Around Orthodox Easter and then around Labor Day, Romania gets ready to go on mini breaks. Business gets lighter, and people leave Bucharest in flocks starting the days before Easter (this year celebrated on April 21). For those still searching for the unexpected destination for a Romanian Easter, here are some ideas, all filled with flowers.

Tulips

Sometime mid-April, tulips are in bloom. There are two places in Romania where you can see lots of tulips during this period. One is in Arges, and the other one in Mehedinti county.

A first event is organized in Pitesti, the capital of Arges county, and is called the Tulips Symphony. This year it is organized between April 11 and 13. Pitesti is also known as the Flower City in Romania, and it has lots of tulips.

Pitesti is easily reachable from Bucharest via the highway, so this is suitable even for a one – day trip.

The other tulip – related place is in Mehedinti county, in the south-western part of Romania. This one promises to be more special, as it involves a special Romanian tulip, the Cazane Tulip, which is unique in the world. This yellow tulip is protected by law, it grows on the abrupt sides of the mountain, and can only be seen while on a boat trip on the Danube.

A trip to see this tulip is actually a trip to the natural resort Portile de Fier. To get there, you have to reach a place called Orsova, and then to a village called Dubova, where you can also find accommodation.

The scenery is amazing, and there are other things to see here as well, including a large size stone sculpture of Dacian king Decebal, placed directly within the mountain. The Baile Herculane resort, only 15 km away from Dubova, is also worth a visit. From Orsova you can take a boat for the Orşova-Cazanele Mici-Cazanele Mari trip, where you can also see the yellow tulip. This has to be done until early May.

Lilac

While you are in Mehedinti county in SW Romania, don't forget to pass by the natural lilac reservation at Ponoarele. They usually bloom in the first days of May. A Lilac Holiday is held here annually at the start of May. The lilac forest is a must see while in the region, on Prislopului Valley, a 20-hectare reservation. The annual celebration usually involves folk music concerts. More pics from this reservation here.

Another lilac forest is located in the other corner of Romania, in Tulcea county, close to the Danube Delta, in SE. The place is called Valea Oilor, close to Ciucurova and the Ciucurova forest. This is open for tourists but don't expect any amenities, just lots of lilac trees, all in bloom in the month of May.

Another lilac forest is called Fântâna Mare, also near the Ciucurova village. This one is reachable by taking the road between Fantana Mare and Slava Rusa villages.

 editor@romania-insider.com

(photos from simfonialalelelor-pitesti.ro, ponoare.ro, www.cazaneledunarii.com)