Romania, the land of brown bears, Dracula myths and breathtaking landscapes, has often been labeled as a dangerous place. Memes that exaggerate reality, alarmist stories and deep-rooted prejudices contribute to this reputation. But how much truth is hidden behind these rumors?
With an acidic tone and a healthy dose of self-deprecation, an Australian vlogger sets out to reveal “the real dangers” of romania. What do they discover? A fascinating country, where “threats” they are rather twisted stereotypes, and tourist traps hide unexpected cultural treasures. This is the story of a destination as complex as it is under-appreciated.
We invite you to discover, with humor and sincerity, what are the real challenges of a visit to Romania!
Romania and its “dangers” discovered by an Australian vlogger Wesda YouTube Collage
“Even my mother told me to be very careful”
“Many say that Romania it is a dangerous country. So, during my visit there, I decided to find out what are, in fact, the most “dangerous” things in this country. Even my mother told me to be very careful. Still, in spite of everything stereotypes and rumours, Romania’s overall crime rate makes it safer than countries like Luxembourg, Spain, Germany, Greece, Australia (my home country), Great Britain and Italy. I explored what “danger” really means in Romania and I discovered a reality completely different!”, states Melbourne-based content creator Wesda in his latest vlog posted on YouTube under the title: “I went to Romania to prove it’s dangerous”.
How dangerous are Roma
The first to be analyzed by the foreign tourist were the Roma, often accused of thefts or scams. But as the Australian was quick to note, the real danger lies in perpetuating stereotypes and racism: “To protect yourself from Roma, you will have to take drastic measures, such as using common sense and not being racist. It sounds pretty heavy, so it’s dangerous. Also, they are actually called “Gypsies”. The term is considered by some to be a racial slur, based on the old stereotype that it came from Egypt, which is not true.”
“If you meet a bear, it might do something really shocking”
The next topic that the vlogger addressed was that of bears, especially because “Romania has the largest population of brown bears from Europe, except Russia”.
In his characteristic style, he satirized the fears about these animals: “If you meet a bear, it might do something really shocking, like recognize you as a human and angrily eat a plant, because bears rarely eat meat.”
Humorously, he continued the joke by saying that there is a higher chance that you will be mistaken for a bear and end up on the authorities’ list for relocation: “You will be shot down faster than you can say: Why are we hunting bears when there are only 8,000 left in Romania?”.
“The most dangerous Romanians”: pensioners and families with children
On Tâmpa, in Brașov, the vlogger hoped to meet at least one bear, but the adventure took him rather to the threshold of a “panic attack” at the altitude of 960 meters. Descending then into the old parts of the city, he made an unexpected discovery: “the most dangerous beings” it’s not the bears, it’s… retirees and families with children.
“Pensioners are spending their pension money and driving up prices all over the world. Stay away from these hostile and dangerous scenes”he joked. And about families, he added: “Families have children and children are extremely annoying when they scream and cry. They are very harmful to the eardrum, therefore extremely dangerous”.
Bran Castle – “The biggest tourist trap in history”
Attracted by the fame of Transylvania as the land of Dracula and vampires, the Australian did not hesitate to explore the famous region: “Transylvania is known for vampires, who are extremely dangerous. I risked my life visiting Bran Castle, full of vampires, and discovered that this could be the biggest tourist trap in history.”
On the spot, he found that, apart from the impressive influx of tourists attracted by a 14th-century castle, the rest is just a well-sold myth: “Bram Stoker, the Irish author who created the character of Dracula in 1897, has never been to Romania, let alone Bran Castle. Vlad Țepes is supposed to have inspired the character of Dracula, but even that is not 100% confirmed. Even if it had been, Vlad Țepeș never set foot at Bran Castle; he reigned in a completely different fortress, which hardly receives tourists”.
The vlogger also noted the contrast between the castle’s reputation and the reality on the spot: “The admission prices are higher than at the much more interesting castles nearby, and the vampire souvenirs are just kitsch. However, I fully respect the Romanians for this achievement – they managed to attract tourists from all over the world by creating one of the most ingenious tourist traps in history. Vlad would be proud”.
This experience convinced him that Bran, with all its legendary aura, remains a fascinating example of tourist marketing rather than historical authenticity.
The hidden dangers of Peleș Castle
Instead of falling into the trap “vampire myth” from Bran Castle, the foreign vlogger chose to visit Peleș Castle, guided by the better reviews on Google: “It had nothing to do with vampires, it was free of tourist traps and instead offered a secret staircase to escape vampires and a grand armory perfect for fighting them.”
However, even Peles was not without its dangers: “Scaffolding outside was a visible risk, and inside, the intricate wooden carvings appeared to be a fire hazard.”
Upon arrival in Sinaia, the vlogger was surprised by an unexpected atmosphere: “A rally was in full swing with cars speeding through the quiet mountain town – a real hazard.”
Despite these “risks” taken, Peleșul proved to be a popular choice for its beauty and authenticity, offering a completely different experience from the crowds and kitsch of Bran.
Internet, slow service and trains – other challenges of Romania
In addition to the tourist attractions, the Australian also noted a few “dangers” less common in Romania. From slow service in restaurants, which “could leave you dangerously close to starvation”to the fees for public toilets, what would it cost you “in danger of not being on time”and down to the centuries-old cobbled streets where “twisting your ankle is a real risk”.
Another “danger” hilariously identified was Romania’s dangerously fast internet: “So fast, you don’t even have time to stop it if you accidentally choose to download a movie.”
Even the trains in Romania seemed to him “dangerous”. Although I’m not “neither fast nor punctual”the beauty of the mountain landscapes they pass through “it might distract you enough to miss the station. And yes, there is a risk that you will even end up in Ukraine.” However, trains have the advantage of getting you to your destination “faster than cars stuck on single lane mountain roads”.
These humorous observations add a unique touch to his experience in Romania, offering another angle on the everyday details of life in this country.
“Romanian food is irresistibly delicious”
The Australian vlogger could not help but notice the culinary charm of Romania. “Tap water is “dangerous”. Why? Because people say it’s not safe, and they’re right – I drank so much that I ended up incredibly hydrated. As for the food Romanian, this is dangerously good – so good that you risk eating too much and becoming completely exhausted. A big hello to all the delicious soups!”he joked.
Even the underground did not escape the ironic remarks: “Bucharest is the capital of dangers, with architecture its French inspiration that earned it the nickname of «Little Paris». The Palace of Parliament, the heaviest building in the world, remains a monument to the forced relocations and hard labor of the period in which it was built.”
The bottom line – the dangers are worth discovering
At the end of the vlog, the Melbourne content creator urges his followers to see for themselves what it means “the danger” in Romania: “Now I’ve presented clear evidence that Romania is a dangerous country – or maybe I’m just trying to hide the fact that I had an incredible experience here and that it’s a vastly underrated tourist destination. Whether you believe me or not, I hope you visit Romania and discover for yourself all its “dangers”.
This approach brings a touch of humor and a dose of authenticity, making Romania seem like a destination full of novel contrasts and unexpected charm.
