Transylvania is a historical region located in what is now Romania. Though Transylvania means different things to different people, for our purposes it encompasses the north-western part of Romania (everything inside the Carpathian Mountains). Romania">View Map

Due to the complicated history of the region, a diverse group of people call Transylvania home. Traveling through the region you can find ethnic Romanians, Hungarians, Roma, Saxon-Germans, Ukrainians, Serbians, Croatians, Macedonians, Turks and Armenians. The influence of these cultures can be seen everywhere in Transylvania - from architecture to culinary traditions.

The transportation options to and around Transylvania improve every year. Air travel is by far the fastest, most comfortable and sometimes the cheapest way to and around the region. The train system is also a comfortable and leisurely option, though it limits travel to cities and larger towns. Unfortunately the highway system in Romania is virtually non-existent and the smaller roads crisscrossing the country are poorly marked and often in rough condition.

At Savor Transylvania, our experience is that most visitors prefer to fly to one of the international airports in Transylvania, and from there allow us to arrange a driver for the duration of their stay. This is by far the most efficient and stress-free way to travel. We've compiled the following information to help you understand the transportation options so  you may choose the most comfortable for you.

There are several languages spoken in Transylvania. To get a sense of the ethnic make up of a community, pay attention the the sign when you enter town. If more than 20% of the population speaks a language other than Romanian, the name of the village will appear in that language as well as Romanian.

While the most common language in Transylvania is Romanian, in many communities Hungarian is spoken at home and on the streets. The tri-county area of Harghita, Kovasna and Mures counties are often referred to as the Hungarian zone, and in these counties Hungarian is the mother language of a large percentage of the population. In one small city, Odorheiu Secuiesc, the ethnic Hungarian population is reportedly 98% - statistically more Hungarian than Hungary itself!

As every well-seasoned traveler knows, each destination has its quirks and surprises. Transylvania is no exception. To get the most out of your visit, we advise you to expect the unexpected, and to treat each surprise as an opportunity. If that strikes you as a bit of a stretch, here are some insights on life and culture in Romania to help you prepare for your trip.

Smoking
Indoor clean air laws are weak and poorly enforced in Eastern Europe. People smoke all the time and everywhere, it is not considered rude. Although many restaurants have designated “non-smoking” sections, it is difficult to avoid feeling the effects of cigarette smoke, regardless of what section you choose. You might also notice that the “smoking” section is better decorated, more comfortable, and better serviced than its “non-smoking” counterpart. Be warned that no matter where the night takes you or what you smelled like before you walked in - if you’re indoors - you’re going to walk out smelling like smoke.