Cross your heart and hope to die: have you ever visited the Danube Delta in Romania? Many of those who read this text will say no, sincerely. The Danube Delta is not a tourist destination at your fingertips. What’s more, you might say that Delta is not a cheap destination. On the contrary. From Bucharest to the Danube Delta is a real adventure. You drive a private car, you have to leave it in Tulcea, then take a motorboat which carries you, on the canals, to a pension, a hotel or a local home. And transportation through the Delta makes you always break the piggybank. That is if you want to go through the distances quickly and not sleep on who knows what lazy raft that goes with the speed of light-off. Then – the accommodation – if you want decent conditions, it’s never an opportunity to save budget. In the next article you will learn of how to spend two days in the Danube Delta of Romania.
Danube Delta – not a mass destination
The Danube Delta is not a mass destination for the masses. The reasons are many, and we’re not going to discuss them here. However, it is a shame for Romanians not to visit this (almost) unique place in Europe, which happened to be in their own country. 2860 km goes through the Danube, from the river’s sources in the Black Forest mountains, in Germany, to flow into the Black Sea through the three branches that comprise a rare biodiversity perimeter. Extremely interesting bird species (over 320), such as pelicans, cormorants, egrets and others, together with the 133 species of fish that give a special value and economic importance but also 1830 species of trees and plants, over 2400 species of insects, 11 species of reptiles and 44 species of mammals – all make the Danube Delta a special place to be preserved. And, of course, visited.
The best thing for someone who comes to the Danube Delta for the first time is to mix a little of the following ingredients: relaxation, boat rides on the canals, fish on the table, spectacular photos, dreamy rises and sunsets. Whether you’re bathing in a pool or hanging in a hammock, listening to the chirping of little birds, whether you’re enjoying the tasty brow of fish in the pot, whether you’re wind-blowing in the boat maneuvered on lakes and canals looking for pelicans and swans, or you’re waking up at five in the morning to see how the sun rises or to stretch the line of a rod in the calm waters, any of these moments you’ll discover some of the charms of this beautiful place.
5 things you can do over two days spent in the Danube Delta
Just five, but they’re a lot more. Yet for two or three days spent in the Danube Delta, the following should have been tasty enough.
1. Observe the birds
Sure, maybe you’re not passionate or “crazy” enough to sit for hours catching with the camera’s lens a little bird or an evening grouse in what is called “bird watching”. But certainly, the birds make the delight of the Delta. As long as you go through the boat channels, it is impossible not to get in the “net” of the pelicans’ camera (common and frizzy pelican), swans, herons, egrets, shovel, gypsies, seagulls… Get a large zoom camera or a lens of at least 200. you’re their guest, even though some are just passing through the Delta.
2. Eat fish borscht
You’ve probably heard the word that the best fish soup is made with water from the Danube. We’re not sure if it applies anymore, and, after all, even if you boil the water, we wouldn’t recommend you risk hepatitis. But you must know that the best fish soup is made on the waterfront, in the cauldron, in an open fire. Of several species of fish: carp, catfish, caraway, etc. When serving is required to separate the fish from the broth, on a platter, along with garlic, polenta, and chili peppers.
3. Get up early to see the sunrise. And do not miss the sunset
The birds and the sun create the show in the Danube Delta. Sometimes mosquitoes also, but these guys show up somewhere in June and only play horror movies. The show of the dawn is unforgettable, and the sunset show is unforgettable too. Romantics will only gain, and the less romantic will get perfect photos for a few more likes on social networks. Or not.
4. Go fishing
Even if you’re not an amateur fisherman, it will probably amuse you to get a fishing pole and test the saying “the pond’s got fish!” It really does, a lot. If you don’t do it around the hotel or the place you accommodate, ask the boatman to take you to the best sites. But before you go fishing, take another look at the famous Romanian movie Operation Monster, where a group of five men, friends, and colleagues depart for a few days in the Danube Delta, without the wives’ knowledge, to capture a giant fish. Yes, it’s a comedy.
5. Make boat trips
There are enough tourist routes in the Danube Delta. The boatmen can ride you along the canals, among the water lilies, or they can spin you on the ponds of pelicans and other birds. Talk to them and ask them questions. Some people aren’t too talkative, but they’ll turn on stories if you know how to get to their hearts. Others, on the contrary, are ambulant encyclopedias. If you budget allows, make longer (and more interesting) roads to Crisan, Sulina, Sfântu Gheorghe, Murighiol, or even Portiţa. After all, the Delta without a boat is like the cake without sugar: beautiful, but it has no taste.
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