MARAMURES
 Occupying
the North-Eastern part of Romania, the lands of Maramures
rich in gold and silver, have been the cradle of our ancestors
for thousands of years.
In Maramures, ancestral traditions, folk costumes, and ancient
art have been preserved as nowhere else. It is a unique land
due to its direct connections to an almost mythical time,
an area where people still use domestic tools that, in other
regions, can be seen only in museums. [more information] Rendered
to visitors in impressive wooden churches - real masterpieces
of folk art with 70 m height spires which seem to touch the
sky and which gather around the life of each village from
Maramures – Maramures astonishes its special spiritual
connection.
The rustic villages from the Valley of Iza, The Valley of
Mara, The Valley of Viseu and The Valley of Tisa make up a
genuine open air museum. The monumental wooden gates from
Maramures, carved with ancient motifs and symbols, are renowned
world-wide. This world of authentic villages presents itself
to the tourist with black or painted ceramics, handmade carpets
and fabrics displaying complicated techniques and painted
with natural paints, and in the traditional costumes hand-embroidered
floral ornaments of vivid colors, as well as by the folk holidays.
The Merry Graveyard in Sapânta village is unique in
the whole world for its crosses adorned with merry ornaments
and short satirical poems addressed to the ones buried here.
The Valley of Vaser is also unique with its 50km of wilderness,
waterfalls and tunnels, which can be crossed by a small steam-engine
train.
In addition to these wonders of nature, hidden among the mountains
and hills that cover almost two-thirds of the territory, there
are the balneo-climatic resorts of Ocna Sugatag or Borsa,
famous for the salty-water treatments and for mineral water
springs. Important tourist, cultural, and industrial centers,
the towns of Baia Mare and Sighetu Marmatiei also enrich the
historical patrimony of Romania. Their museums, including
the Ethnographic and Folk Art Museum, The “Arrested
Thought Memorial” Museum (“Stefan’s Tower”),
are prominent medieval art monuments. High mountains, hills
and depressions with over 100 mineral springs, hundreds of
thousands of hectares organized into 62 game fields and 8
natural reservations - among the most important are Pietrosul
Rodnei Natural Reservation - Maramures is a magic place that
is considered one of the most picturesque areas of Romania,
if not all of Europe.
Attractions:
» Baia
Mare
» Rodna
National Park – Untamed Nature
» The
Wooden Churches of Maramures
» The
Merry Cemetery from Sapanta
» Borsa
and Ocna Sugatag
BUCOVINA
 When
you say “Bucovina,” you say “tradition,
history and art.” In this idyllic realm, you will find
amazing churches with exterior frescos, old feudal residences
and fairy tale-like landscapes. To better feel the charm of
Bucovina, we recommend that you make your accommodation at
one of the numerous pensions in the area. The people of Bucovina
are hard-working and friendly, and you will have the chance
to taste some of the local dishes made of fresh products from
the private households. The cream chicken with polenta, the
mince-meat rolls in garden sorrel leaves, and the fried trout
will offer you a real feast of tastes and aromas.
Once you arrive here, don’t miss the chance to visit
the monasteries, some of which are included on the list of
UNESCO monuments due to their outstanding artistic and historic
value. Voronet, with its unique blue shading; Sucevita, famous
for its defense works; Moldovita, because of its harmonious
mixture of modern and traditional elements are just a few
of the orthodox monasteries with exterior paintings that have
been preserved for more than 4 centuries, in spite of the
burning sun, whipping wind and annual frost. You will be met
everywhere by nuns, who lead a quiet and austere existence
within the monastery’s wall, and who will reveal to
you the enigmas and history of the colors, rocks, orthodox
faith. If you get here the week before the orthodox Easter,
you will see the nuns decorating eggs, a continuation of the
old tradition of reddening eggs.
For the inhabitants of Bucovina one of the best-preserved
traditions is the craft of pottery. At Marginea, folk craftsmen
still work the clay with the help of a traditional potter’s
wheel. You can see them working in their workshops, where
you will watch as lumps of clay are transformed into exquisite
plates, carafes and pots.
