More and more travelers are turning to locations where TV shows were filmed to get their travel inspiration. Dubbed the set effect, hits such as White Lotus, Bridgerton, and The Lord of the Rings have sent people on a journey to destinations around the globe to replicate what they viewed from their screens.
So, what is the next TV show that will have travelers packing their bags? Netflix’s hit Wednesday, which has already smashed viewing records is currently on track to steal from ‘Stranger Things 4” as the number one most-watched English-language series in Netflix history.
The series follows the character Wednesday from the popular fictional family “The Addams Family,” which made its debut as a cartoon in The New Yorker and was later turned into an iconic television series and multiple movies. Wednesday takes place in a boarding school for outcasts called Nevermore Academy and although the Addams family is supposed to represent an American family living in the suburbs, the majority of Netflix’s Wednesday was filmed in Romania.
Romania is no stranger to its gothic and spooky pop-culture references. Bram Stoker’s famous fictional novel Dracula was inspired by a famous figure in Romanian history, Vlad the Impaler, where castles have marketed themselves as the inspiration for Dracula’s home. The famous Bran Castle is an eerie castle perched on a 200-foot-high rock that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each year.
You won’t fall short of haunted and spooky destinations to visit in Romania, but while you’re there, check out some of the other unique experiences this safe country has to offer.
The Transfagarasan Highway
Popular TV show Top Gear helped put this 56-mile road on the tourist map after its popular host called it “the best road in the world.” The paved road is the second-highest mountain pass in Romania and contains exhilarating bends and curves through the mountains with some lengthy tunnels carved into the rock. The views are incredible, and you’ll find plenty of cozy stops along the way including some ruined castles.
Bohemian-Style Outdoor Terraces
Romania’s capital Bucharest is bustling with charming summer terraces, which are often hidden with a vibe of stepping into a secret garden. These outdoor terraces are popular spots for people to enjoy a coffee, have a drink, or taste some of Romania’s delicious food. While you’re in Bucharest, you can also stop by the Botanical Garden, where Nevermore Academy’s greenhouse scenes were filmed.
Under-Rated Skiing Destinations
Sinaia is the highest ski area in Romania and is a popular mountain town with a reputation for the top skiing resorts in Romania. These picturesque mountains provided the wintry backdrop for Wednesday, where you’ll also find the train station featured in the series, Gara Regala, which was used by the Royals in the past.
Gothic-Style Castles
With several hundred impressive castles in the country, you’ll find it hard to narrow down which one to visit, since each has its own unique character. Wednesday fans will be flocking to see the Neo-Romanian style castle, Cantacuzino, which was used as the set of Nevermore Academy for the show. Poenari Castle is a castle ruin that is thought to be the real castle of Dracula and was once home to the sadistic leader, Vlad the Impaler in the 15th Century. If you’re looking for something more romantic, the charming Peles Castle is a day trip from Bucharest, located amongst a tall forest in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains.
Stone Alleys In Old Towns
Romania is full of medieval towns like Brașov, which is a picturesque old town full of winding stone alleys, pastel houses, and historic fortified churches. Romanian architecture has been inspired by the regions of Northwestern Europe, such as Luxembourg and Lorraine since its 12th-century Saxon settlers came from there. Romanian towns have a similar feel to its more popular European neighbors with outdoor dining on cobbled streets and quaint squares for people-watching that also make great work views if you have its digital nomad visa.
Outdoor Adventures
From hiking in the Bucegi Mountain to fishing in the Danube River, Romania has plenty to offer for thrill seekers and nature buffs. The Carpathian Mountains provide a great jumping-off point for all your outdoor desires, including hiking, camping, biking, and caving. Check out the Bucegi sphinx, which is a rock formation carved like a human face, or Scărișoara Cave, which is the largest underground glacier in the country.
Transylvanian History
Transylvania is a historical region in central and northwestern Romania with a history that is complex and diverse. It has a population that varies culturally, ethnically, linguistically, and religiously. You’ll find plenty of history to absorb from over 150 well-preserved fortified churches that offer unique architectural styles to the largest open-air museum, ASTRA Museum, which is a large reconstruction of the everyday village life of ancestors who lived in Romania.
