Holiday guide to Romania.
Romania is one of those places that quietly sits in the corner of Europe, minding its own business, until you finally visit and wonder why no one yelled at you earlier to get on a plane. It is a country of mountains, medieval towns, questionable driving techniques, and enough folklore to make your childhood fairy tales look underdeveloped.
Most trips begin in Bucharest, a capital that feels like it is in a committed relationship with both elegance and chaos. One minute you are admiring ornate buildings and sipping a cappuccino in a café that looks like it belongs in Paris. The next minute you are dodging a taxi driver who is absolutely convinced that traffic lanes are merely decorative. Bucharest has that peculiar energy that reminds you that travel is not always about serenity. Sometimes it is about survival skills.
From there, the obvious move is to head toward Transylvania, a region that has been given a lot of attention by a certain fictional count. The truth is that Bran Castle is far from a spooky vampire lair. It is more of a perfectly pleasant hilltop fortress filled with tourists whispering does he live here every ten seconds. Still, the surrounding landscapes are so absurdly pretty that you almost forgive Bram Stoker for turning the whole area into a gothic marketing brand. Rolling hills, deep forests, and small villages filled with pastel houses make it a great place to exercise your romantic side or your ability to hike uphill while regretting your hobbies.
Speaking of regret, the Transfagarasan Highway is another Romanian highlight. Top Gear once called it one of the greatest roads in the world, which means everyone now feels obligated to drive it even if they have never handled mountain switchbacks in their life. The views are spectacular in a way that makes you constantly want to stop and take photos, but please try not to do this in the middle of a hairpin turn. The road will test your courage, your brakes, and your friendships.
If you prefer something calmer, the painted monasteries of Bucovina offer a completely different vibe. These centuries old holy structures are covered in detailed frescoes that have somehow survived weather and time, unlike the socks in your suitcase. Standing in front of them feels oddly grounding, as if you have stumbled into an art museum curated by medieval monks who had access to unlimited patience.
Finally, there is the Danube Delta, where the river relaxes into a tangle of channels and wetlands packed with birds. It is the kind of place that forces you to slow down whether you want to or not. You float through reeds, watch herons glide by, and quietly accept that nature is better at everything than you are.
Romania is a blend of rough edges, charm, and delightful surprises. It does not try too hard to impress you but still manages to do exactly that. Visit with an open mind, a decent camera, and a willingness to laugh at yourself along the way.
