2022 Tourist Retrospective

Today in Travelers Guide we take a look back at some of the tourist attractions in Romania that we presented for you along the year 2022. It was a year rich in offers, the first that saw a relaxation in the restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. Right from the start, we stopped over in southwestern Romania, in the spa of Baile Herculane. We discovered there a place where the therapeutic properties of mineral waters have been known and taken advantage of for 2,000 years, since Roman times. It is also an area heavy with history and legend. Then we headed to the highest mountain peaks in Romania, in the Fagaras Mountains, where we enjoyed the beauty of one of the highest altitude roadways in Romania, the Transfagarasan. We stayed in the mountains, discovering, one by one, the nature and national parks in Romania. We talked about mountain trails, about experiences in nature, watching flora and fauna, and about the traditional craftsmen who are awaiting tourists to showcase their skills in crafting beautiful objects.

Early in spring we visited Romania's Tourism Fair, spring edition. Here we found some attractive offers for those passionate of cultural, rural, or business tourism. We talked about escaping to the outdoors, about major historical monuments, as well as the most attractive Easter vacation packages. We then headed north, opening the gates of a museum which reflects in life size ancient and traditional Bukovina. We walked into what is effectively a whole village with complete households, community buildings, or technical installations illustrating some of the crafts in the area and the locals' way of life. Also in northern Romania we visited the fortification of Suceava, the ruling seat of Moldavian princes for almost 200 years. We found out that this national historical monument hosts many events throughout the year, and that it offers a unique light and sound show. From there we headed to the south of the country, in Gorj County. From Tg. Jiu, the place that showcases the masterpieces made by Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi, then we headed to the Orthodox monasteries of Tismana, Polovragi, and Lainici, as well as to the mountain side of the county. Here we found glacier lakes, caves, some of them nature monuments, as well as narrow gorges delved by fast mountain streams. Then we discovered the first geopark in Eastern Europe, which got its international status in 2005. We stepped onto a scientific fairy tale land in the Hateg Country Dinosaur Geopark, a UNESCO site managed by the University of Bucharest. We kept to the register of legends, discovering the land of Maramures during Easter, a true showcase of tradition.

The Danube Delta saddles the border between the eastern province of Dobrogea and Ukraine, the second in size and best conserved of European deltas. It was included into the UNESCO world patrimony in 1991, being classified a biosphere reservation at the national level. This was our destination in the last month of spring. We left the Delta on a city break. European Best Destinations, a major platform promoting tourism, included Oradea on their top list of cities that are perfect for a city break, calling the city a European Art Nouveau concentrated center. We discovered there major buildings, some dating back to the 16th century.

With the coming of summer, we though we would test our limits on the crests of the Carpathians, following its swift flowing waters. In addition to rafting and climbing, we discovered a most fashionable offer for 2022: flying an ultralight aircraft double command. We then stopped in one of the biggest cities in the west of the country, Timisoara. The first German language newspaper in CEE was published here in 1771. Also here they had the first public library with a reading room in the Hapsburg Empire. Right now the city has three state theaters in three different languages. Timisoara was designated 2023 European Capital of Culture. This program has the slogan Shineyourlight – Lightupyourcity!. In autumn, we discovered four certified tourist routes, aimed at promoting cultural and historical objectives. These are in Alba County, and are promoted nationally by the Romanian Ministry of Tourism. We then stopped over in the center of the country, in Sibiu County. After a stroll in the historic center, the medieval city, we departed for the area of Marginimea Sibiului, with 18 traditional villages, at the foot of the mountains, but also towards hill country, to the Saxon villages.

Romania covers a third of Europe's spa potential. Spa treatments have a very long tradition, as the country was one of the first countries in the world to create a scientific society for balneology and climatology. At the same time, most resorts are in very picturesque areas. We talked about these in a dedicated edition, and we also discovered them among the offers of Romania's Tourism Fair, autumn edition.

Of course, at the end of the year we had to bring up the offers for skiing, but also for the holidays, Christmas and New Year's Eve. This was a rich year, and this year will come with more novel offers and attractions, so that you can have unforgettable travels. Stay tuned, and enjoy the new year! Happy New Year!