Transylvania is rich in history, and around 160 fortified churches invite interested visitors to take a journey through Transylvania's past and present.

An overview of all these fortified churches and much more information:
https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/de/uir/kirchenburgen/

We thank the Fortified Churches Foundation (https://kirchenburgen.org) for the permission to use the images and data.

The Moldavian monasteries are located in the region of Bukovina (northeastern Romania) and were built in the 15th and 16th centuries, during the former Principality of Moldavia.

The monasteries are famous for their stunning frescoes. Many of the buildings are attributed to Stephen the Great, who is said to have founded a monastery for every battle he won. Eight of these monasteries are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

What makes the Moldavian monasteries special is their uniquely colorful painting, unparalleled in Europe. The monks wanted to convey the teachings of the Holy Scripture to common people who could neither read nor write. Thus, they used the inner walls, facades, and defensive walls of the monasteries to illustrate scenes and parables from the Bible through colorful drawings, paintings, and frescoes. These are considered absolute masterpieces of Byzantine art.

Text and images: Georg Schenk ... Many, many THANKS

Many more Romania offers at DRS Reisen GmbH from Stuttgart.

https://drs-reisen.de/reise/city-break-bukarest-mit-kultur-und-weinprobe/

German travel agency, including travel insurance certificate.

It is ready, online, and already printed 🥰

Order a printed version in Germany (and neighboring countries):
https://romania-euro24.de

View / read online for free:
https://welcome-to-romania.com

In collaboration with many partners, cities, DMOs, and the HoReCa sector, the new edition of the "Holiday in Romania 2025" brochure has been completed, featuring 68 pages.

We distribute the brochure at trade fairs, and it is now available online in German and English (more languages coming soon). If you would like to receive the printed German edition (2025), you can order it online in Germany for a fee of €2.80 + shipping starting February 24. We will announce the order link soon.

We follow the Zitzmann family through Romania, who not only allowed us to use the pictures from their trip (late September 2023) but also to share their experiences and stories. Thank you 🥰

"Romania Day 16, we drive about 90 km over the Transfagarasan Pass, which is only open for four months a year—the rest of the year, the high road is closed due to the long winter. Many media outlets refer to it as the 'most beautiful' mountain road. It is unique, as you can see wild bears there. The mountain road was built in just 4.5 years, and the highest point is 2,042 meters high.

On the orders of the then head of state Nicolae Ceaușescu (dictator), the high road was intended not only for military purposes, due to the tense relations with the Soviet Union after the events of the Prague Spring, but also to serve a tourist purpose. This road connection through the high mountains was meant to facilitate rapid troop movements. After four and a half years of construction, the road was opened on September 20, 1974. 🙂😎"

Thank you to Gerhard Daniela Zitzmann for the pictures and text.

A holiday, a round trip through Transylvania and neighbouring regions in Romania.

We would like to thank Mr Daniel Sippel for sending us these wonderful impressions of his trip.

Pictures from the Fagaras / Retezat Mountains which inspire hiking / trekking and discussion. Thank you for the many comments on the pictures, we are pleased that our text is read ... and in this case ... also corrected. Thank you for that.

https://www.karpaten-offroad.de/tour/rumanien-retezat-gebirge/ | https://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/

Romania is rich in history and therefore ... just as rich in the corresponding buildings and many stories.

There are still 300 fortified churches in Transylvania alone, as well as fortresses, castles, many fortresses and ruins in large numbers.

https://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/ | https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/

We thank the photographers / Facebook groups of the pictures for the permission to use them.

Romania is rich in history and therefore ... just as rich in the corresponding buildings and many stories.

There are still 300 fortified churches in Transylvania alone, as well as fortresses, castles, many fortresses and ruins in large numbers.

https://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/ | https://xn--urlaub-in-rumnien-2qb.de/

We thank the photographers / Facebook groups of the pictures for the permission to use them.

“Bunicii” for grandparents, and “bunica” for grandmother (Oma). In Romania, family has a much higher importance than in Germany, and grandmothers, who continue working alongside their families even into old age, have been and still are the backbone of many families.

A hard life, yet always there for everyone – this defines the daily reality of these women. And… they are and will remain the best cooks in the whole country, and we can confirm this from our own experience.

We thank photographer Sorin Onișor ( facebook.com/sorinonisor ) for the permission to use these wonderful images.

“Bunicii” for grandparents, and “bunica” for grandmother (Oma). In Romania, family has a much higher importance than in Germany, and grandmothers, who continue working alongside their families even into old age, have been and still are the backbone of many families.

A hard life, yet always there for everyone – this defines the daily reality of these women. And… they are and will remain the best cooks in the whole country, and we can confirm this from our own experience.

We thank photographer Sorin Onișor ( facebook.com/sorinonisor ) for the permission to use these wonderful images.

