Romania - A Short Guide For Holidaymakers

Romania is a country which is friendly to visitors, welcoming and beautiful - in many ways, a land that time forgot. This is a country of great variety, history and culture - quite probably the most beautiful and interesting of the Eastern European states. To enjoy the "real" Romania, the best Accommodation in Romania is in simple yet comfortable inns, boutique hotels and farm houses spread across the alluring regions of Transylvania, Maramures and Moldavia. Idyllic holidays are to be had in the rural heartland of Romania, which is really the life and soul of the country, and is where the culture and ethos of Romania were created. A great idea is to join an escorted small group for a tour of Transylvania - ideal for first time visitors to the country. Such a tour can provide a unique insight into the people and culture of Romania. Try these ideas for variety and fascination? Visit the largest Gothic church in Eastern Europe - The Black Church of Brasov; bear-track by night; walk the cobbled streets, intimate courtyards and wide stone staircases of Sibiu, European Capital of Culture for 2007; meet a tinsmith Gypsy family in the magical, memorable, fairytale town of Sighisoara; enjoy a traditional Transylvanian dinner in Viscri, famed for its fortified church and its links with Prince Charles; enjoy a horse and cart ride to a sheepfold; and get to know Bucharest's Parisian-inspired parks, buildings and elegant avenues. And there's more! Travel north to Maramures surrounded mostly by mountains and blessed with fertile valleys. The region is renowned for its 17th and 18th century spindly wooden churches and here the visitor will be enchanted by fairytale hamlets, country fairs and artisans who still maintain the ancient art of their given trades. Enjoy a stay with Popica - a famous Romanian musician-turned-farmer - whose wife specialises in the mouth-watering local dishes. Their farm is an ideal base for walks through the countryside and to the nearby Nature Reserve set amidst the surrounding mountains. Meantime, the Painted Churches of southern Bucovina, in northern Moldavia, are among the greatest artistic treasures of Europe and are all designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites - simply stunning and well worth the trip. Moldovians are well known for being a very generous and hospitable people, which is only too evident when exploring this area. Whichever region you choose for your holiday in Romania, each has a distinct character and atmosphere, which is why multi-centre holidays in Romania are always a popular option.