Romania Holidays

When it comes to holidays, Romania is far from a one-trick pony. It’s got the boxes ticked for all kinds of trips, whether its bar hopping in Bucharest, getting lost in lush landscapes in the countryside, or stop-and-flop jaunts by the beach. It doesn’t stop there either – this place makes for a great base for border-crossing breaks, with a string of European heavyweights wrapped around almost every side.

When it comes to exploring outside the country’s capital, Transylvania takes a solid spot on the tourism map. This region’s made up of pint-sized villages and towns which come complete with a backdrop of kale-green countryside and mountains that climb up to the clouds. Bran Castle is a sure stop for sightseers – it’s famed for its links to the story of Dracula, but there’s much more to this place than that. The castle was restored by Romanian royals more than 100 years ago, and it was used as a summer residence for the reigning queen of the time. These days it houses a museum which untangles the tale of its past.

Romania shouldn’t be crossed out of anybody’s European beach break shortlist, despite being outside the sun-seeking spotlight. It’s got a 250-kilometre stretch of coastline from the Danube Delta in the north to the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast in the south. The beaches here all come with different personalities, which means you can find a spot to suit dreamy seafront days, whatever your taste. The beach in Mamaia wears the party hat – it’s the place to head for Ibiza-inspired beach bars and nightclubs. Meanwhile, over on Venus Beach in Mangalia, the action’s dialled down to almost zero. The sand’s plotted with parasols and loungers, so it’s spot on for peaceful days beside the surf.