MEETING

UNESCO House, Bucharest

Meeting Romania Europe’s newest meeting & incentive destination Dear event planners, welcome to Romania. We’d like to invite you on a journey of discovery to this new EU member country, a country full of surprises. Romania is about the same size as the old West Germany (238,391 km2), yet has a population of only 22 million. You’ll be impressed by the vari- ety of its unspoiled landscapes and the diversity of its ethnic groups. In some places you can even hear German spoken –for instance in unique, stylish Sibiu, one of Romania’s most colourful cities and one of European Capital of Culture in 2007. In Bucharest you can organize meetings in the second largest building of the world or in one of many modern conference room that you will find in greats hotels. Fast-paced, lively and offering multiple professional services, Bucharest is a modern meeting city with a long European tradition. Our universities, colleges and research centres have a good reputation internationally. The first-class investment climate also provides material for meetings. Romania’s spas and high-quality resorts give planners plenty of ideas. And if you want to find something specials and only made in Roumania we offer outdoor activities like wolf and_or bear watching in the Carpathians mountains, or canoe trips in the Danube delta. An undiscovered jewel, Romania is just waiting to be explored. We looking forward to seeing you.

Romanian Atheneum, Bucharest

Arch of Triumph, Bucharest

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Romania - explore the Carpathian garden

National Library, Bucharest

Romania, full of surprises and an astonishing country , attracting visitors from all around the world.

Did you know? … that Hollywood stars has long been a regular visitor to Romania? Unspoilt landscapes and authentic medieval towns make ideal backdrops for films. Francis Ford Coppola worked on “Youth Without Youth” in Bucharest. … that the Danube delta is Europe’s unique river delta? The Unesco biosphere reservation and European Landscape of the Year 2007/2008 covers almost 5,000 sq km. 25 million birds and over 160 fish species live

here in 18 conservation areas. … that the Palace of the Parliament is the world’s second largest building? With a total area of 330,000 sq metres, twelve storeys above ground and eight below, it also doubles as a conference centre with a 2,200 sq metre conference hall. … that 50 percent of Europe’s brown bears live in Romania? Romania boasts 4,500 brown bears, abundant unspoilt nature and over 580 conservation areas. … that Romania is ranked 12th best wine-growing country in the world? There are around 242,700 ha of vineyards, producing 3.1m hl of fine wines. Romania - explore the Carpathian garden

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New EU partner Romania EU membership builds trust in the new eastern European partner. Since joining the EU on 1 January 2007, Romania has become a reliable eastern European partner for planners. With growth of 5%, healthy consumer demand and following the privatisation of the largest Romanian bank and oil company like Petrom, the investment climate is excellent and demand for conventions and meetings high. Transit trade with CIS countries and a tradition of science and research lend the industry further impetus. While the city of Timisoara with its well-known technical university has attracted companies like IBM, SAP and Siemens, Bucharest boasts leading European institutes like the Department of Biophysics at Carol Davila University of Medicine. The government of President Basescu increased the R&D budget by 82% in 2006 and plans another 50% increase in 2007. Sibiu, European Capital of Culture 2007, showcases the cultural riches of the country that gave birth to Eugène Ionesco and Constantin Brancusi. The landscape is diverse, taking about Carpathians, Transylvania, Moldavia and the Danube delta. The last one was ”European Landscape of the Year 2007/2008 ”.

Good accessibility Good connections make meetings feasible in Romania. Tarom, Romania’s national carrier, flies daily from Frankfurt to Bucharest and four times a week to Cluj Napoca (Klausenburg). From Munich the airline flies daily to Bucharest and to Sibiu, which is also known as Hermannstadt (www.tarom.de). Carpatair, which was set up in 1999, flies from Düsseldorf, Stuttgart and Munich to Bucharest, Bacau, Sibiu, Iasi, Suceava, Satu Mare, Cluj Napoca and Oradea every day except Sunday via Timisoara and three times a week to Constanta. Carpatair also flies from Stuttgart and Munich to Craiova (www.carpatair.com). Lufthansa flies from Frankfurt and Munich to Bucharest, Timisoara and sibiu (www.lufthansa.de). Blue Air (www.blueair-web.com) flies from Cologne/ Bonn and Stuttgart to Bucharest and Sibiu and Germanwings also fly from Co logne/Bonn and Stuttgart to Bucharest (www.germanwings.de).Wizz Air flies from Berglandschaft Karpaten Dortmund to Bucharest (www.wizzair.com). 6 |

