Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker will feature 16 rooms and 10 villas as well as a spa and on-site restaurant Guestrooms will be housed in two traditional Transylvanian farmhouses each with an inner courtyard that provides access to deluxe rooms and junior suites The restaurant Stup will offer indoor and outdoor dining as well as views of the Bucegi Mountains The cuisine will feature modern takes on traditional Romanian cuisine and the Nectar bar will serve cocktails and local drinks The property is located about 120 miles from Bucharest Andrew is a Marketing Communications consultant His career in PR and marketing spans 30 years He writes regularly on international wellness and lifestyle themes with a particular passion for the Mediterranean and the Americas Andrew Forbes has lived in the US and France but now calls southern Spain his home where he is a specialist in hospitality marketing and content as well as a Contributing Editor for magazines and newspapers which translates into English as ‘queen of the bees’ fusing authentic Transylvanian style with contemporary elegance overlooking the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului mountains Quintessentially Transylvanian, Matca’s guestrooms are situated within two farmhouses typical of the location each one with an inner courtyard that will give access to the property’s deluxe rooms and junior suites which comprises both indoor and outdoor seating guests will explore the region’s culinary offerings sourced from local artisans and drawn from ancient recipes The restaurant will also serve up a selection of predominantly Romanian wines will meanwhile offer guests a selection of cocktails and local beverages Ambrozie spa will be an additional spot in which to recline with views of the surrounding natural landscape and various treatment rooms Registered in England and Wales with Company Number 06637145 We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again More information about our Cookie Policy an exclusive tourism and hospitality project opens its doors to offer a unique experience of accommodation and relaxation amidst the untamed nature of the Bucegi Natural Park the new property functions as an independent boutique hotel which welcomes its guests in 2 traditional Transylvanian houses with 16 guest rooms and 2 private villas overlooking the Piatra Craiului Mountains and Bucegi Mountains MATCA MATCA Transylvanian Sanctuary benefits from an event center with an area of 140 square meters which allows different layouts for medium-sized events but also for small meetings dedicated to boards or management teams The space is fully equipped with sound systems we pride ourselves on our commitment to providing an unforgettable experience for every guest born from the desire to highlight the unique beauty of Romania We propose to expand our hotel complex by adding more accommodation spaces and enriching our SPA area with a variety of therapies to meet the needs and wishes of our guests be they local or international.MATCA Transylvanian Sanctuary is more than a place of accommodation – it is a sanctuary in continuous evolution an invitation to explore and reconnect in perhaps the most beautiful area of Romania,” said Bogdan Caluianu The investment in the 9-hectare field, with a constructed surface of 4,000 useful square meters, was 7.5 million euros, coming from own sources and loans, of the owners, the Caluianu family, known for founding the Albina Carpatină brand in 1991. The amount covered both the construction part, as well as equipment and furnishing. The owners worked predominantly with local suppliers and brands which contributed to the creation of an elegant exclusive and balanced space designed to offer relaxation and well-being The architectural concept belongs to the architect Gabriel Georgescu ceramic pieces and stone are complemented by traditional Transylvanian details Matca Transylvanian Sanctuary – a space that curates Romanian artisanal and artistic pieces The Matca Transylvanian Sanctuary building was built from scratch She reproduced the exterior architecture of the house 21 Ocolul Măgura using doors and hardware elements recycled from projects dating back over 100 years The Maramures-inspired fence was created by local craftsmen Matca Transylvanian Sanctuary is a promoter of local culture Among the artists with whom the brand collaborated for the furnishing who made paintings from flowers collected from the MATCA Transylvanian Sanctuary field and dried for two years The tableware used in the restaurant comes from Victoria Finală a Romanian brand highly appreciated by gastronomy lovers in Romania guests can enjoy nature in its purest form The MATCA Transylvanian Sanctuary is positioned in the middle of a unique ecosystem that benefits from an extremely rich fauna that includes brown bears To protect and make this biodiversity thrive there is a dedicated team that actively contributes to monitoring and protecting the local flora and fauna Professionals trained in botany and zoology constantly research and assess the area to understand how each element of the ecosystem is impacted by human interaction and create the right context for cohabitation MATCA Transylvanian Sanctuary guests benefit from local guides and foresters who can help them explore the area safely both for themselves and for the untamed nature Among the activities that the hotel complex has set up are hiking and beekeeping activities carried out with experienced beekeepers those who want to relax even more can opt for SPA therapies in nature MATCA Transylvanian Sanctuary aims for 35-40% occupancy in 2024 MATCA Transylvanian Sanctuary representatives predict an average occupancy rate of 35-40% for the year 2024 The sanctuary aims to attract both Romanian and international tourists offering an unforgettable experience in the heart of nature We use cookies for keeping our website reliable and secure providing social media features and to analyse how our website is used This article was printed in British Journal of Photography: The Portrait Issue.  which they plan to haul home in their suitcases It is difficult to buy these titles in Vietnam due to rocketing shipping costs but also the country’s strict censorship laws implemented by its communist government This lack of resources – just one of the hurdles prospective artists in Vietnam face – is at the root of Matca’s inception alongside two other photographers who are no longer part of its day-to-day running began exploring photography around 10 years ago from which I could learn the craft,” he says “We have a main government agency that supports photography but even then it’s kind of like propaganda We have no infrastructure supporting independent practitioners.” Pham had to navigate his own way into the industry He travelled to festivals around Asia – such as Cambodia’s Angkor Photo China’s Pingyao International Photography Festival and Malaysia’s OBSCURA Festival – making connections in neighbouring countries with a more established photography scene Eventually he secured work as a photojournalist covering Vietnam and south-east Asia and has since been commissioned by organisations including Getty Images The New York Times and National Geographic Pham built his career out of curiosity and determination the inspiration to do so is difficult to find “I decided that I needed to create a platform to provide the information that I wished I could have had in the beginning,” he says Matca is the only Vietnamese outlet specialising in contemporary photography It takes the form of a website due to financial constraints but also to make it internationally accessible it was clear to me that [the journal] had to be