When is the best time to visit Danube Delta

May 22, 2018May 22, 2018 Irina B. Leave a comment

The Danube Delta is a magical place in Europe. For those who have never been in on a river’s delta, expectations could be deceiving. However, everybody wonders when is the best time to visit Danube Delta. The Adventures of Kiara Yew have passed through this marvelous territory so that now we know which months of the year are best for wildlife watching, fishing, local celebrations and avoiding mosquitos.

The best time to visit Danube Delta and avoid mosquitos

Mosquitos are the only annoying and sometimes dangerous insects of all the creatures the Danube Delta is home to. Although biologists and zoologists are fearless in their endeavors, it is not the same for tourists or adventurous travelers. When choosing to travel to the most northern subtropical region, people usually assume summer is the best time to visit Danube Delta. Unfortunately, that is when mosquitos are the most ferocious. However, we recommend late April and the month of May, in case you wish to be able to stay outdoors in the evening and also not be cold. Avoiding mosquitos in Danube Delta during summer is a little tricky, but follow the locals and stay indoors, or use skin repellant and wear loose, long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Early autumn that is September and mid-October is also an excellent time to visit the Danube Delta and avoid mosquitos altogether.

The best time to visit Danube Delta and admire water lilies

June is the month of the year when water lilies start blooming on lakes in the Danube Delta. Because they need a lot of sunlight to fully blossom, water lilies are never found near a channel shore. Not only that they are a perfect hideaway for fish, but they are also a refuge for frogs and insects. The most famous exemplars of water lilies are the yellow ones. In contrast with the white ones, the yellow water lilies ooze a mesmerizing smell.

best time to visit Danube Delta water lilies — Danube Delta frog on water lilies | Photo by Alina Iancu via Flickr

Besides water lilies, numerous subtropical plants populate the Danube Delta. Learning about Romanian wildlife in a biosphere reservation is one of the many things that kids can do on Danube Delta holidays. Many Romanian families chose to visit the Danube Delta during summer vacations. Therefore, if you travel with your kids to these marvelous aquatic lands, they could meet Romanian children. They will have lots of fun together for sure.

best time to visit Danube Delta children — The children of Danube Delta | Photo by Alex Tomazatos

The best time to visit Danube Delta for fishing

In case you are not an amateur angler, but you still take great interest in this ancient practice, the best thing to do is ask local fishers to take you on an early morning expedition. Pikes and Scomber fish have intermittent prohibition periods starting with March until June this year. But you can find official general information about fishing and prohibition here. Either way, before accessing the Danube Delta one has to pay for a permit. Here‘s a private fishing program, we found interesting because they offer to arrange for the payment of your Danube Delta fishing permits. Its base camp is in Milla 23 village.

It should be easy to find accommodation in Danube Delta Romania, once you visit the official website of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reservation Administration. Rural tourism and floating hotel are listed, as well as boat routes and hiking trails. We wish you good luck in finding the best time to visit Danube Delta.

Transylvania with Kids in Summer

May 8, 2018May 10, 2018 Irina B. Leave a comment

Going on a summer trip to Romania with your kids can prove to be both challenging and exciting. Have you ever wondered how many children attractions are there on a summer vacation in Romania? Fortunately, we have compiled a list of 10 most exciting destinations in one of its historical regions, which will ease your vacation preparations. Transylvania with kids in summer surely is an unforgettable experience for the entire family. Therefore, we kindly asked some Romanian children to name a few of their favorite settings in Transylvania. Here come their recommendations.

Top 10 Destinations | Transylvania with Kids in Summer

You will always have Brașov city (Kronstadt in German) as a camping base for most of your Transylvanian explorations. Some of the attractions listed below require considering the sunny weather. So do not forget that kids need to spend time in the great outdoors, enjoying the sun and engaging in fun activities. From Brașov, you will be able to reach most of our picks for a magical time in Transylvania with kids in summer.

Aquatic Paradise in Brașov

Paradisul Acvatic or the Aquatic Paradise is the perfect summer vacation spot for relaxation and lots of joyful splashes. With indoor and outdoor children pools, slides and playgrounds the Aquatic Paradise is the ideal environment for a child’s summer vacation. Not to mention, this place is on the outskirts of Brașov, within a stone’s throw from any accommodation.

