomnia.

If tourists are planning a longer stay, there is a rich trip offer to the attractions in the surrounding area, says Laura Pătru: Every day, at Băile Herculane, one can visit something else and not get bored. Thus, for example, tourists can opt for one of the closest sights, the Danube Cauldrons, where they can see a spectacular sight: the face of Decebalus, carved in the rock. It is one of the most popular sights in the area. Those who want to test a different culture when they are with us can opt for a day trip to Serbia. It only takes half an hour to reach the neighbours across the border. It is a popular custom among our tourists to visit another country when they are here. They can take walks, have lunch and see the Danube from the other side as well. Also in the Danube area they can make boat trips. The Danube Gorge is famous for its unique landscape. The area is also suitable for ecumenical tourism, as there are many spectacular monasteries here. We also have some unique natural objectives in Romania, the Ochiul Beiului Lake being quite close. The mountain trails are also easily accessible for beginners. Tourists can visit Empress Sisi’s Gazebo, which is also easily accessible, as well as the Outlaws’ Grotto or the Steam Grotto, some natural monuments. If tourists choose to stay for ten days, every day they can see something spectacular.

Although it experienced a period of decline after 1989, Baile Herculane spa resort is now in continuous development, with more and more investors acknowledging its potential. Festivals, sports competitions or trade fairs are also welcoming visitors.

Laura Pătru: On June 23-25 ​​we will have the first Yupi festival, the Festival of Joy, designed especially for families with children. We wanted something different for the resort. We will have seven fun zones at this festival so that every member of the family will find something they like to do there. The event takes place in the center of the resort, in the spectacular landscape of Cerna Valley, where guests can find a Zen relaxation area, can borrow a book from local bookstores and sit on a blanket to read on the green grass. There are workshops for children, where the little ones can have fun. We wanted it to be a festival of movement, a place where we can feel good in nature and, of course, taste some local goodies. Access to the festival is free. More information can be found on our Facebook page Proturism Herculane, where we constantly update every new activity of the event. (EE)

Today we discover a city that many say is representative for the entire story of Transylvania. Cluj-Napoca is a major tourist destination, both with its heritage monument buildings, and the events it organizes. It is part of the UNESCO creative city network as a City of Film, along with 20 other cities around the globe. It sports a history over 2,000 years long, according to Manuela Cimpean, head of the City Hall tourist division. At the same time, it is a vibrant place, with over 100,000 students, it is European Youth Capital, and European City of Sports:

“Placed on the border between east and west, in the heart of Transylvania, Cluj is a multicultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-confessinoal center, which makes it unique. At the same time, it is a green city, and an IT center, concerned with sustainability and innovation. If we were to talk about a tour of the historic center, we would naturally start with Museum Square, also known as Little Square. It is the center of the first fortified venue of the medieval city, built after the Tatar-Mongol invasion of the 1200s. As the main objectives, I would mention the National History Museum of Transylvania, hence the name Museum Square, the Franciscan church and monastery, and the Carolina Obelisk, which is the first lay monument in the city. Then we pass by Matia House, which was the birth place of the prince of Transylvania and king of Hungary, a symbol of the multiculturality of Cluj. Matthias Corvinus was son to John Hunyadi and to Hungarian noblewoman Elisabeth Szilagyi. It is the only civilian building from the Gothic period, in the 1440s.

We then get to Union Square, or Grand Square, a place where some of the most representative medieval monuments can be found:

“At that time, it was the largest square in CEE, developed along with the second fortified venue in the medieval citadel. This happened at a time of flourishing for Cluj, when it was recognized as an urban republic, aka Treasure City. The Roman site dug up by archaeologists shows that this was the center of the economic, spiritual, and administrative life of the city. The market is dominated by the St. Michael Roman Catholic Church, with construction work starting in 1316, lasting over 100 years. It is the most imposing Gothic edifice in Romania, after the Black Church in Brasov, the first full version of the Transylvanian type of box building for a church, and has the highest steeple in all Romania. It is 80 m high, along with the cross on top. Union Square also boasts the Matthias Corvinus Statuary Ensemble, the Banffy Palace, and the Rhedey palace, which was at one point the home to of the most beautiful women in Cluj, who went on to become the great-great-grandmother of King Charles of the UK. Cluj has many more tourist attractions, but statistically speaking the most visited is the Botanical Garden.

