Central Romania is engulfed in the soaring Carpathian mountain range, filled with green groves and ski and hiking trails for adventure-heads.
What isn't well known is that Romania catches the Danube Delta at its southern tip, where wetlands prove fertile ground.
Head here for hiking, birding and fishing. Or go gallery hopping in Cluj-Napoca, a hotly-tipped future art scene.
But of course the nation is best known for bloodsucking myths of Dracula, werewolves and ghosts.
Transylvania's vast and varied landscapes filled with skyline-piercing castles and churches don't disappoint.
The most famous, Bran Castle, is linked to Bram Stoker's fictitious count.
When to go: April-May and August-October.
Anisha Shah is a journalist and photographer, specializing in emerging destinations travel, from Mozambique to Myanmar. After six years as a BBC radio and TV journalist, she is now freelance and has been published across media outlets including CNN, Africa Geographic and Huffington Post. Tweet her @anishahbbc