bilingual,” says Pham “There is a lot of great work around but no opportunities to be seen outside of [our] personal bubbles.” Pham recruited photographer and writer Dao to join the team as managing editor and programme coordinator a few months after launch Matca (‘Mă’t Cá’) means ‘Fisheye’: “the ultra wideangle lens so as to capture the bigger picture of Vietnam’s photography scene,” Dao explains including interviews with local photographers discussing the benefits of enrolling on a residency programme organic local following and attracted international attention from academics “I think of what we do as mapping – locating photography practices in Vietnam featuring their work and interviewing them,” says Dao and you’ve been shooting a project for a while You look around and you see no opportunity to get further Publishing a book is expensive; exhibitions are apparently only for very established artists… A photography career is so short-lived here as a tiny organisation with little resources featuring these artists online was a way to keep a record of works and ideas that would otherwise be scattered.” allowing it to host regular workshops covering subjects such as how to edit a body of work we’re running in a completely different system,” says Pham although it is officially registered as a coffee shop independent organisations in Vietnam cannot legally register as galleries “It’s a bigger issue with the legal system because many art spaces in Vietnam aren’t registered – not as a gallery or even a social enterprise,” Dao explains This can be problematic when meeting the criteria for international grants Some institutions will make an exception for Vietnam to ensure that informal organisations can apply arrived alongside the gallery as an “extension of our vision,” says Dao They have published three books to date and are planning more profiles four emerging Vietnamese artists: Binh Dang but it is made even harder in Vietnam due to censorship laws In order to produce and freely distribute a book makers must obtain two types of permit – a printing permit and a distribution permit – which can only be issued by state-owned publishing houses Some individuals choose to self-print small runs of zines or hand-made books That’s something we need to keep in mind from the beginning.” For Vietnamese practitioners acts of self-censorship often happen at the genesis of a project: “We know what’s going to work and what’s not going to work,” says Pham for example – which depicts animals suspended in jars of rice wine [above] – was almost censored due to it promoting the consumption of alcohol it is a relief to hear that Pham and Dao have successfully rehomed the 60kg of photobooks to Hanoi These will provide reference material for the organisation’s workshops and Pham’s and Dao’s personal practices the organisation has already achieved so much filling the gaps in education and inspiration for future generations of Vietnamese artists But as detailed in an open letter on its website: “Matca is not just a still image We hope that you will also accept and believe in what we believe in and join us in the challenging but equally exciting journey ahead.” Marigold Warner worked as an editor at BJP between 2018 and 2023 She studied English Literature and History of Art at the University of Leeds followed by an MA in Magazine Journalism from City Her work has been published by titles including the Telegraph Magazine My next stop is Braşov, a couple of hours’ drive south, a journey that takes the form of a pastoral picture book. Grazing sheep line mountainsides and sheepdogs pause for breath roadside. I pass stalls selling raw milk, cheeses and jams. Seemingly every few minutes there’s a new village with a remarkable fortified stone church and well-preserved Saxon homes. Stup restaurant in the hilltop Matca Hotel draws inspiration from its surroundings to create a neo-Romanian menu.Photograph by Mihail OnacaArriving in Braşov that evening, the sun is setting, making the city’s pastel facades pop just a little bit more. Largely famous for being the gateway to Bran Castle, the legendary home of Dracula, Braşov’s mystical legacy lures horror-lovers and history buffs, but local restaurants have a more tangible heritage. I head for Pilvax, where owner Emese Gábor, a vet-turned-restaurateur, specialises in duck, served nose-to-tail with a different cut in every course. To start, it’s a charcuterie board featuring duck liver mousse, smoked duck breast and an array of cheeses, including urdă, Transylvania’s answer to ricotta. The duck breast has a smokiness that intensifies its gamey flavour. “All of us cook this kind of food at home,” says Emese. This sentiment was one shared by Irina. “If you only focus on the restaurants, then you won’t get the whole idea of what Transylvanian cuisine is,” she told me. He prepares a tasting for me: one-year-old and eight-month-old varieties, a fresh one made that morning, a smoked cheese and finally brânză în coajă de brad, which he calls the ‘queen of cheeses’, and which has been wrapped and aged in tree bark. The hours-old cheese tastes grassy, almost like a cucumber, whereas the ‘queen’ has a camembert-like texture and a hint of pine. I ask George how it feels to continue the family tradition. “For me, a farmer is not just a farmer,” he says. “Being a farmer is being a green energy producer. It’s working for food security, being a teacher, supporting a simpler economy and saving money within the community. In the past, a farmer often had no choice but to be a farmer. Today, it’s become more important to support a new generation” To follow, Lavinia has prepared a meatloaf-like dish inspired by a recipe she found in a 150-year-old Saxon cookbook, combining pork and beef, cream cheese and onion, decorated with sunflower seeds, fried sage and speck. It’s accompanied by a chanterelle mushroom pasta (handmade, of course) and a roasted vegetable gravy. It’s a meal for big appetites, and Lavinia says she cooks it almost weekly. The meat is so juicy it barely needs the gravy, while the sunflower seeds and fried sage add crunch and herbal, earthy, nutty notes. The standout dish, though, is dessert, a poppy seed pancake topped with cherries, calendulas and a perfectly acidic homemade vanilla ice cream made with raw milk. This connection reaches a crescendo at Plai restaurant in the city of Sibiu. Here, chef Petra Hianu and her partner Paul Moinea use humble ingredients to resurrect the dishes of their elders. “There’s no new without the old,” says Paul, who honed his skills as a chef at five-star resorts in Italy and Malta. Petra cut her teeth in Michelin-starred kitchens including Maaemo in Oslo and La Degustation in Prague. “Transylvanian cuisine is rich-flavoured, poor cuisine,” says Paul. The first dish on the menu is crispy trout skin with a tartar sauce made from lovage oil and dill flowers. I’m taken aback by the intensely floral, acidic taste. Next, a buckwheat cracker with soft smoked trout, crisp pickled carrots and a powder made from dried tomato skins. “We don’t throw away anything that can be used,” says Petra. As well as maintaining a zero-waste ethos, Petra and Paul’s aim is to trigger culinary memories from childhood. It hits me on course four — smoked hay with celery root and pickled lovage. The aroma transports me back to my family’s farm in northern Michigan — haystacks, bonfires, a smoky grill tended by my grandfather. As I walk back to my hotel, still bowled over by the meal, I remember the reason Petra and Paul returned home after a decade away. “Transylvania is your soul,” Paul had said. “It’s your heart.” And it’s a heart and soul, I decide, that’s poured into every dish I’ve eaten. but visitors shouldn’t overlook its street kitchens serving everything from local seafood to sweet travel and Seven Daughters Moscato.","ttl":"Taraji P Henson MLIF","rchDsc":{"markup":"Taraji talks all things food travel and Seven Daughters Moscato. "},"rchTtl":{"markup":"Taraji P Henson MLIF"}},"sections":[{"name":"Travel","id":"432c4f83-2d55-3974-b95f-a221c87c0fd1","type":"sources","uri":"https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel"}],"headline":"Taraji P travel and Moscato wine","link":"https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/my-life-in-food-taraji-p-henson"},{"description":"A family feast in the tiny European principality of Liechtenstein set snugly between the Swiss and Austrian Alps a luxury wildlife resort to the north in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in India guests are greeted with a welcome drink crafted with mahua local herbs and soda.","ttl":"OG-Mahua-May2025-Oberoi","rchDsc":{"markup":"At The Oberoi Vindhyavilas local herbs and soda."