Transylvania is historically divided into four distinctive regions: Central Transylvania (Ardeal), Maramures, Banat and Crisana. Visit Central Transylvania for its legends, medieval towns and castles, fortified churches, its breathtaking landscape, tasty cuisine and amazing multiculturalism. Find in Maramures an unspoiled nature, fairy-tale hamlets, splendid displays of woodwork, popular costumes, ancient traditions, hospitable people, famous beverages, hardworking farmers and artisans who still keep the old trades. The Banat and Crisana regions offer a variety of spas, wealthy and wild mountains perfect for adventures, generous vineyards, millenary history, complex architecture, folk art and many hidden treasures. Although it is not part of Transylvania, nothing complements your journey like a visit to the Bucovina region. This will definitely enchant you with its glowing culture, unique monasteries and deep spirituality, generous and fascinating nature, rich history and impressive folklore.

Wander along small passageways that lead into a breezy town square, admire the colourful houses on cobblestone streets bounded by imposing city walls and defense or guild towers. I invite you to enjoy a refreshment on a street cafe, a delicious candlelit dinner in a medieval restaurant, a sneak peek into a craftsman studio, or a visit to an art gallery or museum in the cities of Sighisoara, Sibiu, Alba Iulia, Cluj-Napoca, Brasov, Medias, Bistrita, Targu Mures and so many others.

With more than 150 fortified churches, Transylvania has the highest number and density of this type of medieval constructions, providing a vivid picture of the ageless cultural landscape of the Transylvanian saxon villages (Biertan, Viscri, Prejmer, Saschiz, etc). You can also discover some of the most impressive strongholds in Europe, the best-known beeing Rasnov, Fagaras, or Rupea.

Surrounded by mystery and history, Transylvanian castles and palaces owe their fame not only to the local legends, historical facts, but also to the imagination of foreign authors who were fascinated about this land. The rich collection of such buildings illustrates the wealthy medieval heritage of the country. I welcome you to discover the famous castles like Bran, Corvinilor, Peles, and so many others less known. Transylvania’s heritage (including German and Hungarian) is also rich in nobiliary domains and residences of the overlords of the area (Brukenthal, Banffy, Haller, Teleki, etc).

Until now, in Romania, UNESCO has included 7 subscriptions on the World Cultural Heritage List, from which 4 listings are in Transylvania. These are: the seven medieval Fortified Churches from Central Transylvania, the eight Wooden Churches of Maramures, the Historic Center of Sighisoara and the six Dacian Fortresses of the Orăştie Mountains. Besides these, the Danube Delta from Dobrudja region, the Painted Monasteries of Moldavia and the Horezu Monastery from Wallachia are the other listed sites.

If you are eager to discover some really interesting and unique places, you`re in the right place. There are some impressive underworld experiences in salt mines like Turda or Praid, mountain passes like Borgo, Transfagarasan, Rucar-Bran or Transalpina with breathtaking panoramic views and hairpin twists and turns. Be amazed by the powerful megaliths from the Carpathians, the incredible hand carved wooden gates of Maramures and Szeklerland, the water driven peasant installations, the traditional distilleries, the remarkable Merry Cemetery from Sapanta, the Ice Hotel from the Transylvanian Alps or maybe a fascinating ride with the Mocanita, the narrow gauge steam train trough wild, misty mountains.

Transylvania is one of the ecologically best preserved parts of Europe. It is a land where the hues of the emerald hills gently blend with the tranquility and freshness of mountains and the gentle sway of the golden plains. The Carpathian`s magnificent two-thousanders , the sunny and romantic vineyards, the fascinating karstic landscape are just some of the natural beauties that Transylvania will reveal to the patient visitor. Transylvania is definitely worth being experienced in the open air. There are many natural attractions all over the regions. 65% of the Europe`s virgin forests are to be found here, over 80 crystal clear glacial lakes, a multitude of stunning waterfalls and rivers, dazzling gorges and canyons, mineral springs and of course an unrivalled collection of national parks and reserves. The very diverse plant and animal life are attractive all year round.

Time passes more slowly in the Transylvanian countryside, the heart and soul of the region. This heavenly place is a land of particularly rich heritage. For a piece of living tradition, join me in the beautifully preserved traditional villages from Maramures, Central and Southern Transylvania, Apuseni Highlands or Marginimea Sibiului region, with open, friendly people, tasty organic food and an incredible self-sufficient lifestyle. Abandon yourself to the harmony of coexistence of man with nature and feel the authenticity of the pure Transylvanian countryside.

The locals are superstitious, but they also proudly keep their ancient traditions which were passed from one to another for generations. In the rural regions, these ancient traditions, some older than 2000 years, are still preserved. From using garlic and holy water to chase away the bad spirits, to practice love fortune telling at summer solstice, Christmas caroling or using incantations against evil eye, these are just some of the local practices. There is a blending of pagan and Christian customs that creates unique traditions throughout the year and for every life event.

The rural character of the local communities resulted in an exceptionally vital and creative traditional culture. The folk art creations are very rich and vary in symbolic content and poetic descriptions of the universe and the world seen and explained by simple people. As active repositories of ancient knowledge, these powerful traditional elements reflect the artistic way through which the people have expressed their beliefs, fears, values and heritage. They are depicted in legends, myths, superstitions, fairy-tales, songs, dance, folk ballads and ceremonies and even archiecture. Folk culture is not only preserved in museums; traditions lives on in many small villages, kept alive by local communities.