1. Caransebes (pop. 28,000) is only 20km from Slatina-Timis along the E70. There is annual sculpture symposium from mid-June to mid-July. Many of the sculptures can be found dotted around the streets and city park. Marcel Vela (PNL) is the current mayor of Caransebes. He has been able to completely renovate the emergency response services (Smurd) at the local hospital. He also secured European subsidies to purchase modern equipment for the radiologie department. He is also trying to improve the economy of the city by attracting investment in industry: timber, furniture, car (parts) manufacturing… the airstrip will be adding a helipad.
2. Resita (pop. 80,000) is the provincial capital of Caras-Severin. The city was established in the 18th century during the Austro-Hungarian period. Previously coal and iron were mined in the area. The city became an important centre for the iron and metal industry with blast furnaces amid sad high-rise buildings. The population reduced by 20% since the revolution and the foundries (producing turbines for hydroelectric plants, and propellers for the shipping industry) are mostly ruins today. Resita has an open air locomotive museum with a varied collection of steam trains, etc. The city that once proudly claimed that only their well forged rivets were good enough for Gustav Eiffel when building the Eiffel tower is now in now in economic decline. Their hope is pinned on the development of the nature reserves in the Banater Mountains for tourism.
3. Baile-Herculane (pop. 6000) is 50km south of Slatina-Timis in the Cerna valley and possesses an uncommon feature. The thermal springs have attracted man to live there since the Paleolithic period (Old Stone Age). During the 165 year long reign of the Romans is was a well-known spa. 6 statues of Hercules from the period have been excavated at the site. Since 1700 the spa has been slowly transformed and modernized, where indeed during the communist period many pensioners availed themselves of the rejuvenating waters. The town has an abundance of accommodation for tourists and is a good base camp for further exploration of the surrounding attractions and nature reserves.
4. Timisoara (pop. 320,000) previously the capital city of the Banat, now the capital of Timis province, has an international airport. It was in this city that the rebellion that lead to the overthrow of the dictator Ceausescu began at a cost of 70 lives. The city is proud of its heritage and pro-Western outlook. The numerous Baroque style buildings determine the character of the city centre (known as ‘little Vienna’). Victory Square (Piața Victoriei) is dominated by the largest orthodox cathedral (1936-1946) in Romania, the opera house lies just around the corner.
To the north lies Liberty Square (Piața Libertății) containing the old city hall (1713-1734). Further north lies the larger Unity Square (Piața Unirii) containing the Roman Catholic cathedral and the Serbian-orthodox cathedral (1745-1748). The equally Baroque great plague memorial column dates from 1740. There is also an artesian fountain that provides warm mineral water. One of the bridges spanning the Bega canal was designed by Gustav Eiffel. Many of the city’s parks can be found alongside the Bega canal. Timisoara was early to install electric street lighting in 1884, potentially the first city in Europe to do so. Timisoara is the birthplace of Johnny Weissmuller (a.k.a. Tarzan).
It is a modern city and certainly worth a visit. The university and hospitals are influential throughout the country. The city enjoys a strong economy in an affluent region and a lot of foreign investment. The city is also connected to the European motorway network. The international airport is 120km from Slatina-Timis. There are direct flights fromCharleroi and from Eindhoven as well as daily flights form Bucharest.
{gallery}Timisoara{/gallery}
5. Recas : between Timisoara and Lugoj is famous for his wine. The vineyard of Cramele Recas is 950 hectares. Cramele Recas is international wellknown Also in België these wines are distributed. The company can be visited and you can taste the wines .An Italian bio-vintager has 50ha in the neighboring village: Petrovaselo.{gallery}Recas{/gallery}
6. Oravita: is situated 55 km from Resita. You can put your car on an parking place in Anina and take there mountain railway to Oravita . The "Mihai Eminiscu theater" is certainly worth to be visited. It is a copy of the Burg theater in Vienna, that has been demolished. In Oravita there is also an Empress Sissi monument at the catholic church, the Austrian-Ungarian empire reached Oravita at the time of the Empress Sissi. Also the oldest pharmacy of this mine region is located in Oravita: the "Knoblauch"-pharmacy". {gallery}Oravita{/gallery}