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House of lions, Bucharest

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On the Danube

Travelling by train

River boats A-Rosa Mia and A-Rosa Bella offer a total of three stopovers, providing the opportunity to sample a little more of Romania. The stopover at Turnu Severin includes an excursion to Baile Herculane (Herkulesbad), where the Empress Elisabeth (Sissi) try the waters. The stopover at Tulcea offers an initial opportunity to explore the Danube delta, where there are 300 bird species, while from Oltenita you can get to Bucharest, the capital. Group bookings and full charter trips are possible (www.a-rosa.de).

Train journeys to Romania can be booked at www.diebahn.de. Berlin to Bucharest takes 30 hours, including changes, and costs about 250 euros. You will find information on Romanian railway connections, at www.cfr.ro

Driving to Romania By car you go via Passau/Linz or Munich/Salzburg to Vienna, then Budapest and via the E65 to Bucharest. A 250 km motorway connects Bucharest with Constanta on the Black Sea. Drivers need a green insurance card and a motorway permit.

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“Little Paris” Romania’s fast-paced, stylish capital makes an attractive prospect for investors and meeting planners. Bucharest is booming. A city of 2 million, it is often compared to Paris because of its architecture (including an “Arc de Triomphe”), culture and Romance language. Bucharest even hosted the summit of the

Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, attended by 2,800. Thanks to research institutes and foreign investors, particularly in the construction industry, the convention industry is thriving. Demand for hotels is growing. In a class of its own is the 330,000 sq metre Palace of the Parliament, with 12 floors above ground and eight below. The world’s second largest building after the Pentagon, it has a 2,200 sq metre, 16 metre high conference room. The U Business Center is a popular meeting venue, while events for up to 1,000 can be held at the historic inn Hanul Lui Manuc.

fairs, including the International Tourism Fair (ITF) and the Luxury Show. www.romexpo.org The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania has 17 conference rooms with capacities of up to 350 that are bookable through agencies. The Palace of the Parliament offers 10,000 sq metres of conference space for up to 2,200 delegates in eight halls with marble floors and chandeliers. www.cdep.ro/cic/ The Athenaum concert hall, which opened in 1888,

Palace of Parliament, Bucharest

Meeting magnet Bucharest. Romania’s capital offers an abundance of conference facilities and event locations. Romexpo in Bucharest offers 55,000 sq metres of indoor space and 45,000 sq metres outdoors plus eight conference rooms for up to 700. In 2006 it hosted 31

offers space for 300 under its cupola. The foyer can host receptions for 500 guests. It is bookable through agencies. The U Business Center (UZINEXPORT) is a modern conference centre in the city centre with capacities of up to 150 in the On Top of Bucharest auditorium, large foyer and ten seminar rooms. [email protected] The World Trade Center Bucharest offers a plenary Romania - explore the Carpathian garden

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Main Square, Sibiu

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capacity of up to 300 in the World Trade Plaza and 14 rooms for up to 160. Under the same roof as the Hotel Sofitel Bucharest, it is close to the international airport. www.wtcb.ro The Palace of the Parliament and the new Radisson Blue Bucharest have the largest capacities

Multicultural Sibiu A “city of cultures, languages and religions”, Sibiu is a model of European integration in 2007 Crowned European Capital of Culture 2007, Sibiu (also known as Hermannstadt) was founded at the foot of the Carpathians in 1180 and now has a population of 185,000. Home to a long- established German community, and with a German mayor since 2004, unspoilt Sibiu boasts an array of Gothic, Renaissance and baroque architecture. Recently renovated at a cost of 500,000 euros, the Casa Luxemburg is a symbol of the city’s recent revival. Now the historic 80-hectare old town is to become a Unesco world heritage site. Six universities and over 30,000 students lend vitality and youth, while investors are attracted by Sibiu’s favourable position in the country’s road and rail networks. The international airport is being expanded at a cost of 22mil euros.

