Rural Romania. National Rural Development Network. ISSUE 24 Year II, April 2015

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1 Rural Romania National Rural Development Network ISSUE 24 Year II, April 2015 MIOARA VIȘAN STOIAN Those who haven t been on holiday to the countryside, have lived in vain! THE HOSPITALITY OF THE SAXONS FROM CRIŢ AND HAFERLAND WEEK KLAUS EHRLICH Romania is one of my favorite countries in regards to rural tourism ROOTS OF A EUROPEAN COUNTRY Ministerul Agriculturii și Dezvoltării Rurale

2 REGIONAL OFFICES Support Unit for the National Network of Rural Development TABLE OF CONTENTS BRĂILA No. 282 Independenței Blvd., 1st Floor, postal code , Tel.: , Fax: CRAIOVA No. 19 Libertății Str., postal code , Tel.: , Fax: ZALĂU No. 49 Kossuth Lajos Str., postal code , Tel.: , Fax: TÂRGU MUREȘ No. 60 Mihai Eminescu Str., postal code , Tel.: , Fax: IAȘI Ciric Recreation Area Ciric Recreation Complex, postal code , Tel.: , Fax: TIMIȘOARA No. 53 Take Ionescu Blvd., 2nd Floor, Office 26, postal code , Tel.: , Fax: TÂRGOVIȘTE No. 7A Vărzaru Armașu Str., postal code , Tel.: , Fax: BUCHAREST No Nicolae Filipescu Str., 6th Floor, 2nd District, postal code , Tel.: , Fax: The text of this publication is for information purposes only and is not legally binding. Additional information on MARD and NSU may be accessed on the Internet: NSU, Publications Department, April 2015 ISSN X ISSN-L X NRDN, 2015 EDITORIAL...3 INTERVIEW Klaus Ehrlich EuroGites General Secretary: Romania is one of my favorite countries in regards to rural tourism...4 RURAL DEVELOPMENT Traditional festivals and their contribution to the development of local communities... 8 On the wine route, at the La Butoaie (At the Barrels ) guesthouse The hospitality of the Saxons from Criţ and Haferland Week The Danube Gorge nature, leisure and hospitality in the Canyon area Spring calendar Mioara Vișan Stoian, president of ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Brașov: Those who haven t been on holiday to the countryside, have lived in vain! Travel experiences promoted by Sibiu County Council PEOPLE Ionela Lungu folk artisan in the Humulești of Ion Creangă EXPERIENCES My farm: Regalina layer hen farm, from Râșnov My business: Invitation to Bran House Complex- Hospitality, refinement and pleasure for all the tourists My community: Apuseni Mountains Agricultural tourism, ecological tourism, cultural and historical tourism Up-to-date leader Central Dobrogea Local Action Group Niraj valley Leader Association LAG NEWS AND EVENTS News NRDN meetings regarding rural tourism NRDN MEMBERS INTRODUCE THEMSELVES The reproduction of texts in this publication is authorized provided the source is acknowledged. Printed in Romania. Copyright for the photographs: Cristian-Alexandru Catană, Monica Anghelovici, EuroGites, ANTREC (the National Association for Rural, Ecological and Cultural Tourism in Romania), Michael Schmidt Foundation, La Butoaie ( At the Barrels ) Guesthouse, Sibiu County Council, Hosman Mihai Dragomir, Irina Cristian, Marius Miclea, Daniel Secărescu, Călărași County Association of Agrotourism, Rural and Ecological Tourism. 1

3 Editorial Rural tourism the key to developing Romanian tourism Rural tourism is gaining more and more ground in the preferences of Romanian tourists, but also among the foreign ones. If in the early 90 s rural tourism was preferred mostly around the Holidays, nowadays more and more tourists are interested in the experiences offered by this type of tourism, in any time of the year. Rural tourism offers a wide variety of services, from the typical hospitality of guesthouses, to the relaxation and leisure services, to the gastronomy or promoting local craft arts. In Romania, rural tourism is the only type of tourism developed from scratch, thanks to ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Romania, an association member of the European Federation for Rural Tourism EuroGites. From the interview with Klaus Ehrlich, EuroGites General Secretary, we find out about the evolution of the rural tourism at European level connected with the tendencies in this sector. Also, we point out the advantages that Romania has, in the offer for rural tourism, compared to other European States. Beginning with 1994, ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Romania has facilitated the crossover from a simple holiday in the countryside, with a landlord, to the concept of rural tourism. Mrs. Mioara Vișan Stoian, President of ANTREC Brașov and Vicepresident of ANTREC Romania, tells us the story of how the daisies became a standard of guesthouses hospitality, on the map of Romanian tourism. The National Rural Development Network has organized a series of meetings on the topic of rural tourism and national patrimony, whose conclusions you may read in this issue. Gastronomy and crafts represent elements of the rural tourism concept. Over time, a series of events is organized in the rural areas, in order to highlight the works of folk craftsmen, the beauty of the outfits specific to each singular region and the taste of local food. We suggest a few examples of traditional festivals from areas like the Danube Delta, Bucovina, Ardeal, Moldova, Muntenia and Oltenia, as well as a calendar with this spring s events. And since we mentioned craft arts, we invite you to discover the story of Ionela Lungu from Humulești, folk crafts woman that brings back to life the Memories of Creangă. More and more tourists look for unique experiences, when they choose to spend their holidays in the rural environment. The sector for leisure and free time activities is an important link in developing and promoting the concept of rural tourism. In the pages of this magazine we present travel experiences in the Sibiu county, programs promoted within a brochure created by the County Council of Sibiu, highly appreciated within the tourism fairs. The historical and cultural patrimony of the Saxons represents a part of history and a tourist attraction. Within this issue, we provide you with more details about Criț Village in the parish of Bunești, where in the area known as Țara Ovăzului (Oat Country), the Haferland Week is organized, holiday specific for the Saxons. We continue the series of experiences from the Danube Gorge, where the river leisure and also the gastronomy, play an important role in promoting the entire area. The journey through the key areas of the rural tourism continues in the Apuseni Mountains. We suggest that you read about trips through caves and through the Moților Land, but also about the accommodation conditions in the agro touristic guesthouses. We will find out information about the Casa din Bran (Bran House) Guesthouse and the Bran Villas complex, locations that combine the concept of traditional with the noble foretime atmosphere. Wine tourism comes into shape more and more, especially among the foreign tourists. You will read about the Drumul vinului (Wine Route) in Romania, making a stopover at the La Butoaie (At the Barrels) Guesthouse, in Pietroasele. Viviana Vasile, Team Leader for the project Setting up and running of the National Rural Development Network 2 3

4 interview Klaus Ehrlich EuroGites General Secretary Romania is one of my favorite countries in regards to rural tourism What does rural tourism mean for you? Why this type of tourism? Klaus Ehrlich: My parents spent their holidays in a hotel in the rural Alps, where the owners would also perform activities specific to farmhouses. My mother went there since she was little and she told me how the place looked like, back when it was just a simple farm that welcomed guests during the summer. Also, I was raised in the Allgäu region in the South of Germany, where rural tourism is the essence of local development. Not least, I studied regional economy, and when I graduated from the university, integrated rural tourism was a natural choice. Why is rural tourism important for countries all around the world? Klaus Ehrlich: Despite the fact that the world population is rising, the rural areas are dealing with a reduction in the number of inhabitants. Modern farms reduce the need for manual work, while traditional agriculture has become the equivalent of low salaries and hard labor conditions they are not attractive for the young generation, who each year becomes better qualified. Still, the rural territories in the European Union sum up to 92% of the territory. Here, we can find a rich human and cultural legacy and we must not forget the concern for the environment and the natural values, such as sceneries, biodiversity and special habitats. An increase in the sensibility of the urban population whose children think that milk comes from cartboard boxes with regards to their roots makes these places attractive. Rural tourism puts them on the map and generates solid revenues that flow directly into the local economy. Could you tell us about a few key moments from your career and about how you became general secretary of EuroGites? Klaus Ehrlich: During my college years, I spent a year in Seville back then, a region that looked a lot like the Romania from ten years ago. I have seen many opportunities since I graduated and I initially came back for some field research, regarding the regional development, in Almeria. I quickly decided to apply the theory I had learned, so together with some colleagues, I started the association for regional rural tourism RAAR, in This organization joined EuroGites in I have always dreamed of working in an international context, afterwards came the elections for the executive committee in 2002 and I successfully ran, first for president, and then, since 2012, for General Secretary. What is the most important purpose of the EuroGites organization in a post-recession Europe? Klaus Ehrlich: During the recession, tourism was one of the few sectors that held up and made a profit in certain areas. Consumers have learned to be more critical regarding the quality price balance. This is a favorable side that makes rural tourism very competitive in many countries. We want to transform this potential into tangible businesses and revenue not only for the members of the organization, but also for the rural economy of each country. For this, a few challenges must be tackled: digitalizing the touristic economy and the problem of connections in the rural areas, improving infrastructure, raising the capacity of the suppliers and of the local population to ensure a satisfactory and even surprising touristic experience, to attract new markets within and outside Europe, especially in the off season. In a nutshell, a wide and dynamic area where we are actively involved, in many EU policies. What are the instruments at the disposal of EuroGites in order to assist and promote the member associations? Klaus Ehrlich: The 36 member organizations create a vast experience and knowledge for the others that are maybe one step behind. Our annual meetings, as well as the European Rural Tourism Congress, held once every two years, are excellent opportunities to make contact and exchange experience. We have also drafted international recommendations for the quality of the services and equipment, or some online instruments for self-evaluation with visual examples from various countries, available on the eurogites.org site. Recently, through the Sen GoR - Seniors Go Rural - project, we anticipate the demographic trends and advise the EuroGites members on how to prepare services for seniors. This year we are also launching a new site that, for the first time, will allow the presentation of local, regional or national rural tourism products. Do you think that the Common Agricultural Policy brings support for those involved in rural tourism? What are the improvements and where is there room for more work? Klaus Ehrlich: We see a lot of good intentions, though the reality leaves 4 5

5 much to be desired. An example may be the coordination of the structural funds within a common strategic frame. It is pretty in theory, yet in practice these funds continue to operate independently, as in the past. The LEADER Concept and the Local Action Groups seldom limit themselves to managing FEADR (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development) funds, but now they can assume an important and dynamic role by combining the support from various European funds and initiative within their territories. In PAC (Common Agricultural Policy), many things depend on the national or regional programs that will be approved. What feedback do you get from member associations? What are their demands, needs as EuroGites members? Klaus Ehrlich: The daily issues always have priority; questions and feedback about practical situations. We try to be updated on their issues by organizing round tables, we invite them to make proposals, to take part in projects as SenGoR, and we involve them in thematic work groups for branding and marketing. We prepare thematic reports, for example, for alcoholic beverages made within the household or for selling homemade products; these are useful when new national restrictions appear, because they show the best practices. Also, we have a trimestral survey about developing businesses in the past and future perspectives, in parallel with the World Tourism Barometer. How would you characterize the relationship between EuroGites and the European institutions and decisional bodies? Klaus Ehrlich: Actively participating in the European institutions is an important part of our activity. We have committed to transmit the experiences, success stories but also the problems from the local and regional level and to look for the best solutions. EuroGites is the representative of micro services at the level of the general directions of the European Commission. We have been actively involved in setting the policies for European tourism at DG Grow, and we will do the same in the near future. In the PAC context, we are active in the Group for Civil Dialogue on Rural Development, in the European Rural Network and in a few work groups regarding ownership and innovation. These activities are completed by the fact that we are members in umbrella organizations at a European level, such as the European Group for Consultancy in Tourism (GECT) and the European Movement for Rurality (MER). We also maintain good relationships with professional European organizations in the area of small enterprises (UEAPME - European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) or hotel services (HO- TREC - European trade association of hotels, restaurants and cafes). You have been to Romania several times. How would you describe the country s touristic potential and the practical accomplishments in this field? Can you see any change, any progress? Klaus Ehrlich: My first visit to Romania was in 1998, when rural tourism was just getting started due to ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism). Since then I have been impressed by the country s huge potential for rural and natural tourism, based on authenticity, varied resources and on top of all, Romanian hospitality. I have returned almost once every two years to different parts of the country and I was able to notice a quick development of a small variety of rural tourism services. The weak points remain communication and marketing to present this offer to international markets as well. How was the collaboration with ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Romania? Klaus Ehrlich: EuroGites had a long and positive experience with ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Romania, member of our federation since They were president of EuroGites between by means of Mrs. Marilena Stoian, founder of ANTREC, whose effort I value, being extremely active although she has formally retired from an executive position yet she remains an important component of the soul and spirit of the Association. During all these years we have enjoyed the professional attitude and full commitment of the ANTREC representatives, who understood that national, regional or individual interests must be put aside in order to sustain a vaster European cause. What advice would you give to entrepreneurs in Romanian rural tourism? What should they consider when developing such a business? Klaus Ehrlich: Gone are the days when you could make rural tourism just by offering daily accommodation services to a tourist. In Romania there is an infrastructure and cultural and natural resources. Hospitality is proverbial, and the services provide a good quality-price balance. But very few people know this. Handle coherent news, well translated and easy to find. Join regional and national networks like ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism). The possibility of booking directly on the mobile phone is a standard in most of Europe - but it has very little coverage in Romania. And solving these problems doesn t have so much to do with the financial resources, but with a commercial perspective and pragmatic management that puts the customer s expectation, needs and comfort first. What places in Romania impressed you and what was your experience there? Klaus Ehrlich: I have already visited many places and liked all of them: Slobozia, the Bran Castle that is already over exploited, Ținutul Neamțului, Suceava, Alba-Iulia. One thing is permanent in Romania: people s hospitality. There are many places where I wish to go, like the Danube Delta, Maramureș and the entire West part beyond Sibiu. I hope I get the chance to visit them because Romania is one of my favorite countries in Europe regarding rural tourism. The European Federation for Rural Tourism (EuroGites) is made up of 34 professional and commercial organizations from26 European countries. EuroGites represents a tourism sector that contains approximately micro companies and around 6,5 million accommodation units. These vary from the Bed&Breakfast system, to rentals of houses or private farms, to small hotel or holiday houses and are blended with the restauration and tourism services. In total, this sector represents approximately 15% from the tourism capacity of continental Europe. The federation s objectives are diverse, taking into account the transnational character of this sector that requires support and representation in multiple areas. Its statute defines the main tasks and activities of the federation: informing and communicating within the network among member organizations, professional representation next to European organizations (private and public), harmonizing the field information and terminology, defining common quality standards, training and research in professional purposes, etc. Within the European Union, EuroGites is involved in the Civil Dialogue Group for Rural Development of the European Commission, as well as in other ad-hoc committees and work groups on topics related to rural tourism