},"rchTtl":{"markup":"OG-Mahua-May2025-Oberoi"}},"sections":[{"name":"Travel","id":"432c4f83-2d55-3974-b95f-a221c87c0fd1","type":"sources","uri":"https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel"}],"headline":"In India an outlawed spirit is making a comeback","link":"https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/what-is-mahua-spirit-india"},{"description":"From grab-and-go snacks like falafels and shawarma to Jordan’s elaborate national dish Amman is full of delicious food with distinctive flavours flatbreads and raw aubergines.","crdt":"Photograph by Veliavik Getty Images","dsc":"Mutabal is a traditional Middle Eastern dip made with roasted aubergine.","ttl":"Mutabal dip","rchDsc":{"markup":"Mutabal is a traditional Middle Eastern dip made with roasted aubergine."},"rchTtl":{"markup":"Mutabal dip"}},"sections":["Paid Content"],"headline":"A culinary guide to Amman Jordan","link":"https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/paid-content-culinary-guide-to-amman-jordan-the-historic-capital-shaking-up-its-food-scene"},{"description":"From Nigeria to Senegal and everywhere in between Stockfood","dsc":"Akara originally came from the Yoruba people who lived in Nigeria and Benin; but can now be found in regions such as the Caribbean and South America.","rchDsc":{"markup":"Akara originally came from the Yoruba people who lived in Nigeria quick lunch dish in Hong Kong.","ttl":"A taste of Hong Kong noodle soup landscape","rchDsc":{"markup":"Best enjoyed with a dash of red vinegar This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information Everyone has a job and harvests are so plentiful that trucks jam the streets from early morning waiting to ship tomatoes Sitting on supersized nests atop telegraph poles in every village we drove through were storks We stopped the car on the busy highway and gazed up at an imperious A nest on your roof was once thought to protect against fire and anyone who killed a bird was cursed So when chicks started getting electrocuted on power lines the Romanians built platforms on lampposts where every year pairs return to renovate the same gigantic nests Stork-counting became our favourite car game on our Transylvanian road trip Just as our hotels and restaurants each celebrate their own uniqueness and distinct local connections we appreciate our guests also want to pursue one-of-a-kind gastronomy and art de vivre of these new members’ establishments in Africa (Botswana) Middle East (Israel and Egypt) and Asia (China and India) Botswana’s Okavango River is famous for the Okavango Delta which is one of the largest inland deltas in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site This mysterious network of interconnected waterways and wildlife-rich islands is renowned for its tremendous biodiversity and unique ecosystem on the “river that never reaches the ocean” and amidst a natural biome unlike any other in the world is where the Sitatunga Private Island can be found It is an exclusive retreat encircled by narrow crystal-clear waterways winding toward the vast Okavango swamps in the south Sitatunga Private Island is the perfect base for exploring the delta’s natural waterways to discover fascinating wildlife flat-bottomed boat or a traditional fisherman’s canoe known as a mokoro to set off on safaris capturing each moment with a professional camera set complete with a range of lenses and high-quality binoculars To build the two guest suites and two-bedroomed villa Dereck and Beverly Joubert – the celebrated wildlife photographers and co-owners of Great Plains – used recycled wood wherever possible to protect the environment and honor local traditions are raised off the ground and have been designed to hang in gigantic bamboo-and-wood-inspired “fishing baskets,” a nod to the local fishermen The interior décor is a collection of natural woods and soft touches designed to evoke a sense of calm After a massage or cosmetic treatment in the privacy of your suite enjoy dinner by starlight on the floating terrace or at the foot of a towering These are the perfect settings to savor thoughtfully prepared cuisine crafted to each guest’s tastes with responsibly sourced ingredients Only a visionary could have decided it was wise to open a restaurant on Tchoupitoulas Street in the late 1980s a soulless neighborhood without the benefit of city streetlights Yet it was here that chef Emeril Lagasse set out to conquer New Orleans and America an American celebrity chef and author of numerous works on Creole and Louisianan cuisine Emeril decided to turn over the helm of Emeril’s to his son After spending his childhood in his father’s kitchen the young man underwent the classic training of apprentice great chefs: a prestigious cooking school then apprenticeships with famous names in international cuisine In the warmly welcoming decor of Emeril’s gourmet restaurant the young chef faithfully carries on his father’s labor of love through season-specific signature menus composed with ingredients sourced from a handful of carefully selected farmers from the region Guests love being invited to tour the kitchens to see what will soon be served to them once they are seated That friendly style has been a winning formula since E.J Lagasse was presented with the New Talent of the Year Award 2024 by La Liste the restaurant guide and ranking that designates the world’s best 1,000 restaurants Not far from the Route of the White Villages Finca La Donaira is perched above the Serranía de Ronda deep in farming country spanning more than 1,700 acres The landscape in this corner of Spain includes meadows as far as the eye can see and Roman and Arab ruins – all creating an atmosphere of contemplative serenity Finca La Donaira was designed as a holistic environmentally friendly haven to be enjoyed in an all-inclusive experience The property features a restored farmhouse and outbuildings carefully renovated with natural materials while preserving the original beams and frames in duplex or with direct access to a medicinal garden and the Andalusian patio still have their exposed stone or whitewashed walls The polished floors are brightened with colorful rustic rugs and the furniture is a mix of rural and contemporary Those who love the outdoors will thrill to a stay in one of the two hillside yurts The estate’s organic farm and select local producers are the sources of the cuisine’s wholesome ingredients Finca La Donaira offers a broad variety of experiences: personal well-being time at the spa Being the region’s largest equestrian center the soothing presence of magnificent horses adds to the property’s appeal: 100 Lusitano horses are available to guests for hiking and training sessions in natural horsemanship While