Cluj-Napoca is part of the UNESCO creative city network thanks to its TIFF festival, according to Manuela Cimpean, head of tourism for City Hall. This is one of the main annual events, but the cultural agenda is very rich:

“The series of summer events and the 2023 tourist season open right this week with Cluj Days, an event in its 11th edition. Last year we had 250,000 participants. This year, the event covers 50 locations. There are activities for all ages, for all tastes, concerts, plays, opera, film, exhibitions, competitions, sports and cuisine, guided tours and treasure hunts, an ancient and a medieval camp, an adventure area, photo booths, virtual experiences, video mapping, and many more. The series of events continues with the TIFF – the Transylvania International Film Festival, with the Sport Festival, Jazz in the Park, Hungarian Culture Days, Opera Aperta, and, of course, with Untold, the biggest festival of its kind.

Any Cluj experience should start with the Tourist Information Center. Here, Manuela Cimpean awaits you with lots of printed materials, but also with recommendations for an unforgettable vacation:

“We have daily tours in English, which are held through an association that works with Cluj-Napoca City Hall, called Cluj Guided Tours. These are free guided tours, two hours long, starting at 11 AM and 6 PM. They cover the main tourist objectives in the historic center of the city. In addition to these, City Hall provides official delegations, partners, and other guests, with audio guides in English. The Cluj Tourist Information Center offers free Internet access, and tourist materials in English, French, German, Hungarian, Spanish, Hebrew, as well as Korean, Turkish, Japanese, and Chinese. We have a wide palette of materials, from fliers, to maps, to brochures, magazines, and others. As an original offer, we have VR tours. We have a VR chair, and Oculus goggles that simulate a roller coaster tour of Citadel Hill, a skiing trip on a nearby hill, or a balloon flight above the historic city.

Cluj-Napoca is a good starting point for other sights and tourist routes in the county and in Transylvania, Maramureș and beyond.

Accessibility is very good thanks to the International Airport, which is the largest regional airport in Romania. As an original tour, I mention the Hoia-Baciu Forest, famous for paranormal phenomena and those related to the presence of UFOs. Also, close to Cluj-Napoca is Salina Turda, the most visited tourist attraction in Romania. I also mention the Turzii Gorge, the Scarișoara Glacier, and the Apuseni Natural Park. Then we have a beautiful area of lakes and mountain resorts. There are traditional villages around the city. Bánffy Castle is famous for its historical values, but also for the Electric Castle festival, we continue with the Nicula Monastery, and, if we want to go further, there are the fortified churches of Transylvania and many others. Since we are still in Transylvania, we can also talk about the myth of Dracula. In Bram Stoker’s novel of the same name, Cluj was the protagonist’s starting point towards Dracula’s castle.

Generally speaking, in the city of Cluj-Napoca you will find various accommodation units for all budgets. However, if you want to get to know the city at a slow pace, it is advisable to avoid the period when the major events are organized, when the influx of tourists is very high.

With a history of over 6 centuries, Iasi is a city of firsts in Romanian culture and education, but also one of the most important university and IT centers in Romania. We have a chance to discover a city in which history and the present blend smoothly in a unique tourism product.

Mihai Bulai is the president of the Destination Iasi Association, and a lecturer at the School of Geography and Geology with the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in the city. After spending six years in the west of Europe, Mihai Bulai realized that he was working in various areas which were unknown in the city he’d loved since childhood. At present, he says that Iasi is a beautiful city, with a rich culture, and is great for a city break, especially if you have three days available. Iasi Airport is the third largest in Romania, and has links to most of the major cities of Europe. Our trip started right at the university building.

