Located on the Balkan Peninsula, Romania is a country of contrasts. The former Soviet Bloc country has, over the years, belonged to the Romans who gave the country its name, the Hungarians and the Ottomans. It is filled with quaint old towns, mountain resorts that offer great skiing, and a burgeoning art community. It’s most famous citizen, however, may be the vampire Dracula, a fictional character found in Transylvania. An overview of the best places to visit in Romania:

1. Corvin Castle
Corvin Castle is the most beautiful castle in Transylvania and one of the largest in Europe. The castle is one of the seven wonders of Romania. It is located nearby Hunedoara in Romania. Corvin Castle was laid out in 1446 and built by the Anjou family on the site of a former Roman camp. It was used as a fortress until the mid-14th century. Later Transylvania's ruler, Iancu de Hunedoara, upgraded the fortress transforming it into the stunning castle. The beautifully preserved castle features a Knights' Hall, drawbridge, high buttresses, inner courtyards, a chapel and some 50 rooms. Corvin Castle is open from 09.00 a.m. to 05.00 p.m. The tickets cost 25 RON.

2. The Palace of Parliament 
The Palace of the Parliament is known as the People's Palace. It is located in the central part of Bucharest. The Palace of the Parliament is the second largest administrative building in the world. It houses Romania's Parliament and serves as an international conference centre. The building was built by Nicolae Ceausescu and furnished exclusively with Romanian materials. During guided tour visitors can see luxurious crystal chandeliers, mosaics, oak paneling, marble, gold leaf, stained-glass windows and floors covered in rich carpets. The Palace of the Parliament is open from 10.00 a.m. to 04.00 p.m. The standard guided tour costs 25 RON. Complex tour costs 35 RON.



3. Peles Castle 
Peles Castle is located at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains in the picturesque city of Sinaia. It is situated in Wallachia in the southern part of Romania. Peles Castle is one of the most stunning castles in Europe. It is a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance architecture. Castle was laid out in 1873 by King Carol I and completed in 1883. Peles Castle was used as the summer residence of the royal family until 1947. The castle has 160 rooms, which adorned with the finest examples of European art. Peles Castle was the first European castle entirely lit by electrical current, which was produced by the castle's own plant. The castle is open from 09.00 a.m. to 05.00 p.m. Tickets cost 20 RON.



4. Dracula' Castle
Surrounded by an aura of mystery and legend, Castle Bran is known as Dracula's Castle. It is located high atop a 200-foot-high rock on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia. The castle was built on the site of a wooden castle of Teutonic Knights. From 1920 to 1957 castle Bran served as royal residence, a gift of the people of Brasov to Queen Marie of Romania. Today the castle is a museum. Visitors can see collections of furniture, weapons and armor dating from the 14th to the 19th centuries. The myth that it was once the home of Vlad Tepes, ruler of Wallachia, makes castle Bran attractive for all fans of the Count Dracula. The castle is open from 09.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m. Tickets cost 35 RON.



5. Mogosoaia Palace
Mogosoaia Palace is situated near Bucharest on the lake shore. The palace was built by Constantin Brancoveanu, one of the most active monument builders in Wallachia, in Romanian Renaissance style. Mogosoaia Palace was completed in 1702 and given as a present to the ruler’s son, Stephen. The prince lived here together with his family until 1714. Today the palace is a museum, where tourists can visit art exhibitions. The palace grounds also host a restaurant and a small hotel. Mogosoaia Palace is open from 10.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m. Tickets cost $ 5.



6. The Palace of Culture
The Palace of Culture is located in Iasi in the eastern part of Romania in Moldavia region. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Monuments. The Palace of Culture is one of the main attractions in Romania. The building was built between 1906 and 1925 in neo-Gothic style and stands partly on the ruins of a medieval royal court. The famous building with 365 rooms houses four city's museums: the Moldavian Museum of History, the Moldavian Museum of Ethnography, the Museum of Art, Stefan Procopiu Museum of Science and Technology, as well as Gheorghe Asachi Library in the North-East side of the building. The palace is open from 10.00 a.m. to 05.00 p.m. The interior decor, with the lavish furnishings and magnificent staircase of the entrance lobby, can be admired free of charge, but tickets are required for entry to the museums. Tickets cost 15 RON.



7. Black Church 
Black Church is a leading gothic church in Romania and famous landmark of Brasov. It is located in the Council Square in Brasov. The church was built between 1385 and 1477 on the site of an earlier church which was destroyed by Mongol invasions in 1242. The church was given its name after the Great Fire destroyed most of the town, blackening the walls of the church. Restoration of Black church took almost 100 years. The interior of Black Church is beautiful, with balconies, stained glass windows, an enormous 4,000-pipe organ, stone columns and walls adorned with 119 fabulous Anatolian carpets. The collection of carpets is the largest of its kind in Europe. Black Church is open from 10.00 a.m. to 07.00 p.m. Tickets cost 9 RON. Organ concerts are held three times a week during the summer. Organ concerts start at 06.00 p.m. Tickets cost 12 RON.



8. Arcul de Triumf
Arcul de Triumf is a triumphal arch . It is located in the northern part of Bucharest. Initially Arcul de Triumf was built of wood in 1922 to honor the bravery of Romanian soldiers who fought in World War I. Modern Arcul de Triumf was finished of granite in 1936. Designed by the architect, Petre Antonescu, the Arc stands 25 meter high. The sculptures decorating facades were created by leading Romanian artists. Visitors can climb to the top for a panoramic view of the city. Entrance is free.



9. The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina
The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina is one of the most picturesque treasures of Romania. Seven churches were placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. The monasteries are located in the northeastern part of the country. Their exterior walls are decorated with elaborate 15th and 16th century frescoes. The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina are masterpieces of Byzantine art. The best-preserved monasteries are located in Humor, Moldovita, Patrauti, Probota, Suceava, Sucevita, and Voronet. The monasteries are open from 09.00 a.m. to 06.30 p.m. Tickets cost 3 RON. Guided tour by private car cost 100-150 Euro.



Source: World Travel Time

Facts and Statistics About Romania

Official Name: Romania

Location: (Southeastern) Central Europe

Time Zone: 7 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (GMT + 2)

Area: 92,043 sq. miles (238,391 sq. km) - a little larger than the state of Minnesota

Flag of Romania: Three vertical stripes: red, yellow and blue.

Population: 19,942,000 (March 2014)

Largest cities: Bucharest (1,883,400), Iasi (322,000), Cluj Napoca (309,000), Timisoara (303,000), Constanta (298,000), Craiova (295,000), Galati (286,000), Brasov (275,000), Ploiesti (224,000), Braila (205,000), Oradea (196,400).

Romania's population lives in 320 cities and towns and 12,956 villages.

Main Ethnic Groups: Romanian 84%, Hungarian 6.1%, Gipsy 3.1%, German 0.2%, Ukrainian 0.2%

Religions: Christian Orthodox 81%, Roman Catholic 4.3%, Reformed 3%, Greek-Catholic 0.7%, Unitarian 0.3%, Jewish, other.

Official Language: Romanian

Currency: Leu (RON) ( plural Lei )

Climate: Temperate, four distinct seasons (Spring, Summer, Autum & Winter)

Capital: Bucharest (București)

Romania is a member state of the European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)