Travel to Romania and Bulgaria about to be less of a hassle

Want to venture behind what used to be called the Iron Curtain?

Intra European travel will become less of a hassle from March 31 when Bulgaria and Romania join the Schengen zone, which allows free movement between member states for 400 million citizens.

The two countries have been members of the European Union (EU) since 2007 but as they were not part of the border-free area, travellers were still required to show passports upon entry.

In 2024, border controls for the two countries will be simplified, Euronews reports.

The two interior ministries announced in December that some border checks will be lifted.

Travellers arriving by air or sea from other Schengen zone countries will no longer have to show passports upon arrival. This means passengers on flights, cruises and ferries will not be subject to checks.

If you are driving or arriving by train or bus into Romania or Bulgaria, however, you will still need to carry ID as rules governing land borders have not yet been confirmed.

The most recent country to join the Schengen zone was Croatia in 2022.

Every year, 1.25 billion trips take place within this area and 3.5 million people cross the borders of its member countries every day.

Not counting Romania and Bulgaria, the zone comprises 27 states. Twenty-three belong to the EU and four are associated states of the European Free Trade Association: Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

The Schengen zone was created in 1995 following the signing of the Schengen Agreement 10 years earlier between five member states of the European Economic Community: Germany, Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

Several other agreements followed until the 2007 enlargement, integrating nine additional countries into the free movement area.

Travellers without EU citizenship are advised that stays in Bulgaria and Romania will now count towards time spent in the Schengen zone, which cannot be longer than 90 days in 180 days.

New horizons for global giant Turkish Airlines

Australians will have a new option for flying to the Middle East and Europe with Turkish Airlines boosting its long-haul route network by adding Melbourne to its schedule. 

The Turkiye flag carrier has scheduled three flights a week from Istanbul to Melbourne from March 15, initially flying via Singapore.

Australia becomes the airline’s 130th country served and its 346th global destination, Travel Mole reports.

Turkish Airlines will, surprisingly, be the only European airline to currently operate flights to and from Melbourne Airport.

“As we bring the Turkish and Australian people closer, we aim to increase bilateral tourism, trade, and business opportunities,” said Prof. Ahmet Bolat, the chairman of Turkish Airlines. 

Melbourne was chosen over Sydney as it is home to Australia’s largest Turkish community.

Turkish Airlines aims to eventually operate non-stop direct flights to Melbourne and other Australian cities with the acquisition of new long-haul aircraft. It has connections to cities across Europe through Istanbul. 

Subiaco celebrates Italy over 10 days

Get even more of a taste of Italy at the annual Subi Spritz festival at Subiaco in Perth from March 8-17. 

Think negronis, cannoli, burrata and pizzas over 10 days that aim to re-create the atmosphere of the Med. 

Subiaco's streets will become a hub for events that celebrate all the best elements of Europe including pop-up al fresco restaurants in parklands, daily aperitivo hour, Italo disco-themed DJ sets, a cinema under the stars and deep dives into European wine and food at hands-on workshops.

AHOY Management joint director Brianna Delaporte said the 2024 festival would be the biggest yet, with more than 25 European-themed events across the 10 days.

'Many festival favourites are making a comeback like the Long, Long Lunch where we build a pop-up restaurant in Subiaco Theatre Gardens and invite four WA chefs to come play, as well as the Conti Roll Contest which sees conti roll creators from across Perth battle it out to be crowned conti roll champions,' she said.

'We're so excited to bring a brand-new concept to the festival this year called Pasta Lane, which will see three of Subiaco's laneways transformed into al fresco dining hotspots, serving up delicious meals in the style of a traditional Italian streetside trattoria.

'We also welcome back many of Subiaco's standout venues including Juanitas, Bar Amelie, 4Sisters Paint and Sip, Dilly Dally, Bark, Lums, Refuge and Lady of Ro, as well as welcoming newcomers Bar Banter, Subi Continental and Storehouse.

City of Subiaco Mayor David McMullen said: “Subi Spritz is our iconic event showcasing Subiaco food and beverage experiences to the whole of Perth. 

“It not only draws visitors to the City of Subiaco during the festival, it keeps them coming back all year round once they discover what our fantastic venues have to offer.”

Visit www.subispritz.com.au for more info. 

An art history of Vietnam through the eyes of maverick Bill Bensley

Bill Bensley is one of the world's leading architects and hotel designers - and he will curate an adventure through the past, present and future of Vietnam during the Tết festival with an original art exhibition.

The InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort will host a Lunar New Year event that will see “The History of Vietnam (According to Bill Bensley)” transport art lovers on a journey from the 17th to the 22nd centuries with a collection of approximately 30 whimsical paintings that Bensley has created especially for this occasion.

The artworks will focus on the rich heritage of Danang and Hoi An through "a collection of vibrant contemporary paintings". 

