Radio România Internațional

Category: Traveller’s Guide

  • Spa Tourism in Romania

    Spa Tourism in Romania

    Romania is a country that holds a third of spa treatment assets in Europe. Spa treatment has a very long tradition in the country, as one of the first places that created a national science organization dedicated to this type of treatment. Our guide today is Nicu Radulescu, head of the Employers Organization for Spa Tourism in Romania, who will guide us through a few of the resorts. This is by far the segment of the tourist industry with the best development over the last few years.




    “On the one hand there is rising awareness that we have mineral resources and underground resources of an extraordinary variety, because, after all, spa tourism means spa treatments, meaning using natural cures. This means mineral and thermal waters, it means medicinal muds, including sapropelic, as well as marine air. This form of tourism has grown very much of late, and, as a result of this awareness, and because investors realize they are investing in the future, they invest in these resources that ensure their success. The last few years showed very clearly that investing in healthcare is the most important form. Lately there has also been a change in the profile of tourists. 15 or 20 years ago, the predominant customers, over 70% of them, were over 65. Right now we have 50% of our customers be around 40 years of age. It means that people are more aware of the preventive role of spa tourism.”




    In early November we had the Spa and Wellness Tourism Congress of Romania, the first after the year 2019. It took place in Sovata. This is one of the resorts recommended by Nicu Radulescu, head of the Employers Organization for Spa Tourism in Romania:


    “Sovata is an exceptional resort, in the mountains, in the Mures area, and is a resort that has extraordinary performance in terms of the problems that people face, mainly cardio-vasculary, but its specificity is treating infertility, and has provided excellent result. Sovata is very popular with foreign tourists. Of course, over the last two years, as a result of the pandemic, the entire spa sector shut down, and had no significant tourist presence. However, Sovata is a special resort in Romania and the rest of Europe. In addition, we have more extraordinary resorts. We have Baile Felix, for instance, which is just as important as Sovata. Next would be Caciulata, with its thermal and sulfur waters, great for curing GI conditions.”




    Next on the list is Baile Herculane, a resort that goes back over 2,000 years. What is remarkable here are the recent investments in four-star hotels, with a faithful tourist base. Other excellent choices are the mountain resorts of Covasna and Tusnad for heart and circulatory conditions. What is unique about them in Europe is the mofettas. These are emanations of gases rich in CO2, very good for people with poor peripheral circulation. This type of treatment can only be found in South America, in Colombia, and in Tokyo, Japan. Last, but not least, the resorts on the Romanian Black Sea coast have made a real comeback. In the 70s they were really popular, then there was a steep decline, but over the last two or three years there have been major investments in the resorts of Mangalia, Techirghiol, Eforie Nord, and Eforie Sud. Here is Nicu Radulescu once again:


    “I could say with great confidence that Techirghiol has become a center of excellence for Romanian healthcare. They have there a team of physicians with extraordinary results, especially at the health center, but also at the one in Mangalia. The European spa association has a great deal of respect for Romania, because, in addition to the natural riches we have, physicians have a very serious concern for the care of people who show up for treatment, and this makes them very much appreciated. Romanian doctors, especially the ones expert in physical therapy, are seen with very good eyes by Europeans. All the resorts we have have unique microclimates. No one resort resembles another. They may have similar curative factors, but each of them has a specific microclimate.”




    Most spas are situated in picturesque areas. Considering that most tourists are looking for an exciting experience, we could combine spa tourism with many other kinds. There is Nicu Radulescu:


    “Most Romanian spas are in nature reserves, such as Baile Herculane, in the Domogled Valea Cernei park, or close to them. All of them have different programs. There are post-COVID recovery programs, long or short term, with exceptional results. Two years ago, when we had pandemic restrictions, the idea was circulating that spa resorts were unsafe, but since then we found out that spa resorts are actually war camps to fight COVID. With the treatment facilities we have there, we can increase patient immunity. It was clearly shown that, of all the areas of Romania, spa resorts were least affected by the infection. The level of infection was always under 1%, considering that in the worst areas the level was 20%.”




    Considering where Romanias spa resorts are placed, people who come here for prevention treatments can access active tourism facilities, such as rafting, paragliding, or mountain climbing. At the same time, walking outdoors or visiting villages can round up a successful trip for treatment.


  • The Wine Road in Prahova

    The Wine Road in Prahova

    We spoke to Silvia Palasca, head of communication with the Dealu Mare Association, gathering together wine makers from a major wine region of Romania. She spoke to us about the wine cellars in the county of Prahova. We will be finding out about the local varieties, how a visit to a wine cellar occurs, and what the calendar of events for tourists is. They have an opportunity to be initiated into the art and technique of tasting wines, and to listen to the stories of the wines. At the end of the visit, the guests can stop over at the presentation store, where they can get souvenir bottles. Here is Silvia Palasca:


    “Wine tourism, after mountain tourism, is one of the key points in tourism in Prahova Country, but also in Buzau County, because the Dealu Mare wine region stretches over those two counties. Unfortunately, the wine cellars here are less known as tourist destinations, both for locals, and for foreigners, but we have been changing that for a while now. We recommend that people come here by booking with a tourist agency, or through the events that our Dealu Mare Association organize monthly. We organize the Open Bottle Week, which anyone can attend, but they have to arrange their own transportation. You can also attend every year the Escape to Dealu Mare event, which this year is between October 22 and 23. We offer transportation from Bucharest, by bus, so that people can enjoy the wine experience without thinking of driving.”




    Silvia Palasca also told us about what a visit to the cellars consists of:


    “At every cellar, we usually start with a presentation that includes a history of the cellar or vineyard, the history of the place, we visit the production and storage spaces, where the vats are, after which we go to the tasting places. Each vineyard usually offers four or five kinds of wine produced right there. For the tasting we also have limited edition or special wines, so that people can get to know more than they can usually get in stores or restaurants. The Dealu Mare wine area is famous for red wines. We can find many wines from the famous lines of Feteasca Neagra, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Merlot, but recently we had a lot of success with the white varieties, such as the Chardonnay Baricat, Feteasca Alba, or Tamaioasa Romaneasca, ifyou prefer a more high flavor wine.”




    Many tourists prefer a more diversified experience, which means combining wine tourism with other kinds of tourism. We were told about it by head of communications for the Dealu Mare Association, Silvia Palasca:


    “In Dealu Mare you have quite a few options for accommodation. Not necessarily agro-tourism B&Bs, but rather more elegant ones, boutique style. However, tourists who want the agro-tourism experience may also visit local producers of honey or cheeses. Tours can be organized for people to get to know local traditions, which are still kept alive by a few small producers. For instance, we have partnerships with producers of cheeses, of lavender, of honey, and we also have a horse riding center. Also, Dealu Mare is very popular with bicycle tourists. We have partnerships with several providers of such services. Cyclists can go on tour by bicycle, being better able to know the vineyards, and to have the nature experience.”




    Usually, vineyards are the star destinations for autumn. What happens, however, if were unable to visit in autumn, but have the winter open? Silvia Palasca told us about visiting the wine cellars in winter:


    “We also hold the Open Bottle Saturday event in winter too. In winter we aim to create that warm atmosphere around the fireplace. Some cellars also offer other ways of spending free time, so that visits there can be had in any season. We can find solutions and things to do in each season, so that the cellars are open at all times of the year. This autumn the cellars were closed, because it was harvest time, and it was very busy, and most places didnt have time for tourists. However, with October we finish the harvest, and open for tourism. In the previous editions of the Escape to Dealu Mare event we had foreign tourists who had previously visited Napa Valley, or Tuscany. They said that here they had a similar experience, but were a bit disappointed by the infrastructure in the county. So we need more investments in local infrastructure, so that we can provide an international level experience. But in terms of the vineyards, the quality of the wine, and the quality of information, they were very pleased.”




    Wine tourism is on the rise in Romania, says Silvia Palasca:


    “At the first edition of the Escape to Dealu Mare event we had 300 people, and last year 500, but this year we will surely have more. Some vineyards have already made investments in accommodation, we can see all over the area new B&Bs and restaurants cropping up. This type of tourism is growing, and we can see much more interest from young people, who want more novel experiences. We have five circuits, with 15 vineyards, so that, even if you have been here before, you can surely find something new and interesting this year. If this time of the year is not available to travel, as we said, we are here year long, solutions are there to be found for visiting the cellars, getting to know wine experts in person, and meeting the people behind the wine, getting to know their stories, and getting to know us right here at our home.”




