Getting the travel accessories you need for a perfect getaway

 Getting the Travel accessories You Need for a Perfect Getaway  

   It is not a pleasant thing to arrive to your travel destination and realize you forgot some of your travel accessories at home… The best way to avoid that is to make a detailed list before you make your luggage, check twice if you have included all the travel accessories you need, and you will see that in time, you will learn what the essential things are for a successful vacation.   If you need to buy part of your travel accessories, then the Internet can be a great start. 

   The companies that produce travel accessories have come with amazing offers in the last years, all of the products aiming for the traveler’s comfort, efficiency and style.  You can study the latest travel accessories in specialized stores or via Internet.  What you will most probably find out is that the travel accessories have become more stylish and efficient than the classic products, leading to a true competition among the travel accessories manufacturers. 

   The newest travel accessories address to all kinds of users, from business executives traveling to Bahamas to busy housewives that want to take their children on a theme park vacation.  Regardless the clients, travel accessories must deliver comfort and convenience in order to satisfy their needs.  Those qualities can change their vacation into an enjoyable and pleasant experience.

  There are many options on the market when it comes to the best travel accessories, and the most important refer to the travel bags, the travel footwear and even travel clothes.  The manufacturers have come with great fabrics for the travel clothes models, which make the clothes to be light, wrinkle-free, comfortable and also elegant.

  One of the latest travel accessories are socks especially made for long flight trips.  Those socks work on improving the circulation of the blood in the feet area, relieve the discomfort caused by the change of altitude by creating a graduate compression.  Pretty amazing, isn’t it?   And what can we say about the travel footwear?  All tourists are looking for comfortable, soft and weightless shoes, ideal for long walks and hiking whatever their travel destination might be.  Other travel accessories are:

ü      Packing aids;

ü      Toiletries, travel kits;

ü      Waist bags;

ü      Pet carriers;

ü      Travel bag tags;

ü      Travel wallets;

ü      Health kits;

ü      Dictionaries if you are traveling in a foreign country;

ü      Video camera, spare batteries;

ü      Games;

ü      All the legal papers;

ü      Maps and tourist guides,

… And the list could go on forever.  Make sure you take only what you need or you will have to take a LOT of luggage.     The list of travel accessories is a long one, and you have many options regarding the style, color, practicality and price.  Just make a list, get organized and you will have a great trip!

 

What Makes Hot Travel Destinations “Steamy”

  What Makes Hot Travel Destinations “Steamy”

   All tourists are trying to find the ultimate hot travel destinations instead of choosing the same old boring resort they go every year.  They can turn the next vacation into an unforgettable one if they check our suggestions for some hot travel destinations for this year.  But what makes a usual place an irresistible travel destination?  Consider taking a trip with an air balloon over the sand dunes in Namibia or enjoying a sea mud massage in a spa resort in the North Islands of
Seychelles.  Well, we are sure this sounds pretty good, isn’t it?

   All hot travel destinations seem to have something in common lately: they all focus on the tourism as a life experience.  Tourists can enjoy unforgettable moments by accessing the local culture and living true experiences.  What hot travel destinations offer to tourists all around the world is the chance to try out new things and learn more about the places they visit.  And believe us: you will have here the time of your lives!  The tastes of tourists have changed lately, as they prefer to spend more in getting to hot travel destinations around the globe, while the luxury is not any more a compulsory condition.  What matters is what they experience here.

   You could try the ecotourism, it’s very popular nowadays.  There are countries such as Panama or
Nicaragua that have wonderful natural resources and specific wild life that would turn your vacation into a wild nature experience.  The tourists can visit here the resorts that work on the recyclable energy and find out more about natural ways of preserving the natural habitat (a fair example would be the Punta Caracol Aqua Lodge in
Panama).  And what is better than that for escaping the pollution and the crowding of the biggest metropolis in the world? 

   Other tourists consider that in
Europe there are many hot travel destinations as well.  They will find here remarkable places, with wonderful architecture, the true flavor of European history, mountain resorts for tourists who want to enjoy winter sports or ancient churches and monasteries.  The European wonders are placed in a natural background that impresses with wild parks, mountain springs, deep canyons or popular beaches that attract each year tourists in search of the ultimate hot travel destinations. 

