Best reasons to visit Romania

I think to be the right time for visiting Romania, which remains nevertheless a destination for all seasons. Usually the groups I guide in Romania are elderly and they prefer on easy to understand reasons to visit Romania in Spring and Autumn.

Traditional old Romanian houses, as you still can find in The Village Museum of Bucharest

Let's go back to our issue, I don't mean "visit Romania now at this very moment" , but " visit Romania".  I don't intend at all to push you, I am only trying to unveal and reveal you a gorgeous destination. Be sure, Romania is waiting for you and you may not resist.

The most important asset of Romania are the Romanians themselves. They are normal people like you, showing a lot of humor all the time. The Romanians are very tolerant and know to receive well their guests, whether in a good hotel, or in their private small house. Any way, you will feel a real guest and can really play the aristocrats. Also important: the Romanians are flexible and can improvise; and they know better than anyone not to tease you with all the kind of silly regulations.

Wine tasting in Romania are really an event

Besides, Romania is a cheap destination, even if you are travelling to the upper class. I am pretty sure you won't regret any penny. We are not too rich, actually one of the poorest country in the EU, but we are still very proud to be Romanians in our Romania. And you can take a profit of it if you find the right places. E.g.: the fantastic  night life of the big city of Bucharest could seem to you very cheap.

But even there in the very center of Bucharest at night, during the wonderful party you will probably observe how safe is Romania and its Capital. Actually, one of the safest travel destinations worldwide. Besides, all these people can behave themselves normally and relaxed, showing good manners.

The rural Romania is a part of daily life

Drink wine in Romania, it is a wine country. Drink and enjoy it, drink and enjoy life as we also do. We have good sortiments of Merlot or Muscat Ottonel, my personal favs and recommendations. You can also taste a glass of your favorite beer, there are plenty of them. But the wine remains the key to definitely win the locals. "In vino veritas" used to say the Latins, our beloved ancestors. Taste also the delicious Romanian gastronomy, it is really a royal feast and you will be very enthusiasthic about it, I can bet.

Fortified church of the Transilvania Saxons (Biertan)

Besides, some of the Romanian landscapes are simply unique and fantastic. And I mean Danube Delta, the painted monasteries of Northern Moldavia, the wood churches from Maramures or the defending churches of the Transilvania Germans, to name just a few.

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Best spa hotels in Romania

Even if Romania is seen as a cheap destination and you can get the most of it on a budget, you can also to see Romania in style, e.g in the selected spa hotels or taking part to a spa tour.

Traditionally, a few areas in Romania simply lie on a big underground hot sea due to the geothermal energy, and there are some less or more successfully attempts to produce heat from these waters. Well renowned for these hot thermal waters are the areas around Oradea and Baile Herculane.

Oradea(Nagyvarad in Hungarian)  itself is a charming city very close to the western border, simply lieing on thermal waters. Very close to Oradea, practically next to it you can find the resorts of Baile Felix (or Felixbad in German) or Baile 1 Mai with many spa hotels, open baths and swimming pools where you can cure your rheumatic diseases. You can also allow you to be spoiled there in an exquisite environment, e.g in the leading hotel International, the best from Baile Felix, a proud and a landmark of this beloved resort. The hotel proudly looks behind on 40 years history, but you won't believe or suspect it when you are going to see the brilliant International itself! Also possible: the fantastic rejuvenating cures based on Gerovital treatments!

The fantastic hotel Double tree by Hilton Oradea has an excellent position, and inside is even more convincing than outside

Inside the beautiful city of Oradea you have another promising opportunity: the brand new spa hotel Double Tree by Hilton. It is much newer, more modern and comfy than the respectable International, has all the last minute ammenities, but the team from International seemed to me being friendlier! Under these circumstances it is really easy to understand: you have a star more, and must be prepared to pay more at hotel Double Tree by Hilton from Oradea.

The pension Noblesse from Baile Herculane is very friendly and familiar

The position of Baile Herculane (or Herculesbad) is definitely better: you have mountains and forests around, the landscape is very attractive. Since thousand years renowned for the properties of its thermal and mineral waters, Baile Herculane met a few periods of blossom and prosperity. One of them, the antique times, when aristocrates from Rome came here for a sort of spa of those interesting times. Another one in the XIXth century, when members of Vienna court came here very often, despite the strong concurence of Karlovy Vary ( or Carlsbad). Nowdays there are still interesting things happening in Herculane, and one of them is the pension Noblesse in the area. It is new, good and with a fantastic friendly staff. Also not very big, and thus very familiar to its guests! You have many things to discover at pension Noblesse and around, and you are going to have only pleasant nice surprises indeed.

Let me introduce you one of the best hotels of the Romanian Riviera: Vega, Mamaia, by Constanta

At the other side of Romania, on its Black sea coast, in the fantastic city of Constanta, you can find the Hotel Vega. It is really a top reference for the Romanian Riviera, and might be appear too big if you search for familiar houses. But the people here are very friendly, and they really do much more than they should. No more thermal waters on the coast, but the spa is an event nevertheless, as also the breakfast buffet or the kitchen, broadly speaking. Really a good place for a wonderful week or more, where you can forget everything else and rediscover yourself, as a part of the Universe.

If you are prepared to jump at the next level, you must be prepared to pay for a room in these recommended spa hotels of Romania between 30 or 60 Euros in average for a day. It is really a bargain, a sort of luxury on a budget!