“I would start with a tour of the Hall of Lost Steps. It is the longest corridor in a Romanian institution, over 120 m long, where the painter Sabin Balasa in the 1960s made the most beautiful gallery of mural paintings. There are scenes from the history of Romanians, and from Romanian mythology, in a very creative way. Instead of talking about the past through stories, I would bring the tourists to these illustrations. They are enormous, four meters tall. Then I would take them to the old library, which is in the same building, which international guests have voted one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. If you go online, you can search Top Majestic Libraries in the World, you will see that, of that list of 60, ours is among the top 30. Then I would search for what the BBC, this time, called the most beautiful building in Iasi, and in the top seven best looking theaters in the world. The BBC list is called Seven Breathtaking Theaters in the World. The theater in Iasi is in second place. It has a very interesting facade, which combines the late 19th century styles of Neo-Classical and Belle Epoque, but the theater inside is in Baroque style. It is a gold leaf stucco Baroque, with wall painting, and a vintage curtain. It is a special experience, not just the visit itself, but also attending a play or an opera. The stage plays are in Romanian, so I would recommend them mostly for Romanians, from here or abroad. For the guest who doesn’t understand Romanian, I would definitely recommend an opera show. The Iasi National Opera of Romania still puts up shows in the grand hall of the theater, with extraordinary shows. Imagine about 700 people in the seats, and about 200 people on stage. These are some incredible opera and operetta shows.

Mihai Bulai, the president of the Destination Iasi Association, calls us next to a new objective, called the House of Museums, with less of a history in terms of exhibitions, but still highly interesting:

“It is about communism, about childhood under communism, which is a fraught subject still, in post-December Romania. It is about poetry and literature in a creative way, a contemporary way. We got used to speaking mostly about Eminescu, Junimea literary club, and the 19th century. In fact, Iasi has a plethora of new poets and writers, who are very much appreciated, and we find them in this museum. This House of Museums also offers reconciliation with our past. Iasi was the stage for a very unfortunate episode. During WWII, Iasi got associated with the European Holocaust, and we are talking about the Iasi Pogrom. There was a week in which Jewish people in the city were slaughtered. After all these years, Iasi tries to reconcile with its past, and creates a special exhibition about these events. After this, very importantly, I recommend a stroll, a pedestrian trip. We have many such initiatives in Iasi. There are many guides who start off in Union Square, the city’s physical center. They propose trails, even theme trails, in order to present architecture, speaking about the present function of buildings, and about present life in the city, mostly about the cuisine. Last but not least, I would talk about the religious richness of the city. Iasi is a capital for religious pilgrimage. The Metropolitan Cathedral houses the relics of St. Paraskeva, a saint who lived 1,000 years ago in or around Constantinople. We also have urban monasteries, with walls. For instance, Golia, Barboi, or even churches such as St. Spiridon, which look like walled fortresses. On the hills, the monasteries of Galata and Cetatuia also look like fortresses. In fact, they were even princely palaces in centuries past.

Visiting these monasteries and churches, you will also find noblemen’s crypts, with special mural painting, but also a rich heritage that attests to the city’s rich cultural past. The present is no different, according to Mihai Bulai:

“Literature is at the core of life in Iasi, and we have a festival called Filit, the International Festival of Literature and Translation. This year it is held between October 18 and 22, and brings together international foreign language authors and many contemporary Romanian writers. Also, Iasi has another important festival, the Youth Theater Festival, in early October. The region of Moldavia has always been great at conserving traditions, especially in traditional garb and dance. The Catalina International Festival of Folklore for Children and Youth, in early July, bringing together kids from around the world: the Andes, Chile, Korea, and also Ukraine. Every year, we also have music festivals such as Hangariada and Rocanotherworld. The Getodava festival reminds us of the ancient Getae and Dacians on the territory of Moldavia. You can see reenactments of ancient battles between Romans and local Dacians. Not least, we have a Romanian Creative Week. Iasi is the birthplace of some great fashion designers, and we have a fashion week in late May. Exceptionally, this year, on August 24, we being the world championships of e-sports, electronic games, video games, and we will have guests from all over the world, who will compete on computers for two weeks.