6 Rural development Traditional festivals and their contribution to the development of local communities Danube space, said Silviu Gheorghe, president of ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Tulcea. Traditional festivals organized in the rural areas are a good opportunity to promote the local sites as touristic destinations. Rural tourism doesn t mean only the hospitality specific to guesthouses, but it represents more than that. Craft arts, natural and historical patrimony, gastronomy, folklore, folk clothing represent elements that, if included in a program with a good promotion, may have a decisive contribution to the development of local communities. During its 21 years of existence, ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Romania has initiated, organized and promoted traditional festivals that are now recognized on a national level, but also on an international one. The international food festival Pomana porcului (Pig s Alms) Already at its 10th edition, the festival initiated and organized by ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Covasna within the Cetate Complex in Balvanyos gathers each year hundreds, even thousands of visitors. The event organized in February takes the shape of a culinary outdoor contest. During six to eight hours, participating teams from countries like Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia and Romania compete in the art of cooking. The organizers place at the participants disposal a pig for every two teams. They will then prepare as many tasteful dishes as they can, specific to the area they represent. The teams are formed the night before. Within the Cetate restaurant they organize presentations of traditional outfits, representative objects from the participating area and tastings of culinary products. The evening destined for choosing the teams ends with a show of dancing and singing. During the second day, at dawn, the competition is opened by a parade of the teams, all wearing outfits specific to areas where they come from and the flag of their region/country. Each year, by organizing this festival, we intend to promote the traditions and culinary variety, of Romania but also those of the other participating countries. I am extremely happy that each year we have over participating teams, during some editions we even have 16. Besides the culinary part, we also promote during this event the traditions from each area, the craft arts and the authentic clothing. Also, the festival is an extra line of promotion for the area of Turia - Băile Balvanyos, a land extremely attractive from a touristic point of view, said Attila Daraguș, president of ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Covasna and mayor of Turia. Bloodwurst, Hungarian stews, fat with paprika, liverwurst, pork fillet rolls filled with smoked curd, polenta in kettle, 18 metres long sausages and steaks are only few of the delicatessen judged yearly during the Pig Alms International Festival. Traditional goodies from the Delta area found in the gastronomic competition: fish borsch, stuffed pike, zander pudding, herring salad, carp on tempered The fish borsch festival in the Danube Delta Already at its second edition, the fish borsch festival in the Danube Delta, organized by ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Tulcea in the village of Crișan, asserted itself as a Delta tradition and an extra attraction for the tourists who come to see the allure of the area. Over the course of two days, visitors discover the cultural and culinary mosaic specific to this area. The outdoor gastronomic cooking competition is transformed into a true exhibit and tasting of fish based goodies, prepared by the teams who proudly represent the cohabitant ethnic groups from the Delta area. Each team, besides the outdoor cooking activity, presents its outfits and performs artistic dance shows and folklore interpretations. From the villages that come every year to the festival we can mention: Crișan, Jurilovca, Mila 23, Maliuc, Murighiol, Sfântu-Gheorghe and Caraorman. The event is a lot more than a cooking competition. The fish borsch festival means a promotion of the life in Danube Delta, with its customs, traditional clothing, the hospitality of the ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Tulcea guesthouses, and, not least, with the presentation of this ethnic and cultural mosaic of the cohabitant ethnic groups in the cabbage, catfish belly with a side of sauté mushrooms, catfish stew, Ukrainian cake, boiled sweet gnocchi with sour cream, traditional grape cake. The Sheep Mix-up The cheese and pastrami festival The sheep mix-up, the symbolical holiday that marks the ending of the pastoral year, is celebrated during the last weekend of the month of September, on the Inima Reginei (Queen s Heart) highlands, in Bran. Ten editions of the cheese and pastrami festival were organized on this occasion by ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and 8 9

7 Cultural Tourism) Brașov, with the help of Bran City Hall, of the Ranchers Association of the Bran area and of the Administration of the Bran estate Bran Castle. At the end of the event, a show competition is organized for the most beautiful examples of ovine, cattle, equines and sheepherding dogs. According to the custom, at the end of September, once the sheep men return with their sheep from the mountains, this pastoral celebration takes place, when the young sheep are chosen, or mixed up by their owners. They will also choose, under the form of trading with the sheep men, the produce obtained during the summer (cheese, milk). At the same time, the holiday spirit is shown by the sheep men s return to their families, occasion for dancing and joy. I am happy that together with the local authorities and guesthouse owners we have built a true tradition by organizing this festival so dear to the people in the Bran area. The ranchers in the Bran-Moieciu-Fundata area can capitalize their produce obtained from the fold, as well as from their own households, by presenting and trading them during the cheese and pastrami festival. Each year, thousands of visitors show their appreciation for the rustic, outdoor holidays, for the local gastronomy and folklore, elements that never miss from this event, tells us Mioara Vișan Stoian, president of ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Brașov. Cold cuts festival Initiated in 2009, the Cold cuts Festival organized by ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Gorj had its 6th edition last fall. Every year, the event was held in turn by the villages of Arcani, Peștișani and Tismana, landmark areas for the hospitality of the rural guesthouses in the Gorj area. The festival is a mix of recipes for preparing the cold cuts in various areas of Oltenia and of the original way of presenting them. It is specific for the area to serve the cold cuts together with the warm meat rolls in cabbage leaves that also accompany during this festival the various types of aspic dishes. At the same time, the culinary contest represents an experience exchange among the participants, but also a good opportunity to promote each participant guesthouse. From the goodies that never miss from the culinary show we can find the cold cuts made of pork, chicken, turkey, beef and even fish, hot meat rolls in wine or cabbage leaves, boletus mushrooms cold stew, pies, roasted chestnuts and other products specific for the Oltenia area below the mountains. Each time, we manage to turn into an art the preparation of the cold cuts. An art of the Oltenia area. The villages that have hosted each year the Cold cuts Festival have reasons to be proud, and the gastronomy is only one detail in the so diversified general offer of the Gorj area, stated Radu Ciobanu, president of AN- TREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Gorj. National trout festival The event initiated by ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Romania and ANTREC Suceava is already at its 9th edition. The story of the festival from the Ciocănești parish (Bucovina area) started in the summer of 2004, when, on the banks of the Bistrița Aurie (Golden Bistrița), Mrs. Marilena Stoian, founding president of ANTREC Romania, Corina Cubleșan, president of ANTREC Suceava, and Mr. Tomoioagă, mayor of Ciocănești, organized the first edition of this event. Year to year, the Trout Festival has gained a very diversified program, making Ciocănești one of the most appreciated and visited parishes from Bucovina. Here, more and more agrotouristic guesthouses have been classified and are waiting for their tourists. Bucovina is an area blessed by nature, history and tradition. These are the three elements appreciated by tourists who come every year to the National Trout Festival. The raft tradition, rooted in these areas, is brought back to life and we can once more see the rafts making their way on the Bistrița Aurie, throughout the festival. I am delighted to hear that in the Ciocănești guesthouses and in the area the occupancy degree is From the previous editions of the Trout Festival we mention: the gastronomic competition show based on trout, fly fishing competition, rafting workshops (building rafts, steering techniques), display of dowry crates, hiking up to the sheepfolds from the Suhard mountains, competition dedicated to guesthouses ( The most beautiful garden, The most beautiful traditional house ), a parade of folk outfits and folk music recitals. Goodies from the pies festival: pie with fennel and olives, pie with pumpkin in sugar, caramel and nuts, pie with fish, mushrooms and spinach, pie with cream cheese and lemon, plum doughnuts, cabbage pies, meat and mushroom pies. at 100%, fact that confirms the tourists interest for the festival started by ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism), said Niculina Vasiluț, president of ANTREC Suceava. Pies Festival In the picturesque area of the Oituz Valley in the Bacău county the pies festival is held, event organized by ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Bacău. During two days, representatives from all the counties in the country take part in the pie making culinary competition. In the last few years we have chosen the village of Hârja as host for the festival. We really wish to preserve and promote the traditions of this small village, located in a picturesque natural setting, with good hearted, hardworking and talented people. We receive help in organizing the festival from the children in the Foundation Children in the soul of the family, in the village, who we encourage to meet, present and maintain the traditions of the place. We also bring along to the festival elderly people, like Auntie Tica (88 years old), who participates in the gastronomic competition with pies made from original and old recipes, said Betty Grigoris, president of AN- TREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Bacău

8 On the wine route, at the La Butoaie (At the Barrels ) guesthouse The territory of the LAG (Local Action Group) The Wine Route in the Buzău county covers an area of 639,95 square kilometers, having inhabitants. The parishes that make up the LAG The Wine Route are Breaza, Costești, Gherăseni, Gura Vadului (Prahova county), Merei, Năeni, Pietroasele, Săhăteni, Stâlpu, Ulmeni and Vernești. Romania is among the top ten wine producing countries in the world. Even if the existence and growing of vine dates back to the times of Dacians and Romans, it was only shortly after the year 2000 that Romania started to promote heavily this concept of wine cultural tourism. The program Romania country of wines, initiated by the Ministry of Tourism, had as purpose to organize visits and tastings for the foreign tourists at the cellars and vineyards from Valea Călugărească, Vânju Mare, Murfatlar, Niculițel and Ostrov. During that period, Romania participated within the various international fairs and shows on vine topics. The Wine Route an attractive program for tourists The touristic programs and packages have gotten more and more shape, once accommodations units were developed within the local cellars and vineyards. The program gets very good promotion, more and more tourism and events agencies are taking up this type of tourism, highly appreciated by foreign groups and visitors. The Wine Route represents a very well maintained and marked route, in an area with a wine tradition, enjoying the presence of various wine cellars that, besides the visiting and tasting hours, also provide accommodation and meal facilities. The Buzău county benefits from such a wine route due to the involvement of ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Buzău and the local guesthouses, with the support of local authorities and wine cellars. The program, suggestively named The Cellar Route is approximately 60 km long, starting from the national road DN 10 and reaching the Pietroasele-Monteoru area. The AN- TREC guesthouses within the county make available for the tourists a map where the existent cellars are mapped for that route. A similar program can be seen also in the Prahova and Vrancea counties. ANTREC Vrancea has also created within their county a similar project The Vine Growers Route. The La Butoaie (At the Barrels) guesthouse, Pietroasele an experience to try at least once in a lifetime The story of the traditional guesthouse from number 461 in the Pietroasele village has become known not only in Romania, but also in the entire world. Accommodation facilities and units for meal serving can be found all over Romania, but what is new about this La Butoaie concept is the experience. During the last few years, the tourists have become more emancipated, becoming more and more dynamic. When choosing a touristic site they focus on the experiences they live. The La Butoaie guesthouse in Pietroasele answers the wishes of the visitors to discover an area with a wine history, enjoying a concept of nonconventional accommodation, in a big wine barrel with two places. There are also regular conditions, in the rooms inside the guesthouse. The guesthouse from the Buzău area offers its tourists 12 places in the six respective barrels that are placed in a circle in the guesthouse s yard and another 10 places in the five double rooms in the guesthouse. The tourists enjoy a fully equipped kitchen, terrace, a grill in the yard, pool table and, of course, the must have wine cellar. Tasting programs of awarded wines The cozy wine cellar of the La Butoaie guesthouse is a true oenology landmark for the Buzău area. In the underground cellar, tourists are tempted to discover the house wines, beyond the cool walls. It will be a true bacchic journey, among the aromas and varieties that will satisfy even the most pretentious tastes, as we are speaking about award winning wines. As it was expected, the offer of the guesthouse s cellar promotes local varieties, specific to the Pietroasele area: Feteasca albă (White Maiden), Feteasca regală (Royal Maiden), Riesling, Merlot, Tămâioasa românească (Romanian Incensed Maiden), Busuioaca de Bohotin and Feteasca neagră (Black Maiden). The named wines are from the guesthouse s own production, as it owns over 20 hectares of vine and has wine production equipment of the latest generation. The star wine of the area is Tămâioasa românească (Romanian Incensed Maiden), true landmark of the Pietroasele area, that be found at the guesthouse as dry, but also medium-dry wine. Our activity started in the year 2006, after we transformed these barrels into accommodation units. We wanted to attract as many tourists as possible to the area, in order to allow them to meet the village world and to take part in its daily activities. The guesthouse is directed to all those who wish to find out the secrets of the wine from Pietroasele, but also to those who want a unique experience, says Daniela Roșca, administrator of the La Butoaie guesthouse. The tourist groups may take part in tastings on the Drumul Cramelor buzoiene ( The Route of the Buzău cellars ) in the following locations: the Pietroasa research station, Vinarte, At the Barrels guesthouse, LacertA Cellar (Fințești-Năeni), the Săhăteni Estate, Franco- Romanian Estate (Săhăteni), the Bucur Cellar