Pictures by photographer Stefan Bode from the Transylvania region in Romania. We would like to thank him and Mrs. Göddert from Heide Reisen.

https://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/ | https://heide-reisen.de

Wonderful pictures by photographer Sorin Onișor, showcasing the beauty of Transylvania in Romania.

https://willkommen-in-rumänien.de | https://welcome-to-romania.com

We thank Sorin Onișor for the permission to use these images. Thank you!

For all our friends, followers, readers, and subscribers, we have arranged a special offer for travel to Romania with DRS Reisen GmbH from Stuttgart.

With the following code (Urlaub200), DRS Reisen GmbH grants a discount of 200 Euros per booking for the Romania trips listed below. The promotion ends on 28 February 2025.

Discount Code: Urlaub200
https://drs-reisen.de/reise/siebenbuergen-und-moldaukloester-incl-transfagarasan/
https://drs-reisen.de/reise/rumaenien-rundreise-2025/
https://drs-reisen.de/reise/banat-siebenbuergen-und-die-walachei/
https://drs-reisen.de/reise/wandern-am-koenigstein-und-kronstadt/
https://drs-reisen.de/reise/mit-dampf-durch-siebenbuergen/
https://drs-reisen.de/reise/luxus-weinreise-zu-den-top-winzereien-in-rumaenien-5-sterne-hotels/
https://drs-reisen.de/reise/kammwanderung-im-fagarascher-gebirge/
https://drs-reisen.de/reise/transsilvanien-per-fahrrad-gefuehrt/
https://drs-reisen.de/reise/mit-dem-rad-zu-den-kirchenburgen-in-siebenbuergen/
https://drs-reisen.de/reise/weinreise-zu-den-top-winzereien-in-rumaenien-3-sterne-hotels/

More about Romania: https://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/

Even if the journey was long, it was worth every kilometer for photographer Catalin Urdoi. Pictures from the Apuseni Mountains, which impressively describe this landscape.

The Apuseni Mountains (Romanian: Muntii Apuseni, Hungarian: Erdelyi-kozephegyseg) is a mountain range in Transylvania, which is part of the western Romanian Carpathians. The highest peak is the Bihor peak at 1,849 meters, and there are also around 400 caves in the Apuseni Mountains.

We thank the photographer Catalin Urdoi ( facebook.com/urdoi.catalin ) for the permission to use these pictures.

Many more Romania trips and offers from the German provider DRS Reisen GmbH in Stuttgart.

https://drs-reisen.de/reise/mittelalterliches-siebenbuergen/

German travel agency, including travel insurance certificate.

Printing is in progress, and now you can finally order the 2025 brochure with 68 pages directly to your home in Germany (protection fee 2.80 Euro per brochure, shipping costs 2.00 Euro).

Link: https://romania-euro24.de

The brochure will be delivered in the first week of March and will arrive at your home in 1-2 days (shipped from Niederbayern). For questions / requests / suggestions, please send a PM or an email to ja@red-frog-galati.com

View the brochure online in Romanian / German / English:
https://welcome-to-romania.com or
https://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/

We continue to work on our new information section (sorted by regions in Romania) about camping, motorhome travel, and more.

https://urlaub-in-rumänien.de/en/uir/camping-in-romania-en/

Motorhomes and wild camping | Many things are possible, not everything is allowed, and some things can be quite dangerous. Romania's Carpathian Mountains are home to brown bears, there are many national parks and protected areas, and many activities are forbidden 😅 However, if you don't want to stay at an official campsite, please ask in the local area. There is usually a possibility to park on private property (with permission), in front of a guesthouse (with permission), or elsewhere. But please, always ask… local residents can also inform you about possible dangers (e.g., bears).

Our online list still lacks a lot of information, so we kindly ask for your help to complete this overview (in German, Romanian, and English).

You can submit new places for free directly on the site, and after a quick review, we will publish them online. Many thanks in advance to all the contributors 🥰

There is also a small rating system where you can share your impressions. Please always choose appropriate wording. Thank you.

A magical road through the Făgăraș Mountains. The Transfăgărășan road connects the historical regions of Wallachia and Transylvania, offering breathtaking mountain scenery.

https://welcome-to-romania.com | https://willkommen-in-rumänien.de

Information: The Transalpina (also well-known, the "neighboring road") is usually open from early June, while the Transfăgărășan typically opens in early to mid-June, depending on snow conditions.

Many travelers drive to Romania with their own car or rent one at the airport and ... some may feel a bit overwhelmed by parking situations in certain cities. So here are a few tips.

**First of all, don’t copy the creative parking habits of some locals**. Cars can be **towed quickly** (especially in fire zones, in front of hospitals, intersections, pedestrian crossings, etc.), and recovering them requires **cash payment** – but first, you need to find out where your car was taken, which can be a long process 🙈.

# Stress-free parking in Brăila 🥰
Brăila, located in southeastern Romania, has about 150,000 residents. **Parking is always available and completely free, even in the city center**.