The City of Creators, the brand of the city of Iasi, won first place at the Transform Awards, the biggest branding competition in Europe. Of the 3,000 projects that were submitted, the Iasi Destination Association proposal won the gold for the best branding for a city in Europe.

In the northwest of Romania, a few km away from the border with Hungary, and placed at near equal distances from Vienna, Prague, and Bucharest, lies the city of Oradea, maybe the perfect destination for a city break. Oradea won first place in the European Best Destinations standings, in the Best Art Nouveau Destination in Europe category. In terms of best destinations for 2022, the city came in sixth, ahead of London or Prague.

Short of impressing by their size or opulence, buildings in Oradea have always stood out by their beauty. Most of them are in Union Square, in the center. Some of the best are the Black Eagle Palace, the Greek Catholic Palace, the City Hall Palace, and the Moon Church. In fact, at a point in time, Oradea was meridian zero. Even the maps made for Columbus in his great ocean voyage were made based on the meridian zero set in Oradea. Then, the reference line was moved to France, then to Greenwich, where it stays to this day.

To start our incursion into the city, the Darvas-La Roche House is a great starting point. It is known as a symbol of the city of Oradea, part of the Art Nouveau heritage, and a masterpiece of the geometric Secession style by the brothers Jozsef and Laszlo Vago. Angela Lupsa, executive director of the Bihor Foundation for the Protection of Historical Monuments, told us that the sibling architects were famous in their time, at turn of century, for what they planned and built.

“After an ample process of restoration, between 2018 and 2020, the Darvas-La Roche House opened its doors in the year of the pandemic with an impressive interior decoration set. Within we find rooms that were restored to their previous destination, with original decorations, because they are a trip back in time. It is a frontal type of museum space. This means that the visitor can stroll through a living room, discovering the richly decorated furniture, down to the smallest detail of the era it was made in. This detailing is down to open drawers with the proper silverware for a certain dish, or a period teapot.

The visit continues as the tourist goes into a salon for gentlemen, where you can discover their passion for tobacco, with all the paraphernalia. Then comes the ladies’ salon:

“In the ladies’ salon you can see perfume vials or other accessories for high society at the turn of the century. This space takes you back in time, connecting you to the world as it was in 1910. Just as Oradea is full of Art Nouveau palaces, high society back then had on full display activities that were the newest for their time. The ground floor offers everyone involved in museum activities spaces for conferences and temporary exhibitions. It is the same in the cellars, where creative workshops are being held. On the ground floor, the visitor is greeted by new technology, a touchscreen grand panel presenting Oradea and the museum.

The salons for ladies and gentlemen are not the only ones that introduce us to history. Angela Lupsa accompanies us to a special place set up in memory of the Jewish inhabitants of this house who were deported and sent to the death camp at Auschwitz.

“This is a bedroom, which is not in the Art Nouveau style, but which was preserved as it was at the time in memory of those who never returned. We are talking about the owners and renters of that time, people of great wealth, such as Imre Darvas, a Jewish neurologist, who wanted this house to have two street facades, and for the terrace of the domicile to have a view of the synagogue whose member he was. Due to this, this house offers the beginning of a visit to a monument which Oradea Heritage, as we are known online, recommends for a full visit. It is another piece of heritage for the city. At the same time, children will have a surprise when going to he first floor of the Darvas-La Roche House. They can see a ten minute mapping projection, allowing kids to discover the Art Nouveau elements of flora and fauna through the eyes of a child from early 20th century, who back then was treated as a grown up. Kids, as we all know, dream of crossing the oceans, or of being princes and princesses. This is the core of this ten minute screening, educating them at the same time about the stylistic elements of the Darvas-La Roche House.

