Places worth to visit in Romania

The Danube River is the most international river on the planet as it runs through or forms the borders of 9 countries. The delta of the river is the second largest and best preserved European delta and the world’s third most bio-diversified area. 3,450 animal species and 1,700 plant species can be observed in the Delta. It is especially impressive considering the fact that more than half of the Delta Biosphere Reserve is not damaged by human activity.

A visit to the region would be a dream coming true for any enthusiast of wildlife, especially a keen ornithologist, as the Danube Delta is a home to 60% of the world’s population of pygmy cormorants and impressive flocks of red-breasted geese, Dalmatian pelicans, white pelicans,  Arctic geese (the last two spend only part of the year in the area as they migrate respectively to Egypt and Northern Europe) and many more. The best time to observe the birds is spring and summer.

The Danube Delta is a complex network of streams, lakes and channels (with three main estuary channels). A visitor to the area can enjoy the view of forests, floating reed islands and impressive sand dunes. The delta is not only home to majestic wildlife, but also to 15,000 of people inhabiting 28 villages and one city. This is therefore a place not only for a fan of nature, but also an explorer of cultures and traditions.

Transylvania is associated mainly with picturesque mountains, full of charm, covered with green forests, picturesque lakes, valleys and above all, with castles. Peles Castle is situated in the picturesque resort town of Sinaia, known as the “Pearl of the Carpathians”. Castle was built in the years 1873-1883 from the initiative of King Charles I. The Lord of the Romanian has invited European architects and arranged contest won by Johannes Schultz. His design was the most original and bravest. More than 400 people from about 15 countries were employed to built this castle. Peles is more like a fairy-tale Renaissance palace, than a traditional castle. It is a great neo-renaissance building, as if was moved from Bavaria or Switzerland. The castle is located on the scenic mountain meadow surrounded by beech forests. For the last days of life the ruler was improving and refining it. The result is a building which is a mixture of architectural styles from different periods from Gothic to Baroque, bristling with turrets forest. Pioneering curiosities are great vacuum cleaners built in the castle and primitive cinema. Gardens deserve special attention. In one of them is small castle called Pelisor erected in the vicinity of Peles, built as a private residence of King Ferdinand.

The capital of Romania is Bucharest, and it is also the largest town which has a population of over 2 million of residents. Geographically city is situated on seven hills and it’s “cut” by the river Dymbiwica.  This metropolis attracting thousands of tourists every year offering unforgettable  aesthetic and cultural attractions. The destination placees in Bucharest are primarily numerous surprising sights such as the Arc de Triomphe  –  modeled on the original French buildings.

For tourist’s attention deserves the monumantal history of this city.  As the number of historical sources shows, the city is derived from the fifteenth century  It is therefore not the youngest city in Europe.  Looking at his present shape, it is hard to believe that  originally  the city functioned as … a military stronghold.

The city is often referred to as the Small Paris. This name owes  thanks to its big approximation to the French capital – Paris. We are talking primarily about the “exaggerated” Parisian architectural wonders.

If you are planning an interesting trip for the weekend, it certainly should be the  Bucharest. It is the place where you should go. You’ll be amazed at how much it has to offer and how it can surprise everyone. But if you plan to visit Central Europe I strongly recommend you to see Gorgeous Rome – the capitol of Italy.

While visiting  Romania, you cannot miss this place, this is simply a  way to heaven! This is one of the highest roads in this part of Europe – passes through the mountains, whose height reaches to 2540 meters above sea level, and the way itself (according to various sources) runs at the highest point at an altitude of 2200-2300 m.Transfogarska-route was built to enable the efficient movement of troops from one side of the Carpathians mountains to the other it is the great creature of Romanian socialism. This road was built by Nicolau Ceausescu – Romanian dictator, who apparently feared the revolt on the other side of the Carpathians and blocking mountain passes. This way was suppose to be a trail for Romanian tanks. Another version  of this story says that the road was built to give access to Ceausescu’s villa placed on the nearby lake. They say that the construction claimed the lives of thirty soldiers.Officially, the route is open from 15.06 to 15.09 but it depends on the weather conditions. In practice, often even after 15.06 and before 15.09 it is impassable to drive thru this road. Nevertheless it is one of the most important points to visit when you are on Romania.