In Suceava you can visit a variety of interesting religious
sites, as well as the old feudal residence which has preserved
its commanding appearance. Whether you want to relax or learn
about the traditions and culture of the local people, you
will definitely be impressed by Bucovina. Either way, you
will not have time to get bored.
Attractions
» Suceava
– the living history of Moldova
» Cacica
– unique place in Romania
» The seculary hay fields at Frumoasa
» Bucovina
monasteries
MOLDOVA
 Cities
that combine history with modernism, medieval fortresses,
impressive palaces, monasteries with a rich monastic life,
and wonderful natural parks. A journey to these lands can start at Iasi, formerly
the capital of the province for 300 years.
The richness of the historical and architectural monuments,
and the alleys shadowed by old trees, create a romantic and
hospitable atmosphere that will carry you backwards in time.
To slowly admire the beauties of nature from this part of
the region, you must head for the mountains.
The Gorges of Bicaz (Cheile Bicazului) - Hasmas, Ceahlau and
Vanatori Neamt - are natural parks with amazing views, narrow
gorges with high stone walls of several hundred meters, steep
mountainous summits, rivers with whirling waters, and numerous
species of plants and animals, some so rare that they are
protected by law.
In the heart of these mountains, the shadowy valleys, you
will happen upon a chain of monasteries that still preserve
the 200-year-old atmosphere. Varatic, Agapia, and Neamt are
religious places with an intense monastic life, where the
nuns or monks will receive you with piety and modest joy.
You cannot say you know what Moldova means until you taste
the delicious local cuisine: minced meat rolls in cabbage
leaves, pig’s trotters, sausages, tochitura (a local
dish with pork, sausages and polenta) but also the delicious
traditional pies. Cotnari, Bucium, Husi, Panciu are vineyards
that have acquired worldwide fame due to the different varieties
of wine produced here.
It is not said for nothing that the hills of Moldova seem
to have been created by Bachus himself. The rich Cotnar wine,
the white Feteasca, Aligote, and the Bohotin Busuioaca are
sweet drinks that will carry you to a wonderful world of tastes.
All of these will make you understand what Moldova means,
and you will definitely want to visit it again.
Attractions
» Iasi
» Ceahlau
National Park
» The
Cheile Bicazului (Gorges of Bicaz) - Hasmas National Park
» Pietrele
Doamnei (The Lady’s Rocks) Reservation
» Vanatori-Neamt
Natural Park
» The
Fortress of Neamt – the tracks of history
» The
monasteries of Neamt
» Slanic
Moldova
» Vatra
Dornei
DOBROGEA
 With
almost 80% of it's borders being water, Dobrogea is like Romania's
own paradise island. Entirely separated from the rest of Romania
by the wide Danube to the west, Part of Dobrogea's remnant
Muslim community at Constanta are called to prayer from this
mosque built by Romania's King Carol I for his loyal subjects.
Think of hills, sunshine, fields and beaches, because that
is what most of Dobrogea is made up of, with the exception
of the lush marshes and reed beds of the Danube Delta.
The first rail bridge across the Danube was completed only
in 1895, and Dobrogea was given to Romania in exchange for
Basarabia to the north after Russia defeated the Ottoman empire.
The Ottomans had ruled Dobrogea for over 500 years; the origin
of the name is probably from the Turkish despot ruler of the
14th century, Dobrotici.
The Greeks and Romans flocked to Dobrogea's fertile hilly
plains and abundant sea coasts with both making the region
a part of their empires.
Great works of art are still being uncovered throughout the
region and carefully displayed in the excellent museums and
archaeological sites all over Dobrogea, from the wonderful
National History Museum in Contanta, to smaller collections
at Mangalia, Histria, and Adamclisi.
By the first world war, the Romanians in Dobrogea nearly doubled
to 56%, from less than 20% before the handover in 1878 as
the Bulgarians, Turks and Tatars left, now combined making
up only 5% today.
