Banat

The Czech villages should be on anyone's list for places to visit in Banat. Both Romanians and Czechs come here in large numbers, year after year.

The Czechs from Banat (or “pemi” in the local language, from “bohemians” - the inhabitants of Bohemia) were colonized in Banat in three stages (1823, 1827, and 1865). The Czech villages have become popular with holidaymakers; these are Gârnic, Sfânta Elena, Bigăr, Ravensca, Şumiţa, and Eibenthal.

Access is more difficult because the roads are unpaved; so you might probably get there easier with a mountain bike and little effort. Don't hesitate to plan a route around these villages.

You should also know that an open-air music festival with bands from the Czech Republic is organized every year in the villages of Eibenthal and Gârnic.

Garana Jazz Fest has been organized since 1996 at the foot of the Semenic Mountains. This is an ideal opportunity to look for a camping spot (the organizers advise booking 3 months in advance!) and to start exploring the mountain paths in Semenic. Cyclists can find here many cycling routes that start from Brebu Nou (Trei Ape Tourist Complex), Văliug, Secu Tourist Complex, or Carașova.

In fact, Banat has its own road over the mountains, a more recent one, between Brebu Nou and Reșița, known as TransSemenic. You can easily cycle this road, reaching a maximum altitude of 1000 meters.

Any tourist guide will recommend the natural wonders of Banat: Beușniței Waterfalls, Ochiul Bei Lake, the Nerei Gorges, and Bigăr Waterfall (now partially collapsed). A few easy hiking trails through the Cheile Nerei-Beușnița National Park lead to all of these places.

Many guesthouses on the banks of the Danube have leisure piers and boats, the latter being just what you need to see the spectacular rocks on the Danube. Most locals can also take tourists to partially flooded rock caves, which you can't see otherwise. For a unique panoramic view over the Danube, take a hike on Ciucărul Mare or Trescovăț. The view is worth a little effort!

While visiting Banat, stop at the Rudăria Water Mill Complex (in Eftimie Murgu). It consists of about 22 mills built along about 3 km of water - this is the largest mill complex in Southeast Europe.