9 The hospitality of the Saxons from Criț and Haferland Week bicycle contest with the start and finish in Criț. The traditional Saxon ball, with live German music, will also be this year s main attraction of the 8th of August evening Roadeș: open doors day. The Tabaluga Foundation presents a few of the social and cultural projects performed in this area within a dedicated program Meșendorf: visit to an untouched village. The day dedicated to this village will include the guided visit to the cattle ranch devil s pit and the fortified church inaugurated in The touristic impact of the Haferland Week Every year, the number of visitors who come to the Transylvania areas for the Haferland week increases. The traditional houses in the area, transformed into touristic accommodation units, may ensure the accommodation for up to tourists. The impact of the tourist flow into the Saxon community is a positive one, contributing to promoting the entire area as a highly tempting touristic destination. Criț Village (Deutsch-Kreuz) belongs to the parish Bunești in Brașov County, being a picturesque settlement, with old Saxon houses, some dating back over 200 years ago. Surrounded by hills full of forests and pastures where the animals of the local townsmen graze, Criț keeps that medieval flavor of the villages in older Transylvania. 800 years ago, the Saxons would colonize these realms, the fortified church in Criț and the remaining fortification in the surrounding area being a testimony of those times. The Saxon holiday in the heart of Transylvania The story of the Haferland Week, project with an important socio-cultural implication, would be written in the year 2012, when the popular German singer Peter Maffay together with the business man Michael Schmidt decided to capitalize and promote the initiative or various organizations that acted in the Transylvania area Haferland (Țara Ovăzului - Oats Country). The annual event has as main purpose to promote the cultural values and revitalize the old customs and crafts from areas like Viscri, Criț, Rupea, Saschiz, Roadeș, Fișer, Meșendorf. This year, the Haferland week will take place between the 6th and the 10th of August Activities performed in the Saxon villages The 2015 edition strives to be as dynamic as always and will include the following visits and activities: Fischer: visiting the church sponsored retirement home. The elders tell their captivating stories, about life in the former days of Haferland Viscri: visit to an authentic village. Visitors are invited to meet the Viscri village within a special program for Haferland week Criț: open doors day. The Michael-Schmidt Foundation proposes a diversified cultural program that will take place inside the fortified church ensemble and the former vicarial house, inaugurated in On the same day, the ADEPT Foundation is organizing a Where is Țara Ovăzului (Oats Country) and how was it formed? Oats Country or Haferland represents the territory between Rupea and Sighișoara. Being an area with a harsher climate, not suitable for vine, the local communities reoriented towards oats cultures. Other programs for the tourists in the area: thematic workshop and crafts workrooms at the house of craftsmen; hikes and touristic orientation for children and young ones in the Carpathian forests; tours for watching wild life in their natural habitat; classical music and organ concerts in the Criț church; themed exhibitions. The locals have been with us since the first edition of the event, this being a good opportunity to actively contribute to the area s promotion. Many come to us as volunteers, participating to the event either with trade works and crafts presentations, either with all kinds of culinary products prepared from old recipes, which they take pride on. We have Mrs. Rozi, famous in the community for her jams and tea mixes. The tourists keep in contact with her, ordering delicacies all year round from the lady in Criț. The Suciu family, traditional village family, who also manages part of the traditional houses in Viscri, is another example in this matter. The beekeepers in the area are also very known and appreciated, their products being very sought for, stated Wolfgang Köber, from the Michael Schmidt Foundation

10 Various leisure programs During the last couple of years, cyclotourism has become an attraction more and more desired by both the Romanian and foreign tourists. The project of the ADEPT Foundation enjoys a real success, opening the way for mountain bikes towards themed tours to discover the medieval citadels of the old Saxon villages. The mountain bike route has as final point the city of Sighișioara. At the initiative of the Michael Schmidt Foundation, beginning with May, there will be medieval brunches in the Saxon households of each village in the Bunești parish. These will be held in the first Saturday of each month, from May to September. The Kraus house in Criț the place that writes stories from a long time ago A heart project of the Michael Schmidt Foundation was to build the parish house in Criț, according to the plan of the initial architecture. To accomplish the project there were brought craftsmen from Maramureș, specialized in building brick arches, but also local handymen, from Criț as well as from neighboring villages. We pretty much use local workforce. While rebuilding the Kraus house we had a team of people from the parish who started as helpers on the site, and today, after proper training and preparation, they became qualified workers on other sites, said Wolfgang. At the Casa Kraus (Kraus House) the holiday in the countryside in a mini-childhood The Kraus House in Criț offers its guests nine double rooms decorated with painted furniture, in the Saxon style. The restaurant is equipped according to the current legal regulations, while also maintaining the traditional look. At the same time, two Saxon yards were purchased, where the members of the Michael Schmidt Foundation intend to bring back to life the outdoor cooking activities, crafts workshops and other projects. We will organize workshops in carpentry, horse shoeing, leather processing. The housewives will teach the tourists how to make and bake a home bread, how to prepare the Saxon sweets, how to process and what spices to use to cook meat products. We will also setup a farm where the little ones will learn how to milk the cows or goats, feed the birds and they will take part to other household education projects. We want for the people who stay with us to detach themselves from the day to day world. In the fall we will take the tourists on a search for earth nuts, developing a culinary program based on this activity, while in the winter to ride in the carriages pulled by horses and enjoy mulled wine inside the Kraus House, says Wolfgang. Organizations involved in preserving and restoring the Saxon patrimony in Țara Ovăzului (Oats Country) The Michael Schmidt Foundation, set up in 2010, has as main goal to preserve the cultural Saxon patrimony and initiate educational projects. One of the foundation s projects was about restoring the baroque organ in Criț, where the costs went as high as over euros. Upon the 200th anniversary of the organ in Criț, its inauguration took place by means of a concert held on the occasion of Haferland week. A part of the social projects where the foundation was involved had as purpose to reintegrate the less favored minorities into the community they were part of. The organization facilitated their access to school and professional training in various skills workshops. The foundation was also involved in developing the education system in German, by supplying educational materials for 19 schools in the Sibiu county. During the year 2015, the project continues with the endowment of schools in the Brașov area. Peter Maffay Tabaluga Foundation The Tabaluga Foundation, in Roadeș, was set up in The first project initiated and finished by the association had in mind setting up a protective settlement for less favored children. Functioning by the model of a holiday house, the former parish house of the evangelic church community in Roadeș became a temporary home for 14 children. The building has ten spacious rooms, painted in happy, therapeutic colors. The space grew in 2013 with a new construction, an ecological rural household that ensures a superior quality of the products and capitalizing local production. Touristic activities are organized for the children, as well as trips in the Carpathian hills areas, to observe the fauna specific for these lands, visits to the bears reservation in Zărnești and tours to the Saxon citadels. Also, creation workshops are organized (pottery, weaving, baking bread, painting). The Foundation Mihai Eminescu Trust set up in 2000, implements projects for patrimony conservation and for the revitalization of villages. The focus is on the concept of durable tourism and encouraging local craftwork. The Viscri village is an example of the accomplishments of the projects initiated by the Mihai Eminescu Trust Foundation. The ADEPT Foundation seeks to protect the most important pastoral ecosystems in Transylvania, their biodiversity, as well as the protection of the farmers community. The area around the Saxon villages comprises the last medieval, natural sceneries in Europe. The ADEPT Foundation, by its projects, wishes to transmit information and knowledge to the farmers, in order to obtain ecological agricultural productions

11 The Danube Gorge nature, leisure and hospitality in the Canyon area Leisure services provided by the guesthouses The vast majority of guesthouses in the area of the Danube Canyon offer boat rides and cruises with their own ships. The length of these routes is of approximately 9km, taking around 2 hours. The ships have a capacity of people. The offers also contain guided tours, cyclotourism, mountain routes and water sports. For the active tourists, there are marked circuits for cyclotourism and mountain biking within the perimeter of the National Park the Iron Gates. Also, the parks administration has created paths for hiking, the main attraction in the area being the Ciucaru Mare Peak (318 m), where the tourists can enjoy a lovely view over the Canyon area of the Danube. Attractions to explore during the cruises on the Danube and the boat rides: Cazanele Mici (3,6 km); Tabula Traiana; Decebal s face carved in rock; Mraconia Monastery and Dubova bay; Cazanele Mari (3,8 km); Veterani Cave (guided tour); Ponicova Cave. In 2013 and 2014, on the European continent, more and more tourists have chosen the tourism services of river cruises. Out of these, over one million, representing almost 33%, have chosen the Danube River. During the last two years, on Romania s territory, there was an average of visitors, according to the data by the National Statistics Institute. The average amount that one tourist has set aside for expenses, on Romanian territory, was of euros/day (optional trips and entry fees to touristic points, meal and leisure services, souvenirs). Currently, authorities are looking into creating an own brand for the Danube River, associated with a successful promotion on the international market. Investment in infrastructure, developing the harbor facilities, promoting touristic circuits close to the harbors, investments in the entertainment and leisure areas are a few of the measures that should be taken into account in order to attract a higher number of tourists. The Danube Canyon The Natural Reservation Cazanele Mari and Cazanele Mici The area of the Danube Gorge is part of the natural Reservation Cazanele Mari and Cazanele Mici, mixed type reservation, located between the valleys Ogradena and Ogașul Turcului. Spreading on 215 hectares, the Danube land is characterized by imposing scenery formed by the river that opened its way by carving into the tall rock walls. So, a pass was formed, known as the Danube Gorge or the Danube Canyon. Rural tourism in the Gorge area an array of guesthouses on the Danube bank The Danube Gorge is one of the most varied areas from the point of view of touristic offers. Since the mid 90 s and until today, more and more touristic, rural and agrotouristic guesthouses, from two to four daisies, have been awaiting their tourists. Their positioning, on the Danube banks, the restaurants with traditional fish, but also international menus, as well as the leisure services are bonus points for most of the guesthouses. Doru Oniga, owner of the Steaua Dunării guesthouse and member of ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Mehedinți is one of the first few people who were actively involved in promoting the Eșelnița-Dubova area as a destination for rural and ecological tourism. This area is suitable both for the segment of active tourists, but also for the families and groups who are looking for relaxation. Guesthouses like Melba and Septembrie (September), ranked at four daisies are ideal for tourists looking for indulgement and relaxation within luxury accommodation units. These will tempt them with gazebos suspended over the Danube, where they will be able to have lunch, with outdoor pools and with sailing sport for them to practice. Currently, Mrs. Mariana Molnar, president of ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Mehedinți, is the one in charge of promoting the offers of the guesthouses, the tours and leisure packages in the area, the traditional festivals within tourism fairs and other events

