ROMANIA
Sitting on the cross roads of three regions- Central Europe, Eastern Europe and the Balkans and subject to constant invasions, Romania is a melting pot of cultures. At this time ethnic Romanians make up 89 percent of the country’s population, followed by Hungarians and Roma (Gypsies, at 2.5 percent, though many think the official tally is to low). Ukrainians, Germans, Russians and Turks follow in low percentages. Officially the country has 17 official ethnic manorities. Many are clustered in regions around the country. All of this offers curious travelers (Like me) colorful variety of color and lifestyle - from the design of the houses, colorful painted churches, skilled mosaics, fairy tale castles and palaces It is a place where farmers on tractors or horses, sheep and goat herds share the roads with the latest model of colorful cars. Traditions run deep in rolling farmlands, rugged peaks, forest, filled marshes and along the Black Sea.
The legend of Count Dracula has its origins in Transylvania, Bran Castle build by the knights of Teutonic Castle in 1212 is considered his castle. History says there was a Count Dracula, but the novelist Bram Stoker (l897) made him a fictional character in the Dracula novel, creating a vampire like creature. (for you to research)
Since the revolution of Ceausescu's overthrow in 1989 - Romania has been going fast forward to the most recent admission into the European Union (EU) in January 2007 This means more changes in this ancient land, now is the time to visit and take in the past and present.
Bucharest, modeling itself on Paris, reflects Romania's most dynamic changes (10% of the population, probably more at this writing)
Thanks to its historical isolation in some places medieval lifestyles have survived. Few other places in Europe offer an intimate link with the Old World and at the same time signs of change can be seen.