danube valley

There is nothing more beautiful on this world than to sail on the beautiful waters of Danube, with its Carpathian walls rising majestically on each side. A journey on the Danube Valley is full of geographical wonders: the enormous sculpture of Burebista made in the hard rock, the Mraconia Monastery, huge caves and old military shelters built deep in the mountain.A 3 hours cruise among the speedy water of Danube Valley will change your life forever. The beauty of its landscapes is truly unique and the geographical and historical treasures are invaluable. This wonderful place has impressed me like no other. I had only two days to discover it and I must say that these were two of the most magical days in my life.At first, I didn’t know what to expect. I heard of this place from so many people and all of them were saying the same thing: it is one of the most magnificent geographical attractions in Romania, and very possible in Europe. You cannot visit this place without indulging yourself with a boat trip. Exploring Danube’s waters and the tall mountains that rest aside is a very special experience. I recommend it to everyone. One of the things that fascinated me the most were the Mraconica Monastery built on one of the shores. It rises above the waters and inspires an intriguing serenity. The architecture is impressive and unique. I have also found very adventurous the exploration of the Ponicova Cave which is a huge cave, big enough to be visited by boat. And, of course, the huge portrait of Burebista carved in the hard rock is one of the most remarkable works of art ever made by man. The shores of Danube are adorned with numerous villas that invite tourists to enjoy a picturesque vacation in one of its elegant rooms with a view to its restless waters. These accommodations offer a large outdoor space with pools, barbeques and playgrounds. It is the perfect choice for spending a few fabulous days with your family on the beautiful Danube Valley.

We sailed through the Iron Gates on a AMA Waterways tour. The early morning site was unbelievable a must see if you are in the area. This entire stretch of the river is very different than the more northern areas. It is extremely rugged and not very inhabited.

We started off in Drobeta and worked our way to Moldova Veche, which was around the 130km mark. Along the Danube on the Romania side was something we'd never thought would look so amazing. Witnessing long windy mountainous roads, that we're truly remarkable in peace and landscape. We've seen similar in Bosnia and Montenegro, but this was unique as it had its own identity with the dirt track river road every 5km! We managed to experience the Romanian side after we ventured from the Serbian side, so was a great day beside the Danube! Every so often you will find fishermen trying their luck, with rods hanging over. Best of all is no payment to anyone, so enjoy the freedom. Also beware of the falling rocks that can happen at any given moment. Overall great times.

Well, "nature at its best" is not an entirely correct statement because the Danube Valley is part the result of Iron Gates dam. Nevertheless, nature is wonderful here and the influence of human intervention is at minimum.The valley extends from Iron Gates Dam upwards on the Danube some 100-120 km or so. It has many parts, all of them are equaly beautiful and uniqe. Gowing upwards, you have the part from Iron Gates Dam to Orsova, weher the Danube is wide an deep. You have the enlarged part next to Orsova (including the Gulf of Cerna). Then you have the Danube Gorge (Cazanele Dunarii), which are a spectacular. Then you have the more quiet landscape up from Danube Gorge (Cazanele Dunarii), with unique views on both sides of the river.

....god help you if you ask anything from the waiter........not even talking about "normal" expectation....You are back to real "dictatorship".........

I like amazing landscapes. I feel very tired because I visited all city. Congratulations. You MUST visit ROMANIA

Views are fantastic. Be careful however, as some parts of the road as long as a few kilometers are in a very bad condition and require driving around 10km/h. So be calm and do not rush... just admire to sights.

Mountains which surround Cazane Strait - , the right Ştârbeţul-Mare (768 m) and the left-Sucarul Mare in bulk are limestone formations and a lot of caves, most of rich beautiful stalactites!Cazane Road - splendid road, built with huge weights on the Danube valley leads from the Orşova Baziaş. It is one of the most beautiful roads not only in the country but across the continent. It was built between 1834 -1837 at the initiative and under the leadership of Count Szechenyi.

