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• Eat traditional food in a countryside home

Don’t leave Romania without trying some of the food specialties. To add to their flavor, they should be cooked by a housewife and served either as a regular lunch or dinner or for festive events – Christmas, Easter. That can happen either in the countryside or in a city. The best version, however, is to try and taste the food they make in the countryside. The local dishes will vary depending on the area of Romania that you visit. But wherever you go you will most likely try exquisite bors or ciorba – sour soup – or the sarmale – minced meat in cabbage rolls, for example.

• Buy produce from the local markets

This is a must for anybody who spends some time in Bucharest or in other large – or small Romanian cities. There are plenty so-called peasant markets in Bucharest, and they are open daily. Fruit and vegetable producers from around Bucharest and sometimes from areas farther away bring their produce to these markets, which are open daily. While supermarket fruits and vegetables are also abounding, a lot of Romanians prefer to go to the market to buy the local, tasty flavors. In the countryside, such markets are organized typically once a week, and most people will grow their own vegetables. Bucharest’s authentic spots: the traditional food markets

• Travel by the Mocanita steam train

The slowest train there is, and the most relaxing, and pace – changing experience. We wrote about the Mocanita here. It’s a must-try in Romania. The only downside is that it is quite far from capital Bucharest, but both the Mocanita and the area are worth the detour.

• Sleep in a haystack or in the grass, under the clear sky

Many Romanians who grew up in the countryside have done so during hot, summer nights. It is truly a unique experience – sleeping in a haystack (make sure to have some blankets though), watching the stars. Alternatively, take the sleeping bag and sleep in the yard, in the grass, or at least spend some time at night in one of those quiet, far away Romanian villages. It is extremely refreshing. 10.Observe holiday traditions Rural Romania has kept many holiday traditions, which differ from region to region, sometimes even from village to neighboring village. Winter holiday traditions are especially worth following – the Bear Dance, the Masked Caroler, the Goat. More about these traditions, here. editor@romania-insider.com