Bucharest, capital city of Romania, does not instantly spring to mind as a popular destination for tourists. It certainly isn’t the prettiest city on earth but it is the gateway to something very special and unique.
Look beyond Nicolae Ceausescu’s industrialised city to the surrounding unspoilt countryside offering unique travel opportunities to those who want to explore local cultures and traditional village life. The Quebec Declaration on Ecotourism provides guidelines and the Romanian tourist industry is developing these guidelines to provide visitors with a unique experience. From bear and wolf tracking to living with a Romanian family on a working farm, Romania is looking to rural tourism as the driver for its economic growth. Romania’s diverse terrain provides the perfect destination for any traveller seeking agro- and ecotouristic opportunities.
Where to Stay
Throughout Romania groups of farmers and local merchants are developing networks of farmhouses, pensions and guest houses providing comfortable, but basic, affordable accommodation and the opportunity to experience village life.
While most accommodation has running water visitors must expect to live as their Romanian hosts do. Bedding will be soft, comfy goose-down quilts and ceramic and wood fireplaces take the place of central heating. Milk will be fresh from the cow and food will be natural, mostly home grown, and untreated by chemicals.
Romania’s Wildlife
Many visitors ask about the bears, wolves and lynx that inhabit the forests but it is extremely unlikely that you will see these animals. In Africa, where wildlife safaris are offered, food is put out to encourage wild animals to feeding points. This is not the case in Romania where these animals are carefully protected. Romania’s strict non-contact policy has paid off and Romania has 5000 European brown bears, more than 2500 wolves and approximately 1500 lynx. Experienced wildlife guides will take you tracking through the forests where you’ll see tracks made by large carnivores and other animals. In the Zarnesti Mountains there are several bear hides but this does not guarantee that you will see bears.
Fishing and Bird Watching on the Danube Delta
For a more restful holiday you might enjoy fishing and bird watching. The Danube Delta provides rare opportunities to experience Romania at its most serene. With 2622 square miles of preserved wetlands the Delta is home to over 300 permanent and migratory birds, 160 fish species and 800 plant families. It is the only river delta to be protected as a biosphere reserve. Local fishermen act as guides providing a truly memorable visit.
Horse Riding through the Forests
Enjoy quiet rides through picturesque villages, farmland and forests, rising to high pastures with magnificent views across unspoiled mountain ranges. Many horse riding centres offer holidays for both beginners and confident riders. The terrified can always walk, cycle or be transported on horse-drawn cart and there is no shame in being terrified! By the way, you’ll notice that Romanian horses wear a traditional red tassel. These were originally worn to ward off the “Evil Eye” but are now worn just for decoration.
What else does Romania have to offer? There are excellent opportunities for climbing, caving and gorge walking and in winter cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are increasingly popular activities.
Hikers will discover peaceful trails through villages and forests, or more strenuous hikes through hills and mountain ranges where the wonderful scenery changes by the minute from rolling hills to alpine meadows filled with wild flowers.
