The famous and prestigious Michelin Guide which is sold in over 38 countries has recently included 4 places in Romania to visit. The places that it recommends are:
Turda salt mine
Turda salt mine has become quite famous online thanks to several viral videos made by Inside and other media outlets. The salt mine has received 2 Michelin stars. The guide states:
This former salt mine has been turned into an unusual amusement park, where a large wheel allows you to admire impressive stalactites as well as the skilfully showcased remains of the mine. In a fresh and humid atmosphere, you can stroll through the impressively large space, enjoying a spa with a gym, jacuzzis, saunas, a swimming pool… You can even sail aboard a boat on the Terezia mine underground lake. A modern and surprising attraction.
The salt mine has been exploited since the Roman empire occupied Dacia. The mine has opened for the public in 1950’s and 526 metres of galleries were used as a deposit for cheese. For years people have visited the salt mine for health reasons, as it is recommended for people who suffer from breathing problems. Now, many people come just to visit the amazing salt mine as you can row a boat in an indoor lake, play pool and spend time on a large wheel. The salt mine is very close to Cluj-Napoca, which has an international airport with direct flights to many european cities.
Site of Porolissum
The former Roman city and one of the best well kept sites in Romania has received one Michelin star. The city was a military base in 106 BC. In 124 BC it was also the capital of the Dacia Porolissensis roman province. The Michelin guide states:
In the year 106, the Roman army took over the Dacian fort, Porolissum, of major strategic importance controlling the passage between the Pannoian plane and the Transylvanian plateau. The Romans set up a stronghold and built fortifications. At the same time, a civilian city, Municipium Septimium Porolissensis, grew up and was home to up to 20,000 inhabitants. The site on the top of a hill, commands a spectacular panorama of the surrounding mountains.
location: Salaj county. How to get there: fly to Cluj-Napoca airport form any European city and then take bus to Porolissum.
Maramures valley
The amazing area of Maramures has received 3 Michelin stars out of 3. It is no wonder as this whole area not only has beautiful traditional houses, but people maintain traditions and still wear traditional clothes. It is indeed a unique place in Europe. Well, worth a visit for the landscapes, the cultural traditions, the people and the food. The guide states
It is impossible not to be impressed by this region distinguished by its bygone pastoral traditions. In the northwest of Romania, Maramures offers a splendid landscape of untamed forest and hillsides tilled by man, rich architectural heritage (notably wood churches, some of which are Unesco sites) and colourful folklore. Today, Baia Mare (which grew on account of its mining activity) has supplanted Sighetu Marmatiei, the historic capital of Maramures.
location: Maramures county. How to get there: take flight to Cluj-Napoca and then train/bus to Baia Mare/Sighetul Marmatiei.
Retezat national park
This beautiful park was founded in 1935 thanks to professor Alexandru Borza and Emil Racovita. The park has several mountains with peaks that are over 2,000 metres high and over 80 glacial lakes. The guide says:
In the far southwest of Transylvania, Retezat National Park is a large mountain park (38 000ha), with two peaks that exceed 2 500m. It is punctuated by nearly 80 glacial lakes. Populated by chamois, deer, roe deer, wolves, bears and lynx, the park is also home to more than 1 900 plants, some of which are very rare. Many trails criss-cross the park and some “chalets” offer hikers a pleasant refuge to spend a night surrounded by nature.
How to get there: take flight to Bucharest/Cluj-Napoca and then train to Resita or Targu Jiu. You will need to hire a car to visit the park.
For more ideas on where to go in Romania we recommend several books :
positivenewsromania.com 
Leave a Reply