Tourism Operation Licence no. 3854 / 2010
Romania as a destination
Transilvania as a destination

 
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Our most recommended - Transylvania
 


Transylvania is easily the most romantic and scenically inspiring of Romania's provinces. To most foreign people, the name Transylvania conjures up images of haunted castles, werewolves and vampires. Definitely is more than that!! Transylvania forms the central region of Romania, bordered to the east, south and west by the Carpathian Mountains. Southeastern Transylvania is dominated by Prahova Valley, with Romania's best ski resorts, Sinaia royal castle, Bran and Rasnov fortresses. The southwest of the region is home to many Dacian and Roman citadels, including the fantastic remains of the Dacian capital Sarmizegetusa. The Transylvanian east side is the cradle of Magyar culture, the region of Szekely, well known as Szekely Land. Transylvania charms through the medieval atmosphere that can be found in the old Saxon places - remote castles, old fortified churches, houses with castle gates and interior gardens, massive walls and windows with huge shutters… In this land guarded by the Carpathians Mountains is the birthplace of the legendary vampire Dracula. Here the largest gold reserves in Europe are to be found, deep inside Apuseni Mountains. And here too can be seen different ethnic groups - Romanians, Hungarians, Germans, Romas - living side by side for centuries. Alongside castles full of mystery and monument churches, some of which are included in the UNESCO patrimony, everything invites the traveler to one of the most picturesque places in Europe.

Explore the beauty of Transylvania with Retro travel!

 
 

Retro Travel - your travel partner in Transylvania!
  Surrounded by the natural fortress on the Carpathian Mountains, Transylvania has remained a place of mystery till nowadays. It is easily the most romantic and scenically inspiring of Romania's provinces, and one of the most beautiful places in Europe.
With its variety of landscapes, the richness of the relief forms, antique remnants, the historical art feudal art monuments and the ethno-folk elements, Transylvania is one-third of the territory of Romania and it holds one of the largest concentration of different types of attractions in Europe. Transylvania means snowy mountains peaks heaved upon the sky from ancient forests, foggy valleys and fast streams; rich wildlife, varied flora and fauna; antique remnants, medieval cities, fortress, castles, fortified churches, memories of a turbulent, and ancient history.
The Dacians, its former inhabitants, have left behind traces of their civilization throughout the province. At the beginning of the 2nd century, Emperor Trajan turned Dacia into a Roman province for more than 160 years. After the Roman withdrew below the line of the Danube, to the south, the territory of Dacia Felix was left as prey for the invading barbarians.
Vestiges of the Dacian -Roman antiquity can be admired today in the Blidaru, Costesti, Cibinum fortess remains, as long as at Sarmisegetuza, the capital city of the Dacian Kingdom.
Hunedoara castle

A huge civilization gap was thus created for centuries, a period of invasions, destructions, and darkness. In the 11th-13th century the first Romanian feudal states submitted to the Hungarian Kingdom and formed Transylvanian Principality. At the beginning of the 12th century , King Geza II brought here German colonists. Later known under the name of Saxons and which had a great influence on the culture of Transylvania. When the Ottoman Empire threatened Vienna, Iancu Corvin Of Hunedoara, a nobleman from Hateg County, fought at the Danube and earned himself the title " Ban of Severin". He later became Prince of Transylvania and his son, Matei Corvin, one of the greatest Hungarian Kings. Around 1600, Mihai Viteazu ( the Brave), then Pince of Valachia, succeeded to create a short-lived union of the three Romanian principalities. During the period that followed, Transylvania was subdued by the Habsburg Empire and it wasn't until December 1st, 1918 that the unification of the Romanian provinces that make up today's Romania took place in an event that has become known as "The Great Union".
As a result of centuries of colored history, Transylvanian cities are old settlements which hosts great monuments in the form of buildings, churches and castles. This is part of why these cities have such a charm of their own. Settled in the South of Transylvania at the beginning of the 12th century, Transylvanian Saxons repeatedly witnessed their cities being destroyed by Tartars. Hence they decided to fortify them by building protective walls and towers, which led to the replacement of the old burgs. Do not hesitate to visit Sibiu, Cluj-Napoca, Sighisoara, Brasov, Deva sau Targu Mures-small medieval jewelries that will take by surprise with their urban ambiance, local museums, and cultural life.
Medieval towns were not alone in fortifying their churches, small village communities, too, followed this example. The entire region of Southern Transylvania abounds in such churches, unique in all Europe. Built in the 13th and 14th centuries, they are true Gothic-style works of art and a testimony of Christian spirituality. As both religious and military edifices, these churches have complex construction mechanism which include additional walls, water ditches, counter pillars, bastions, towers, withdrawal galleries and provision chambers.
Equaling the spectacular beauty of the Evangelical fortified churches, monasteries and cathedrals, Orthodox and Catholic, can be found all over Transylvania, most of them dating since Middle Age. In the Hunedoara county, you will find the Strei Church. Here, the blend of early Gothic elements and Roman architecture make up one of the most valuable fourteenth century
Alongside castles full of mystery and monument churches, some of which are included in the UNESCO patrimony, everything invites the traveler to one of the most picturesque adventures of this millennium beginning.
The people of Transylvania belong to a large number of ethnic groups (such as Romanian, Hungarian, German, Gypsy, and Jewish) so they have different customs, folk dresses, foods, and languages. But this ethnic diversity makes it only natural for Transylvanian traditions and customs to be rich and diverse and the cultural heritage of this region unique. Traditional customs relating to family life -births, weddings, funerals-and concerning religious holidays are a true folklore spectacle. Spring customs are linked to working in the field or pastoral activities.
Fusing the cooking methods of many different ethnic groups provides for a cuisine of large variety in dishes and excellence in taste.
Transylvanian cuisine can meet any requirements. Soup, made of vegetables and meat, is usually served at lunch following the appetizers. For the main course " sarmale" are traditional. Sarmale are a Romanian specialty with ground meat rice and rolled into cabbage, vine , lime leaves or even into pumpkin flowers. They are served with sour cream.
Dairy products are also prominent in Romanian gastronomy. A Romanian cheese specialty is called " bulz" and it's made with polenta ( corn flour boiled with water and salt) and many sorts of cheese and sour cream.
As for the dinks, a typical Transylvanian refreshment is made from the flower of a tree and called " socata". It tastes slightly sour and has a strong flavour. Wines from Tranavei Valley are the most famous in this region. They are white, dry, and are served with white meat. It is quite common for strong , fruit-distilled drinks to be served with the appetizer. The most renowned are "tuica" which is made from plums, and the so-called "Schnapes" prepared by the Transylvanian Saxons. In the Apuseni area, a sweet beverage called " afinata" is preferred , made of wild berries, sugar and alcohol...

The Retro Travel consultants are experienced professionals who understand the details and planning required in creating the perfect vacation for you. Whether you are contacting us on-line or via the phone you will be guaranteed personal quality service, valuable knowledge and good value.

Retro Travel - your travel partner in Transylvania!


 
     
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Maramures - 2 days tour
Bucovina - 2 days tour
Maramures & Bucovina tour
Country life in Maramures
Dracula tour !!!
Brasov-Sinaia-Bran-Prejmer

  Outgoing - Excursii elevi
Circuite elevi in Cluj
Circuite elevi in tara
Hiking the Retezat Mountains
Hiking the Southern Carpathians
   
 

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