From its literary tradition of vampire hunting to the modern scars of communism and the Cold War, Romania is a destination that prefers to wear its heritage on its sleeve. Here’s a look at some of the must-see attractions for anyone considering a Romanian adventure.

1. Biertan Fortified Church

The village of Biertan is home to one of the largest medieval strongholds in all of Transylvania. Venture through the picturesque vineyards and the quaint cobbled streets to discover the dramatic 15th century fortified church at the village centre.

It was considered an impressive stronghold in medieval times and it’s easy to see why, with towers, gates and three tiers of 35-foot-high defensive walls. Today it’s an awe-inspiring destination for history lovers, architecture connoisseurs and sightseers alike.

Biertan Fortified Church, Romania by Otto Schemmel

2. Bran Castle

Few people can think of Romania’s heritage without mentioning Bram Stocker’s iconic legend, Dracula. Much of this story comes from the iconic architectural creation known as Bran Castle; formerly a Teutonic Knights stronghold with the edifice constructed atop a rock some 200ft high.

Interestingly the famed Irish author never visited Romania, yet for lovers of his iconic text, Bran Castle remains central to the plot. From 1920 to 1957 Bran served as a royal residence but today is a fascinating museum displaying art, furniture and weapons within 60 timbered rooms.

Bran Castle, Romania by Florin73m

3. “Cetatea de Balta”

This fascinating mix of traditions and cultures makes it a must see location on any Transylvanian getaway. It’s also located a stone’s throw away from the beautiful village community of Cetatea de Balta, with stunning surrounding landscapes and a distinctive old-world charm.

Cetatea de Balta, Romania by Alina Musat

4. Corvinesti / Hunyad Castle

With imposing towers, spires and walls, the great Corvinesti Castle is a true showcase of gothic architecture and style. Built by the Anjou family on the site of a former Roman camp, the castle acted as a working fortress well in the mid-4th century before being transformed into the residence of Iancu de Hunedoara, a Transylvanian ruler.

Visitors should leave plenty of time to visit the fascinating Knights’ Hall, marvel at the drawbridge and explore the 50 rooms filled with authentic medieval art.

Corvinesti Castle, Romania by Todor Bozhinov

5. Rasnov Fortress

Situated in the scenic Carpathian Mountains, the Rasnov Fortress is a must-see attraction on any Romanian getaway. First built to ward off the invading Tartars, the Fortress has served for centuries as a place of refuge and relief for extended periods of time. It was also home to schools, chapels and outbuildings, making it a fascinating snapshot of Romanian village life.

Visitors can also learn more about the fortress’ fascinating military history, including its single surrender in 1612. In the last decade the old fortress has undergone a makeover and today functions as a museum with plenty of interesting artefacts.

Rasnov Fortress, Romania by L.Kenzel

Written by: Sheryl Lovenkrandz – a freelance blogger who loves to write about travel and accommodation.

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Photo by Dave C

If you’re looking to enjoy a little traditional Irish music, well, to say you’re in the right place would be waaaay too obvious. The good ones have a welcoming ambiance and serve a classic pint of Guinness. Be wary of the ones that create the atmosphere for the tourists as these may not be as authentic. Cassidy’s doesn’t just have the name. It’s pure tradition with an old world charm. It’s a popular spot on Camden Street and has seen visits from the likes of former President Bill Clinton. Temple Bar hosts several spots. They’re always busy and good fun although the drinks are expensive. Other great alternatives for a night out are O’Donoghues on Merrion Row and The Brazen Head near Christ Church.

If you’re looking for classic and standard pop and R&B hits slanted with an Irish good time, there are more than enough nightclubs and discos that play a mixture of chart hits, pop music and rhythm and blues. Most will have resident DJs who know the crowd and what they want. The Village has a live DJ every night of the week. Located on Wexford and Camden Streets, the bar and restaurant pulls in a trendy crowd, but it’s still a spontaneous party. Copper Face Jacks on Harcourt St. attracts a young crowd filling up the floors. Many finish off their nights here with lively music. Spy is a transformed 18th Century townhouse. It’s said the new design was inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s dystopian classic A Clockwork Orange. There are two drawing rooms with fireplaces and chandeliers filled with a crowd that’s dressed to impress.

