Travel planner
Romania Insider stories: The last peasants
In the Maramures, the northern edge of Transylvania bordering on Ukraine, life hasn’t changed very much in centuries but it is about to change utterly. Such tractors as were to be found here under Communism were long ago sold off and horse-drawn plows are universal. Old women in black scatter seed in the fields. This [...]
Buzau Geopark targets UNESCO membership and transforming region into top ecotourism spot in Romania
”A landscape that could only be dreamed up by the Brothers Grimm.” That’s how a British journalist with The Guardian described the Buzau region after a week bicycle touring through the Buzau Mountains. Of the few visitors to the area, most share the same impression and are surprised by the spectacular sights hidden just 130 [...]
Italian low cost carrier Air One launches Bucharest – Venice flights this summer
Air One, the low cost division of airline Alitalia will enter the Romanian market this year, with the first flights scheduled for July. Air One will fly two times a week to and from Bucharest, connecting the Romanian capital to Venice. The price of a return trip is of around EUR 150, with flights scheduled [...]
US film production company Warren Miller to shoot winter destination film in Romania
A production team from the US film production company Warren Miller Entertainment will spend two weeks in Romania to shoot a film promoting the Carpathian mountain and winter tourism in the country. Romania’s Tourism Ministry will spend around EUR 18,500 showing the team of producers around, to areas like Sinaia, Brasov, Azuga, Balea Lac, the [...]
Romanian tourism association opens first info point for Mud Volcanoes and Buzau region
The TravelBuzau association will open the first information point for tourists in the Berca village, Buzau county, Romania. The project was carried out in partnership with Berca city hall and the tourism development association Monteoru Renaissance. The info center will be located on the way to the Mud Volcanoes, visited by around 2,000 tourists per [...]
Plenty of fish in Romania’s ponds: fishing destinations for a relaxing day near Bucharest
Fishing is an ancient practice that dates back to, at least, the beginning of the Paleolithic period about 40,000 years ago. While back then it must have been more of a survival skill, nowadays, a fishing session can reduce some of the stress in our busy lives. If you’re passionate about fishing or you just [...]
An adventurous summer in Romania – suggestions for the adrenaline seekers
Those who don’t want to spend their summer on the Romania seaside, just sitting on the beach under the sun, or spending day after day on the Bucharest Old Town terraces, might be tempted to try some more adventurous sports. And we’re happy to let them know it’s possible to do extreme sports in Romania. [...]
Get to know the hidden Romania: 40 places you should not miss
Romania is a great country to discover- and we’re not just saying that because some of us here are Romanians. Some places in the country are already well-known, mainly because they are better promoted, but many other places remain unknown. We’ve dig up 40 such places for those who want to discover the not-so-well-known places [...]
Small towns in Romania go for marketing spin to unlock tourism potential
Local authorities and NGOs that want to promote three areas of Romania try to unlock their potential by giving a marketing spin to what they offer, in a quest for tourists. Local festivals and town branding are part of the recipe they use. Romania-Insider.com looks at how Bistrita, Blaj and Sfanta Ana lake use their [...]
Wine tourism: 15 wine cellars and vineyards you should visit in Romania
Wine tourism is not yet very well developed in Romania, but the fact that some of the country’s most beautiful wine cellars and vineyards are not yet known to large groups of tourists can make a trip there even more worthwile. We’ve chosen some of Romania’s wine cellars and wineries where you can go for [...]
Dealu Mare region of Romania gets new cycling route
The famous wine region Dealu Mare in Prahova and Buzau county could become one of Romania´s top destination for cycling tourism. Carpathian Tourism Cluster Romania has launched a pilot project, the new “Dealu Mare Cycling Route”, which passes through the most beautiful parts of the Dealu Mare region, giving cycling tourists an excellent overview of [...]
Athos of Romania: The mystical cave churches and the Buzau Mountains’ enigma
One of the most interesting ecumenical sites in Romania is just a stone´s throw away from Bucharest, though far away from any civilisation or tourism circuit. An isolated, spiritual and magical place, full of history, where time seems to stand still. The cave churches and settlements of Buzau are not less than the cradle of [...]
Buzau – where adrenalin sports meet adventure tourism
Widely unknown by the large public, the county of Buzau- just 120 km from Bucharest – has become a famous destination for professional athletes, adrenalin sportsmen and adventure tourists. The very low populated forests, hills and mountains of Buzau are perfect for lots of sport and adventure activities like off-road tours, mountain biking, rafting, canyoning, paragliding, diving or other niche sports like bouldering. With international sport events, new bike tracks, organized tours and a special sport vacation offer in 2011, Buzau wants to promote itself as sport tourism destination to a larger audience in Romania and abroad.