Transylvania certainly owes some of its renown to Bran Castle should best be known as the home of countless medieval towns and castles Matca Hotel is embraced by an environment of forests and meadows a breathtakingly beautiful landscape that seems to have escaped the reaches of civilization There is something reassuring about the architecture of this sturdy traditional farm concept that blends so comfortably with the surroundings: it presages a stay that is wholesome with long walks in the mountains and relaxed dinners crafted by a creative chef who reinterprets the recipes of Romanian cuisine with true inspiration in outbuildings with pointed shingle roofs and breathtaking views of the rolling hills the summits of the Piatra Craiului Mountains The same welcoming ambiance is found in the two independent villas with the added luxury of a veranda and a private jacuzzi an essential feature for any nature-centered retreat has an indoor swimming pool with lovely panoramic views and a broad range of massages and facial treatments from which to choose This exquisite and aptly named boutique hotel will open in late July just opposite the palace built to glorify Louis XIV Les Lumières has made its home in the two 17th-century pavilions that the Sun King presented to Edouard Colbert and Antoine de Gramont When crossing the threshold of this elegant architectural ensemble you will discover that an historic building can indeed dovetail perfectly with well-chosen contemporary décor You will also experience the welcoming comfort of a private residence and a tranquil garden just a stone’s throw from one of France’s most prestigious and historic sites After some three decades and an equal number of stars in the Michelin Guide for the property Le Clos des Sens in Annecy Laurent Petit returns to his homeland of Haute-Marne to open Le Clos Vauban in Langres joined on this new adventure by his wife Martine wanted to at last place the Grand-Est region in the gastronomic spotlight They continue their devotion to passing on their savoir-faire by working hand-in-hand with the chef a collaboration that first began at Le Clos des Sens on the ramparts of Europe’s largest fortified enclosure Laurent and Martine Petit decided to acquire a solid historic residence from the 19th century surrounded by an herb and vegetable garden that provides produce for the culinary creations The perfect retreat for savoring both nature and culture chef Valentin Loison has been crisscrossing the valleys of the southern Haut-Marnais forging bonds with those who are still close to the land and its treasures: truck farmers that is the inspiration for the poetic cuisine of the intimate Bulle d’Osier unique in its delicate intensity and local sourcing The Brasserie Mirabelle offers equally uncommon but more affordable fare All enhanced by signature wines from Champagne to Burgundy This ensemble of just eight rooms and suites all personalized in their Haussmannian home the canton being home to the country’s only wickerwork school A very private and personal space that promises a meaningful and rejuvenating stay is a land of generosity – warm hospitality 16th-century residence still possesses the elegance that its Renaissance architects so lavishly bestowed upon it Outside the petite village bearing its name Venerable furnishings unearthed at antique shops and prints from eras past give the 23 rooms and suites the understated charm felt in the aristocratic homes of yesteryear with soaring windows looking out past the grounds to Sainte-Sabine and its 16th-century church on one side one of The Most Beautiful Villages in France The former Salle des Gardes was recently turned into a superb suite with period woodwork a reproduction of the hearth built in the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy in Dijon chef Benjamin Linard prepares his own interpretations of Burgundian cuisine crafted with ingredients from the terroir He sources from select family farms that are committed to protecting the environment and animal welfare These moments of wholesome fine dining enhance the pleasure of a walk through the grounds or sunbathing by the swimming pool – all making your stay at the Château Sainte Sabine an experience of timeless tranquility La Maison Bleue stretches out grandly alongside a private lagoon a stone’s throw from the blue waters of the Red Sea the property was originally designed as a guest house for a destination developer and investor wanting to host his family and friends an adults-only establishment unlike any other in the region The architecture takes its inspiration from Italy and North Africa with numerous nods to the Golden Age: towering colonnades topped by Corinthian capitals coffered ceilings richly adorned with frescoes The 13 immense suites – boasting balconies facing the sea or the mountains of the Western Desert – are brimming with refined a remarkable collection of antiques and objets d’art The restaurant is the domain of Vincent Guillou a French chef who has been living in Egypt for two decades whose dishes are crafted from market and garden ingredients to showcase the flavors of Europe and Egypt With the dynamic seaside amenities of the Red Sea within easy reach La Maison Bleue provides a serene sanctuary for relaxing on the lagoon’s soft 3 stars in the 2024 Michelin Guide and one Green Star Seating for 80 is an association of 580 unique hotels and restaurants throughout the world owned and operated by independent entrepreneurs – most often families – who are passionate about their craft and deeply committed to forging warm Relais & Châteaux members protect and promote the wealth and diversity of the world's culinary and hospitality traditions They are equally dedicated to preserving local heritage and the environment as articulated in the association's Vision presented to UNESCO in November 2014 www.relaischateaux.com @relaischateaux #relaischateaux #deliciousjourneys Head Office Press RelationsRelais & Chateaux 2024Photo: Getty ImagesSave this storySaveSave this storySaveThe lifestyle editors at Vogue thought long and hard about the best places to travel in 2025 Interest in globetrotting is at an all-time high but so is overtourism: there have been local protests in Barcelona while Sicily is facing a tourism-induced water crisis And where one wants to go: some people love sweeping cultural trips others seek adrenaline rushes in the great outdoors Then there are those who just want to sit on a beach we got to work on the locations that are piquing our interest—and flight searches—lately Photo: Getty ImagesIt’s taken a while to get there but it finally feels like Romania is finally stepping out of the shadow of its tumultuous 20th-century history It’s one of the fastest-growing economies in the European Union its gastronomic and cultural scenes are thriving and it’s that rare country that truly has it all—from the buzzing arts scene in Cluj-Napoca to awe-inspiring hikes in the Carpathian Mountains from Black Sea beaches on its eastern coast to the world-class museums of its capital I’m particularly desperate to go after recently watching Robert Eggers’s spine-chilling new adaptation of Nosferatu.) All of which is to say there’s never been a better moment to visit—and with the arrival of the Corinthia Bucharest in 2025 there’ll be a dazzling new five-star stay to serve as your launchpad for exploring this most underrated of European countries Make sure to carve out the time to visit Transylvania too—and not just for those Dracula-worthy medieval castles There’s a whole world of luxurious (and well-priced) outdoor and wellness-oriented stays to explore from long-time favorite Bethlen Estates to newcomer Matca which offers everything from beekeeping