    Over the last few years, wine makers have also paired up with local food producers, for a complete dining experience with traditional Romanian dishes.

  • Sibiu, at the heart of Transylvania

    Sibiu, at the heart of Transylvania


    Located in the centre of Romania, in Transylvania, Sibiu county is a place where history and civilisation meet with beautiful nature, which makes for a perfect travel destination. As for the city of Sibiu, it is full of narrow streets leading to the three main squares, the Big Square, the Little Square and Huet Square, as well as to other squares on the outskirts of the city centre. Adela Dadu, a travel guide with the Sibiu County Tourist Association, tells us more:



    “All roads go, first of all, to the Big Square, the citys central square. This is the heart and soul of the city and has been so for centuries. Its a large pedestrian-only square that affords visitors a beautiful view of the surrounding buildings. Sitting at one of the many cafes and restaurants in the square, the first thing visitors to the city will note are the eyes in the rooftops, that is the eye-shaped dormer windows which are typical of Sibius architecture. We call them the eyes of the city. The main square is dominated by the imposing palace of Samuel von Brukenthal which today houses Sibius Museum of Art. This baroque building is home to an extraordinary collection of European art, especially Flemish, and of Romanian art. Another highlight of the main square is the 20th century City Hall built in the Art Nouveau style and the 18th century Roman-Catholic Church with its late baroque architecture where services are still held. Mass here is officiated in Romanian, Hungarian and German.”



    2007, when Sibiu held the title of European capital of culture, was a revelation from a tourist point of view, says Adela Dadu. The local authorities realised then how well tourism can be combined with cultural activities and sports:



    “The citys cultural and sports agenda has been incredibly busy. Weve also learnt a lot from one year to the next. This year again the agenda was very busy every week, there have been lots of events for all tastes, from music to dance, theatre and sport. To mention just a few, these included the Sibiu Marathon and the Cycling Tour. Crowning it all is the International Theatre Festival, which is Europes third largest festival of this kind after Edinburgh and Avignon. A festival of the performing arts, it brought together over 3,000 participants from 60 different countries. It takes place every year in June, generally in the first half, and lasts ten days, with a line-up of 70-80 different events every day, including exhibitions, concerts and street performances. Another event hosted by Sibiu is the International Jazz Festival, a festival dedicated to traditional folklore called The Songs of the Mountains, and a pottery fair.”



    If you have time, its also worth visiting the surroundings of Sibiu, where there are two main tourist areas, says travel guide Adela Dadu:



    “The mountain area around Făgăraș and Cindrel mountains, known as Mărginimea Sibiului, contains 18 traditional villages located at the foot of the mountains. On the other side lies the hilly area with the former Saxon villages, known as the Transylvanian Hills. Visitors to the mountain area, to Mărginime, will enjoy the still well-preserved pastoral traditions of the villages, with lots of local events held all year round, including crafts fairs, local customs and folklore. The villages of Gura Râului, Rășinari and Săliște, for example, are known for their traditions associated with the winter holidays. Mărginimea Sibiului is home to the mountain resort of Păltiniș, with its many ski slopes. The tracks at Arena Platoș and Oncești are perfect for beginners, families with children and snowboarding and will probably open in December. Different hiking routes also begin here, not just in Păltiniș, but also the other villages in the Mărginime. There are lots of hiking and biking routes and theres also a project to promote them launched last year and funded by the Sibiu County Council. The project involves re-marking and re-organising the hiking routes. Also, hikes with professional guides are organised every weekend in Sibiu county, both in the mountain and hilly area, details of which can be found on the projects Facebook page, Anii Drumeției.”



    The strategy of the Sibiu County Tourist Association is now focusing on ecotourism, with an ecotourism fair even being held recently, as well as on wellness tourism, with the local products holding pride of place. We asked Adela Dadu what kind of response she got from tourists themselves:



    “We interact with foreign tourists every day and are pleased to see that they are pleasantly surprised. It was only a few days ago that some tourists from Canada were telling us that they regret only taking two weeks and that they would have probably needed a month to see the whole of Transylvania. Tourists appreciate the authenticity of the area, the local food, the diverse landscape, the architecture and the friendly welcome they get from the locals and the communities they visit. These are perhaps things weve grown used to, but which are unique for them. And were naturally very pleased. Its like wind to our sails.”



    In the centre of Sibiu visitors will find a few places where they can rent electric bikes, which will make it easier uphill on one of the marked routes in the Transylvanian hills, including Via Transilvanica, or in the mountain area.


  • Comanesti on Trotus Valley

    Comanesti on Trotus Valley

    You can find here an impressive mansion, built in 1880 by Albert Galleron, who is known for designing the Romanian Atheneum and the National Bank building of Romania. At the same time, the railway station in Comanesti, designed by the Italian architect and art critic Giulio Magni, is on the list of historic monuments. Also here you can visit the only international cemetery of war heroes in Romania, built after WWI, where fallen heroes are buried, irrespective of the side they fought on. Last but not least, in Comanesti we have the starting point of many a mountain trail.


    The Ghica mansion in Comanesti has two levels, and is a good place to visit for tourists seeking beauty and art. It is the home of a museum of ethnography and art. The Neo-Classical style of the building is impressing and grandiose. Here is Viorel Miron, mayor of the city:


    “The Ghica Mansion is one of the foremost tourist objectives in our city. We managed to buy it back through decades of litigation. We, the local authority, have purchased this historic monument from the local budget. In terms of objectives to visit in our town, we have churches built around the 1700s, we have a boardwalk along the river Trotus, and we have a special entertainment center, unique in Romania.”




    The international cemetery of war heroes in the town of Comanesti was built after 1938. It is the resting place for 165 Romanian soldiers, 46 German soldiers, 2,141 Russians, 370 Hungarians, and 191 Austrians. Here is Viorel Miron:


    “This international cemetery was built by Mayor Gheorghica Paraschiv which at the time was facing quite a situation. They had to bury all that fell on the battlefield back then, Germans, Russians, Austrians, Hungarians, Romanians. Those circumstances, at the time, had him bringing them all into the same cemetery. In years to come, it transpired that this is one of the very few international cemeteries to have all the people fighting the same war on different sides. Each year, we hold a ceremony, military and religious, on Heroes Day, on the day of the Ascension of the Lord, also overlapping the days of the city, which are in August each year, and also on Romanias national day, December 1. So we commemorate heroes three times a year.”




    Tourists interested in culture should know that Comanesti is the venue for one of the most beautiful domestic ancestral traditions festivals, held on December 30 each year. Visitors come there from all over Europe, but not only. Many arrive here from the US and even Japan, according to Mayor Miron:


    “Every year, we have tens of thousands of foreign tourists, which get here to witness this festival which is unique in Romania. It is a festival of ancient traditions, and its central theme is the Dance of the Bear, a centuries old tradition. Some say it is thousands of years old, hearkening back to the Dacians. Everyone can enjoy here this unique event.”




    If you are into active tourism, with mountain treks, this is the place, but if the weather is less than clement, they can take advantage of a multivalent gym built with European funds, as the mayor told us:


    “Children are trained and educated to use this place to take all sorts of courses, in various disciplines such as theater, dance, and sports. Also, we have a half size Olympic pool and a Jacuzzi, ideal for spending summer days. We are also preparing all the time all kinds of activities for children who want to spend a day or a week of vacation here, in Comanesti. Starting in the town, we have lots of mountain trails that reach all over the area, because we are surrounded by three mountain massifs. We have tourist trails all over these mountains, and the more experienced tourists can go as high as 1,337 m, where we have the Lapos Peak. Here we have a radio and television tower. It is 19 km away, and you can even drive there.”




    Regarding tourist information about the area, you can get those from the Comanesti National Tourism Information and Promotion Center. You can find there maps, information fliers, and all you need to know about tourism in the area. Going there, you will be surprised to find out that there is no one tourist season that stands out, this is a year-round destination:


    “Comanesti is a town where, during my terms as mayor, I managed to plant over 500 magnolia trees. We have plantings of many kinds of bushes and trees, which flower in stages. From the time that magnolias bloom, then, stage by stage, we keep enjoying all kinds of flowers. Looking at the surroundings of Comanesti, one spa destination may be the Targu Ocna salt mine. Then we have the Uzul Valey river dam, one of the biggest drinkable water dams in Europe, and then we have the house of composer George Enescu in Tescani. Then we can head off to Ghimes, where we used to have the border between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Romania.”




