Insider tips for a Romania travel

If you come to Romania, you should know prior the basic things about this fascinating and fantastic country. E.g., today, on the 1.December we celebrate, it is our national day.

Bucharest, the Romanian Capital in winter

Consequently, before any other else, I would advise you to visit Romania on its national Day. You will see everywhere smiling faces and a sincerely genuine joy of life coming from inside to the most of Romanians. It is really a privilege for us living in this country and we also invite you to visit this piece of paradise on Earth. You can even watch the impressive military parade and take part to the useful popular distribution of the portions of beans and sausages, a sort of national meal.

Maybe you should know, the Traian Grand Hotel from Iasi, Romania has been designed by Gustave Eiffel 

You can party further in a night club, there are a plenty of such locals in Bucharest and throughout Romania. It means excellent food with plenty of drinks at fantastic low prices, really a bargain for sure. Besides, you can be treated like a king/queen in a first class hotels, e.g  Ramada Parc Bucharest, with swimming pool, sauna etc.

And else, what can I do else, I can almost hear your next question? Well, there are two possibilities: first of them, there is a lot of snow in the country, you can ski, skate or do other winter sports, in renowned resorts like Poiana Brasov, Predeal, Paltinis to name only a few. Second of them, there is no snow, no trace of winter, that means you can discover thoroughful Romania at its best, making a cultural trip through this country of mine.

If you want to learn more about the Romanian history, the National Museum of Bucharest is the right place for sure

And you can discover first historic Capitals of the former Romanian states, e.g cities like Iasi, Suceava, Curtea de Arges, Campulung Muscel or Alba Iulia, last but not least. Some of them might seem totally decayed, being actually today very small towns, wearing nevertheless a certain pride and arrogance. Visiting them you will perfectly understand what I mean.

Or you can try to discover the fortified churches of the German Saxons of Transilvania. Most of them are sad and deserted, this community is diing, they only mean 0,2 % from the Romanian population. Despite it, a member of this community, namely Klaus Iohannis, has been freshly elected as Romanian President, with a lot of hope and expectations. He must be really a charismatic leader to succeed, the task is not easy to fulfil, we all wish him good luck and will try to help him in this entreprise!

The painted churches from Bucovina are simply fantastic, a part of the world heritage as described by UNESCO

No matter if the winter is cold, hot, rich or poor on snow you can find the best of Romania to the countryside. There you can find the best of Romania, the eternal Romania!  Don't be afraid of the bad winter, any Romanian on the street will invite you inside in his bigger or smaller house   with a natural born kindness and courteousy. You are going probably to resent the same feeling to the Romanian countryside: the time stays still, and you can really enjoy the present moments.

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Best places for Christmas celebrations in Romania

Halloween and Thanksgiving are a little strange, new and exotic in Romania, but I can promise to organize next year some interesting celebrations, as the globalization works. Keep in touch for that, I wonder how will the Romanians accept the idea, and how many foreigners will like to celebrate them far away from home. And don't forget the expats.

With the Christmas is completely different. There is a long tradition and a long story for celebrating Xmas. It is probably the most beloved day of the year, when the family holds together, waiting for the youngsters which visit them and sing carols. There is also the tradition of a rich table, a Christmas tree and the presents.

This is already merchandising of Christmas, and I don't have the intention to do something like that; on the contrary, I appreciate and love the genuine spirit of Christmas, where I can still find it. It is surely another story, another discussion.

Sibiu and his officially Christmas market is unique in Romania ( here the Liars' bridge)

Everywhere in Romania you may have a perfect Christmas, and it is a very difficult task to recommend one or many certain destinations, but I must do it. The first choice is of course Sibiu, the only Romanian city having an official Christmas market, comparable with those from Wien, Budapest, Prague etc. You must only remember to book in advance and be aware that the prices are high in that period of year.

Bucharest is another hit for Christmas. Everybody celebrates, there are crowds of Carols singers on the streets, there is a wonderful partying atmosphere. Visit one of the many churches of Bucharest on Christmas and you will be delighted, it is such a relief and a relax, and a wonderful occasion regaining yourself.

Bucharest has something magic on Christmas

As the religious and spiritual side of Christmas is   much more important than the commercial one, I can warmly recommend further Bucovina for celebrating Christmas. There are many churches there, and if you are on a budget they will host you. If the budget is not a such dramatic problem, you can choice one of the many hotels,motels or pensions in the area ( ask me, I have some fav and I will be glad to recommend you them). The only problem is the feast, simply too much! The wine is flowing, and if you want something stronger take tzuica (plum brandy) as a help for your digestion.

Suceava and Bucovina are a must for the people who wanna feel the genuine spirit of Christmas.

Thus you will have an unforgettable Christmas, and depends on you how long should be this travel and how much would it cost. Maybe is advisable to stay longer, celebrating also the New Year, but be very careful to your stomach and liver, the meals and drinks are delicious.

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