Today's capital of the Dobrogea region is Constanta, named
after the daughter of a Roman emperor, one in a long line
of rulers since the town's incept as a thriving Greek port
city.
You can see the ruins of these civilisations all through Dobrogea,
and at the fine National History Museum in Constanta too.
Gateway to the Danube Delta is the town of Tulcea in the far
north of Dobrogea, where road and rail lines end and the long
arms of the Danube snake their ways to the Black Sea.
Aromatic white and red wines
In ancient Dobrogea, wine was one of the delights of the region.
A few years ago, in the vineyards around the town of Tulcea,
there was unearthed a superb statuette representing Dionysus
holding a bunch of grapes.
Bathed by the waters of the Danube and the Black Sea, Dobrogea
offers a microclimate that nurtures a wholly unique range
of wines: from dry, to demidry, sweet and desert white wines
to dry, semidry and sweet red wines. After ageing and bottling,
their enhance the fame of vineyards of Murfatlar, Medgidia,
Oltina and Niculitel.
Attractions
» Constanta
» Tulcea
– the Gate to the Danube Delta
» The
Danube Delta – the fabulos wild water land
» Gura
Portitei – the beginning of a world
» The Romanian Seaside - Sun, Sea, Health
» Archeologocal
Sites
BANAT
 While
not as famous as Maramures or Bucovina, the Banat region has
a natural richness that is unique in Romania. The mountainous
area, bordered by waters – the Danube in the West, and
Cerna, Timis, Caras and Nera in the other horizons –
the region of Banat possesses some natural parks, impressive
for the diversity of the landscapes, and several natural monuments.
The four rivers, and the Danube, cross their way through the
rock, molding it into unexpected and spectacular shapes –
gorges with vertical walls, mysterious caves and grottos,
and troubled waterfalls and megalithic stones, all of which
are covered with secular forests and blossoming meadows.
The most spectacular scenery is offered by the Danube Clough,
in the area known under the name of “The Danube’s
Coppers”, an area included in The Iron Gates Natural
Park, where the mountain seems to hold tight the stormy waters
of the old river. Banat houses the most important spa resort
of Romania, and at the same time one of the oldest in the
whole world (certified since 153 A.D.), Baile Herculane resort.
The healing water springs from here were discovered and used
by the Romans, who called them “Thermae Herculi”.
An ancient historical region, in Banat there are some monuments
which exhibit some noteworthy events of the Romanian people.
Into the heart of the Gradistea Mountains there are the hidden
vestiges of the Dacian civilization, including the proud capital
of Sarmizegetusa Regia and other powerful defence cities.
At Hunedoara and Deva the traveler will set foot into the
rooms of impressive cities and castles – the Deva fortress
and the Corvinesti Castle.
Being an area situated near the border, there are numerous
communities of Serbians, Slovakians, and Hungarians, but also
Bulgarians and Germans who live here. This ethnic mosaic is
also found in Timisoara, the cultural and administrative center
of the region. It is a genuine metropolis, where a proud past
harmoniously mingles with a present full of dynamism.
Attractions
» Timisoara
» Domogled
– Valea Cernei National Park – The Richest Natural
Reservation in Europe
» Gradistea
Muncelului National Park– The Romanians’ Sacred
Mountain
» Portile
de Fier Natural Park – Danube’s Adventure in the
Mountains
» Semenic
– Cheile Carasului (Caras Gorges) National Park –
The Mysterious Realm of Caves and Gorges
» The
Corvinesti Castle (Castelul Corvinestilor)
» The
Deva Fortress
» Baile
Herculane(The Herculane Baths)
» Buzias
– „The Resort Of Your Heart”
CRISANA
Few are the ones who know the West of Romania represented
by Crisana region, an area with a rich cultural tradition
but also possessing true natural treasures. In Arad and Oradea
tourists can admire a diverse architectural inheritance, secular
and religious edifices, and numerous traditions and customs
unique to the region. All of these have their origin in the
different cultures and civilizations that, throughout the
centuries, have lived here together: Romanians, Hungarians,
Schabws, Serbians, Czechs, Slovakians, Bulgarians and Ukrainians.