lessons to hay bathing rituals Photo: Getty ImagesCall it the Yellowstone effect—as the buzz around the Montana-set television series hits a fever pitch interest around Bozeman and its ski area 45 minutes to the south 2025 will see the arrival of the five-star One & Only Midnight Basin local Lone Mountain Ranch—a 1915 homestead turned hotel—just opened a smartly-designed member’s only restaurant The city of Bozeman—home to Montana State University—is also fast becoming a culinary powerhouse: in 2024 local eatery Shan received a James Beard Award nomination for best new restaurant and chef Charley Graham of Little Star Diner was a semi-finalist for best chef in the mountain region of the United States was a semi-finalist for best restauranteur The only thing better than the restaurants is the nature: the Gallatin River and the Bridger Mountains are all within reach which recently launched a new sustainably-minded luxury vessel and route is worth checking out.) Throw in a thriving contemporary art scene—the architect-designed MONA is regularly listed as one of the best museums in the world—and some of the most ambitious and inventive restaurants in all of Australia and you’ll find this is the kind of destination that checks every box Kyoto isn’t the most original proposition—it’s high up on just about every traveler’s bucket-list destinations thanks to its picture-postcard old town streets But thanks to a new wave of five-star stays there’s never been a better time to explore this urban wonder of the world (even if you do have to head off the beaten path a little while exploring the city to avoid the crowds) Tadao Ando-designed The Shinmonzen hotel in the heart of the city’s geisha district may have opened during the pandemic but has already staked its claim as one of the world’s greatest new boutique hotels while more recent openings from brands like Banyan Tree and Six Senses are melding world-class hospitality with authentic local experiences The beloved Capella hotel group will be setting up shop in a prime position near the Kenninji temple with a Kengo Kuma-designed architectural wonder that will include omakase-style dining Expect it to be the city’s buzziest new stay Photo: Getty ImagesHow do you know a place is about to be an “it” destination The luxury fashion and liquor conglomerate purchased a hotel on Islay and are in the process of transforming it into a moody seaside retreat The 2025 property is designed by Russell Sage Studio—who also did The Fife Arms over in the Cairngorns—and includes guest rooms and a statement bar that will serve high-end whisky and then some Photo: Getty ImagesThe Siwa Oasis—located in Egypt’s northwestern corner just 50 kilometers from the Libyan border—has long been every intrepid traveler’s best-kept secret thanks to the natural wonders of its freshwater springs and palm trees and the presence of cult stays like the Adrére Amellal where you can live out all your luxe Berber fantasies and the impending (if currently only rumored) arrival of a handful of new luxury boutiques in the next year or two is set to place it on the wider map Photo: Getty ImagesThe once under-the-radar town of Melides, Portugal, is very much on the radar thanks to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle who reportedly bought a home in the idyllic region Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.) The sleepy artistic village—30 minutes from the more sceney Comporta—is known for its laid-back charm Modern houses are nestled amid its rolling olive groves white-washed town are artisanal shops and a fresh fish market there’s the unspoiled beach and its crystalline waters—some in the States have even taken to calling the region from Comporta to Melides the “Hamptons of Portugal.”-E.T we might already have cited one Japan spot to visit on this list already but given the country’s post-pandemic tourism boom it shouldn’t be a surprise that we’d want to mention it twice For those willing to head off the beaten track—and seeking to avoid the tourist-thronged streets of Tokyo and Kyoto—there’s no better place to explore than the under-the-radar string of islands that extend down through the South China Sea to Taiwan: the Ryukyu Islands you’ll find plenty of resorts offering a slice of paradise with soft white sand beaches to rival the Caribbean and the opportunity to snorkel with whales depending on the time of year you visit the Ritz-Carlton is the place to start.) And in 2025 a Piet Boon-designed Rosewood hotel will open on the small island of Miyakojima offering everything from blissful spa treatments to calligraphy lessons with a local artist to encounters with sea turtles via their conservation program If you’re looking for an alternative tropical escape next year The Danish Home Lighting Trend That Can Improve Your Mental Health In America’s Cities, Saunas Are Becoming the Hottest Social Spot Millie Bobby Brown Shares Her Favorite Paella Recipe—and Details About Her Wedding to Jake Bongiovi A Day-by-Day Guide to Hiking the Legendary Nakasendo Trail in Japan Never miss a Vogue moment and get unlimited digital access for just $2 $1 per month Your Ads Privacy ChoicesIMDb Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon The best of Time Out straight to your inbox We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Worldwide according to TIMEThe publication has curated an 100-strong list of the top spots to visit across the planet and 25 European destinations were included TIME magazine recently published a sprawling list of quirky, unusual and cool new places to stay and visit across the world beaches and landmarks from Asia to South America all making the cut.  But if you reside in Europe you’re in luck, as a quarter of them are located somewhere on the continent In the ‘places to stay’ category is the Matca Hotel a hilltop stay in Romania’s Brasov County with sweeping views of Bucegi and Piatra Craiului Mountains It’s named after the Romanian word for queen bee – a symbol for wealth and luck – and opened back in January 2024.  Recommended: These are the best new things to do in the world in 2025.  TIME describes it as a ‘full-body experience that involves being wrapped in warm and swimming with an awe-inspiring view in the spa’s pool.’ Sounds strangely lush On the ‘places to visit’ portion of the list is Trosten a sustainably built floating sauna bobbing around in Oslo It’s been designed to accommodate wheelchair users and others with mobility impairments and is made from hydro-recycled aluminium scrap and terrazzo tiles sauna-goers are taking a cold plunge before warming up.  Elsewhere on the roundups are some brand-new cruises in Greenland, Scotland’s ancient Flow Country, a dazzling new Rome hotel Palazzo Talìa and Warsaw’s shiny new Museum of Modern Art.  Did you see that one of the biggest Caravaggio shows in history is on in Rome until July Plus: The underrated European country named the world’s top wellness destination.  Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! tiktokfacebooktwitteryoutubeAbout us Contact us Unlike some of its neighbors in the former Soviet bloc — particularly the Czech Republic Poland and Hungary — Romania has struggled to find its footing as a main player on the international tourism stage Most North Americans probably don't know much more about the destination other than Transylvania and Dracula But a closer look reveals a country with a lot to recommend it the Danube Delta and resorts along the Black Sea as well as a distinctive and appealing cuisine to help would-be visitors explore the country's culture and gastronomy the tourism sector is debuting Attractive Romania billed as the first cultural tourism program in the country designed for international tourists The program offers multiple suggested routes including a Romanian Traditional Gastronomy Route containing 30 sights from all over the country that features castles Travelers can download an app and use it to create a customized touristic route with information on what to see and what regional specialties to try The program is funded by Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan a five-year investment program designed to offset economic hits the country sustained during the pandemic and other factors Romanians are especially proud of storceag as well as oil-poached vegetables in Aninoasa a region also known for its cheeses and honey an area whose history dates to the Bronze Age visitors can tuck into a variety of local dishes a traditional spicy salami soup; sarmale made with goat meat; and varzob Attractive Romania activities can also include milling workshops herbal brewing sessions and picnic hikes to cave settlements Travelers who prefer a curated concierge experience in Romania can opt for a bespoke itinerary via Essentialist The company created a five-day itinerary that can be further customized and which starts in Bucharest and includes hiking in the Malaistei glacial valley in the Bucegi Mountains The tour ends in Transylvania with a tour of Dracula's Castle followed by a stay at the Matca Hotel a Relais & Chateau property with 16 rooms and 10 villas that opened last fall Looking ahead, Kempinski Hotels is gearing up to open the Kempinski Poiana Brasov The property will feature 120 lakeside rooms and suites in the main hotel three dining outlets and conference and event spaces for corporate gatherings and summer weddings As with all countries that border Ukraine, travelers should consult the State Department about travel safety alerts.  Romania is part of NATO and the EU but does not use the Euro. Its main air carrier is Tarom, which connects European capitals with Bucharest and other cities in Romania. Citi has appointed Christian Aho as its new boss in Oslo. Aho will take the position as country head and head of banking for Norway, the US bank said in a statement. Erik Savola, Citi’s Nordic head, said: “I am confident that Christian will make a significant contribution to the continued growth of the Norwegian franchise and bring the full value of Citi’s global network to the bank’s clients.” Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Your data on TradeWinds TradeWinds is part of DN Media Group AS From November 1st DN Media Group is responsible for controlling your data on TradeWinds We use your data to ensure you have a secure and enjoyable user experience when visiting our site. 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For more information and how to manage your privacy settings, please refer to our privacy and cookie policies. 2024 - 9:51pmCNN have shared their picks of the sexiest new hotels opening up in 2024 and not one but two Australian spots have made the list Scroll through to see the new properties you'll be adding to your bucket list for this year For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here Airport hotels aren't usually sexy – and neither, to be honest, are Mercures. However, pool villas, a larger-than-Olympic-sized regular pool and sustainability programs certainly are, meaning this resort by Darwin Airport might just become a destination in itself An amalgamation of two existing hotels – both completely renovated – the resort sits on the land of the Larrakia Nation with aboriginal art all over the resort (including vast outdoor murals) and villas named after Territorians Different areas of the property are dedicated to different Northern Territory regions and Larrakia guides will lead guests on walking tours to a nearby creek There will also be an onsite Indigenous Training Academy to staff up the hotel suites and bungalows have been added to the mix Pool villas are cute cabins with patio doors opening on the open-to-the-elements plunge pools Even regular rooms have been given some va-va-voom with bright Matca means "queen bee" in Romanian – and while that's officially in homage to the onsite colony (as well as the beekeeping tradition in Transylvania) it also doubles as a nickname for the hotel which is bringing new levels of luxury to the Carpathian mountains Transylvania's bucolic landscapes have long been a favourite of those in the know – the UK's King Charles has a house two hours north – and hilltop Matca fills its 16 rooms with the spirit of the region from handcarved rustic wooden beds and wardrobes to traditional rugs slung over the floorboards and rough is located across two fortified farmhouses and there are also 10 private villas scattered amid the grounds There are 80 acres of wilderness to explore at Gundari which means you may never make it off Folegandros The hotel – just 25 suites – sits within a bird-filled nature reserve Forget the blinding whitewash of traditional Greek island hotels – this brings a more international feel local wood and stone galore and private infinity pools overlooking the Aegean Sea there's a swim-up cocktail bar in the cliff-edge pool which combines ancient Greek tradition with island herbs Volcanoes Safaris has been known for its top-level eco-tourism lodges in Uganda and Rwanda for over two decades, and this new opening The park has a community of over 1000 chimps – the closest species to us humans with 90 per cent odds of spotting one – as well as 12 other kinds of primate will sprawl across a 150-acre site with views of the Rwenzori Mountains Permits to go chimp spotting are cheaper than gorilla trekking – which helps with the rates It's opening in parts – three bandas (traditional cabins) by May Opening in January plum on the Arabian Gulf the northernmost emirate on the border with Oman is focusing on nature and adventure tourism This is part of the latter, situated on Mina Al Arab an island just offshore from the town of Al Riffa surrounded by protected wetlands where turtles its 174 rooms feature recycled fabrics and plastics while the overwater villas are the first for the emirate the Beatles made their TV debut in Granada Studios in the UK's Manchester it's time for you to make an entrance as the venue – now called the Old Granada Studios – will open a sassy hotel that also happens to be affordable The legendary Manchester landmark (soap opera Coronation Street used to be filmed here and the Sex Pistols also made their TV debut in the studios) will be reinvented this year, as Mollie's moves in The 130-room hotel will be the third for the budget brand created by Soho House who'll also have a private members' club in the building Mollie's venues always pair Soho House-lite décor with a retro US vibe so you can expect boutique-style rooms (soothing wooden headboards coyly clashing colours to the walls and furnishings terrazzo flooring) with a classic diner featuring plenty of chrome and leather booths Argentina looks set to be entering a period of political and financial uncertainty in 2024 but this new Buenos Aires hotel is looking backward not forward – to the city's golden age a century ago Opening later in January in the Edificio Mihanovich, an art deco skyscraper built by a shipping magnate in the Retiro district, the Casa Lucia is the new iteration of the former Sofitel – but it's moving up in the world putting it on a similar swank level to the uber-fancy Faena the décor's relatively minimalist in the 142 rooms perhaps to put the focus on the views of the city and the River Plate outside officially a cocktail bar – but one with 400 labels of Argentina's best wines In a city of superlatives, it takes a lot to stand out. One&Only's third resort in Dubai manages to do that with no fewer