Dobrogea

Dobrogea is a small region in South-Eastern Romania, home to the two main attractions: Black Sea coast with its famous resorts and the Danube Delta. Another attractions are the Macin Mountains and picturesque roads.

The two main cities in the region are Tulcea and Constanta, capitals of their respective counties. Tulcea is the entry gate to the Danube Delta and Constanta is the centre of the seaside attractions, together with its satellite resort Mamaia.

Coming from Muntenia region (or Bucharest), the easiest way is to choose one of the two bridges crossing the Danube: Giurgeni-Vadu Oii or Fetesti-Cernavoda. The latter is the typical route to the Romanian seaside, via the A3 highway-also known as the Sun Highway. The northern Dobrogea is characterized by much charm, and driving to Tulcea will reveal picturesque landscapes and enormous fields.

The Romanian coast at the Black Sea offers recreational facilities for all tastes. It`s got posh resorts, places for family fun, resorts for hippies and for nudists, lively resorts for young people and even a few untouched beaches away from the noise.

Despite repeated complaints from tourism associations that Romanian tourism is not sufficiently developed, the Romanian seaside is occupied at maximum capacity during the summer season.

Almost everywhere you go, many people are present from June to August.

Some resorts are more appreciated than others and some have gained almost overnight popularity. The official opening of the summer season starts on May 1, when many Romanians go for the first time of the year.

Most of the Romanians remember a single resort when they think about going to the seaside: Mamaia.

This resort is overpopulated throughout the summer season, being the preferred destination for rich people, expats or young people who want to have fun.

Those wishing to participate on beach parties can come to Vama Veche, a resort cheaper than Mamaia. Vama Veche – which is in a fact a village – used to be a hippie resort, home to the “flower power”, free-spirited generation, but it has become increasingly popular in recent years and now hosts a mixed crowed: those who come to regain their free spirit and listen to music while camping on the beach, and those who are there because it is trendy.

Dobrogea: The Danube Delta

The Danube River has a length of 1864 kilometers, ending in southeastern Romania, where it branches into three arms: Chilia, Sulina and Sfantu Gheorghe. These three arms form the Danube Delta, a triangular marshland, floating reed islands and sandy banks.
Most Romanians and foreigners appreciate the Danube Delta for its uniqueness, for the peace that reigns here, but also for natural riches.

Dobrogea: Recommendations for visiting the Danube Delta

• have cash in national currency, because there are no ATMs, exchange offices or POS
• write down the destination you wish to reach and the specific route because in the heart of the Delta there are not too many people speaking foreign languages
• do not forget insect repellent
• whether it is summer or not, do not forget about the warm clothes for cool evenings and waterproof clothes
• keep in mind that mobile phones do not have a signal everywhere, so important things have to be resolved before visiting the Danube Delta.

Dobrogea: Traditional food

The Dobrogea cuisine, mostly made of fish-based dishes, is a mix of Greek, Turkish, Bulgarian, and Romanian flavours. One of the dishes that characterize this region is the Tripe Soup. To make this delicious soup, beef tripe is mixed with carrots, onions, pepper and garlic. It is flavored afterwards with vinegar or sour cream.

The other most popular dish in the Danube Delta is „Plachie de crap” – carp cooked with onions and oil.

Vineyards

Murfatlar winery: Murfatlar, the largest wine producing area in Romania, is located about ten kilometers away from the Black Sea coast.
The 300 days of sunshine, along with the cold breeze of the sea, make this area ideal for the production of sweet and dry wines such as Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Muscat Ottonel.

Sarica Niculitel Winery, located in the northern part of Dobrogea, nearby Tulcea, and surrounded by hills laden with vines, is well-know for the centuries-old winemaking tradition.

Niculitel wormwood is produced by a special technique: three quarters of the cylinder are filled with white and black grapes, plus walnut, quince and apple flowers, after which wine or must is poured in. Other highly appreciated wines produced at Sarica Niculitel include Aligote, Riesling, Feteasca Regala, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Ottonel, Merlot and Pinot Noir.

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