Unseen Romania

Vama Veche versus Mamaia

 What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “freedom”? Some will answer “nature”. Others will think about music and concerts. There are some to which true freedom means facing their fears. No matter the way each of us understands this concept, there are a few places in Romania that bring us all together. One of them is Vama Veche.

Vama Veche – Back to the Basics

This old village is situated on the coast of the Black Sea, very close to the Romanian border with Bulgaria. This is the reason why it is called Vama Veche, which in Romanian means “old customs point”. If you are hocked on luxury destinations and hotels, then maybe you should think twice before choosing Vama Veche. Its strong points do not consist of 5 stars hotels and trendy restaurants. But it has so many other things to offer that you will soon forget you ever craved for a Jacuzzi in your life.

It is true: you do not have 5 stars resorts within the reach of your hand. But you do have nature everywhere around you, along with simple, but disarmingly hospitable people. The local inhabitants, mostly peasants and fishermen, will be more than happy to provide you with a decent place to accommodate you. Being around these people, who were somewhat spared by the changes brought by the city life, will take you back to the basics and remind you of what is really important in life.

Another thing that makes Vama Veche special from other seaside resorts is its unique atmosphere. You feel absolutely no pressure to be anything other than what you really are. You do not have to dress up here, you do not have to pretend, you do not have to do anything! There are no masks, no anxieties, no constraints. If you got tired of your hectic everyday life, then this is the place to be. Romanians realized the importance of keeping this place just as it is, peaceful and intact. This concept stood at the basis of a campaign named “Save Vama Veche”. It was designed to emphasize the importance of conserving the local environment and to limit the excessive commercial development.

It is clear that the village is meant to provide an escape mainly for spiritual people who aim to follow their passions in life. And one of the passions uniting everyone here is music. Not any music, but songs with a message meant to alleviate the stress of a common life and make you feel somewhat dreamy and determined at the same time. You will have no problem fitting in here if you are a fan of rock and of good music in general. In this case, you will be thrilled to know that an annual music festival is held here. “Stufstock” reunites some of the greatest Romanian and international artists, in a 3 – 4 days show that totally fits with the essence of the place. The event had so much success since its launch in 2003 that there are some that are beginning to feel discontent that the place is starting to become “too popular”. It is totally worth joining this colorful crowd, even if you are not necessarily a fan of the featured artists. It is guaranteed that you will have a great time in this unpretentious, laid back atmosphere.

Good music on the beach 

If you want to enjoy some good music over a glass of beer on a night out with your friends, there are several places in the area where you can do just that. The “La Epava” (which translates into “At the Wreck”) terrace is the land of the metal fans. Rock addicts also have the “La pirati” (“At the pirates”) terrace as an alternative to spend their time. If you want to also have a little taste of reggae you can try visiting “Expirat” (“Expired”). “Stuf (reed) Vama Veche” and the “Shire” are also popular places in the area where you can go wild on the beats of some excellent music.

Skatebording in Vama Veche 

And if you are the “adrenalin rush” type, you will be surprised to find that near the “Shire” terrace there is an ideal place for skateboarders. Maybe you will even be lucky to visit the resort during a Skateboarding & Urban Arts Festival. You will have the opportunity to show the crowd what you are made of: you can impress them with your skateboarding tricks or enroll your work in one of the stencil, photo or graffiti exhibitions. Or you can just come and take a look around. Either way, you are sure to have a memorable time.

If you are still skeptic about the place and would still rather go for a day at the spa, you should consider this: you will never feel more relaxed and liberated than after taking this time to truly embrace nature. And believe me, forgetting all about material possessions for a few days comes like a breath of fresh air. Vama Veche air, that is.

Next up - The Mamaia, a place to pamper yourself

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