than six Michelin-starred chefs working across 11 restaurants The "vertical urban resort" is part of One Za'abeel a twin-tower development whose two skyscrapers are linked by a glass corridor 320 feet above the ground One&Only calls this corridor the "boulevard of the future," filled with a bar thanks to the glass walls letting the Dubai sun in with swirls of colour behind the beds and on the rugs slung artfully over the floor Nowhere does hot springs quite like Japan, and April sees the opening of this new ryokan traditional inn at Akiu known for its thermal waters for 1500 years While it might have been tricky to get there in the past today it's an easy 90 minutes on the bullet train from Tokyo There are views of the forested valley and river below from the couch-lined window seats in each of the 49 rooms, while outside are the onsen baths, including hot baths, a body temperature pool and a terrace-set foot bath – perfect for recovering after a day hiking and cycling around the nearby gorges and Akiu Otaki waterfalls Marriott's millennial-focused Moxy brand usually knocks it out of the park when it comes to sassy but affordable and this addition to Banff's mountain scene is no different This is an old 1960s motor hotel from the racetrack-style looped bar with an old VW camper van in the corner which veer from wood-clad walls to plaid-style décor behind the bed with bunks and toe-to-toe twins this is a good bet for groups.) Apres-ski consists of hot tubs and fire pits in the courtyard and even checking in nets you a free cocktail What could be more idyllic than Madagascar Sainte-Marie, a strip of an island off the northeast coast, will be the home of this small resort of eight bungalows and a villa (though they're expected to grow to a maximum 45 as time goes on) Owner Philippe Kjellgren is a hotel lover rather than a hotelier so he's building this in the footsteps of his favourite retreats around the world and then adding in touches of responsible travel from the 80 per cent local staff he plans to employ and a portion of profits going to local causes to the reclaimed wood and local stone used in the buildings This is barefoot luxury – the villa's living room and throughout the resort you'll stay surrounded by nature not least the humpback whales that migrate along the coast from June to October rising to five as the new bungalows are built Grand really does mean grand at this April opening Brisbane is rapidly changing in anticipation of hosting the 2032 Olympic Games and the riverfront Queen's Wharf development is part of that Two arc-shaped buildings turning towards the river form the hotel with some rooms overlooking the river and others plunged straight into the skyscrapers of the CBD The décor suits the modern grande dame feel the area will have 50 bars and restaurants to host your jet lag as well as a restaurant-filled "Sky Deck" 320 feet above the Brisbane River For all too long, there's only been room for one famous hotel on Dublin's Merrion Square. The Leinster's New Year's resolution for 2024 is to change that Opening in February, it's bringing an almost Kit Kemp style of boutique chic to the formidable square with lively patterned headboards brightening the crisply modern rooms contemporary Irish artwork splashed around the public areas and a sexy rooftop restaurant overlooking Georgian Dublin serving Irish-French-southeast Asian fusion food – now there's a combo you don't hear often The Collins Club cocktail bar looks set to be a hit The other hotel on the square – The Merrion – had better look to its laurels Right now temperatures are hovering around a sunny 16C in Douz a gateway to the Sahara in Tunisia – and luckily flat-roofed villas sprawl around the grounds between palm trees with décor inspired by the local tradition: minimalist wood-framed four-posters There are two restaurants (or they can arrange private desert dining on request) as well as a hammam and spa quadbike or camel – to nearby places including a salt lake and desert hot springs The semi-underground cave homes of Matmata are within day trip distance Looking for a new year reset? Wait till next month, and this will make it worth it. In the rocky, lunar landscapes of the Valle de Guadalupe, this (opening February 15) will be the second outing for Veya designed by Mexican architect Michel Rojkind and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the valley from mountain peaks surrounding it to vineyards on the float below The spa will include traditional temazcal (sweat lodge) rituals and hydrotherapy in a desert spring Valle de Guadalupe is one of Mexico's best wine regions and there'll be a vineyard and winery onsite Habitas (or HABITAS as it calls itself) is a small hippy dippy American chain concentrating on barefoot luxury properties in countries like Morocco and Mexico with this beachfront hotel at surfer central Santa Teresa The rooms are ridiculously plush cabins and glamping tents scattered from the beachfront to what it calls the "jungle" behind Critics say Romanian agriculture is still stuck in the 19th century when it comes to marketing its products Although it can boast of good yields per hectare and that’s because it lacks the food chain to deliver quality products hypermarkets in Romania have created special sections for local products so some farmers who have had the economic power to negotiate with them have sold their fruit and vegetables there “We have not organized farmers and we do not have an organized market We have not yet discussed what measures should be taken to stop selling raw material products We shouldn’t brag about the absorption of European funds if we do not have economic impact if we do not convert raw materials into processed products that have added value we should finance the food industry so we can move on to the enormous economic step that will help farmers,” Dumitru said BACK TO THE BAD OLD DAYS The vice-president says that the newly established state-owned company is a catastrophe that represents a big step back The Agribusiness House only interferes with the proper competition in the market Let us better generate state aid to stimulate farmers’ association so that they can have more negotiating power with the big players on the market and get the best price for the products they sell,” said Dumitru will take the produce from Romanian farmers much more often because of the lack of an intermediary because it urges us to work more carefully and to be more competitive You see on the street a whole series of farmers who take their fruit and vegetables out to be sold for a few lei,” the minister of agriculture said recently The Agro-Food House will have three pillars: a national network of territorial agricultural clusters integrating at one or more ATUs the local agricultural production resources and specific services with at least one center for collecting / distributing the products; a network of regional centers for storage and industrial processing; a national network of shops developed especially in high-consumption centers capable of providing the domestic market with fresh and processed agri-food products of domestic origin Romania will also have an Agency for Quality and Marketing of Agro-Food Products This will be established as a public institution financed from its own revenues and subsidies granted from the state budget and will come under the umbrella of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is to increase the number of quality systems recognized at European level for Romanian agro-food products and product certification according to voluntary quality schemes established at national and European level to promote them Romania had the lowest food prices among EU countries