What do see, do and experience in Romania
From spotting brown bears to exploring gothic castles, Debbie Ward highlights the best experiences, sights and accommodation to clients planning a trip to Romania
Steeped in medieval history and blessed with beautiful mountain scenery, Romania is a great destination for touring, city breaks and skiing. And as one of the first countries to announce it would welcome back vaccinated Brits, and with a European Capital of Culture on the horizon, it’s one to watch. Here are some top recommendations for clients planning a future trip there
SEE
Medieval towns
While capital Bucharest is best known for its communist-era history (most infamously dictator Nicolae Ceausescu’s vast palace, now the Palace of Parliament), the mountainous Transylvania region has no fewer than seven Saxon towns. They can be visited on countrywide tours or as two- or three-day trips from Bucharest. Several of these towns (most now cities) have cobbled, car-free centres. Among the most beautiful are Sibiu, Sighisoara and Brasov, which sits below a ski resort. Another heritage city, Timisoara, has many Art Nouveau buildings. It will be European Capital of Culture in 2023, delayed from 2021 due to the pandemic. Ffestiniog Travel visits Sibiu, Timisoara, Brasov and the Danube Valley on its Wines of Southern Romania tour.
Painted monasteries
In rural Romania, clients will find some staggering religious and folk art. The famous Unesco-listed painted monasteries at northeasterly Bucovina have colourful frescoes dating to the 15th and 16th century depicting biblical scenes. Historic Iasi, Romania’s second largest city, is a natural gateway. Meanwhile, across Maramures in Romania’s north-west, are a hundred wooden churches, eight of them Unesco-protected. romaniatourism.com
Brown bears
Romania is home to 60% of Europe’s brown bear population, most of them living wild in the Carpathian mountains. It’s possible, if you’re very lucky, to see wolves and lynx besides. Clients can hang out in a national park hide on Wildlife Worldwide’s Bears in the Carpathian mountains tour. Or, tip the odds in your favour with a day trip from Bucharest to Libearty Bear Sanctuary at Zarnesti, with a side trip to Bran castle, with Viator (from £86.67pp).
STAY
Radisson Blu Bucharest
This contemporary, design-led hotel is well placed for city sightseeing, within walking distance of the Old Town and National Museum of Art, close to a metro station and less than two miles from the Palace of Parliament. Facilities include five on-site restaurants, a swimming pool and spa.
Book it: Rooms start from £47.50 a night in September. radissonhotels.com
Wolkendorf Bio Resort & Spa
This sustainably minded resort sits in woodland surroundings seven miles outside Brasov. The organic kitchen produces meals to local traditional recipes with ingredients provided by nearby farms. A salt room, sauna and massage therapies are available in the spa.
Book it: An overnight stay at Wolkendorf Bio Resort & Spa this September is €52.36 per room. wolkendorfhotel.ro
EXPERIENCE
Dracula Discovery
Looking for Dracula connections? Tourists are usually directed to lofty Bran Castle, which is believed to have inspired Bram Stoker’s descriptions of the vampire count’s hangout. However, it was research into Vlad Dracul (aka Vlad the Imapaler) from which aspects of Stoker’s fictitious count were derived. Vlad hailed from Sighisoara and Regent Holidays has a week-long tour dedicated to his story.
Book it: Regent Holidays’ True Story of Vlad the Impaler tour costs from £1,285pp. regent-holidays.co.uk
Learn to ski
Poiana Brasov, just above the Transylvanian city of Brasov, is a pretty, tree-lined ski resort best suited to beginners and intermediates looking for budget piste action. Apres-ski options include lively evenings with folk music in local restaurants like the Outlaws’ Hut.
Book it: Balkan Holidays has Romanian ski holidays from £367pp. An adult Poiana Brasov lift pass is £141pp. balkanholidays.co.uk/agents
Super spa
Huge modern spa complex Therme Bucharest includes Europe’s largest indoor beach, with sand and real palm trees. Spacious saunas are part of the appeal, along with giant water slides, for wellbeing of the more adrenalin-fuelled kind.
Book it: Day entry to the spa is around £17.50 on weekdays, £19.50 at weekends. therme.ro
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