Tulcea, Romania

Clustered around the south bank of a bend in the Danube, TULCEA has been tagged the "Threshold of the Delta" ever since ancient Greek traders established a port here. It's still the chief access point for passenger vessels entering the Delta – though without the decent restaurants and transport links you might expect. The uninspiring town centre has enough attractions to fill a day, but your time will be better spent in the Delta; it's worth arriving early enough to catch one of the ferries that depart at 1.30pm. Tulcea is busiest in August and December, when its regular festivals take place: the International Folk Festival of the Danubian Countries, held in odd-numbered years, and an annual winter carnival.