2. Bucharest
he capital is in an exciting stage of
development, with EU investment resulting in
sympathTetic modernisation projects and a
general buzz around the city. But you can still
visit Ceausescu's obscenely grandiose palace
and other communist-era monstrosities, plus
medieval churches and monasteries. Stay in
the Hotel Christina, a boutique hotel in the
centre.
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4. Carpathian mountains
Also known as the Transylvanian Alps, the
Carpathians are an unspoilt range perfect for
hiking, biking and skiing. Or take the slightly
lazier – but just as thrilling – option of a
motorbike tour.
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6. Castles
Romania isn't short of fairytale castles. Peles
(peles.ro) is the most opulent and Bran (bran-
castle.com) is the legendary home of Dracula.
The ruins at Poenari were once one of Vlad
the Impaler's fortresses, and so have more
claims to being the "real" Dracula's castle.
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8. Ice Hotel
The Ice Hotel is 2,034 metres up the
Fagarass range of the Carpathians, among
the highest peaks in Romania, and is
accessible only by cable car. Rooms are
made entirely from ice, as are the bar,
restaurant and church.
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10. Danube Delta
Where the mighty Danube flows into the Black
Sea it forms a delta that straddles Romania
and Ukraine. It offers some of the best
birdwatching in Europe. Explore the channels
and lakes by boat, spotting white pelicans,
spoonbills, cormorants, ibis, egrets and white-
tailed sea eagles.
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12. Painted monasteries
The monasteries of Bucovina, north-eastern
Romania, are decorated on the outside with
15th- and 16th-century frescoes depicting
religious stories. The best-preserved
monasteries are within a 30-minute drive of each
other – hire a car to take in a few in one day.
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