In the land of the vampires Dracula is still Transylvania’s best known resident. The legend of the bloodthirsty count written by novelist Bram Stoker gained new momentum when “his” castle (Bran Castle) was sold at the beginning of 2007. The home of the fearsome Vlad the Impaler (1431 – 1476), the inspiration behind Stoker’s character, was sold for 100 million euros. The picture book castle in the southern Carpathians and the bloodthirsty legend are in turn the inspiration for tailor-made incentive programmes in Transylvania. Transylvanian fair. Cluj-Napoca, to which Tarom flies four times a week from Frankfurt, is Romania’s third largest city. Its Babes-Bolyai University has an international reputation, and Expo Transilvania is Romania’s second largest fair centre. www.expo.ro Carpathian outdoor paradise. The Carpathian Mountains, which form a horseshoe in central Romania, boast with peaks of up to 2,544 metres and slopes offering excellent skiing in the winter. There are pistes of Romania - explore the Carpathian garden

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up to 10 km in the area around Predeal in the southern Carpathians, and in Clabucet there is even floodlit skiing at night. Râsnoavei Gorge is a fabulous place for paragliding, bungee jumping and mountain bike tours in the summer. In the picturesque western Carpathians you can explore spectacular caves, while in the eastern

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Carpathians there are thriving populations of chamois and brown bears and first-class medicinal springs. Steam nostalgia. Travelling through unspoilt scenery in luxury, vintage carriages is a unique experience. SFTCFR’s lovingly restored steam trains in wich you will

find meeting facilities and can also be booked for incentives. www.turismferoviar.ro The 300-year-old Mogosoaia Palace lies 10 km outside the city centre, offering ten rooms for receptions for 100 guests and meetings for 50.

The Patriarch’s Palace offers unique flair for up to 900 delegates in four conference rooms. [email protected]

The Castle of Huniads, Hunedoara

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Sighisoara

Banat and Bucovina In western and north-eastern Romania, planners will find up-and-coming cities, wild landscapes and unique monasteries Gateway Timisoara. Direct flights from four German cities indicate the importance of Timisoara in western Romania. With a highly regarded technical university and the third largest fair centre in the country, the economy of this city of 340,000 is booming. Nowhere else in the country is there such intense investment. The largest conference centre is the Centrul Regional 14 |

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de Afaceri Timisoara, with nine rooms for up to 1,200 delegates. Hotels are planned to meet the growing demand for meetings. The North Star Continental has a conference room for 125, while the NH Hotel has three for up to 140. www.turismbanat.ro The city of Oradea is notable for its Austrian Secessionist architecture, Baroque palace and 100 religious buildings, including three synagogues. The Casa de Cultura Sindicatelor has eight rooms for up to 750, while the Hotel Dacia Continental Oradea has five for 200. The spa town of Baile Felix is nearby. Its range of outdoor activities make Banat an excellent incentive

Magheru Street, Bucharest

destination. Rambling, climbing and cave exploration (in the famous Bears’ Cave at Chiscau, for example) are attractive options. Banat’s scenic attractions include the Iron Gate gorge on the Danube at Drobeta-Turnu Severin. The Iron Gate national park has the longest geological history of any area in Europe. At over 115,000 hectares, it is one of Romania’s largest national park. Bucovina is Romania’s most famous cultural landscape – and home to some unique monasteries that are now UNESCO world heritage sites. Stefan cel Mare built one after every victory over the Turks, the most well-known being Voronet Monastery. Its church is known as the

“Sixtine Chapel of the East” due to the colourful blue frescos on its external walls. www.bucovinaturism.ro Meetings in Bucovina. The largest city in Bucovina is Suceava. The regional convention centre holds 410, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry offers 650 sq metres of exhibition space. In Gura Humorului, a good starting point for visits to monasteries, the Hotel Best Western Bucovina has seven state-of-the-art conference rooms for 500 delegates, a spa centre and two restaurants and offers a variety of team-building activities, including rafting and quad-bike and off-road tours. Romania - explore the Carpathian garden

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Romanian Atheneum, Bucharest

White sand of the Black Sea coast The Black Sea coast offers beaches, spa resorts and cultural monuments. Constanta is the international gateway. Meetings at the sea. Romania’s 240 km Black Sea coast belongs to the south-eastern region of Dobrudja. White sandy beaches, mineral springs and mud baths attract international visitors. In Venus, Neptun, Eforie Nord and Eforie South there are many hotels with meeting facilities. The most well-known resort is Mamaia, which boasts the Aqua Magic theme park and water sports of all kinds. The biggest conference hotel here is the 16 |