Romania’s highest mountain range are Fagaras. Compact mountain range stretches over 70 km between the Red Towerbreakthrough (Tornu Roşu) and Curmâtura Foii pass which separates it from the chain of Piatra Craiului mountains. Any amateur of mountain excursions will find something for himself in Fagaras Mountains. Western and Central part resembles the Tatra Mountains. With the highest mountains of Romania (Moldoveanu 2544 meters and Negoiu 2535 meters) it is the highest mountain range in the Southern Carpathian Mountains. The Eastern massif has a milder sculpture and that is why it is perfect solution for less demanding adventurers. A characteristic element of Fagaras Mountains scenery are about 50 glacial lakes surrounded by high rocky walls. Also, you can often find pastoral meadows, which sometimes are placed deep into valleys. Especially during summer when they are covered with herds of sheep they present beautifully. Despite such a unique landscape and wildlife Fagaras Mountains area is not protected by law. Only on the Southern slopes there is Godula Alpin Fagaras park located. There are also three nature reserves, including one located next to a big tourist complex Balea Lac. Although mountain shelters in Fagaras Mountains are numerous (especially on the Northern side) only three of them are located quite high and close to the main ridge. So if you choose to visit the Fagaras Mountains take your own tent!
When you get tired of mountain landscape and you will desire a little luxury and privacy you should see Amsterdam – the city of contrast, adventures and tolerance.

Retezat range, one of the highest ranges of the Carpathians mountains, is characterized by rocky landscapes and massive cliffs. You can see there many glacial lakes and the cows that graze at an altitude of over 2000 meters. These mountains are very scenically gorgeous, relatively easily accessible and well (as for Romania) developed. Higher peaks of “Mountains Cut” (as it can be directly translated from the Romanian name) are covered or by grassy meadows or by rocky rubble. Under the peaks, in the deep valleys, you can find a lot of small hidden lakes. However, ponds are usually located at the end of the valleys and they are as well the result of glacier action. Due to the height Retezat is the third among the mountain ranges of Romania (after Fogaraszach and Parangu) with the highest peak of Peleagą (2509 m). The next peaks aren’t much lower and of course they are equally interesting – Papus (2508 m), Retezat (2482m) and Varful Mare (2463 m). By the way ‘varful’ in Romanian means peak. Nature in Retezat is so rich that its area since
1935 is declared as national park. Since 1979 Retezat is on the UNESCO biosphere reserves list. The animal world represents bears and marmots, which are difficult to see due to the large number of tourists in the mountains. The only strictly protected nature reserve is in part of Gemenele.

Romania is inseparably associated with the literary figure of Count Dracula. Everyone who wants to visit places associated with him should go to Bran Castle and the Poenari fortress. Castles are distant from each other for about 60 km. Bran Castle appearance corresponds to the description of the literary establishment Carpathian vampire but the
relationship to the original Dracula Vlad the Impaler was not confirmed. In the case of the Poenari castle it was proved that it was occupied by Vlad Tepes also associated with Count Dracula. The building is located just 6 km from the Romanian village Arefu. Fortress is situated on a rock above the valley and you have to overcome a 1440 stairs to reach it. In 1888 much of the building collapsed and fell down the slope. There are many people willing to visit this place because of its history. It was erected by the boyars arrested by Vlad Tepes. During this work many of them died. The Lord changed the castle into a fortress and prison. To this day, this building is famous of cruelty and torture that took place in the dungeons. According to legend Vlad Tepes’ wife committed suicide. She jumped from the tower to protect herself from Turkish captivity. Each vampire lover should visit these castles.