Felicity Long
Unlike some of its neighbors in the former Soviet bloc — particularly the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary — Romania has struggled to find its footing as a main player on the international tourism stage.
Most North Americans probably don't know much more about the destination other than Transylvania and Dracula.
But a closer look reveals a country with a lot to recommend it, including Unesco World Heritage Sites, the Carpathian Mountains, the Danube Delta and resorts along the Black Sea.
There also is a robust wine culture, as well as a distinctive and appealing cuisine.
Romanian Traditional Gastronomy Route
This year, to help would-be visitors explore the country's culture and gastronomy, the tourism sector is debuting Attractive Romania, billed as the first cultural tourism program in the country designed for international tourists.
The program offers multiple suggested routes, including a Romanian Traditional Gastronomy Route containing 30 sights from all over the country that features castles, ancient monasteries and quaint villages, each with its own regional cuisine.
Travelers can download an app and use it to create a customized touristic route with information on what to see and what regional specialties to try.
The program is funded by Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan, a five-year investment program designed to offset economic hits the country sustained during the pandemic and other factors.
Romanians are especially proud of storceag, a fish borscht from the Danube Delta, for example, as well as oil-poached vegetables in Aninoasa, a region also known for its cheeses and honey.
In the rural Buzau region, an area whose history dates to the Bronze Age, visitors can tuck into a variety of local dishes, including babic, a traditional spicy salami soup; sarmale made with goat meat; and varzob, a traditional smoked trout, just to name a few.
Attractive Romania activities can also include milling workshops, herbal brewing sessions and picnic hikes to cave settlements.
A concierge experience
Travelers who prefer a curated concierge experience in Romania can opt for a bespoke itinerary via Essentialist, a members-only travel service.
The company created a five-day itinerary that can be further customized and which starts in Bucharest and includes hiking in the Malaistei glacial valley in the Bucegi Mountains.
The tour ends in Transylvania with a tour of Dracula's Castle followed by a stay at the Matca Hotel, a Relais & Chateau property with 16 rooms and 10 villas that opened last fall.
Luxury in the mountains
Looking ahead, Kempinski Hotels is gearing up to open the Kempinski Poiana Brasov, a five-star ski property, next year in the Carpathian Mountains.
The property will feature 120 lakeside rooms and suites in the main hotel, spa and wellness facilities, three dining outlets and conference and event spaces for corporate gatherings and summer weddings.
Getting there
As with all countries that border Ukraine, travelers should consult the State Department about travel safety alerts.
Romania is part of NATO and the EU but does not use the Euro. Its main air carrier is Tarom, which connects European capitals with Bucharest and other cities in Romania.