Also in the center of the city you can find the beautiful buildings housing the Oradea State Theater and the Philharmonic. On weekend evenings, here you can attend shows that carry forward the cultural tradition of the old settlement. Music is universal, but theater plays are held here in both Romanian and Hungarian. Oradea has been part of the Art Nouveau European network, next to cities such as Vienna, Budapest, or Barcelona. It has a vibrant cultural scene. Mariana Negru, tourist guide, told us about it:

“Among the more important festivals I would mention Oradea Festifall and the Medieval Festival. As one of the most important medieval festivals in Europe, the Oradea festival brings, for the first time in Romania, a European medieval athletic competition, building on the success of previous editions. For three days, the Citadel of Oradea becomes a grand medieval residence, where you can meet craftsmen, knights, foot soldiers, damsels, merry minstrels, and fire eaters, all in a unique ambiance. Then we have the Art Nouveau Festival called Celebrate a Day, Admire for a Lifetime. This is the perfect time to visit the city. We gladly offer tourists original guided tours, film screenings, street art, exhibitions, and much more.

Many tourists choose to reach Oradea by airplane. Right now, the Oradea International airport is expanding, without impeding regular flight operations.

Rasinari, in the Romanian county of Sibiu, is the winner of the second edition of the “Best Tourist Villages” international competition, launched by the World Tourism Organisation. It is a good moment to look back at the Romanian village, on the occasion of Easter. Nicoleta Ocneriu, a tourist guide, helps us navigate through Easter traditions in this part of Romania. She accompanied European ambassadors and American officials on a tour of the wonderful villages in Transylvania: “Tourists are involved in the village activities. Traditional dishes are prepared, wine tasting sessions are available and also trips in horse-drawn carriages. Visitors can go to church, dressed in traditional costumes, together with the villagers, can enjoy the show held by the local children, especially in the village of Rasinari, which this year has been declared the most attractive tourist village in the world by the World Tourism Organisation. We take pride in that. Transylvania is very diverse due to multiculturalism and the many ethnicities. Szecklers, Saxons and Romanians have been living here in harmony. In Marginimea Sibiului area, where Rasinari is located, people have been mostly shepherds for generations. Trips to sheepfolds, mountain trips from one village to another or to Paltinis, the oldest and highest altitude resort in Romania can be organised.”

In the villages of Rășinari, Gura Râului or Sibiel, people prepare very tasty traditional dishes and offer traditional costumes to tourists to attend together the Sunday mass. This way, tourists can closely observe all Easter traditions: “On Mundy Thursday they can paint eggs, together with the villagers. In Bukovina, egg painting has been taken to the level of art. In Transylvania, peasants don’t use synthetic dyes, but rather natural herbs. Also, patterns are obtained by sticking a plant on the eggs and insert them into stockings, which are then dipped into a pot in which red onions were boiled, to obtain the red color. In southern Romania, nuances are a little bit more discrete, but in Transylvania there is a diversity of colors, depending on the region. Another interesting thing is that on Mundy Thursday, Saxons have the tradition ofn decorating the trees in their yards with empty painted eggs, like a Christmas tree.”

Nicoleta Ocneriu, recomends the Sibiu area for any period of the year, but especially for Easter, when the offer is even more varied than usual: “Many enduro and cycling competitions are organized and we have special areas set up precisely for this purpose. From Rășinari, you can start cycling tours and mountain hiking tours to Păltiniș, but also to other villages. Râu Sadului is a wonderful village. Now, the Land of Huts (Tara Colibelor) is being promoted again. The shepherds huts are restored and prepared to host tourists. Especially now, at Easter, its a great feeling to have no phone signal and experience the atmosphere of the past. The rental price for a hut is around 100 euros. The mayor of Râu Sadului asked the villagers to participate in the promotion of this area, and thus, as of this year, the Country of Huts is on the map. It is very important to say that the villages of Râu Sadului and Rășinari participated together in the world competition for the most beautiful villages. Back to the activities, the calories after the Easter meal are burned by participating in the splashing of the girls. In all villages with Saxon and Hungarian influence, there is a custom for boys to sprinkle girls with perfume, to bring them a new spring, prosperity, luck, health.”

