Romania

Hello! Today I want to introduce you to an amazing country — Romania and take a little trip around it.

Basic information

Romania is a state in Southeastern Europe located in the north of the Balkan Peninsula. It borders in the south with Bulgaria, in the southwest with Serbia, in the northwest with Hungary, in the northeast with Moldova, in the north and east with Ukraine. The country is washed by the waters of the Black Sea.

• Form of government is a unitary presidential-parliamentary republic.
• The area of ​​the country is 238 391 km².
• The population is 19,401,658 people.
• The capital of Romania is Bucharest.
• The official language is Romanian.
• Currency is Romanian leu.
• The country is distinguished by significant ethno-cultural diversity; the majority of believers (about 87%) profess Orthodoxy.

Climate and nature

Romania has a temperate continental climate with distinct seasons. The climate is characterized by relatively cold winters with frequent fogs and snowfalls, as well as warm and slightly rainy summers. On the Black Sea coast, winters are milder with rare freezing temperatures.

Romania is known for its magnificent nature. Almost 50% of its territory is natural landscapes. About 5% of Romania’s area is nature reserves and national parks. Also, the chain of the Carpathian Mountains passes through the country, which are famous for their crystal clear air and picturesque views. The mountains are cut by the fast rivers Chris and Olt, which are extremely popular among rafting enthusiasts. Here there are karst and tarry lakes.

The Romanian Black Sea coast is characterized by predominantly sandy beaches. The white sand of Romanian beaches is very beautiful curative.

The Danube River, which flows through the territory of Romania, deserves special attention. Flowing into the Black Sea, the Danube forms one of the largest river deltas in Europe. The Danube delta is characterized by the richest unspoiled nature. There are many fish in the water, hundreds of species of animals and birds live on the banks, more than 5,000 species of plants grow.

Economy. Tourism in the Romanian economy

The Romanian economy is developing stably. Romania’s GDP is growing at a tremendous pace, faster than in any other country in the European Union.

The tourism sector of Romania is an important part of the economy and budget of the gross domestic product. Despite the fact that the country is not the richest and most developed, the flow of tourists is only growing.

Tourism in Romania is a constantly evolving phenomenon. Its progress is associated with the magnificent nature of the region, climatic conditions, healing springs, clean air and gentle sea, and a rich cultural heritage. The most visited cities are Bucharest, Constanta, Brasov, Timisoara, Sibiu, Alba Iulia, Cluj-Napoca, Sighisoara and Iasi. Natural tourist attractions include the Danube, the Carpathians and the Black Sea.

Accommodation and transport infrastructure

Recently, excellent conditions have been created for visitors, resorts are being equipped, hotels are being built and reconstructed, and infrastructure is improving.

Romania has excellent transport accessibility. The largest international airports are located in Bucharest, Timisoara, Cluj. Romania has regular air links with cities in Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, Russia, Ukraine, Belgium and other European countries. You can get to Romania by train from Vienna, Budapest, Istanbul, Chisinau, Moscow, Kiev. The country has a dense rail network that connects almost all major cities. Traveling in Romania, you can use road, rail, river and air transport.

Throughout Romania, even in remote mountainous areas, a tourist will find a place to stay. Thare are a lot of hotels, roadside motels, guest houses, hostels and campgrounds, with a high level of service.

Now you know a little more about Romania, and I would like to offer you my travel itinerary for this country. Romania has conditions for cultural, educational, gastronomic, religious and other types of tourism. Everyone knows what to see in Bucharest, Transylvania — the land of Count Dracula, where to sunbathe on the beach on the Black Sea coast, but I suggest you combine the types of tourism in one of the most picturesque regions of Romania and take a three-day tour to Oltenia or Lesser Wallachia.

Russians will need a visa and travel medical insurance to go to Romania. By plane, you can go to Bucharest, then the best solution would be to rent a car to get to Oltenia and its beauties yourself. The first place to visit is one of the most impressive sights — the Bridge of God — the second largest natural bridge in Europe. Photographers should remember that bridges and ports in Romania are strategic sites, so they should never be photographed.

In general, the first day of the trip will be natural. Therefore, be sure to visit the picturesque Lake Bistre and admire the blue waters and green banks of the Olt River.

The area is mountainous. Go to the peaks of the Fagarash and Parang mountain ranges, where extreme lovers will get fantastic skiing. Here in the mountains there are many hotels where you can stay overnight, it will cost €30–50 for a double room. And in the evening on the balcony of your room, you may relax, admire the snowy landscape with a cup of hot chocolate.

We continue our tour, and the second day will be devoted to immersion in the history, religion and culture of Wallachia. In Oltenia there are incredible historical attractions, including the magnificent monasteries in Tismana, Horezu and Strehaia. There you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of ancient Romania, learn its origins and the formation of a large and powerful country.

The third day we will spend in the largest city in the Oltenia region — Craiova.

After Bucharest, Craiova ranks second in the country in terms of the number of historical architectural monuments: churches, palaces and others. The oldest building in the city is the Banjei House, built in 1699. Today it is the Museum of Ethnography and Folk Art. It is also worth a visit:

• Dmitrievsky Cathedral,
• Botanical Gardens,
• Oltenia Museum,

• Nicolae Romanescu Park;
• Vororeanu palace.

Be sure to go to local shops to buy souvenirs for yourself. Among the Romanian souvenirs, the most popular among tourists are:

• handmade leather products;
• silver jewelry;
• clay and porcelain products;
• colorful warm blankets;
• woolen sweaters;
• all kinds of “Dracula’s” souvenirs.

Well, spend the evening in a restaurant where national dishes are prepared. Romanian cuisine is famous for its delicious dishes and is a synthesis of Balkan and Austrian culinary traditions. Romania is also famous for its rich traditions of winemaking and brewing. Traditional Romanian dishes are all kinds of soups (chorbs), the main ingredients of which are pork, vegetables, cabbage, lemon juice, herbs and sour cream.

The most popular meat dishes are parjoales (flat meat pies cooked with spices), mititei (marinated meat fried on coals), sarmale (pork cabbage rolls). Remember that all dishes are quite spicy.

Romania is famous for its desserts: incomparable pasca (sweet cheese pie), cozonac pies, placinte cu poale in briu (cheese rolls).

Well-fed and satisfied, we go to the airport. It’s time to leave Romania to come back here again!

I hope you enjoyed my story and someday decide to visit Romania!