12 Spring calendar 24th 26th of April 2015 Tulips Symphony, Pitești 24th of April 2015 Herring Festival, Galați 2nd 3rd of May 2015 The Roman Festival Apulum, Alba Iulia 8th 9th of April 2015 Gastrocultural Fair Ozosep, 6th edition, Bucharest The fair is organized by the Agricultural Chamber of the Harghita county together with the Hungarian Economists Association in Romania, Bucharest branch, being destined to Saxon products. The visitors have the opportunity to discover delicacies made after ancient recipes, as well as a large variety of natural cosmetics, wooden toys and other handmade objects The event takes place in the interior yard of the Balassi Institute the Hungarian Institute in Bucharest (Gina Patrichi street previously Orlando nr.8, District 1), space where the visitors have the possibility to taste food cooked on the spot, as well as various traditional products: gulaș (Hungarian stew), kürtős kalács (pastry rolls), types of cheese, honey, home bread and chocolate, pălincă (liquor), natural syrups. 16th 19th of April 2015 Spring Fair, Arad The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Arad County is launching, at the Exhibit Complex EXPO Arad, under a new concept, the Spring Fair. Within this event, there will be held the 16th edition of the flowers and gardening fair, Gardenia, as well as the 12th edition of the Tourism Fair Festival, some of the most important events in this area in the West of the country. At the same time, the first edition of the international hunting and fishing fair is organized, where hunting and fishing and camping items are displayed and offers for hunting and fishing tourism offers are presented. 19th of April 2015 Brașov s young ones celebration The celebration is a tradition held in Brașov since Every year, groups of young people parade riding horses through the middle of the town, in the first Sunday after Easter, celebrating this way the arrival of Spring and nature s rebirth. The Brașov s young ones celebration is one of the most beautiful outdoor parades in Romania. Symbolizing the beginning of Spring, the show combines the traditions passed on from their forefathers, the dancing and the music of the groups of young people with the beauty of the town below Tâmpa. Already at its 38th edition, the international exhibit Tulips Symphony, organized by the Pitești City Hall and the Local Council of Pitești is the most important floral, socially-cultural, artistic, sportive and commercial of the city. Pitești, the Tulip city, is also known under the name of Romania s Holland. The celebration takes place over the course of three days, when a series of artistic and cultural events take place, such as international scientific symposiums, flower parade, folklore and music shows, as well as floral and painting exhibits. The festival is organized by the Galați City Hall, the Musical Theatre Nae Leonard and SC PAFmedia S.R.L. on the lower quay of the Danube, in the Pescarul area. Within this event, outdoor concerts are organized, with the participation of the Doina Covurluiului Ensemble and that of Sofia Vicoveanca. The festival represents much more than a focus on the specific gastronomy, promoting also the fishermen customs in the harbor area of Galați as well as the folklore of the area. The festival was set up in 2013 and takes place in Alba Carolina Citadel. Over the course of three days, the historical reenactment groups from the country and from abroad recreate the habits and rituals from the times of the Dacians and Romans. During this event there is a torch parade, presentations of military techniques, gladiator battles and pankration, a battle sport, dating back from the time of the first Athens Olympics. The theatre plays, historical exhibits and concerts recreate the atmosphere of the glory years of the Alba Carolina citadel, therefore completing this festival s program

13 Mioara Vișan Stoian, president of ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Brașov Those who haven t been on holiday to the countryside, have lived in vain! Is was all destiny. After 36 years of teaching in Bucharest, supporting an idea of my daughter by the power of personal example, I confidently promoted this concept of rural tourism Mioara Vișan Stoian. We dearly remember the holidays in the countryside at the grandparents. There were poor, hard times, but with diligent, God-fearing people, who cherished work and the gifts of the land. This was also the case of the grandparents and parents of Mioara Vișan Stoian, now also mother of the mother of Romanian rural tourism Marilena Stoian. She is at the same time grandmother for the two granddaughters, Valeria and Teodora. In Bran s present, Mrs. Mioara remembers the childhood holidays spent in the Oltenia natal lands, on Danube shores at Turnu-Severin. I would spend my holidays in the countryside at my grandparents from Malovăț, 14 km away from Turnu-Severin. It was an unique time in my life, a period which I nostalgically remember. I loved leaving the city to dedicate myself to my grandparents works. My paternal grandmother had several sheep. In the morning I would go barefoot to take the sheep to the pasture. During my childhood I learned to milk the sheep, to spin, to knit socks, to make bake stone bread and many more. I would often go pick up mushrooms in the forest, and I particularly loved picking up the nuts, putting them in the bag and bringing them to my grandmother, «mammy». We would also put together apples, pears, quinces to dry, ranged on a thread, for the «winter», Mrs. Stoian recalls. Turnu Severin was the place where Mrs. Mioara Stoian attended lower secondary school and high school. Graduating higher education at Craiova, Mrs. Stoian followed the career of schoolteacher, librarian and Romanian language teacher in Băilești, Otopeni and Bucharest. When everything seemed to have calmed down, a holiday in the countryside, in Bran, along with her daughter, would change their destiny. But Bran s destiny was about to change at that point, starting from the summer of Man always wants what he does not have. I wanted to be a teacher in a mountain village, because I came from the plain; but I did not make it. My daughter wanted this holiday in the countryside, that I offered to her and this was about to change our destiny. We had come to Bran before on the occasion of the camps for my pupils. But that year everything was different. We found accommodation at an old lady, in a house located on a hill top. All around us I could see the green lawns with flowers everywhere. The two tops of Bucegi and Piatra Craiului unfolded around us and I realised that it was Heaven on earth. In 1990 we decided to take a plot of land for us in Bran, to build a house. Well, this is how I discovered Podul Șimonului (Șimon Bridge), where from a little girder house with two rooms and a bathroom in the yard we would make our holiday house. This was the beginning of a dream come true that subsequently was called Santa-Maria Guesthouse, Mrs. Mioara Vișan Stoian tells us. Initiation of the concept of rural tourism in Romania The authenticity of the places, the return to the nature, traditions and gastronomy have been the ingredients of a recipe started from scratch, but a recipe that would ripen into a concept rural tourism. Motivated by the initiative of her daughter and by the potential of these places, Mrs. Mioara started to wander through Bran and Moieciu with the purpose of convincing more and more locals to open their doors to the tourists. It was a new opportunity for them to increase their income, income that was then achieved just by raising animals. So after 36 of teaching, arrived at the age of 54 years, the hearty woman from Oltenia continued to be teacher, but his time a teacher for the people in the long dreamed of mountain village. I wanted to do something with the people, for the people. In Bran and in Moieicu, along with my daughter I taught the locals what the conduct toward the tourists meant. The teacher experience helped me very much in this dialogue with the locals. Even if at first the people from Bran were sceptical, stubbornly holding on to the idea of ownership, step by step they trusted our initiative. By the power of example, noticing that the neighbours started to win from this activity, other people from Bran and Moieciu turned to us in their turn wanting to be also part from the story we wrote together. At first it was difficult with the organization. The lack of telephones in the houses, heat in some households, other facilities in the rooms represented impediments which taught us some lessons. I trained the hosts to settle these issues, continuously fighting to offer the tourists the long wanted hospitality. Back then the carpets put on the walls illustrating the Kidnap from Serai were in trend. The locals appreciated them very much, but we wanted something else for the guests, to focus on the crafts and traditions of these places. So I would tell the hosts that those carpets were very beautiful and they should keep them in their rooms, and in the tourist rooms they should put traditional rugs woven by the women in the area, icons and other popular objects, Mrs. Mioara recalls. From the rural tourism in the Bran households to the General Meeting of EuroGites (European federation of Rural Tourism) in Germany 1992 marks the setting up of the regional association form Bran area led by Mrs. Mioara Vișan Stoian. Benefiting from this organization, more and more guesthouses participated to various meetings, debating the issues of the community, organizing the local events and searching solutions for the promotion of their services. The next year, on the occasion of the participation within a symposium having as subject traditional architecture carried out at Peleș Castle, Mrs. Mioara meets Maria Meier Gresshoff, President of the European Association of Tourism EuroGites (European Federation of Rural Tourism). It was 22 23

14 the first sign that the activity begun at Bran started to have echoes at national as well as international level. On the invitation of EuroGites (European Federation of Rural Tourism) president, the two Mrs. Stoian actively participated within the federal Meeting of EuroGites (European Federation of Rural Tourism), event carried out in Germany. In 1993, Marilena Stoian was co-opted within the staff of EuroGites (European Federation of Rural Tourism), appointment that decisively contributed to the organization of the future activities of Romanian rural tourism. Standard of rural tourism hospitality Following the presentations sat by Marilena and Mioara Stoian on the occasion of the participations within the events organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Agriculture, more and more persons form the entire country became interested in this new segment of tourism. All these ideas, initiatives and achievements were gathered in a new form dedicated to the promotion of rural tourism, cultural values, crafts and green tourism. Thus, on the 28th of August 1994, at Moieciu, ANTREC România (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism from Romania) family was born, led by Marilena Stoian, president and Mrs. Mioara vice-president and president of ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Brașov. After the set up of ANTREC România (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism from Romania), in 1994, the first classifications of guesthouses were made, signed by Mister Dan Matei Agathon, minister of Tourism at that time. The first classified guesthouse was Santa-Maria our dream come true. Guesthouses from Rucăr, Praid, Vatra Dornei, Apuseni Mountains etc. followed. Along with my granddaughters, Valeria and Teodora, and specialised committees, we would go from house to house through Bran and Moieciu to check if everything corresponded for those houses to become the guesthouses that today are also proud with the ANTREC ( the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) emblem. The owners started to raise more animals, certified the achieved products and traded them in a mercantile manner. In all these years, tourists got used to order comfitures, cheeses, sheep jerky or lard preserved meat. I am glad to see that ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) has managed to contribute to the promotion of gastronomic products from own farm, Mrs. Mioara tells us. Bond between the legislative frame and the guesthouse owners Due to the lobbies made by ANTREC România (National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) and after many meetings within the Ministry of Tourism, in the period , guesthouses were exempted from the payment of profit/ income taxes. Thus, the guesthouse owners could reinvest their profit, building new rooms, laying out gardens, extending by restaurant or meal serving rooms and new utilities for the tourists. In the same time, the building of a guesthouse and its classification brought a priority on the set up of the fixed telephone, so important in that period. Events that contribute to the promotion and development of rural tourism concept Along the 21 years of existence, AN- TREC România (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) initiated and organised a series of events meant to support the guesthouse owners and the craftsmen, also members of the association. They were offered good visibility and promotion within the various events, contributing thus to the development of the local community. Along with the guesthouse owners and the housewives, we set up «Bran-Moieciu ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Club». We gather every month to exchange recipes, to prepare various activities and programs for the tourists, to apply for new projects in the community development, to analyse the last regulations in the field of tourism. The group communication is extraordinary and it is one of the keys to the development of this area for the Romanian rural tourism. I dearly remember an action we carried out with Mister Mironov, former minister of Youth. Along with him, we organized camps for the pedagogic high schools, the future city schoolteachers getting into contact with the authenticity of countryside life. Another large-scale event was the International Congress for Rural Tourism that we organized in 2004 at Cheile Grădiștei (Grădiște Gorges) complex, from Moieciu. Assisted by state secretary Nicu Rădulescu, who trusted our organizational capacities, we showed the beauties and traditions of these regions to the hundreds of participants. Our colleagues from the territories helped us very much. Alphorn women singers came from Alba, welcoming the guests with songs, Bucovina brought the traditional trout based preparations, Argeș prepared crafting workshops and many more. Furthermore, visits were paid to the guesthouses in the area, where the hosts proudly wore the folk costume, Mrs. Mioara Vișan Stoian tells us. Actions for the promotion of rural tourism and development of local communities Experience exchanges and study visits for the guesthouse owners. Starting from 1996, they visited areas specific to the rural tourism from France (Alsace region), Spain, Italy, Poland. In Romania experience exchanges took place with the branches from Alba, Sibiu, Neamț, Covasna, Prahova, Suceava. Partnership in training and qualification programs in the field of tourism (owners/managers of guesthouses, cooks, receptionists, room attendants, guesthouse animators); Support of set up of the National Women Association in the Rural Environment, at Bran, in 1997; Organization of National Woman Day in, on the 15th of October 1997, annually celebrated festivity; Organization of International Rural Tourism Conference at Brașov in 1997; Set up and promotion of folkloric ensembles in Bran area and their participation within the various events in the country and abroad; Partnerships and common actions with the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Agriculture and NRDN (National Rural Development Network) on rural development and preservation of patrimony; Organization of traditional and gastronomic festivals and their promotion on the media channels; Participations within national and international tourism fairs; Permanent consulting for the 5000 members of ANTREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) (National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) from the territories. ANTREC Romania (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) was set up 43 years after its homologation in France, Gîtes de France, first association of rural tourism in the world. Such organizations existed in countries such as Austria, Belgium, Luxemburg, Italy

