Romania is the country with the highest biodiversity in Europe, which translates into many ways to spend free time, from “walks” into nature, to hiking, swimming, exploring caves and climbing mountains. These are just a few examples that certainly captivate any tourist spirit.
This corner of the world is characterized by diversity, multiculturalism, unique gastronomic experiences. Whether you want to test your spirit as an explorer, to visit villages that preserve old traditions, unaltered by new trends or to participate in some of the most popular music festivals in Europe – Romania has them all. See for yourself!
Romania has its charm, which is embodied by every season that covers the country. However, the most suitable periods for a visit are spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October).
If you want to discover Romania in the true sense of the word, you will be able to do this looking beyond the tourist attractions and objectives. They symbolize, of course, representative and appreciable elements, but they do not portray the complexity of this country.
You will be surprised to discover how many legends, myths and traditions have been preserved since ancient times. Romanians celebrate with holiness and joy different times of the year, whether we refer to religious holidays such as Easter and Christmas, or whether we refer to relevant moments in the agricultural calendar – such as harvest or reaping.
One of the “business cards” of Romanians is the folk costume. Different from one region to another, it has been passed down from generation to generation, so that, in predominantly rural areas, they are still worn on various occasions. Also, folk dances such as “calusarii” or “hora” that combine elegant movements with satirical lyrics are a piece of resistance in the Romanian cultural chest. Another indicator is popular art. This includes traditional handicraft creations: pottery, weaving, artistic processing of wood and ceramics.
These are just a few snippets from the bulk of Romanian traditions and customs. They are elements that give back to everyday life magic, color and have the power to create the connection between contemporary and the old generations.
The charm of Romanian cuisine lies in its diversity. In this sense, the strongest influences felt in this sector come from the Balkan, German, Serbian, Italian, as well as Turkish and Hungarian peoples.
Among the traditional dishes you have to try are: stuffed cabbage, tripe soup, Radauti soup, balmoşul, micii, eggplant salad, Moldavian stew. What in Moldova is called “borscht”, in the rest of the country is known as “soup”.
Romanians love meat, so you will see that many of their recipes are based on this ingredient. If you are eager to have an authentic culinary experience, you can head to a guesthouse that is not necessarily located in the “core of town” and where food is served.