Many Irish appreciate good rock and indie music. There are a number of exceptional bars that support the music throughout Dublin. The most popular is probably The Workman’s Club on Wellington Quay. A number of nightly events are sponsored by legendary local radio station Phantom FM. For the slightly older crowd, there’s Whelan’s located on Wexford Street. They offer live shows featuring the country’s biggest artists. Bruxelles, located off Grafton, features two bars. One plays rock while the other offers indie. If you’re looking for a metal/goth club, head over to Parnell Street. That’s where the famous Fibber Magee’s is located.

Temple Bar is a hub for a lot of activity. It’s a good place to start for straight up dance music. The Kitchen is fast becoming a hot spot. They promise a range of music that includes house and techno. The Playhouse is on the south side of Dublin, in Tallaght on Belgard Road. There are three bars and a huge dance floor with speakers booming everything from dance hits to rap. The D2 is hopping Wednesday through Saturday. It’s always packed with the best DJs pumping hits and classics. It’s situated on Harcourt Street. The Spirit Nightclub, on Abbey Street, is a well-liked and different spot. There’s a holistic treatment centre, but there’s also a club with two levels. You can listen to R&B on the lower and club music on the upper.

Dublin actually has a large population of young people, made up students and natives. It’s also a hot zone for young tourists that want to experience what they’ve heard is the Irish way. Dublin lives up to the reputation!

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Richard Kelland

Cinque Terre National Park can be found on the southwest corner of the Ligurian coast, at the Riviera di Levante, between the town of La Spezia and the town of Levanto. This unique coastal landscape with villages is included in UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The creation of this stunning mountainous landscape dates back to the Tertiary Period, which is more than 25 million years. Rocks are made ​​up of colorful sandstone, in which the action of wind and rain created deep valleys, steep cliffs, coves and peninsulas. Since the local slopes are too steep, there could never be built any of the larger houses or suburbs.

Homes are built together and rise up the steep slopes, or are even built on their peaks. On the local hills, the farmers even managed to build the distinctive terraced fields, some of which are wider than 1 meter. Also, the soil for farming was imported here from afar. Then there were planted olive trees and vines. At an altitude of around 100-150 m, the terraces are already so narrow that the cultivation is very difficult and unpleasant. The paradox is that right in these areas grew the best wines, such as the rare and highly prized wine Sciacchetrà. Wine production in this area has a long tradition, since the Middle Ages. During the Middle Ages the wine was frequently shipped to Rome and to the French and English royal courts.

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Those five villages in Cinque Terre have always been accessible only by the sea or walking through winding and steep routes. At the end of 19 century the railway was built here and many local poor peasants went to La Spezia.

If you go from Monterosso al Mare to Riomaggiore, during the journey you can enjoy beautiful views of the terraces, villages and crystal clear waters bounded by rock walls.

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At the southeastern part of Cinque Terre – not far from the coast, you can find three small islands: Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto. The most popular destination for tourists is the island of Palmaria. On the island of Tino there is a supporting military base, which is open to the public. But the tourists can visit it only in the 13th October on the feast of San Veneria. The smallest of the islands, Tinetto, has only a few hundred square meters, however there was a big church with a monastery, whose ruins can still be found here.

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Also, the sea surrounding the Cinque Terre is a protected area. The rock walls, reefs and shoals have created ideal conditions for a number of colorful sea organisms. We can find here especially colorful gorgonians, occasionally rare white gorgonians Funicella verrucosa. Shallow waters are home to even the very rare black coral. On the islands and in the area of ​​the Cinque Terre, there is a Mediterranean climate with summer temperatures around 30°C. During winter months the temperature rarely drops below 10°C. The area offers a large amount of accommodation, since it is quite frequently visited tourist destination.

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