Rural trips can be combined with visits to medieval fortresses and with local festivals and events. Craftsmen can also be watched at work, in their homes, says Nicoleta Ocneriu: “Tourists are involved, together with the children, in activities such as weaving, glass icon painting and cooking. Glass painting workshops are held in Sibiel. In Săliște, visits are organized to the most important hat maker in Transylvania. Trips are organized to the oldest functional oil press in Transylvania, tasting included, of course. It is the most genuine, good and pure oil you will ever taste. In Sibiel, there is a craft center. Villagers display their glass paintings there. Almost everyone in the village knows how to paint glass icons. From farmers, tourists can buy pumpkin seed oil, walnut seed oil, cherry seed oil and at least 30 kinds of sweets. There are a lot of souvenirs prepared for tourists.”

All of Nicoleta Ocnerius tours are organized so as to include a diversity of activities. Thus, in 2019, Sibiuguidenico.com, the place where all the beautiful experiences are gathered together, received a certificate of excellence for extraordinary results. How has an Easter trip with tourists gone so far? Nicoleta Ocneriu explains: “On the first day of Easter, we went to Mărginimea Sibiului where we visited the peasants and saw traditional customs. On the second day of Easter, we were in the Saxon area, where tourists enjoyed Saxon customs and visits to fortified churches. They appreciate the originality and simplicity of people, everything that is preserved with great care. We also had a marriage proposal on Paltinu peak, on Transfăgărășan. Lets not forget that here is also the most spectacular road in Europe, up to 2,000 meters above sea level. “

Flights from the most important European cities land at Sibiu International Airport. From the airport to the village of Rășinari, for example, the distance is about 16 km by car and can be covered in 25 minutes. (EE)

Today we take you to an area with extensive forests, unique natural phenomena and ancient traditions. Buzău County is also popular with the lovers of adventure tourism, where they can practice mountaineering, off-roading, rafting or paragliding. Moreover, the gastronomic offer is quite varied and includes several registered brands. The guest of today’s edition is Juranda Kirschner, a graduate of psychology and international relations studies in Poland and France, who returned to Romania after more than ten years. She is currently the president of the Buzău Travel Association and promotes the area also through the perspective of gastronomy tourism.

Juranda Kirschner: “For us, Buzău is that part of Romania that offers a lot of natural landscapes. We are happy that the Buzău Land UNESCO Global Geopark project came to life last year, and I would recommend every tourist coming to Buzău County to start their strolls from the GeoGate which is located in Berca commune. Buzău boasts various types of tourism such as hiking, rafting, enotourism or wine tourism in the Dealul Mare area, and bicycle touring. Works are still under way on some cyclotourism projects and we hope they will be ready soon. Next we’ll focus on the destinations that are most popular, and I have in mind three which are emblematic for Buzău county: the Muddy Volcanoes, the Living Fires and the cave settlements of Colțea, Aluniș, and Nucu.”

The Muddy Volcanoes are a natural, spectacular and unique phenomenon in South-Eastern Europe. They stretch over several tens of hectares of land and create a lunar landscape. This is the place where you will enter two nature reserves: Pâclele Mari and Pâclele Mici. In the first one tourists’ access is easier and they get close to the volcanoes. If, at first, these volcanoes were a source of fear for the people, which led to the creation of legends, scientists found scientific explanations that dispelled the myths. The Living Fires represent an equally unique natural phenomenon, in the mountainous part of Buzău County, in the Lopătari area. Here the fire comes straight out of the ground, turning it into a whole field of flames. They are, in fact, emanations of natural gases that come to the surface through cracks in the Earths crust and are ignited by the Suns rays.

