National Day: Spend a long week-end with Romania's history

Romania’s National Day, also known as Union Day, is celebrated every year on December 1. Why not spend the 4-day holiday exploring Romania? We’ve picked out some great lesser known spots to learn a little about Romania’s rich history and enjoy local traditions. Cities like Alba Iulia, where the Unification of the Romanian Principalities was proclaimed in 1918, Hunedoara, Bacau or Suceava are waiting to be discovered.

By Irina Popescu Timisoara, Romania’s ‘Little Vienna,’ is a striking city in western Romania, in the heart of the Banat region. The 1989 revolution that resulted in Ceausescu’s fall and the end of Communism in Romania began in Timisoara. Plenty photo opportunities in central Piata Operei; an imposing Cathedral on one side- the National Opera and Theater on the other. A 4-day stay at the Lido Hotel costs EUR 130 in a double room. Prices for accommodation generally range between EUR 100 and EUR 300 for a double room. The 540 km that separates Bucharest from Timisoara can be split with a convenient stop-over in Alba Iulia or Hunedoara. Alba Iulia is about 350km from the capital and is arguably the perfect place to celebrate the National Day as it was from Alba Iulia’s cathedral Romanian unification was declared on December 1, 1918. The cathedral is now known as the Unification Cathedral and it is close to the Unification Museum. The town has come to symbolize national unity and hosts ceremonies and celebrations to commemorate the historic day. Government officials usually attend the events, which this year include concerts, exhibitions, book launches and conferences between November 28 and December 3. Appearing in concert are Zdob si Zdub and Holograf. The price for a double room at Elisabeta Villa in Alba Iulia costs EUR 50 per night. Hunedoara, located at about 400 km from Bucharest, hosts one of the most impressive castles in Romania- Corvin’s Castle, also known as the Hunyadi Castle. Built high on a rock, the castle’s size and architectural beauty puts it among the most precious Romanian monuments. Built and rebuilt, added to and extended over the centuries the castle allows modern visitors to see a mixture of Medieval, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. Prices for a double room in the town are between EUR 15 and EUR 55 per night. Cluj-Napoca, more commonly known simply as Cluj, is one of the most important academic, cultural, industrial and business centers in Romania. Just 6 hours from Bucharest by car, the city is located in the central part of Transylvania and has a number of landmark buildings and monuments. The impressive Saint Michael's Church was built at the end of 14th century in the Gothic style of the period. Prices for a 4-day stay in Cluj are between EUR 45 and EUR 240 per double room.