These days there are plenty of cheap flights from London to Romania, or indeed from anywhere else across Europe, yet the tourist industry in this former Communist country is still in its infancy. Romanians love to take holidays in their own land for good reasons: this vast nation offers everything from beautiful countryside to seaside destinations to picturesque ski resorts.
Sovata - A Resort of Love
Women who visit Sovata occasionally smile and say that they are: 'Going to meet the father of my children'. This is less naughty than it sounds! Sovata is a spa destination famous for its salty lakes, particularly the beguiling Bear Lake that nestles in the forests of this mountainous region of Transylvania. The helio-thermal waters are famed for helping muscular problems but are also believed to increase fertility in women.
Sovata is particularly popular in the summer when tourists flock to the lakeside to swim in the healing waters. If you want to try something really different, however, consider visiting over the New Year holiday. It's cold, but the non-stop partying and the hotel spa treatments will keep you warm!
Focsani - Off the Beaten Track
You would probably struggle to meet a Romanian who would advise you to visit Focsani. However, if you are interested in Romania travel it is worth a quick visit for its astonishing market. This behemoth features just about everything you could ever hope to buy, from clothes to flowers to fresh local produce and plenty of meat, including that Romanian speciality: tripe. You could wander round this place all day and unlike some other countries you will never be chased around by over-enthusiastic vendors. Do not miss out on the sumptuous cheeses made by monks in local monasteries.
Sinaia - A Perfect Holiday in Romania
Visit in the summer, take the wobbly cable car up the mountain and walk in totally unspoiled countryside for miles with just the distant clanging of cow bells complementing a perfect peace. Go in the winter and experience an extremely popular ski resort. There are many things to recommend Sinaia, but the bewitching scenery, the original architecture and Peles Castle (commissioned by King Carol I and completed in 1883) are the stand-out features.
Sighisoara - Medieval Mystery
Of all the places to visit in Romania, Sighisoara has to top the list. The old town is an almost perfectly maintained medieval citadel that is still inhabited by locals. This is the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, better known these days as the person upon whom the character Dracula was based. Admire the streets of the citadel before sampling some of the local cuisine. Try the summer medieval festival where people spend the night on hay mattresses on the streets!
Târgu Mures - A City of Integration
Târgu Mures is not part of the usual tourist trail, but it's close to Sighisoara and worth a detour. While the outskirts of the city were blighted by Ceausescu's love of factories and 'functional' housing, the city centre retained its charm. The City Hall and the National Theatre are both rather pretty, as is the imposing Orthodox Cathedral at the top of the central boulevard. Yet what is really fascinating about Târgu Mures is that this is a town with an almost 50-50 population split between Hungarians and Romanians. While it would be naive to say that there are no tensions between the groups, it is still a rare example of two cultures living side by side in genuine harmony.
Casa Adria just outside the city centre is a friendly place to eat and sleep with stunning views of the town.
Sovata - A Resort of Love
Women who visit Sovata occasionally smile and say that they are: 'Going to meet the father of my children'. This is less naughty than it sounds! Sovata is a spa destination famous for its salty lakes, particularly the beguiling Bear Lake that nestles in the forests of this mountainous region of Transylvania. The helio-thermal waters are famed for helping muscular problems but are also believed to increase fertility in women.
Sovata is particularly popular in the summer when tourists flock to the lakeside to swim in the healing waters. If you want to try something really different, however, consider visiting over the New Year holiday. It's cold, but the non-stop partying and the hotel spa treatments will keep you warm!
Focsani - Off the Beaten Track
You would probably struggle to meet a Romanian who would advise you to visit Focsani. However, if you are interested in Romania travel it is worth a quick visit for its astonishing market. This behemoth features just about everything you could ever hope to buy, from clothes to flowers to fresh local produce and plenty of meat, including that Romanian speciality: tripe. You could wander round this place all day and unlike some other countries you will never be chased around by over-enthusiastic vendors. Do not miss out on the sumptuous cheeses made by monks in local monasteries.
Sinaia - A Perfect Holiday in Romania
Visit in the summer, take the wobbly cable car up the mountain and walk in totally unspoiled countryside for miles with just the distant clanging of cow bells complementing a perfect peace. Go in the winter and experience an extremely popular ski resort. There are many things to recommend Sinaia, but the bewitching scenery, the original architecture and Peles Castle (commissioned by King Carol I and completed in 1883) are the stand-out features.
Sighisoara - Medieval Mystery
Of all the places to visit in Romania, Sighisoara has to top the list. The old town is an almost perfectly maintained medieval citadel that is still inhabited by locals. This is the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, better known these days as the person upon whom the character Dracula was based. Admire the streets of the citadel before sampling some of the local cuisine. Try the summer medieval festival where people spend the night on hay mattresses on the streets!
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Târgu Mures - A City of Integration
Târgu Mures is not part of the usual tourist trail, but it's close to Sighisoara and worth a detour. While the outskirts of the city were blighted by Ceausescu's love of factories and 'functional' housing, the city centre retained its charm. The City Hall and the National Theatre are both rather pretty, as is the imposing Orthodox Cathedral at the top of the central boulevard. Yet what is really fascinating about Târgu Mures is that this is a town with an almost 50-50 population split between Hungarians and Romanians. While it would be naive to say that there are no tensions between the groups, it is still a rare example of two cultures living side by side in genuine harmony.
Casa Adria just outside the city centre is a friendly place to eat and sleep with stunning views of the town.