When you think about Romania, chances are a couple of things will immediately spring to mind – the world’s most famous vampire and a brutal Communist dictatorship. In reality, this unsung hero of Europe has a lot more to offer, which is why it’s one of our favourite destinations. And thanks to a flight time of just three hours, it’s practically on our doorstep. Want to be surprised? A school expedition to Romania will do the job.
In 1989, when the people of Romania rose up in revolution, it took just one week for the 24-year dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu to be overthrown. Over the course of his reign, he had tyrannised the Romanian people and his downfall left a legacy of industrial and agricultural disarray. Political and economic stabilisation, as well as social rehabilitation, were slow. It’s only now that tourism to Romania is growing and visitors are beginning to appreciate what this little-known and under-appreciated nation has to offer.
Southeast of centre
Although Romania keeps a low profile and isn’t often in the news, it occupies a substantial proportion of south-central Europe. Most of its immediate neighbours (Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary and Moldova) are smaller than it. Only Ukraine, with which Romania shares its northern border, is bigger. Within its nearly 240,000km² of territory, there are deep swathes of dense forest, towering mountains and rolling plains given over to agriculture. Thanks to 245 miles of Black Sea coastline, you can go to the beach when visiting Romania, too. All in all, it has a long list of persuasive selling points.
Bucharest – the capital – is Romania’s biggest city by far, and the only one with more than a million inhabitants. It’s a complicated jumble of fanciful and functional architecture. There are elaborate Belle Époque buildings dating back to the late 1800s, when Bucharest was known as ‘the little Paris of the east,’ which rub shoulders with monumental Stalinist edifices, including the enormous People’s Palace (or Palace of the Parliament) which is reputed to be the world’s heaviest building. While this isn’t a quaint city, it’s one with plenty of energy and an up-and-coming feel.
Into the deep dark forest
Estimates suggest that around two-thirds of Europe’s primary forests are found in Romania. These are ancient woods – also known as primeval or old-growth forests – that have been growing undisturbed for centuries. They give us an idea of what medieval Europe would have looked like before deforestation took its toll. Romania’s forests are valuable ecological sites that are vital for climate protection and provide essential habitats for wildlife. It’s here you can find brown bears, wolves and lynx. Unfortunately, these vast stands of age-old beech, fir and spruce trees aren’t safe. They’re under threat from logging, both legal and illegal, so the race is on to protect them before it’s too late.
Mountain after mountain
If you look at a satellite image of Romania, you can’t fail to notice the great curl of mountains that sweeps in from the north and arcs through the country’s core. These are the Carpathians, which occupy nearly a third of Romania. Like many things in this superstitious nation, they have a sinister reputation and can appear foreboding. But setting aside what you may have heard about vampires, they’re the ideal playground for hikers, trekkers and climbers. Those with nerves of steel can traverse razor-edge ridges while taking in vistas across a true wilderness.
Meet the locals
Thanks to its geographic position at the crossroads of Europe, Romania’s history has been turbulent. Many migrations and border readjustments mean today’s Romanian people can trace their roots to numerous ethnic pools. This is a population with a strong sense of pride in its cultural heritage. Perhaps surprisingly, Romania got its name from its connection with the Roman empire, not from the Roma people. The Roma – widely persecuted for centuries – have distinct traditions and lifestyles, which they seek to preserve and perpetuate in modern Romania.
Tuck in
Like most Eastern European cuisines, Romanian food is hearty and much of it is peasant inspired. Ciorbă – a rib-sticking soup often featuring smoked pork or meatballs – is one of the country’s most popular dishes. Street vendors can often be found selling grilled mici, which are not-quite-sausages and not-quite-kebabs. They’re made from garlicky ground meat seasoned with spices and are best eaten dipped in mustard. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, don’t miss kürtőskalács. This Transylvanian speciality has Hungarian origins and is a unique kind of cake baked on a spit over cinders. It’s quite hard to imagine how this might work, so it has to be seen to be appreciated.
Get active
As Romania packs in forests, mountains and Europe’s second-largest river delta, there are plenty of activities to get stuck into. Hiking, biking and climbing from gorge to ridge in Transylvania will certainly get your muscles burning. Canoeing along rivers, through marshes and across lakes reveals the biodiversity found where the Danube meets the sea. Geology students can get up close to a volcano and towering limestone rock formations and there’s plenty of wildlife for biologists to discover. Visits to remote mountain villages and cookery classes with local people let students experience Romania’s unique culture and hear about its history first-hand.
Don’t just take our word for it
Of the 24 heritage sites newly inscribed by UNESCO in 2024, two are in Romania. The Brâncuși Monumental Ensemble in Târgu Jiu commemorates those who died while defending the city during the First World War. It comprises two parks linked by an Avenue of Heroes and is recognised for its unique combination of abstract sculpture with landscape architecture in an urban setting.
The second site – the Dacian frontier of the Roman empire – is made up of 277 elements, including fortresses, ramparts and watch towers. It’s the longest Roman land border in Europe and, from 106 to 271 CE, kept out the invading hordes that eventuality brought about the fall of Rome.
Ready to explore further?
If you’re intrigued by Romania, give us a shout. We can talk you through our itineraries
or put together a bespoke package that meets your educational goals while cramming in activities and experiences.