<p align="LEFT"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="ro-RO"><a href="http://www.travellermagazin.ro/arhiva/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/The-artist-engl.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-5446"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5446" src="http://www.travellermagazin.ro/arhiva/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/The-artist-engl.jpg" alt="The artist engl" width="960" height="643" /></a>
TripAdvisor published the 2016 list of the most appreciated Fine Dining Restaurants in Europe. According to the ratings the first five positions in the Top 25 are taken by the following restaurants: Martin Berasategui (Lasarte, Spain); Maison Lameloise (Ghagny, France), L’Auberge de I’III (IIIhaeusern, France), Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saison (Great Milton, UK) and Ristorante Don Alfonso 1890 (Sant’Agata sui Golfi, Italy). The Artist in Bucharest – Romania sits at no. 17 in the top, the restaurant being specialized in European and Contemporary Cuisine.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> In another list of </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="ro-RO">TripAdvisor, dedicated to the restaurants in the Capital city of Romania, at the ”Fine Dining” cathegory, The Artist is followed by Vacamuuu, Osho and Le Bistrot Francais.

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<p align="LEFT"><strong><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="it-IT">RADISSON Blu in Braşov
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<p align="LEFT"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;">The spring of 2018 will bring in the city of Brasov the second Radisson Blu hotel in Romania. Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, the owner of the brand, and Tresor Com, controlled by Neamtu Family in Brasov, signed in November the franchise contract for the new hotel. Radisson Blu Brasov will be located in the historical area, opposite the City Hall and will probably be rated 5 stars. The estimated 10 million Euros investment will conclude in a hotel unit with 105 rooms, restaurants, conference facilities, bar, SPA &amp; fitness area, etc.</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tresor Com bought in 2015, from Telekom Romania, a building in central Brasov, in order to convert it into a hotel. In Romania the Carlson Rezidor Group operates the Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson hotels in Bucharest.</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;">MYIA KOSEI: “The beauty in the hearts of the Romanians is fascinating for me!”
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<p align="LEFT"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Cãrture</span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">ș</span></span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;">ti Verona Tea House in Bucharest has been once again the witness of a love declaration. This was performed by the Japanese Myia Kosei that presented to the public a photo album dedicated to the Romanian historical region of Maramures.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT"><span style="color: #000000;">“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">The color photos are like a theatre play of colors (…) they relate to each other in a most subtle way, in order to create a wonderful show. </span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="it-IT">They compose poems. </span></span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Goethe used to say that they spring from the combination of the beauty of the nature and the human sense of the sight. I am largely attracted by the natural beauty and the beauty in humans’ souls. Romanian people always make a wonderfully shaped composition” – said Myia Kosei. </span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Virgil </span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ș</span></span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;">tefan Ni</span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">ț</span></span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;">ulescu, editor in chief of Revista muzeelor appreciates that “Myia Kosei is seduced by the scenery offered by the traditional man. He says that life in the villages of Maramures is changing and we should not force people embrace change just for the sake of it.” Myia Kosei has been travelling in the country and photographing Romania for over 50 years.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT"><strong><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;">SIBIU – European Region of Gastronomy in 2019
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<p align="LEFT"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="ro-RO">The City of Sibiu in Romania and the South Egeean Region of Greece (that includes the islands of Santorini, Mykonos, Rodos and Patmos) were named the </span></span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;">European Regions of Gastronomy of 2019</span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="ro-RO">. The title is given every year by the International Institute for Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT), with the support of several European Institutions. Its goal is to stimulate innovation in gastronomy and to encourage tourism.</span></span></span> <span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="ro-RO">Due to its new title of European Region of Gastronomy - Sibiul will host in 2019 several events related to local gastronomy. The benefits will expand to travel and education as well, several of the programmes planned promoting healthy food concepts and the responsible usage of food sources</span></span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="ro-RO">” - said Astrid Fodor, Mayor of Sibiu.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT"><strong><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;">250 companies met at Romexpo
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<p align="LEFT"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;">A new edition of the Romanian Travel Show took place at Romexpo complex in Bucharest at the end of November. Over 230 travel agencies and tour-operators from Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, India, Jordan, Israel, Italy, Macedonia, UK, Palestine, Dominican Republic, Hungary, Tunisia, South Africa, etc. presented their offers. Several City Councils in Romania and various representatives of Romanian cities presented their top attractions in: Bucharest, Piatra Neamt, Sibiu, Panciu, Sighisoara, Fagaras, Horezu, Techirghiol, Targoviste, Iasi etc.</span></span></p>
<strong><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="ro-RO">Mastercard launched welcometoBucharest
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<span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="ro-RO">In the past six years Bucharest – The Capital City of Romania - has seen one of the fastest growths regarding travel visits, ranking 8th according to Mastercard Global Destinations Cities Index 2016. The welcometoBucharest is a campaign valid till February 7th, 2017, and offers special benefits and surprizes to travellers that will use their Mastercard during the visit of the city. </span></span></span>

<span style="color: #000000;">„<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="ro-RO">Through this campaign we wanted to include Bucharest on the map of the cities that offer modern card payment methods, in such a way that tourists know they can easily pay, simply and securely, when they visit us, using the most modern technologies, such as contactless.” - said Cosmin Vladimirescu, Mastercard General Manager for Romania.</span></span></span>

<span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="ro-RO">Using Mastercard partners all travellers to Bucharest will be able to benefit of free transfers from the airport to the hotels and back (through Uber), relevant discounts in travel related areas and much more.</span></span></span>
<p lang="ro-RO" align="LEFT"><strong><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH:</span></span></span></strong></p>
<p align="LEFT"><strong><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">MARIUS BAZAVAN: “</span></span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="ro-RO">The BACOLUX chain is growing slowly but strong!”</span></span></span></span></strong></p>
<p align="LEFT"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="ro-RO">The story started with a small unit in Craiova, followed by a tourist pension in Bușteni resort (Prahova Valley) and in 2011 two large hotels were added - Diana and Afrodita in the SPA resort of Băile Herculane. Today Bacolux is a hotel chain that ownes and offers about 1000 rooms on the Romanian travel market.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="ro-RO" align="LEFT"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Marian Bazavan (53 years old), having over 30 years experience in the travel business, is the founder and owner of the chain. His sons Marius and Florin Bazavan, are the managers and business developers. In an interview for our magazine Marius said: ”the story of Bacolux chain started having as its engine the wish to contribute in relaunching an important part of the local hotel industry, through our two hotels in Băile Herculane – a SPA and cure resort established by the Romans. Our aim is to form young managers and teams to perform and get to feel the taste of success. The Bacolux chain is growing slowly but strong. Now we concentrate on the present, but this does not mean that we do not already think at the next possible investments!” </span></span></span></p>