DESTINATIONS EUROPE |ROMANIA


experts ASK THE Andrea Godfrey, head of Regent Holidays ts


“It’s only a three-hour flight to Bucharest, but Romania feels like a different world, with beautiful scenery in the Carpathian Mountains, medieval cities such as Sighisoara, fascinating


communist-era history and


CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Horezu Monastery; Apogeum winery; fetească neagră grapes; Fernando Mihăilescu (right) with son Paul and daughter-in-law Ophelia Marian


gained notoriety when it featured on Top Gear – the producers must have been drawn by the road’s twists and turns through tight mountain passes, until it reaches the top and offers sweeping views of the huge Vidraru Dam. While Transylvania’s sights and scenery are arguably


Romania’s big tourist draw, the historic southern region of Wallachia has as much to enjoy for those who take the time to explore. It’s home to capital Bucharest, which is dominated by the supersized Palace of the Parliament, which was built by Romania’s last communist leader, Nicolae Ceaușescu. There’s more to discover in the city – dubbed ‘Little Paris’ thanks to its longstanding French connections, even featuring its own Arcul de Triumf – with a walkable historic centre and former 19th-century banking district now populated by museums and galleries. Get outside the capital, however, and you’ll find


a rural region dotted with religious monuments and characterful guesthouses or small-scale wineries with a smattering of rooms on site.


HOLY ORDERS The impressive 16th-century Curtea de Argeș Cathedral is one of the most ornate Orthodox churches in the country, bearing strong Byzantine influences in its architecture and intricate motifs. A newer church next door is the burial place of Romania’s last kings and queens, including King Mihai I, who was forced to abdicate as a 26-year-old in 1947, but sparked a show of national


42 26 OCTOBER 2023


The road, which gained notoriety when featuring on T


op Gear, twists through tight mountain passes


support when he was brought here to be buried in 2017. There are dozens of Orthodox churches and monasteries for those with a penchant for gold-laden interiors and richly detailed frescoes. But if visitors have time for only one, it has to be the Unesco-listed Horezu Monastery. Built in 1690 by Wallachian prince Constantin Brâncoveanu, it was the birthplace of Brâncoveanu’s namesake style, drawing on the influences of village houses as well as long-established religious buildings. This peaceful complex is awash with artworks, including a fantastically detailed depiction of the Last Judgment – a gruesome warning for worshippers who couldn’t read scripture, but could easily understand the scenes of hell that would await sinners – and remains a popular pilgrimage spot both for its religious heritage and its architectural innovations. Horezu is yet another chapter in the story of


Romania’s many reinventions. Whether standing in this ecclesiastical enclave or strolling through thriving vineyards where a new generation of winemakers are reinventing grapes that have grown here for centuries, the appeal of this sleepy southern region is enduring. TW


interesting wildlife including mountain bear sanctuaries and bird life in the peaceful Danube Delta region. Driving distances can be long, so seek expert advice on putting together the most logical itinerary, stopping off at points of interest or


enjoying scenic routes – ideally with a driver-guide who can add valuable insight into the country’s culture and history.”


BOOK IT


Regent Holidays’ new 10-day A Taste of Romania – Wines, Castles & Culture trip starts at £2,795 per person including return flights, transfers and nine nights’ shared accommodation on a B&B basis. The price also covers some lunches and dinners, a private driver and guide, and sightseeing trips, with at least three wine-tasting experiences – including at Crama Ferdi. regent-holidays.co.uk


travelweekly.co.uk


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