Active tourism in Romania

Romania's generous active tourism offer

Eugen Nasta, 12.12.2024, 14:00

Active tourism attracts a growing number of visitors in Romania, thanks to the spectacular scenery and the diversity of the outdoor activities on offer. The Carpathian Mountains are a perfect destination for trekking, climbing and escalade, with trails marked for all levels of difficulty.

Those who are into cycling can explore the mountain routes, Transylvania’s picturesque roads or can head towards wine cellars on two wheels. In winter, the ski resorts attract lovers of snow sports. Active tourism is also a perfect way to discover natural beauties and local traditions.

Ana Voican creates and promotes active tourism packages in Romania. She also organizes events dedicates to all those who love active tourism.

“ I’d say Romania is a very generous offer in the area of active tourism. Firsi off, we have an extraordinary geographical diversity enabling us to get to know active Romania all throughout the year. In thr spring, in the summer, in autumn, in winter, any time you want, there’s a lot for you to do, you’ve got a lot to choose from, while the areas you can go to are very generous to that end. Until the first snow falls, we can, as early as December 1st we can opt for cycling to Dealu Mare, for instance, nearby Bucharest, where we can visit the wine cellars.

We can pick up an easy route, 20-kilometer long, at an altitude no highest than 200 meters, so it is suitable for adults but also for children. We can visit the objectives in the area, but we can also have a stopover at the wine cellars, to sample the wine, to enjoy the brunches and the parties together with friends and family. “

As soon as the first layer of snow sets in, resorts are the perfect destination for those who are into winter sports. There are roughly 300 homologated ski slopes in Romania, so the offer is extremely generous.

“As of December 1st the ski slopes are open, so we start skiing, snowboarding. We can opt for the Prahova Valley resorts, but also also for Straja, Paltinis, where usually all throughout the winter season parties are being staged, original contests open for all the people who are into doing such sports. But the best thing is that we have parties at daytime but also in the evening, for all those who, at night, want to enjoy the sight of the ski slopes.

In resorts across Romania we can enjoy traditions, the adorning of the fir tree, we can listen to carols, we can welcome Santa Claus. However, during the day, we can take trailing routes and thus get to know the objectives of the respective region. We appreciated a lot and promoted the packages that also offer SPA relaxation options.

And at this point I should like to mention Herculane Spa, Govora Spa, Felix Spa, as, apart from this SPA side, with jacuzzi, therapies, they can go on a trailing route in the nature reserves, they can do bird watching, they can watch the fauna of the season, also relax through doing a bit of power walk they can of course blend into the relaxation side. “

And, if we want to do some exercise when we are on a family holiday, Romania also comes up with offers to that end. With more on that, here is Ana Voican, a promoter of active tourism and an events organizer.

„It is the area I hold most dear: active tourism. I should go, as we speak, to Balvanyos Resort, for instance and I should choose as there I have access to four-star facilities. However, I also access to the SPA area, indoor or outdoor swimming pools. I can also go with the family, with my two children and also make the most of the scenery in the region. We can also go sledging, we can also do outdoor activities usually staged at the time of the winter holidays. So the whole range of activities is very well-defined, actually.

Spring is the season of the bicycle rides and of trekking, but also the season of events. TRACK „Also, we begin practicing water sports, rafting, kayak, and we can put them all together in a package, and then summer also comes. For the summer, we prepared a festival for families and children. It happens on Whitsuntide over June 6 and 9 in Buzau Mountains. For two days running, we’re going to camp, we’re going to live under the sky full of start, in tents, in caravans, we’re also going to gave glamping accommodation, little houses and we shall do lots of outdoor activities.

We ‘re going to cut ourselves off from the hubbub of the city a little bit and we’re going to relax in the middle of nature, together with the children, where we seek connection, with nature, but also with the family, through activities boy scouts only do, we get to know nature, we survive in nature and we have fun as well.

We shall stage creative workshops, educational workshops, we shall look at the stars and we shall see the constellations, we’re going to have campfires with live concerts. There are a great many things we can appreciate and put to good use and I think it is high time we considered such experiences as well. “

Via Transilvanica, the road that unites, is a long-distance tourist trail, 1, 400 kilometer-long, cutting across Romania. It is destined to walking, bicycle riding or taking it on horseback. The route is signaled with painted marking signs, indicator poles, while marking each one-kilometer distance is an individually sculpted andesite milestone. They are highly likely to make the world’s longest art gallery, accompanying travelers all along their trailing route.

Ana Voican:

“I should like us to focus, a little bit, on a highly appreciated project, which is well worth mentioning in all these talks where experiences are highlighted. I’m speaking about Via Transilvanica, where a lot has been invested in marking the itinerary, which can be walked as a trail route, but also as a cycling route, in some of its segments. It is absolutely breathtaking and is worth visiting since it offers a complete image about Romania, which can be crossed by foot.

I interacted with the foreign tourists. The first thing they answer, to the question why have you chosen Romania as your destination is because Romania is wild, wild Romania. They have access to animals they can see not only on TV or through, but they can see with their own eyes when they take our trails. They are literally surprised with how many things they can see, things they cannot otherwise see in the countries they come from. “

Ana Voican, a promoter of active tourism in Romania and an event organizer, tells us most of the tourists who opt for active tourism offers in Romani come from the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany Spain and United States. In the digital era, when we are surrounded by screens, everybody appreciates the reconnection with nature.