Romania

Romania is known for its famous Transylvania region, surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, as well as its wonderfully preserved medieval towns, including Sighișoara, its fortified churches and Bran Castle. Romania offers exceptional climbing, trekking and skiing adventures, and you can travel from the Danube River Delta to Bucharest and then on to the Black Sea in just a few hours.

Bucharest, Romania’s capital, is a very vibrant city. The most iconic landmark is the Communist-era Palatul Parlamentului government building, which, with 1,100 rooms, is the second-largest building on the planet. Bucharest offers everything from the nightlife of the Lipscani district to the 15th Century Curtea Veche Palace, where Vlad the Impaler once ruled. Other sights to visit include the Romanian Athenaeum and Cismigiu Garden. The city is a combination of modern capitalism and remnants of the Communist era, with 17th Century churches, lovely parks and trendy cafés.

Brașov is one of the most visited places in Romania. Located in Transylvania and surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, it is home to the towering 13th Century Black Church, with its 4,000-pipe organ. This is a modern city with old-world charm, stunning landscapes and a rich history. Braşov is a maze of streets and cafés that you will love strolling through, and the focal point is Piata Sfatului (Council Square) and the Casa Sfatului (Local Museum). Close to Braşov, Bran Castle dates back to 1377 and is one of Romania’s top tourist destinations. This medieval hilltop castle has been marketed as Bram Stoker’s inspiration for Dracula’s castle and is situated on the border of Transylvania and Wallachia. Today, the museum exhibits art and furniture collected by Queen Marie, who made the castle her home in 1920.

Located on the Cibin River in Transylvania, Sibiu was named the 2007 European Capital of Culture and is considered a jewel thanks to its Baroque squares, quaint cobblestone streets, history, gastronomy and diverse architecture. Romania’s first library, pharmacy and hospital were all established in Sibiu. Some of the main places to visit include the Brukenthal National Museum, with its Romanian artwork; the Gothic church with its 6,002-pipe organ; the church tower; the tomb of Prince Mihnea the Bad, who was murdered in front of the church; and the ASTRA National Museum Complex, an open-air museum.

Sighișoara, the medieval UNESCO World Heritage Site, dates back to the 12th Century. With nine towers, including the 64-metre-high Clock Tower built in 1556, colourful burgher houses, cobbled streets and stunning churches, it has a special ambience and atmosphere. Sighișoara is also the birthplace of Vlad Dracula, known as Vlad the Impaler, who ruled during the 15th Century. You can visit his home as well as the Church on the Hill, the Dominican Monastery and the Venetian House. Only 30 km from Sighișoara is the beautiful village of Biertan, home to one of the largest and most impressive medieval strongholds in Transylvania. Surrounded by quaint streets and vineyards, the 15th Century Biertan Fortified Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is perched high on a hill in the middle of the village.

Cluj-Napoca is a vibrant university town and the unofficial capital of Transylvania. The city dates back to a 2nd Century AD Dacian settlement and is home to the Romanian National Museum of Art. This charming city also serves as Romania’s film capital, holding the Transylvania International Film Festival every May. Sights not to be missed include Piata Unirii; a 14th Century Gothic church; the Baroque-era Bánffy Palace, now home to a Romanian art museum; and a statue of the 15th Century King Matthias Corvinus. Cluj often serves as a starting point for trips to the nearby Apuseni and Maramures mountain ranges. Just an hour from Cluj, Salina Turda is a salt mine located in Durgau-Valea Sarata. This eclectic village, with its colourful Hapsburg façades, is one of the most visited sights, with around 1,000 plant and animal species in this small area, some of which are rare or endangered.

Suceava is the gateway to the Bucovina region, home to the Painted Monasteries. Suceava has some of the most incredible landmarks, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saint George’s Church, the Bucovina Ethnographic Museum and the Princely Court. Bucovina’s Painted Monasteries are truly an amazing sight: in the 15th and 16th centuries, the exterior walls of a handful of monasteries were painted with colourful frescoes. Originally, they were painted to make the stories of the Bible available to all of the surrounding villagers. The scenes are masterpieces featuring saints, prophets, Jesus, angels and demons, plus heaven and hell, and the churches are now UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites.

Timișoara is a key social and cultural centre, often called Primul Oras Liber (First Free Town) because it is where the first anti-Ceausescu protests broke out, ultimately leading to the Ceausescus’ demise. The city dates back to the 13th Century, and many cultures have laid claim to it, including the Romans, Turks, Serbs and Austrians. Timișoara has many beautiful parks, gardens and public squares, as well as year-round music festivals, art exhibitions and museums.

The quaint mountain resort of Sinaia is situated in a small valley filled with fir trees. Most people visit the region to see the stunning Peles Castle, an exceptional example of Neo-Renaissance architecture. Decorated with ornate stonework, sculpted wood and stained-glass windows, the castle is not only charming but also intimidating, set against the panoramic views of the Carpathian Mountains. King Carol I built this castle in the 19th Century as a summer home. Today, the castle serves as a museum, showing off a collection of artwork, armour and weaponry.

Found in Hunedoara, Corvin Castle is one of the best castles to visit while in Romania. Also known as Hunyadi Castle, it is one of the largest in Europe; however, there is a lot more to see while here, including the nearby Cinci Lake, the Nandru Cave, the Furnace of Govajdia and St. Nicholas Church.

The Danube Delta is one of the largest and best-preserved deltas in all of Europe, a winding system of waterways that originates from the Black Sea, with 23 ecosystems that are home to a huge number of plants and wildlife. With a total size of 5,165 square kilometres, the Delta is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sleepy fishing port of Sulina, with its tranquil beach, is a great place to visit on any Danube Delta discovery. Sulina makes a great base to explore the Delta region and the Black Sea coast. You will find everything from monasteries to diverse wildlife in this small, beautiful town.

The city of Constanța is a hot spot on the Black Sea, with its coastline of sandy beaches buzzing with visitors during the summer months. One of the most visited resorts is Mamaia; this lively resort sits on a thin strip of land between the Black Sea and Lake Siutghiol. The Port of Constanța is the largest in the Black Sea basin and the main seaport in Romania.