The Apuseni mountains in Romania are among 17 of Europe's best destinations to visit today, according to CNN Travel.

The publication has listed travel destinations in Europe that would be perfect for a “modern-day Grand Tour.” As CNN Travel explains, the Grand Tour was a right of passage for men and women of certain wealth and status in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, taking in the best Europe had to offer.

The Picos de Europa mountain range in Spain tops the list, followed by Norway's Lofoten Islands and Romania’s Apuseni mountains.

“Part of the western Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, the Apuseni make for the ideal summer break, with cooler temperatures and uncrowded paths through ancient woodland and limestone crags. Brown bears and wolves prowl these hills, although it takes patience and a keen eye to spot them. Climbers can try a number of different protected via ferrata routes which rise from the riverbank south of the village of Vadu Crisului,” reads the Apuseni mountains' description in the CNN article.

The list also includes places in Turkey, France, Portugal, Ireland, Bulgaria, Italy, Greece, and Austria. The article is available here.

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Irina Marica, irina.marica@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Facebook / Parcul Natural Apuseni)