Romania has the second largest mountain range in Europe, the majority of the world’s brown bears, some world-class athletes to boast about like Nadia Comaneci, colorful old buildings and charming towns and then there’s that whole Dracula thing. Yep, Transylvania is a big chunk of Romania. So, yes, you can tour Bran Castle which is supposedly where Dracula hung out. But that’s just a small part of what this fabulous country has to offer. If you’re interested in Romania, the travel advisors at GetAway Travel can help plan your trip, but we’ll leave that whole Dracula search up to you. 

Beautiful Bucharest has much to offer 

 Bucharest, the capital of Romania, is the largest city in the country and it sits on the Dambovita River. It is nicknamed the “Paris of the East” because it has buildings similar to the ones you see in Paris including Art Nouveau palaces. Bucharest even has its own Arch d’Triomphe.  

The Palace of Parliament, with 1,000 rooms, is the largest parliament building in the world. 

The National History Museum of Romania has 60 exhibition rooms that have artifacts from prehistoric to modern times. 

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church is a lovely church that looks like a fairy tale castle. Rebuilt in stone in 1495, it reflects both Baroque and Byzantine influences. The interior frescoes were done by Misu Popp in 1856 and subsequently covered to avoid damage by the Communists. They were uncovered, intact, in 2004. 

The most beautiful bookstore in the world is in Bucharest! 

Cărturești  Carusel Bookstore is in a building constructed for wealthy Greek bankers in 1903. It was seized by the Communist government in the 1950s and transformed into a general store. After the revolution, descendants of the bankers took it back and make it into a 10,000 square foot multi-level bookstore. Fantastic lighting illuminates the interior and a tea shop is on the top floor where you can read through your purchases and have a cup of tea. 

The revolution is commemorated in the heart of Bucharest in Revolution Square. It is the site of the riot that ended the reign of Ceausescu in 1989. Sculptures of the event dot the square. 

One of the largest salt mines in Europe, Salina Praid, is a short drive from Bucharest. Since the 1960s it has been known as a center for speleotherapy, therapy involving salt. Hang out in the salt air, have a bite to eat in the cafes, check out the wine gallery and there’s even an ecumenical salt chapel. 

Castles, citadels, churches and bears 

 Brasov is one of Europe’s greatest medieval cities. Saxons built a huge wall to protect themselves, their ornate houses and their shops. Take a cable car up to the top of Mount Tampa and get a selfie by the Hollywood-esque Brasov sign at the top. On the way up watch for wolves, brown bears and Eurasian lynx. 

The second largest church in the country, Biserica Negara is in Brasov. Damaged by fire and earthquakes over the years, it has been rebuilt several times. But the walls remain blackened by soot, hence the name, Black Church. 

It has the largest still functioning mechanical organ in the country. The Baroque organ, with its 4,000 pipes, is completely original and still used. The six-ton bell in the nearby bell tower is also still used. The church has the second largest collection of Oriental carpets/Turkish prayer rugs, in Europe. There are 110 on display. 

Catherine’s Gate is a medieval landmark featuring intricate stone carvings and a clock tower that was part of the city’s original fortifications. 

Peles Castle in Sinaia is a Neo-Renaissance castle with amazingly intricate architecture. Recognized by many as the one of the most beautiful castles in Europe, it was the first castle in Europe to have electricity. It has its own power plant and more than 150 rooms of gorgeous European art, crystal chandeliers and stunning stained glass windows. 

Between Brasov and Sibiu is Cetatea Fagarasului, a walled fortress that is now a museum that has interesting exhibitions of artifacts, folk art and medieval weapons. 

Sighișoara Citadel is the only inhabited fortress in southeast Europe. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is one of seven walled cities in Romania. It has stood through the mongol invasion, fires, rebellions, trials and executions. It is supposedly the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. Wander the charming cobblestone streets, there’s a famous clocktower and a torture museum. 

There are 200,000 brown bears in the world and the majority of them live in Romania. Up until the early 1990s, it was common to see a bear crammed in a cage outside a restaurant where owners were using it to attract patrons. Liberty Bear Sanctuary, the brainchild of Christina Lapis, has more than 100 bears, most of them collected from restaurants around Romania and now living their days in freedom at the sanctuary. 

 And then there’s Transylvania 

 Cluj îs the capital of Transylvania and the country’s second largest city. The National Museum of Art is off Unity Square in Cluj. There are 15th through 20th century art pieces on display including works by Romania’s most famous painter, Nicolae Grigorescu. 

Bran Castle in Transylvania is a national monument and believed to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s, “Dracula.” By far the most “touristy” area of Romania, there are various daytime and night tours available for those interested in the legend of Dracula. Surrounding villages believed in the existence of evil spirits or strigoi. Strigoi appear to be normal during the day, but at night their souls leave their body and they hunt for human prey. 

Don’t expect to be creeped out by Bran Castle. It was awarded to Queen Marie of Greater Romania in 1926. She turned it into a charming, cozy summer residence. Today the castle is a museum which features furniture and art pieces that were collected by the palace’s royal residents. But as a nod to Dracula, there are also exhibits dedicated to Vlad the Impaler and Bram Stokes. 

Viscri is a Saxon village in the center of Transylvania. Viscri Fortified Church is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site’s “village with fortified churches in Transylvania.” Here the Church Museum let’s visitors learn about the customs of the Saxon people along with a variety of exhibits of tools, artifacts, furniture pieces and clothing. 

 Romania has history, legendary figures and, great wine and cuisine. It is the fifth largest wine producer in Europe producing mostly medium to full-bodied merlots. Numerous vineyard tours with tastings are offered in the country. As far as food goes, enjoy sarmale which is minced meat mixed with rice and boiled in cabbage leaves. Get polenta with cheese and sour cream, bean soup with smoked ham hock and papanasi, Romanian doughnuts sprinkled with sugar and served with cream and blueberry or cherry jelly. And you can find mici, skinless sausage seasoned with garlic, black pepper, thyme and coriander in every restaurant, bodega and outdoor street food vendor. Let GetAway Travel get you to Romania!  

We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel