1 Hiking in the Carpathians omania - Simply Surprising and Surprisingly Diverse Romania is a dynamic showcase for the enduring splendors of its fascinating past, timeless natural wonders and modern-day marvels. There is always another mystery to uncover — a legendary fog enshrouded castle, a village lost in time, unexplored mountains and ice caves. A world outside of time awaits discovery. RNow is the time to explore Romania’s many mysteries — all Meet the People: Romanians have a well-deserved reputation surprisingly accessible to international travelers through Sky for being exceptionally friendly and hospitable. They are by Team: Delta, KLM, Air France and Alitalia (www.SkyTeam.com). nature fun-loving, warm and playful, with an innate sense of Getting around the country can easily be done by car or train; a humor. Many romanians living in towns and cities are able to three hour journey will take you, from Bucharest to the medieval communicate in English, French or German. In smaller villages towns in Transylvania, from Sighișoara to the world’s famous it’s usually the younger people who speak one or more foreign Painted Monasteries in Bucovina. languages. History and Heritage: Romania’s history has not been as When to Go: Romania is a year-round tourist destination, with idyllically peaceful as its geography. Over the centuries, various mid-April to late June and late August to the end of October being migrating people invaded Romania. Romania’s historical the best sightseeing periods, due to generally mild and pleasant provinces Walachia and Moldova offered furious resistance to the temperatures. Summers can be hot, especially in Southern invading Ottoman Turks. Protected from direct Ottoman attacks Romania, including Bucharest. Mountain resorts and higher by the Carpathian Mountains, Transylvania was successively elevation areas are warm and pleasant during summer. Winters under Hapsburg, Ottoman or Walachian rule, while remaining can be cold, especially in the mountains and snow is common an autonomous province. throughout the country from December to mid-February. Romania’s Best Known Attractions include: Contents: * Transylvania’s medieval towns, including Sighișoara, Brașov, Sibiu and Biertan. Bucharest (București). .4 * Fairy-tale castles, such as Peleș Castle in Sinaia, Bran Castle near Brașov and Transylvania. 8 Corvinești Castle near Deva. Bucovina . .12 * The Painted Monasteries, whose exteriors feature Byzantine-influenced frescoes . Road Map of Romania. .14 * Bucharest, capital city and home of opulent palaces, magnificent architecture Maramureș. 16 and fascinating museums. * Danube Delta, a wilderness paradise for birds and wildlife. Danube Delta & The Black Sea. 18 * The Black Sea: Beach resorts and Medical Spas to rejuvenate and unwind. Medical Spas . 19 * Century-old villages, such as the ones in Maramureș and Transylvania, where Banat and Crișana . 20 festivals, weekly fairs and produce markets keep ancient traditions alive. Gastronomy & Wine. 21 * The scenic Carpathian Mountains, great for hiking and wildlife watching. Sample Itineraries. .22 * 31 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Practical Information. 26 3 Bucharest - The Romanian Athenaeum ucharest - Romania’s Capital of Culture Known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, marvelous Belle Époque buildings and reputation for the high life Bucharest (București) was once called the “Little Paris”. However, there’s nothing little about the scope of Bucharest’s attractions, ranging from museums, art galleries, parks, and myriad architectural delights. BTrue, the French influence is there in the 19th century architecture, facades in the city; the National History Museum, and the and there is even an Arch of Triumph on the elegant Șoseaua architectural gems in the Royal Palace Square: the former Kiseleff - a tree-lined boulevard reminiscent of Paris’ Champs- Royal Palace, now home to the National Art Museum, the Elysees - but Bucharest has a charm, culture and history that is historic Athenee Palace Hotel, and the stunning Romanian uniquely its own. The city can also provide all the comforts and Athenaeum. Renowned worldwide for its outstanding acoustics, conveniences that visitors seek, including familiar hotel names, the Athenaeum is Bucharest’s most prestigious concert hall and such as J W Marriott, Hilton, Radisson, InterContinental, home of Romania’s National Philharmonic. Every other year the Golden Tulip, Sofitel-Pullman or Crowne Plaza. The main Romanian Athenaeum is the main venue for one of Europe’s international gateway to Romania, Bucharest is served by two greatest classical music festivals, named after Romania’s most international airports, and it is well connected by roads and prestigious musician: George Enescu. railways to