   If you are looking for your own hot travel destinations, think about what kind of experience you would like to try then do some research on the Internet or check a travel agency.  You would be surprised to find out that choosing a hot travel destination is not an easy thing.  Some of the choices include making wine in one of the vineyards in France, attend a traditional folk festival in Romania, take art lessons with a local artist in Sicily or visit some ruins and ancient fortresses from the 18^th century on
Ibo
Island, in
Mozambique.

  Now whatever your choice will be, remember that hot travel destinations will always guarantee you lifetime memories and brand new experiences!

  

  

 

Getting treatment in Romanian Spa Resorts

Getting Treatment in Romanian Treatment Resorts 

  Traveling in
Romania is an experience that will surely remove all your preconceived notions about this European country.  Don’t think that Dracula or the gypsies are the defining elements of a trip in
Romania.  In fact, those are just a small preview of what really defines the modern
Romania.  The only way you can learn what this country can truly offer from the touristy point of view is by coming here and exploring the diversity of options
Romania has to offer as a European destination.

   We guarantee you that nothing you have ever heard about
Romania will match what you will find here, and you will come back again and again and why not, even relocate here. The natural resources of the country are a real treat for the unsuspecting tourist.  Therefore, you must find out about the famous natural thermal spring and their healing power.  Numerous spa resorts were developed along those natural thermal springs and offer full relaxation and recovery at only a small fraction of the normal western prices.

  The Romanian spa resorts represent an alternative for health, and they are great destinations not only for the tourists that intend to try the healing power of the thermal springs, but for the ones that ate caught in the storm of an overactive life and are simply searching for relaxation and fun.

   Many tourists try to escape stress and daily activities by choosing spa resorts as their vacation destination.

ü      In the Romanian spa resorts, the tourists can escape the daily stress, maintain their positive tonus and recover their health; we could say that coming here is not a recommendation, but most of the times, a necessity.

ü      Whether you are looking for relaxation or you want to try the mineral and thermal springs or the mud baths for ameliorating various health affections,
Romania can be a miraculous solution.

ü        There are no more than 3000 thermal springs in
Romania, and the tradition of the thermal spas goes back in the ancient times of the Romans, who founded many of the spa resorts.

  Tourists from all over the world choose Romanian spa resorts in order to get treatment under the attentive supervision of the best medical staff.  You can get treatment here for various affections, such as rheumatic, cardio-vascular, respiratory affections or dermatologic and gynecologic disorders.  All treatments develop under the supervision f the medical staff, the treatment usually taking 2 or 3 weeks to finalize.  More than that, they can also enjoy the spectacular views that those spas usually offer.  We know that you are anxious to find which treatment resorts in
Romania are the best, so here we go:

1. Baile Herculane is a treatment resort with an ancient tradition, as it was established by the Romans in theCerna
   Valley, a wonderful region in the southern Carpathians.  This is the oldest spa resort in
   Romania, a place preferred by the roman aristocrats,

§         You can find here over 15 thermal and mineral springs that can be effectively used in treating any rheumatic, nutritional and respiratory affections.

§         The accommodation options are great and include both hotels and pensions, which can easily satisfy any tourist.

§         The name of the resort was given after the roman god Hercules, and you can visit in the old centre of Baile Herculane a bronze statue of Hercule from 1874, the symbol of the resort.

   The healing properties of the thermal springs that contain sulfur, clorine, magnesium, calcium or oligo-minerals, the tonic waters and the powerful negative ionization of the air are well-known.

  If you decide to visit Baile Herculane, you will definitely have to make some choices, as the treatment properties of the resort are complemented by the natural beauty of the mountains.  Every day you spend here can be unforgettable, by visiting the caves, springs, the natural keys in the mountains or the churches.  New wonders will reveal themselves to you during a vacation in Baile Herculane.

  Here are 5 hot tips on what to do here:

TIP #1 Go to “7 Springs”, about 7 kilometers from the resort.  You will find here a pool with Olympic dimensions, with thermal water coming straight from the mountain. 