# The neighboring city, Galați ... a bit more complicated 😅
Galați, with around 300,000 residents, has **many paid parking zones** (not only downtown). Parking is charged **Monday-Saturday, 08:00-20:00**, and can be paid at parking meters or via SMS (Romanian phone number required). **IMPORTANT**: If you don’t pay, you may quickly find a **wheel clamp** 😅. The unlocking fee is **200-300 Lei (40-60 Euros)** depending on the time of day.

# Brașov – parking requires patience
Finding a parking spot **near the center of Brașov is difficult at any time**. Many streets are one-way, and it takes time to locate an available space. **Parking is charged (Monday-Saturday, 08:00-20:00)** and can be paid at meters, via SMS (per hour, multiple SMS needed – Romanian number required), or via an app (24h tickets available). Paid parking applies citywide, so always check the signs.

# Timișoara, European Capital of Culture 2023 ... going high-tech 😁
Paid parking in the city center is monitored using a **special camera-equipped vehicle** that scans parked cars and checks payment records in real-time. We’re not sure how it works exactly, but … we suspect fines are issued automatically.

# Bucharest … no words 🙈
Parking in Bucharest means **either at the hotel or 20 km outside the city** 😁. The **traffic is intense**, and the **driving style is reminiscent of Italian movies**. Most areas, including downtown, require **paid parking** (via meter, SMS – Romanian number needed, or app). Finding a spot in the **Old Town is extremely difficult**, and private parking can cost up to **300 Lei (60 Euros) for 24h**. **Our advice**: book a hotel with free parking and use taxis, Uber, or public transport instead. It's worth it!

# Small towns & rural areas
Parking here is usually **free and easy** 😊, but check signs near tourist attractions.

# Ignoring a parking fine? 😅
Not a good idea! Most cities **clamp the front wheel** (yellow or orange). The release fee depends on the time of day. **Better pay for parking in advance** – it’s cheaper!

Any parking experiences in Romania? Share your comments!

# And a reminder: RO Vignette
Driving on **Romanian highways and national roads** requires a vignette (Rovinieta). Buy it online **up to a month before your trip**: [https://www.roviniete.ro/de/](https://www.roviniete.ro/de/). Prices:
- 3 Euros / 7 days
- 7 Euros / 30 days
- 13 Euros / 90 days
- 28 Euros / 1 year

Rental cars usually have it included, but double-check.

Safe travels & stress-free parking! 🚗😊

Please take note when driving to and in Romania. Since July 1, 2023, it is mandatory to use dipped headlights during the day, both in cities and outside of them (so, everywhere 😀).

Also, a vignette is required for almost all roads outside cities (highways and even national roads). The costs are low, and the vignette can be purchased at many gas stations or online (up to one month before your trip): https://www.roviniete.ro/de/

If you are traveling through Hungary on the highway, you will also need a vignette, which can be purchased online (same link as above). Additionally, the Austrian vignette can be purchased at https://asfinag.at or at gas stations in Germany / Hungary (and of course in Austria – but then it might be too late 😅). Always keep the receipt, as Austria may check both the vignette and proof of payment.

In Romania, the **blood alcohol limit for driving is 0.00‰** !!!

Speed limits in Romania:
- max. 50 km/h in cities
- max. 90 km/h on national roads (even if Google Maps suggests 100 km/h!!)
- max. 130 km/h on highways

A **fire extinguisher** (though sometimes overlooked for tourists) and **two warning triangles** are mandatory.

Even if other drivers (especially trucks!!!) exceed speed limits in towns, please follow them for your safety, your family's, and others on the road – and to avoid fines.

Pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way at crosswalks (unless there is a traffic light). You must usually stop if you see a potential pedestrian about to cross.

At unguarded railway crossings, **you must stop** and check both directions for approaching trains. This is required by law and, more importantly, ensures your safety. The road over the tracks is often bumpy – maintain distance from the car in front and never start crossing while another vehicle is still on the tracks!

Safe travels! | Drum bun!

Life in the countryside is very different from life in the cities. It is characterized by family, hospitality, traditions, hardships, and hard work well into old age.

And ... it is often a happier life than we imagine. Those who have little worry less, and the many daily news updates of the world, which we constantly receive on our phones (and don’t really need), reach these people less often or perhaps not at all.

We thank the photographer Sorin Onișor ( Sorin Onișor ) for the permission to use these atmospheric images.

The Sphinx (Sfinxul in Romanian) is a natural rock formation located in the Bucegi Mountains*, at an altitude of approx. 2,215 meters.

*The Bucegi Mountains are located south of the city of Brașov (Kronstadt) on the eastern edge of the Southern Carpathians in Romania.

From the end of March / beginning of April you can see the storks moving in many, many villages in southeastern Romania.

Almost every mast, no matter how bold the construction of the cable (fiber optics for the internet, where are you in Germany?), Is inhabited by a nest. At the beginning of June (pictures from 2020) "the little ones" are already quite big and soon we will be on the road again ...

https://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/ | https://welcome-to-romania.com

Two images, one of the Stelvio Pass in Italy, the second highest mountain pass in the Alps, and one of the Tranfagarasan Pass in Romania, the second highest mountain pass over the Carpathians (in Romania).