Romania will enchant all your senses, whether it’s your abstract sense of adventure, your sense of history or of place, not to mention those traditional five senses. This is a land defined by a blend of traditions, landscapes and regional cultures that will surprise you at every turn. Here are 5 reasons to think of Romania for your next #sense-ational escape:
- Bucharest's thriving culinary scene
- The Untamed Frontier of Europe’s Largest Delta
- Beyond Dracula
- Home and Hospitality
- Ancient Vessels to Drink Fine Wine
1. Bucharest’s Thriving Culinary Scene:
From vivacious popular destinations like the 18th century fortified inn of Hanul lui Manuc to chef-led experiences like NOUA and ΚΛΙΛΜO̲, Bucharest is a hotspot of good food, usually accompanied by the country’s excellent wines. Home to one of the world’s largest (and heaviest) buildings, now known as the Palace of Parliament, Bucharest enchants visitors with Art Deco buildings, urban gardens and parks and a lively night-scene.
2. The Untamed Frontier of Europe’s Largest Delta:
The meandering Danube River spreads into three generous arms as it reaches the Black Sea, with inlets and islands and drifting islets across and between its gently flowing waters. This is the home of rare birds and fish, and of cuisine heavy on roe, and sturgeon and pike, accompanied by fresh white wines making their way up from the Dobrogea hills and sands.
2. The Untamed Frontier of Europe’s Largest Delta:
The meandering Danube River spreads into three generous arms as it reaches the Black Sea, with inlets and islands and drifting islets across and between its gently flowing waters. This is the home of rare birds and fish, and of cuisine heavy on roe, and sturgeon and pike, accompanied by fresh white wines making their way up from the Dobrogea hills and sands.
3. Beyond Dracula:
Transylvania was long home to Romanians, Saxons (a German tribe), and Hungarians (Magyar and Szekely) alike. Its history is one of strife and ethnic imbalances, and it is impacted the heavy hand of the Austrian empire, but today these influences positively translate into stunning architecture, from the fortresses that defended against the Ottomans along the Carpathians (one of which was held by Vlad Țepes, aka Dracula) to opulent buildings in the cities of Cluj or Oradea. This cross-roads of cultures will delight you with great foods, from a local version of goulash to smoked meat bean soups, cheeses, and meats, all accompanied by crisp white wines from indigenous grapes such as Fetească Albă or Fetească Regală.
4. Home and Hospitality:
Romanians pride themselves on hospitality, and visitors often remark upon abundant food and liquor in restaurants and homes alike. Destinations in the region of Moldova (not to be confused with the Republic of the same name) stand out for their effusive approach, welcoming guest to the famed painted monasteries and the wild nature and lake preserves with a stunning array of pies, polentas (mămaligă) and sour soups, whose quality is only surpassed by the prize-winning wines from historical indigenous grapes such as Grasă de Cotnari, Zghihară de Huși or Busuioacă de Bohotin.
5. Ancient Vessels to Drink Fine Wine:
Southwestern Romania, along the river Olt, is most likely the cradle of Romanian winemaking. Ancient ceramic vessels of the 1st century BCE show wine sediments, a testament to the winemaking that continues today, particularly in the Drăgășani wine district. Ceramics also endure, with Horezu being a center of traditional pottery, and many of the foods and drinks you’ll be served in your escape to the region will come in its wonderfully decorated plates and jugs, with the Horezu cockerel (Cocoșul de Hurez) grinning at you from the bottom of a savory leek dish, accompanied with bread baked in a clay and straw dome, known as țest, alomsgide by a stout Negru de Drăgășani red wine, or a generous white like Crâmpoșie Selecționată.
