Romania

At a Glance

Romania is an Eastern European country of Carpathian mountain forests, painted medieval monasteries in Bucovina, the fortified Saxon towns of Transylvania, and the remarkable birdlife of the Danube Delta. Bucharest has a certain theatrical grandeur and an increasingly vibrant food and arts scene. The country suits those who are drawn to old Europe, folklore, and landscapes that feel genuinely unspoilt.

• Dracula is almost entirely a British fiction — the real Vlad was a defender of Christianity.
• One of the EU's fastest-growing IT and software outsourcing hubs.
• Has the largest gold reserves in Eastern Europe.