f you stroll down the streets of the old quarter, you'll be amazed by the French-like and Art Deco arhitecture of many of the houses. The ``Lions house", now an elegant restaurant, is just an example of the wealth and imagination of the people living here. Your walk on the bluff through the old town will pass the ``Genovese Lighthouse" and continue toward a promenade alley built on top of big rocks high above the water. The ``Faleza" is the perfect place for a stroll at sunset. Its stylish design culminates with the century-old Casino, built right on the waterfront. It is a real treat to see the magnificent building withstand the force and fury of waves in a storm.

he promenade alley continues, following the shore, revealing statues, mosaic tiles and a big Aquarium, home to more than 4500 species of marine life from the Black Sea. If you follow the path you'll end up in the small leisure harbor called Tomis. Among the boats sheltered there it is not unusual to see some from the other end of the world - New Zeeland or Australia. But one of the most amazing boats in the port is the 80 years old Queen Maria's yacht. Although as of now nobody offeres cruises along the coast, there is a small enterprise that can teach you basic sailing skills.

s you walk through old Constanta, something else catches your eye: the big Mahmudie Mosque, a landmark of the Turkish influence over the region. The mosque is the residence of the Mufti, the spiritual leader of Romanian Muslims. Thousands of sea-washed pebbles encased in the roof make it look like a jewel box. The mosque can be visited and its tall tower (50m) offers a great view of the old town and the harbor. If you are lucky you might catch the daily call for prayer. You can also get a taste of the Turkish influence by trying the meat or cheese-filled pies called Suberek and the traditional Baklava.

n top of its charming appearance, Constanta is also a center of art and culture, with several museums and theatres. The archaeological museum has an important collection of ancient treasures discovered along the Black Sea coast, among which the remains of a large Roman mosaic tile floor. The museum's richness is no surprise, since you can uncover Greek and Roman remains almost anywhere you dig in this region. The most prized exponates are marble mithological statues, one of a serpent with an antelope's head, human ears and a lion's tail. Outside the museum, some ancient tombstone epitaphs almost bring their posessors back to life with their clever rimes. Apart from the museum, evidence of the city's Greek, Roman, and Byzantine past is scattered around the city park, huge amphorae and ancient wall remains

he Art Museum, hosted in a modern builging on the main boulevard, has a rich collection of 20^th Century Romanian paintings by Petrascu, Aman, and Iser.

he Museum of the Romanian Navy is also worth a visit: it shows everything from Greek ships to Romanian battleships of the Second World War. The museum and the harbor come alive every year for the celebration of the Navy Day during which you can enjoy fireworks, airshows and a visit to 19^th Century schooner - Mircea.

ounger audiences will appreciate a trip to the Dolphinarium to see trained dolphins performing funny tricks. Near by, the Planetarium teaches about the Universe and the constellations of the night sky.