Now, there is a little bit of truth in these wild reactions, but only just. That picture is a very old one, and needs to be updated immediately. Romania today has many things that can be said in its favor, things that will completely transform you negative impression of the country. First, Romania is a South East European country that is blessed with incomparable scenic beauty. The diversity in its geography must be seen to be believed.

The beauty of Romania is evident from the towering arc of the Carpathian Mountains in the North West to the serene Black Sea coast and the mouth of the Danube in the East. Romania has everything from the sunny hills and undulating vineyards of Moldavia to the great fertile plains of Walachia, drained by gurgling streams and rivers with clear water. It is a land of natural beauty and diversity that can truly leave a foreign visitor spellbound.

Take for example the Black Sea Coast. It has a large number of modern resorts with their architecture completely in tune with the natural surroundings. This non intrusive style of building can be seen in many big cities too. Incidentally, Romania has a population of over 22 million at the last count.

Bucharest, the capital city of Romania and a vibrant metropolis, holds its own charms for the foreign tourist.Brasov and Sibiu are other interesting cities, with the last one being considered the cultural capital of the country. Not only the big cities, but every single province in Romania has something special to draw the foreign visitor.

Oltenia in the South is famed for the exquisite quality of its carpets and embroidery. Maramures is renowned for its wooden sculptures. Bucovina is a land of quaint traditions from the past. And if you are interested in history, Dobrogea is where you will find the ancient ruins.

Perhaps the most well known region of Romania is Transylvania with its mysterious legend. The legend of Dracula, the vampire king, has Transylvania as its backdrop. It can be traced back to the times of Vlad the Impaler, the merciless tyrant, who ruled briefly between the years 1456 and 1462. His favourite form of punishment for his subjects was impaling them for disloyalty or any other crime.

The barbarity and cruelty involved in such a mode of punishment induced the gullible people of the time to think that no human being was capable of such brutality. They, therefore, came to the conclusion that it must be the handiwork of a creature from hell. The bloodiness associated with the punishment also contributed to the legend of a vampire, which sustained itself on human blood. The seat of power of this king was in the Bran castle in Brasov county of Transylvania. It is a very popular tourist destination, and you can visit it for a hair-raising experience.

Now it is not just the evil from the past that you will find in Romania, but the holy as well. Romania is famous for its monasteries, especially in Northern Moldavia. The secluded monasteries will give you a taste of the peace of mind that is so rare in the fast life today. The peace and quiet of these monasteries will fill your mind with sacred joy and rid you of your sorrows and cares. Take some holy water and pray there, or just enjoy the serene and beautiful landscape.

Romania is a place sometimes shrouded in mystery, a country that inspired the Count Dracula story and where many legends live on in the untouched countryside. It is also a modern, dynamic country keen to embrace the outside world. Few countries in Europe are as individual as Romania. That was a very brief outline of the treasures you can find in the beautiful country that is Romania. Now that you have an idea of what to expect, you can visit the country for a fantastic experience.

Romania is a popular family holiday destination for families renting self catering holiday home accommodation. There are some great holiday villas with swimming pools and self catering apartments that can be rented as holiday homes in Romania.

Bucharest is a home to some of the best history museums in the world with the Village Museum regared a a good example. It displays the distinctive architecture of Romanian Countryside and offers travellers a glimpse of rural life. The people interested in exploring Romania’s national history can visit the Mazuel National de Istorie a Romaniei. For art lovers the Pleasant Museum is well worth a visit with some great paintings.

Bucharest is popular with tourists and many come on short breaks here just to experience its vibrant nightlife. When there many holiday makers visit many of the vibrant bars and clubs in the city. Bucharest is also popular for its culture and many festivals. Some of the most visited are Chinese New Year, Cow Parade, Classic Music Festival, Gay pride, and the International Opera Festival.

The theatres in Bucharest include the Comedy Theatre, Constantin Tanase Revue Theatre, Romanian Athenaeum, I.L.Caragiale National Theatre and the Nottara Theatre. Many holiday makers go on short breaks or long weekends to Bucharest and stay in self catering holiday apartments.The entertainment segment of Constanta includes the Opera Constanta, Constant, Jupiter Constanta also contains The Mosque of Constanta-Minaret, which marks the presence of Turkish rule. It traces its origin to the early 20th century.

Suceava is famous for its Sucevita monastery of the 16th century. It gives a beautiful contrast of green background against numerous images. Another monastery of that time is the Moldovita Monastery. It was founded in early 16th century. Its frescoes remind the visitors of Siege of Constantinople. People on vacation come here to explore this architecture and many stay in holiday home rentals.

Sinaia is famous for the Peles Castle, which takes the visitors back in time to the 19th century. It is regarded as one of the best castles of Europe. The Busteni Mountain is another attraction of Sinaia. Its uniqueness lies in its formation from Babele Rock.

Popular tourist attractions in Pitesti are the Poenari Castle and Monastery of Curtea de Arges. Poenari Castle is regarded as one of the best examples of its type and is studied by many architects from around the world.

Romania is a country which is friendly to visitors, welcoming and beautiful. Holiday makers come to Romania and find a warm and welcoming country. Their people are friendly and it is a country full of culture and many great sights.