The Romanian Traveller: the Black Sea and the Romanian Seaside

 

  It's summer and many of us might have already started the holidays. For some of us, summer without the seaside does not make sense, some of us come from countries that do not have a sea coast, whilst some of us do, but the waters are cold and the beaches are far from ideal for sunbathing. For all these categories of travellers, I will share something about my own country, because, after all, there is more to Romania than just Bucharest and the region of Transylvania, although these parts of the country are still top destinations in their own right. 
   

   As you all might know, Romania opens on the Black Sea, and no - the Black Sea is NOT a closed sea or a very large lake! First, let me give you some factual info. The Black Sea is bordered by 6 countries: Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia and Turkey. In the North-East, it is connected to the sea of Azov through the Strait of Kerc, and in the South it flows into the Sea of Marmara through the Strait of Bosphorus, which, at its turn, flows into the Aegean Sea through the Strait of Dardanele. 
     

   The Romanian seaside may not be as popular as the ones from the Mediterranean countries, and it only has about 250 kilometers worth of coast, but it definitely has its own charm.  I went there almost every year of my life, and seaside holidays are a big part of the Romanian culture. People of all ages and statuses have been following the same tradition for generations, and I don't think that will ever change. Mamaia is by far our most popular and most trendy resort, followed by Vama Veche- the choice of the wild and free, Neptun, Olimp, Jupiter, Costinesti, and several others. 
    

    So, this is a general insight on what you can get....

• crowded beaches and vibrant nightlife - from restaurants and clubs in Mamaia to camp fires on the beach in Vama Veche.
• traditional Romanian food, from fancy or rustic restaurants to the kiosks selling crepes, pastries and corn on the cob. 
• a fair note of Turkish cultural influences, which are very present in the historical region of Dobrogea, which the Black Sea coast is part of.
• Water parks and water sports, for the most active of us.
• convenient and good-quality shopping, especially clothes, beach accessories, toys and souvenirs.
• the budget for accommodation may vary, and there are enough options to fit all budgets. However, if a hotel is your cup of tea, I would advise you to for a 3 star hotel - a good balance between quality and price.  

 Have I convinced you?  Then, all you have to do is book... and prepare your suitcase!