Transylvania with kids in summer aquatic paradise — Aquatic Paradise in Brașov

Adventure Park in Brașov

Another nearby highly recommended spot for kids is the Adventure Park. Situated in the southern part of Brașov, on the way to Săcele, Parc Aventura is a leisure settlement in the forest. Nonetheless, it is a safe place where kids can climb and slide on ropes with the assurance that they are supervised. Adults can join in in this Peter Panish adventure and try one of the wooden footbridge tracks.

Transylvania with kids in summer adventure park — Adventure Park in Brașov

Dinosaur Park in Râșnov

Probably one of the most beloved and uncanny Transylvanian attraction is the Dino-Parc in Râșnov. This park has a mesmerizing look for kids. It is decorated with 50 real-sized dinosaurs. Dino-Parc is an open museum full of thrills. Furthermore, a 9D cinema, a unique archeology exhibition, a laser maze and adventure route are some of the facilities Romanian children are happy to explore.

Transylvania with kids in summer Dino Parc — Dino Parc Râșnov

Dracula’s Castle in Bran

Very much familiar with Dracula’s castle, tourists from all over the world come to climb the mountains and visit the legendary Transylvanian site. The Adventures of Kiara Yew have passed through the famous Bran Castle and have been recounted here. Popular culture is filled with different representations of this imaginary character. Why not offer your kids a chance to learn about the true story of the castle?

Transylvania with kids in summer Bran Castle — Bran Castle by Karl Vesterberg 2015

The Peleș Castle in Sinaia

Transylvania with kids in summer does not always mean you will get sunny weather for all your vacation. Rainy days in the mountains are often expected even during summer, so a visit to a castle-museum is definitely on a little princess’ or prince’s list. The Peleș Castle is not like any others in Transylvania. It has an armor hall and a Turkish saloon. Kings and queens have slept in its rooms, and it was the first castle in Romania to have electricity and central heating in 1914. To arrive at Peleș, you must first take the train from Brașov to Sinaia. Then, you can quickly order a cab or an Uber to the bring you closer to the Castle.

Transylvania with kids in summer Peleș Castle — Peleș Castle Photo by Nate Robert via Flickr

Bear Watching and Romanian Wildlife

Bear watching in Romania won’t be anything similar to running into a circus animal, for the Carpathian Ursus Arctos is no caricature. Although we think it is fun and adventurous to watch bears in their habitat, children have to prepare for such a task and follow adults. Bears in Brașov and Harghita have been famous for their interaction with the human settlers in the area. For shepherds and bears, it has been a matter of coexistence for hundreds of years.

Transylvania with kids in summer Bear Sanctuary — Bear Sanctuary in Zărnești, Romania.

Transylvania with kids and horses

Among the fun things to do in Romania is exploring new landscapes on the back of a horse. A trip to Romania with kids can be an opportunity to learn about this magnificent animal. Kids found this superb place only 50km West of Brașov, where together with their parents can go on horse riding trips. Meanwhile, cart rides and hiking trips, bear watching and pony riding, are some of the other exciting attractions in Șinca Nouă, Transylvania.

Transylvania with kids in summer — Șinca Nouă Horse Riding Lessons

Village crafts in Viscri Transylvania

On the road to Sighișoara from Brașov, it is a loss not to stop by Viscri, a magical well-preserved Saxon village. Now, this is a village where children truly enjoy the local crafts workshops. Not surprisingly, it is Prince Charles’s favorite place in Romania. He has been visiting on numerous occasions. Moreover, Viscri’s fortified church and fortress are a part of the UNESCO World Heritage. So the more reasons to visit with your kids and try old and new crafts, photography and even Saxon cooking lessons.

Transylvania with kids in summer viscri village — Viscri village in Transylvania. View from the fortified church

Taking the Cable Car on Tâmpa in Brașov

For a family hike made easy, the cable car at the Tâmpa mountain feet is quite the entertainment. Indeed, to hike the 930m hill can also prove to be an invigorating vacation exercise for you and your children. However, Brașov’s famous Hollywoodian sign awaits your arrival either on foot or by cable car.

transylvania with kids in summer Brașov sign — Tâmpa mountain view from behind the Brașov sign. Photo via Keep up with the Carpathians

Visiting the Medieval Town of Sighișoara

Last but not least in our top 10 is the beautiful medieval fortress of Sighișoara, the place of exile for Vlad Dracul the father of Vlad the Impaler. Mid-Summer is chiefly welcomed in Sighișoara with a famous Medieval Festival. This year the festival is held from Friday, July 27th until Sunday, July 29th and it celebrates the walled old town’s history. Here are some other Medieval festivals in Transylvania for the enthusiasts who wish to travel in time.

Transylvania with kids in summer sighișoara — A painting of medieval Sighișoara

Finally, the Romanian children’s recommendations could not have come more suited for summer preparations. Altogether, we wish you sunny days for camping in case you want to be closer to the Romanian wildlife.

What Kids Can Do in Danube Delta

April 26, 2018May 10, 2018 Irina B. Leave a comment

On the subject of traveling with kids, if you wonder what kids can do in Danube Delta, then you will have the ease to discover there are plenty of fantastic activities for children of all ages. Here are just a few of them.

what kids can do in Danube Delta poster — Danube Delta recent vintage poster by Atelier Trebo

Visiting Attractions or What Kids Can Do in Danube Delta

One of the ancient cities of Romania, Tulcea is usually the starting point for Danube Delta holidays. Tulcea is an old city once conquered by the Romans and the Ottomans. Therefore, a visit with your kids at the history or the ethnography museums in Tulcea might be an opportunity for them to learn about the humans of the Danube Delta. Also, if your kids have never been to an Aquarium before, a trip to the Eco-touristic Museum Center would impress them for sure.

what kids can do in Danube Delta Tulcea quay — Tulcea quay on the banks of Sfantul Gheorghe branch

A couple of summer film festivals in the Danube Delta have already made history. Both of them are family friendly. One of them is based inland in Tulcea city, with open-air screenings on the shore of Lake Ciuperca. The other one is based in Sfântul Gheorghe village in a charming camping site with 4-star cabins. The former, called Pelicam, opens its eighth edition on June 21st a and closes it on June 24th this year. The later, called Anonimul (The Anonymous) stars projections from August 6th until August 12th, 2018. This international film festival provides an enchanting opportunity to bring your kids to a special beach. It is situated at the point where the Danube River starts spilling into the Black Sea in Sfântul Gheorghe. This fantastic beach is a must in Danube Delta.

what kids cand do in Danube Delta green village — Green Village photo by Calin h via Flickr Danube Delta

The Village Life with kids in Danube Delta

Located between the Sulina and Chilia Danube branches, Letea is a fairytale village, surrounded by subtropical forest. Its population is of Ukrainian origin, but the other two neighboring villages, C.A. Rosetti and Sfiștofca, have Romanians and Russian Lipovans as inhabitants. If you decide to embark on a trip to this location, you and your children will never forget the magical experience. However, there are a few precautions to take, such as a first aid kit, mosquito repellant, local Orange sim cards for unlocked phones. In case you need to communicate by phone, only one network in the area. In the village, you will not find Internet access, which is fortunate for those who wish to disconnect from the daily urban life. Luckily you will be able to easily find Romanian guides through the Danube Delta villages online or in Tulcea.

what kids can do in Danube Delta mila 23 house — Mila 23 typical Danube Delta house

What kids can do in Danube Delta is easy to find out, if you let them interact with domesticated animals, observe the village life and run around on sand-filled streets. Certainly, Romanian families often try Danube Delta with kids, and they have been writing great stories about their fabulous encounters.

As far as we know, fishing enthusiasts will be able to try their skills within the permitted areas. Acquiring a Danube Delta entrance pass is required for everyone. Fish foodies will enjoy watching all sorts of preparation methods popular to the local cuisine. Cooking fish borscht and organizing fish soup contests is one of the local fishermen’s favorite activities. While fish is a healthy food for kids, witnessing the process of transforming nature into nurture, could benefit them even more.

what kids can do in Danube Delta fish — Traditional Danube Delta cooked fish with polenta

Off-beat and Little Known Attractions for Kids in Danube Delta

One other attraction is a Danube Delta local holiday celebrated on May 6th in Sfântul Gheorghe village. The other one is The Little Ethnographer Prize Gala. The first is a celebration of Saint George in which the locals compete in horse and boat races and sailing games. And the later is a folk singing and dancing contest for children, held every year in May or June. Usually, this gala is held at The Ethnography and Popular Art Museum in Tulcea. Above all, it is an opportunity for children of different ethnic backgrounds from Dobrogea (Romanian for Dobruja) to show off their traditional folk dances. Your children could enjoy meeting Romanian children.

In the Danube Delta, Romanian wildlife is protected and conserved with care. What kids can do in Danube Delta is to approach only the domesticated animals, like horses and poneys and sheep, but to stay away from the dangerous ones.

Undoubtedly all these are fun things to do in Romania and especially in the Danube Delta. We hope you enjoy them shortly.

Danube Delta Wildlife Watching

April 24, 2018May 10, 2018 Irina B. Leave a comment

In the Danube Delta wildlife watching is the most popular thing to do. It requires little effort to come to this magnificent corner of the world. The first thing you need to do is arrive in Tulcea, Romania. One interesting fact is that the flora and fauna of Danube Delta are part of the northernmost subtropical habitat in Europe. Therefore, if you wish to admire nature’s beauty in an aquatic environment, this Romanian wildlife experience is a must.

Birdwatching in the Danube Delta

As a biosphere reservation, the Danube Delta is home to over 300 species of birds. Some of them become sedentary, and others just come to visit during summer.

Danube Delta wildlife watching pelican — The Great White Pelican in Danube Delta | Photo by Bence Máté 2016

The Great White Pelican with its yellow poached beak is probably the first bird to spot in the Danube Delta. A much more rare appearance is the one of its close relative, the Dalmatian Pelican. However, for passionate photographers, the Great White Pelican is no less of a captivating creature. On the left, you have an example of a photo taken by a nominee to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2016.

Do you wonder how you can take photos like that? We have great news for those of you who want to go on private birdwatching tours on your Danube Delta holidays. This tour offers a stable boat build especially for this activity, with a quiet engine and of course an expert tour guide.

Another fairly common bird in The Amazon of Europe‘s Delta is the Glossy Ibis. Although this is a nomadic bird that winters in Africa, you will be able to watch it spread its wings in Danube Delta Romania. Luckily, the Glossy Ibis changes plumage color during the breeding season. So if you want to see the most beautiful exemplaries, late spring is the right time to do it.

Danube Delta wildlife watching glossy ibis — Glossy Ibis in the Danube Delta | Photo by Zoltán Gergely Nagy

Danube Delta Wildlife | The Animal Kingdom

Besides being a haven for exotic flyers, the Danube Delta is among the few places in Europe where one can marvel at wild horses. Letea and Caraorman forests provide the best environment for them and are easy to access with the help of local guides. Letea is also a welcoming village with fantastic scenery, almost taken out of fairytales.

Danube Delta wildlife watching horses — Horses in Letea forest Danube Delta

It goes without saying that if you ever decide to embark on a Danube Delta adventure, you must go and take a peek at wildlife in Letea forest. Wild horses are not the only animals around. Among the Danubian creatures, you could spot the wild boars, the jaw-droppingly beautiful row deer, jackals, white-tailed eagles, wild cats, and the meadow viper. They all populate both Letea and Caraorman forests.

Danube Delta wildlife watching wild boar — Wild boar in Danube Delta

Danube Delta wildlife watching row deer — Roe Deer in Danube Delta

Nonetheless, biological diversity is what makes Danube Delta wildlife watching a perfect ecotouristic activity. However, one must prepare with mosquito repellant and sometimes for mobile phone networks shortages in coverage. Life vests will always be provided on boats. Everything is worth a trip to the most exotic place in Eastern Europe. There are a lot of fun things to do in the wild for kids as well. Tulcea and the Danube Delta have been on Kiara Yew’s traveling bucket list for a while, and it is now available among other tips for traveling in Romania.

Romanian Wolf Legends

April 15, 2018May 10, 2018 Irina B. Leave a comment

The Wolf in Romanian Mythology

With 15% of the total, Romania has one of the largest populations of wolves in Europe, Russia not included. So there must be a lot of Romanian wolf legends out there, right? For those willing to indulge in some serious wolf watching, this country is a true paradise. The wolf has been a part of Romanian history too. The Dacians who fought the Romans at the beginning of the 2nd century and lived on the ancient territory of what is now Oltenia and Wallachia were holding a wooden wolf head as a battleship flag. A lot of wolf legends derived from the Romanian’s ancestors appreciation of this animal.

