Painted monasteries and fortified churches are royal in the middle of a wonderful landscape. In pristine cities, former Saxon settlements such as Braşov and Sibiu secrete charm, while Bucharest is full of energy. In today’s article, we will present to you some information that will hopefully convince you to visit this magnificent and largely unexplored country for the eyes of foreign tourist.
Introducing Romania – New Party Hotspot
Located in Eastern Europe, Romania has the Carpathians that draw a bow through the exact middle of the country. The mountains have an incredible stretch of rocky peaks surrounded by deciduous trees and traces of pine.
Somewhere downhill, an untamed capital that has become a sensation for its moving Bucharest stag do parties bustles with neon lights. Some landscapes are unchanged and a wide network of huts offers accommodation for those curious enough to travel at 2000m + height.
The Danube is Europe’s second longest river and marks the southern border of the country before emptying into the Black Sea. An important highlight of natural beauty is the Danube Delta, which is a unique and large protected land, perfect for fishing, bird watching, hiking, and boating.
Residents That Will Steal Your Heart
Romanian people are very proud of their history and eager to share unique parts of it with visitors. Although it has been part of the EU since 2007, Romania is considered by many foreigners to be an off-the-beaten-path destination and locals give praise only to show off.
Romanians themselves are very different and it depends on which region of the country you are visiting. The most developed are Bucharest, Braşov, Cluj-Napoca, and Mamaia. You’ll find friendly faces almost everywhere, and it’s safe (do not let anyone tell you otherwise).
Medieval Villages and Castles
The country where Dracula existed really has no shortage of stunning landscapes and astonishing castles hidden in mountain piers. The Castle Bran has a false connection to Stoker’s story, but other places, such as the 14th century Corvin castle or Pele’s castle are equally unique. Maramureş has villages and towns that operate directly from the Middle Ages, with hay racks, wooden churches, and horse carriages.
Most of Romania’s present-day history is filled with stories of heroic battles against the Ottoman Empire and against the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. The Romanians are friendly people and they have been so for the last 2500 years. They defended their lands and have never tried to conquer anyone.
For centuries, Romania had a peasant culture. The packaging of accessible roads, the extremely hilly geography saw the emergence of hundreds of self-sufficient small towns and villages, where crafts such as ceramics, tanning, weaving, and bread baking became an art. Today, most of the country has developed a lot – with the fastest Internet in Europe and lots of technology. But as you step out of town, the “simple” lifestyle remains. You can visit folk museums, genuine villages, and folkways that are still practiced.
Capital – Bucharest
One of the most overcrowded capitals in Europe, Bucharest is dynamic and energetic. It is the place where unrestrained capitalism still faces unreconstructed communism. This is where passions in the Middle East and the Balkans meet the forces of the European Union.
Most travelers give Bucharest one or two nights before going to Transylvania, but that’s usually not enough. You need at least 4 days to visit the major museums, the castle of parliament, parks and trendy cafes. The city has modern elements, but you will find amazing 17th-century orthodox churches tucked away and Art Nouveau villas. If you are looking to see the Communist influence, it is quite obvious when you walk through the apartment blocks. And, nothing is more obvious than the Palace of Parliament, the craziest tribute to communist grandeur you will ever see.
This huge building is the world’s second largest administrative building, after the Pentagon. It was built in 1984 and has more than 3000 rooms and 11 levels of underground. You need a pass to visit, and it costs about 15 euros.
Dracula and Bran Castle
The legendary vampire has cast fear into the hearts of many people. The name was created by Bram Stoker in 1897 when he published a novel of the same name. Dracula was actually a fictional creation, and it is possible that Stoker called his notorious fictional character after a real ruler who lived in today’s Romania. He was Vlad Tepes (or Vlad III Dracula), Prince of Valarie. The morbid nickname comes from Vlad’s favorite way of killing his enemies.
Vlad III Dracula
I’m not going to tell the 1000-page story of Dracula now, but it’s worth mentioning that Dracula’s castle – Bran Castle near Braşov, Romania, wasn’t actually his castle. He just stepped there when he was imprisoned by Matei Corvin. It is marketed in this way because of its location on a hill in Transylvania and because he lived for some time in Braşov.
What you need to remember here is that Stokers Dracula is not the same as Vlad III Dracula. The similarities are that the real character was created by horrific events. Vlad had conflicts with Wallachia’s boyars and urged them to have a banquet. According to the legends, he had them chopped and their still-twitching bodies laced on nails. Many stories are documented in printed material and still exist.
Bran Castle is located on a dramatic hill in central Romania, near Braşov. It has been linked to the vampire and was built about the same time when Vlad III Dracula lived. It is now open to the public and anyone can look into dark corridors and creaky rooms. The castle receives half a million visitors every year. Because it is at the top of a rather remote location, you can reach it either by renting a car or by taking a bus there.
Romania’s Seaside
Miles of sandy beaches, a warm climate, vineyards, ancient sites, and modern resorts invite tourists to visit Romania’s the Black Sea as a vacation destination. Now, I would not come to Romania only for beaches, but for the nightlife, you will find in cities such as Mamaia or Costineşti. The Romanians are avid party friends and whole fine sand covered beaches, you will find elegant hotels located right near the coast, offering stunning views.
