The holidays are coming, they are coming! How do you spend Christmas in Romania?
Another year has passed and Christmas is knocking on our door. Carols can be heard on Magic FM every time we turn on the radio. The stores are decorated for the holidays and it seems that positive emotions are floating in the air. People try to smile more often and be kinder. In December, lovers avoid snowflakes in the most beautiful places in the country. Not surprisingly, Romanians can't wait to take advantage of the days off and enjoy the presence of friends and family.
We start this article on the Alfa rent a car Cluj blog with a good and sincere thought. We hope you are healthy and still eager to explore Romania. In these difficult times we are going through, health is important. It helps us look at life with optimism and confidence. If you are preparing for an unforgettable Christmas and somewhat far from home, we thought we would come to your aid. How?
We are approaching one of the most important holidays of the year: Christmas. Romanians are busy preparing for this holiday. Another year has passed, with good and bad, and everyone is feeling it. The elections meant a continuous struggle with many unforeseen events and, rightly so, fatigue has set in.
In the last month of the year, we try to relax (as much as we can). We want a jovial meeting with Santa Claus and a fun New Year's Eve. So, it's no wonder that so many Romanians are preparing for trips around Christmas.
1. Raven's Nest
Romanian tourism is evolving (very well!). In recent years, Romanian entrepreneurs have developed a lot of incredible businesses, which attract recurring customers without effort. How? They created tourism projects like Raven's Nest.
In the village of Sub Piatră, in the commune of Salciua, somewhere in the mountains of Transylvania, you will find traditional houses with unique stories. Connect to the pulse of nature and feel Christmas in a very special way. The landscapes are incredible and delight the soul at any time of the day. Are you ready for a unique emotion in embracing free Transylvania?
2. Cacica
A tourist surprise for autumn and winter is definitely Cacica. If you have thought about enjoying the sincere gifts of nature, without feeling urban pressure, Cacica awaits you with "open arms". We spent an extended weekend in this location and how beautiful it was!
You could consider an accommodation at Vatra Boierească, where the food is sensational and the facilities welcoming. Spend time in the Cacica salt pan or in the salt treatment pools and more. Stroll through the surrounding forests and listen to the gentle wind!
3. Vatra Dornei
One of the most beautiful mountain resorts in Romania is definitely Vatra Dornei. In this resort in Bucovina, people come to practice winter sports on the local slopes. The delicious food and extraordinary accommodation units make Vatra Dornei a solid tourist option. Imagine a Christmas with Bucovina snacks, melodious carols and traditional customs!
We recommend visiting the city's Casino. It dates back to 1916 and enchants with its interwar architecture. The Dornelor Depression is enchanting and provides visitors with access to thermal waters and unforgettable landscapes. The Giumalău Mountains, the Bistriței Mountains, the Călimani Mountains, the Rodnei Mountains and the Obcina Mestecăniș make every outing a visual experience to immortalize in photos and videos.
4. Câmpulung Moldovenesc
We stay in Bucovina, the most visited tourist region in Romania. Why? We couldn't ignore Câmpulung Moldovenesc, surrounded with millennial skill by the Rarău Massif, Obcina Mestecănisului, Obcina Feredeului and the Stănisoarei Mountains. The Câmpulung Depression has a special vibe, which is fully felt.
After you have checked in (let's just say it, the accommodation options are more than delightful), set a small itinerary. Among the coolest options, we can list: visits to the Museum of Wood Art and the "Ioan Grămadă" Ethnographic Museum, practicing your favorite winter sports on the Rarău Câmpulung Moldovenesc Slope. You could take a run to the Moldovița Monastery, located in Vatra Moldoviței, quite close to the city. What wonderful places!
5. Gura Humorului
Visit the Arinis Park and take part in all sorts of interesting activities. Go to Pietrele Doamnei and hike to the top. It’s worth it! A breathtaking view awaits you. Hey! We haven’t forgotten about the Voroneț Monastery, which is just a few minutes from the city!