Top travel picks in Romania for 2011
We’ll be uncovering some not so well known but amazing travel destinations in Romania this year on Romania-Insider.com. Before that, here are our top picks for the year 2011 in terms of travel destinations in the country. Feel free to add comments and suggestions as the list is not by far complete.
Brasov: Medieval heritage and gateway to mountain resorts
Brasov was the capital of the Barsa Land, and is today an upcoming city – undoubtedly you will notice the recently built shopping malls and industrial estates as well as the sites still in development at the outskirts. The city looks back on 800 years of turbulent history at the point of intersection between Orient and Occident.
Out and about in Romania: Count Kálnoky’s guesthouse in Miclosoara; Valea Verde resort in Cund
I suppose ‘Count Kálnoky’s Guesthouse’ in Miclosoara is no secret anymore, as this place has been in the media regularly and not only because of the occasional visits of the Prince of Wales. Miclosoara is about one hour north of Brasov in Szeklerland, Covasna County. So instead of Romanian, one is better advised to speak Hungarian with the local people.
Out and about in Romania: the Inn on Balaban in Bran, Transylvania
Romania is regrettably, for one reason or the other – leaving Bucharest aside – not yet blessed with too many great hotels and accommodation venues. Finding a decent and satisfactory place for the night too often remains a lottery with only a few hits and far too many miss options. You will find plenty of Casas, Penisuneas or Hotels spread all over the country; but, unfortunately too often built only for the quick buck or without any knowledge or understanding of what the traveler needs and expects. Worse even if both are the case!
Travel planner: Alba Iulia, the unification city
As Romania has recently celebrated its National Day (December 1st, that is), we’ve chosen Alba Iulia as the destination city of this week, for its historical meaning.
Travel planner: Sinaia, the pearl of the Carpathians
Sinaia is more than a mountain resort where travelers flock during winter time. It’s a place filled with history and stories, a week-end destination all year round. Discover some of these stories below. You can read more in the recent Bucharest, Romania and Beyond Guide published by City Compass – how to get the guide, here.
Untraveled paths in Buzau Mountains: snow walking, off-road tours and truffle hunting
Despite being one of the closest travel destinations to Bucharest, Buzau county is widely unknown by tourists as it has not been included in publicised tourist programs- up until now. Romania Business Insider will publish a series of articles about travel destinations in Buzau county. The articles are provided by Monteoru Renaissance, a local tourism development association which has recently launched an initiative to promote the region.
Romanian cities: Sighisoara, the medieval citadel where Dracula was born
This week’s travel destination in Romania is Sighişoara, one of the most beautiful and well preserved inhabited citadels in Europe. The city is located in the historic region of Transylvania, on the Târnava Mare River in Mureş county.
Spending the winter holidays in Romania: where to? Choose your destination
With the winter holidays knocking on our doors, Romanian-Insider.com reviews some of the best places in Romania to spend the winter holidays. Plus, it adds a useful list of ski slopes in Romania, but before choosing a destination, check the weather forecast, as most of the slopes rely on natural snow. You can choose winter sports, spend some time in the nature, traditional holidays, uncovering less known areas of Romania or taking outdoors baths at low temperatures. Either way, let us know what your favourite places in the country are.
Nordul Gorjului natural site to be protected through EUR 4.9 mln program
An area of 90,000 hectares in the protected natural site Nordul Gorjului, in Western Romania, will be protected through a project worth EUR 4.9 million, part of the European program Natura 2000. The area includes 45 natural reservations, among which best known are Cheile Sohodorului (in picture) and Cheile Tismanei.
Romanian cities: Targoviste, the former royal court
This week’s Romanian city is Targoviste, the former Wallachian capital and Royal Court located 80 km from the current Romanian capital Bucharest. It is a city where history springs from every corner, and its closeness to Bucharest makes it a great week-end escape destination.
World champion Lucian Bute to officially promote Romanian tourism brand
Romanian world champion pugilist Lucian Bute will promote Romania’s tourism brand, according to the Romanian Tourism Minister. The minister plans to organize one of Lucian Bute’s matches next year in Bucharest, to attract more international attention for Romania.
Romania strikes gold, silver and bronze at European Gymnastics Championship, wins title after four years 
‘Magic mentalist’ wins ‘Romania’s got talent’ competition after flat-lining during live show 
Three trams collide, derail in Bucharest accident, at least 86 injured 
‘The Avengers’ epic movie almost covers production costs with first week-end box office revenues 
Athletic Bilbao files official complaint over Bucharest airport delays after Europa League final 
Wajiha Haris, Scheherazade Foundation president: “No” is never an option 
Romania’s Education Minister accused of having plagiarized three international research papers 
German STEAG buys wind farm from Romanian Monsson, plans EUR 200 mln investments 
Romanian actor Serban Ionescu left bed bound after catching Lyme’s disease from tick bite 
S Immo to put EUR 66 mln into The Mark – Bucharest office building with intelligent facade