In addition to the attractive offer of cultural and rural
tourism, Crisana has many travel-related temptations: mountain
trips, winter sports, extreme sports, and the opportunity
to explore some spectacular caves.
Cheile Galbenei (The Gorges of the Yellow), The Bears’
Cave, the Karstic intermittent spring from Calugari monument
of nature, and The Girls’ Fair on Mount Gaina all reflect
the beauty of the places and peoples in this area unaltered
by the progression of different civilizations.
Attractions
» Arad
» Oradea
» The
Apuseni Mountains
» Bears’
Cave
» Apuseni
Natural Park
» Baile
Felix (The Felix Baths)
TRANSYLVANIA
 Even
though many people know it for being a land of bloodthirsty
vampires and never-ending forests, Transylvania is, in terms
of natural beauty, the best Romania offers.
The core region known today as Transilvania consists of a
region of 10 counties which cover over 80,000 km² in
central and northwest Romania. The counties of Alba, Bistrita-Nasaud,
Brasov, Cluj, Covasna, Harghita, Hunedoara, Mures, Salaj,
and Sibiu cover tradition Transilvania.
Other minor subdivisions inside the region of Transilvania
include the Amlas, Ciceu, Fagaras, Hateg, and Marginimea Sibiului
regions.
The most important cities are Cluj-Napoca (318,027), Timisoara
(317,651), Brasov (283,901), Sibiu (155,045), and Târgu
Mures (149,577).
Transylvania was first referred to in a Latin document in
1075 as "Ultra silvam", meaning "beyond the
forest". That name was later changed to "Transilvania",
which has the same meaning.The German name Siebenbürgen
means "seven cities", after the Transilvanian Saxons'
cities in this region. The Hungarian name Erdély is
derived from the Hungarian "Erdo-elve" meaning "beyond
the forest". The Romanian name Ardeal is of uncertain
origins.
Surrounded by a natural fortress built by the Carpathians,
Transylvania is even now a place shrouded in mystery. The
diversity of the landscape, the richness of the relief forms,
the variety of historical and medieval art monuments, and
the numerous traditional customs that still last to this day,
are attractions to the 21st century traveler.
It is said about the Carpathians that they were the cradle
of the Romanian people. Their ridges have been, throughout
the centuries, real defense walls to deter foreign invasions.
The legendary place where lies Sarmizegetusa, former capital
of the ancient Dacia, is a sort of Romanian Stonehenge ..
where visitors will find impressive ruins, including a solar
clock and an ingenious calendar.
After a long period of Barbarian invasions and destruction,
the beginning of the 12th century represented a turning point
for Transylvania, with the arrival of the German colonists
– the so-called Saxons. The traces of this peaceful
life together and prosperity can be seen even today in most
of the villages and towns of Transylvania. Over 180 Saxon
churches and fortified cities will delight visitors and reveal
a part of their secrets: ingenious defense systems, lasting
fortifications, and beautiful works by Saxon artists.
The balneo-climatic resorts of the region also enjoy a well-deserved
fame. Sovata, Baile Tusnad, and Balvanyos are resorts where
natural cure factors (mineral waters, salty and thermal lakes,
and the strongly ozonized air) have proved, throughout the
years, to be health springs for their guests. Transylvania
has numerous natural beauties as well, especially in the surrounding
mountains; in the Apuseni, in the Piatra Craiului Mountains
(The King’s Rock) and in the Fagaras you will be welcomed
by charming sights. Steep summits, narrow gorges, clear water
lakes, rich fauna and flora, and whirling water rivers will
lure you to go hiking.
OLTENIA
 River
Olt, which spring from Transilvania and carries its waters
toward the Danube, into the field, gives the name to this
old region of Romania, on whose territory rich valleys, harmoniously
mingle fertile plains and proud mountains.