according to data released by the European Statistics Office (Eurostat) And price is one tool that could encourage local consumers to eat more organic food 4 out of 10 shoppers buy them between 10 and 30 percent of the time and only 2 out of 10 between 30 and 50 percent Factors that would persuade Romanians to buy more organic products are: a lower price (42.4 percent) and the safety of chemical-free produce (43.4 percent) nearly 7 Romanians out of 10 are willing to pay extra for organic food 43.9 percent would agree to pay 5 to 10 percent extra for bio foods and 27.9 percent would be willing to pay even 10 to 20 percent more Just 3 out of 10 respondents would not be willing to pay more for organic products we believe that a campaign to educate the public about bio-food technologies is needed namely that chemical fertilizers are not used and therefore there are lower yields; and that no pesticides are administered meaning the crops are more vulnerable to diseases and parasites so there are big risks for farmers,” argues Crenguţa Barbosu manager of agriculture and rural development at World Vision Romania And here we are talking about raw products as well Romania does not know how to take advantage of crops and give them added value According to the farmers in the Matca vegetable basin which would cut out the intermediaries and bring the products faster and better to the final buyer But Romania faces another problem: the shopper here does not know what an organic product is Three quarters of Romanians understand organic farming to mean healthy without actually knowing if they are certified as such In order for the bio-products sector to be able to reach its development potential experts say it is necessary for all stakeholders to collaborate – manufacturers the authorities – in order to draw up a Country Strategy on organic farming Romania does not currently have such a national strategy and there is no dialogue between the parties involved on this issue The value of the organic farming market in Europe is EUR 37 billion of which Romania’s piece of the pie is small and the country currently has only 2 percent of the area earmarked for organic farming “Keeping conventional farmers informed about the ecological and economic benefits of organic farming as well as a campaign to promote organic products would make the difference between myth and reality in this area it is necessary to present the relevant information to them in a transparent way namely the presentation of the benefits of organic products for health the environment and the sustainable use of resources,” said Barbosu The way in which almost half of the respondents (47.5 percent) ensure that the product they buy is organic is to check if it is written on the label and a quarter of the survey participants check that the product is labeled as EU certified “The perception of the majority of Romanians surveyed is that organic means peasant products That is why we believe that more information should be available to the general public about what organic products and agriculture mean,” added Barbosu Large supermarkets have increased the number of organic products on the shelf by setting up special green areas the number of organic products present in major supermarkets in Romania varies between 200 and 500 compared to 1,200-1,800 in the same supermarkets in Western Europe local supply from manufacturers that can deliver competitive organic products to market standards is limited to this segment but retailers hope it will grow in Romania in the coming period Organic farming is a dynamic sector in Romania and has seen an upward trend in recent years as evidenced by the increase in the area cultivated with permanent crops (orchards etc.) from 3,093 ha in 2010 to 13,165 ha in 2017 The most recent data about Romanian farming 228,100 ha of land was cultivated with a total production of 3.3 million tons of vegetables with a total production of 1.2 million tons Apples and plums were cultivated on more than three quarters of that land More than 100 areas in 24 counties in România were affected by floods during the last 24 hours according to the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations “Firefighters’s missions to save people and eliminate the effects of floods in the country are held for five days and two other people caught by the floods were rescued by military firefighters the adoption of self-protection measures by the population has made the events to be without casualties The heavy rainfall of Monday and last night caused local floods in 106 localities in 24 counties – Alba, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Botosani, Brasov, Caraş Severin, Calarasi, Dambovita, Dolj, Giurgiu, Hunedoara, Harghita, Ilfov, Ialomita, Mehedinti, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Teleorman, Timis, Vaslui and Vrancea, as well as in Bucharest. The interventions of firefighters have been difficult due to the increased water level and the high volumes of floods caused by heavy rainfall military firefighters intervene to remove the effects of floods in Giurgiu Taking into account the large number of requests received from the citizens for the efficient management of the emergency situations in the affected counties there were arranged measures for supplementing the number of the firefighters and the operative groups were activated “In the context of increasing debts on certain watercourses, we call on citizens not to cross the rivers through the water or to approach their shores. Information about people who are at risk or who have been isolated will be immediately notified by the unique 112 emergency number, “IGSU representatives said. The evolution of dangerous meteorological phenomena is permanently monitored through the IGSU National Operational Center if necessary deploying in the affected counties the forces and means from other areas where no emergency situations are recorded There is a special situation in Galati county, in Corod, where 165 people were preventively evacuated given the increase in water levels on the Corozel stream. At the same time, ISU crews together with local authorities act to create a dam with sandbags. about 170 people evacuated and went to live with relatives or friends We were not asked to accommodate them in the spaces that we had prepared The floods also threatens the town of Matca A RO ALERT message will be sent to Matca people spokesman for the Emergency Situations Inspectorate (ISU) The Teleorman county is in the same situation as 70 households and 18 houses were flooded by heavy rainfall in recent days members of the County Emergency Committee and local authorities have been in the affected areas alongside people in difficulty Road traffic on DE 70 Bucharest-Alexandria was difficult in the area of ​​the 61 km where the road was covered by the overflowing waters of the Câlniştea River Five localities in the county are affected by the lack of electricity due to meteorological phenomena produced last night there are localities in the county where the inhabitants had to be evacuated urgently in order not to be taken by the waters flowing from the riverbeds a footbridge was destroyed and affected 70 meters of the road 10 hectares of sunflower land were flooded and 1.2 km of the village road was affected by floods Neamt County is under orange code warning of torrential rains and floods Pilots and nurses increased their union membership in a year dominated by Air Malta’s restructuring and collective agreement negotiations The two largest unions were the General Workers’ Union and the Union Ħaddiema Maghqudin with 53,503 and 26,457 members respectively Both are general trade unions representing workers in several sectors.