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Grand Hotel Rex, which has seven rooms for up to 150 delegates, followed by the Hotel Iaki with four rooms for up to 220, and the Hotel Majestic Mamaia with a capacity of 150. In the footsteps of Ovid. In the port city of Constanta, the regional capital, there is a statue of the Roman poet Ovid, who made Constanta his second home. With a casino, museums, a mosque and a dolphinarium, Constanta is an attractive seaside city with plenty to offer. New meeting hotel. Cocor is the name of a 4-star hotel opening in May 2007 in the holiday resort of

Neptun-Olimp. Built at a cost of 15 million euros, the complex lies only 50 metres from a white sandy Black Sea beach, offering 242 rooms, a large wellness centre and five conference rooms with capacities of up to 400. The nearest airport is Mihail Kogalhiceanu Airport, which is 40 km away in Constanta. www.hotelcocor.ro

Health from Romania A third of all Europe’s mineral water springs are in Romania. 160 spas make it a wellness destination of the future.

Anti-aging with Ana Aslan. Ever since gerontology professor Dr. Ana Aslan founded her eponymous institute in 1952, Romania has been a top anti-aging destination. Charles de Gaulle, John F. Kennedy and Claudia Cardinale have all used the products. The Aslan products Gerovital GH3 and Aslavital are still believed to be effective against unpleasant aging processes, arteriosclerosis and depression. Treatment can be obtained at the Ana Aslan Health Spa of the 4-star Hotel Europa in Eforie Nord on the Black Sea. The hotel also has conference rooms.

Romanian Parliament Romania - explore the Carpathian garden

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It helped Empress Elisabeth, and it still helps today. Baile Herculane (Herkulesbad) has an idyllic location in the Cerna Valley. Empress Elisabeth (Sissi) and Goethe are among those to have benefited from the iodinerich mineral water. The fine buildings of spa architect Wilhelm Doderer are tangible evidence that this was a stylish Imperial spa.

Therapeutic mud baths can be taken in the lakes along the Black Sea coast. Therapies with sapropel mud, which is known to be good for the musculoskeletal system, bones and joints, are offered in Techirghiol and Neptun. Up to 800 patients a day can be treated at the sanatorium in Techirghiol, which was founded in 1973.

Baile Felix in north-eastern Romania can trace its history as a spa town back to Roman times. The mineral and spa waters of the Carpathians were appreciated even before the Romans. The 180 thermal springs of Baile Felix are today recommended, above all, for treating the locomotor system and more.

Large salt mines with “salinas” help have a beneficial microclimate that helps people with respiratory complaints. One of the most well-known I at Slanic Moldova on the eastern slope of the Carpathians, which has an underground sanatorium at a depth of 150 m. The salina at Praid has a sanatorium and a range of special rooms at a depth of 120 m.

Romania - explore the Carpathian garden

The unspoilt Danube delta 18 conservation areas and 320 bird species make the Danube delta a unique jewel of a landscape. The Danube divides into three before reaching the sea, spanning an area of 5,000 sq km that is home to 25 mil-

Fishing paradise. Sturgeon 6 metres in length, pike and 160 other species make the Danube delta an angler’s paradise. From Tulcea you can reach fishing areas like Dunarea Veche or the Bogda Proste channel. In the village of Mila23 you can see traditional fishermen’s houses. Meetings in the delta. The 4-star Hotel Mon Jardin near

Danube Delta

lion birds. Six bird migration routes cross in the skies over Europe’s largest river delta and UNESCO biosphere reserve. Rare redneck geese and pelicans fascinate the visitor. This unique area can be explored from the comfort of a hotel houseboat, or you can get closer to the action in a canoe.

Tulcea in Mahmudia has 26 double rooms, two apartments, a holiday apartment and a conference room with a capacity of 100. The restaurant and terrace seat the same number. The Delta Nature Resort is a very attractive ecoresort with 30 villas and conference rooms for up to 80. www.deltaresort.com Romania - explore the Carpathian garden

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Bear

Team-building vineyard Conacul Dintre Vii is an eco-oriented complex 94 km outside Bucharest in the Urlati region, where groups are offered team training in a country house based on sustainable principles.