Romanian wold legends the Dacian flag — A Dacian Wolf on Trajan’s Column 113 CE

As for the plethora of legends, things are only starting to get interesting. The werewolf, a fantastic incarnation of the wolf, has been present in Romanian mythology for centuries. A vârcolac or a pricolici is what we call a werewolf in Romanian. Popular belief says Vârcolaci (the plural) are shape-shifting evil creatures generated by human misbehavior. The Moon eating vârcolac is a mean person turned into a wolf. Legends say some humans remain vârcolaci even after death. They can fly, or their shade can reach the moon. When the moon is red, people say the vârcolaci are prowling through the woods.

The Wolf Fairy Tales and Fables | Romanian Wolf Legends

Some contributions from authors and storytellers to Romanian wolf legends are remarkable. But there is a particular fable that many Romanian children read. Not to mention, the book got a lot of illustrated editions. Below there is a glimpse into a version of it from my childhood. The famous fable called The Goat and Her Three Kids is a favorite among children book readers. In short, the three kids and their goat mother have to face the dangers of being eaten by the big bad wolf, who is their godfather. This is an inspiring rite of passage story with a happy end, eventually, in which the community plays a role as well.

Romanian wolf legends the goat — The Goat and Her Three Kids a fable by ion Creangă

Another notable Romanian wolf story is called Făt-Frumos și Lupul cel năzdrăvan. Prince Charming and the Wonder Wolf would be a fair translation into English. However, this story is different than the previous one. It traveled the centuries as a folk story told by peasants until an editor named Petre Ispirescu collected a bunch of tales from popular sources and published them between 1862 and 1886. Of all the fairy tales and fables published by Ispirescu, the one that evokes the Romanian wolf legends is our favorite.

Wolf Watching Romania | Wildlife

April 13, 2018May 10, 2018 Irina B. Leave a comment

Ideal for wolf watching Romania is quite a dreamland for wildlife lovers. The Eurasian wolf, also known as Canis Lupus, is a protected animal in Romania. There is an estimated number of 5800 wolves living in the Romanian Carpathians, according to the forestry administration. People used to hunt wolves in large numbers during the 20th century and continue to do it. Despite this human habit, the wolf population remained substantial over the years. Actually, Romania is hosting more than 2500 wolves in its forests. International large carnivores research programs have been focusing on preserving the Romanian wolf.

wolf watching Romania wolf hunter — Romanian wolf hunter via retrieverman.net

Wolf Watching Romania | Welcome to a Wildlife Experience

The experience of tracking and observing wildlife in Romania is made possible by teams of professional guides who organize tours. They also took part in conservation projects and are more than willing to share with you the wonders of ecotourism. The brown bear population receives the same mindfulness. Here you can find the best place for bear watching in Romania.

This tour guides you to the fantastic land of Vrancea county in Romania. Up and down the Vrancea Mountains of the Eastern Carpathians you can walk on the tracks of wolfs, bears and wild cats. You can also observe them in their natural habitat from wood shelters.

wolf watching Romania wolves — Romanian wolves in Suceava county

Here is another tour, in the Transylvanian forest this time. This one is for travelers with a fitness condition, for there are four days spent in this adventure. To increase the chance of seeing wild wolves the tour is available during late autumn and winter. Wolves avoid exposure to humans, but for wolf watching Romania has the best spots. There are visits to local historical places included in the experience, such as Bran Castle and Peleș Castle.

If you want a chance to stay at a local guesthouse in Zărnești and taste the local cuisine along with home-made plum brandy, then this tour is for you. Small groups of people mean you can enjoy it with your family or close friends like a six-day adventure.

Wolves and People | Wolf Watching

Romanian wildlife spreads across the Carpathian Mountains, the Subcarpathian hills and of course in the Danube Delta. Wolves are among the animals that populate forests, and a lot of Romanian tales and legends include them as well.

wolf watching Romania wolf resting — Romanian wolf

In 2016 Romania had banned trophy hunting of wolves, bears, lynxes and wild cats. We encourage wolf watching for they are shy animals that rarely attack humans. In fact, they fear them, and they are cautious with new territories.

wolf watching Romania wolf in bear sanctuary — Wolf in Bear Sanctuary

The city of Zarnești in Romania host a lot of tourists and travelers who seek bear watching and wolf watching. The bear sanctuary called Libearty Sanctuary is also home to a population of wolves that live far in the woods, with very few approaches to fences. Both children and adults can catch a glimpse of the friendship between wolves and bears at Libearty Sanctuary. It is definitely among the fun things to do in Romania.