TIP #2 Go hiking on one of the several mountain tracks.  I recommend you to follow my favorite route: The Munk Spring- the Red Spring- theSteam
Cave (56°C) – Adam’s Cave (which is 169 meters long) – The Outlaws’ Cave (143 meters long). This will take you about 3 hours to follow and it is marked by a yellow dot sign.

TIP #3 Get some treatment including hydrotherapy massage, electrotherapy, sauna and indoor/outdoor pools with thermal water.

TIP #4 Taste some of the Romanian food specialties.

TIP #5 Visit the original “Roman baths” at the Roman hotel.

1. Baile Felix is the largest spa resort in
   Romania, in the north-east of the country.  The resort is famous for the thermal springs and the sapropelic mud, which are efficiently combined for the cure of the rheumatic arthritis, the lumbago or gynecologic disorders.
   • There is archeological proof that the springs in the region were used for the treatment of various affections since the year 1000!
   • The water temperature of the thermal springs can reach up to 49°C.

   Even if the main purpose of getting here might be the treatment, the entertainment options are not to be neglected either.  The botanical garden shelters rare species of water lilies and on the Somleu hill, you can visit the paleontologist reservation Betfia (famous for the vertebrate fossils and the Betfia Avenal).

1. Sovata

   Sovata is a spa resort hidden in the Transylvanian forests which will charm you with its helio-thermal lake – Ursu (The Bear).  What makes this lake so special is that the surface temperature is lower and as you go deeper in the lake the water temperature rises, unlike the common lakes, which are colder as you go deeper. 

   The sapropelic mud along the salted water of the lake is the perfect cure for any gynecologic affection, rheumatism or for the peripheral nervous affections.  Choosing Sovata as your destination for a treatment will turn to be a pleasant and useful experience, as the natural resources of mother earth are successfully completed by the modern hotels and the latest medical technology.

§         Other spa resorts in the mountain areas are Calimanesti, Baile Olanesti, Tusnad or Govora.

1. Mangalia and other treatment and leisure resorts on the shores of the
   Black Sea (such as Eforie Nord, Neptun) are ideal for anyone who wants to try the mud treatments.

§         The mud used for the treatment is not just any mud; it is rich in minerals and it is used in the treatment of rheumatism and various affections.  The medical staff and the specialized clinics are well prepared and accessible all year round.  The success of coming in the resorts at the
Black Sea is a perfect combination of sun and sea breeze with the benefits of the natural treatments.       

          

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Hot travelling tips for the Oxfordshire County

Hot Traveling Tips for the

Oxfordshire
County 

   Oxfordshire is a wonderful county in the middle of
England, which attracts every year numerous tourists with its charming landscapes, the famous university centre and rich architecture as well.  The county consists mostly in rural areas, which are in fact a point of attraction itself, as many of the visitors choose to come here to enjoy the open spaces and the serenity of the green nature. 

 

   The most popular city in the county is
Oxford.  It is a great choice for the ones who want to interact with the city that gained a worldwide reputation for academic excellence and rich architectural designs.  The county has also numerous market towns, each and every one with its own specific flavor and tourist attractions. 

 

  We will make out first stop in this virtual tour of Oxfordshire at Banbury.  It is considered that the name of the city may be derived from “Banna”, a Saxon dignitary who is said to have built in the 500’s stockade in this region.  The name “Banesberie” was first mentioned in the “Domesday book”, and starting with the 13^th century it has begun its economical development, as a wool trade market.  

§               You can still visit the architecture of some of the buildings that have survived the great fire in 1628.

  

   Banbury town is a well-known town in England, mostly because of the nursery rhymes “Ride a Cock Horse to the Banbury Cross”, which  are considered by many as the words of Queen Elisabeth I of England, who came in the town to visit a big stone cross.  The original cross from the 16^th century doesn’t exist any more, but you can still visit the cross erected in 1859, with the occasion of the Prince Frederick of
Prussia wedding.

 

  Here are some tips on how you can spend some quality time in Banbury:

v     Taste Banbury Cakes, some special fruit and pastry cakes.

v     Accommodate in style at the White Lion coaching inn, built in the 19^th century.

v     Enjoy the beauty of the local architecture by visiting the

Edward
Vivers
Building (17^th century) or the Castle Quay Shopping Centre.

v     The Saint Mary’s Church from 1790 is a great tourist spot as well.

v     Near Banbury town you can go visit the

castle of
Lord Saye and Sele’s family since 1451. The 14^th century architecture will take your breath away.

