About Romania: The name “Romania” has linguistic ties with the words “Roman” and “Rome.” Indeed, the Romans did occupy the territory that is now Romania. Even the Romanian language has its origins in the West, sharing Latin origins with other Romance languages like Spanish or French. However, Romania has Slavic influences as well. This straddling of East and West is sure to give the traveler much to look forward to.
Facts about Romania:
- Romania's winters are damp with snow and fog, and temperat summers see lots of rain. (Read: Bring your umbrella to Romania).
- Romanian is the official language, but visitors will also hear Hungarian and German spoken while traveling through Romania.
- Romania is bordered by Bulgaria, Ukraine, Hungary, Moldova, and Serbia and Montenegro.
Dracula in Romania: Romania doesn’t shy from its gruesome heritage. It embraces it, just like it embraces tourists who want to experience the real Dracula story of Vlad the Impaler. Various “Dracula” tours are available, from visiting the authentic raid sites and castles of the bloodthirsty ruler, to fictional aspects of the Dracula tale, which may include sleeping at the Dracula Castle Hotel.
Spas and Resorts in Romania: Over one-third of all of Europe’s hot and mineral springs are located in Romania. Not surprisingly, Romania boasts many spas with services like acupuncture, mud baths, electrotherapy and hydrotherapy. But you aren’t limited to spas to experience curative waters—the Black Sea washes up on 45 miles of Romania’s coast and has long been said to have medicinal benefits.
Castles of Romania: Romania is famous for its beautiful castles and palaces, which were built right up until the 20th century. From the new-Renaissance architecture of Peles Castle, to the Gothic style of Corvinesti Castle in Transylvania, you can get a broad picture of Romania’s rich history. The Royal Palace in Bucharest, open from Wednesday through Sunday, also has works on display by notable artists, like El Greco, Rubens, Rembrandt, Titian, and Tintoretto.
Medieval Towns in Romania: The home of Vlad the Impaler, Sighosoara is a must-see for any traveler to Romania. Set in Transylvania, visitors can wander the cobblestone streets, surrounded by medieval architecture. Antique and local art dealers have set up small shops for those who want to purchase a special souvenir. Sights in this little town include the 14th Century Clock tower, the Dracula House, and the Hill Church.