From early international voyages to Vietnam in the 1600s, to the start of trading with Europe and Korea in the 1700s, ships venturing as far as southern Chile in the 1800s, and the departure of the French in the 1950s, history will be depicted in Bensley’s irreverent style. 

The exhibition will also offer a glimpse 100 years into the future, with a temple in Danang designed by AI. 

The Bensley Art Show will be launched at the Bensley Outsider Gallery, a dedicated exhibition space on the Sky Level of InterContinental Danang, on February 11 to coincide with Lunar New Year, and will run through until April 30. 

Visitors will be able to purchase the artworks and proceeds will be donated to charitable causes, including Bensley’s Shinta Mani Foundation. 

The artist will also host a lecture entitled The Light-Hearted Works of Bill Bensley at the Moulin Rouge Theatre  on February 9.

“We are thrilled to host this unique show honouring the history of Vietnam in Bill Bensley’s signature style," said Seif Hamdy, the resort’s general manager..

"Our resort strives to give our guests unique, authentic and entertaining experiences that also communicate the richness of Vietnam’s culture – and this show delivers on all fronts.” 

For more information see www.danang.intercontinental.com.

Is the wine industry in trouble in the US?

Declining wine sales in the US loom as a major problem for the industry in 2024, a new report says. 

The annual Silicon Valley Bank’s wine industry report reveals “near 0% value growth” and warns that “flash sales” and “increased discounts” will become more commonplace in the US, industry authority The Drinks Business reports.

Wine sales in the US are predicted to continue their slow decline during 2024, although tasting room visits and direct-to-customer sales are expected to slightly increase during the year, as will premium wine sales, according to the 23rd annual wine report issued by the bank this week. 

Preliminary 2023 year-end estimates show a decline in wine volume sales of 2%-4%, and final value sales figures for 2023 are expected to “hover near 0% growth,” the report says, although adding, “Total premium wine sales by value will improve in 2024.”

A further issue for US producers is that exports are relatively minimal with global markets not keen on wines made with sweetness and lashings of new oak. 

A continuing healthy American economy is key to predictions, says the report’s author, Robb McMillan, who predicts that “the US economy is  unlikely to enter a recession in 2024.

“Wholesalers are full up, as far as they can go,” McMillan says, which is making them “more picky” in what they buy from wine producers. 

Wholesalers “are more afraid of being stuck with inventory that they may have to discount,” McMillan says, than they are with inflation and “the costs of carrying inventory.”

One concern the report cited was continued over-production in two of the three major wine states - California and Washington - even though sales have declined for three years. Oregon production was assessed to be “in balance with demand”. 

Image: Filoteo Ventiuro, Scop.io 

Pink soup and thousands of singers in Europe's G-Spot destination

They do things a little bit differently in Lithuania.

While other countries might promote their amazing architecture or fabulous wines, the good folk of Vilnius highlight their famous pink soup and festival of massed choirs.

A very chatty email landed this week from Go Vilnius, the official tourism and business development agency of the capital city.

They are keen for visitors to enjoy a giant slide into a bowl of cold pink soup during Pink Soup Fest or tens of thousands of folk singers and dancers at The Lithuanian Song Festival.

They also have a very cheeky G-Spot promotion (“Nobody knows where it is, but when you find it, it’s amazing”).

The Vilnius Pink Soup Fest is on June 8 as thousands of Lithuanians and city guests will celebrate their affection for a cold beetroot soup, the most popular Lithuanian summertime dish, mainly made from boiled beetroots, cucumber, and kefir.

Dozens of partners, including restaurants and bars to museums, will offer various versions of the pink soup, pink-infused coffee, beet-flavoured desserts, tours, exhibitions, and workshops. 

The event’s purpose is not only to taste the iconic Lithuanian soup but to celebrate all things pink. Last year, over 15,000 people, many dressed up in pink, joined the festival, taking part in a sliding competition and other attractions.

The Lithuanian Song Festival, meanwhile, is a once-in-four-year opportunity to witness a massive concert of hundreds of choirs and thousands of people singing at once on a huge open-air stage.

This year, the Festival will be celebrating its centenary, marking a century of the Lithuanian nation coming together to celebrate the country's cultural heritage through dancing and singing. 

The festival holds deep importance due to its role in preserving Lithuania's national identity during times of Soviet occupation, which is why it was dubbed the “singing revolution.” Expect around 40,000 singers, and dancers, alongside an audience of over 300,000.

Readers of GoTR might prefer Gastronomy Week in November.

The local tourism folk assure me that "Vilnius is fast establishing itself as a gastronomic hotspot".

Think the chance to taste historical dishes like goose with cabbage and hazelnut sauce - a meal that dates from the 17th century.

# The European Commission announced Vilnius as the winner of the 2025 European Green Capital Award, recognising the city's ability to integrate sustainability efforts with the well-being of its residents.