The cave settlements represent another truly fascinating destination in Buzău county​​. The first Christian missionaries from the Middle East came and lived there only 300 years after Christ. The oldest settlement in the system of cave ruins is the grotto called Fundul Peşterii (the Cave Bottom) which was inhabited since the 6th century BC. Several still undeciphered writings carved on its walls are still visible. The steep slopes, the dense forest and the hidden paths make access to the cave settlements difficult. In fact, isolation was the very reason why hermits lived there along the centuries. And, in this entire area full of special tourist attractions, local artisans have their own place.

Juranda Kirschner, the president of the Buzău Travel Association, says that they have come to the attention of the local authorities who want to promote them better: “There are many artisans in the area, but there is no specific center where they can display their works. Those from the Buzău Land Global Geopark are working on this. It is a project close to their hearts as well, and they are trying to talk to the craftsmen and set up of group of interests. However, there is a special place in Bisoca. It is called Zestrea Bisoceană, where the workshops for tourists are held. We have wool and leather processing workshops for tourists and also a small souvenir shop with objects made by craftsmen in the area.”

The county of Buzau is also a great choice for food lovers. For instance, the famous Buzau pretzels, a registered trademark famous at European level, are made here. Simple circles of dough, with an unmistakable taste – this is how bakers in Buzau describe their pretzels, made after a century-old recipe. Buzau is also famous for other types of delicious food, one more reason to pick it as destination around the holidays. Juranda Kirschner: ”We set up Slow Food Community Buzău six months ago. It is an initiative group connected to Slow Food Community International of Italy. We took this step in order to promote our artisans and everything that Buzau has best to offer, namely, the Plescoi sausages, and many other tasty products. We want Buzau to become more than a leisure and cultural destination. We want it to become a culinary attraction area, famous for its slow cooked dishes. Easter and Christmas are the holidays during which boarding houses and restaurants offer what they have best, so it’s a good time to visit the area.”

Wines are an important part of the offer. Dealu Mare vineyard is one of the best for red wines in Romania. Starting from Dealu Mare and up to Covasna, every village holds a local feast on the weekend. Thus, either taking part in a local celebration, or going hiking, tourists appreciate the fact that they have many opportunities of spending free time in the middle of nature. Juranda Kirschner: ”Except for trips and hikes, there are also tourist programmes, such as truffle hunting with dogs in the forest, followed by a cooking class and a wine testing session with a sommelier. At present, the Slow Food Community are preparing a fair that will open in the month of May. The fair will be held once a month, on weekends, so that tourists coming to the area can get in touch with producers directly, and purchase their artisanal products. Children can take part in workshops while adults can indulge in wine tasting and good music. We invite everybody to come to this area and see what this county has to offer.”

Among Buzau’s tourist attractions is the balneal resort Sarata Monteoru, located 20 km away from the county capital. Famous for its salty springs with curative properties, the resort has greatly improved its infrastructure in the last few years.

Today we are heading northwest, to Bihor County. We start off in the county seat, Oradea, a cosmopolitan city built around an ancient fortress, with many heritage buildings, and we head towards the most interesting tourist spots in the county. We will be discovering many traditions and craftsmen. For the last 18 years, tourist guide Mariana Negru shows tourists around Oradea and the environs. Be they domestic or foreign, tourists have a lot to learn from a trip to Oradea when it comes to history.

“This eclectic and cosmopolitan city has always had the power to renew and reinvent itself, keeping its relevance on historical maps. One of Oradeas signature heritage buildings is the most important Art Nouveau construction, a living museum. In February 2022, Oradea won two awards in the European Best Destination standings, taking first place in the category Best Art Nouveau Destination in Europe, and sixth place in the category Best European Destination. Starting in 2011, Oradea has been included in the European network of Art Nouveau cities. There is a campaign in Oradea called Dear Oradea. The tourists who are repeat visitors to the city get gratuities. Starting on March 1, Oradea resumes this campaign for the fourth time in a row. We offer tourists some discounts with assistance from Oradea City Hall. Among the benefits we offer tourists are free access to tourist objectives in Oradea, and free public transportation.”

