Romania

Cityscape

The best way to get around Romania is by train, as the stations are usually no further than 10km from any village. From Brasov in Transylvania take a 2½-hour trip on the Intercity Express train, to the colourful and worldly capital Bucharest. Here you’ll find an eclectic music scene and a mixture of medieval, neoclassical and art nouveau buildings. As well as the Gara de Nord Bucureşti train station, which has excellent connections with the rest of Romania.

Landscape

The world-famous monasteries in Bucovina are easily reachable by train and well worth a visit. If it’s a beach you’re after take an Intercity train to Constanta to access the Black Sea resorts, and all the shopping outlets.

Take Home

Folk art is the basis of Romania’s souvenirs; carved dolls are a great choice for the kids, or a CD of Romanian folkloric music will invoke the holiday memories.

Eat & Drink

Traditional Romanian offerings include ciorba de burta (tripe soup), scrumbie la gratar (grilled herring) or Papanasi (cottage cheese donuts, topped with sour cream and fruit preserve). Drink is tuica, a potent plum brandy varying in strength, dryness and bouquet. Romania is one of the world’s top-ranking producers of numerous delicious wines.

New Perspective

It might not be new, but the Gothic fairy-tale structures of the Transylvania region will definitely give you some perspective, especially Dracula’s Castle – that’s what you came for, right?

• Bucharest

Romania bonuses

The national railway company of Romania is CFR

Romanian Railway Museum 50 % discount www.cenafer.ro Bucuresti, Str. Grivitei nr. 193 B, sect 1 Bucuresti Nord Station

Hotels in Romania

Hotel Crowne Plaza in Bucharest: 50% discount tel. +40 212 240 034

Hotel Alexandros in Busteni: 30% discount www.hotel-alexandros.ro tel. +40 244 320 138

Hotel Europa and Ana Asian Health Spa in Eforie Nord: 30% discount www.anahotels.ro tel +40 241 741 710