 

   Another wool centre situated about 20miles from
Oxford is Burford.  The local history has left wonderful marks on the city architecture and you will easily notice that by observing the houses, the inns or the shops from the High Street, some of them from the 15^th century. 

 

   For the visitors interested in
England’s history, Burford town has preserved the marks of the incarcerated soldiers in 1649, at the end of the Civil War.  It was Cromwell’s victory upon 340 Levellers, and you can visit the carvings made by the prisoners and the bullet holes of the executions of three leaders.

v     The Burford’s town church combines in fine manner elements of the 15^th century architecture with the Norman elements from the tower and the west doorway.

v     A piece of the local history is well preserved at the

Tolsey
Museum.  Centuries ago, at the “Tolsey”, the rich wool merchants were meeting and collected tools.

v     The

Swinford
Museum in Burford town contains a large collection of domestic, craft and agricultural tools and it was set in a charming 17^th century cottage.

 

   Carterton town represents another interesting location in the

Oxfordshire
County. It is the newest town in the area, and its history takes us back in the 19^th century, when the settlement was founded by William Carter, the director of Homesteads Limited.  The Carteton town flourished during the World War 2, when it was the main housing for the personnel of RAF at Brize Norton and the USA Force bomber wings.  The most important transport base is still located at Brize Norton, near Carterton town, leading to a continuous expansion.

 

   Even if Carterton is a small town, you can spend some relaxing days here.

§         A great choice is to try one of Carterton’s restaurants, where you ca enjoy quality local dishes.

§         The local pubs and café’s are ideal for a nice evening and you can get in touch with the locals and listen to some good music.

 

 

   Well if you want to visit a special location in the

Oxfordshire
County, than Kidlington is definitely your choice. An interesting fact is that Kidlington is the largest village in
England, and until now it has resisted the attempts of being transformed into a town.  A short trip to Kidlington town can turn into a memorable experience, as here you can see some exquisite locations marked by the passes of centuries.

§         The church dates from the 13^th century, while the farm and the vicarage are from the 16^th century.

§           For the connoisseurs, the Georgian architectural style can be admired in many of the local houses. 

§         Take a nice walk around the

Kidlington
Park and enjoy the view.

 

   Visiting the Thame town will leave you with pleasant vacation memories as well.  The charm of this old market town will prepare you for learning more about the history of this area.  Historic characters such as John Hampden, Oliver Cromwell’s cousin or Lord Williams have given Thames town a place in the
England’s rich history.  Some of the visitor’s favorite spots are:

ü      The

Parish
Church from the 13^th century St Mary, which has a boat-shaped market area;

ü      The Bandstand, brought from the Wembley exhibition in 1921;

ü      Numerous inns (especially The Birdcage Inn, where prisoners were kept back in the 15^th century before their trials) and houses from the 15^th century;

ü      Lord William’s Grammar school dated 16^th century.

   If you are visiting
Oxford town, this would be the ideal getaway for some shopping.  Thame town is filled with shops, quality accommodations and great pubs and restaurants. 

 

   You can get more from visiting Thame town if you know when to come here.  There are a lot of local regular events that draw many tourists, such as the Farmer’s market, which is held every first Tuesday of the month.

§         In September you can attend the Thame’s town One Day Agricultural Show.

§         In October takes place the Thame Street Fair;

§         In the last week of June, don’t miss the Thame Festival and Carnival.

 

   While visiting the Thame town, don’t forget to enjoy the breathtaking views, by taking long walks on the public walkways or in the gardens of Waterperry.

ü      Visit the tea rooms of Waterperry, just to the north of
Thames town.

ü      Make sure you save a day for a picnic at the Cuttlebrook Nature Reserve; you will have a great time!

  
Thames town will never give you a chance to be bored, especially when you have so many entertainment options for your vacation.  An evening at the Thame Players Theatre or the Thame Leisure Centre might be an excellent choice for the tourists who want to attend local cultural events.