    While in Comanesti, we met a tourist arriving from Germany. Jack really enjoys Romania, and he enjoys how clean and green the place is, and loves the culture. He also enjoys the local food. He loves the traditions, and is eager to witness the Christmas festival in Comanesti, since he feels very welcome by all the locals.

  • Mountain Trails in Cluj

    Mountain Trails in Cluj

    The county council of Cluj announced recently they would try to make official five more trails in the Vladeasa massif area, one of the most popular destinations in the area. With this, Cluj would have 59 mountain trails that are officially maintained. We joined our tour guide, Florin Mihut, head of the Vladaeasa mountain rescue service. He helped us discover the most beautiful trails, the most important tourist attractions, and provided us with a rich calendar of events. Registering officially the tourist trails in Cluj County is an achievement in helping tourists, helping them reach the best destinations. We asked Florin Mihut to pick a trail to present:


    “Its hard to make a choice. It depends on the type of tourism we prefer. In Cluj, we have the Turzii Gorges area, which is spectacular and beautiful in the Vladeasa Massif Area. In my view, the Brides Veil Waterfall is special, and there we can start many trails, one hour long or shorter. The main tourist objective is the Brides Veil Waterfall itself, and my trail of choice would be the yellow triangle marked trail, which leads to the Vartop Grove glacier, a glacier with an 18 m thick waterfall.”




    This waterfall is very much popular with tourists, our guide told us:


    “You can get a drive from the village of Rachitele, and at some point the asphalt road ends, and then cars are not permitted in the area, you have to go on foot. Very close by, 20 minutes from the objective, after we get to the waterfall, we find the Grotto Trail. It is a short hike, about 2 hours, with a succession of grottoes and stone bridges you can go under. It needs a minimum of experience, but we still need to have adequate equipment. At the same time, the more difficult areas have chains installed we can hang on to. I would also mention the Lespezi Peak, a panorama point with a great view of the waterfall. The Brides Veil waterfall is for people with a minimum of experience. You only need adequate equipment and to consult the weather ahead of time.”




    Trails are all properly marked, and if you want to combine mountain and rural tourism, you have a lot to choose from. In this area you can find traditional blacksmiths, wood workers, and all kinds of traditions, especially involving food. At the same time, in Rachitele you have a great village museum, where you can check out traditional dress, and the tools to make such clothing.




    Getting back to the mountains, Cluj also has plenty of ski slopes. Here is Florin Mihut:


    “We have great skiing opportunities in the Vladeasa Massif, 1836 m high, both down slope and cross-country. Here we have both kinds of competitions. Weather permitting, the area is very easy to reach. We have a small area where there is a risk of avalanches. Otherwise there are no problems, and we encourage skiing in the Vladeasa area. The closest proper slope is Marisel. We also have the Baisoara-Buscat area, with proper slopes as well. In Vladeasa, however, we do enjoy the snow flurry that we get through with cross-country skis. It is also an area destined for mountain bikers. There is also a special area for horse riding and treks. The treks can start at Poiana Vartop or Poiana Marului. The Apuseni Mountains are also rich in caves and grottoes.”




    There are lots of details about the trails on dedicated websites, such as salvamontvladeasa.ue, or muntii-nostri.ue, where you can find information and descriptions. You can also find out about events organized on the trails, according to Florin Mihut:


    “In this area, we have four competitions. We have mountain skiing, climbing skiing, and cross-country. We also have a mountain bike competition. In the Vladeasa area, we have a jogging competition, a marathon, a half marathon, and free climbing. The free climbing is pending the amount of natural ice, and if there is enough then we do a dry tooling competition. All these events are announced ahead of time, and are promoted under the Vladeasa Cup brand, for mountain biking, free climbing, and jogging. They are promoted on all social media that has to do with mountaineering. The Apuseni Mountains are popular with foreign tourists. Since this is an area close to Hungary, most tourists are Hungarian, but we also have Czechs, Slovaks, Germans, and French people, among others.”




    If you were persuaded to try this mountain adventure, you have a great tool to help you. Florin Mihut, head of mountain rescue in Vladeasa, told us about it:


    “Mountain rescue, which in Romanian is called Salvamont, created an app called 0 Salvamont, which you can find on Google Play or the Apple Store, with information on tourist trails, the weather locally, and real time information about the slopes. Many of them have live cam feeds. In addition, if a tourist has this app installed, we can localize them in case they need help. They dont even need to provide us with their GPS coordinates.”




    Here is yet another complete vacation offer. During this season, in Vladeasa Massif, 1836 m high, in the weather station area, the first snow has started falling. So you can enjoy treks at the foot of the mountain in autumn, and also enjoy the snow at the top. Good travels!

  • Early Autumn in the Delta

    Early Autumn in the Delta

    The Danube, second largest river in Europe in length, before flowing into the Black Sea, creates one of the most beautiful deltas in the world. In order to do this, the river flows through 10 countries and four national capitals. The Danube Delta was declared a biosphere reservation in the year 1990, and is one of Romania’s most important tourist destinations. The Danube Delta biosphere reservation is a part of UNESCO’s heritage, and stretches over 580,000 ha, including the Razim-Sinoe laguna complex. The Delta is outlined and defined by its three major canals: Chilia, Sulina, and Sf. Gheorghe. The northernmost one, Chilia, has a length of 120 km, and brings into the Black Sea almost 60% of the water debit of the Danube. The southernmost one, Sf. Gheorghe, almost 70 km long, is only fit for river navigation. The middle canal, Sulina, 64 km long, was long ago identified by the European Danube Commission as the only one fit for sea to river navigation. As such, its course underwent several corrections, straightening its riverbed between 1862 and 1902. The resulting increase in naval traffic led to an increase in the importance of the economic role of Sulina, the town close to the Black Sea, and as such the easternmost in the European Union. The heyday of the town was between 1870 and 1938, when it flourished as a cosmopolitan location, with 7 consulates and 22 ethnic communities. Witness to this past are the churches and funeral stones in the old cemetery, the lighthouse, and the palace built for the European Danube Commission.




    Irrespective of season, the Danube Delta is a great destination for special tourism, scientific or adventure tourism, or any other kind of tourism. The end of summer and early autumn are attractive for a different kind of thrill seeking travelers. Most tourists come here during the summer to relax and take in the clean air and scenery. During this time of the year, however, it is more of a venue for people who come to observe the birds, be they the ones preparing to fly away for winter, or the ones arriving here to winter. This year, however, the level of the canals and lakes in the Delta are very low, due to the unusual drought throughout the basin. This was conspicuous to all that have visited the Delta this summer, including the lakes south of the three main canals.




    One unique place here is Gura Portitei, which used to be open to water bound traffic between the sea and the lake system. In the 1970, this throughway was closed, in order to reduce the salinity of the lakes, which were slated to be turned into giant fisheries. Even after the lakes were dammed in, cutting off Golovita Lake from the Black Sea, Gura Portitei remained an attractive destination for vacation goers. In the 1970s, a camping ground was set up here, with vacation houses on stilts, right on the strip of sand that separates the Black Sea from the now fresh water lakes inland, 40 to 60 m wide. Tourist amenities have evolved ever since, including a fishery station, and is still one of the most remote tourist destination at the Romanian seaside. Here we met Codrut Cursaru, manager of the tourist complex here, sporting traditional white and blue houses with thatched roofs, traditional in the Delta.




    “This place stands apart in the landscape of the Romanian seaside. First of all, there is no hustle and bustle as you see everywhere else. People who come here seek tranquility. Once in a while we get daring souls who come here by bicycle, and for the last 10 years or so we have had a regular bike tour. We are separated from the rest of the seaside by a 10 km portion that is fairly difficult to navigate, but the people with enough patience find here a good place to rest. They bike through the village of Vadu, then, armed with a lot of patience, they can get here. This is a strictly car free area, it is closely protected. The only motor vehicles are the small tractors we use for cleaning, and the border police have a couple of cars that monitor the area. Most people circulate by boat. Getting here takes about 30 minutes, by boat, but this year, due to the low level of the waters, they have been getting here only by speed boat.




    While sailing across the lakes on the west and north side of the Delta, visitors can admire the many kinds of birds calling this home. Here is Codrut Cursaru:


    “The most visible are pelicans and swans. At the same time, to our surprise, over the last few years, we have a proliferation of jackals. We hear them at night during the spring, when we come here to prepare for the tourist season. Also, interestingly, for the last 6 or 7 years we have here a small herd of horses. I can hardly call them wild, they are at home here, but they migrated here from other areas and settled down.