When To See Bears in Romania

April 1, 2018May 10, 2018 Irina B. Leave a comment

When to see bears in Romania is probably the first question that pops up in your mind if you are an animal lover or an adventurous traveler. Usually, the season when bears come out of their winter dens is between mid-March and late October. Summer is the time when bears are most active. We recommend organized tours in the Carpathian forest with best chances of viewing and admiring bears between the half of May and the beginning of September. In Transylvania, Zărnești and Brașov cities are the areas most looked for in bear watching. Depending on what time of the year is your visit programmed, you may be able to see the bears surrounded by their little cubs.

when to see bears in Romania Humphrey — Humphrey the bear, a Disney character

Bear watching in Romania won’t be anything similar to running into a circus animal, for the Carpathian Ursus Arctos is no caricature. Although we think it is fun and adventurous to watch bears in their habitat, children have to prepare for such a task and follow adults. Bears in Brașov and Harghita have been popular for their interaction with the human settlers in the area. For shepherds and bears, it has been a matter of coexistence for hundreds of years.

When To See Bears in Romania | A list of tours

First on our list is Absolute Carpathian, a certified tour operator from Zărnești, Romania. Experts in tracking and observing wildlife, they were part of the Carpathian Large Carnivore Project for four years.

when to see bears in Romania bear family — A bear family | Photo by Zolt Babos

The second one we recommend is a tour that starts in central Brașov with a meeting point at the History Museum in Piața Sfatului. The trip is at sunset. You will be joined by a forest ranger who will bring you one of the many custom designed bear hides.

With our third choice, you can easily book a bear watching short trip for 3 to 4 hours. The tour’s guide is a Romanian wildlife researcher with an experience of over 15 years in the Carpathian Mountains. The National Forest Authority operates the bear observation hideout.

The fourth on our list and the most endearing is an 8-day trekking tour in Transylvania, Romania. It includes a visit to Bran Castle, hiking to Piatra Craiului National Park, and of course, bear watching as one of the best activities in this area. They say from June to August is when to see bears in Romania.

Fifth and last but not least, is this wildlife experience that offers not only bear watching but also the lynx, wolves, the red deer, and the wild boar.

when to see bears in Romania young bear — A young bear | Photo by Zoltan Gergely Nagy

Conservation projects are essential for ensuring the long-term survival of brown bears in Romania. That is why bear-watching tours also raise awareness on the issue, besides being a fun thing to do.

Bear Watching Romania

March 29, 2018May 10, 2018 Irina B. Leave a comment

When it comes to bear watching Romania is the perfect place to admire them. If you are looking for an activity to reconnect you with nature, then Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Zărnești is the place to visit. Despite its wilderness, you will feel safe and sound, and able to admire a bear habitat.

The Brown Bear in the Carpathian Mountains

According to World Wild Life, the most massive specimen of Ursus Arctos was caught in Romania, and it weighed 480 kg. The Carpathian Mountains, from Slovakia to Romania, have an estimated population of 8,000 brown bears. Of this number, 6,000 live in the Romanian Carpathians. Hunters still go for the Romanian brown bears every year. Fortunately, large forested enclosures have been providing the best habitat and wildlife awareness. Children are very enthusiastic to learn about and watch bears climb trees or play in the water pools. This way they could better understand the beautiful animal.

Bear Watching Romania funny brown bear — Brown Bear by Jens Wilhelm Jansen via Cottage Life

Bear Watching Romania | Libearty Bear Sanctuary

The highly acclaimed sanctuary is home to over 70 rescued bears. Once captive as pets or circus and restaurant attractions, their rescue started in 2005 with the creation of this sanctuary. An oak and hazel forest has been their home for more than 12 years already. The best time to see bears in Romania is at Libearty Bear Sanctuary, in Zărnești, in the early hours of the day. Bears tend to take their naps in the afternoon. There is also a train tour available during the summer mornings. A Romanian bear watching tour experience is one of a kind in Europe.

bear watching Romania Zarnesti sanctuary — Zarnesti Libearty Bear Sanctuary

bear watching Romania brown bears hug — Brown bears hug

There are many fun things to do in Romania for all kinds of travelers. A bear sanctuary is an extraordinary learning place for children. For adults, bears have been a source of inspiration for beautiful stories. They are marvelous animals.

