Devastated by the lengthy and oppressive reign of Nicolae Ceauşescu (in power 1965-1989), modern Romania remains in the midst of economic and political transition. This condition of flux, combined with a reputation for poverty and crime, sometimes discourages foreign visitors. But travelers who dismiss Romania do themselves a disservice—it is a budget traveler’s paradise, rich in history, rustic beauty, and hospitality. Romania’s fascinating legacy draws visitors to Dracula’s dark castle and to the famous frescoes of the Bucovina monasteries. Meanwhile, Bucharest embodies modern Romania. Visitors to the capital can explore the imposing remnants of Ceauşescu’s rule. Another Romanian treasure is the Black Sea Coast, whose resorts entice throngs of vacationers each summer.
Facts And Figures Official Name: Romania. Major Cities: Bucharest, Timişoara, Iaşi, Constanta. Population: 22,247,000. Land Area: 230,340 sq. km. Time Zone ...more
For more info on opportunities across Europe, see Beyond Tourism. Volunteerabroad.com, http://www.volunteerabroad.com/Romania.cfm. Listed projects are diverse, ranging from work with orphanages to ...more
Once a storied stop on the Orient Express, Bucharest (booh-kooh-RESHT; pop. 2,100,000) is now infamous for its heavy-handed transformation under dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu. During his 25-year reign ...more
☎ 0244 Sinaia Sinaia (sih-NYE-uh; pop. 15,000) first made its mark in the late 1880s as an alpine getaway for Romania’s royal family, and it draws visitors back today with absolutely fantastic hiking ...more
The name evokes images of an evil land of black magic and vampires, but Transylvania (also known as Ardeal)—with a history of Saxon settlement dating back to the 12th century—is a relatively Westernized ...more
Northeastern Romania, known as Moldavia, extends from the Carpathian Mountains to the Prut River. Starker than Transylvania but more developed than Maramureş, Moldavia is home to the painted monasteries ...more
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For 50 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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