Country Vacations & Resorts

First clue?

“Land beyond the forests…”

The “T” destination has taken a bit of time to choose.

Google searches show that places like “Tuscany” and “Thailand” and “Telluride” are very popular. I don’t care about popularity and I don’t want to go where everyone else goes.

So, the Country Vacations and Resorts “T” destination is Transylvania – Romania.

Bran Castle, Brasov

After centuries of religious and political strife, Transylvania, in central Romania, is possibly at the most stable it has ever been. Relations between Romania and Hungary have improved significantly and this region, located in the Carpathian Mountain Range in central Romania, might just be a prime spot for a country vacation.

There are hundreds of thousands of pages and links regarding Dracula and Vlad the Impaler. Interesting fiction based somewhat on history? Yes. Helpful for those interested in traveling to Transylvania? No.

This post is just dealing with facts not fiction and in this case, the facts on Transylvania are just as interesting as the fiction!

Bucharest is the capital of Romania. With its ski resorts and health spas, hiking trails and the Retezat National Park, fascinating medieval towns, monasteries, and art museums… these are the activities and sites travelers will want to discover in Transylvania and Romania.

Map of Romania – Europe

Things of interest to potential visitors to Transylvania and Romania

Winter
In winter, skiing is the obvious attraction.

The best-known of a group of resorts is Poiana Brasov, 13 km (8 miles) from the city of Brasov, with chalet-like hotels and self-catering villas. In the same area of the southern Carpathians there are Sinaia, established as a winter resort in the 1870s, with ski slopes and a bobsleigh run. Also don’t skip the towns of Predeal and Busteni. There are sometimes abundant snowfalls in these areas in Winter so be prepared…

Summer
Summer is quite warm, with long, sunny days. The hottest areas are as you would expect, in the lowlands in southern and eastern Romania where 100 degrees Farenheit is often reached in July and August. Temperatures are always cooler in the mountains. Major temperature fluctuations will be found if traveling from region to region.

Both in summer and winter, the unspoiled valleys and mountains of Transylvania are welcoming and refreshing. Temperatures from May to September fluctuate around 23°C / 75°F.

Lake Bacura, Retezat Mountains

Towns to Visit

Brasov
Brasov is about 3 hours away from Bucharest. It is one of the most popular places for travelers due to its richness in fortresses (Rasnov, Bran), old towns, fortified churches in picturesque villages (Biertan) and mountain forests (Piatra Craiului). Brasov also has its country’s landmark gothic church! The Black Church was built between 1385 and 1477 and got its nickname after the Great Fire of 1689 blackened its now historic walls.

Sinaia
Sinaia is one of Romania’s finest holiday resorts, located deep into the Carpathian Mountains. In the late 19th century King Charles I of Romania chose Sinaia as his summer residence and built the fabulous Peles Castle, which is today this city’s best known landmark.

Getting there and getting around

Most Americans will arrive in Romania at Bucharest. Direct flights to Romania from outside Europe are difficult to find but with the growth of tourism, flights onward from Romania to other European destinations are on the increase. Austrian Airlines currently has a flight direct to Bucharest from New York for $1153USD.

Trains are usually the best way to travel between major Transylvania regions and tourist destinations. Since many of these tourist sites are not conveniently located near train stations, you may want to rent a car or take bus transportation. Hitchhiking is not unusual. The country is relatively safe for travelers but the same warnings apply as when traveling anywhere else…beware of pickpockets and con artists in tourist areas.

Language

English is spoken by enough residents in most towns to allow you to make contact. Beside Romanian, the only official language nationwide, other spoken languages include Hungarian, Romani, Ukrainian, and German.

Airports

Cluj-Napoca International Airport – located in northwest Transylvania
Sibiu International Airport – located in southern Transylvania
Transilvania International Airport – located in central Transylvania
*You will see “Transilvania” and “Transylvania” depending on region, etc.

There is much to see and do in Transylvania and in the Country of Romania …way too much diversity to cover in one blog post. But maybe this year or next you will want to go somewhere entirely new and different. Give this scenic country a visit.