The best-known company for Romania is U.K.-based Transylvania Uncovered (1 Atkinson Court, Fell Foot, Newby Bridge, Cumbria, United Kingdom LA128NW; tel. 0044-1539-531258; www.beyondtheforest.com) which offers dozens of specialized trips, mostly with a specific area of interest, such as the brand-new "Raggle-Taggle" tour, which focuses on Gypsy culture. The company offers different travel and flight options, so you can match trips to your budget, and accommodations range from top hotels to stays on organic farms. DiscoveRomania (Str. Paul Richter 1/1, 500025 Brasov, Romania; tel. 0722-74-6262; www.discoveromania.ro) is another excellent tour company that is also a founder member of the Association of Eco-Tourism in Romania (www.eco-romania.ro); hands-on owner Laura Vesa has a range of interesting and varied packages for travelers keen to discover the "real" Romania. To this end accommodations are generally with local families in small villages, and Laura can plan your visit around special festivals and events to deepen the experience. Nature lovers should inquire after the tour that combines 3 days animal tracking in the Carpathian Mountains with a night in a Moldavian wine-producing village and 2 nights in the Delta, in the fishing village of Uzlina.
For adventure tours and mountain activities, Apuseni Experience (tel. 0259/47-2434; www.apuseniexperience.ro) is one of the best outfits in Romania, based in the city of Oradea. Abercombie & Kent (tel. 800/554-7016; www.abercrombieandkent.com) offers a 14-day "Highlights of Romania & Bulgaria" tour. The online Romanian Travel Guide (www.rotravel.com) is a resource for virtual planners with links to local tour operators. You can book discounted accommodations at discounted rates through this service. U.S.-based Quest Tours & Adventures (tel. 800/621-8687; www.romtour.com) has specialist tours to Romania, ranging in duration from the 2-day "Touch of Transylvania" tour to the 11-day "World Heritage" tour.
