A misteryous insulated town on Danube mouth

If you visit the breathtaking Danube Delta, you have so many things to see and to do. Besides the many spectacular views of natural reserves, protected areas, or endemic species, one of the first options is visiting the little town of Sulina, lieing on the arm with the same name, mainly on the right side. It is actually the  easternmost point not only in Romania, but in the all European Union.

In order to judge the works of the Danube, observe in the centre of the town the lighthouse, build at 1850 on the shore. Meanwhile  the Delta has won 1500 meters, it is obvious! The lighthouse has been build at the blossom of the history of Sulina. The port was very important, all the big protecting powers, starting with Austria, were deeply interesting controlling the navigation on the Danube. In the same time has been appointed an European Commision for Danube navigation, which build in Sulina an imposing palace for administrative tasks. This palace is another landmark of the today Sulina.

In Sulina you can bath in the Black sea, as in the Danube River, it is really unique

There are so many things to say about Sulina. Unoficially and unproofed, it might be the oldest human settlement in Romania, dating back from the VIIth century b.C. In the Middle Age starts the written history of Sulina. The Turks started to use first this port, which is simultaneously a river and a sea port! Later, in the XVIIth century, Sulina was an excellent pirate nest. The pirates used ships, but also the forests around the town, to disappear before and after their surprise attacks. A special mention for the legendary Greek pirate Karagounis, who has nerve and was very brave. He died suddenly, and the locals found and buried him respectfully, in the town cemetery. His lost treasure has been not found up to now,and if you are lucky, could also try. His tombstone is only readable  at morning, after wiping it with a wet towel!

When the Sulina's lighthouse has been build 200 years ago, it was on the shore line. Meanwhile the land has won almost 2 kilometers

There are also other prominent personalities  sleeping in the town cemetery, e.g. an English officer with his beloved wife, disappeared in a ship disaster of the XIXth century. After marrying a lower condition women, his parents forced him to leave the house, and he found a place as a ship officer, and his wife followed him disguised. The both receded in a spectacular shipwreck, and their parents build monuments for them. But the bodies have not been found, and the speculators say that they used the opportunity to go away for ever!

The Pirates' cemetery from Sulina

The peak of the recent history of Sulina was between 1860 and 1939, when the port started losing his importance due to the quick development of Constanta. Today the tourism might be a good chance for Sulina, as its excellent wide fine beach stretches along the Danube, as also on the seashore. It is comparable with Vama Veche, the Romanian Capital of the bohemians in the hot season. In the remote corners of the beach there are good conditions for naturalists, please don't disturb them. Sulina can be reach exclusively by water. This huge disavantage turns to be an advantage, as the travelers number rises permanently due to the genuine nature around Sulina ( e.g. the lakes Rosu, Rosulet, Puiu, Lumina as the many creeks and channels)

Romanian Festivals in 2013 (Part II)

We have a lot of things to do, our job is to fill all the major festivals in Romania for the coming year. Not an easy task, there are some extra local little unknown festivals, which are even more picturesque than these official ones, sometimes overcrowded due to exaggerated publicity.

June Festivals
Brancovenesti (Transilvania)- Cherry Festival, on the first Sunday.
Bucharest hosts The carnival, consisting on one week long of public street manifestations.
Cluj-Napoca enjoys the International Transilvania Film festival
Bucharest on 21st : The Feast of music
Bucharest again: Beer Festival with music in the Herastrau Park
Avram Iancu (by Oradea): the sheep Festival (Tacasele)
Miercurea Ciuc-Pilgrimage of the Catholic Szekelyi on the Whitsuntide
Odorheiu Secuiesc: Festival and market of skilled artisans

A specific Romanian Dance, Hora (The Round) as you can see in any Romanian traditional festival

July Festivals
Vadu Izei: traditional music festival, four days long
Somcuta Mare (Maramures): The oak festival, popular music and traditions
Sibiu: International festival of popular and country music
Ilisesti (Suceava), the second Sunday, The Folklore Festival of The Rarau mountain
Mount Gaina (Western Carpathians) on the last Sunday before 20th : The Girl Market, a big Festival with concerts and  traditional dances
Sighisoara, the last week: Festival of Medieval Art
Targu-Mures, the last five days: Rock Music festival Felsziget
Mangalia, the third week end: Callatis Music Festival

