Romania

What to see

Bucharest

Once dubbed the ‘Paris of the East’, this well-kept secret is recovering from World War II bombing, decades of abuse at the hands of the Ceausescus and the effects of earthquakes to emerge as a bonafide destination in its own right for people looking for insight into Romania. Check out the monolithic Palace of Parliament in particular.

Brasov

Transylvania’s main town, with atmospheric cobbled streets and good access to the surrounding mountains.

Sighişoara

Medieval town up the tracks from Brasov that was the supposed birthplace of Vlad “The Impaler” Țepeș. The town plays up the connection through Dracula’s house and the torture museum.

Sibiu

Transylvania’s most culturally rich town with superb museums, restored Gothic, Renaissance and baroque buildings and a large pedestrianised centre ideal for walking off the long lunch at one of the terrace cafés.

Danube Delta

A vast protected wetland area, where shifting dunes flow into lily-covered lakes. Join a fisherman on his rowing boat or traditional wooden kayak to explore the waterways and spot the abundant birdlife here.

Maramures

Rural heartland in the north of the country that’s home to wooden churches and traditional lifestyles as well as potent plum brandy.

Fagaras Mountains

Rugged stretch of the Carpathians dotted with glacial lakes. Explore the wildlife-rich trails to immerse yourself here.

Black Sea

Sandy beaches, spas and laidback towns line the 45km coast, just back from which are historical monuments and vineyards.

Top experiences / sites of particular interest

Bran and Dracula’s Castle

Clichéd but essential stop. Explore the well-preserved mock Gothic castle in Bran that has historic connections to Vlad the Impaler.

Rasnov Fortress

Superb mountain views back this well-preserved fortress, which has a host of un-restored rooms and corners to explore.

Suceava and Southern Bucovina

Attractive town in a region that’s home to a number of beautifully painted churches and monasteries with storytelling murals.

Prahova Valley

Adventure activity destination with mountain bike trails and ski runs atop the Bucegi Mountains.

When to go

Weather & Seasons: Romania has a moderate climate with pleasant summers which are warm inland and cooler as a result of the sea breezes on the coast. Winter runs from December to April. Expect snow to fall through out the country at this time. In general visit during the summer, from June to August.

Outdoor Activities: For bird watching come between mid-April and mid-May or in October. Trekkers should arrive after mid-Jun when the snow has cleared from higher ground.

Important Dates and Festivals: Festivals and fairs are based around religious and farming calendars. In the summer large produce fairs provide the opportunity to trade, eat and dance.

Getting there / around

Flights: There is an international airport in Bucharest (BBU) . Main cities are served by domestic flights.

Rail: The rail network is reasonably comprehensive and affordable.

Road: The road network is in a poor state of repair, meaning buses travelling them are slow and often at the mercy of conditions – the exception is the Transfagarasan Road which twists and turns thrillingly through the mountains.

City Transport: Urban centres are served by buses, trams and trolleybuses .Bucharest also boasts an underground system for getting round the city.

Potential itineraries

Short Trips: To get a feel for the heart of Romania and see the best of the country, allow up to two weeks to complete an 800km loop through Transylvania, starting just outside it in Bucharest. Head north through the Bucegi Mountains to Brasov in order to then visit Bran and Rasnov. Continue north to Sighisoara then turn south for Sibiu and the Transfagarasan Road and the return run to Bucharest.

Longer Trips: To tour the rest of the country allow up to a month. Start by heading east to the coast and then working your way north to Suceava and the Bucovina Monasteries before bearing west towards Cluj and finally Timisoara.

Guides

Overall Country Guides: There are comprehensive country guidebooks for Romania from Lonely Planet and Rough Guides as well as amore heavily illustrated guide to Romania from Insight.

Transylvania Guide: Bradt produce a guide to Transylvania, Romania’s most popular and well-known region.

Outdoor enthusiasts: Take The Mountains of Romania , published by Cicerone, for walking and scrambling recommendations and Rock Climbing in Romania, published by Cordee, for rather more adventurous and technical ascents.

Maps

Overall Country Maps: There are comprehensive country maps available fromInsight , Freytag & Berndt and Cartographia. Freytag & Berndt and Cartographia also produce Romanian road atlases, and Freytag and Berndt have a good regional map of Transylvania.

Street Plans: Cartographia are responsible for a whole series of street plans including Arad, Brasov, Bucharest, Cluj, Constanta, Galati, Oradea, Sighisoara and Timisoara.

Walking Maps: Walkers should look out for the range of maps from Dimap which cover the Bihor Mountains, Ceahlau Massif, Fagaras Mountains and Harghita amongst others.

Read More

William Blacker’s Along the Enchanted Way is an enthralling memoir and brilliant evocation of an almost vanished way of life in northern Romania, where the author lived alongside the rural people for many years.

Olivia Manning’s Balkan Trilogy is considered a classic work on Romania and includes a colourful portrait of Bucharest at the outbreak of World War II.

Local Dishes

Tuck into hearty ciorba de perisoare (soup with meatballs), or ciorba de burta (tripe soup) which allegedly cures hangovers. Sarmale (pork balls in cabbage leaves) is altogether more appetising. Drink tuica (plum brandy) and local wines.

Language

Romanian

Currency

Leu made up of 100 bani

Visas

UK and US citizens do not require a visa before entering the country.

Health issues

issues hep A, hep B, rabies and typhoid inoculations are recommended.

Safety, FO travel advice

Broadly safe although there is a history of petty crime and scams targeting tourists, especially in cities.

Useful Telephone Numbers

Romanian country representatives can be found

in the UK at

and in the US at

There is a tourist boards

In the UK at

and in the US at

For more information visit www.romaniatourism.com or www.bucharestlife.net.