    A Danube Delta vacation cannot be complete without the traditional culinary preparations typical of the area, which predictably is fish based. Over 10 years ago, for the purpose of conservation, Romania banned the fishing of sturgeon in the Danube Delta, but tourists can still enjoy fish farm raised specimens. In Gura Portitei we spoke to Nae Parpala, a local culinary expert with a lot of knowledge regarding the cooking of everything fish:


    “When grilling a sturgeon, we have to hold it over the heat for three minutes on each side, no more than that. It is about the same as a beef steak. That is when it is juicy. We also have a special sturgeon stew, laden with vodka. You take about half a pound of sturgeon, sliced thinly, and separately mince garlic, chop fresh dill, and set aside a bit of vodka. After melting a bit of butter in the pan, we throw in the minced garlic, without letting it brown. Then we add a bit of white wine. Then we add in the sliced sturgeon, and then we reduce it for a bit, and that is when we throw in the vodka. That is when we flambe the fish, and then we just add in the chopped fresh dill, and that’s it.




    The Danube Delta is preparing for the autumn. Right now, the waters are very low, and on the horizon, birds are teaching their chicks to fly in formation for the upcoming migration. As the water levels keep dropping, the Danube Delta starts being visited by birds from the Arctic. Some of them just have a short stopover, before moving on to warmer lands, others arrive here to spend the entire cold season.

  • Cultural and tourist routes in Alba County

    Cultural and tourist routes in Alba County

    Alba County has four certified tourist routes whose aim is to promote cultural and historical sites. Created by the Alba County Council, these routes, namely the Icons Way, the Apuseni Transcultural Route, the National Unity Route and the Via Auraea Route, are recognised as regionally developed cultural and tourist routes and thus promoted by the Romanian ministry for tourism nationwide. Under the criteria for the recognition system, these routes must be designed in such a way as to include accommodation and food-serving facilities that comply with rigorous standards. They must also provide tourists with leisure facilities.



    Daniel Lungu, the spokesman for the Augustin Bena Cultural Centre in Alba told us more about each of these routes and the attractions in the county: “The Icons Way is the best known among Romanian tourists, but also foreign, because it includes Alba Iulia, the other capital of the Romanians and the place where the beginning of modern Romania was written. This route implies visits to some of the most important and best-known religious sites in Alba County and the country, such as the Coronation Cathedral in Alba Iulia and Râmeț Monastery and other less known and equally spectacular sites. This is an important year for the Coronation Cathedral, which is also known as the Union Cathedral, because we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the coronation of the first king and queen of greater Romania. The cathedral was built especially for that event, which took place in 1922. The Icons Way crosses the central part of Alba County and highlights the role played by faith in the lives of the Romanians in Transylvania and its contribution to the preservation of Romanian communities and to their artistic expression. The route also contains a visit to Museikon, a museum of icons and books.



    Located in Transylvania, in western Romania, Apuseni Mountains dont stand out for their height, as their highest peak only goes up to 1,849 m, but for the many activities on offer, its spectacular natural sites and for being home to the only permanent community in Romania to live at an altitude of over 1,300 m in wooden houses built 200 years ago. The Apuseni Transcultural Route is aimed at promoting the cultural heritage and the attractions of the region.



    Daniel Lungu, the spokesman for the Augustin Bena Cultural Centre in Alba explains: “For many, the Apuseni Mountains are the site of spectacular landscapes. They are located in the north-western part of Alba County, following two county roads. The Apuseni Mountains region, the Moți Country, is also known as the Switzerland of Romania. One of the villages here, Rimetea, preserves the traditions of the ethnic Hungarians living in the area. The specific architecture of the buildings is strictly respected. You can find here the traditional white houses specific to this ethnic group and you can also sample the traditional cuisine, such as goulash made in a cast iron pot, which is very popular among the tourists to this area. There are also many Romanian traditions in Apuseni. You might also discover the alphorn, which is ‘tulnic in Romanian, and which is jokingly called the mobile phone of the Moți people.



    History aficionados can cross the National Unity Route and the Via Auraea Route, Daniel Lungu went on to say: The Route of National Unity 1848-1918-1922 covers about 150 kilometers in Alba County, which is recognized for many of the symbolic elements in Romania’s history. This route includes historical and legendary objectives that are related to significant historical events for both Romania and Alba County. The historical moments of 1848, 1918 and 1922 will be found along this route in the form of symbolic towns and monuments. On the other hand, the Via Aurea Route emphasizes the tradition of gold mining, and maybe your listeners have heard of Roșia Montană and of the gold-related legends in the area. Gold has been extracted in this area of ​​the Apuseni Mountains since the time of the Roman Empire.



    The Augustin Bena Cultural Center and the Alba County Council presented these routes in detail both on their own websites, culturaalba.ro and cjalba.ro, or on dedicated websites, such as transalpinadeapuseni.ro. There you will find all the information you need before you hit the road. Also on the website of the Augustin Bena Cultural Center in Alba, you will find an agenda full of events. The most recent one is an established fair dedicated to promoting the most beautiful rural destinations.



    Daniel Lungu is back at the microphone: The Albac Tourism Fair, one of the longest-running events of its kind, is an event that promotes rural tourism and tries to attract people to discover the beauties of Romania. In Blaj, we have the ‘Autumn Riches, another important event. Also this autumn, if you arrive in the Alba Iulia area, you must stop for two days at the ‘Ziua de maine – ‘Tomorrow Folk Festival. We look forward to seeing you in Alba County, to travel the cultural-tourist routes we talked about, to discover new and beautiful places and, last but not least, to meet people who will make your stay very pleasant. We are also waiting for you to discover our cultural events, because you will discover authentic folklore and traditions and local gastronomy.



    Hoping hat we have convinced you to visit Alba area, we invite you next week to a trip to the Danube Delta, a genuine natural paradise. (CM+LS)

  • A summer holiday in the Carpathian mountains

    A summer holiday in the Carpathian mountains


    It’s
    mountain lovers we dedicate today’s installment to, since the Romanian
    Carpathians’ tourism offer is extremely generous for those who want a relaxing holiday,
    or an active one. The beginners as well as the advanced tourists can practice
    all sorts of mountain sports. As for the families, they can discover trekking
    routes. Furthermore, a holiday in the mountains can also translate into an incursion
    into the fascinating world of the rural regions. Old traditions are still being
    kept in the villages that are scattered on the hills. As for the dining table,
    it is rich in food prepared using the ancestors’ recipes.



    Marius Adrian Coviltir has been a member of the
    Carpathians Mountain Association     since 2008, when the association
    was established. Marius has been the vice-president of the association for more
    than ten years now. Also, Marius Adrian Coviltir is a mountain rescue service
    operative and head of squad as part of Vrancea County’s Mountain Rescue Service.


    Marius Adrian Coviltir:

    There is a very generous offer, that of Romania’s Mountains, thanks to a
    wide range of opportunities to spend the leisure time there, for the
    well-trained people, who want rather more difficult areas for themselves,
    higher ones, but also for the tourists who are not that well trained physically
    or regarding experience of equipment. So we can recommend a couple of areas. My
    recommendation has to do with the most important project carried by the Carpathians Mountain Association, which is ongoing, as
    we speak. It is about an altitude shelter in the Faragas Mountains. Fagaras is
    also the Romanian Carpathians’ main massif. It has the largest surface area and
    it is also here that we find Romania’s seven tallest peaks, lying at an altitude
    of more than 2,500 meters. We have a main ridge, which is very attractive and
    where I ran into most of the tourists in Romania’s mountain area.


    A holiday in the Romanian Carpathians might also enable tourists
    to get closer to the rural world. Therefore, we get to know villagers and we
    can get acquainted with their traditions. We’re sure to discover a universe
    which is as old as it is diverse.

    Marius
    Adrian Coviltir once again.


    Therefore, I can mention
    the Vrancea Mountains, but also other areas lying a bit further away from us, in
    the westernmost points. I’m speaking about the mountainous Banat area which
    includes a couple of less-well-known regions where traditions have been very
    well kept, sone of them truly Romanian, others being influenced by the national
    minorities. In the Banat Mountains we have Czechs, Germans and Hungarians. There
    we can run into that kind of mix of three or four cultures.