Bears, wolves and eagles The mountain village of Magura in the Piatra Craiului national park, 35 km from Brasov, is the starting point for wolf- and bear-watching tours. The four-day tours include an introduction to the Romanian technique of “forest harvesting”, reading the tracks of wild animals and encounters with semi-tame wolves. Participants live in comfortable guesthouses and can finish off, if they choose, with a flight to “Dracula Castle”. www.ecoromania.ro Romanian convention bureau 16, Splaiul Unirii, etaj 8, camera 811, Sector 4, 040035 Bucuresti, Fax. 021.211.10.59 [email protected] [email protected] Destination Management Companies, Professional Conference Organizers (PCOs) and Profesional Exhibition Organizers, ( PEOs / EMC) CongrExpo Service SRL Radu Cimponeriu (GSM +4 0722 684 007) 2, Frunte Lata Street, Bl. P4, 5th floor, Suite 24 050685 Bucharest 5, ROMANIA Phone: +4021 410 1529, Fax: +4021 410 1581 [email protected] , [email protected] www.congrexpo.ro Ralcom Exhibitions SRL Liviu Radacineanu (+4 0723 622 286) Monica Bozienita (+4 0724 200 100) 20A, Strada Raspantiilor, Sector 2, 020548 Bucuresti Phone/Fax: +4021 211 30 60, +4021 210 58 14; +4021 610 34 17, +4021 610 73 81 [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] www.ralcom.ro

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Accent Travel & Events SRL Lucian Boronea (GSM +4 0723 309 013) Virginia Bercu 5, Episcopiei, ap. 2, Sector 1, 010292 Bucuresti Phone: +4021 314 1980, Fax: +4021 314 1981 [email protected]; [email protected] www.accenttravel.ro CMB International Eximp T/A CMB Travel SRL Cristian Mihai Balcescu Roxana Balcescu (GSM +4 0722 224 101) 20, Bd.N.Balcescu, Sector 1, 010052 Bucuresti Phone: +4021 317 1346 / 47, +4021 311 3107 / 10 Fax: +4021 311 3106 [email protected], [email protected] www.cmbtravel.ro Danco Pro Communication SRL Daniel Rodea Florin Leonte 29C, Maior Coravu sector 2, Bucuresti Phone: +4021 250 0221, Fax: +4021 250 3312 [email protected]; [email protected] ; [email protected] www.dancopro.ro Olimpic International Turism SRL George Sorin Nicolescu (GSM +4 0722 244 222) 5, Visana, Bl. 43, Sc B, Etj 5, Ap 66, Sector 4, 040392 Bucuresti Phone: +4021 330 5658; +4021 330 6152; +4021 330 4471, Fax: +4021 330 5123 [email protected]; [email protected] www.olimpic.ro

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Danubius Travel Ageny SRL Ciprian Popescu Adriana Radulescu Cladire Danubius, Complex Pelican, 900001 Mamaia, Jud. Constanta Phone: +40241 480 351, +40241 480 369 Fax: +40241 480 360 [email protected], [email protected] Congress Rental Ltd Marian Danut Telescu Diana Dogarescu 162, Splaiul Unirii, hala nr. 4, Sector 4, 040042 Bucuresti Phone: +4021 311 0996 Fax: +4021 300 0722 [email protected], [email protected] www.congressrental.ro Prestige Tours Mircea Vladu (GSM +4 0744 561 760) Valentin Boboc 31, George Enescu, Apt.1 , 010303 Bucuresti Phone. +4021 312 6095; +4021 319 7794 - 97; Fax: +4021 312 1255 [email protected]; [email protected], [email protected] ; www.prestigetours.ro Peacock - Global Hotel Management SRL Adriana Marasoiu (GSM +4 0744 53 83 97) 16, Splaiul Unirii, et. 6, cam. 609, 040035, Bucuresti Phone: +4021 211 1058 Fax: +4021 211 1059 [email protected] [email protected]

Main Square Brasov

Rumänisches Touristenamt Dachauerstr. 32- 34, 80335 München [email protected] www.rumaenien-tourismus.de Tel: 0049 - 89 - 515 67 687 Fax: 0049 - 89 - 515 67 689

Legend First cover: Vilacross, Bucharest Last cover: Cismigiu Park, Bucharest

2011 © Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism

Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism Directorate of Tourism Promotion 38 Dinicu Golescu Blvd, 1 st district,Bucharest, Romania [email protected] Investing in your future! Project selected within the Operational Regional Programme and co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. The Promotion of the National Tourism Brand, in order to convey a positive image of Romania as a tourism destination. Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism May 2011