The Black Sea and Brasov ski resorts are the usual destinations for the visitors to Romania, and whilst they offer a wide choice of entertainment, these are the usual type of facility, which can be found almost anywhere. Restricting yourself to these areas ,means you actually miss the real Romania and its people.

There is much, much more to be found in the counties just a couple of hours away.

The regions to discover a real vision of Romania are Arges (Wallachia) and Transylvania.Natural harmony, rural culture ,history and legends. Eco/rural tourism is still in its infancy, but there are some specialised companies, able to offer a wide choice of activities.

These include mountaineering, hiking, camping, 4x4 off road adventures and even wolf, bear and lynx tracking.

The scenery is some of the best in Europe, and with ancient castles, monasteries and monuments ,some dating back to the 12th century and beyond.A suggested stopping point , would be Campulung some 160km from Bucharest approximately a 2 and half hour journey for the first 100 km by motorway, then the -pace slows as take the country roads . Car hire is widely available either on line or plenty of offices at Otopeni (Bucharest). airport.

Public transport is well organised and cheap, for example that journey will only cost about £2.50, in a modern air conditioned coach.Campulung itself is one of the oldest towns and the original capital of Arges. Records show its official recognition as a town in the 13th century. ,although its history is much older being once a centre a military stronghold for the Roman invasion.

Just outside the town is the remains of a Roman fortress with links to Romula.

The town is establishing itself as a centre for International off road (4x4) and road rally events. along with many craft and folk events. From here, it is easy to travel to Curtea de Arges, probably one of the most famous and beautiful monasteries in Romania,( constructed 1512) and of course like many monuments here has a gothic and macabre past. Its design is unique and the painted walls inside are just wonderful to see. The town itself offers interesting bistros, and a selection of places to buy locally made artefacts and souvenirs.

This was the centre of the Basarab dynasty who founded the laws and customs of the region.

Within easy travelling distance from here is the vast dam and Lake Vidaru set in the mountains at over 3,500 metres, the drive through and up the mountains, over viaducts offers a breathtaking view.

25 km onwards are the remains of the Poieni Fort built in the 13th century as a defence to the Arges valley. From here a must do is to travel the Transfagasean highway placed at 2,034 metre altitude and pierces the Negoiu and Moldoveanu peaks with a tunnel of 845 metres in length.

The views are stunning !Bran…, this is the Castle that was the inspiration to Bram Stokers legend of Dracula, Once the ancestral home of Count Vlad Tepes , who had a most gruesome method of dealing with the Turkish invaders, that he became known as Vlad the Impaler!.The castle is fully restored and looks nothing like those depicted in the old Hammer movies of the 60’s/.

The weather, during summer is likely to reach 35 degrees plus, and with pleasant breezes from the mountains, will pretty much ensure you a sun tan, but without an unbearable level of heat.

At present, the majority of flights will be coming into Bucharest, but the airports at Timorsoira and Arad are being prepared for an influx of tourism.

This is just an insite into rural Romania, and much information can be found on the web, and we suggest you look at……………………………….............

The experts to help you

Adrienne Boxhall
http://www.roving-romania.co.uk Accomodation in Campulung and free advice service.

http://www.visionsofromania.co.uk

Written by Adrienne Boxhall from http://www.weaccommodate.co.uk