Romania Holidays

Romania is one of Europe’s most rewarding countries to explore, combining the forested Carpathian Mountains with medieval towns, remote villages, painted monasteries and the wildlife-rich wetlands of the Danube Delta. Its landscapes are remarkably varied, but so too is its history, shaped by Saxon settlers, Romanian princes, the Habsburg and Ottoman empires, a royal dynasty and decades of communist rule.

In Transylvania, explore the medieval streets of Brașov, Sibiu and Sighișoara, discover fortified Saxon churches and visit magnificent castles including Peleș, Corvin and Bran. Further north, Maramureș and Bucovina reveal another side of Romania, with traditional wooden churches, UNESCO-listed painted monasteries and communities where historic crafts and customs remain part of local life. The Carpathians are also home to one of Europe’s largest populations of brown bears, while the UNESCO-listed Danube Delta provides an extraordinary habitat for pelicans and hundreds of other bird species.

Romania’s cities add another dimension. Bucharest combines Belle Époque architecture and lively neighbourhoods with powerful reminders of the Ceaușescu era, including the monumental Palace of Parliament. Whether travelling on a private tour, exploring independently by car or combining Romania with neighbouring Bulgaria, there is far more to the country than the Dracula legend – although following the real story of Vlad the Impaler remains a fascinating way to delve into its medieval past.