15 Travel experiences promoted by Sibiu County Council Sibiu County Council (by County Tourism Association) set up a true travel guide for all the categories of tourists interested in discovering the natural, cultural and historical patrimony of the Sibiu land. Within Tourist itineraries Holiday experiences in Sibiu County brochure, the traveller will start to a true return in time, in the times when the history pages of the medieval citadels were written, citadels that are found today in UNESCO patrimony. The travel shall carry on by the universe of the autochthonous village traditions, where the wanderer will interact with the customs, gastronomy and nature of the places. These identities turned the Romanians and the Saxons into brothers, in a land that will never stop wear after year drawing visitors both from the country as well as from abroad. The brochure focuses on the travel experiences from Sibiu County, offering us five perspectives of knowledge of these lands: The Cheese road, The Făgăraș mountain passes, The nature road, The Fortification road and Ten Salt road. The Cheese road Mărginimea Sibiului This land with a rich and long pastoral history represents a standard of tourists interaction with the hospitality and traditions specific to rural tourism. Mărginimea Sibiului is composed of a series of localities (Boița, Tălmăcel, Sadu, Râu-Sadului, Rășinari, Poplaca, Orlat, Gura Râului, Săliște, Tilișca, Rod, Poiana Sibiului and Jina) of which foot paths start to the sheep yards from Lotrului and Cindrel mountains. Several local festivals and festivities are events meant to offer the local community the possibility of valorising the achieved products (mainly cheeses, dairies, sheep jerky) after an old inherited recipe. Programs for the tourists Hiking and picnics at the sheep yard; Participations to the traditional weddings from Sibiel; visits at the cloches workshop from Săliște; pleasure flights over Mărginimea; participation to traditional festivals and festivities, specific to shepherding Vămile Făgărașului (The Făgăraș mountain passes) The land of Olt The old access gate between the historical empires and Wallachia, comprised between Făgăraș mountains and Olt river, the land of Oltul proposes various programs for pleasure and spending spare time, particularly to the active tourists which are well physically trained and passionate about nature hiking. Programs for the tourists Hiking to Făgăraș crests, escalade to the rock or ice and accommodation at Bâlea Lake; Electric Camping hiking, camping, dinner with traditional products and music mixed by a DJ at height; Visit to Cistercian abbey from Cârța; mountain bike. The Nature Road Hârtibaci Valley Bordered by cities Sibiu, Brașov and Sighișoara, Hârtibaci Valley is a land where the biodiversity of the micro-region, the traditional crafts and the landscape with medieval accents harmoniously combine. All these elements are comprised in the programs to which the tourists can take part for the discovery of the authenticity of Hârtibaci land. Programs for the tourists visit by moto-draisine to the Old Mill; Transylvanian Brunch a combination of gastronomic culture and tradition in the village world; Visits to Cornățel farm school; Observation of the mosaic of habitats and birds (bird watching); Picking medicinal plants; Visits at craftsmen and traditional crafts workshops: felimongering, smithery, carpentry, leather processing, folk costume doll making, vegetal kitting. The Fortification Road Târnave Valley For the categories of tourists passionate about cultural and historical tourism, Târnave Valley represents the most appropriate land for browsing the history pages of these lands. Whether they explore by foot or by bike, the visitors shall discover a variety of tourist programs. Holiday experiences Esoteric circuits on Târnave in Mediaș area Dumbrăveni; Discover the energy of the salt from Bazna balneal station; From tower to tower on Târnave visits to the fortified churches; Transylvania card - key of the fortified churches At full trot on Târnave Valley - riding programs at Cross-Country Farm of Prod. The Salt Road The land of Secașe In the Southern Transylvania, in a mainly hilly area, the Land of Secașe appears to us as a cultural-historical mosaic with many Roman remains, fortified citadels and traditional wooden churches. From the oldest times, salt exploitation is practised in the area. Holiday experiences Health and relaxation cures in the open air salty pools and lakes from Ocna Sibiului; Discover the Land of Secașe by bike; Photo raid on Secașe vegetation island observation tour specific to the steppe on Zakel hill from Slimnic (reservation area); Mysteries of the citadel from Slimnic visit at the fortified citadel on Burgbaesch hill

16 People Ionela Lungu folk artisan in the Humulești of Ion Creangă bag with two coins. I have put at each key of the rooms a hanging little bag, in which there are actually two coins. The rooms bear no number, but fairy tale names such as Ion Roată old man, and on the walls I have placed figurines with the characters from the concerned stories. Moreover, in each room there are little fairy tale books to the delight of the parents and children. Besides these figurines, I also make tapestries with the subject of Ion Creangă s Childhood Memories. I have two images illustrating The Hoopoe in the linden tree and Nică in the cherry. These are purchased by the guesthouses in Neamț area or by the Romanians that left the country. One of the guesthouses that has bought such tapestry is Aristocratis guesthouse, one of the most famous and awarded guesthouses in the area, the Neamț craftsman states. Graduate of Gh. Asachi Technical University of Iași Faculty of Machine Construction Technology and MA student in Nonconventional Technologies, Ionela Lungu is a folk craftsman who ignored the mechanisms by choosing crafts and particularly, their promotion at their true value. You can never forget the place where you were born, but home is where your family is. Now my home is at Humulești, along with my husband. Here, in the world of authentic village, I have discovered myself as human, interacting with extraordinary persons. Not for nothing do they say that you learn all your life. At Humulești I have learned to model, to understand crafts, to get close to the village world, a world that I knew too little in my childhood. One day, I took some clay on Ozana banks. It was fine, soft and easy to model. I think I did exactly what a child would have done. I created a human face with nose, ears and mouth. With a little branch a carved off the eyes and left it to dry. The clay cracked a bit, but this did not discourage me from going on. After a while I painted these faces. One day, my husband, Costin, cut an astrakhan cap of my father in law and made me a smaller cap that I put on the head of the little clay man. We both exclaimed: «This is Păcală!» It was the beginning of the faces made of clay, depicting fairy tale characters, Ionela Lungu says. Rural tourism without crafts is like a flower in a vase without water. You enjoy it for a day, but the second day, it dies For Ionela Lungu, the bond between rural tourism and crafts is a very tight one. Moreover, in the course of time she managed to make many guesthouse owners understand how important authenticity is and how imperative the preservation of the traditional specificity is. What can be more sterile than going to a rural guesthouse and not see objects made by folk craftsmen? Guesthouses should have the mark of the place, tell a story of the concerned place. The tourist leaves home for the purpose of knowing authentic places and new people, exactly how they live there, with their customs. I dearly remember the guesthouse of a friend from Agapia, guesthouse that I have decorated and to which I have even given a fairy tale name Little The participation within the Tourism Fairs has contributed to the development and promotion of the craftsmen in Neamț area A consequence of Ionela s participation to the various tourism events (fairs, festivals, conferences) is that the number of the tourists knocking at the door of the craftsmen form Neamț starts to grow. It is time the guesthouses also realised the importance of these visits to the craftsmen type programs that they can initiate and organize. We also have an Association of Folk Craftsmen in Neamț land, that we tried to make visible following our activities and our participations to the tourism fairs. The tourists do not rush into our workshops, but it seems that step by step something changes. Maybe slowly but we are on the good track. Guesthouses should change a little bit their optic, realizing that only together, them and us the craftsmen, can we improve tourism, rendering it more attractive for the tourist that passes by our area. At the events I attended I saw tourists suddenly stopping when they saw my tapestry work. Some of them even tear dropped, because that memory from childhood when their mother or their schoolteacher read to them Creangă s fairy tale was triggered. This entitled me to say that Nică s memories are universal, they are our memories, of the child in us. Two Romanians that crossed my workshop and who reside in Hollywood have these tapestries. Another extremely interesting memory, that I have from the participation to the Tourism Fair from Germany, is related to a Thai tourist woman, mother of two children, who purchased the tapestry with Nică and the hoopoe. Here, she did not know who the represented character was and still she wanted it. It is an appreciation of my work and a promotion of Humulești stories, Ionela says. The workshop, at the foot of Cetatea Neamțului (Neamț Citadel) We have a small workshop at the base of Cetatea Neamțului (Neamț Citadel) in Târgu-Neamț, were we exhibit folk art objects and where tourists can see me working. They can also buy what they like. The area is like a small house, with wider veranda, where I have a little table where I work, model or paint. I easily interact with the tourists, many of them becoming my friends. Some of them return particularly to see what I have been working since their last visit while others want to develop their character collection. It is wonderful how crafts unite people! I conclude by sounding the alarm on the word - handicraft. It has become pejorative. Not everything sols as «worked by hand» is folk art. We, the craftsmen must fight so that folk art does not become a lie. It is up to us to encourage what is authentic, craftsman Ionela Lungu from Neamț concludes

17 Experiences: My farm Regalina layer hen farm, from Râșnov Constituted in 1994, having as main object of activity the raising of meat chickens, NECRI SAN company has become a standard of chicken meat production quality on the Romanian market. In that year, Regalina farm from Râșnov was structured into four production halls era. As time passed by, the excellent results classified the company in the top of the Chamber of Trade and Industry of Brașov, at the specific activity of meat chicken raising. From the meat chicken to the raising of layer hens Starting from 2002, the company gave up raising meat chicken, focusing its resources on raising and holding egg hens. Three years later, the company started on the tourist market, building with SAPARD funds Bran house Villas guesthouse, in Bran resort. The series of the investments by European Projects carried on in 2008, when NE- CRI SAN started the modernization at European standards of two of the four halls form the layer hen farm. After equipment with new modern batteries, the two halls were peopled with Isa Brown race hens. Due to the achievement of immediate profit, modernizations also continued to the other two halls of the farm. Farm extension and development stage by European funds In , the company accessed European funds by Measure 121 Modernisation of agricultural holdings - NRDP , extending the farm and equipping it with a new hall destined to the raising of the total number of young replacement chickens and with an egg sorting, marking, packing and storing centre. In the same time, investments continued by the acquisition of state of the art equipment. Production valorisation Due to its own distribution fleet, Regalina farm from Râșnov daily delivers fresh eggs in about 250 locations from Argeș, Brașov, Covasna, Harghita, Ilfov, Prahova counties, as well as in Bucharest. In time, distribution contracts with hypermarkets such as Selgros and Billa, as well as with food stores with tradition such as Sergiana, Avicod, Derisan were concluded. On the list of trade units many hotels, guesthouses and public institutions that purchase eggs coming from the Râșnov farm are added. The company trades eggs on the markets of Brașov by the special egg automaton system. Quality eggs, from well taken care of hens Regalina brand eggs come from early raised hens within the farm. Regalina prides itself on the Lohmann Brown Classic, Lohmann LSL or Isa Brown race hens. They have been purchased from partners with old tradition in the field, from countries such as Germany, Austria, Czech Republic or Slovakia. Once arrived at the farm from the origin countries, the chickens benefit from permanent veterinary care. According to a well dressed up plan, they are checked and vaccinated, in order to eliminate the risk of getting sick weeks later, the chickens reach the big farm, joining the other already egg making hens. Within the sorting centre, eggs are inspected at the egg tester, subsequently searching for the elimination of the cracked, dirty or deformed ones. Sorting according to weight follows, the eggs being framed in the categories S (below 53g), M (53-62g), L (63-72g) and XL (over 73g). The eggs will be packed into 30 piece cartons or into ten or six piece casseroles. The labelled and foiled cartons stay for little time in the storage being then loaded in the distribution fleet equipped with isothermal machines with cold aggregates, providing the transport to the clients. Regalina eggs represent one of the ingredients of the preparations that the tourists will enjoy within Bran House guesthouse restaurant

