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Blessed with an unpolluted sea, golden sands, and warm weather from spring to autumn, Romania's Black Sea coast would long ago have rivaled the Mediterranean for popularity, had political conditions been different. The beaches are there; the modern hotels and facilities are there; a wealth of inland attractions, from castles to vineyards, is there; all that has been lacking is recognition. Now, with the country heading towards a new, strong future, the Black Sea is destined to become a major European holiday destination.

The Romanian Black Sea Coast is extending on 245 km, having as limit points Vama Veche, to the South and the Chilia branch of the Danube Delta to the North. Located at almost the same latitude as Venice and the Nice, it has the advantage of sun exposure going up to 10-12 hours a day making a yearly average of about 2,400 hours. Wide and having fine sands, the beaches have mild slopes going into the sea, thus being accessible to children and to those who cannot swim. The transition climate, between the steppe and the marine ones, has Mediterranean influences in its Southern part. The marine breeze calms down the heat. Constanta is exactly the kind of cosmopolitan focal point a vacation coast needs. Hotels, shops, ancient monuments, a magnificent casino by the sea and interesting museums complete the picture. All the Black Sea resorts are easily accessible either by train or bus from the city.

The major resort near Constanta is Mamaia, situated just to the north between a magnificent 7km (4.5 mile) long beach of unbelievably fine sand and a lake. It is especially designed for families with children. Sports like snorkeling, scuba diving and paragliding offer thrills from May to October. Restaurants, bars and nightclubs enliven the evenings. Expeditions to typical country villages, the ruins of the ancient Greek fortress of Histria, and the Danube Delta are easily arranged.

Going South on the Romanian seacoast you will find Eforie Nord, 14 km far from Constanta. It is situated between the sea and the Techirghiol Lake - a source for sapropelic mud - and it has hotels opened the whole year and many facilities for balneary cures. The resort is well known for having good results in the treatment of rheumatism, gynecological, dermatological, metabolic and nutritional disorders. Close to it there is another resort, Carmen Sylva, its name evoking the literary pen name of the Romanian Queen Elizabeth.

Then comes Costinesti - the youth balneary resort and after that, what was defined as "the constellation of the South", the resort Neptun - Olimp, built as playgrounds for the rich of the communist era, now offering deluxe villas and excellent hotels, some of which are on the beach and others in the quiet of Comorova forest between the shore and a lake. The latter one is located in the atmosphere of the Comorova forest and of the sweet water lakes neighboring the Black Sea, at 38 km south of Constanta. It has become a representative spot of Romanian tourism, thanks to its smart architecture, diversified accommodation, good-quality services and highly efficient medical treatment provided by the balnear compound that operates all the yearlong. The treatment potential offered by this resort consists of mineral hypothermal water; sapropelic mud, non-stop cures within the balnear and physiotherapeutic center "Doina". The 6th century BC fortified town of Callatis has become today's balnear spa of Mangalia, with a special cure hotel. Here, as at Eforie Nord, Eforie Sud and the spa at Neptun, a wide variety of therapeutic treatments are available, including mineral-rich mud baths, thalassotherapy and the world famous Romanian Gerovital cure. Medical staff is highly qualified and clinics and consulting rooms remain open year-round. So you can combine professional treatment with all the pleasures of a seaside sojourn.

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