Romania is a country of monasteries, churches, synagogues, castles, palaces, sea and mountains, all depicting its tumultuous history and picturesque present. Most of all, it is a country yet to be discovered as a spectacular touristic destination in South East Europe.

When thoroughly talking about any country’s tourism attractions, it is perhaps a good idea to begin with the capital. Bucharest (Bucuresti in Romanian) is the capital of Romania and the largest city, being home to up to two million inhabitants, with another 200 000 in the metropolitan area. The city is usually the main gateway to Romania, despite its lack of appeal for certain tourists, as Traveltoromania.com purports. The site also advises that should one plan a trip to Romania, it could be a good idea not follow the cliche “Don’t judge a country by its capital”, for people either love Bucharest or hate it. Apparently, as some say, there’s no in between.

Bucharest has 37 museums; 22 theatres, opera houses and concert halls; 18 art galleries; and lots of libraries and bookstores.

Some of the most important attractions are the old city centre, which, despite the fact that much of it was erased by former dictator Ceausescu to make place for Casa Poporlilui (the palace of parliament), there’s still some of it left to make for a pleasant experience with its narrow streets, Parisian buildings and restaurants.

The Romanian travel website writes that there has been work underway to renovate the old city, but things are currently stuck in bureaucracy because of the incompetence of certain high ranking officials.

No tour of Bucharest should leave out Casa Poporlilui, a construction of epic proportions, the second-largest building in the world after the US Pentagon. Ceausescu used up 25 per cent of the country’s GDP to build the palace while at the same time destroyed a huge part of the old city.

Another notable landmark is Muzeul Satului (Village Museum), in Herastrau Park. (The park itself could be considered a landmark.) It is an open-air museum with traditional Romanian village housing on display. It extends over 10 hectares and contains more than 250 houses from all over the country.

Other must-sees include Curtea Veche, or the Old Princely Court, the National Museum of Art, the History Museum on Calea Victoriei, the Church of the Patriarchate, and the Stavropoleus Church near the Curtea Veche – a veritable jewel of Romanian Orthodox architecture. Remodelled in the late 19th century by French and French-trained architects, Bucharest even features an Arc de Triomphe on the elegant Soseaua Kiseleff, a boulevard longer that Paris’s famous Champs Elysees.

Legends and truth

The most famous area in Romania, thanks to the legend of the literary character Dracula, is Transylvania. It is a picturesque region of mediaeval towns and rolling pastures nestled among the Carpathian Mountains in the centre of the country. While under Hungarian rule in the 13th century, Transylvania was settled by Saxons invited by King Geza II. They brought with them an advanced civilisation and built seven fortified towns in the region, which became known as the Siebenburgen (seven fortresses).

Most of the ethnic Germans fled Romania during Ceausescu’s communist rule or immediately thereafter, but their influence is still dominant in the region. Likewise, German is the most common language spoken after Romanian in Transylvania, followed by Hungarian.

Central discoveries

Brasov is Romania’s second most important and popular city. It is located at the foot of Mount Timpa. An industrial centre with over 323 000 inhabitants, Brasov’s old section is a charming relic of its historic beginning. Settled by Saxons as one of their Siebenburgen (the town was then called Kronstadt), the architecture of Old Brasov is distinctively Germanic. Colourfully painted and ornately trimmed buildings line the streets. Sights of interest include Piata Sfatului, the main old town square; a 15th former council house, which is currently a history museum; and the 14th century Gothic Black Church, so named after it was blackened by smoke in a fire in 1689. The main street, Strada Republicii, is a pedestrianised area lined with shops and colourful old Saxon buildings.

The world-famous Bran Castle is 30km from Brasov, in the village of Bran. It is a mediaeval fortress most often associated with the legend of Count Dracula (a Bram Stoker personage inspired by the 15th century Vlad the Impaler). The castle was built in 1377 at the top of a hill to protect Brasov from invading Hungarians and Turks. Currently, the castle has been attracting over 450 000 tourists a year from around the world. However, in early January this year it was announced for sale at 40 million pounds sterling. This, apparently, is because of its high maintenance cost.

