A lookback at the year 2023 in tourism

Things we said and saw, places we've been to, in 2023

Daniel Onea, 04.01.2024, 14:00

The year 2023 was an
eventful year for Romanian tourism. We discovered interesting tourism
destinations and projects that made it possible for an increasing inflow of
tourists to come to Romania.

In early January, we
began with an atmosphere that was created so that all four senses can be
relaxed through music, fragrances, setting and light. All that offered by the
SPA centers countrywide. On the Romania Black Sea coast in Bucharest and in
Prahova Valley, we found a wide range of healing therapy options. Also in
January, we found out that balneal treatment has a long-standing tradition.
Romania is one of the world’s first countries to have founded a balneology and
climatology scientific society. Felix Spa, Calimanesti and Caciulata or Sovata
were but a few of the resorts we visited. Then we discovered the cultural
artistic itinerary labelled Traditional Craftsmen and traditional crafts from
across Romania. The label was launched by Romania’s Entrepreneurship and
Tourism Ministry. The project targeted the tourists who were interested in
craftsmanship objects and in the traditional customs in the villages of northern Romania.

The 47th edition of Romania’s Tourism Fair was
held over February 23-26 in Bucharest. As part of the event, Romania’s most
interesting offers and tourist assets were presented. Also attending the event
were traditional craftsmen, who came up with real demonstration of the ancient
crafts. Timis County, Bukovina, Fagaras fortress and Arad were the destinations
written about, at that time.

In early spring, we had a stopover in central Romania at
the foot of Piatra Craiului mountain’s south-eastern slope, at an altitude of 1,244 meters. There we discovered Romania’s first
tourist village, Sirnea. Then we headed towards the Danube Delta, a true nature
paradise, stretching from around the place where river Danube flows into the
Black Sea. A water birds’ habitat that found a vast reed area here, the
Danube Delta is one of Romania’s greatest tourist assets. We presented flora
and fauna observation tours, offers of safari photo and boat or kayak trips. We
also spoke about traditions, history, culture and, not the least, about the
large number of wine cellars in the area. We continued to be spoiled for choice
through heritage, since we shifted the focus of our attention to Romania’s old
nobility residences. What we were most impressed with, thanks to their
refinement, were the Cantacuzino Estate in Floresti and the mansion of the
Carps, a family of boyars based in Iasi County’s commune of Tibanesti.

In Valcea County, we realized a wide range of tourism
types was available to those who were interested. Moreover, Horezu is a brand
for Valcea County, thanks to the ceramics the craftsmen manufacture there. Then
we visited an area that enjoyed just as much recognition, due to its traditions
but also due to its vast forests and unique natural phenomena. Year after year,
Buzau County was extremely sought-after, among other things, by those who are into
adventure tourism. There they can practice climbing, off-roading, rafting or
hang-gliding. Furthermore, the food offer is very varied and includes several
trade marks.

We spent Easter in the Romanian village. In early April we
learnt about the village of Rasinari, which had become Romania’s grand prize
winner in the second edition of the international contest Best Tourism
Villages, launched by the World Tourism Organization. We talked about rural
trips, which could include visits at the medieval fortresses as well as
participation in local festival and events.

From here we stopped in the county of Brasov, central
Romania, to learn more about one of the best well-preserved monuments nation
wise. Many publications around the world wrote about this site, describing it
as one of the world’s most beautiful fortresses. This is the fortress of
Fagaras, whose construction was completed around the 17th century.
It withstood over 26 sieges but was never conquered. At the end of April we
proposed a city-break in north-western Romania, only a couple of kilometers far
from the Hungarian border and a relatively equal distance from Vienna, Prague,
or Bucharest, the city of Oradea. We’ve also learnt that Oradea is not only an
appropriate city for city-break, but also the museum-city of Targu Jiu, or
Cluj-Napoca, the birthplace of the internationally famed festival Untold.

At the beginning of summer we told you that Romania is also
known for its large old-growth forests, for the regions where we can find old
traditions and craftsmen, who are still using ancient trades passed down from
one generation to another. We also talked about eco-tourism and the
associations trying to preserve natural resources and educate people in
practicing responsible tourism. In the same period we took a virtual tour of
over 50 museums in all of Romania’s rural area. In early autumn we talked about
the green area of the wooden churches in Maramures after which we went to the
ancient world of the Haţeg Land.
We learnt about an area roamed by bisons, with medieval churches, old mansions
and castles, numerous historical monuments of national interest and even
fossils of dwarf dinosaurs, which are quite unique in the world. Then we took a
trip to Via Transilvanica, Romania’s longest hiking trail linking various
sites, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. From there we took you to
wine cellars, which are keeping real treasures for wine connoisseurs. We learnt
about special visiting programmes including trips around the vineyards
accompanied by experts who can provide valuable information about the
wine-making process and most importantly, the wine-tasting sessions.

After the presentation of the adventure tourism and bicycle
touring, at the end of the year we invited you to spend the winter holidays in
Romania. We talked about Christmas fairs and the New Year’s Eve. 2024 seems to
be a year also very rich in travel offers. So, stay with us in the New Year in
order to learn more about Romania and its most beautiful tourist sites.