Romania’s numerous tourist attractions. Perhaps the city’s unique charm can be best observed in the old City Landmarks: Stroll along Calea Victoriei, Bucharest’s city center, around the area known as Lipscani. At the beginning oldest and arguably, most charming street, to discover some of of 1400s, merchants and craftsmen - Romanian, Austrian, Greek, the most stunning buildings in the city, including the French Serbian, Armenian and Jewish - established their stores and eclectic-style Cantacuzino Palace – today home of the Museum shops in this section of the city. Soon, the area became known of the Romanian Music; the Military Club, the Palace of the as Lipscani, named for the many traders from ‘Lipsca’ (Leiptzig). Savings Bank – boasting one of the most impressive neoclassical The mix of nationalities and cultures represented in Lipscani area 4 Bucharest - Mogosoaia Palace Bucharest - University Library is reflected in the mixture of architectural styles, from baroque Main Museums: to neoclassical to art nouveau. A once-glamorous commercial - The National Museum of Art houses 70,000 works by Romanian area, the old historic center is being revamped to become an art artists, including Brancuși, Grigorescu, Aman and Andreescu, as galleries, antique shops and coffee houses district. At the center of well as Western masters such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Renoir and the historic area are the ruins of the Old Princely Court - built Cezanne. in the 15th century by prince Vlad Ţepes (Vlad the Impaler), and - The Village Museum is a fascinating open-air museum in the Princely Church. Herăstrău Park that displays more than 300 buildings that reflect Buzzing with crowds and traffic from early morning until late at the history and diversity of Romania’s rural architecture and night, The University Square is another city landmark, bringing design from all regions of the country. together some remarkable architectural masterpieces on each of - The Museum of the Romanian Peasant features an extraordinary its four corners, starting with the University of Bucharest, the collection of furniture, pottery, costumes, fabrics and apparel, neoclassical Colţea Hospital, the Bucharest National Theater, agricultural tools, household appliances, and religious objects. and the Șuţu Palace, famous for the grandiose balls held here - The History Museum of Romania, housed in what was once in the 1900s, now home to the Bucharest History & Art Bucharest’s main post office, presents a collection of artifacts and Museum. jewelry that date from prehistoric to modern times. Bucharest has 37 museums; 22 theaters, 2 opera houses, 3 concert Other large museums of note include the Museum of Art halls; 23 art galleries; and a wealth of libraries and bookstores. Collections, Natural History Museum and Museum of the City of Many of these are housed in buildings that are attractions in Bucharest. Smaller museums, catering to enthusiasts with a taste themselves, sporting architectural styles influenced by both for special interests include the National Geological Museum, eastern and western cultures. National Museum of Old Maps & Books, Technical Museum, Pride - and Joy According to Romanian legend, Bucharest was founded by a shepherd whose extraordinary flute playing and prowess as a vintner so impressed the local residents that they gave his name (Bucur translates as “joy”) - to the place: București (be joyful). Today, Romania is a parliamentary democracy where the “House of the People”, meant to be the seat of the communist regime in Bucharest, has been transformed into the Palace of Parliament (pictured). * It is the world’s second largest building after the U.S. Pentagon, a proud edifice of over 1,100 rooms that reflects the work of the country’s best architects and artisans. * It is built entirely from Romanian materials and products, including local marble, cherry and walnut paneling, crystal chandeliers; and hand-woven tapestries, carpets and draperies. * The crystal chandelier in the Human Rights Hall weighs over 6,000 lbs and has more than 7,000 light bulbs. Bucharest - the Palace of Parliament 5 Bucharest - the Savings Bank Bucharest - the Arch of Triumph Museum of Astronomy, Museum of the Romanian Music and Jewish Bucharest - Bucharest is home to one of the oldest and the Railway Engines and Cars Museum. most important Jewish communities in Romania. Sephardic Music, Drama and More: Lovers of performing arts can spend Jews arrived here in the 16th century and at the beginning of the an evening or more at the National Philharmonic, the Opera 17th century, during the Cossack uprising, the first Ashkenazi House, Operetta House, several drama theaters, or the Jewish Jews came from Ukraine and Poland. A sacred brotherhood, a Theater. charity box and a prayer house