 

   The most representative area of Oxfordshire and a typically English background are generously provided by the Cotswolds.  The symbols of the area are the gentle hillsides, or “wolds”, as the locals name them.  In medieval times, around 13^th and 15^th century, the Cotswolds were famous all over
Europe for their sheep that provided high quality wool.  The wool trade has brought in the area many inhabitants, who built wonderful houses and the well-known “wool-churches”. 

  

   The region includes many towns and villages, each attracting tourists yearly with their unique features.  There are larger towns such as
Bath or Stow-on-the-Wold, but you can also choose to stay in one of the charming villages like Castle Combe.  Here are the Cotswolds’ main tourist attractions:

v     Look for the stone remains of a roman spa in
Bath town, where you will find in the centre a natural hot spring.

v     Visit the

Rococo
Garden in Painswick, a wonderful reminder of the 18h century English Rococo garden designs.

v     Find the
Blenheim
Palace in
Woodstock, which is one of the most elegant private houses in the country.  Consider the fact that Winston Churchill was born here, so imagine the exquisite paintings, antique furniture and collection of tapestries…

 

  Whatever your choice is, you will be pleasantly surprised by the honey-colored limestone, used for the majority of the house structures from floors to roof tiles.

ü      Check the Drystone Walls, built in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, and which impress through the fact that no cement was used for the holding the walls together.

ü      The sheep on a hillside is the Cotswold image.

ü      Don’t forget to taste the delicious food of the locals (cheese, wine, cakes or meat), many of them are farmers, and the products are 100% natural.

 

      You can relax and admire here some of the finest arboreta and gardens from
England.  Many cottage gardens are available for the tourists as well as the manor house garden that is characteristic to the Cotswold’s area.  Two wonderful locations would be

Hidcote
Manor
Garden (near Chipping Camden) and Snowshill Manor, which are very appreciated by tourists from all over the world.

 

   Shopping in the Cotswolds can be a wonderful experience due to the variety of shops and products found in the area.  There are products for any tastes, from stylish Laura Ashley products to the air markets from Cirencester.  You can shop in the Cotswolds for great souvenirs and antiques that will help you bring home a part of this traditional English flavor. 

  

 

 

 

 

Beijing Hot Travelling Spots

1. Beihai
   Park is filled with great locations and views, such as the decorative Nine-Dragon Wall, Five Dragon Pavilion, the lakes and beautiful temples.  The locals are interesting and if you know a little Mandarin you can talk and find out more about the local customs.

2. The Ming Tombs are in a number of 13, but only one has been excavated.  The buildings and the artefacts are unique, especially theSoul
   Tower.  The avenue with statues is really impressive, and don’t forget to check out the warning notices, they might be usefulJ.

3. The Great Wall is recommended to be visited using a tour company, because it is quite a long distance from
   Beijing.  Take your time when climbing the wall, because it can be a hard experience; also wear comfortable shoes and clothes.  The view is spectacular, and the facilities on the great wall entrance are good: toilets, souvenirs, coffeehouses.
4. The National Museum of China includes two other museums: The Museum of Chinese History and the Museum of the Chinese revolution.  You can get a good idea about all the things that made
   China famous along the history, such as its great history, old silks and paintings.
5. The
   Beijing
   Amusement Park is located near theDragon
   Pool
   Lake and it is filled with buildings in fantastic shapes.  The 62 metres giant wheel can be fun to experience and the view on the historic city is remarkable.  The roller coaster, the mirage aquarium and the variety of fun places can be a true adventure for children and not only.  There are also many restaurants and snack bars where you can rest after a challenging ride.

6. The
   Oriental
   Plaza houses many stores, residential apartments and offices, and it can be very interesting to explore once you travel through
   Beijing.  When the building of the complex started, the remains of a 20,000 years old Palaeolithic settlement were discovered and soon a museum will include in the basement of the complex some of those Stone Age remains.
7. The Forbidden City has as a main attraction theImperial
   Palace.  The name derives from the fact that this is the place where
   China’s emperors lived for about 500 years and it was forbidden to ordinary people, except the servants. There are additional fees if you want to visit the other exhibits included here, like the

   National
   Museum.  The entrance is marked by a big painting of Chairman Mao, and the Palace has 9,999 rooms and 9 nails in each door, both vertically and horizontally!!