    The mountains are a perfect place for an active holiday.
    The swift-running waters invite you to practice rafting, while the high ridges invite
    you to practice climbing. In fact, people do the escalade quite often. With
    details on that, here is the vice-president of the Carpathians Mountain Association,
    Marius Adrian Coviltir, once again.


    We have many areas where routes have
    been arranged to that end. Most of them are in central Romania, in Bucegi Mountains,
    Piatra Craiului. The rock in that area is prone to such sports activities. Access
    also matters here as well. Lying at the centre of the country, those are easier-to-access
    areas, and pretty well stocked as regards the accommodation infrastructure. There
    are also competitions. We must admit that in recent years we’ve had fewer competitions
    because of the pandemic which took its toll on all of us, yet as of this year,
    all those competitions will be resumed. Most of them have to do with the
    mountain marathons, or with running or climbing contests. Most of them are
    carried in the Bugeci, Piatra Craiului or Ciucas mountains. There marathons
    there are all too familiar, and you can get all the info about such events on
    the Internet.


    The Romanian Carpathians are also famous for the
    wilderness of the places, for the areas that are still unspoiled by the human intervention.

    Marius Adrian Coviltir:


    Ours is a richness
    that has not been put to good use properly . Nevertheless, in the protected areas,
    in the nature or national parks, such activities are staged quite often,
    targeting the lay public. They promote the flora, the fauna, with the entire
    set of rules properly observed, so that the effect on the environment stands at
    the minimum or is practically inexistent. There we can observe the plants and the
    trees in the region, but mostly animals. Tourists are attracted by animals because
    they are more difficult to notice. We’re mainly speaking about the bear and the
    wolf. Various animal observation towers have been built, while the info can be
    accessed visiting the parks’ sites.


    Here is the vice-president of the
    Carpathians Mountain Association, Marius Adrian Coviltir, once again, this time
    speaking about how the foreign tourists have also been impressed by the
    wilderness of the places.

    I met very many tourists, mainly German-speaking
    tourists, but also a lot from Eastern Europe, from Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic.
    They are very much attracted by the offer of our mountains. In another move,
    some of them said the natural assets could have been put to good use more efficiently,
    as access is still difficult in certain areas. In recent years, such problems
    did not occur that often. The tourist infrastructure made of marked trekking
    routes, pathways, but also the tourist shelters have seen a great deal of improvement.
    Likewise, the access driveways. So overall, a good impression prevails. The
    wilderness of the places is very much appreciated, it is something that cannot
    be seen in the West any more. For instance, the Alps have very much been under a
    steady degradation because of human intervention.


    Marius Adrian Coviltir recommends the Vrancea
    Mountains as a holiday destination.


    They’re not that well promoted, and
    for a good reason, somehow, since until 2010,
    2012, the trekking routes were not in the best condition. Meanwhile, as the
    Vrancea Mountain Rescue Service was founded, things have changed. The routes
    have been reconditioned and, practically, the mountain tourism in Vrancea has
    been reborn. The Association I represent, over 2011-2013 got involved in that
    as well, and roughly 250 kilometers of pathways have been marked. These
    mountains are pretty wild. I am not sure if they are Romania’s wildest, but
    they definitely are at the top. Human intervention has been rather limited. The
    Vrancea Mountains are not that high, their Goru Peak being the highest, with an
    altitude of 1,773 meters. We have 20 tourist trekking routes that cover 300 kilometers
    of pathways.


    So
    here is a rich and diversified offer for you to spend a holiday far from the hubbub
    of the city, and far from its sweltering heat, but quite close to Romania’s natural
    riches.


    (EN)

  • The wooden churches of Maramureș

    The wooden churches of Maramureș


    Located in northern Romania, Maramureș is a very attractive tourist destination owing to the beauty of its landscape and the wealth of its ethnographic heritage. Today were going to talk about its old wooden churches, which are historical sites of great national and world value. Maria Mirela Poduț, from the Liviu Borlan county centre for the conservation and promotion of traditional culture in Maramureș tells us more about these churches:



    “Churches are usually located in the middle of villages, just as for believers God is the centre of the universe. Churches also served as places of refuge during invasions or epidemics. Our centre initiated a series of projects to promote these structures, but during the pandemic many activities were held online. A previous project, carried out between 2018 and 2020, consisted in the researching of old churches from three ethnographic areas: Chioar, Lăpuș and Maramureș. In 2021, the research was extended to a fourth ethnographic area, Codru, part of which is located in Maramureș county. This brings to an end a series aimed at providing an overview of all wooden churches listed as historical monuments in the four ethnographic regions of Maramureș: historical Maramureș, Chioar, Lăpuș and Codru.”



    The Land of Codru is situated in north-western Transylvania and is a well-defined region from an ethnographic point of view, while incorporating many influences from the neighbouring regions. Maria Mirela Poduț explains:



    “Its called the Land of Codru, which means woods, because in the past it used to be covered by large oak and beech forests, although today its landscape is dominated by valleys and gentle hills. Wooden churches from Codru region – A virtual guide is a project aimed at researching and promoting 18 old wooden churches listed as historical monuments and which can still be seen today in an ethnographic area that can be found in several counties, namely Maramureș, Sălaj and Satu Mare.”




    The wooden churches in this area are monuments of architecture almost unknown to a wide audience, but only to a small group of specialists, says Maria Mirela Poduț from the Liviu Borlan county centre for the conservation and promotion of traditional culture in Maramureș:



    “There is relatively little information about these wooden structures. Some of the information available was from the 1970s and hadnt been updated since. Our project aims to make these structures known, specifically the wooden churches in Codru that have been preserved, with information about their history, architectural details, paintings and the stories associated with them. Virtual tours for these churches are available. As for the characteristics of the churches, they are both distinct from other similar wooden structures in Romania and similar. Its important to note that six of them still hold religious services today for small and very small communities. Like in previous years, the project had two main components: research and promotion. For the research part we used archive information, such as studies and articles written by specialists from the fields of art, history and architecture, and information collected through field work. We created virtual guides for each of the structures researched, accompanied by photographs showing the current state of the churches, with all the information obtained on text and image format being available in the wooden churches section of the website, at codru.culturamm.ro.”




    The innovative nature of the project is also given by the dendrochronological dating of six of the churches included in the project. Maria Mirela Poduț explains:



    “Valuable information surfaced about these structures and their history. The dendrochronological dating is the most precise dating method today. The process consists in lab tests of a wood sample from the church. The method allows us to find out the age of the trees from which the church was built and the approximate year of the construction. As a first, the project also contains footage and research about the situation of the wooden churches in the Codru area and which are also available in the section of the website dedicated to the wooden churches.”



    Another component of the project and of the website is a section called “lost churches”. Maria Mirela Poduț has further details:



    “This section aims to provide a more complete picture, in so far as this is still possible, of the lost heritage in the Codru area, in virtual, electronic format, sadly the only way still possible. It provides relevant information and photographs of wooden churches that used to exist in these parts but which have not been preserved to this day. There is also footage of people who used to frequent these churches, who are talking about what they meant to them. These holy places reflect the centuries-old history in which different generations have crossed their threshold. Being in a place like this gives visitors a sense of peace and warmth because of the simplicity they will find here.”




    Virtual tours are therefore useful both for those who have visited these churches and wish to see certain details again and for those who have never had the chance to visit them.


  • The Semenic- Cheile Carasului Park

    The Semenic- Cheile Carasului Park

    Today we are headed to the southwest of Romania, to the Semenic- Cheile Carasului Park. Here we find 11 nature reserves, and 65,000 ha of virgin forest, which in 2016 became a part of the UNESCO world heritage fund. Here we can find a rare sequoia tree, with a circumference of 5.7 m, with an estimated age of 200 years. We talked about the parks attractions with Nicolae Ifca, director of administration for the Semenic- Cheile Carasului Park:


    “The park is in the southwest of Romania, in the center of Caras Severin county. It has a surface of 36,000 ha, and is in the north of Anina Mountains, and the east of Semenic Mountains. In the park we have nine tourist trails, with a total of 130 km. Along the trails we find many points of interest. For instance, the trail to visit the Caras Gorges starts in Crasova, and crosses a portion of 6 km of them, then continues to the Comarnic Cave. It is in the middle of the park, at the intersection of several trails. This is one of our main objectives. In 2021 we had the most visitors. Moving on, we can go in several directions, towards Semenic or Buhui Lake. Another point on the trail is Marghitar Lake. It is not a very big lake, it has about 3 ha. By comparison, Buhui Lake is much larger, and was built after the year 1900. There we have a thematic trail showcasing species of trees and other flora.”