Traditional Festival in Sibiu

August Festivals
Marginimea Sibiului (Transilvania) -first Saturday: The Bear Day
Bucharest,the second week end, The Hora Festival in Village museum, dedicated to Romanian folkloric groups
Constanta, the first week: National Music Festival
Sibiu, the first week: national festival of popular traditions, hosted in Astra Museum

Baia mare hosts many Traditional Festivals

September Festival
Mamaia, the first week: International Festival of Popular Music
Brasov, the first week: International festival of Chamber Music
Lesu (Transilvania), first Sunday: Traditional Festival (sheepherds)
Bucharest, three weeks long: George Enescu Music Festival
Targoviste (Wallachia), middle of the month: Festival of Folkloric Song Miorita
Biertan (Transilvania): Saxon Festival (Sachsentreffen)
Sibiu, by the end of the month: International Oper Festival
Brasov, the end of month: Golden deer, International Entertainment Music Festival, with many Romanian and international first class stars

Tips and tricks for travelling to Romania

Romania is neither a tropical, nor a dangerous country, but has some insider tips, which I am glad sharing with you.

The prices for a good meal in Romania are very different. You shall ever prefer the small restaurants and pensions, as having better prices and better food

First of all, don't worry about tropical diseases, you don't need any vaccine. AIDS is up to you, and your level of personal protection, other diseases totally unknown. Many visitors are unpleasant impressed about the level of corruption in Romania, and many comments concerning the big political crisis between president Traian Basescu and the Prime Minister Victor Ponta are pointing to corruption as a main reason. I would say no to it, there is rather a personal matter, or a power fight, in my opinion. Certain is that many Romanians are deeply disappointed about their rulers and the political class entirely. About the obvious corruption, I also don't agree, as little presents seem to me really o.k. After all, the corruption is not a Romanian invention or discovery, we are in the Balkans!

Policemen on duty. No policeman is entitled to ask you  your papers without a strong reason., and even less to controll your money or valuables (they are sure faked policemen if doing that)

Much worse than this little corruption are the faked policemen e.g. Please note that no policeman is entitled to legitimate you without a strong reason; even less is entitled to ask about money or other valuables. When entering Romania through Bucharest Airport avoid the taxis and the luggage porters, is simply too expensive and even dangerous to your life, as a recent incident proves it.

When entering Romania through Bucharest International Airport avoid the taxis and the luggage porters. They are unshamed expansive and even dangerous to your life

Many Romanians drink the wine with water in the same glass (sprit). You can make a try of this method, but you are not supposed to do the same, no one will be hurt if you drink the wine separately. As you know, being a somelier, this method decreases the qualities of wine. The locals use it just to drink more liquids during the hot days.

Meiul Zilei is an incredible local offer: 3 courses meal with 3 Euros only.

A matter who could hurt any local is on the contrary shaking hands. It is normal to do it when meeting someone, not only for the first time. The shake must be strong enough, lasting for 5 seconds at least, while you look deeply in the eyes of the counterpart. If you are a man meeting a lady in a sophisticated environment, it is bon ton to kiss her right hand, while you look in her eyes.

Eating in Romania is very cheap, if you are tight on your budget. Everywhere on your ways there are incredible offers as MENIUL ZILEI, meaning a three course menu at 15 RON (3 EUROS). You can also have your meals in a sophisticated restaurants, but the hi end prices you can find there don't reflect a much superior quality of the meals. On the contrary, the same meals are to be found in a pension at the country side much cheaper and tasting better ( nearly bio for sure)!

A good hotel in a big city vs a little pension to the countryside  is  a matter of time,  budget and taste

The same thing about accommodation. You can barely find a hotel room in Bucharest or other touristic cities (Sibiu, Brasov, Cluj Napoca) under 60 Euros, but you can find some excellent accommodation in a pension at the half of this price. So it is easy to make the choice, according to your budget.

Tips is also not entirely a Romanian invention, and if you are very happy with a certain service no one will be ofenced for receiving tips (no more than 10 %).

Romania Survival Course (part II)

Dear friends, in order to really enjoy the Romanian wines, I must insist on these little things, who could spoil or ruin your pleasure. Even if you book through me, and I will be guiding you all the time in Romania, you should be aware of these details, which are not worse in Romania than in any other part of the world.

