Romania

A large Southeast European country ringed by the Carpathians, centred on Transylvania's Saxon fortified churches, medieval old towns and Carpathian mountain roads, combined with the capital character of Bucharest and the natural scenery of the Danube Delta.

History: The official language of Romania is Romanian, and the currency is the leu (RON). Historically, Romanians, Hungarians, Saxons, Roma and other peoples lived together in Transylvania; old towns such as Sighișoara, Sibiu and Brașov and the rural fortified church groups are listed as World Heritage. Bran Castle is a 14th-century border fortress, later a royal residence. Most Romanians are Orthodox Christians, and religious festivals such as Easter remain important in rural life. The painted monasteries of the Moldavia region are known for their 15th–16th-century exterior frescoes and form another independent cultural route. Legend: The "Dracula" legend must be kept separate from history: the vampire Count Dracula of fiction is a fictional character in Irish writer Bram Stoker's 1897 novel; the historical Vlad III (Vlad Țepeș) was a 15th-century prince of Wallachia, known for harsh military discipline and resistance to the Ottomans, and there is no firm evidence of a direct link between Bran Castle and him. Treating the novel's plot as the castle's history is the most common misreading by outsiders.

• Brașov Old Town and Black Church (Piața Sfatului / Biserica Neagră, Brașov) — the gateway to Transylvania, with the Black Church as a Gothic landmark.
• Sighișoara Old Town (Sighișoara) — a well-preserved medieval hill town; climb the Clock Tower for a view.
• Bran Castle (Castelul Bran) — a classic border-fortress exterior; visit it together with the historical account, not just the "vampire" marketing.
• Sibiu Old Town (Sibiu) — the Saxon old town of "eyes on the roofs"; stroll the line of the Large and Small Squares.
• Transfăgărășan Highway (Transfăgărășan) — a Carpathian high-mountain road open in summer only; opening times are subject to official announcements.

Intercity travel is mainly by train and long-distance bus: Bucharest–Brașov, Brașov–Sibiu and Brașov–Sighișoara all have train and bus connections, but trains are generally slow with limited frequencies, and public transport between small towns and villages is sparse. The most practical way to go deep into Transylvanian villages, castles and mountains is to rent a car and drive yourself. Domestic flights connect Bucharest with large cities such as Cluj, but are not suitable for linking castle routes. Within cities, buses and trams predominate, with Bucharest also having a metro; bus 20 from Brașov to the Poiana Brașov ski resort costs on the order of a single-digit number of lei. Mountain roads are winding with poor lighting at night, and livestock and pedestrians may suddenly appear on rural sections — drive with particular care in rural areas at night. Motorways and some national roads have tolls and speed checks; fines start at hundreds of lei, subject to official announcements. When driving yourself, always carry passport, driving licence, rental and insurance documents, and prefer licensed car parks for parking. Fines for travelling without a ticket, illegal parking and the like are subject to official announcements.

• Red Line: Do not talk loudly or casually photograph ceremonies in monasteries and churches; do not leave marked routes in the mountains or feed wild animals (bears and others) — the latter is dangerous and may be illegal; do not drink and drive.
• Taboo: The traps outsiders most easily fall into: (1) bringing an even number of flowers when visiting a Romanian home — even numbers are mostly used for funerals, so give an odd number; (2) directly refusing the first glass of pălincă, or showing disgust — the host's toast is a hospitality rite; if you really cannot drink, explain politely and take a small sip; (3) in Hungarian-speaking areas and Saxon villages, discussing ethnic groups and history with a single-ethnic narrative covering the whole country, ignoring the local multi-ethnic reality.
• Good Manners: Say "Bună ziua" (hello) as a greeting and "Mulțumesc" to say thank you; shake hands and look the other person in the eye on first meeting; in churches cover shoulders and knees, and monasteries often require women to cover their heads (shawls are mostly available at the entrance); restaurant tips are about 10%–15% (for good service); when hiking, give way to uphill walkers and do not play loud music on trails.

The currency is the leu; cards are widely accepted in cities, but carry cash in the countryside, markets and small guesthouses. Mountain weather is changeable; bring a windproof jacket and hiking shoes even in summer. Old towns such as Brașov and Sibiu have many cobbles. The Transfăgărășan Highway is open only in summer; in winter take lower-altitude routes. Emergency number 112. Stray dogs occasionally appear in the countryside — keep your distance and do not feed them.