The largest state in Eastern Europe in terms of both area and population, Romania has significantly "pulled up" in recent years in terms of developing its own economy. The renewing tourist infrastructure also plays a significant role in this. Every year, thousands of foreign guests come to Bucharest and the Black Sea coast, who do not forget to look at the homeland of the world-famous Count Dracula. But not only in summer, the country of Romania is beautiful and New Year or Christmas can be celebrated here with no less pleasure than the famous Martisor at the beginning of spring.
Let's take a look at the map
Romania is located in the northeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. It is washed by the waters of the Black Sea, and the Carpathians stretch from between the borders with Ukraine and Serbia.
The climate of Romania belongs to the continental type, which is characterized by rather warm weather in summer and cold weather from December to February:
- In winter, thermometers in the capital of the country can drop to -16 ° C, but more often they stop at -5 ° C. In the mountains, frosts occur more often and the temperature is -10 ° C at the height of the New Year's holidays for the Carpathian villages rather the norm.
- Snow in the mountains falls already in November and lies steadily until the beginning of April, allowing visitors to ski slopes to ski comfortably and with pleasure. In the capital, the snow cover is usually not stable and melts quickly, thanks to not too low temperatures and a large number of sunny days.
- In the east of Romania, on the Black Sea coast, the type of climate changes from continental to maritime. Here in winter, rains with sleet are more frequent, the humidity in December-February is quite high, which, combined with an air temperature of about 0 - + 6 ° C and a strong wind, creates a not very comfortable microclimate.
Celebrating the New Year in Romania is best in the Carpathians, where the ski slopes are covered with perfect white snow, and the staff of cozy hotels and restaurants with national cuisine will help create a festive mood and spend your winter holidays cheerfully, brightly and with pleasure.
How New Year is celebrated in Romania
The world-beloved holiday in Romania has its own name. Anul Nou is celebrated in a circle of loved ones, usually in the home of parents or older family members.
Preparation for the holiday begins with traditional Romanian fortune-telling. In addition to trying to find out the fate and the name of the future husband, Romanian girls try to predict the weather. For this purpose, salt is suitable, sprinkled with a dozen peeled onion slices. Remaining dry parts of the bulb in the morning symbolize months without rains, wet ones predict a rainy season.
Romanians do not forget about one more New Year's tradition. On the first day of the new year, in no case should you throw anything away, so as not to be left without luck. Garbage is kept at least until the second of January, and the locals themselves do not leave the house until a stranger crosses the threshold and preferably a brunette. Dark-haired, according to local omens, bring good luck. It is not very clear who can enter, if it is customary to sit at home and wait for guests, and therefore Romanians rely on tourists who do not know the local customs too much. So on New Year's Eve and on the first day of the new year, the owners of dark hair can become welcome guests in any home in Romania.
The hostesses prepare especially carefully for the holiday, for whom the New Year's table becomes an exam of professionalism. Smoked ribs and cabbage rolls, meat rolls and pies will certainly appear on the menu of any family. Surprise baking is another Christmas and New Year tradition in Romania. Coins, rings, peppers and sweets are put in pies, and the lucky one who gets a piece with an investment thus predicts the future.
Santa Claus in Romania is especially revered and respected. His name is Mosh Krachun, and the locals believe that it was he who offered shelter to the Virgin Mary awaiting the birth of the Savior. Now the Romanian Grandfather gives children sweets and toys, as he once gave milk and cheese to the Mother of God.
A New Year's omen in Romanian towns and villages is Christmas markets that start long before the funniest night of the year. They usually open on the main square of the city and offer visitors sweets and candles, decorations for Christmas trees and the trees themselves, considered in Romania, as elsewhere in the world, a symbol of winter holidays.
New Year's Eve usually continues in city squares, where festive fireworks, festivities and theatrical performances are held. Young people prefer nightclubs and discos, bars and other drinking establishments, of which there are a great many in Bucharest. In honor of the holiday, discounts, bonuses and a special menu with interesting dishes, drinks and show program numbers appear in any of them.
Useful information for travelers
- The easiest way to get to Romania and back is by direct flight on Aeroflot planes. But he is also the most expensive. For three hours in the sky, you have to pay 260 euros. The boards fly from Sheremetyevo.
- A flight on the wings of the Polish airline LOT Polish Airlines will be cheaper. With a connection in Warsaw, the journey will take about five hours. The price of the issue is 220 euros round trip. Moldovan airlines also offer tickets at this price. In this case, the transplant will have to be done in Chisinau.
Ski resorts in Romania are ready to receive guests at the end of November, when a stable snow cover appears on the slopes. Modern equipment maintains it throughout the season, even if the weather suddenly changes towards abnormal warming.
The best resorts in Romania, where it is especially pleasant to celebrate the New Year, doing your favorite sport, are located in the South Carpathians. These mountains are called the Transylvanian Alps here. Popular holiday destinations are Sinaia, Busteni, known since the end of the 19th century Predeal and the most famous of all Poiana Brasov. The weather on New Year's holidays in ski resorts usually pleases with the sun and comfortable temperatures. At night, thermometers show up to -5 ° С, and during the day, mercury columns usually stay at + 1 ° С in Poiana Brasov, + 2 ° С in Busten and Sinai, and -2 ° С - on the Predeal routes.
On the slopes of the Romanian Carpathians, you will find slopes of various difficulty categories, and prices for ski passes, equipment rental and off-piste entertainment will seem to you a real gift in honor of the coming New Year.