Sibiu, also Saxon in origin, is a pretty town of 170 000 inhabitants, cobbled streets and pastel coloured houses. There is an open-air Museum of Folk Technology located in a woodland by a lake, which must be visited. Brukenthal Art Museum and Brukenthal Palace (one of the most important Baroque monuments in Romania) also should not be missed. In 2007, the town was announced a European Capital of Culture (together with Luxembourg). It is the town’s most significant cultural occurrence yet, so a great number of tourists are expected to visit this year.

Sibiu holds one of the best preserved historical sites in the country. The old centre has thus begun the process of becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the UNESCO list also figure the Saxon villages with fortified churches, also in Transylvania, as well as the painted churches of northern Moldavia, the wooden churches of Maramures (which feature Gothic style and traditional timber construction), the citadel of Sighisoara, and the Dacian Fortess of the Orastie Mountains.

Taking to the mountains

Romania also has what to offer in terms of winter tourism. Sinaia is the country’s most well-known ski resort. At 2000m above sea level in the Meridionali Carpathians, Romanians call it “the pearl of the Carpathians”. As well as a ski resort, Sinaia is actually a town, 120km from the capital Bucharest and 49km from Brasov.

Having the Peles Castle nearby adds to the character of the area. This is one of the best-preserved royal palaces in Europe. It served as the summer residence of the first Hohenzollern king of Romania, Carol I. Built in the latter half of the 19th century, it was the king’s attempt to imitate the styles of his former homeland, creating a Bavarian setting in the mountains of Romania. Since then, the town has been know for having been the summer residence of the past Romanian royal family.

Moreover, Sinaia is within easy reach from Brasov, an important city of Transylvania.

Rasnov Fortress, the oldest in the area, and Bran Castle are also within 60km by car.

Just four km from Sinaia is located Busteni, another winter resort. Situated at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains (in the Meridionali Carpathians), the resort claims to be the best place for extreme skiing in Romania. In fact, it is soon to host the finale of the ice climbing world cup.

Balea Lac – at 1234 to 2300m high – is another popular ski area in the Fagaras Mountains (Meridionali Carpathians). As the highest Romanian mountains, they resemble the Alps. The resort offers medium to advanced natural slopes perfect for extreme sports. The resort also boasts its very own ice hotel – the first in Romania and in the whole of Eastern Europe . It was opened in mid-December 2006. A night in the ice hotel is 89 lei, about 25 euro.

The mountain beauty of Romania can also be explored in the summer. In Sinaia there are well marked hiking routes which all have different levels of difficulty. The Bucegi Mountains also offer a great mountain bike possibilities. The high altitude-marked tracks are very good for biking, and one can reach by bike Omu Peak (2505m), the highest peak in Bucegi. Rock climbing is also possible with the most popular location being the Costila region. It is a 30-minute hike from the town of Busteni, which is 10km by car from Sinaia.

Beckoning waters

For lovers of wildlife, flora, fauna and fishing, the Danube Delta offers plenty of opportunities. There are boat cruises to the three main branches via hydrofoils (river ferry boats). Motor boats, row boats and tugs are also available for journeys on the smaller channels.

Trips originate at Tulcea, the largest town on the delta, and vary in length and duration. A two-day trip, with a night in Crisan or Sulina, is recommended. The delta has 16 protected reserves where pelicans and cormorants fish. Purple herons, spoonbills, ospreys, cranes, falcons, eagles, egrets, swans and red-breasted geese all gather in the delta, as do some rare species such as the griffon vulture, teal and the sheld duck.

Even though Romania’s Black Sea coast is not yet very popular with foreign tourists, it has the potential to soon change.

The most-known resort is Mamaia, north of the city of Constanta on a narrow piece of land separating the Black Sea and Siutghiol Lake. Other resorts include Mangalia, Neptun, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter and Olimp.

The city of Constanta is the main urban settlement of the area. It is a large seaport and one of the most important cities in Romania.

Apart from serving as a port, there is also plenty to see in the city – a casino dating from 1904, the history museum, the 19th century Hunchiar mosque, the Orthodox cathedral, the Roman Catholic church and more. There are also vestiges of ancient civilisation – Roman thermae, a Roman building with mosaics.

The above information just begins to describe what Romania is really about. The country strikes as a place with a tremendous amount of potential. As an exciting, picturesque, cultural and historic location in Europe, it is certain that we are yet to hear much more about Romania’s success as a tourist destination.