Deep beneath the town of Turda there is a salt mine transformed into an underground park, complete with a Ferris wheel, a lake and even a concert hall, tens of metres below ground.
We spent New Year 2025 in Romania, together with Stefania's cousins and aunts and uncles, since her aunt is Romanian. And it was one of those trips that make you feel less like a tourist and much more a part of a culture and a daily life different from your own.
We spent most of our time at their home in Dej, a small city in the north of Romania, in Transylvania. It is not one of those places you find on lists of must-see destinations, and that is precisely what makes it special. We had the chance to truly live in the city, to see the daily life of the people, the markets, the houses, the slow rhythms of a Romanian winter and that particular mix of past and present you notice everywhere.
During the trip we also visited Cluj-Napoca, the largest city in the area, best known for being a very young and lively university city. At Christmas, with its markets, it is even more beautiful. What struck us most was the contrast between the modern energy of Cluj and the much more authentic tranquillity of Dej and the surrounding villages.
But one of the parts we enjoyed most was definitely going to visit the grandparents in the more remote Romanian countryside. Deserted roads, a small, simple house with a lit stove, a table and a life that seems to belong to another era. In some areas time really does seem to have stood still.
Here people have little, but share everything.
Romanian cuisine also tells you a great deal about the country. It is a very hearty cuisine, designed above all to get through cold winters. Lots of meat, hot soups, home-made bread, potatoes and very rich dishes. Some things we liked very much, others a little less — though mainly because of personal taste. For example, the mici and cârnați, two types of spiced meat similar to grilled sausages that are very popular in Romania, were too heavy for us, simply because we are not particularly fond of those strong flavours. But it was still wonderful to try such traditional dishes and understand how much food is part of a place's cultural identity.
One thing that fascinated us enormously about Transylvania is its history. Many people immediately associate this region with Dracula, but in reality it is a territory where Romanian, Hungarian and Saxon influences have coexisted for centuries.
Romania is a country that is often talked about through stereotypes, but which in reality conceals enormous depth. Very strong traditions, very close-knit families, incredible hospitality and a bond with the land and with one's roots that you feel constantly.
If you too want to discover Romania beyond the usual tourist itineraries — among Transylvanian cities, remote villages, local traditions and authentic atmospheres — you can book a free call with us.