Spectacular Road Trips Romania | Top 5

March 22, 2018May 16, 2018 Irina B. 1 Comment

Of all the spectacular road trips Romania has to offer, these are for those who travel by car and like to enjoy magnificent sceneries and zigzags across mountains, on lake shores, and along rivers. When it comes to road trips, there is a lot on display. It is worth making plans for road trips in Romania and Kiara has found five of them for you to choose and cruise through.

1.Transfăgărășan

The most popular road of all is the one that connects two historic regions, Transylvania and Wallachia. Sibiu and Pitești cities are thus brought together by this road. There are a lot of attractions on Transfăgărășan: Bâlea, a glacial lake and its Ice Hotel, Bâlea Waterfall. Also, Vidraru Lake and Dam, Poenari Castle, Engineers Gate Monument, and Curtea de Argeș Monastery are other memorable diversions. It is the second highest road in Romania and, according to Top Gear Romania Road experience from 2009, the best in the world.
Moreover, this spectacular road looks like a race track from above. It snakes across the highest mountain chain in the country, the Făgăraș Mountains. Not to mention, it is lovely to drive through its five tunnels during the open season, from July to November.

spectacular road trips Romania Transfagarasan — Transfăgărășan by Radu Bogza

spectacular road trips Romania Vidraru Lake — View of Vidraru Dam

2. Transalpina

Being above the clouds in a car is no ordinary thing to do. In Romania, on the highest road in the country, one can make this dream come true. Transalpina reaches an altitude of 2145m above the sea level. King’s Road or Transalpina was reconstructed by the year 1938. King Carol II and his family inaugurated it with a road trip. With a length of 148 km, the highway renders numerous captivating spots. Near Novaci city, where the road begins, a legend-preserving cave and a 500 years old monastery, both called Polovragi, are waiting for your arrival 15 km away. A unique site on this exciting road trip is the Rânca Adventure Park, another fantastic target for kids and adults.

spectacular road trips Romania Transalpina — Transalpina by Makidun @Shuttershock

spectacular road trips Romania Polovragi — View of the Eastern Tower of Polovragi Monastery

spectacular road trips Romania Ranca — Adventure Park in Rânca

3. Trans-Semenic

Almost four years ago, of all the spectacular road trips Romania had to offer, this one was a mountain road opened for enthusiastic drivers and locals. For those who needed a shortcut from Valiug and Gărâna to another road called Slatina-Timiș, the 36 km highway made a fantastic difference. Trans-Semenic goes through the Caraș-Severin forest. Sometime in July, every year, Gărâna Jazz Festival, a family-friendly festival, makes the road seem even more irresistible. Kiara recommends a stop by the Bigăr Waterfall for its beauty and magic.

spectacular road trips Romania Trans-Semenic — Trans-Semenic via Munții Carpați

spectacular road trips Romania Bigar — Bigăr Waterfall

4. Spectacular road trips Romania | The Danube Gorge

On the side of the Danube Gorge, there is a road that takes you on an unforgettable adventure. This way is also known as DN 75. You are probably wondering why the Danube Gorge is so spectacular. We will tell you that the Danube river narrows its stream to 230 m for about 9 km on its course. This narrowing also makes it faster, and it gives the impression that the water is boiling. Thus the Danube Gorge has two places called the Danube Boilers. Visiting the Veterani Cave and the Ponicova Cave are great ways to spend time on the road.

spectacular road trips Romania Danube — Source: www.cartitaplimbareata.ro

spectacular road trips Romania Decebal — Decebal Statue Danube Romania

5. The Bicaz Canyon

What better way to visit The Bicaz Canyon and the Red Lake located in the middle of a beautiful road than to follow that road? Many tourists visit these beautiful wonders of nature, especially during the warm seasons. Therefore this spectacular road trip may very well start on both sides of the Inner Eastern Carpathians: either from Brașov and Miercurea Ciuc via Gheorghieni, either from Piatra Neamț in Moldova.

spectacular road trips Romania The Bicaz Canyon — The Bicaz Canyon by Zoltan Nyaradi via Flickr

spectacular road trips Romania the red lake — The Red Lake via Flickr

For at least one of these spectacular road trips Romania is a must if you choose to travel through Europe with your car or just rent one. We hope you dare to visit magical places in the Carpathian Mountains.