Top attractions in Romania

Are you thinking about visiting Eastern Europe? Why not Romania?

Located in South-Eastern Europe, Romania features splendid mountains, beautiful rolling hills, fertile plains, numerous rivers and lakes along with character filled cities and medieval towns.

Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, is a bustling metropolis and offers plenty to suit all tastes. The Arch of Triumph, a major landmark, was built in 1922 to honour the Romanian soldiers who fought during the First World War. Visitors can climb to the top of the structure for a panoramic view of the city via the interior staircase. Not recommended for those with a fear of heights!

If you’re into architecture, you’ll love a walk down Calea Victoriei- Bucharest’s oldest street, built in 1692. As you stroll along, you’ll see the historical Revolution Square, the vast National History Museum with over 60 valuable exhibitions, the CEC palace, and the magnificent art nouveau Cantacuzino Palace. Bucharest is also home to some beautiful parks, most notably Carol I Park, with its imposing mausoleum. If you prefer to splash the cash, many high-end stores have made their home in the Romanian market since the fall of Communism. However, Bucharest has something to suit every budget; Blvd. Magheru,Piata Romana and Piata Universitatii have a fantastic variety of shops.

No visit to Romaia would be complete without a visit to Transylvania. The area is home to some of the oldest and prettiest towns in Romania, particularly Sighisoara with its medieveal architecture, secret passageways and plethora of unique shops. The main attraction in this region is Bran Castle, the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The gothic fairy tale like structure sits on the edge of a hill and is a breathtaking sight. 

The Carpathian mountain landscape is full of exquisite beauty and mystery. The Oas – Harghita range is the longest volcanic mountain chain in Europe and creates a character filled landscape. The range is also home to the only Crater Lake in Romania- Ana Lake. The National Parks protect some of the largest remaining areas of pristine forest in Europe. However, they are also home to a wide range of terrains allowing visitors to experience the best of Romania. Travellers can trek around glacial lakes, walk through serene alpine meadows covered with scores of wild flowers, climb unique rock formations, explore the Buca mud volcanoes and visit impressive caves.

For those seeking a more relaxing holiday, the Black Sea resorts in Romania are seriously worth considering. The 45 miles of fine sandy beaches are dotted with fine hotels and resorts, many with fantastic sport and entertainment facilities. If you feel like trying something a little different, the Eforie Nord and Mangalia Spas are famous world wide for their specialised mud baths! The mud is taken from the nearby hypersaline lake waters and is said to help relieve arthritis.

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A Romanian Castle

Amsterdam: Top attractions

Looking for ideas for your next holiday? 

The Dutch city of Amsterdam lies roughly an hour’s flight time from London, making it the ideal location for a weekend break.

For those with young children, the Artis Royal Zoo is well worth a visit. There are a huge variety of animals including elephants, vultures, baboons and penguins. Zookeeper talks and guided tours enable you to learn more about the animals. A walk through the butterfly pavilion is not to be missed; hundreds of brightly coloured butterflies flying gracefully in front of you will delight the whole family. The historical Aquarium allows you to discover the vast diversity of life under water.

Art lovers will appreciate the many museums in Amsterdam. The largest is the Rijksmuseum, which holds many famous paintings, including The Night Watch by Rembrandt and The Milkmaid by Vermeer. Similarly, the Van Gough Museum, just a short walk away, displays many of the artist’s finest works, including his famous Sunflowers. For budding photographers, the FOAM photography museum will provide endless inspiration; it features many pieces by up and coming young photographers.

A visit to Amsterdam would not be complete without visiting the Anne Frank house, where the young girl and her family hid for over two years. A moving yet inspiring visit allows you to appreciate the torture the family went through, most noticeably the confined conditions in which eight people lived. There is also a sobering exhibition about discrimination and the persecution of Jews during the war. Anne’s original diary is on display.

Dam Square is a fantastic bustling central location, and you will always find something to do. The square itself is home to street performers and mimes. Throughout the year, it hosts festivals and events. The main attraction in Dam Square is the Royal Palace, built in the 15^th century.  When not in use by the royal family, it is open to the public and makes a very interesting diversion. Explore the history and grandeur of the building, making sure not to miss the opulent furnishings. Dam Square is also home to the National Memorial- a statue erected in honour of the members of the Resistance and Dutch soldiers who died during the Second World War.

At the edge of the Square lies Madame Tussauds, home to many famous celebrities. There are sports, celebrity, royal and culture areas, so you’re almost certain to find a waxwork of your favourite celebrity.

A relaxing trip on the canals is a perfect way to view what Amsterdam has to offer, giving you a unique perspective of the historic city. If you’re visiting Amsterdam for the first time, the cruises are a great introduction to many of the attractions. If you’re feeling more energetic, you can even hire a pedalo and navigate your own route through the city.

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Amsterdam canals

Top 10 holiday destinations for 2015

The euphoria of the Christmas and New Year holidays is now truly over, and for most of us it's a return to the drudgery of our workplace.

The changeable and often cold and wet weather is probably adding to  a sense of post-Christmas depression.

No wonder we're starting to see so many holiday adverts appearing on a screens and in magazines.

For those of us lucky enough to have the money and opportunity to arrange a holiday the difficult decision is often where to go.  The internet gives us a whole wealth of information, ideas and reviews, and many of us also rely on recommendations from friends and family.

It may even be the case that too much information actually makes it harder for us to choose.

We came across the 101 Holidays website with a list of their top 10 holiday destinations that gives plenty of food for thought.

Wherever you decide to go we hope that you enjoy a well earned and relaxing break

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