18 Experiences: My community Invitation to Bran House Complex Hospitality, refinement and pleasure for all the tourists with a remarkable interior design. The complex also benefits from restaurants where traditional and international specialties are served. They totalize 150 places being ideal for the organization of festive meals, anniversaries etc. Gastronomy occupies an important role among the services offered by our complex. We think that gastronomy represents a manner of knowing the culture and tradition of an area, arts, skill, a manner of eating healthily and tastily. Our menu is mainly composed of traditional food, from own farm, homely cooked. We propose to the Romanian as well as to the foreign tourists a menu form the area composed of Bran House traditional snack, composed of Bran specific products (sheepskin cheese, cottage cheese, ewe-cheese, bacon, onion, sausage, pork scraps), mountain like beef soup, yard chicken soup, peasant soup with bacon and tarragon, shepherd polenta ball, polenta with cheese and cream, cabbage stuffed meat rolls, cottage cheese boiled dumplings with forest fruit comfiture, home cake, home-made icecream, the complex owners state. Since 2005, Bran-Sohodol area has benefited from a new complex of guesthouses and villas, increasing the charm of the Romanian rural tourism cradle. Bran House guest house represented the start on this ling road from hospitality industry. The inauguration of the Bran house Villas bodies, from Sohodol, in 2009 came next, and the extension of the complex is in progress even at present, the most recent example being Bran Pension House. By the creation of this complex of villas, the owners address to all the categories of tourists, from the families with children or individual tourists to the team building an camp organization. The total capacity of the complex from Bran-Sohodol area is 75 places, each villa having a specific theme, Ever since 2005, the attention paid to the personnel qualification is an essential criterion in offering quality services. The owners have permanently invested in their employees, organizing for them training and improvement courses. The work equipment is always appropriate and hygienised, the owners being very rigorous with the provisions related to the conduct and hygiene of the personnel getting in contact with the culinary preparations. The entire personnel of the complex fluently speak at least one foreign language. Bran Pension House the old time royal charm Bran Pension House is the perfect choice for the tourists searching for moments of relaxation in an elegant set, recalling the royal atmosphere from other times. The location of the guesthouse five minute walk from Bran Castle represents an advantage for those who want to discover by foot Bran s beauties. The different Recommended tourist attractions and objectives: Visiting of Bran Castle and Bran Village Museum; visit at Râșnov citadel; practising winter sports on Zănoaga-Bran ski slope; hiking in Piatra Craiului national park and in the Bucegi mountains; speleological tourism at Dâmbovicioara cave and visiting of Cheile Dâmbovicioarei (Dâmbovicioarei gorges); visiting of bear reservation from Zărnești. Other facilities of Bran house Villas complex Own, private, watched and closed parking; Own thermal station; non-smoker rooms; breakfast saloon; conference/business meeting/training room; access to fax, copier and printer; WI-FI Internet; fitness room; table tennis; sauna; 32 33

19 style of each single room, the spectacular architecture, the attention paid to details, the refinement of the equipment are the attributes that recommend Bran Pension House as an excellent destination in an area with rich rural tradition. The 12 rooms, each having a unique theme, bears a fairy tale name. The rooms benefit from Wi-Fi Internet, cable television, sanitary group, air conditioning and terraces offering perspectives to Bran s attractions. The massive wood furniture and the carefully made finishes by famous designers provide the plus of visual relaxation, irrespective of the room for which the tourist opts. Bran House Villas closer to the nature The two identical villas from Sohodol village offer the advantages of a refined complex, in an isolated place, offering perspectives to the tops of Bucegi, Postăvaru, Piatra Craiului and Măgura Codlei mountains. To the two bodies Villa 3 is added, an accommodation unit ideal for the organization of pupil camps, for groups or other activities destined to pleasure or event organization. The two villas provide an accommodation capacity for persons per villa, in six double rooms with matrimonial bed, two triple rooms and two apartments with matrimonial bed and extensible sofa. The rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi Internet, telephone, TV, minibar, bathroom with shower and hair dryer and they have terrace. Tourists can relax in the generous living of each villa, with access on panoramic terrace. At Bran house Villas, the three meals of the day can be ordered à la carte, the served preparations being cooked in the Bran House guesthouse restaurant. Furthermore, tourist also benefit from barbecue with all necessary tools and a modern, completely equipped kitchen. Vila 3 from Sohodol is the right choice for the camp segment or for the groups that want to organize a private. The villa has a dining hall, completely equipped kitchen, barbecue in open air and 18 places of accommodation distributed into four rooms with superposed beds. Pleasure from traditional music to paraglide flights On request, for the groups of tourist accommodated at Bran house Villas thematic parties are organized with traditional music and ensembles from the area, camp fire, off-road tours in the surroundings, mountain bike bicycle tours, riding program, paraglide flights and paintball. On the renting of a villa from Casa din Bran Villas complex tourists benefit from a completely equipped sports room with machines for gymnastics, force, fitness and aerobic. Furthermore, one of the main attractions of the complex is the multisport land, an impressive panoramic construction, in open air, above Sohodol. 11 fairy tale rooms, in a royal set Grandparents room; Knight room; Count room; Duchess room; Chancellor room; King room; Queen room; Spatharus room; Guards room; Treasurer room; Steward room. Other facilities offered by Bran Pension House : Library with reading room; exterior terrace; minibar and safe at the front desk; video watched parking; playground for the little ones; tours at Bran tourist objectives; tours with the carriage pulled by horses 34 35

20 Experiences: My community Apuseni Mountains Agricultural tourism, ecological tourism, cultural and historical tourism Apuseni Mountains, part of the Occidental Carpathians, are delimited at the North by Barcău river, at the South by Mureș river, at the West by Western Hills and Plain, and at the East by Transylvanian Hilly Depression. Their beauty is no longer a secret for who loves Romania and starts on the road in order to fully enjoy everything these lands can offer. The land below earth : thousands of caves cross Apuseni Mountains Apuseni mountains hide many treasures in the underground, some of them already becoming tourist objectives very sought after by the tourists. Alba County abounds in caves, a reason why it is known as the land below earth. Underground falls, fascinating formations, impressive rooms, all form a distinct world, a true paradise not only for the speologists but also for the tourists. Ghețarul de la Scărișoara (Scărișoara glacier), Huda lui Papară and Poarta lui Ionele (Ionele s gate) caves, located on the territory of Alba County, are just a few examples. Once arrived in Apuseni Natural Park, on whose territory a part of the cave is located, it is impossible not to remain fascinated by all the natural attractions met wherever one goes. Poarta lui Ionele (Ionele s Gate) is a cave located in Bihor Mountains, at an altitude of about 800 meters, close to Arieș valley, in the very Southern part of Apuseni Natural Park. The legend says that the name of the cave comes from an outlaw called Ionel, who hided in it until he was caught. True or not, the cave preserved their name and draws the visitors passing by. Declared natural monument ever since 1999, Poarta lui Ionele (Ionele s Gate) Cave has only one gallery that can be visited, 60 meter ling and 32 meters high, the cave being sculpted in white limestone. The Glacier Cave from Scărișoara, the most famous cave on Gârda valley, can be reached by crossing Cheile Ordâncușii (Ordâncușa Gorges), on an asphalted road which is 18 km long, at an altitude of 1165 meters. From Gârda de Sus commune one can also climb and on a path on Mununa hill which leads to the glacier within about two hours (red cross marking). The cave is part of the Glacier-Ocoale-Dobrești carstic system, the glacier name coming from the fact that it hides the biggest underground glacier in Romania, being the first cave in our country declared natural monument ever since The entry into the gate is impressive, by an arcade with diameter of about 60 meters, 48 meters deep, which was fitted with 270 pretty abrupt metallic steps. Only 260 meters can be visited, the rest of the route up to 720 being destined to the speologists, the tourist sector that can be visited being Aven, Big room, Church. The ice at the surface of the big room is over 4000 year old. In Apuseni Natural Park equestrian activities, on Muntele Mare (Big Mountain) and Vlădeasa, as well as ecological tourist type activities, activities involving the observation of flora and fauna or cyclotourism are also performed. A land of historical and natural monuments Apuseni Natural Park is located in the Western part of the country, in the Central-Eastern part of Apuseni mountains and it is surrounded by Vlădeasa massive on the North, Pădurea Craiului mountains on the North-West, Bihor mountains on the South, Gilău mountains on the East and Codru-Moma mountains on the South-West. On the territorial of the park Cloșca memorial house is located, from Cărpiniș village, a museum erected near Ion Oargă Cloșca house. He was one of the leaders of Transylvanian bondman rebellion from Another important objective is the municipal museum from Beiuș, which has ethnography and history section. Besides caves like Scărișoara, Poarta lui Ionele (Ionele s gate), Urșilor (Bears) Cave, Meziad cave, Ghețarul (Glacier) cave from Focul Viu (Live fire) and Poarta Zmeilor (Dragons gate) cave, Vârtop glacier or the gorges that create unique picturesque landscapes, such as Cheile Turzii (Turda gorges), Cheile Turului (Tur gorges), Cheile Borzești (Borzești gorges), Cheile Vălișoarei (Vălișoara gorges), Cheile Poșăgii (Poșaga gorges), Cheile Runcului (Runcu gorges), Cheile Someșului (Someș gorges) or Cheile Râmețului (Râmeț gorges), the latter being declared natural reservation, equally fascinate. Cheile Râmețului (Râmeț gorges) are located on the Eastern part of Trăscău mountains, up the Geoagiu or Râmeț valley the way the river that squeezed through the limestone slips of the mountains. The area of the reservation is about 150 hectares. Throughout the summer, the crossing can be also partially made through the bed of Geoagiu river, with the possibility of reaching, due to the low level of the water, Cheia village and then Huda lui Papară cave. The vertical walls, naturally sculpted in the course of time impress by their momentousness. Close to Cheile Râmețului (Râmeț gorges) Râmeț monastery is located. The latter holds a museum constituted by priest Dometie, who exhibits in the exterior various representative objects, as well as a stone from the Holy Golgota brought from Jerusalem, a stone with the Virgin Mary pyre brought from Sinai Mountain, evidence of the existence of a seabed at the Holy Church from Geoagiu de Sus (Upper Geoagiu). Inside we can find clothing items with ethnographic character specific to the areas, as well as leather peasant sandals, costumes, embroidered peasant blouses, cult garments. In Apuseni, the traveller also remains fascinated by the amazing falls, such as Răchițele falls. The water fall measures over 30 meters and in the winter, when the rocky wall is frozen it becomes an excellent place for ice climbing. Another famous falls con

21 Geological formations and amazing landscapes Those who arrive in the agricultural tourist area of Arieș valley can penetrate not only into a spectacular carstic world, but can also discover forgotten villages in the mountains, where the traditional communities preserve that authentic and simple lifestyle. Amateur or Professional fishermen can relax at trout fishing. Those who love winter sports can ski on the slope near Vârtop clough, also equipped with platter lift. sidered one of the largest in Transylvania, is located on the territory of Vidra locality, in the very vicinity of Dealul cu melci (snail hill), another tourist attraction. It is Pișoaia falls, also known as Miresii falls (Bride falls), declared landscape reservation, which spreads on a surface of 2.5 hectares. Located in a gorgeous beech tree forest, the water fall of 25 meters overflows a rock made of crystalline limestone. Not far from the falls, near Arieș shore, in a house from Incești village, Avram Iancu was born and raised. Now, the commune bears the name of the great leader. Avram Iancu museum complex is another tourist objective that deserves to be visited. Besides the museum that includes the house in which the 1848 revolutionary lived, the ethnography exhibition with costumes attesting the moti garment. The complex also comprises the school and the church in the locality, founded in In the museum underground, tools certifying the traditional occupation of the Moti people, from pasturing, wood processing, fishing, hunting to agricultural activity, are distinguished. The lakes are other attraction points, the heaven of those passionate about nautical ski, but also of the fishermen being Tarnița accumulation lake, one of the most sought after tourist areas in Cluj County. On the lake supplied by the waters of Someșului Cald (Warm Someș) valley, having an area of 215 hectares and being about 8 kilometres long, tours by boat and jet ski included are organised. Anyone who decides to go hiking on the Apuseni Mountains will remain astonished by every place he meets on his way. On Ampoi valley, that crosses Șard, Meteș, Feneș, Zlatna and Izvorul Ampoiului (Ampoi source), a picturesque area opens on the road to the land of the Moti. It is impossible not to always take halt admiring the forested slopes where you discover stone blocks located here and there, that seem to have got out of the landscape, conferring it a unique note. Ampoi valley is an area rich in tourist attractions that offer us spectacular gorges, caves but also many other natural monuments, veiled in legends. One of the most unusual landscapes in the Carpathians is also Detunata Golașă (Naked Detunata), located in the North of Metalliferous mountains, that was declared reservation ever since Detunata Golașă (Naked Detunata) represents bursts of de basalts, having the shape of some volcanic hills, having at the base coniferous forests and a gigantic area of crushed basalts. Handmade traditions and sensational gastronomy The fairs and festivals that are held in the Apuseni villages carry on old traditions and customs such as Harvest Festival from Ampoița, The Girl fair from Găina (Hen) Mountain, Fășangii from Cetea or the National Fair of Rural Tourism from Albac. At the latter fair, besides the tourist offers of the area one can also admire and buy traditional products made of authentic artisans. Today too, the Moti people still make pails and coops, and the alphorns to which the Moti women sing still keep the secret of their manufacture. Whether we talk about the balmoș (cheese polenta) or the slab pie, baked on hot rock, the traditional preparation of the Moti people satisfy the most pretentious tastes. The guesthouses members of AN- TREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) Alba, organization led by Emil Comșa, expect their tourists coming to discover the charm of Apuseni mountains. Among them we can enumerate Danciu guesthouse from Gârda de Sus (Upper Gârda), Steaua Arieșului (Arieș star) guest house, Albac, Casa Moțului (Moti house) from Arieșeni, Bitai Panzio guesthouse, Rimetea guesthouse, Casa Ecologică (Ecological House) guesthouse from Cetea, Sub Piatră (Under the stone) guesthouse, Sălciua, Casa Butnarului (Butnarului house) guesthouse from Geoagiu de Sus (Upper Geoagiu), Conacul Secuiesc etc. Any tourist who chooses to spend a few days in this realm full of charm and mystery shall have the occasion to meet traditional houses and tenths of guesthouses with warm and welcoming people, shall discover the sensational gastronomy and the incomparable beauty of Apuseni mountains, one of the most attractive tourist destinations from Romania