    In the Semenic- Cheile Carasului Park we find two mountain units, according to Nicolae Ifca:


    “The Semenic Mountains represent about 54%, and the Anina Mountains occupy 46% of the territory, and are the Karst area of the park. In the Semenic mountains we find the most compact beech forest in Europe. It is the virgin forest of the Nera Springs. With a surface of 6,000 ha, it is the largest virgin or quasi-virgin forest in Europe. Here, in the central area, we can find trees with ages of up to 500 years. The forest can be visited accompanied by a management representative. The trail is about 14 km long.”




    In the western part of the park we have the Anina Mountains. Here, the most popular objective with tourists is the Comarnic Cave. Nicolae Ifca told us about it:


    “The cave is 6 km long, of which 1.7 km are open to visitors. It is a nature reserve. It is available to visit through an inactive gallery. Here we can meet all sorts of interesting formations: stalactites, stalagmites, columns, all sorts of bizarre shape formations. In fact, in Anina Mountains we have a number of 803 caves and sinkholes. A cave is horizontal, a sinkhole is vertical. The longest cave in the Semenic- Cheile Carasului Park is the Buhui Cave, with a total length of around 6,500 m. It is a cave reservations, and the deepest sinkhole is Poiana Gropii, with a depth of 240 m.”




    In the park you can find a 16 km trail for biking or walking, practicable by all ages. Nicolae Ifca described it for us:


    “This trails starts in Resita, and goes to Comarnic Cave. Along the trail we have a few objectives and tourist stopovers, where we set up information panels about the areas and about the waterfalls. About one km before reaching Comarnic Cave we find the Sumrak Waterfall, formed by limestone deposits. Here, cyclists can go on 4 more km to reach one of the most impressive trees of the park, a Sequoia Dendrum Gigantea. It is not known how it got here, someone definitely brought it here, because it is a tree species from California. The tree has thrived here, at an altitude of 600 meters. Right now it is 45 m tall, a circumference of 5.7 m, and a diameter of 1.80 m.”




    The Semenic- Cheile Carasului Park administration provides guides for seven tourist programs in the protected area. The guides are the park rangers, who know the area very well, and can offer all sorts of information about the local history and culture, about the flora and the fauna, and the ecosystem. A guided tour costs about 14 Euro. Director Nicolae Ifca recommends that tourists get information ahead of time on the objectives and on the weather:


    “Through the centers of tourism information centers in localities, we distribute informative material, such as maps and fliers with information on objectives. Irrespective of which side of the park you come in, I recommend you hit one of these centers. You can also visit the park website. The administration is available to all the tourists who want to visit the caves and the forests, and is eagerly awaiting them.”

  • Dobrogea Experience

    Dobrogea Experience

    In addition to tales about places and people, we will be finding out about one of the biggest rose plantations, in the village of Cobadin, and about the purple gold of Dobrogea, promoted through a festival of lavender.



    Our guide today is AbibulaLaura Stroe, president of Inomar Clustersi, initiator of the concept Dobrogea Experience, and she told us that the project started in 2017:


    “I wanted to show off a continental Dobrogea, with all that it has best, most beautiful, and interesting. Thus, local tourism became an alternative to armchair tourism. Because I am from Constanta, I did not want to set apart Tulcea and Constanta. They are both a part of Dobrogea. You cannot set apart the Greek from the Lipovan, the Lipovan from the Aromanian, and so on. Dobrogea is a whole, and exemplifies the slogan of the EU, Unity in Diversity. Dobrogea Experience tried, and managed, to revive an old and beautiful world of tradition, values, tales in a new and modern world. All the action and cultural events within the project have always had the role of promoting some crucial elements of the area. Considering that we have here 19 cohabiting ethnicities, we can make a snapshot of each of their tales, through specific cuisine, through diverse history, traditional garb, traditions, and stories. We have not only created cultural routes, but we also created an intelligent destinations. In this way, tourists have understood history, went home with a story.”



    As AbibulaLaura Stroe continues, an experience means culture, history, and archaeology, but also a wine tradition:


    “Here, in Constanta County, we have over 20 smaller, but very interesting wine cellars, with local flavor. We also have the multiethnic part, where each ethnicity presents its story and its product. Each ethnicity integrates into one cultural route. Here is an example of cultural route organized by us in continental Dobrogea, the Cobadin commune. This commune could be overlooked on the tourist map. However, there we have a community of Tatars, which we showcase with its traditional products, through tales, dances, and costumes. Near Cobadin we have a famous wine cellar, where they make excellent wines. We also have there the St. Andrew Monastery for religious and historical tourism. Another example in our calendar of experiences is the Lavender Festival. It is held in Pecineaga, 60 km away from the city of Constanta. It is practically a large field of lavender, the purple gold of Dobrogea, as we refer to it. For two or three weeks, depending on the weather and the evolution of lavender, people can roam the field. We created sports for photography, with interesting logistics, for purple themed snapshots. As photos on social media spring up in purple, Pecineaga becomes a point of attraction. Last year we even had a book launch there. This year we are bringing a traveling piano in the field of lavender.”



    Because the tourist season is fairly short in Dobrogea, experiences have the role of extending the beginning and end of season. If you go to the beach, at the seaside, you can have fun about three months a year, but you can have Dobrogea experiences from April until autumn, even November. All this time, even the humble zacusca, the local vegetable paste, gains new dimensions, because you get to know the ethnicities who made it, along with their stories. Here you have it, this is how a regular piece of cuisine can contribute to promoting tourism in an area. Here is AbibulaLaura Stroe, Inomar Clustersi president:


    “We produced a documentary together with a major European TV station, to present Dobrogea visually, based around a product that reflects Aromanian identity, grilled peppers filled with sheep or goat cheese. The product was made by an Aromanian family from the commune of Stejarul, Tulcea County, following every step. We showed how the homesteader picks the peppers from the garden, the Dobrogea influences that the ethnicity specific dish gained, how this food gets to everyones table, and how it can bring together an entire community. You can also see tradition in action here. The product shows you the story behind it, the family, the community, and the ethnicity.”



    AbibulaLaura Stroe said that, if she were to pick a place close to her heart, she would pick the commune of Cobadin, where there is a place that few people know about:


    “It is a Tunisian rose farm, one of the biggest in the country. It has several hectares of rose plantation suitable for making rose preserve. From around this time of the year and until August, the place can be visited, and the products made here can be sampled, such as syrup, rose preserve, and lemonade with rose petals. Of course, you can also enjoy the surroundings. Cobadin is surrounded by a multitude of places full of history and religion. Therefore it is worth visiting Dobrogea at least once, and discover its original and very interesting tourist experiences. In addition to lying on a beach at the seaside and the Danube Delta, here you can find a place full of flavor, such as you never thought you would find.”



    Tourists can find more details about scheduling, destinations, and routes from the Dobrogea Experiences Facebook page. There you can get customized visiting routs, and find the best accommodation.

  • Romania’s breathtaking landscapes: past into present

    Romania’s breathtaking landscapes: past into present


    Were heading, today, towards Hateg Country, a historical and ethnographical region. Putting to good use all the assets of the region, here we can find the Hateg Countrys Dinosaurs Geopark. It is a UNESCO site, currently under the administration of the University of Bucharest. It is a realm of authentic stories, based on scientific research and made sense of in a language which is accessible to the lay public. University lecturer Dr Alexandru Andrasanu is the coordinator of UNESCOs International Geoparks program. He will be our guide today.



    “The geopark actually encompasses the entire Hateg Country. It is a UNESCO international brand, including 12 localities in Hunedoara County, in south-western Transylvania, It is part of an international network of 177 territories in 46 countries. Were proud we are Romanias first UNESCO site. The land of Buzau is soon to be the second UNESCO site. So we have a precious heritage, nay, we have a territory where the story of the earth blends into the story of the people”.



    The nature area was officially declared a Nature Park in 2004. Since 2005, the geopark has gained acceptance in the European Geoparks Network and in the Global Network. It was South-eastern Europes geopark to have been granted this international status, in 2005. Here is Dr Alexandru Andrasanu once again, with details on that.