Due to religious places of inestimable value, and the diversity
of the traditions and crafts, Oltenia is a region that fully
deserves to be visited. Starting with Tismana – one
of the oldest religious sites in Romania – and including
Cozia monastery, which dates since the 14th century, the traveler
will find a chain of sacred sites in the middle of delightful
sceneries. Still there is also the Horezu monastery, the vastest
and most sumptuous monastic complex in all South-Eastern Europe
since the end of the 17th century, a masterpiece of the Brâncoveanu
style that belongs to the UNESCO patrimony.
Hobita, the native village of the great sculptor Constantin
Brâncusi, and Târgu Jiu – where his well-known
works (The Infinite Column, The Silence Table, and The Kiss
Gate) are exhibited in open-air are real pilgrimage sites
for the art lovers.
Nature has endowed the land of Oltenia with numerous beautiful
features: the wild gorges of the Oltet featuring The Polovragi
Cave and The Parâng Mountains to the north, and The
Muierilor (Women’s) Cave. Apart from these monuments
of nature, in Oltenia you will also be charmed by the numerous
crafts still preserved by the inhabitants of the villages
from these territories. Horezu is one of the most famous ceramics
centers in Romania. The songs and dances from this part of
the country are famous for the joy and happiness expressed,
for the dynamic rhythm of the traditional dances and beauty
of the folk costume.
Oltenia is also famous for its balneal climatic resorts, a
series of genuine health springs: Calimanesti – Caciulata
with mineral waters for digestive diseases, Govora –
recommended in the treatment of breathing, and Olanesti –
for rheumatic and gynecologic diseases.
Attractions
» Craiova
» Horezu
» Targu
Jiu
» The
Olt Valley (Valea Oltului)
» The
Jiu Clough (Defileul Jiului)
» The
Parang Mountains
» Cozia
National Park – The Flowers’ Park
» The
Women’s Cave (Pestera Muierilor)
» The
Cozia Monastery
» The
Horezu Monastery
» One
Wood Monastery (Manastirea dintr-un lemn)
» Calimanesti – Caciulata
» Olanesti
» Govora
» Voineasa
MUNTENIA
 Muntenia
represents the Eastern part of the Romanian Country, a former
Romanian province founded in the 14th century. The area looks
like a huge natural amphitheater. In the North it is bordered
by the Meridional Carpathians, which climb down the hill towards
the vast areas of the Romanian Plain bathed by the Danube’s
waters in the South.
The first capital of the region was Curtea de Arges. Documentary
certified since 1330. the city has preserved the atmosphere
of the past centuries mainly due to St. Nicholas church (one
of the oldest churches in in Romania) and Curtea de Arges
Monastery – to whom the legend of its builder, Mester
Manole, is related. Nearby the Transfagarasan road begins,
built at the highest altitude among all roads in Romania,
a route that crosses Fagaras Massive and connects to Transilvania,
offering extremely spectacular images.
One of the most well-known tourist ares in Muntenia is Prahova
Valley, situated at the foot of Bucegi Massive. Equally beloved
by hikers and skiers, as well as by those fond of freshly–ozonized,
air as well as of picturesque scenery, Prahova Valley attracts
thousands of tourists every season. At Sinaia, also known
as “the Carpathians’s Pearl” there is Peles
Castle, the former summer residence of the royal family.
Bucharest is the most important city in the region, also
being Romania’s capital. In existence for more than
half a millennium old, the city has numerous surprises that
delight the traveler at every step. Regarding the gorgeous
building architecture, especially noteworthy is that of the
French or Italian Renaissance, the patriarchal little churches,
genuine oasis of Orthodox spirituality, the numerous museums,
shows and exhibitions, or the shadowy quiet parks, all of
which render Bucharest a truly unique and seducing city.
Attractions:
» Bucharest
– The capital City
» Târgoviste
» Prahova
Valley
» The
Rucar-Bran Passage – a magic journey
» Curtea
de Arges Monastery
» Dealu
Monastery
» Bran
Castle
» Mogosoaia
Palace
» Bucegi
National Park – The Cradle of Mountain Tourism in Romania
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