The Romanian Carpathians are covered by the largest virgin forests in the temperate zone of Europe. These forests are part of our history and cultural identity. They are the remains of the endless forests that once covered over 80% of the territory of present-day Romania. About 13,000 species live in these forests, including Europe’s largest population of bears, rare and endemic species, and large carnivores such as wolves and lynxes. Here, all the living creatures live in a balance that is the result of thousands of years of evolution.

The Danube Delta, the largest river delta wetland in Europe, has become one of the finest, wildest, best-protected and most famous wildlife areas of the whole continent. The Danube delta hosts over 300 species of birds as well as 45 freshwater fish species in its numerous lakes and marshes. One of the least populated areas in Europe, the Danube Delta offers a unique opportunity to restore a whole spectrum of biodiverse habitats – from open estuarine systems, naturally grazed grassland and vast reed beds through to freshwater marshes, coastal lagoons, shallow lakes and riverine forests.

This is one of Europe’s last medieval landscapes. It is approximately 300,000 ha, with a population of 100,000 scattered in about 150 small villages and settlements. Low intensity agriculture coexists with an abundance of flora and fauna, including many nationally and internationally threatened species. The European importance of the High Nature Value landscape of the Saxon Villages area has only been recognized in the last few years. It is now seen in Romania, and in Europe, as a high priority area for the conservation of its still-working ecology, and for studies to understand how such areas can be preserved or, much more difficult, restored elsewhere in Europe.

Romanian traditional customs have as means of expression: music, choreography, gesture and mimic. These are complex cultural actions, meant above all to organize the village life. They mark important moments of people’s transition through the world, and shape their behavior and attitude. Romanian culture offers a variety of forms of folk art that have survived for years, outside interference and domination. Wood carvings, brightly ornamented costumes, skillfully woven carpets, pottery, and other elements of traditional Romanian culture remain popular and, with the growth of tourism, have become internationally-known.

Built in the 1st centuries B.C. and A.D. under Dacian rule, these fortresses show an unusual fusion of military and religious architectural techniques and concepts from the classical world and the late European Iron Age. The six defensive works, the nucleus of the Dacian Kingdom, were conquered by the Romans at the beginning of the 2nd century A.D.; their extensive and well-preserved remains stand in spectacular natural surroundings and give a dramatic picture of a vigorous and innovative civilization.

Romania is a lovely country of great innate beauty and alluring medieval cities. Located in the middle of Eastern Europe, Romania’s culture was greatly shaped by diversity such as Saxon culture, Ottomans religion, and the Roman empires. These diverse influences can be seen in Romania in their gothic churches, grand walls, old-fashioned houses and luxurious palaces. There is so much to gaze upon and do in the most beautiful medieval cities of Romania. Every day you spend in the medieval cities is a history lesson. Craft guilds, counts, religious reformations, sieges, great fires, ancient trading routes—there are so many myths, legends and narratives wrapped up in this part of Romania. Of course the historic centres of Sighisoara, Sibiu and Brasov are a must-see.

Romania is a country of diversity. Various cultural influences have marked the evolution of this European country, located at the intersection of Eastern and Western influences. Thus, in today’s Romania, we find surprisingly different regions, starting with the economic level of development and up to the lifestyle of the inhabitants. Along with the majority Romanian population, 19 historical national minorities live on the territory of the Romanian state, which amounts to 10% of the population in Romania. It is known that minority ethnicities complement Romanian traditions and culture, providing an overview of the spread of different minorities in Romania and how the traditions of minorities and majorities have influenced and enhanced each other over time.

A country with beautiful landscapes, a highly diverse flora and fauna and many traditional communities living in mountain areas, Romania has a lot to offer in terms of man and nature harmonization. This is exactly the particularity of the UNESCO Geopark concept, a structure that combines sustainable development and ecology. A UNESCO Global Geopark comprises a number of geological heritage sites of special scientific importance, rarity or beauty. It must also include important natural, historic, cultural tangible and intangible heritage sites. And Romania has two. The Hațeg Country Dinosaurs Geopark is located in the central part of Romania, in a very fertile region, surrounded by mountains from all directions. Buzău Land/ Ținutul Buzăului, the hilly and mountainous territory in the Carpathian Bend Area in Romania, has received the title of UNESCO Global Geopark. The Muddy Volcanoes, the domes of salt, the Eternal Flames, the Trovants of Ulmet or the Colți red amber are some of the landmarks of the area.

These eight churches of northern Moldavia, built from the late 15th century to the late 16th century and their external walls covered in fresco paintings, are masterpieces inspired by Byzantine art. They are authentic and particularly well preserved. Far from being mere wall decorations, the paintings form a systematic covering on all the facades and represent complete cycles of religious themes. Their exceptional composition, the elegance of the characters, and the harmony of the colors blend perfectly with the surrounding countryside. 

Romanian cuisine is the culmination of all the influences around the region. Traditional Balkan cuisine combines with Turkish, Austro-Hungarian and Moldovian/Ukrainian. So, in Romania, often you’ll find dishes that are similar to those available in neighbouring countries. Who invented each dish? Some have clearer histories, some go back so far it’s hard to know who invented them. Either way, all of the below dishes have become typical Romanian food, even if not all of them can claim to be 100% original Romanian. Any traveler or food enthusiast should immediately add Romania to their list of places to visit, and not just for the Romanian castles. The local cuisine is rich in flavor, texture, and history, and is the perfect simple food that you need in any climate. 

The Danube Gorges are considered one of the most beautiful parts of the Danube’s Canyon. Placed on Danube passing through the Carpathians, the Danube Gorges are a component of the “Iron Gates I” Natural Park, with a length of nine kilometers unfolding along the biggest and oldest canyon a river has made in Europe. On the Danube Gorges you can find the statue of Decebal, the last king of Dacians, considered by many as being the ancestors of Romanians, and it represents the highest rock sculpture in Europe (55 meters). The sculpture is relatively new, it was made in 2004 from the private funds of the businessman Iosif Constantin Dragan, after a work of 10 years.

It is said that in Romania there are about a third of the thermal springs in the whole of Europe, and in recent years domestic spa resorts have begun to reinvent themselves and return to the spotlight. Spa tourism based on thermal waters has a variety range of addressability from persons with medical problems to those who look for relaxation and wellbeing. Therefore because of its benefits, health tourism has become a major part of tourism world-wide and in Romania as well. The effects of this type of tourism, because of its positive impact on people’s health, phsysically and mentally, made the health tourism based on thermal waters a real phenomenom. Therme Bucharest is the largest relaxation and entertainment center in Europe, built green, a wellness concept for a modern lifestyle, dedicated to well-being.