Autumn in the Danube Gorges

A spectacular landscape carved by the river Danube, the Danube Gorges is one of the most beautiful areas in the country.

Daniel Onea, 24.09.2015, 14:12

The area known
as the Danube Gorges is perfect for boat trips, cave tourism and trekking.
Raluca Crista, the executive director of the Danube Gorges Local Action Group,
explains why autumn is the perfect season for a holiday in the Danube Gorges:

It is beautiful
in the Danube Gorges in autumn. The vegetation is truly spectacular because of
the many colours of the different species of trees. Visitors to the area can
make trips to Veterani Cave, one of the oldest in this region. The cave is only
accessible by boat, which you can rent either in Dubova port or in Eselnita.
Another cave worth visiting is Ponicova, which has not been restored, but is
open for visitors. This is a beautiful cave, with access from the main road,
while the exit is on the river Danube. Some more adventurous visitors also
enter the cave by boat, depending on how high the water level is.

The Danube
Gorges stretch along two counties, Mehedinti and Caras Severin. While Mehedinti
is well-known for its caves, Caras Severin is famous for its fortifications.
Raluca Crista tells us more about the region’s attractions:

Many caves
contain beautiful historical and cultural remains, such as Gaura cu Musca,
which is open for visitors. I also recommend the string of fortifications along
the Danube, including Drencova and Tricule. Autumn is also a good time to visit
the area because this is when figs get picked and fig jam is made. The Svinita
fig jam, for example, is excellent. Visitors can even witness the making of the
fig jam by the locals in Svinita and the traditional fig schnapps.

The typical dishes in the Danube Gorges are
fish soup and fish stew, as well as other starter dishes containing fish.
Travelling around the Danube Gorges area, visitors will find that the locals
are very friendly people and that there is a lot they can do here. Raluca
Crista tells us that the region can accommodate all forms of tourism:

The Danube Gorges is a destination for all
types of tourist activities. There are many people who arrive here by bike as
part of their route across Europe along the Danube or via other routes. As for
accommodation, visitors can stay in one the few camping sites available as well
as rent a room with the locals. More conventional tourists can easily find two-
or three-star guesthouses and villas at affordable prices. Business tourism is
also flourishing in the area, so people looking for more upmarket accommodation
have a lot to choose from. Business tourism first developed in Mehedinti County
and is now also growing in Caras-Severin County. Recreational activities such
as rafting and kayaking, archery, paintball, cave exploration and mountain
climbing can also be practiced.

The area is also packed with events and
festivals. One such event held every year is the Fig Festival in Svinita, which
starts at the end of August. Apart from the best fig jam and best fig schnapps
competitions, the festival features football, table tennis, chess and angling
competitions. During the first weekend in September, more than 300 tourists
took part in this festival, now in its 16th year. The events calendar in the area includes
lots of other activities, says the executive manager of the Danube Gorges Local
Action Group Raluca Crista:

Other events include the Festival of Danube
Villages held in Svinita, the Tulip Festival in Dubova, as well as the Cast
Iron Cookware Festival in the town of Moldova Noua, with many cooking
competitions. Village fetes are also held, which are very popular with
tourists, who join in the celebrations alongside the locals. These celebrations
bring together younger and older generations alike and are a good way to
preserve traditions. People come dressed in traditional outfits to attend the
activities, such as traditional theatre performances, concerts and dances.
Visitors who come to the area every two or three years say they always notice
an improvement. Others come here every Christmas.

In a nutshell,
the Danube Gorges is a great destination for tourism, providing different types
of affordable accommodation, many different forms of tourist activities and,
last but not least, the opportunity to sample the area’s traditional fish
cooking.