The same can be said about the Humor Monastery, which enchants with its history and art. Built in 1530, the church has a very special interior and exterior painting, which is why it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was founded by the great logophate Toader Bubuiog. Explore the countless stories of the Moldova River, which hisses at every moment of the day.
6. Sinaia
Winter smiles upon us and the Prahova Valley closes, actually it doesn’t, it’s just that the cars go or stop, depending on the weather. Sinaia is perhaps the most famous mountain resort in Romania. It developed as a tourist destination after King Carol I built Peleș Castle. However, Sinaia is not limited to Peleș and Pelișor.
The city enchants with buildings with unique personalities and stories full of talc. Did you know that Prime Minister I.G Duca was assassinated in Sinaia train station on December 29, 1933? He was the victim of the Nicodors from the Legionary Movement. Sinaia hosts casinos, where people can have fun like in the old days.
In Sinaia, you will find three ski slopes (Valea Dorului and Valea Soarelui, with distances of 900 meters; Carp with a distance of 2500 meters). These are prepared for those who love winter sports.
7. Predeal
Who doesn't love a Christmas weekend in Predeal? Located at an altitude of 1030 - 1110 meters, the city was a bastion of tourist success. Every year, tourists flock to Predeal to eat delicious dishes and practice winter sports. You could ski on one of the 5 slopes.
The Predeal Monastery is an important attraction, especially for believers. Also, for those interested in history and culture, Predeal offers access to the legionary cemetery and the villa of Marshal Antonescu. Christmas in Predeal is found in numerous tourist offers, created by travel agencies. Will you follow them or set off on your own from Cluj Napoca?
8. Pojorâta
If you missed Bucovina, Pojorâta can be a great option for an active and fun Christmas. Choose Pojorâta for a family Christmas. The place is more secluded from the standard tourist crowds in the region. The mountains around the commune are enchanting. The Pietrele Doamnei are close. Embark on a pleasant journey through the Putna Valley to the Mestecaniș Pass. Admire the landscapes with the Giumalau Massif in the foreground. Explore the Pojorâtei Gorges!
9. Poiana Brașov
Who wants to spend Christmas in Poiana Brașov? Me, us, you, many Romanians! The location delights with its tourist offers, from accommodation units to generous restaurants with WOW dishes! Considered the most luxurious mountain resort in Romania, Poiana Brașov attracts visitors from all over Europe and beyond. Tourists have 12 ski slopes at their disposal, with varying degrees of difficulty. In Poiana you will find sports fields, bars and even a lake. Relaxation and fun come together!
10. Râșnov
When I was last in Râșnov, I caught a day lit by strong sunshine and blue skies at sea. However, we have friends who spent Christmas in Râșnov, even in the citadel, and enjoyed very special experiences. The city is more beautiful than you might think. Located only 15 kilometers away from Brașov.
Accommodations in Râșnov are more special than in other places. Restaurants respond to new culinary trends. Make a trip to the citadel. This one is enchanting. Check if the pandemic has not changed the access schedule to the citadel. We know that many people visited the Râșnoavei Cave and the Valea Cetății Cave.
11. Bran
Christmas can be magical in Bran. Don't expect stories of Dracula and restless vampires. In contrast, Bran awaits you with a rich history, fascinating landscapes, modern hotels and traditional guesthouses and the Alfa rent a car Cluj Avram Iancu airport company assures you that the food is very good and the people are hospitable. Bran Castle is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Romania. The Bran Village Museum can be included in your itinerary. Moieciu de Jos is also close to Bran. The Rucăr-Bran corridor can be an unforgettable hike, especially if you have a good car at your disposal.
12. Târgoviște
Around the winter holidays, it doesn't hurt to visit a city with a story longer than that of time. The former capital of Wallachia is one of Romania's tourist surprises. The city declined greatly at the end of communism. In fact, Elena and Nicolae Ceaușescu were killed in this city. A period of stagnation and decay followed. Today, things have changed. The city is flourishing. A new stadium is being built. The mall is already ready and the infrastructure projects surprise even the most optimistic citizen.
13. Călimănești
The Olt River has blessed Romania with many pleasant surprises. Some of them have taken the form of cities. Among them is Călimănești, known for the special qualities of its thermal waters. The place was known to the Dacians, who used to bathe in the thermal waters.