1. Romanian policemen are always wearing uniform. No one of them is entitled to check your money, after checking your identity. It is normally for them to introduce themselves and show a police pass. They are also not allowed to check your identity without a strong reason (this applies even for the traffic agents checking your driving licence)

A Romanian policeman wearing his uniform

2.When hiring a car, prefer the agencies from Bucharest and other major city. Negotiate the price per day (between 25 and 70 Euros) and check (even double-check) milesage, general state ( scratches, wheels, go to details). Never take a car without insurance! When having an accident with victims, you are not allowed to  leave Romania until police research.

3. Be very careful when paying by card. First of all, make sure that the system is running, even if the labels indicate it so. Prefer the bancomats of the leading banks, they seem to be safer. When paying by the card double check the amount; another way to be cheated is to charge you twice (become very suspicious if the operator says that system is not working properly, and he must try again).

Usually, you don't find or need cars like this. But you must respect some procedures and pay attention to details!

4.Don't interfere in the Romanian politics during discussions with unknown (e.g. in trains), even if you have opinions. The Romanian society is very splitted nowadays, and its members very fervent. The same applies by football matches, when the fans become easy very violent.

Romanian politics simply splits the society and make the Romanians mad

5.When meeting a person, strongly shake hand if he's a man, or kiss the hand, if a lady.When entering a church or monastery you must  wear decent clothes (common sense, like in Rome and its churches), don't smoke, and don't take photos (if forbidden)

6.The dogs might become in Romania a serious matter. They are by hundreds everywhere. When they are alone, can't do any harm (major exception are the the shepherd dogs in the mountains, who can ruin your day); on the contrary, when grouped in a pack they could become very aggressive and dangerous (sometimes a quarter can't sleep because of the barking dogs).

The dogs living on the streets can become aggressive  when are in a pack

7.In the remote areas are still to find poisonous snakes (vipers), while in Danube Delta you need protection against mosquitos. In some protected areas of the big Romanian forests is possible to find big mamals, like wolves and bears.

The Danube delta is a Romanian natural paradise, but what you can't see in the picture are the unbearable mosquitos

Romania survival course

It is not easy to survive in Romania. That shall not mean to be scared for your life, not at all (Romania is still a  safe country for the visitors, excepting some areas). But don't forget that the most of Romanian don't earn more than 250 Euros, which can make them very eager and skilful in finding new methods of making some extra money.

Don't wanna be racist, but when you meet these Romanian gipsies  you must be very careful

1. First of all, avoid overcrowded places, or overcrowded means of transportation. They make the perfect heaven for the pickpocketers. If you are in a such a place which crowds after your coming, you must be very suspicious and careful. Protect carefully your jewels, cameras, pockets and bags. Call the police, if necessary.

Always ask permission when taking photos of these people

2.On the streets and in buses or trains avoid the ladies with wide flower dresses and their companions. Don't give money to the beggars if thus occurs the slightest possibility for anyone to see the location of your wallet.

3.Don't wear jewellery or cameras on sight. If you  feel that someone is pinching you, be sure that is another searching in your pockets or bag. Be very carefully under these situation, as often they have sharp blades cutting your bags, and you can be hurt.

4.Avoid visiting unfortunated neighborhoods, e.g. the Bucharest quarter of Ferentari. Such places are really dangerous at night.

The quarter Ferentari from Bucharest is very poor and very dangerous, specially at night

5.I know that you love wine, I do too. Mostly of Romanians also do, it is a wine country after all. But avoid suspicious persons coming to you and inviting themselves to drink something from your bottle (with the more refined variant of inviting you to drink! But most probably, this won't happen!

6.Don't exchange money on the streets, by unauthorized persons. You won't get the promised course, as you will receive only magazines cuts.

7.When taking money from a bancomat with your card, beware if doubtful persons are near you. Also notice any suspicious apparel near you, as this can be a camera registering your pin.

Beware of suspicious people or devices watching you while  taking money from your card  to a  bancomat.

8. The Romanians are glad to receive guests. But usually you must try to set a corect price for the both sides, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.

9.Avoid using cabs, and specially unregistered cabs. Once in a taxi ask about the price, and ask the taxi driver to start the registering machine.

10.Try to learn some Romanian words. The people here are very sensitive to such courteousness. 

If I forget something, escuse me  please, there is no intention in it. If, by chance, you found another method or matter, which upset you, tell me it at once, as everyone should be aware of it!

I hope you will be not the victim of such easy tricks, especially now when you are good informed