Romania Is An Awesome Destination For Toddler Holidays

Let me tell you why Romania is a wonderful destination for families with toddlers.

Now that more and more travel restrictions are being lifted, the dream of going on a family holiday may soon be a reality and I for one, can’t wait!

I’m longing to feel the sun on my skin, for slipping into the cool water of an infinity pool overlooking the beach and gently floating over to the swim up bar for a cocktail or two, but that’s my dream and a far cry from holiday reality when you have toddlers to entertain!

Park that one for 10 years or so and let me tell you why Romania is the ultimate destination for family friendly, toddler holidays.

The main reasons why mums and dads rave about Romania is nature, tradition and the welcoming family friendly culture.

Picture untouched natural beauty and encounters with wildlife that give you an unrivalled sense of freedom.

Then experience Romanian tradition, authentic meals, historic stories and experiences that are a far cry from our own which transports you to feeling like you’re in another world.

An education far better than any nursery or preschool could provide.

Romanians cherish children and live in a very family oriented culture and you’ll sense this the moment you arrive at the airport!

I suggest starting your trip in the capital city Bucharest and then travel over to medieval Transylvania spending at least seven but up to twelve days between the two regions, depending on the pace you wish to move.

Bucharest, has an excellent selection of child friendly restaurants where you can easily find high chairs, a kids menu and options for those with dietary restrictions or fussy eating preferences.

All the usual variety of cuisines are available and range from street food and take aways to cozy café’s and fine dining.

You must visit the parks and Therme, the largest spa-waterpark-wellness center in Eastern Europe which. (temporarily restricted access because of COVID)

If you travel from the UK or other European countries, the option of flying straight into one of the larger towns of Transylvania is worth considering. Look at flights to Sibiu, Cluj or Targu Mures.

Transylvania is perhaps the best place to travel with a baby or young children. It’s a region famously associated with the legend of Dracula and is bursting with fairytale villages and magnificent castles for young children to explore.

Expect to have a lot of contact with the local people from the villages where you’ll be staying; this is such a family friendly location where children are at the heart of the family.

In some places the villagers will be your hosts, they’ll cook your meals and make sure to accommodate your wishes.

But they also understand that you need your own space and in many locations you will have your own little kitchenette to prepare your toddlers meals, warm milk, store food in the fridge, etc.

Romanian hosts really understand that your happiness depends almost exclusively on the happiness of your children and so will bend over backwards to accommodate your needs.

The villages are also extremely safe places to roam. There is little traffic and because Romanians cherish children in general they will often be happy to help you if you need it.

Ultimately they want you to be able to relax and have fun on holiday with your kids.

Most Transylvanian guesthouses have gardens and common areas for the children to play freely. There will be a stack of games and plenty of activities on tap for toddlers from climbing trees to playing with a ball to freely running around.

It’s also easy to spot farm animals or to visit locals so that your children can see how these animals are taken care off.

And because Romanians love children, if you fancy a date night you can also have someone come and play or watch over your children.

Younger generation Romanians are often fluent in English and would be happy to gain a little babysitting money while you relax, read or go out for dinner.

Since I often have to work, it helps to have high speed internet everywhere (Romania has it even in the most remote places) and so if your toddler can’t bare to be without YouTube for Kids you know you’ll be safe here!

If you do want to move around, keep in mind to limit the stay to only 2 or 3 properties, however it’s good to know that you’ll only be a short drive away from other villages and towns where you can visit to have a more urban experience.

Do you want to know some of the best places to consider for toddler holidays?

Here are my picks:

Viscri125– located in Viscri, a Saxon village made famous by Prince Charles (he has a property in the village) but also by its beautiful UNESCO Heritage fortified church. The property is owned by a lovely family with 3 kids of their own, has its own garden for veggies, a tree house and an area with hammocks and swings for both kids and grown-ups. Both the guesthouse and the village are great for families; you not only have a great place where to stay, but also options for great food, activities in nature and safety. This is one of the best places to travel with a baby.

Cincsor Guesthouses– another lovely location, established in the old Parochial House and Evangelical School, just next to the fortified church in the village. Here you can expect plenty of space to run around in the gardens of the guesthouse but also in the area around the village. Count on wonderful dishes cooked by Adrian, the property’s chef, and rooms tastefully decorated, comfortable and spacious.

Copsa Mare Guesthouses– located perhaps in Transylvania’s tiniest Saxon village, just on the other side of the hill from Biertan where you can find the largest fortified church, part of UNESCO also. Here you can get a proper little house just for yourself so on top of the meals prepared by the team running the property, you have your own small kitchen available should you need it. The gardens are vast and you can literally walk for hours in the stunning nature around Copsa Mare.

These are just a few places to check out in Transylvania. There are more, lots more. And just like these ones you can find typical guesthouses in the other regions of Romania. You just have to pick the ones you like most and book your tickets to come.

PS: If you are interested in a family trip to Romania, just e-mail Raluca.

Article written by Raluca Spiac and edited by Sarah Almond-Bushell of Children’s Nutrition