Welcome to one of Europe’s hidden gems, stunning Romania. This country is not usually listed as one of the best countries for a European vacation, and it definitely should be! Stunning nature, amazing sights (motherland of Count Dracula, anyone?), and authentic culture are just a fraction of the reasons, making Romania a fantastic place to visit. Plus, its position not in the public eye means fewer crowds, so no need to queue for hours, and prices are much more affordable than in Scandinavia or Italy. So, now when you see that this beautiful destination is worth your attention, let’s talk about what to add to your travel itinerary.
Dracula’s Castle in Bran
Romania can easily compete with Ireland and Scotland for the Land of Castles title, so there are quite a few interesting options to consider. Let’s start with the most obvious one – the castle of one and only Count Dracula himself, known among locals as the Bran Castle. While the character is, of course, fictional and didn’t live there at any point (and neither did 15th-century Romanian prince Vlad Tepes, known as Vlad the Impaler, that inspired the famous vampire), the amazing location high in the mountains of Transylvania made the majestic castle perfect for playing the part. Spooky and often covered in fog, this amazing site is a vital part of Romania’s cultural and historical heritage, as well as one of the most exciting places to visit on your vacation.
Peles Castle in Sinaia
Considered one of the most impressive castles in Europe, Peles Castle is a magnificent sight to behold. King Charles I once spent a night in the area and was so impressed with the natural beauty of Sinaia that commissioned to build a castle worthy of the dramatic mountain scenery. Well, the architect didn’t fail to achieve this challenging goal, although the majestic complex is actually a palace, not a castle.
The facade of the sight is remarkable and looks like something from a fairytale, making one think about the famous Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. The interiors are not the ones to disappoint as well – they are an embodiment of what luxury is. Everywhere you look, you see the sculpted wood, exquisite stained glass windows, and sumptuous carpets. Buckingham Palace is really not the only place to check out the royal interiors!
Monastery Curtea de Arges in Curtea de Arges
Undoubtedly, you’ve heard about the stunning Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow and its religious and cultural significance. And Monastery Curtea de Arges to Romanians is just as important as St. Basil’s to Russians. Built in Byzantine style, the cathedral looks very unusual in a Romanian city and seems like Monastery Curtea de Arges would be much more at home somewhere in Turkey. The amazing sight is nestled on the raised platform which only adds to its magnificence. The legend says that after the construction was finished, the masons were left stranded on the roof of the building, so they would never create something as impressive as Curtea de Arges’ gem. But the facade is not the only thing that will catch your eye, as the cathedral is famous for its beautiful frescoes, covering the walls from floor to ceiling.
As you can see, the country is full of wonders and these are just a few interesting options for you to consider! There are countless amazing places to discover all-around wonderful Romania. Luckily, the country boasts a very advanced railway network (you can check out all you need to know about rail in Romania and book train tickets with Rail Ninja), making it very easy to get around and allowing to include several cities in your travel plans. But, regardless of what you decide to see, you can rest assured that Romania will show you the side of Europe you’ve never seen before!
