Why Romania?
The answer may seem simple: because it is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe and no journey in the Eastern part of this continent would be complete without paying a visit in Romania.
But the reality is more complex than this...
Romania was almost isolated from the rest of the world for over 40 years by the communist regime, being closed behind "the iron curtain". As a result, Romania is a land of many genuine treasures that are waiting to be discovered. Most areas have preserved the charm and beauty of other centuries, and the country still claims regions that seem bastions of a medieval past, long since lost elsewhere. Romania is probably the last place in Europe where you can still see unspoiled countryside, with the traditional rural civilization still alive: wood carving, ceramics, weaving and embroidery of costumes, household decorations, dances, and richly varied folk, friendly people fiercely dressed in their folk costumes, horse or oxen-drawn carriages and sleighs. The ways of everyday living reflect the medieval way of farming, with no touching of new technology, in villages where time seems to have stood still…
Not that Romania's heritage is merely one of folk art. The turn-of-the-century charm can still be found in a lot of cities.
Bucharest, with its back street bustle with hawkers and artists, 18th century monasteries and churches hide behind pretty walled gardens, the large public gardens and the amazing museums that the city hosts, will definitely give you the charm and the feeling of a European capital. The Transylvanian towns seem little central -European burgs, medieval architectonic jewelries which will impress you with their urban ambience and their cultural life. Due to its more than 800 years of history and the world heritage that are held here, Sibiu has been chosen the European Cultural Capital in 2007.The Western entrance doors in Romania, the cities form Crisana and Banat regions cities bear the unmistakable imprint of the Habsburg Empire especially in architecture - Timisoara is called the Little Vienna and the baroque palace that hosts the "Tarii Crisurilor Museum" in Oradea is a replica of the Belvedere Palace in Vienna.
You should take advantage of being here to attend an evening performance at the Opera, a symphonic orchestra concert or a savory play at the Yiddish Theatre in Bucharest, the oldest of this type in Europe..
Often compared to a "Latin island in a Slav sea", Romania has some features quite rare in this part of Europe. The very name "Romania" reminds us that ancient Rome exercised a decisive influence on this country. The language, the alphabet and moreover the temperament of the people: all have a Latin origin and they make Romania a place where most visitors feel very comfortable.
The culture of Romania is rich, varied and fundamentally defined as the meeting point of three regions: Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Balkans, but cannot be fully included in any of them. Along with the Romanians there are more than 20 minorities that also live in the country most of them Hungarians, Gypsies, Germans, Turks, Jews and so on. Thousands years of multi-cultural and multi-ethnic living together left behind a legacy that makes Romania's heritage something unique and different. Here, "unity is diversity" is more than a principle, it's a daily reality. And the century long lasted experience of the people may be more than useful in a third millennium chancing world….
An interesting combination of Eastern subtleties and Western pragmatism, Romanian architecture has stylized various influences. Transylvania boats nowadays tens of Saxon strongholds and fortified churches, Moldova is known for its religious art and painted churches and Wallachia is the region of the Brancovan style of the 17th century.
It is well known that in Romania wood was not just a raw material for construction; it was first a source of inspiration for the people. It was used in such a manner that you think immediately of a real wood culture. Probably the best example are the wooden churches, spread all over Transylvania, who are expressing the local spirituality throughout history … These churches were erected for centuries without the help of any iron nails, yet reach impressive heights. They can be found all over the country, but they were better preserved in Maramures and Transilvania and some of them enrich UNESCO world heritage list.
It is said that the Romanian nation was born Orthodox, due to St.Andrew who first brought the religion on the area, in the early years of Christianity. Remarkable symbols of the long lasting Orthodox religion which guided the people along the centuries, expression of the desire to keep the culture and the Orthodox faith, churches and monasteries are to be found everywhere in the country. These real architectonical and spiritual jewelries will be meant to remind the future generation about their ancestors' sacrifice to achieve a remarkable inheritance: language, tradition and culture, defining elements for every nation.
Located in the north part of Moldova, the region of Bucovina is another Romanian area where traditions and history are mostly expressed. The location of Bucovina between the western and eastern civilizations had a major influence on his culture and spirituality. As a reaction against the Turkish threat and Catholic Church pressure, Bucovina was embellished with monasteries and fortified churches, remarkable symbols of the long lasting Orthodox religionwhich guided the people from Bucovina along the centuries. Expression of their desire to keep the culture and the Orthodox faith, these real architectonical and spiritual jewelries will be meant to remind the future generation about their ancestors' sacrifice to achieve a remarkable inheritance: language, tradition and culture, defining elements for every nation.
Transylvania - "the Land across the woods", also known as Siebenbürgen in German, is a vast province in the centre part Romania. It will charm you with its lovely medieval towns and fortresses at the foothill of the Carpathians, rich with precious Saxon heritage treasures: remote castles, old fortified churches, houses with castle gates and interior gardens, massive walls and windows with huge shutters…
Located in the southeastern part of the country, Wallachia is a flat tranquil region of farms and small-scale industrial complexes lying across the Danube plain ,south to the Carpathian Mountains. This is the region of the former capitals: Campulung, Curtea de Arges and Targoviste, but also of the main Romanian city: Bucharest. Here you can find the Monastery of Curtea de Arges, unique for its architecture, for its legend and for the fact that the royal Romanian tombs are hosted here. Close to Fagaras Mountains, 1480 steps in Poienari will lead you to the real Dracula's castle. Once here, the landscape over the valleys will definitely surprise you. In the region of Wallachia, we especially recommend you the Vidraru and Balea Lakes, connected by one of the highest roads in Romania: Transfagarasanul.

