Christmas in Romania

The diversity of Christmas holiday packages in Romania is no longer a surprise for tourists

Daniel Onea, 19.12.2019, 13:05

The diversity of Christmas holiday packages in Romania is no longer a surprise for tourists. You can spend a holiday in a more traditional part of the country, to see ancient customs and rites first-hand, you can choose a spa resort or, why not, a hotel close to a ski run. Romanias big cities also organize charming Christmas fairs. So whatever option you choose, you are certain to have a holiday to remember.

Romania is a unique destination in Europe in terms of traditions, but the local cuisine is also famous, says Marius Zamfir, the head of Transylvania Hotels and Travel. So we open our Christmas travel offer with an invitation to north-western Romania, 9 km from the city of Oradea and very close to the Hungarian border. Baile Felix spa resort here has long been a major holiday destination for both Romanian and foreign tourists. The resort boasts a network of hotels with modern indoor and outdoor pools. We have chosen a 5-star hotel in Baile Felix:

Marius Zamfir: “In this resort, Christmas packages have been designed for 4 and 5-night stays between December 20th and 27th. I would like to mention first the Christmas dinner, with traditional products for both our regular tourists and for those who observe the Orthodox fasting period. Folk ensembles will perform carols and stage shows presenting the local New Years and Christmas customs and traditions. The guests have free access to the Aqua Park, to the adventure park and to saunas, and a spa procedure is included in the price of each package. Tourists are obviously free to choose multiple such procedures from the hotels offer. The tariff for a 4-night package per person in a double room starts from around 750 euros, and the 5-night package costs around 900 euros.

Bukovina, in the north of the country, is another region famous for its well-preserved traditions, for its medieval monasteries with mural paintings and for its outstanding cuisine. But it is also a destination of choice for the more active tourists. The number and diversity of holiday options in rural Bukovina are growing from one year to the next. Essentially, wellness tourism and agritourism both involve a return to nature, to organic food, to a healthier life. And whether you choose to stay in a modern or a rustic guesthouse, you will be charmed by the region and its people.

Marius Zamfir: “There are 4-night packages in 4-star guesthouses, which include breakfast, 2 lunches, a snack and a Christmas dinner. The dinner on Christmas Eve is accompanied by performances of traditional carols, but local customs are also presented on Christmas day. This particular guesthouse also has a spa centre with free entrance to swimming pools, Jacuzzi, saunas, etc. Prices start from 550 euros per person, and vary with the type of room.

Also in the north of Romania we find the other historical region famous around the world: Maramures. Holiday packages here are tailored to the needs of families. Here is Dan Carpov with the Maramures County Councils Tourist Information Centre:

Dan Carpov: “In Maramures, prices are excellent, and packages include not only traditional stays, but also novelties that we have designed for the foreign tourists who reach our part of the country. Prices start from 200-300 euros, and cover accommodation, meals, visits and narrow-gauge train rides. The tariff for the New Years package is a little higher, ranging from 300 to 400 euros. We have this app called Visit Maramures, running on both IoS and Android systems. It is a database with information on accommodation options, meals plans, trekking and biking routes, as well as an offline map. In Maramures there are 8 churches that are included in the UNESCO heritage list, but the number of wood churches here is actually a lot larger. The monasteries here are also widely admired, and examples include the ones in Barsana or the one in Peri, which is the tallest wood building in Europe. And we should not overlook winter sports, because people come here on Christmas not only for a tasty meal. We have at least 3 ski runs that meet international standards.

And since we mentioned skiing, lets stop next in Poiana Brasov, Romanias largest skiing region. The town of Brasov in central Romania is acclaimed for its medieval architecture, but also for the diversity of cultural sites, for the active holiday experiences and for its shopping opportunities. Marius Zamfir invites us to a 5-star hotel downtown Brasov:

Marius Zamfir: “Prices here start from around 700 euros for 4-night stays. The package includes a welcome dinner on December 23rd. The festive Christmas dinner, on December 25th, is accompanied by folk performances by local ensembles. Guests have unrestricted access to the hotels spa services, including pool, saunas, massage etc. The hotel is 12 km away from Poiana Brasov and its ski runs.

This wraps up todays instalment of Travellers Guide, we are looking forward to welcoming you in Romania this Christmas season.

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)