Several experts and influencers specializing in tourism answered HotNews.ro’s question “What can you find in Romania in terms of vacation that you can’t find elsewhere?” Here are their answers.

In March of this year, I randomly decided to take a vacation with my family to a not-so-exotic place, just three hours away from Bucharest. This is the village of Peshtera in the commune of Moechu.

We came here to a small health center where more English was spoken than Romanian, considering that there were more foreigners living there, and within a few days the conditions were far beyond our expectations.

The views and surroundings were also simply spectacular. We felt like after three hours of driving we arrived in a village in Switzerland and the accommodation and food were at Romanian prices.

Perhaps this is an exaggerated comparison, but burdened with prejudices and many other less pleasant impressions from other areas of the country, we were more than pleasantly surprised by this experience.

We vowed to return here to fully enjoy what the whole area had to offer and the surrounding villages, which we were told would be at least as beautiful.

Cave, Moeciu. PHOTO: Gruia Dragomir/ HotNews.ro

Keeping this in mind and not being tempted by false patriotism, I was sure that there are many other places in our country where you can spend a vacation at least as good as other tourist destinations abroad, and at a better price.

So I wanted to learn more about this topic from experts in the field and their opinion on what Romania has to offer that you can’t find abroad.

“Compared to other popular destinations, Romania can offer more affordable travel”

Andreia Zodie, founder of the travel agency BYE BYE Travel, tells me that in general, Romania is preferred by tourists on a low budget, families with young children who do not yet dare to travel far, as well as tourists who benefit from vacation packages.

“As for the tourist offer, Romania is distinguished by the variety of spa centers located in different places on the surface of the country. Another attraction is provided by traditional Romanian villages around which tourist destinations such as Viscri, Magura or Sapanta have been formed,” says Andrea.

She also says that she would recommend Romania as a tourist destination primarily because of the variety of landscapes. “Basically, during a two-week holiday in Romania, you can enjoy an amazing variety of natural landscapes, from impressive mountains and deep gorges to deltas, beaches and picturesque lakes.

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Another strong point is the rich historical heritage, including impressive medieval castles and fortresses with fascinating stories and legends,” adds Andrea.

Another thing that should not be forgotten that Romania offers in contrast to other tourist destinations is the more affordable cost.

“Compared to other popular tourist destinations, Romania can offer more affordable travel. Prices for accommodation, food and transport are generally lower than in other countries.

Andreea also offers us some recommendations for spectacular destinations in Romania. “Chakhlau and Bikaz. The Cahlau Mountains, also known as the “Holy Mountain of Romania”, offer spectacular mountain scenery and spectacular hiking trails. Also nearby are the Bikazului Gorges, a spectacular gorge in the Heshmash Mountains.

Located in the Banat Mountains, Cheile Nerei offers spectacular scenery and picturesque waterfalls. You can explore deep canyons, walk through pristine forests and reach Beusnica and Bigar waterfalls. This area is ideal for those looking for outdoor adventure and spectacular scenery.”

“You can also find a corner of Bali and a corner of the Maldives with us”

Traveler in baskets to mud volcanoes. PHOTO: Personal archive

Laura Vereha and Sebastian Secan are the initiators of the Călător în Bascheți project, one of the most famous travel blogs in Romania, with more than 1,500,000 followers on social networks.

Laura believes that Romania is above all authentic because we still have living traditions and delicious food, we still have wild areas and dream villages waiting to be taken for granted.

“In recent years, Romania’s tourist offer has developed significantly, tourist projects have appeared that are in no way inferior to foreign ones: here you can find a corner of Bali and a corner of the Maldives, or infinity pools, wooden cottages, premium class. glamping, an adventure experience. The prices for these premium services, contrary to popular opinion, are much lower than those of the same level abroad,” says Laura.

Sebastian also says that he often hears that in Romania it is much more expensive than abroad, and it is true that there are also places where unreasonable prices are practiced.

“But you can find tourist offers for any wallet with us. To give a specific example, in Maramures, even in the high season, you can find accommodation for 150 lei for two people per night in a traditional boarding house and half-board meals for 85 lei per person with meals in your own household. Portions are not small, even full.”

He also believes that Romania offers you diversity and above all authenticity, which foreigners appreciate more.

“You can find a multi-season destination to visit in all four seasons. And there is something else. Traveling in Romania, you are doing eco-tourism. We’re all feeling the effects of global warming, so it’s important to travel as close to home as possible to minimize our impact on the environment.

This does not mean that we do not travel abroad, but in times like these we have to be much more attentive to the environment in which we live.

When we fly, we donate a small amount to the airlines for carbon dioxide emissions due to the weight of our luggage. We support companies that have these sustainability programs.”

Laura would recommend any Romanian to spend a holiday in the country, because he will have a piece of paradise right at home, with everything he can imagine: Instagrammable places, sea, delta, mountains, wild nature and medieval air , which cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Sebastian also says that Romanians are hospitable, and this is not just a myth.

“We have been abroad many times, and foreigners do not have such warmth, they do not communicate with you and do not even help you. In Romania, people and humanity are our strength. We have a soul.”

I ask him to give us some more special recommendations from us in the country. Laura immediately points to the land of Buzeului, listed last year as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“We have discovered unique European tourist objects here: the Meledik plateau, a huge salt mountain stretching over several hectares, a little-known place of rare beauty.

The city of Carey is another best place for summer. What you’ll find here: Karoli Castle, a beach with thermal waters and benefits for tourists: if you stay here for one night, you get free entrance to the castle and discounts at the beach, restaurants and cafes.

Sebastian points to the Apuseni of Bigor and Cluj, which are somehow overshadowed by Alba.

“Here you can find restored traditional houses where you can stay, heated infinity pools, and in winter you can do via ferrata, rafting, cave expeditions. There are many villages brought back to life by young people who believed in these tourism projects: Cătunul Munteni, Bălnaca, Mărgău”.

“There are still resorts with great prices for both a city break and a multi-day vacation”

Vacation Air is a project of Andrii and Andrii, two influencers and vacation planners. More than 180,000 people follow them on Instagram.

Andra and Andrej believe that there are still hidden, undiscovered places to be found in Romania that are not yet mainstream and not overcrowded with tourists or massively advertised on social media.

“Romania differs from other destinations in its authenticity. As for what you will find here and not abroad, we can refer to prices. There are resorts with great prices for both a city break and a multi-day vacation.

We would recommend anyone to take a vacation or holiday in Romania primarily because you need to know your country, traditions and scenic spots. Our country is diverse, with dream destinations, different customs depending on the specifics of the area and beautiful people wherever you go,” say two travel influencers.

As recommendations, she indicates first of all Colibița:

“There we met dear people and an oasis of rest. They say that the air here is the cleanest in Romania. Another hidden place worth visiting is a castle town called Karei.

It’s a small, cute, clean city with low prices and lots of things to do. Kruča, Suceava county, at the foot of the Rarau mountains, in the Bistricei valley, is a resort with few places to stay, not touristy, but in the summer you can raft the river, you have access to a wonderful route called Transrarău, you can walk Pietrele Doamnei and you will be able to enjoy the wonderful panorama on Piatra Șoimului”, Andra and Andrii conclude

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