The workshop will be held at Constanta (http://romaniatourism.com/constanta.html). Situated at the crossroads of several commercial routes, Constanta lies on the western coast of the Black Sea, 185 miles from the Bosphorus Strait. An ancient metropolis and Romania's largest sea port, Constanta traces its history some 2,500 years. Originally called Tomis, legend has it that Jason landed here with the Argonauts after finding the Golden Fleece. Founded by Greek colonists from Miletos in the 6th century BC, Tomis was conquered by the Romans in 71 BC and renamed Constantiana by Roman Emperor Constantine the Great in honor of his sister. The name was shortened to Constanta during the Ottoman era. During the 13th century, Italy, especially Genoese merchants, dominated the Black Sea and Constanta flourished, only to decline two centuries later under Turkish rule. Fine mansions and hotels were built in the 19th century when King Carol I decided to revive Constanta as a port and seaside resort.
The third largest city in Romania, Constanta is now an important cultural and economic centre, worth exploring for its archaeological treasures and the atmosphere of the old town centre. Its historical monuments, ancient ruins, grand Casino, museums and shops, and proximity to beach resorts make it the focal point of Black Sea coast tourism. Open-air restaurants, nightclubs and cabarets offer a wide variety of entertainment.
While in the area, you can visit traditional villages, vineyards, ancient monuments and the Danube Delta, a bird-lover's paradise.
Constanta is the fourth largest port in Europe, ranked just after Rotterdam, Antwerp and Marseille.
Constanta is more than just the entry point to the Black Sea coast. It is a place with a long and interesting past, attested by its many Roman vestiges, historic buildings, facades and mosques that color the Old City Centre.
Transportation
There are several possibilities to reach Constanta from major European cities: Constanta is easily accessible from Bucharest (Bucuresti) by plane (approximately 35 minutes), by train (approximately 2 hours amd 20 minutes) and by car or bus (approximately 3 hours).By plane: The city is deserved by the Mihail Kogalniceanu International Airport, with connections to a series of major European and domestic destinations. The airport is located about 15 miles north of Constanta city centre. Taxis are readily available outside the arrivals area. Airlines with service to Constanta - regular scheduled flights: Blue Air non-stop flights from/to: Milano Turkish Airlines non-stop flights from/to: Istanbul Wizz Air non-stop flights from/to: London
By train: There are daily trains from/to Bucharest, Iasi, and Suceava. Trains from/to other major cities in Romania and destinations in Europe connect in Bucharest. There is daily INTERCITY (Express) service between Bucharest and Constanta (approximate journey time: 2 hours and 20 minutes). In the summertime, there are several daily trains with service every half-hour between Constanta and Mangalia, stopping at all the Black Sea resorts along the way. For international trains with service to/from Romania please visit: http://www.romaniatourism.com/transportation.html#bytrain and www.mersultrenurilor.ro.The journey time by Intercity (Express) trains from Bucharest to Iasi is 7 hours.
By car: The recommended route from Bucharest to Constanta is on the Sun Highway (Autostrada Soarelui) DN A2/DN A3: Bucharest - Fundulea - Lehliu - Drajna - Fetesti - Cernavodă – Constanta
Taxi: Taxi in Romania is inexpensive (between 1.79 and 3.5 leu/km, 1 Euro = 4.5 leu, the price indicated on the cab)
Car rental:
Several car rental companies operate in Constanta:
Avis (www.avis.ro)
Budget (www.budget.com)
EuroCars Romania (www.eurocars.ro)
Hermann (www.hermann.com.ro)