8. The
   Tiananmen Square is impressive and you can visit here the mausoleum of Chairman Mao and the Monument to the People’s Heroes.  On rise and sunset, the soldiers come from the
   Forbidden City and rise or lower the flag.
9. The
   Temple of heaven is the perfect example of Ming architecture, with round temples and square bases.  The forested paths are ideal for long walks and the locals practicing Tai-Chi and music give you a sense of tranquillity.

 

CULTURAL EXCURSION TO ROMANIA

CULTURAL EXCURSION TO
ROMANIA

  
Romania has become in the last years a popular traveling destination that provides the tourists all over the world memorable vacations through its wonderful and rich culture, its wild decors and the various options regarding the entertainment and outdoor activities. The green landscape with forests that cover the high mountains, you can find here the perfect place for hunting, fishing and climbing.  In winter, you can ski, have a slay ride drawn by horses or you can choose from the many resorts that provide services of treatment, massage and spa for you and your life partner.  Free of the communism rigors, the glow of the Romanian tourism has finally reached the Occident and has turned this country into a unique destination.

   You can choose from a variety of places to visit and do so many things, starting with winter sports or laying on the beaches of the Black Sea, but if you want to discover the real
Romania, you will first have to learn its culture.  Its ancient roots go way back in the time, when the Roman civilization first merged with the native one, and there are plenty of monuments and ancient ruins that prove the complexity of the Romanian culture.  At the
Black Sea shore you will have the chance to visit the Tomis, Callatis and Histria fortresses, that were build in the 7^th century by the Romans, or the Trophaeum Traiani monument from Adamclisi.

  The cities have their own history and you can travel in time practically, few centuries ago, visiting the particular Baroque architecture in the west of the country, medieval accents in the centre of Romania and the French eclectic buildings in
Bucharest, the capital of the country.

   But the thing that really separates
Romania from other European traveling destination is its amazing folklore heritage.  For many years this was a hidden treasure, compelling ancient traditions and local customs as well as numerous artisan objects that express entirely the Romanian spirituality.

The folk artisans from
Romania are famous for their creations, true masterpieces from wood (icons, sculptures with native patterns, spoons or furniture), textile materials (rugs, traditional masks) and ceramic items.  The icons painted on glass, the traditional costumes and jewelry, the painted eggs for Easter, all are a part of the Romanian culture and can be the subject of a great ethnographical vacation. If you want to have a wonderful souvenir from
Romania, such as painted eggs, wool rugs, traditional costumes or wooden sculptures, you can find them in shops or during the traditional festivals, when all craftsmen gather to expose and sell their products.

  The order of things has been the same for hundreds of years, and you can still see the shepherds who take their flocks on the mountain green landscapes in summer and return in the winter in their villages.  Some places are untouched by the modern civilization and the locals use the carts drawn by horses or bulls for the daily works and the rows of haystacks complete this virgin territory filled with traditions and local customs.

You can witness folk festivals that take place each year for centuries and which represent powerful manifestations of the local customs, not just a show put up for the tourists. 

   The ancient festivals and customs are mainly related to the most important celebrations during the year, which are Easter, Christmas and the New Year.  In addition, every region has local customs when celebrating all sorts of events related to ancient calendars, the change of the seasons or the work of the land. Here are few links that will help you decide easier which one will be your next Romanian destination:

www.romaniatourism.com/folklore.htmlwww.ciaoromania.com/traditions.html 

  The first major celebration of the year occurs on Easter. The Romanians celebrate it with devotion just like their ancestors.  In the rural areas the old traditions of Easter required people to go to the church and paint the eggs with leaves of onion and only in red color (which symbolizes the color of the Christ’s blood).  However, in the cities, people prefer dying the eggs in all colors with paint from the supermarket and have exquisite meals while waiting for the Easter Bunny. What you will observe though, is that the customs are still strongly related to the ancient ones, especially when it comes to the traditional food.

