Located on the Balkan Peninsula, Romania is a country of contrasts. The former Soviet bloc country has over the years belong to the Romans who gave the country. It is filled with quaint old towns mountain resorts that offer great skiing and a burgeoning art community. Its most famous citizen, however, may be the vampire Dracula, a fictional character found in Transylvania, here’s a look at the best places to visit in Romania.
Danube Delta.
If you’re a nature lover, indulge yourself at the Danube Delta, the largest preserved river delta in Europe. Be sure to bring binoculars with you, as this is a paradise for watching wildlife. birds flock here from as far away as Egypt and China to breed or winter over. The Willow lined canals offer a great environment for the 300 bird species found here. Previous visitors rave about the spectacular sunsets and highly recommend taking a slow boat ride on the river.
Cluj Napoca
Home to the country’s largest university, Cluj Napoca is considered the unofficial capital of the historical region of Transylvania. The city, which predates the Roman colonization is one of Romania’s arts and cultural centers. Home to a large Hungarian population. The city features a statue honoring one Hungarian King. Built in the 14th century, the Gothic St. Michael’s Church has the tallest church tower in the country.
Constanza
Sitting on the Black Sea consensus Lewers tourists from all over Europe during the summer months Constanza is Romania’s largest port and the third largest port on the Black Sea. Romania’s oldest city has plenty of historical landmarks, beaches, and even a Grand Casino. Be sure to check out the popular gathering spot of Ovid square the intricate beauty of the Roman mosaics and the 26 foot Lighthouse built in 1860.
Brawn Castle
Brown Castle is often associated with Dracula as his home, though there’s no indication that the author Bram Stoker ever knew of this medieval castle. The castle, however, does have a fairytale quality peeking out from a forested hillside near Brasov, in Transylvania, with roots dating to the 13th century. This medieval castle today is a museum showcasing art and furniture collected by Queen Maria. It also is home to an open air museum featuring Romanian peasant buildings from around the country.
Bucharest
Bucharest is a city that combines the old with the new visitors might come across a centuries old building, a modern high rise and a communist style building, all in the same block. This modernizing European capital, boasts the largest parliament building in the world, with 3100 rooms and being 12 storeys high. tours of the impressive building constructed in 1984 are given frequently throughout the day. Also not to be missed in Bucharest is the old town centre with its narrow cobblestone streets and old buildings, including medieval churches.
Sinaia
Is a mountain resort town that grew up around a monastery that was named for Mount Sinaia. The Monastery which contains a copy of the first Bible printed in Romania is a popular site today with tourists who enjoy hiking in the summer, and some pretty tremendous downhill skiing in the winter King Charles the First built his summer home known as PLH Castle near here, the town is noted for having pretty flowers, but visitors who pick them can find themselves in hot water as this is not allowed.
Painted Monasteries Bucovina
Among the most picturesque attractions of Romania are the painted monasteries of Bukovina in the northeastern part of the country. They’re painted exterior walls are decorated with elaborate 15th and 16th century frescoes featuring portraits of saints and prophets, scenes from the life of Jesus images of angels and demons and heaven and Hell.
Brasov
Located in central Romania, Brasov of boasts everything from dynamic modern city life to old world charm and fascinating scenery. Surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, the City is considered a mountain resort with skiing and ice skating facilities. A top site is the black church, a gothic cathedral so named because smoke from a huge 17th century fire blackened the stones. Visitors also may want to take a stroll down rope Street, which is the narrowest street in the country.
Sibiu
The city is located in Transylvania, an area that is associated with vampires, but it’s highly unlikely that visitors will run across any in this day and age. Instead, travelers will find the grand square in use since the 15th century, and the Baroque broken doll Palace home to one of the oldest museums in the world. Visitors may also want to be on the lookout for remnants of old fortifications used to defend the city hundreds of years ago.
Sighisoara
Also located in Transylvania city. Sighisoara is one of the most popular places in Romania, due to its beautifully preserved walled town. During the 12th century. German craftsmen and merchants were invited here by the King Sighisoara to settle and defend the frontier. They established a thriving trading town here that the Citadel visitors see today. Every delight a medieval festival takes place in the old citadel. The landmark of the city is the clock tower, a 210 foot high tower built in 1556
