Romania

Romania Flag

Why visit Romania?

For the international traveler seeking to enjoy beaches, birdwatching, castles, charming medieval villages, culture, fishing, health spas, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, medieval monasteries, mountain scenery, skiing, and wine country. 

Pietrele Doamnei, Romania. Photo Credit: Dan Fador/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Brandy, ceramic dolls, crochet goods, embroidery goods, folk music, local wine, painted wooden eggs, pottery, and wooden boxes.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Alivenci (custard tart). Borș de Miel (lamb soup). Cașcaval (semi-hard cheese). Clătite (pancakes). Cheese Pie (snack). Chiftele (meatballs). Ciorbă de burtă (tripe soup). Cornulete (filled pastry). Cozonac (sweet bread). Drob (lamb). Gogosi (doughnuts). Mamaliga (porridge). Mici (meat rolls). Mucenici (pasta dish). Năsal (cheese). Pasca (cake) Potato Salad. Sarmale (cabbage rolls). Sausage Stew. Tobă (pork jelly). Tochitură (pork). White Cabbage Salad. Zacusca (salsa dip).
• Local Drink to Try: Afinată (liquor). Bere (beer). Pălincă (beer). Pălincă (brandy). Pilsener (beer). Sana (drinkable yogurt). Secărică (vodka).Tuică (brandy). Turț (brandy). Vișinată (cocktail). Zmeurată (raspberry liqueur).

Brașov Romania. Photo Credit: Dan Novac/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• Human remains found in Peștera cu Oase (Anina) date back to 37,000 - 42,000 years ago.
  
• Nicolae Constantin Paulescu (1869 - 1931), Professor of Medicine was instrumental on diabetes, and patenting pancreine. 
  
• Sculptural Ensemble of Constantin Brâncuși at Târgu Jiu recognizes their heros of World War I (1914 - 1918).
  
• Lazăr Edeleanu (1861 - 1941), Chemist was the first to synthesize amphetamine.
  
• Traian Vuia (1872-1950), Aviation Inventor & Pioneer built the first first tractor monoplane.
• Nadia Elena Comăneci Conner (1961) Retired Gymnast was the first Gymnast to be awarded a perfect score of 10.0 at the Olympic Games in Montreal, Quebec, Canada (1976).
  
• During the 1984 Summer Olympics hosted in Los Angeles, California they won 53 medals.
• Home to the first European city (Timisoara) to have electric street lamps (1884).
  
• Carpathian Mountains run through the north.
  
• Second-longest European River, Danube (Germany) empties into the Danube Delta. 
  
• Moldoveanu Peak (8,346 ft) is the highest point.
  
• One of the largest areas of undisturbed forest amongst European countries.
• Tennis is the second most popular sport, football being the first.
  
• Highest agricultural employment rate compared to any other European country.
• Transylvanian Alps run east-west through the center.
  
• Largest reserve of crude oil and shale gas amongst European countries.
  
• A special exemption is required for the sacrifice of lambs during Easter and pigs during Christmas.
• Bran Castle "Dracula's Castle" (Bran) myth is that vampires roam the Transylvania halls.
  
• One of the largest plum producers in the world.
  
• Traditionally women are gifted talismans (mărțișor) for good luck during in early March.
• Has 6 terrestrial ecoregion.
• Romanian Orthodox Church is the most popular traditional church.
• Danube Delta is the largest continuous marshland amongst European countries.
  
• Has the fourth largest railroad network amongst European countries.

Photo Credit: Jacqueline Macou/Pixabay

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (April) Jazz in the Church, Junii Brasovului Parade, National Easter Eggs Festival, (May) Bucharest International Jazz Competition, Eurovision Song Contest, (June) Art Film Festival, Dakini Festival, East European Comic Con, International Shakespeare Festival, Jazz in the Park, Rocanotherworld, Saga Music Festival, Sibiu International Theatre Festival, Traditional Crafts Fair, Transilvania International Film Festival (TIFF), UEFA European Football Championship, (July) ARTmania Festival, Electric Castle, Feeric Fashion Week, Full Moon Festival, Maidens' Fair, Neversea Festival, Rockstadt Extreme Fest, Sighisoara Festival of Medieval Arts & Crafts, The Girls Fair at Mountain Hen, (August) After Hills, Awake Festival, Bachata Romanian Dance Festival, Folk Art Festival, George Enescu Festival, Dance at Prislop, Merry Cemetery, Rockstadt Extreme Fest, Sighisoara Medieval Festival, Summer Well Festival, Transylvanian Saxons Festival, Untold Festival, (September) RO-Wine, Sambra Oilor, Sanaia Forever Festival, Shepherd's Festival, White Night of Galleries, (October) Astra Film Fest, Beer Craft Festival, Cabbage Festival, Oktoberfest, Wine Festivals, Wine Making Festival, (November) Gay Film Nights, and (December) Bucharest Christmas Market.
• Holidays: New Years Day, Day after New Year's Day, Unification Day, Good Friday, Easter, Easter Monday, Labor Day, International Children's Day, Orthodox Pentecost, Descent of Holy Spirit, St Mary's Day, Feast of St Andrew, National Day, Christmas Day, and Second Day of Christmas.

Peleș Castle, Sinaia, Romania. Photo Credit: Walter Kärcher/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Not ideal for travelers  who require deluxe accommodations.
• Remains a developing country.
• Between June - September are popular stays for mountain and seaside resorts.
  
• Romanian language words are common in French, Italian, and Spanish. 
  
• Northern region offers the most unique village experiences.
• Cuisine is influenced by Austria and Germany. 
  
• Credit card fraud occurs.
• Has the highest vehicle road fatalities rate.
• Pickpocketing is common in tourist areas.
  
• Most visited towns are: Bistrița, Brașov, Cisnădie, Cluj-Napoca, Medias, Sibiu, and Sighișoara.
• Public restrooms do not always offer toilet paper.
• On Monday most museums are closed.
• Use ATMs located inside banks.
• Mountain flash floods occur in the Spring and Summer.
• English and French are the primary foreign languages taught in schools.
  
• Skiing is most popular in Poiana Brașov and Valea Prahovei.
  
• Public telephones only accept phone cards.
• Recreational drug possession is not permitted. Punishable up to three years in prison.

Rock Sculpture of Decebalus, Orșova, Romania. Photo Credit: Mariana Anatoneag/Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with three months of validity and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000EUR.

Sibiu, Romania. Photo Credit: Tudor George/Pixabay 

• Best Time to Visit: May - October
• Coldest Months: December - February
• Hottest Months: July - August
• Peak Season: June - August

Transylvania, Romania. Photo Credit: Szabolcs Molnar/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, Churches of Moldavia, Dacian Fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains, Danube Delta, Historic Centre of Sighișoara, Monastery of Horezu, Roșia Montană Mining Cultural Landscape, Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania, and Wooden Churches of Maramureş.

 

Photo Credit: pionut/Pixabay 

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                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.