welcome to mojo travels and today we're
counting down our picks for the top 10
reasons to make
romania your next trip are you a fan of
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for this list we'll be looking at the
top selling points for visiting this
country at the crossroads of europe
and why it should be at the top of your
travel list
number 10 the cost often overlooked in
favor of the more popular destinations
to the west
romania has only recently begun to gain
more widespread attention
from 2006 to 2019 the number of foreign
visitors
more than doubled jumping from over 6
million to over 13 million and that
makes sense because as we'll be
discussing today
romania is a country with a lot to offer
not only that but you can experience the
country for a fraction of what you'd
spend in the likes of italy
sweden spain or the united kingdom even
in the capital city which is considered
the most expensive part of the country
one can get comfortable accommodations
for as little as 35 us dollars per night
meals average about 10 dollars at a
sit-down establishment
and transportation is similarly cheap in
short
your money goes far number nine a blend
of cultures
what comes to mind when you think of
romania if your list begins and ends
with vampire legends of transylvania
that's okay you're not alone but the
reality is
this nation boasts a long and storied
past and the fact that this
isn't more widely known arguably only
makes it all the more interesting to
explore
romania's golden age saw it flourish as
a nation of artists and bold thinkers
under communism however the government
rigidly controlled most aspects of life
modern day romania is a collage of this
diverse history
as you travel across the country in
addition to romanian
you'll hear german hungarian and turkish
and because of its varied religious
roots romanian houses of worship are
among its most
notable attractions and they include
mosques synagogues and various types of
historic churches
number eight hiking the buchej mountains
there are countries you visit to explore
the famous city life and culture
others beckon with their stunning
natural landscapes
romania however is a remarkable
balancing act of both
in order to do the destination justice
you really need to do a bit of
everything now we'll be talking about
wild romania at length a little later
but we'd be remiss not to single out
hiking in the buchet
mountains for outdoor enthusiasts and
adventure lovers
this is an absolute must do located in
southeastern transylvania
the buchej mountains boast rugged
terrain and breathtaking views
most of the trails however are fairly
accessible day hikes
with cable cars facilitating the process
they're also notably
family friendly as you navigate the
verdant rocky terrain you're sure to
encounter some wildlife
as well as farm animals number 7
the danube delta the second largest of
its kind in europe
the danube river delta is another great
place to appreciate the natural beauty
of romania
stretching into ukraine the delta
encompasses a number of distinct
ecosystems
when you consider that the danube river
originates over 1700 miles away in the
black forest of germany
you can't help but marvel at the raw
power of these waterways
and their importance to human
development the river provides
hydropower and has long been a source of
drinking
water to settlements along its shores
kayaking
bird watching and fishing are three of
the most popular activities in the delta
but the villages also have much to offer
especially
in terms of seafood the delta even
boasts a few quiet beaches
number six folk traditions the romania
cities are modern
and vibrant venturing out into the
countryside can often feel like a
journey back
in time there are many pockets of rural
romania that maintain a fairly simple
way of life
one that's very much tied to the land
and age old traditions
thankfully romania is also equally known
for its hospitable and
welcoming locals curious travelers will
often find themselves invited
to join the festivities and observe
local customs
pottery bread making local handcrafts
including weaving continue to be
practiced the old-fashioned way in many
towns
and it's not just for tourists both in
the city and in smaller towns
the annual calendar boasts a number of
festivities and events that honor the
country's past
and rich traditions number five
a taste of history and culture like we
were saying romanians are very proud of
their
traditions as such many of the dishes
that you'll sample while exploring the
country
are the result of countless generations
of refinement
when you sit down to dine in this
european nation you're not just getting
a meal
you're partaking in their culture and
history their culinary style tends
towards comfort food and
hearty dishes that share characteristics
with the cuisines of serbia hungaria
turkey and germany
traditionally meal time is an
opportunity to bring people together in
romania
in many preparations still lend
themselves to a communal serving style
some of romania's most iconic dishes
include chorba
a type of soup sarmale cabbage rolls
and papanash a cake-like dessert why not
try romania's iconic dishes in one of
bucharest's historic restaurants
like caro kubere or butoyl
number 4. transylvanian villages are you
a sucker for an english hamlet or
germany's bavarian villages
then you absolutely need to visit
romania you know all those quaint little
villages that dracula is portrayed as
having preyed upon
well imagine them on a sunny afternoon
and flourishing free from supernatural
threats
romania as a whole but the region of
transylvania in particular
is dotted with picture-perfect historic
villages
transylvania is located in central
romania and
is bordered by the carpathian mountains
these towering peaks imbue the entire
area with an
epic quality that perfectly complements
the old world charms of the fairy tale
villages
the most popular of the bunch is viscri
built around a 12th century church
sacks and houses are the defining
construction style of transylvania's
historic villages but this
village boasts the best preserved
examples
other must-visit villages include cop
chamare chisnadiwara
and krit number 3 castles
if you recall your vampire lessons count
dracula liked to rest his head in a
castle
well technically in a coffin but that
coffin was always in a castle
if there are any vampires out there
looking to relocate to a place where
they'll feel like home
they'll find themselves spoiled for
choice this country is a land of castles
the most famous of the bunch is of
course brahn castle
though this was never explicitly
identified as bram stoker's inspiration
for dracula's castle
popular culture has linked the two
vampire connections or not
this national monument makes for a
fascinating visit
and it's just one of the many historic
castles in romania
the country actually has nine major
castles and well over a hundred castles
of lesser historical significance
if epic architecture is your thing make
sure to add
lazar castle pelesh castle and corvini
lordcastle to your itinerary
number two the beauty of bucharest
romanian's capital city is quite frankly
stunning especially the old city center
bucharest has a wealth of historic
structures to appreciate
many of which have been lovingly
restored that being said
as you explore the city you'll also
encounter once lavish structures that
have fallen into disrepair
and this adds to bucharest's mystique
the blend of bellepoc architecture and
communist era construction is jarring at
times but for all the apparent
contradictions
the end result is undeniably enchanting
the palace of the parliament
is an absurdly over-the-top display of a
dictator's vanity
the roman athenian and the national
museum of art are both
stunning while the city is perhaps best
known for its architectural beauty and
historic value
bucharest is also a modern city with a
lot to offer in terms of contemporary
culture and nightlife
independent cafes museums beer gardens
and trendy restaurants abound
number one untarnished natural beauty
we've already talked about the danube
delta and the buchej mountains but
that's just a small fraction of what
romania has to offer in terms of natural
beauty
the carpathian mountains offer endless
opportunities for outdoor adventures and
great landscape photography
add to that the beaches of the black sea
coast and you've easily got enough to
fill your first trip
but romania is also home to a number of
more specific natural wonders
these include eastern romania's berga
mud volcanoes
which feel utterly alien if you're
looking for something a bit more
traditionally photogenic
be sure to visit bigard waterfall
another great way to appreciate the
beauty of romania is by car
road tripping allows you to appreciate
the landscape as it changes before your
very
eyes if renting a car is an option
transfogarashan road is a must
experience
the 60 mile stretch of mountain road is
considered one of the most
unique scenic drives anywhere on earth
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