I arrived in Drobeta Turnu Severin when the night started and it was a magnificent view of Danube, full of lights, seeing the next shore. It was so beautiful that nothing else matter. You can forget about the cheep hotel, old room and poor life there only admiring the powerfull Danube.

Unique landscapes, spectacular mountains carved by the powerful Danube river, specific submediteranean flora will captivate any tourist visiting this area. Decebal's head carved in natural stone, the biggest European statue of this type (similar to the Mount Rushmore statues in the USA) is still watching the territories :) on the Romanian side of the Danube, at the beginning of the lovely Mraconia estuary. You can go fishing, you can go hiking, you can visit two magnificent caves full of history and legends. Or you can simply enjoy a rest, a bath in the Danube and a sunbath, a good "fish brine" and a dry Sauvignon Blanc from the surrounding hills.

Travelling north from Drobeta Turnu Severin, an ugly concrete jungle (from the Communist days), you can soon be in magnificent countryside next to the Danube river as see the "real" Romania.Follow the river past the (again ugly) port town of Orsova and the mountainous sides of the river are even more spectacular and unspoiled.Be sure to find the huge face of Decebal carved in the side of the mountain.It is a pity that Romania seems so slow in exploiting an obvious opportunity for pleasure boat cruises through this magnificent countryside.

It is remote from the civilization. Nice and refreshing. This is really worthy to visit for relaxation. It is natural and so different from the turistic places. You can go fishing, go on a nice trip on the mountain or simply laying in the sun. The landscape is magnificent.

The statue of Decebal, which is the tallest rock sculpture in Europe, is impressive. The pictoresque winding road at Orsova Cazane goes with Danube closely and opens beautiful vistas. Traian's table, the plaque stone with the carved Latin inscription about Traian, represents another key attraction in the Danube Valley; Traian's table comemorates the bridge that was buit in 103 during the military campaign in Dacia.

Starting by car from Drobeta Turnu Severin, you can follow E70 towards Timisoara. After 15 km you can stop at Iron Gates 1 Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP), in order to visit its museum. After chronogically arranged artefacts from the area, starting stone age, continuing with bronze, iron, Roman period, and Otoman/turkish one, you will have a visual description of the construction and the hydro power units of the Romanian side of the HPP. You will also have a glimpse of the machine hall (approx. 220 m long, 25 m tall), descending by an elevator.After visiting the power plant, continuing towards Timisoara on the Romanian shore of the lake formed by the Danube River behind Iron Gates 1 dam. There are 15 to 20 viaducts over many golfs formed by the Danube. You are already in the Iron Gates Natural Park, so obey the specific rules.After driving 5 km, you will see a road sign to the right, indicating 1 km to Vodita Monastery. Worth a visit!Continuing 5 more km on E70 you will reach Orsova (now you will leave E70, continuing on DN57), the city rebuilt after the level of the lake raised 30 meters! You will enjoy a walk on the Danube's shore, and in the evening take a break near the ship yard or the train station in order to take some photos of the city lights reflected on the water. In orsova you can rent a ship and take a cruise on the Danube!Before leaving Orsova towards Eselnita, go to Sf. Ana Monastery.So you are about to leave Orsova, and after 15 km you will reach Mraconia bay, the place where a sculpture of Decebal is carved into the mountain.I think that you've had many stops and you are already hungry or at least thirsty, so continue 3 more km to Pensiunea Melba, located on the shore of Dubova gulf. "Papanasii" are my favourite desert there! Delicious! Siting at the table, enjoying your meal... can you see where the Danube is entering the gulf? There is its narrowest and its deepest point!Well, this is 100 km tour, and enough places to visit for a day!

purtroppo sono passato in novembre e con tempo brutto; tuttavia viaggiare sulla strada che costeggia il fiume , che sia lato Serbia o lato Romania ( le ho percorse entrambe da Turnu al confine serbo... è come un salto nel tempo all'italia degli anni 50 . il fiume è larghissimo e nella bella stagione deve essere magnifico.