    “The scientific activity proper began more than 100 years ago, when the first dinosaur bones were discovered. Then there were also the dinosaur eggs that were completed by the fossil remains of several animals that used to live here more than 70 million years ago. Of course, the most interesting are the famous Transylvanian dwarf dinosaurs. They are called dwarfs because an island used to be here 70 million years ago. The dinosaurs, in millions of years, had become smaller than their relatives, yet they were more interesting. With them, we find a great many other remains, from flying reptiles, to turtles, lizards, mammals. It is a fascinating story of the Earth, and a one-of-a-kind story, at that. Starting off from the scientific story, we went the whole hog and built the international geopark, which is an entire territory in its own right, where science blends into peoples legends, into the landscape. Also, we should not overlook the fact that the Hateg Country comes up with discovery and educational routes.”



    The area has become increasingly tourism-prone, yet it is not mass tourism were having. It is “discovery tourism”, according to university lecturer Dr Alexandru Andrasanu, the coordinator of UNESCOs International Geoparks program.



    “We can discover nature, the people, the landscapes. By “nature” I mean Hateg Country, the Retezat and Sureanu Mountains we can see around us. But then we can travel to Hunedoara, Deva, or to Sarmisegetusa Regia. The routes are quite diverse. We, for instance, can suggest a route along the Dinosaurs Valley. As of late, apart from the spots we ourselves have arranged, where the first dinosaur bones were discovered, a fun park has been opened, promoting the dinosaurs of Transylvania. There are replicas of a couple of dozens of dinosaurs and other elements of attraction. Also, we tell the Volcanoes Tale. You can also take a route including the 12th century church in Densus and the Volcanoes House. Here children and adults alike can participate in specific educational activities so they can find out more on the volcanoes that used to erupt here, in the dinosaurs time. “



    However, you can also choose routes where nature blends into tradition. Dr Alexandru Andrășanu



    “You can visit the 13th century Calvinist-Reformed Church in Sântămăria-Orlea, a daffodils glade, the recently-restored 14th century Malaiesti fortress. Then you can head towards the Retezat National Park Visiting Centre. And, if you travel a little bit further than Hateg Country, you can take the route to Pestera Bolii, the Sickness Cave and to Petrosani. There are routes taking you to our exhibition, the Geopark House, where we can discover a story about griffins, dragons and dinosaurs. Then you can take the route to the ruins of the Roman fortress in Sarmisegetusa Ulpia Traiana or the Ostrov Church, founded in 1360, or to Clopotiva, a traditional village, or to Cetatea de la Colți, which are very beautiful. Then, if you come from the Prislop Monastery, in Hunedoara you can hit the Corvins Castle. A tourist arriving in the Hateg Country can visit a number of assets, can take up trekking routes, can climb the Retezat Mountains, by foot or by bike. The scenery is definitely rural, it is a depression surrounded by mountains. Right now I am here and there is still snow in Retezat. It is a fairy-tale scenery.”



    For more info on the routes, you can visit the parks Internet page, at hategeoparc.ro. There is also a Facebook page and an Instagram account. Those who reach Hateg can have a stopover at the information centre and the exhibition of griffins, dragons and dinosaurs, where there also is a reconstruction of the regions most ferocious dinosaur. It is the Bondoc Griffin, bearing a Romanian name.



    The area is continuously growing, but not necessarily in terms of number of tourists, but in terms of attractions and diversity of activities. With details on that, here is University lecturer Dr Alexandru Andrasanu, the coordinator of UNESCOs International Geoparks program.



    “The partnership we have with the Countys Tourism Promotion Directorate is very close. The latters development vision includes our geopark as well. On one hand, our projects target a more extended area in our county, on the other hand, were encouraged to use the new technology, the augmented reality in order to fill in what cannot always be explained in words, all the more so as we speak about lost worlds. Therefore, we try to give visitors the chance to enrich what they see with reconstructions based on scientific research. The geopark is administered by the University of Bucharest, and underlying all our projects are the scientific results of our colleagues, but also of researchers in other universities, from Romania and around the world.”



    So here is a destination for all, but mostly for families. There are a great many children who come here with parents and grandparents, mainly because they want to find out the story of the dinosaurs, the volcanoes the plants and the mountains.


    (EN)




  • Vacation at the Seaside in Romania

    Vacation at the Seaside in Romania

    Today you are invited to enjoy the sea, the sun, and many tourist objectives at the Romanian seaside. We are talking about the novelties of the year 2022, Romanian resorts, and the ways to spend time outdoors in the area, the major ones being Constanta, one of the major EU ports, as well as places in the Danube Delta and Dobrogea.




    Raluca Hatmanu is communication and marketing manager with litoralulromanesc.ro, and she will be our guide today, telling us why the Romanian seaside is an excellent summertime destination:


    “This summer, too, we expect the seaside will be the top vacation destination, the main choice for Romanian tourists. You have every reason to choose the seaside, because we have a lot of novelties in 2022. There are many new hotels in most of the resorts, north to south. Some hotels have been taken over by investors, were transformed, given new ratings, and look great. Also, we have expanded the beaches in the resort of Mamaia. This stirred quite a controversy last year, but this year the authorities have prepared these beaches so that they welcome the beach goers properly.




    Raluca Hatmanu went on to tell us that the Romanian seaside can accommodate any kind of tourists, suiting all tastes:


    “We find there quiet areas, with accommodation for families with children, especially in the resorts in the south, preferred by families, but also in the southern part of the resort of Mamaia, or in the area on the shore of Siutghiol Lake. There we have plenty of new villas, hotels, and B&Bs to suit the needs of these families. At the same time, the seaside is also a fun destination for young people. It is well known that, for this purpose, the favorites are northern Mamaia and Vama Veche. Costinesti is once again starting to emerge as a resort for young people. These are the choice for fun loving young people, because there they have many clubs, organizing lots of events, along with concerts and live events outdoors. So these are as many reasons for young people to choose these destinations. Spa tourism is also on offer at the seaside. The top choices for this purpose are Techirghiol, Mangalia, and Eforie Nord, for people coming here for treatment, but also for anyone who wants a period of relaxation in the wellness and spa centers in hotels.




    In Techirghiol, for instance, at the center of the same name, they have available a wide variety of mud baths, mud wraps, and mud massage. You can also attend kinetotherapy sessions in the salt water pool by Techirghiol Lake, heated up to 32 to 35 degrees Celsius. Also on the menu are plant infusion baths, paraffin wraps, galvanic baths, salt water aerosols, acupuncture, and Gerovital injections. Raluca Hatmanu, communication and marketing manager with a major tourist agency, recommends the trips around this area. For the time being, trips are available for individual tourists mostly.


    “This happened because of the pandemic. There have been initiatives before 2020, but when the pandemic hit the tourist sector, these group trips lost ground. It was very hard to organize them for small groups, with very high costs. We hope things will get back to normal, just as tourism seems to get back to its former state, from before 2020, and group trips are becoming more available. I really recommend that tourists get to know the wider area, because the Romanian seaside is not only the sea and the beaches, it means also tourist attractions, museums, and historic monuments. We have ancient ruins, churches, monasteries, and nature reserves. It is enough, for instance, to recommend a trip to Histria Fort and to Enisala, or a stroll through the historic center of the city of Constanta, the port of Tomis, or the tourist port of Mangalia. These are just a few idea, but the seaside, and Dobrogea in general, mean much more overall. They also have some very special Karst formations. I would mention the Dobrogea Gorges, a wonderful place for camping or climbing, or just for being outdoors.




    Raluca Hatmanu went on to say that, unfortunately, the Romanian seaside is not frequented by foreign tourists enough:


    “We fall short in this chapter, it is clear that effort have to be made to attract tourists from other countries. They don’t really know what to expect from the Romanian seaside, and the ones that do get to know about it by chance, or because they have made friends in Romania and get called here by them. Because of a lack of promotion abroad, tourists don’t know about the wonderful places they have available here. Therefore, they obviously will have a pleasant surprise. They can find traditional menu restaurants, but also international cuisine, as well as great accommodation, with fun and relaxation. There are many reasons for them to have a great trip in Romania, with great memories to be had.




    Event tourism is still very popular for tourism, no matter where they come from. Raluca Hatmanu talked to us about it:


    “Once the coronavirus pandemic restrictions were lifted, loads and loads of events were announced for this summer and early autumn. Many tourists choose destinations related to events held there. That may be a music or a theater festival. For instance, in Sf. Gheorghe, in the Danube Delta, there will be an outdoors music festival. Also there they will have the Anonimul theater festival. Generally, events attract many of the tourists, and is an opportunity for many more to discover these places due to these events. We hope that we have provided enough reasons for your listeners to be convinced that the Black Sea is a great destination, highly recommended, for a suntan, a great fish soup, or a boat ride on the Black Sea. With a bit of luck, during such a trip they will be able to spot the local dolphins. I personally enjoy every single trip to the seaside, which I highly recommend.