22 Up-to-date leader Central Dobrogea Local Action Group Central Dobrogea LAG territory is located in the South-Eastern region and reunites 11 rural communities from Constanța and Tulcea counties, its high agricultural potential being favourable for animal raising and agriculture practise, particularly high cultures and horticulture. In the same time, besides the landscapes dominated by agricultural areas, the territory benefits from protected areas located along the Danube, which confers it a high potential not only with regard to agricultural but also tourist development. Out of the 11 communes of Central Dobrogea LAG 10 are part of Constanța County (Ciocârlia, Peștera, Tortoman, Mircea Vodă, Saligny, Seimeni, Crucea, Horia, Saraiu, Rasova), and Casimcea commune is part of Tulcea County. The total area of Central Dobrogea LAG territory is 133,092 hectares, of which 108,475 ha in Constanța County and 24,617 ha in Tulcea County. The cultural patrimony of Central Dobrogea territory is rich in archaeological sites, the oldest objectives dating from the very antique era. The crafts performed in this territory determined a big affluence of tourists before 1989, this is why Central Dobrogea LAG grants a special importance to the care and preservation of cultural resources, including the museum collection, archives, sites and landscapes. Thus, the functioning of LAG focuses on the achievement and promotion of a conjugated program of perception of patrimonial values, meant to direct the public s attention to national culture. On Central Dobrogea LAG territory specific traditions and customs are met which are kept from old times and which are still practised, such as Pottery, ritual met in Casimcea Saraiu and practised before the start of the Lent, for air purification and chasing away of the evil spirits from the locality area. Caloian (rain maker ritual), custom practised after Easter, symbolises fertility, the abundance of cultures and regeneration of vegetation. Other customs practised in Central Dobrogea are: Paparuda (Rainmaker), in Crucea, Horia and Peștera communes, Carolling, Bear, Brezaia, Goat, practised around winter holidays, in all the localities of Central Dobrogea LAG territory. The rural area of the Local Action Group is important not only because of the high agricultural potential, but also because of the cultural ethnographic values and objectives form the patrimony. Traditional crafts and the fairs, met on the cultural-historical route of the area highlight the traditional treasure between the Danube and the Black Sea. The multi ethnical village museum from Cobadin, the Village museum from Dervent Monastery, as well as Peștera Sfântului Andrei (Andrew Saint Cave) and Dervent Monasteries can be valorised in the tourist offer. With regard to the route of the craftsmen, all the villages of the Danube limes are envisaged, an example being the rural workshop from Rasova. The cultural tourism based on crafts allows the folk artisans to sell their local products on an organised market. With regard to the fairs, as organization proposals, National fair of Folk Craftsmen but also Crop Festivity and Danube Wine Festivity to which Bread Festivity is added are taken into consideration. Another form of local promotion is agricultural tourism combined with riding programs, tours by using the traditional means, sports fishing and hunting in the meadows and lakes on the Danube shore. The proprieties, the objectives and the measures implemented by projects in Central Dobrogea LAG territory follow the valorisation of the agricultural potential of the territory, the support of vocational education for the increase of the individual performance and the improvement of labour occupation, the tourism development, the environment protection and the valorisation of natural and cultural potential and the consolidation of the social and care services for the population and rural communities. The Local Action Group launched the session of project demands for Measure 421 Implementation of cooperation projects, in the period The maximal value of non-repayable funding that can be granted to a project is EUR 10,000, and the intensity of the non-repayable support is 100%. Furthermore, the selection appeal for Measure Installation of young farmers, in the period was also launched. The available funds for Measure in this session amounted to EUR 80,000, granting funding for two projects. The maximal value of the non-repayable funding that can be granted is EUR 40,000, and the intensity of the non-repayable support shall be 100%. The vision of economic development within Central Dobrogea LAG (Local Action Group) territory is focused on key projects that shall offer a new evolution and a nee dynamic to rural life

23 Niraj valley Leader Association LAG (Local Action Group) Niraj Valley is one of the areas with the highest density of the population from Transylvania. The villages range on the two shores of Niraj and its confluents. Câmpul Cetății (Citadel field) represents the largest hatchery complex in the country, having in its composition several trout farms form almost 50 basins with source water. Niraj valley LEADER Association was registered in 2010 as legal entity representing the Local Action Group. Its purpose is to use the development opportunities within the fourth Annex of the National Rural Development Plan. Niraj Valley LEADER Association reunites 53 members of which 13 are administrative-territorial units, 20 are private partners (representing trade companies, individual enterprises, natural persons and cooperative companies), and 20 members are part of the civil sector (NGOs). The territory of the micro region comprises 13 administrative-territorial units, 12 communes and one town, Miercurea-Nirajului, the historical and socio-cultural centre of the micro-region. It is located 20 kilometres away from Târgu-Mureș. Niraj Valley micro region is located along Niraj river valley, a left confluent of Mureș. In the valley that is about 2 km wide in the lower and middle area and in the secondary valleys 66 village are located, most of the inhabitants being of Hungarian nationality. Niraj Valley micro region is divided into two areas, Lower Niraj valley and Upper Niraj valley, the middle part that divides the area after the local tradition being Acățari commune. The administrative-territorial units of the micro region are Eremitu, Hodoșa, Vărgata, Măgherani, Bereni, Gălești, Corunca, Livezeni, Păsăreni, Acățari, Crăciunești and Gheorghe Doja communes, as well as Miercurea Nirajului town. In Upper Niraj Valley there are large areas of pastures, these being determining in the mountain area of the micro region (Bereni, Măgherani and Eremitu communes), animal raising representing the main activity. The cultural patrimony of Niraj Valley micro region comprises several objectives, from archaeological remains, churches and public buildings with particular architectural value, up to customs, traditions and various elements of the folk culture (folk clothing, folk music and dances). An important factor of the socio cultural life is represented by the traditional cultural programs that are annually organised in the micro region. The main mission of the Association is represented by the creation of the bases for sustainable economic and social development, by partnership and collaboration at local level, taking into consideration the existing local resources and possibilities. One of the successful projects of Niraj valley LEADER Association is Setting up green areas and innovative playgrounds in Hodoșa commune. Due to this investment, in Hodoșa commune there is an objective with a particular interest, as the park contains innovative and unique architectonic objects in the micro region. The objects placed in the park have traditional sculptural elements, but the organic architecture is also reresented in this area. Besides the esthetic value, the park is multifunctional, a special and original space being created for shows and cultural manifestation in the open air. Among the final beneficiaries of the project is also the young generation from the commune, the children, who have at their disposal a playground with various attractive and educative areas. Project title: Setting up green areas and innovative playgrounds in Hodoșa commune ; Location: Region 7 Centre, Mureș County, Hodoșa locality; Project carried out within NRDP (National Rural Development Program), Axis III, measure 322, session I of 2012, finalised project. Total amount of the project: EUR 101,000, of which EUR 54,967 - non repayable funding, assembly construction project. Niraj valley territory also enjoys tourist importance by the fact that in the micro region in the area of Bekecs mountain, the tracks of the Roman road called The Salt road can be identified even today. The largest part of the road, which is 60 km long, connecting Sângeorgiu de Mureș locality to Praid locality, is even in the Niraj valley micro region, crossing it in the most picturesque areas. Total number of submitted projects: 58; Signed funding contracts: 58; Total amount of the projects: EUR 2,311,161; Total amount of contracted non-repayable funding: EUR 2,320,

24 News and events National Day of Rural Tourism, at Râșnov On the Palm weekend, ANTREC România (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism), along with Brașov branch and Râșnov city hall, organised a new edition of the National Rural Tourism Day, at Pănicel Râșnov Tourist complex, also having the support of Rosenau Tourism Association. Like in the other years, the owners of guesthouses gather along with the folk crafts, dance ensembles and folk music, local officials and officials from other areas of the country, AN- TREC (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism) representatives and journalists, Projects of maximum EUR 200,000 for nonagricultural activities in the rural environment The National Rural Development Program (NRDP) makes available two sub-measures to those who want to get European funds in the non-agricultural field. Within NRDP (the National Rural Development Program) sub-measures 6.2 Support for the constitution of non-agricultural activities in the rural areas and sub-measure 6.4 Investments for the creation and development of non-agricultural activities have been included. They follow the diversification of rural economy by the increase of the number of small and medium enterprises in the non-agricultural sector. bloggers, but also tourists. The event is organised under the form of an adhoc meeting between the specialists from rural tourism and potential clients. The discussions are focused on subjects such as the opportunities from agricultural tourism and rural development, trends in the field, promotion of rural tourist activities, as well as the importance of the traditions and crafts. The National Tourism Day has a various calendar of activities, comprising exhibitions of photography and folk art (handicraft, folk costumes, wool weaves, demonstrations with folk craftsmen), a show of Mugurel These sub-measures lead to the development of the services and the creation of jobs in the rural area, but also to the reduction of the differences between the rural and the urban, as well as the development of some non-agricultural activities. The two sub-measures particularly regard the farmers or the members of the agricultural households that want to diversify their economic activities by practising non-agricultural activities, in order to increase their revenues and create alternative jobs. By sub-measure 6.2, the non-repayable support is granted for a period ensemble, an equestrian show, a gastronomic exhibition with tasting of traditional products, but also visits at the guesthouses and other tourist objectives from Râșnov. The event is annually organised starting with 2004, and at the past editions it was hosted by localities such as Fundata, Șirnea, Moieciu, Bran, Prejmer, Întorsura Buzăului, Cristian, Sărata Monteoru, Iași, Tismana or Albac. Râșnov town was chosen host of this year due to the development of guesthouse system particularly in the vicinity of the historical centre and at the periphery of the locality, in practically rural areas. of maximum five years, amounting to EUR 50,000 per project and maximum EUR 70,000 de euro per project, in the case the production activities, medical services, sanitary-veterinary and agricultural tourism activities. The support shall be granted in two instalments as follows: 70 percent of the maximal quantum of the support upon the receipt of the funding decision and 30% of the quantum of the support shall be granted provided the business plan should be appropriately implemented. By sub-measure 6.4, the non-repayable support shall not exceed EUR 200,000 on a three year period. Foreign tourists spent over 5 billion lei in Romania, in 2014 The number of the foreign tourists accommodated in the tourist units from Romania was nearly 2 million in 2014, and their total expenses exceeded 5 billion lei, according to the data published by the National Institute of Statistics. The main reason for the foreign tourists stay in Romania is business, participation to congresses, conferences, courses, fairs and exhibitions, their expenses representing 68% of the total. The second reason for the foreign tourists stay in Romania was represented by the personal purpose travels (38.7% of the total number of tourists), their expenses representing 32% of the total. The personal purpose travels include holidays, travels for shopping, participation to cultural and sports events, visiting of the friends and relatives, medical treatment, religion, transit and others. Out of all the expenses for business, the most expensive were those for accommodation (over 50%), the accommodation with breakfast included being preferred in over 90% of the cases. The foreign tourists also spent money in restaurants and bars, reaching 16% of the expenses, and some of them also spent time shopping (nearly 12%). When they went through the stores, the foreigners preferred buying cloth wear and footwear, beverages and food (33.5%). The exp0enses regarding the rental of cars weighted 57.1% out of all the transport expenses and the exp0enses regarding the access to entertainment parks, fairs, casinos, mechanic game rooms represented 76.9% out of all the recreation expenses. Out of the total number of foreign tourists arrived in Romania in 2014, nearly 45% organised their stay by tourism agencies and 32.8% planned it by themselves