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Most exquisite destinations in Romania

Romania is rather a cheap travel destination. You can travel a lot in Romania on a budget, it is a big rewarding provocation, as the country is wonderful and the people friendly and genuine.

But beyond this label attributed to Romania, you can also discover Romania in the luxury exquisite way. Supposing you are in the honeymoon, or you have just inherited a fortune, or you can simply afford it, try to discover Romania on this pathway. As a general warning, keep in mind and remember that the luxury hotels with four and five stars are not very often in Romania, and can occur problems while booking in your targeted period, maybe is good to use the professionals from travel agencies like Karpaten.

Hotel Intercontinental Bucharest is turning to become a legend, a myth and a landmark of the city

The hotels I am going to review I met personally and checked more times. In my opinions and according to my knowledge they are totally recommended as luxury destinations in Romania. They are really exquisite and will meet your wishes I hope.

First of all, the legendary Hotel Intercontinental Bucharest is much more than a simple luxury hotels. Rather this hotel is turning to myth and a landmark of the Romanian capital. Hard to believe, it has been build in the center of Bucharest in the 70's as a symbol of the liberal policy of the Ceausescu regime at its peak. During those difficult years was maybe the only possibility to visit Bucharest decently. It has been for more decades the tallest building from Bucharest (nowadays not anymore due to the controversial office buildings ). From the upper terrace you can enjoy the unique spectacular view of the city. Meanwhile the hotel raised again the quality of the services, being a trendsetter in the Romanian hospitality industry.

Hotel Hilton Sibiu happily combines excellent service, friendly staff and fantastic silent position

Hotel Hilton Sibiu might be another adress for a luxury vacation in Romania. Totally different from the usually philosophy of Hilton, it doesn't lie in the very center of Sibiu. On the contrary, and really indicated for the precious customer because of it, Hotel Hilton Sibiu lies outside the city, in the wonderful park of Dumbrava. Thus you can enjoy the most exquisite services in a silent fascinating neighborhood.

The architecture of the Hotel Gerald's of Radauti  is maybe not the happiest choice, but the quality and the friendhttp://romania-tours.blogspot.ro/2014/01/children-friendliest-places-in-romania.htmlliness of the service compensate everything

In a totally other region of Romania, namely Bucovina, the most Nortern region of Romania, I would recommend the Hotel Gerald's from Radauti. This region of Romania is really special, with its sweet hills and mountains and the villages where everything seems to be still in order, the same order of a few centuries ago. Bucovina is also interesting, spectacular and unique because the painted monasteries. You can discover most of these painted monasteries, staying under the roof of the above mentioned Hotel Gerald's from Radauti. Only a few meters from a spectacular orthodox church, the pride of the city, Hotel Gerald's has good service (four stars only! but really enough) and a friendly team, as everywhere in Romania.

I still have some suggestions, but that will be all by now, as I don't want to become boring. Engrave these hotels for now, and follow me further to the next posts.

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Romania saw by a group of Austrian tourists

The highlights of a Romanian Tour, as seen by a group of Austrian tourists

There are a few places in Romania that one must do when visiting this country (btw, there is a boom in visiting Romania, hurry up and book!). These must do would be:painted churches from the Northern Moldavia, Bucharest, Sibiu, Brasov, the Sachsen citadels of Transilvania/Siebenbuergen/Erdelyi and the city of Sighisoara.

The fantastic Austrian group, came in Romania through Springer/Karpaten. In the center Tour Leader Kurt Zechner  and his lovely wife Gerlinde.

But if a group from Springer comes, selected and trained by Group Manager  Mr. Kurt Zechner, be sure to find besides some special and secret surprises, his personal contribution. Mr. Zechner and his lovely wife Gerlinde love culture a lot, as the rest of the group (they have been traveling for 20 years together, unbelievable!). That's the reason for adding to the program The Miko Citadel from Miercurea Ciuc, and the Agapia Monastery (probably the biggest women's monastery worldwide), as an inside visit of the Parliament house, the second biggest building worldwide. The little details make the big differences.

Tour Leader Kurt Zechner (first) and the half of his exquisite group, in a farm restaurant from Sibiel 

It was my pleasure and honor to keep company to this excellent group as a travel guide, helping them to discover the known or unknown beauties of Romania. The cultural changes and the new contacts are the thing I am appreciating most in this job, and I must confess that I took the big share, knowing so many cultivated special people, and winning them as personal friends. Thank you very much, Kurt Zechner &Co!

Group of Austrian tourists lead by Tour Manager  Kurt Zechner(back to the camera, with white pullover) preparing to go in the Romanian traditional  horse carts

Special mention for the hotel selection, made by Karpaten! As the group was totally special, they got the best possible hotels, all ****: Ramada Parc Bucharest, Ramada Sibiu, Gerald's Radauti, Binder Bubi Sighisoara, Casa Bazna. It was a delight of our senses, as my  new Austrian friends also experienced the basics of the Romanian gastronomy (food and wine).

Austrian Tourists enjoying an excellent and cheap lunch at a  Medias restaurant ( special offer found by myself)

Another special thing was the dinner in a peasant's restaurant in Sibiel. We all enjoyed totally, and had a wonderful time. The food was entirely made  in the own farm, and tasted totally different comparing to restaurants and supermarkets. The host said from the beginning: "You are my personal guests, enjoy it, by eating everything you want and can. The more you eat, the happier I am".

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