You'll find many of the same types of ski slopes that you see in other areas of Europe. However, the ones in Austria are quite a bit cheaper. Since the snow hangs around longer here, you can even enjoy skiing as late as May in some years. Just be prepared to drink a lot of hot chocolate in the winter months, as it is extremely cold. If you're trying to stretch your vacation dollar, Austria might be something to consider. You can also enjoy some of the best hiking trails around. They too offer a great price tag – free.
National Romanian Atheneum
One area of interest is the Marmures Mountains. A trip here will offer you a healthy dose of hospitality from the mountain villages. The mountain range is littered with quaint little towns that welcome visitors. They are filled with spirited people and old wooden architecture. Many of the beautiful churches were hand made with wood from the surrounding forests.
The mountains are covered with green timber and extremely beautiful. The forests of Germany have nothing on this lush spread of trees and natural beauty. It is largely the same as it was a few hundred years ago. Most of it is largely uninhabited, but the mountain villages offer great accommodations for the weary traveler. While the scenery is beautiful, don't expect too many five-star resorts in this area. It's not the easiest place to get to and it is primitive by many standards. The best way to get close is by train from one of the major cities. You can acquire a first class sleeper cabin for about $150.
One area that is a great place to visit is Brasov. It is centrally located between many other famous attractions. You'll also find the Black Church here, which is one of the largest Gothic churches in Europe. It is also pretty close to the famed Bran Castle also known as "Dracula's Castle".
Although the myth still lives, this castle doesn't exactly look like you would expect it to. It's not easy to imagine a dangerous, scary creature living in the happy-looking castle. Apparently it also has never been confirmed that Vlad Tepes, the prince that many said was a vampire, ever had anything to do with it. During your visit, you'll probably enjoy the ornate decorations and the fountain in the courtyard. Don't hold your breath to see some evidence of Dracula though.
Bran Castle - Dracula's Castle?
The capital city of Romania is Bucharest. While it possesses many beautiful things, wars and earthquakes ravaged much of its original things. It does have the second largest building in the world, however. The Palace of Parliament is second only to the Pentagon. It also has the Old Court Church that was constructed in the 16th century.
Many experts believe that the travel industry is growing toward Bucharest more so than other European cities. They feel that it has a lot to offer the foreign traveler and they are willing to let it be known.
Throughout Bucharest, one can witness several remnants of the Soviet Empire. Probably the most prominent is the Palace of Parliament. However, one of the most interesting is the street B-Dul Unirii. Ceausescu wanted to build his own version of Paris' Champs Elysees. He built the street a few feet longer than the actual Champs Elysees on purpose to emphasize that it was bigger and better. He cleared out a large amount of old, historic houses and churches in the area.
Another historic sight in Romania is the Monastery of Horezu. It was started in 1690 by a prince named Constantine Brancovan. The building is widely considered a marvel of the Brancovan style of architecture. A school was later formed here that became famous throughout the area.
The region of southern Bucovia is also well worth a visit on your trip to Romania. The area has a large wall surrounding it that was constructed in fear of the Turkish invaders. This area also includes some beautifully painted monasteries. They represent some of the best and most amazing artwork in all of Europe. If you're in a hurry you might skip to the Moldovita monastery. It will give you a great example of what all the rest of them look at. However, if you want to check them all out, you might want to reserve two or three days and rent a car A popular activity in Romania is a cruise on the Black Sea or the Danube River. The Danube River offers some of the most romantic scenery and accommodations in the world. The calm waters of the Black Sea can pacify even the most motion-sick person in the world. Located at the point between Europe and Asia, a cruise can offer you an excellent mix of cultures to indulge in. It has a truly international feel as you can go from Turkey to Russia and back to Romania relatively quickly. The best time to go on a cruise is during the summer months. It gets pretty frigid in the winter months and can make for a miserable boat ride.
Perhaps nowhere else in the world has such a unique, old-world feel, like Romania. Here you can enjoy modern technology as well as remnants from the outdated Soviet Empire. There is a definite international feel as it is in a centralized location in Eastern Europe. Be prepared to enjoy yourself and take lots of pictures. Just be sure to reserve a week or more to enjoy all the sights.