25 NRDN (National Rural Development Network) meetings regarding rural tourism GLT 3 (Thematic work group) Promotion of sustainable tourism in the rural environment The meeting was held in Bucharest, in the period 9th-10th of February 2015, following an integrated approach of tourism in the rural environment. To this GLT (thematic work group) various strategies in the field were presented by Maria Stoian - ANTREC România (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism), Liviu Mureșan CODCR (Council of Danube Cities and regions), Raluca Munteanu OAR (Romanian Order of architects), Iuliana Grumăzescu SGG (Government General Secretariat) TBC (network of regional tourism innovation centres), Cristian Hristea Amphitheatre Foundation. On this occasion the strategy of development of Danube region and nation al strategic orientations for the sustainable development of the underprivileged mountain area as well as cluster model in the European rural tourism were brought in the foreground. The focus was on the importance of the promotion of architecture and cultural patrimony as success factor for the development of sustainable tourism in the rural environment, the comfort specific to modern times being also consi9dered. Within this framework, Mrs. Maria Stoian sat a presentation on tradition and comfort in Romanian rural tourism, the two terms being mutually supplemented. Romanian rural tourism can offer a lot in terms of traditions, also focusing on the tourists comfort, she highlighted. The vent proposed to be an open space of discussions and debates on subjects related to the integrated promotion of tourism in the rural environment, challenges in promoting a sustainable tourism in the rural environment, funding opportunities within NRDP (National Rural Development Program) Thus, the need to differentiate the tax on buildings according to the turnover, the number of employees and season was highlighted, given the fact that not all guesthouses are opened all year long and the occupation degree differs according to the season. Another proposition involved the prioritization of the projects regarding local architecture, the ecological tourism destinations were presented and a SWOT analysis with regard to sustainable tourism was made. Ad-hoc seminar Agricultural tourism in NRDP (National Rural Development Program) perspective In the period 26th-27th of March 2015, at Cheile Grădiștei (Grădiște gorges), NRDN (National Rural Development Network) by the Network Support Unit organised the seminar called Agricultural tourism from NRDP perspective The seminar proposed to approach some current subjects of great interest both for the rural development in general as well as for the programming period Within the seminar Mioara Vișan Stoian, president of ANTREC Brașov (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism), Conf. Univ. Dr. Maria Stoian, ANTREC România (the National Association of Rural Ecological and Cultural Tourism), Ovidiu Gârbacea, from Cheile Grădiștei (Grădiște gorges) complex, Dr. Ion Andrei, from the National Association for the Service in Tourism, and Prof. Dr. Manoela Popescu, from Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University took the floor. Among the debated subjects, the valorisation of the uniqueness elements form the rural tourism were envisaged, as well as crafts, folklore, and the landscape, the valorisation of the traditional and culinary art by agricultural tourism, the increase of the degree of occupation of the tourist and agricultural tourist guesthouses by the improvement of the tourist product and intensification of promotion, an important role in agricultural tourism being occupied by local, regional and national associations. The increase of competitiveness in rural tourism also represents a priority premise for the increase of service quality. In the same time, the thematic classification of the guesthouses must be envisaged, taking into consideration the European models corroborated with the specificity from Romania. An essential component in the rural tourism product is represented by pleasure, the more that rural areas are favourable for carrying out activities in the open air. The harmonization of the educational training (pre-university and university training) curriculum with the requirements of the labour market in the rural tourism that does not fully cover the existing needs is also required. The agenda of the seminar also included the visiting of Mama Cozonacilor (Romanian sweet bread mother) guesthouse, including of the laboratory for sweet bread and bread manufacturing, the guests tasting traditional products such as sweet bread, pies and milk. The pleasure base, the sports room and the biathlon track of Cheile Grădiștei (Grădiște gorges) resort were visited, under the direction of mister Ovidiu Gârbacea. Conclusions The profile of the investor in rural environment is a dynamic one, receptive to the new an focused on sustainable long term development ; The guesthouse directors feel the need to associative support and positively answer the conferences and seminars of the type, considering them useful and attractive, being a goiis occasion of experience exchanges among them; interesting success models as well as cases in which innovation and marketing is necessary have been identified, interest existing in searching for solutions; in rural tourism the necessity of some financial mechanisms supported by European projects that address the new investments and the development of the existing ones is required; for the widening of the vision and facilitation of the experience exchange, it is useful to organise infotrips; it is necessary to simplify legislation and regulations

26 NRDN members introduce themselves County Association of Agricultural Tourism, Rural and Ecological Tourism from Călărași County Association of Agricultural Tourism, rural and ecological tourism from Călărași, constituted in 2008, has the status of Romanian legal entity of private law. It was constituted as a result of the activities carried out by the project Sustainable development of rural communities by the promotion of agricultural activities, project funded by PHARE Program 2005/ and implemented by the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine from Bucharest Faculty of Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development Călărași branch. General objectives of County Association of Agricultural Tourism, rural and ecological tourism from Călărași The elaboration of strategies regarding the promotion and development of agricultural tourism, rural and ecological tourism in Călărași County; Carrying out of the research-development activity; Carrying out of own programs and projects and in partnership with the public authorities from the country and abroad that increase the accessibility of agricultural tourism, rural and ecological tourism in Călărași County; Granting of consulting and counselling to the interested persons in the field of agricultural tourism, rural and ecological tourism and in other field of general interest that regard the tourism activity or other related services; organization of training, qualification and improvement courses for the personnel from/and for agricultural tourism, rural and ecological tourism; organization of seminars, conferences, public debates as well as organization of marches, public manifestations and other activities for the awareness of the public opinion, according to the law etc. Activities carried out by the County Association of Agricultural Tourism, rural and ecological tourism from Călărași in the period Activity of research-development and elaboration of studies and analyses in fields of agricultural tourism, rural and ecological tourism. The Association was present in June at the International Scientific Symposium organised by the Faculty of Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development, Bucharest on the subject Perspectives of agriculture and the rural areas within the frame of sustainable development with three research papers: Economic and social development in the rural communities from Călărași County, case study Cuza Vodă village, Valorisation of the tourist potential in protected areas from Călărași County and Sustainable valorisation of local resources by ecological tourism in Călărași County. Activity of promotion of cooperation with the local administration and an effective communication between governmental and nongovernmental institutions and organization of seminars, debates and round tables. In April 2013, The Association of Agricultural tourism, rural and ecological tourism from Călărași organised in the amphitheatre room of the Faculty of Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development Călărași branch, the seminar with the subject: Funding for the development of agricultural tourism and the possibility of elaborating projects to the benefit of the members of the association. The action was carried out in partnership with the Agricultural Chamber of Călărași County. In September 2013, The Association of Agricultural Tourism, rural and ecological tourism from Călărași, along with other public and professional entities initiated the Open Informal Alliance of NGOs from Călărași, part of the Group for decisional transparency. Activity for editing of the promotional materials and update of the association s web page. Throughout 2014, The Association of Agricultural tourism, rural and ecological tourism from Călărași updated its web page- an elaborated some sheets, flyers and the association brochure. Activities of promotion and exchange of good practises. In July 2013, the association members went on a study and documentation visit - Exchange of good practises on the route Călărași Brașov Maramuraș Iași Călărași, route on which the practising of agricultural tourism already a lifestyle. In November 2013, along with the students from the Faculty of Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development Călărași branch, the association members went on a study to the most important international fair in the field of agricultural machines, AgriTechnica, carried out in Hanover, Germany, event organised by the German Society for Agriculture. In August last year, the association members went on a study and documentation visit - Exchange of good practises on the route Călărași Tulcea Danube Delta. The next month the members of the association participated with presentation stand to the Fall Fair on the occasion of Călărași town days. In November 2014, along with the students of the Faculty of Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development Călărași branch, the association members paid a visit in Austria, at Renexpo-Hydro. At present, the income of the Association of Agricultural tourism, rural and ecological tourism from Călărași is composed of the contribution of the association members and of the direction to the association by a few members of the 2% from the salary tax

27 NRDN members introduce themselves Tea and Daria Tailoring and Embroidery Domașnea, Berzasca, Bocșa Dan Liuț, Semenicul, Bocșana, Datina, Fîrliug, Găvăjdia, Nădrag, Recaș, Tomești, Săvârșin, Curtea, Cenad, Bethausen, Firdea, Bolvașnița, Cornereva, Coșava, Bigăr, Brebu, Ohaba, Berzovia, Lăpușnicel and Gottlob ensembles. The portfolio also comprises costumes for Ukrainian, German, Hungarian, Serbian, Romani and Czech ethnics. Among the singers and artists that resorted to the services of Tea & Daria we can enumerate Petrică and Ramona Vița, Titian Puchiță, Doriana Talpeș, Andrei Marinescu, Miloș brothers, Mircea Mioc, Gabi Zaharia, Dana Basarab, etc. Besides these activities, tailor also makes school uniforms, work equipment and protection overall customised, on any colour. Furthermore, arrangements for event rooms can be also made: table cloths, chair coverings, foldings, crinkles and other decorative elements. Liliana Ionașcu founded her tailoring and embroidery business by focusing on Romanian traditional garments, in Reșița, Câlnic neighbourhood. The workshop is located in the dwelling of Ionașcu family, where old and new folk costumes garnish the walls. IN fact, Liliana Ionașcu is also authorised folk art creator, specialized in Banat specific tailoring, sewing and embroidery. Inspired by the traditional models characteristic to all the seven folkloric regions of Caraș-Severin County, Liliana Ionașcu brings into contemporaneity the distinctive dimensions of the folk garment and of the treasure sewing from the traditional house, according to the information available on the business official site. Thus, the Directorate for Culture, Cults and Cultural Patrimony from Caraș-Severin decided in 2010 that the activity of Liliana Ionașcu could be fitted within creative industry category. This conclusion was also supported by the participation of Mrs. Ionașcu to fairs, festivals and presentations of Romanian traditional art. Tea & Daria Tailoring and Embroidery functions based on orders received from the clients by phone or online. The main activity is as the name also betrays it, the carrying out of Romanian folk costumes and even though Liliana Ionașcu is recognised for the Banat ones, the tailors from Tea & Daria can make any costume specific to any ethnic group. The bottom drawers of the old people from our villages also hide besides other treasures, true models of the female folk garment which made career in international fashion embroidered women blouses. The embroidered woman blouse being the most important part of the Romanian female traditional folk costume that fascinated painters, photographers, royal characters and international designers as well, they all got inspired and left themselves mesmerised by embroidered woman blouse or embroidered shirt how it is called, it is shown on the site. With regard to the embroideries, these can be sewn directly on bags, weds, table cloths, handkerchiefs, little pillows, goblets, sheets or any other products requested by the clients. So far, tailoring carried out folk costumes for the Dubasi (dubadrums players) from Săvârșin, 50 51

28 We invite you to participate in the Elaboration of the Magazine Do you want to share from your rural development experiences for a possible publication in the magazine? Participation Guide These indications are for orientation, for the homogenization of the contributions. The authors understand that the editorial staff may amend the received text, for better comprehension. Author: He/she must be identified by surname, first name and current occupation. Introduction: A short introduction must be included to reveal the relevance of the presented topic. Article length: words Correct information: Present only information that you are 100% sure of and that you can support. Mention the source of the information when you present data coming from other institutions or organizations. Style: Speaking of a magazine article, it is desirable for the text not to resemble a report. That is why, the following are indicated:»» Simple expression.»» Relevant data to support the main idea of the article, and not all the details of the project.»» Avoidance of the excess of acronyms.»» The full denomination, followed by the acronym, must be inserted when it appears in the text for the first time.»» Avoidance of comments and external references which may be controversial or misunderstood. Photos and images The images must illustrate an experience. The images will be sent as separate electronic files (high resolution >300 dpi and > 850 KB). All the files containing images will be sent in.jpeg format. We are asking you to include a short title for each sent photo / image, as well as the photographer s /author s name. Letters to the Editorial Staff The letters must be related to a rural development theme and not exceed 200 words. The editors may intervene on the text, in order to adjust it to the necessary style, length, clarity and accuracy and does not guarantee that all the letters will be published. When space is insufficient, the letters which are not published in the magazine can be published on the website of NRDN. We invite you to send us your experiences, photos, letters and articles at the address: publicatii@rndr.ro 52

29 Open to the Future ROOTS OF A EUROPEAN COUNTRY CONTACT: National Head Office of the Network Support Unit (NSU) 39-41, Nicolae Filipescu St., 6th floor, 2nd District, Bucharest, postal code Tel.: , Facsimile: info@rndr.ro, Internet: This publication was created by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Romania, within the project entitled Establishment and Support of the National Rural Development Network. Project cofinanced by FEADR by Measure 511 within the National Rural Development Programme. April 2015 The content of this material does not necessarily represent the official position of the European Union. It is distributed free of charge.