Treasures of Romania

At once natural and refined, folksy and cultured: the combination of mountain rusticity with old-world style captivates in Central Europe.

Teutonic half-timbered villages, graffiti-decorated Renaissance squares, medieval walled towns…. Wander the darkly Gothic alleyways of Prague, admire the baroque excess of Salzburg or take in the colourful old-Venetian influence on the Slovenian port of Piran. Poland and the Czech Republic seem to have more than their fair share of medieval masterpieces, but you can find narrow lanes and quaint townscapes throughout the region – from Bern, Switzerland to Bardejov, Slovakia. Smaller gems such as Bamberg, Germany are often far from the tourist radar. On mornings when the mists lie heavy and crowds are few, you might imagine yourself in an earlier century.

Nourishing yourself is more fun in a great atmosphere, and Central Europe's abundance of outdoor cafes, beer halls and coffee houses offer just that. When the temperatures rise in spring, outdoor tables proliferate along with the daffodils and tulips. Enjoy a plate of pasta while admiring the Slovenian coast, nosh pierogi (dumplings) on a Polish cobblestone street or dip into fondue lakeside in Switzerland. Beer gardens across the region offer an opportunity to enjoy hearty food, a convivial atmosphere and a good brew alfresco. Once the weather cools, move inside to a boisterous beer hall. Or, for something a little sweeter, try a cake at a coffee house or pastry cafe. The most famous are in Vienna and Budapest, but you'll find many options – and other interesting places to eat and drink – all across the region.

With mountains covering so many Central European states, it's no wonder that the outdoors holds such an attraction in the region. The Alps rise to their highest in Switzerland, with jagged, Toblerone-like peaks such as the Matterhorn, and march on through southern Germany, across Austria and south into Slovenia. You can hike, bike, ski or just ride the gondolas and funiculars to enjoy the Alpine views. Other mountains, like the Swiss Jura and the Polish–Slovak Tatras, offer no less adventure. There are also sculptural sandstone 'rock towns' in the Czech Republic to climb, waterfall-filled gorges in Slovakia and Slovenia to hike and the bucolic Black Forest in Germany to walk. There's a new part of nature to explore almost around every corner.

The largest of the Balkan countries, Romania has dramatic mountain scenery and a coastline on the Black Sea. It has seen numerous empires come and go from the Roman and Ottoman to the Austro-Hungarian. After World War II the country fell under Communist rule, although the leadership pursued a foreign policy independent of that of the Soviet Union. The legacy of Communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu lingered long after the uprising which brought about his downfall on Christmas Day 1989. A slower developer than other former communist countries of eastern Europe, Romania took a major step away from its past when it was one of seven countries to join Nato in late March 2004. In April 2005 Bucharest signed an EU accession treaty, paving the way for Romania eventually to join the union in January 2007.

Romania is a land of diversity. With its vibrant multi cultural and multi etnic population, rich and disappearing folk traditions setted in a breathtakingly beautiful landscape. By travelling there, you will understand how the Saxons (Germans), Hungarians, Romanians, Gypsies, Jewish people and many other groups lived together here over the centuries. You will also encounter the difference between the traditions of religious groups(Roman Catholics, Greek Catholics, Orthodox, Jewish, Unitarians – which religion actually originate from Romania, Calvinists and the Lutherans) since Transylvania was one of the first place where religious freedom was declared. Romania can offer you endless choices from its vibrant capital Bucharest, gorgeous mountains of the Carpathians, the remote areas of Maramures, the rich Saxon towns of Sighisoara, Brasov, Sibiu, the architectural treasures of Transylvania to the painted monasteries of Bucovina.

Transylvania is a historical region which is located in central Romania. Bound on the east and south by its natural borders, the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended westward to the Apuseni Mountains.

The Anglosphere commonly associates Transylvania with vampires, thanks to the dominant influence of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula and the many films the tale inspired.

Transylvania’s forested valleys and Gothic castles are forever embedded in the popular imagination. Even before arriving, most visitors can picture this land of dark fairy-tales, where fog drapes like cobwebs over the Carpathian Mountains.

These stirring landscapes can be explored on hikes through Piatra Craiului National Park, or the Bucegi Mountains; or can be seen frozen over at winter sports centres. Medieval fantasies move around the watchtowers and cobbled lanes of Braşov and Sighişoara or Transylvania’s castles: world-famous Bran, ornate Peleş, and Hunedoara’s Gothic apparition.

Deeper in the countryside, rural Transylvania's tapestry of cultures awaits: vibrant, secretive Roma communities, Székely Land hamlets where only Hungarian is spoken, and Saxon villages with crumbling citadels. Here, standstill traffic means horses and carts waiting patiently for herds of goats to scatter.