   The Easter traditions are transmitted from one generation to another and they have as a central point the remembrance of the Jesus Christ Resurrection.  Families are gathering and spend quality time while enjoying the traditional food for Easter, before they share their food and red eggs with the poor at the church.  In the night before Easter, people go to the church and listen to the religious mess, and at the end they will take The Light into their homes, meaning that they will light their candles from the priest’s sacred one.  They do this in order to symbolically bring luck and peace in their homes and families.

  Easter is an occasion for friends and family to enjoy the traditional food, like lamb borsch and steak, the traditional “sarmale”, the painted eggs and “pasca”, a sweet pie with cheese and raisins.

  In the rural areas, such as Maramures, the painting of the eggs has become a work of art in the true meaning of the word.  The women spend weeks for preparing the Easter eggs by painting them with fine pencils in complicated traditional patterns.  There is a special technique of emptying the egg from its content and treating it with a special solution that makes it very hard to crack and preserve the pattern for years.

  It is the custom that in the Easter morning, the members of the family and not only knock the eggs to see which one is luckier. The person who has the harder egg and cracks the other one it is said that is luckier. They hold the eggs and the one that knocks first says “Christ has reborn” while the other responds “True he’s reborn”.  Blending tradition with the modernity hasn’t changed a bit the true nature of Romanian people who enjoy every holiday as an occasion to celebrate life in its simplest details.

   That is why the Romanian Christmas is also welcomed with ancient traditions, much more complicated than the meaning of the word “Christmas”.  Christmas begins with a 6 weeks Advent, and in certain rural regions of the country people don’t even open the radio or go to parties just as a part of the advent.

  A custom that is unique and it only happens in
Romania, since medieval times, is sacrificing a pig on the Ignat day, on 20^th of December.  It is said that in the night before, the pig dreams the knife that will sacrifice him, and children are marked with a cross in their foreheads with blood from the pig to be healthy for the next year.  The men sacrifice the pig, while the women prepare it and make all kind of pork specialties, like “tuba”, “caltabos” and sausages for the Christmas meal.

  On the New Years day, the children use a “Sorcova”, a bouquet of colored paper flowers to wish a happy new year while touching the adults lightly with the Sorcova.

   Those are the main celebrations for the Romanian people, but there are lots of smaller ones, just as traditional and charming for any tourist that chooses to visit this land filled with ancient traditions.

  On the first day of March, the Martisor day brings the symbol of spring in all regions of the country.  It is the custom that men offer to the women in their lives a “martisor”, which is a small decorative object than can be worn as a broach.  What is particular to this object is that it has a string with white and red (white being the symbol of men wisdom and red the color of women’s vitality), and it is said that it brings luck.  In the cities, the “martisor” is sometimes replaced by jewelry and gifts, but whatever the choice, it still remains a courteous gesture for women of every age. 

   For tourists all over the world, there are many occasions to participate at the local customs and traditions, during those annual celebrations everywhere in the country, but there are also traditional festivals that take place only in certain regions of the country.

§           You can participate in Maramures at the Hora at Prislop festival, in the third Sunday of August, each year.  It is a celebration of the folk culture of
Transylvania, with many traditional objects, popular costumes, dances and songs.

§           At the end of August, in
Sibiu you can enjoy the Medieval Festival, where you will be able to witness a trip back in time, with knights and princesses, actors, musicians and dancers who put up wonderful shows for the audience.  The decors are credible, as the city was declared the cultural capital of
Europe in 2007.

§         The Maidens Fair on Mount Gaina is a great attraction for tourists and locals as well.  It takes place on the closest Sunday to the 20^th of July and it is an ancient tradition used as a way for the families with marriageable girls and boys to meet and arrange the weddings.  It is a great occasion to see the skills of popular craftsmen, the local dances and songs, and the women who play the alpenhorn at the opening of the festival.

  The complexity of the Romanian culture comes from the mixture of cultures both from the ethnical point of view and the historical perspective.  You can see how the modern life encounters the past and the ancient traditions, creating a land of mystery and harmony.

www.radur.homechoice.co.uk/ROtraditions.htmlwww.romania-on-line.net/general/traditions.htmlwww.european-schoolprojects.net/festivals/Romania/caloianul.htmlwww.popart.ro/index.htm