The ruler of Wallachia, Mircea the Old, founded the Cozia Monastery, which you must visit. The time has come to discover a part of the living history of Wallachia, far from what was once known as folklore.
14. Danube Delta
Have you seen how many offers there are for an unforgettable Christmas in the Danube Delta? Why do you think so many travel agencies are trying to promote the holiday in the embrace of the Danube? Christmas in the Delta can be cold but magnificent. The song of winter has a unique tone in this part of the country. The fish dishes are sublime, cooked by experienced people. You won’t regret trying it!
15. Curtea de Argeș
Where can you spiritually revitalize yourself on Christmas Eve? Could Curtea de Argeș be a suitable option? Of course! The first capital of Wallachia is full of fascinating stories, which are worth exploring. The city is small but mighty. It has a special voice. You can hear it at the Curtea de Argeș Monastery (1515 – 1517, founded by Neagoe Basarab), where Ana and Meșterul Manole still defy the laws of time.
16. Băile Felix
Not many years ago, Băile Felix was the spa jewel of Europe. People were fascinated by the luxury and elegance of the resort. Today, things have changed a little, but there is room for improvement. Christmas in Băile Felix can be an unexpectedly beautiful experience. Thermal waters can seduce travelers, especially when they have such beneficial effects on the human body.
In the resort you can find places that offer electrotherapy treatments, aerosols and much more. Take care of your health! At Băile Felix, many options for relaxation and physical rest await you!
17. Sovata
Bear Lake awaits you with many surprises in December. The Gurghiu Mountains surround Sovata. The resort has numerous beautiful guesthouses and hotels, where you can stay with confidence during the holidays.
Sovata is similar to a seaside resort, but surrounded by mountains and with a reasonable probability of meeting a bear. The Salt Mountain seems to be taken from a fairy tale, but it graces the resort. Without salt, Bear Lake would not have existed and, implicitly, the resort would have lost its charm. Christmas in Sovata? Of course!
18. Băile Tușnad
We are not going for treatment, just for a portion of fresh air in the vicinity of the jovial Santa Claus. A city created in the heart of Adura, Băile Tușnad is a balneological and climatic resort, which manages to attract a significant number of tourists with respiratory, cardiac and other ailments. The mineral waters of Tușnad are a magnet for people who want a physical connection with nature. The air in the resort is ozonized, rich in aerosols and negative ions. Breathe clean air, very different from that present in Romanian cities.
19. Cluj Napoca
Home is a reality that we cherish day and night. We know that there are many Cluj residents who will not leave the city for Christmas. They will stay in the safety and comfort of their home, where family plays the main role. If you have decided to spend Christmas in Cluj Napoca, take advantage of the free days and walk as much as you can. Go out and explore! The city is ready for the holiday. Take some photos and create lasting memories, hard to forget.
20. Sibiu
Where will you find the most beautiful Christmas market in Romania? Sibiu awaits you with a more than admirable Christmas tree and one of the most appreciated fairs in Eastern Europe. Before the pandemic, Sibiu for Christmas was a must-see for those who love the holiday. Today, reality is more restrictive than we would like. However, we have some freedoms at our disposal, which we should not ignore. Sibiu for Christmas has remained a visual and emotional joy. Stroll around the city at your own pace and feel the magic of the holiday!
After discovering a few things about 20 places that can transform Christmas into an unforgettable experience, we are launching a special invitation: rent a car from us. If you do not have a personal car or maybe you want a special one for Christmas, feel free to call on our services in Cluj Napoca. We have prepared for the season of Santa Claus' magic!
The cars are decorated to welcome customers eager to travel. We have models for the diverse needs of Romanian and foreign customers. They can find in the Alfa Rent a Car Cluj office auto park, models from world-renowned manufacturers. Among them, we would like to mention Volkswagen, Opel, Ford, Skoda, Seat, Nissan, Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz. We offer you access to small, compact cars, SUVs but also minibuses. We try to respond positively to the wishes of customers who want to travel in December!
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