After every visit to Romania, I cannot help noticing how quickly the country is changing from an obscure Balkan territory ruled by ruthless tyrants like Vlad Tepes and Nicolae Ceausescu into a popular destination famous for its magnificent architectural monuments, authentic local culture, and friendly and welcoming people. Despite the fact that most visitors come to Romania to see the sights associated (sometimes wrongly) with Count Dracula, the country has so much more to offer, so the sooner one gets over the ‘vampire country’ pop-culture stereotype, the more rewarding and enriching their experience will be.As is the case with traveling to most ex-Communist countries, arriving and staying with an open mind is absolutely essential. Ever since it joined the European Union in January 2007, the Romanian infrastructure has been getting a much-needed face lift, but many of the remote (and most charming) regions like Maramures and Southern Bucovina are only accessible via local roads which are still in bad condition. Currently, even in the capital city of Bucharest, many of the buildings in the city center are undergoing dramatic restoration and some streets are closed for renovation as well.
Being a discerning and broad-minded traveler in Romania also means that your daily travel plans should be fairly flexible. Just because a guidebook or a website (or even your local guide) says that a certain small church or village museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, this might not be the case when you arrive there. Do not let the handwritten (in Romanian) ‘out for lunch’ sign on the front door spoil your entire day, but rather accept it as part of the cultural experience and either move on or come back later.
Maybe you wanted to roam the ruins of the Poienari Castle – one of the few fortresses historically linked to Vlad Dracula, just to find out that the only way to reach it is by climbing some 1,500 steps uphill. Settle for a drive-by and continue your exploration of Transylvania, where many more medieval ruins and fortified churches are waiting to be discovered.
With open minds and a little flexibility, travelers can grasp the spirit and raw charm of an emerging Romania, which is an experience unlike those of the polished tourist areas of western Europe.
