Romania passes an important obstacle and will gallop into the European Union next month. This is generating a lot of negative publicity, but the good thing is we'll be getting a new European travel destination. In many ways the most authentic destination, as folk culture hasn't degenerated into folklore yet, and the flu is still being suppressed with herbs.
Maramures, Moldavia and Transylvania are regions which have retained an almost medieval simplicity and beauty. In secluded valleys bordered by the Carpathian Mountains and shaded by clouds of plum blossom lie villages with wooden churches and houses where ancient rituals, festivities, clothes and crafts are cherished. To educate this illiterate people the outer walls of late medieval monastic churches were covered with colourful religious frescoes. A very kind people with an amazing sense of hospitality.
