Rural Tourism in Romania
The Romanian countryside is a great holiday destination
Daniel Onea, 05.10.2017, 13:05
Romania’s tourism potential has been featured prominently in a recent article on Huffington Post. The article states that Romania may be the most beautiful country in Europe. One of the strongest points that the country boasts are the villages in Bukovina, Maramures and Transylvania. Accommodation has become plentiful in those regions lately, thanks to their growing popularity, due to their special landscapes and the preservation of traditions.
Catalin Catana, with the National Rural, Ecological and Cultural Tourism Association, in short ANTREC, says that a journey there in Transylvania could start with a brunch at a Saxon village in the Critz Viscri area. You can find there an old parish house turned B&B, with traditional cooking and traditional crafts. That can be a starting point for visiting the medieval fortified cities of Sighisoara, Rupea, Viscri and Saschiz.
If you prefer the seaside, the Danube Delta is ideal for bird watching. Also very popular with tourists are the local homes of the ethnic Russian people. A few special programs are available from May until late in October and November, off season, when accommodation is more widely available.
Cristian Catana: “We have special packages, with accommodation for five nights plus one night free of charge, or a lunch on the house, in order to attract tourists. Many tourists are interested in our rural tourism programs, running in May-June and October-November. We work with travel agencies and tour operators both at home and abroad. Foreign tourists come mostly from Western countries. French tourists are very interested in visiting our wine making areas, from Buzau to Prahova. The Germans and Austrians are much more focused on the traditional Saxon culture in Transylvania. One thing that helps a lot in terms of promotion among British tourists is the fact that we have been recommended by Lonely Planet.
Once you get to these areas, you don’t have to worry about the language barrier, and Cristian Catana tells us why:
Cristian Catana: “A lot of hosts have specialized, and went to school to learn foreign languages. This has contributed to the growth in rural tourism, with better performance on the part of the local staff. We also have lots of guides who speak English, French and German. The number of tourists from Russia and the Baltic countries has also increased. You are welcome to discover the traditions of Romanian villages, and enjoy the hospitality that traditional communities offer here.
Were now heading towards Prejmer, in central Romania, a locality lying less than 15 kilometers from Brasov. Apart from the charm and beauty provided by the rural flavor of the place, in Prejmer you will find a fortified church, built in the 13th century. The grandiose church takes great pride in its organ, which was famous in Transylvania in the 17th century. Most of the activities in the area revolve around that monument. Mihaela Sima, working for the Prejmer town hall, told us that on Sundays, in the summer and in early autumn, the fortified church plays host to classical music and organ concerts.
Mihaela Sima: “Prejmer is one of Brasov Countys major localities. Two roads link the village to the county capital, Brasov, so its not very difficult to get here. Tourists mostly come here for the fortified church, which is included on the UNESCO heritage list. It is the foremost attraction in our village, built by the Teutonic Knights beginning 1211. Another site is the Saints Apostles Peter and Paul Orthodox Church. In terms of natural sources of health benefits, I would mention the air and waters, which are very clean, and proof of that are the stork nests in our village, as they say storks only build their nests where the air is very clean.
The locals of Prejmer also take pride in the culinary recipes that have also been passed on from one generation to another, and which are at least as old as the fortified church. The Pancakes Caravan in Prejmer has already become a traditional event. The Pancakes Caravan is an very successful event held every summer.
Mihaela Sima: “The Prejmer cuisine is a very interesting mix of traditional Saxon and Romanian cuisine. There are lots of dishes, and guesthouses have most of these in their regular menus. Of them, I should mention a wide variety of pancakes, with meat, cheese or jam filling.
In short, the Romanian countryside is a great holiday destination, if you want to enjoy ancient traditions, historical monuments, crafts and beautiful sceneries. Accommodation is affordable and the food delicious.
(translated by: Calin Cotoiu, Eugen Nasta)
