Romania Disney Travel Agents Near Me

Overview

Introduction

Romania's modern history is as haunting as its old Dracula legend: The brutal reign of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu ended in 1989, but the country is still plagued by a past of poverty and political uncertainty.

Its capital, Bucharest, has come a long way in its post-communist hangover. Some of the massive potholes have been filled, and the roaming street dogs are gone, but now it suffers from the same polluting traffic as any other major European city.

And yet Romania offers an entirely different culture from what you'll find elsewhere in Europe. It has some of the most stunning mountain scenery on the continent, and many parts of the countryside seem untouched by modern history.

For adventurous travelers, the eerie castles, charming medieval villages and painted monasteries hidden away in deep forests more than make up for the often-drab cities and the irritating bureaucracy that lingers from the country's communist past.

Geography

History

Ethnic Romanians, who make up 85% of the population, trace the nation's history to the Roman colony of Dacia. Turkish and European influences are evident (the area was part of the Ottoman Empire until 1877), although the eight regions of the country remain characteristically very different. Perhaps because it's composed of formerly independent parts, people identify with their local regions.

There is a strong Hungarian influence in Transylvania (once part of Hungary), which has only been united with Romania since 1918. And debate continues to this day over the future nationality of the area. (Saxon merchants moved in during the 12th century to defend Hungary's eastern borders.)

In 1916, Romania joined the side of the Triple Entente in World War I, eventually overthrowing Communist leader Bela Kun in Hungary. However, the country's government was unstable after the war, and between 1930 and 1940, there were more than 25 different administrations. Following World War II, the newly crowned King Mihai attempted to keep a broad-based government but was forced to abdicate in 1947 under pressure from the Communists. Romania then became a People's Republic.

Nicolae Ceausescu assumed leadership of Romania's Communist party—and the country—in the mid-1960s. His administration was notorious for cracking down on dissent among the people, who were suffering from shortages of food, fuel and other basic necessities.

The country's violent revolution of December 1989, which led to the execution of Ceausescu, left most of the ruling elite intact. Former Communist Ion Iliescu took the reins and, when he lost re-election in 1996, made history by being Romania's first leader to leave peacefully without being deposed or shot. His successors have struggled to modernize the country, and foreign investment has finally arrived.

Romania was invited to join NATO in 2002, and it became a member of the European Union in 2007. The country is actively boosting its economy via tourism. It

Snapshot

The country's main attractions are rural landscapes, medieval monasteries, wine country, sites relating to Count Dracula, Black Sea beaches, folk and classical cultural traditions, and skiing.

Romania will appeal to travelers who love haunting rural scenery, folk culture and outdoor activities. Be prepared to ride on winding mountain roads to get to some of the more interesting parts of the country. The country is not for those who demand deluxe accommodations throughout their stay.

Potpourri

If you peek into a countryside church and there's a wedding going on, expect to be invited to join the festivities and share in the food and drink that are brought to the ceremony.

Romanians are serious about their health spas: More than 1,000 Romanian doctors specialize in balneology—the science of using mineral baths for therapeutic treatment.

Because Romanian is a Romance language, certain words may seem similar to people who are familiar with Spanish, Italian or French. For example, supa is the word for soup, and buna seara means good evening.

In 1884, Timisoara was the first city in Europe to have electric street lamps.

The film industry has taken off in Romania, so don't be surprised if you are eating dinner next to a celebrity such as Nicole Kidman, Keifer Sutherland or Jean-Claude Van Damme.