Described in the 19th century as Little Paris, the city conserves and holds on to the charm of a Belle Epoque architecture, granted by the mix of architectural styles.

“The buildings impress with their size or opulence of the so-called Oradea palaces. The historic cultural objectives that are the most appreciated are part of the Baroque Complex, the biggest baroque complex in Romania. At the same time, the fortification of Oradea, with a millennium history, offers a special Medieval experience. In the 15th century it was the European center of humanism and the Renaissance. The citadel of Oradea, for 203 years, was the fulcrum for drawing maps for great geographical discoveries. The Darvas-LaRoche House is the only Art Nouveau in Romania. As a novelty, the Free Mason Temple, the only one of its kind in Europe, was opened in the building constructed in 1902 for the Oradea Free Mason Lodge. Close by we have the Baile Felix spa resort, a renown European tourist center, the only year-round spa.”

Along the years, there are a few elements to plan your vacation around. These would lead to a better knowledge of the region, according to our guide, Mariana Negru:

“Of the major festivals, I would mention Festifall Oradea and the Medieval Festival. As one of the biggest Medieval festivals in Europe, the Oradea festival brings to Romania for the first time a competition of Medieval sports, confirming the success of previous editions. For three days, Oradea Citadel will become a grand Medieval residence, gathering together craftsmen, knights, foot soldiers, damsels, merry minstrels, and fire eaters. Then we have the Art Nouveau festival called Celebrate a Day, Admire a Life. The festival is the recommended period to visit the city. Tourists can enjoy lovingly offered original tours, film screenings, street art, art galleries, and more.”

As for the rest of the county, according to Mariana Negru, the Apuseni Nature Park is one of the few cave areas with forested covering in Europe.

“These are fairy tale landscapes, unique. The village world of the Craiului Forest has its special charm. The local craftsmen are inviting tourists to share in their experience, at the same time tasting the local cuisine, traditional dishes, the cheese pies, the fruit preserves, the berry syrups, along with the barrel aged plum brandy. At the same time, the caves are some of the most attractive tourist objectives in Craiului Forest. This is the first tourist friendly network of caves in Romania, containing Mina Farcu cave with crystals. The crystal cave in Mina Farcu is the only place in Romania where lay people can admire up close delicate crystals. Tourists visiting this subterranean temple can witness met by spectacular Karst formations, but also by special crystals of various shapes, colors, sizes, which blend underground in a fascinating spectacle. There are only two such caves in the world, but this is the only one open to the public.”

Set up in 2013, the Salonta bison park is the biggest of its kind in Europe. These massive animals, weighing upwards of a metric ton, can be seen right off the road, in their wired off enclosures. Mariana Negru told us you can stop over by one of the farms while on your way to a Bihor wine grower:

“This is considered the biggest bison farm in all of Europe. In Salonta we have 800 of the 5,000 exemplars on the continent. The vineyards on Ierului Valley is another interesting tourist area. Vineyard tourism in Bihor are already a fashion, since wine lovers are looking for authentic stories about the history of this culture in these lands. The first vineyard in Disiog was set up in 1360, during the reign of the Hungarian king Louis of Anjou. Five hundred years later, the area had 700 ha of vineyards, the reason for which a wine growing school was founded here. We can also discover Bihor on bicycle, on the wine road from Ierului to Barcaului valleys. Ierului Valley is referred to as Romanias Tuscany. Here we have the amazing village with one thousand wine cellars.”

Ierului Valley preserves a unique tradition in Romania, hundreds of years old. Wine vats are stacked in small cellars dug into the sides of hills, a stunning image.