    The seaside also has lots on offer for the active tourist. They have available scooters, kayaks, surf boards, scuba diving, or courses for flying light aircraft. In the evening you can sample some fine wines. The famous Dobrogea wine cellars are close to the seaside, offering tastings and entertainment.

  • Adventure tourism in Romania

    Adventure tourism in Romania

    The peaks and fast-flowing rivers in the Carpathians invite tourists to test their limits practising various sports and activities. Adventure tourism means, above all, adrenaline and fun. Most adventure tourism packages in Romania cover 3 distinct areas of the country, Wallachia, Transylvania, and Moldavia, each with its specific features.



    Twelve years ago, Emilia Câmpeanu and her husband set up a company specialising in adventure tourism. At present, the two work as rafting guides, accredited by the International Rafting Federation:



    “A lot has changed since we first started, the range of activities has grown quite diverse, from rafting to canyoning, kayaking and via ferrata. There are many activities that we include in our offer, but I would always choose rafting on Buzău river, because it is suitable both for children and for adults, and families are thrilled with this programme. We also love kayaking and we recommend kayaking on the sea, rivers and in the Danube Delta. We also organise kayaking classes. Our trekking programmes, which may include via ferrata sections, are also quite popular.”



    Travel packages are unique, and so is the accommodation. Emilia Câmpeanu:



    “One option is glamping, which is a portmanteau of glamorous and camping. Weve built a unique place that combines camping and comfort, weve made all the furniture by hand, and the location is in the middle of nature. You can come here just to relax, to enjoy the greenery, go on hikes or just lie in a hammock, sit by the campfire or in the restaurant. But you can also choose from the activities we organise here. You dont need any experience or knowledge, we provide the equipment and our guides are in charge of the training. Our greatest joy is to see precisely those people who had not expected to do a particular activity leave here delighted.”



    What particular area and activity would Emilia Câmpeanu recommend?



    “We are in love with the Buzău area, we have lots of activities here, but we also enjoy the area near Băile Herculane resort, where we can also go rafting, canyoning or kayaking on the Danube. We have explored a lot of the country over the years. Sibiu has beautiful canyons and mountain rivers suitable for kayaking. It all depends on each tourists taste and on the type of activity they want, but they will certainly have an experience they will never forget.”



    Dan Panțuru is the manager of a company in Brașov, which promotes adventure tourism. He says this is a form of tourism for any person, regardless of age. And Romania has all the necessary ingredients for adventure tourism to be able to develop in a sustainable way:



    “We have everything, mountains, waterways, every condition to create the perfect atmosphere for outdoor activities. Our website is divided into three sections: air, water and land sports. But let me tell you about some of the activities suitable for this time of the year. Some can be practised on flat water, such as lakes. There are many such lakes in Romania, and one of the biggest, Siriu, is located very close to Brasov and Bucharest. This lake is ideal for kayaking, stand-up paddle, a new and very interesting sport, as well as rides by motor boats and rowing boats. Not far from Siriu you can find Buzău river, which allows for more adrenalin pumping activities, such as whitewater rafting. Its an interesting sport that can be practised by people of all ages.”



    From water, lets go up into the sky, on board an ultralight plane. Dan Panțuru explains:



    “Its an incredible experience. We can provide one to three seat aircraft. Guests will be able to fly with an experimented pilot who will hand over to the guest when the plane reaches a sufficiently high altitude. But dont worry. The pilot is always in charge, there are two control sticks. Tourists can experience what its like to fly a plane and enjoy the view from up there. This activity is not available to persons under 16. Before flying, guests are trained and the aircraft is thoroughly checked. Weve had some foreign tourists who signed up for this activity a few days ago. They came to Brașov to attend an event and wanted to see the surroundings and they chose this flight by ultralight aircraft. They thought the experience was extraordinary and said Romania is a wonderful country.”



    A less challenging, but no less exciting activity is the exploration of traditional customs and crafts. Dan Panțuru:



    “We are trying to combine outdoor activities with the discovery of local traditions and customs. Everything can be done in the same area and can be combined in a very interesting way. Romania is one of the most spectacular countries when it comes to adventure tourism and is becoming an increasingly popular such destination with foreign tourists.”

  • The Bicaz Gorges National Park

    The Bicaz Gorges National Park

    Today we are going to the northeast of Romania, to one of the national parks most appreciated by tourists. Some of the high interest points in this region are the Lacu Rosu spa, the belvedere on the Suhardul Mic massif, and the Bicaz Gorges, also known as the Rock Empire.




    The most spectacular route linking Moldavia and Transyvania follows the Bicaz Gorges. Ancient waters delved into the stone of the Hasmas Mouintains a very deep and narrow route, where at points the level difference between the water and the rock ridges is over 300 m. The limestone structures here allowed many more such structures here, in addition to the Bicaz Gorges. There are many gorges here, bigger and smaller, that we got told about by Barna Hegyi, administrative director of the Bicaz Gorges National Park:

    “The Bicaz Gorges- Hasmas National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Romania, and it boasts many natural treasures. I would mention Lacu Rosu and the Bicaz Gorges as points of interest known all over the country, and all over Central and Eastern Europe. Lacu Rosu is a natural dam lake, which formed in 1836. The forest in the area was flooded, and to this day you can see through the water the petrified forest underneath. Also, the Bicaz Gorges are the most impressive limestone gorges, 6 km long, with tall rock walls.




    Once you get to this wonderful place, as a tourist you have many ways of spending your leisure time, as Barna Hegyi told us:

    “We have 18 tourist trails and 3 educational trails. The educational trails have some photo booths that are unique in Romania. They oversee the gorges and the lake, and they are only found in the Alps outside of this place. 10 km away from the national park, on the 12C national road, we have a ski slope. Also, all the tourist trails are open for business at this time. You can trek on all of them. There is also a bicycle trail around Lacu Rosu, and you can rent electric bikes in the resort. We soon hope we can turn Lacu Rosu into a natural skating rink. As you can see, tourists can undertake many activities, especially in this time of the year.




    The park does not have a visitor center, but you have an information booth in the Lacu Rosu resort. Also, you can find on the park website phone numbers to put you in touch with guides for all the trails. Here is Barna Hegyi:

    “We are in touch constantly with foreign tourists when they visit our website, seeking guidance and advice. We offered such services for tourists in Greece, Hungary, Poland, or England. They were delighted by what the national park has to offer. Considering that the park is crossed by national road 12C, with intense traffic between Transylvania and Moldavia. Unfortunately, those in transit leave behind a lot of litter, and we try to remove it as best we can. This is the only negative thing noticeable to foreign tourists, but we are trying to keep this aspect under control.




    There aren’t that many local artisans in the park, but you can find a lot of local souvenirs in the Bicaz Gorges park. Itinerant potters from the village of Corund come there, and also, there are a lot of traditional events, according to park director Barna Hegyi:

    “In the summer, we celebrate Lacu Rosu Day. Also, in Neamt County, in the village of Bicaz, there is a bucolic celebration called Armidem. The tourists are eagerly welcomed at these events. Accommodation is not a problem. The spa of Lacu Rosu has accommodation for any pockets.

    The mountain trails recommended by the administration of the park are for both experts and beginners. They can be walked in between one and eight hours. Some are not recommended in the winter, but some are available all year round. Most are problematic when it rains or snows. You definitely have to have proper equipment, and to check the weather, and check in with park administration in order to avoid perils. Director Hegyi told us about the plans they have for the future.

    “We have plenty of plans for the future. Right now we are beginning to implement two European projects. Among other things, these projects promote sustainable tourism. We want to widen the bicycle trails we already have in the national park, and to set up special horse riding trails. We will implement these plans with help from local authorities and NGOs.




    The Bicaz Gorges park can be the entrance to Neamt County. You can enjoy there the spectacular view of the Bicaz lake and dam. The impressive dam, built in the 1960s, is 6 km away from the town of Bicaz. Behind it we find the Izvorul Muntelui dam lake, 35 km long, which blends with the surrounding landscapes, the villages in the valley, abd the Ceahlau massif in the background. From here you can go straight to another wonderful park, the Ceahlau National Park, but that is a destination for another week.