Romania is the birthplace and home of few personalities of universal value and made our country known wolrwide.
By freeing himself from the dogmas of traditional sculpture and revealing the essence of forms in a maximum artistic expression, Constantin Brancusi not only made a turner in the history of sculpture, but he is seen as the forerunner of the modern art.
Mircea Eliade, a philosopher, writer and one of the most interesting personalities of the century, a truly encyclopedic spirit and a restless soul, always in search of the true nature of the human being, he was fascinated by the ancient religions and philosophies of people around the world and he made a turner in the approach of history of the religious ideas. George Enescu an excellent violinist and a remarkable composer, brought the sounds of the Romanian traditional songs into classical music. Eugen Ionescu one of the most prominent dramatic authors of the century, known as an innovator of dramatic techniques and one of the founders of the "Absurd" Theatre.
But the list is much longer: Hermann Orberth, one of the founding fathers of rocketry and astronautics, Aurel Vlaicu, an airplane constructor and early pilot, Henri Coanda, the parent of the modern jet aircraft, Angela Gheorghiu, the most famous Romanian soprano or Nadia Comaneci who need no presentation.
The culinary art has always been a temptation for the traveler and a great challenge for the hosts. Traditional cuisine Romanian is diverse, rich and tasty, blending the dishes of the several traditions which it has come into contact with, as well as maintaining its own character. It has been greatly influenced by Balkan cuisine but also includes influences from the cuisines of other neighbors. The Romanian cuisine contains sometimes, ancient dishes, of which some belong to the Dacian-Roman era. One vivid example is the "placinta" (pie) that comes from the old Roman cookie "placenta". By nature, women are masters in cooking: sausages, smoked ham, vegetables and meat soups dressed in sour, "sarmale" (stuffed cabbage with rice and meat) , "mamaliga"( corn flour boiled with water and salt) and cookies belonging to an "army" of tastes and smells…you have to try them to see what we are talking about! Dairy products are also prominent in Romanian gastronomy. A Romanian cheese specialty is called " bulz" and it's made with polenta and many sorts of cheese and sour creams …
Wine growing has been known for centuries long in Romania. The country has been favored by its geographical position in South-Eastern Europe, by its proximity to the Black Sea, as well as by the specificity of the local soil and climate. Alongside France, Italy, Spain, Germany, countries in this area like Romania could also be called "a vine homeland" in Europe. Archaeological finds and historical documents place the beginnings of wine culture on the present territory of Romania some 4000 years ago. High quality wines produced in this region were object of trade ever since ancient times. In the 19th century, to the range of local vine varieties, i.e. Zghihara de Husi, Cramposia de Dragasani, Galbena de Odobesti, Feteasca alba, Feteasca neagra, Babeasca, Tamâioasa româneasca, there have been added acclimatized varieties (mainly imported from France, but also from Germany and Italy), like Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Italian Riesling, Merlot, Sauvignon blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Muscat Ottonel etc.
But if you haven't tried just for once home made "tuica", a very strong fruit brandy, prepared using traditional methods, both for private consumption and for sale, well… you haven't tasted Romania!

And of course there is also the Danube Delta…
At the end of the great river Danube's journey through Europe to the Black Sea there spreads out a natural paradise unparalleled in Europe, where canals, lakes, reed islands, pastures and sand dunes cover more than 430,000 hectares. This amazing wetland shelters over 300 species of birds, countless fish from royal sturgeon down to carp and perch, while its 1,150 kinds of plants range from sinuous lianas suggesting tropical forests to gently blossoming water lilies. It is small wonder that UNESCO has designated the Delta a "Reservation of the Biosphere". In this world where water is almost the sole ruler, the only means of transportation is by boat and the main occupation is of course fishing. What other experience could be more stimulating than sailing in a boat and then having a fisherman's dinner which should without a doubt include the well-known fisherman's broth, a recipe that would do credit to any chef?

In spite of some still existing stereotype opinions, Romania waits to be discovered and will make a very positive impression. Exceptional programs, loaded with both natural and modern touristy attractions may be offered in our country.
The traditional hospitality of its people has been transformed into services at high standards