Romania is by nature a unique and surprisingly beautiful country, half forgotten by the West in the southeast corner of Europe. Though international mass media seem obsessed with the social and financial problems in the country, Romania has far more to offer: A proud culture, snowcovered mountains, dotted and lively villages, big vibrant cities, the biggest delta in
Europe and a sandy and sunny Riviera in the summertime. And a Latin language that is understandable to most globetrotters and a people that would like to know visitors. Romania is stunning, different in many ways, and worth a longer visit.
Romanians say " Come as a guest and leave as a friend" . That's beyond doubt possible. And the official slogan " Romania - simply surprising" is true regardless. The new slogan coming up " Romania, The Land of Choice" is already confirmed by those who visit the country over and over again..
The biggest challenge for any tourist promoter in Romania is to get the tourist to visit Romania once. Once there, most visitors want to return over and over again, because this nation has so much to offer the year round.
A few years ago the magazine "Vogue" declared Romania "the leisure destination of the year ", labelling the country the New Zealand of Europe" , with the Danube Delta as the top Romanian travel spot.
Some would add the Romanian Black Sea riviera or the mountains on the same top three list, so pick your choice - because they are all there to be discovered. | GOOGLE MAP ROMANIA |
ARRIVING ROMANIA
If you are going to Romania by public transport, you are most likely to arrive at one of the two airports in Bucuresti or at the main railway station GARA DE NORD BUCURESTI. What 10 years ago could be a pain to a foreign tourist, - is history. Arriving from abroad in Romania is easy, pleasant and simple. Being a member of the EU, Romania has easily adopted all rules and regulations provided by the membership.
The lowcost and charter airport BANEASA is en route to the main international airport HENRI COANDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BUCHAREST OTOPENI.
Baneasa is small and at times crowded like any second airport, and the service is just basic and simple. But it works. If you fly lowcost this is what you get. Deal done. If you have serveral hours to kill at this airport there is really not much to do but, a big shopping mall close by BANEASA SHOPPING CENTRE may be a worth a visit. LINK | BANEASA AIRPORT
The main international airport with the long name is actually just called OTOPENI by common people - which is also the name of the area in which it is situated. OTOPENI is a modern, efficient and by international standards a small airport with a competent and service - minded staff. The old histories of corruption and stupid paper mills are gone - long time ago after several clean up actions in the beginning of this decade. The only hazzle now are the mafia taxi drivers hunting passengers right outside the terminal buildings, at times also inside. You should really avoid them by using the TRAIN EXPRESS to GARA DE NORD - tickets sold in arrval hall - or move on a bit further from the terminal to the more relaxed and licenced taxi drivers..LINK | HENRI COANDA AIRPORT
BY TRAIN | There is a lot said and written about the main railway station in Bucuresti - GARA DE NORD. It has been a meeting place for social dropouts in addition to the travellers for about 20 years. Like big rail stations seem to be all over the globe. Problems aside: Things have changed dramatically since the police put up cameras everywhere in the area. Now there may be some pushy persons outside the gara but inside it is all ok.
LINK | www.infofer.ro
Timetable - prices - different languages |
BUCURESTI
- PARIS OF THE BALKANS
Bucuresti| |or Bucharest in Anglo-American | is the capital of Romania - and is - when celebrated - called " the Paris of the Balkans". Historically this saying is correct as the city tried to copy Parisian street systems and buildings in the 1920's, even constructing their own Arch of Triumph. However, the happy 20's were followed by more turbulent and fatal times, and the Paris look has faded to be honest - and a charm of its own is visible.| READ ABOUT BUCHAREST |
Photo above. The Parliament of Romania | Below: The Press Building Bucarest |
WHERE TO STAY
Romanian hotels are generally in the same price category as the rest of Eastern Europe.Romania is not dead cheap any more regarding hotels, and in our view Romania never has been if you include factors like service. However, standards are generally good since most hotels and motels have been renovated and polished and updated - including the staff. If you spend 30 euros a night for a room, you will get a decent and clean place to stay anywhere in Romania. Even in the big cities if you search on the net for a while. In general there is no big difference between 2STAR and 3STAR hotels if we talk about the rooms. The difference is the service offered in addition to the bed and the shower.
Even though hotel rooms tend to be cheaper if arriving directly in the reception without prebooking - apart from peak seasons in resorts that is - you should at least book a room on the net or elsewhere the first tow nights to avoid time consuming search on arrival. If you have a budget for your stay.
If you are looking for a real treat in a luxury hotel, Romania have plenty of them and the prices are like in NY or London
THE ROMANIAN RIVIERA
THE ROMANIAN BLACK SEA COAST |
LITORAL
Constanta is a city at the Romanian Black Sea that is more than 2500 years old. The Greek called the city Tomis in ancient times ,and thus the name Tomis pops up all over this prosperous city, on a front of a shopping centre, on a few townships ,some boulevards and on a set of enterprises. Constanta has about half a million inhabitants and is the second largest city in Romania, and a booming one. During summer it is the fun and entertainment capital for all Romanians and foreign visitors to Romania, and the population is tripled in July / August. The main asset during summer is the tourist resort Mamaia - an 8 km long beach which starts north of Constanta where the city ends. Constanta is the capital of the Romanian Riviera | READ MORE ABOUT CONSTANTA
The Romanian Riviera from Mamaia in the north to Mangalia in the south is about 75 km long. All resorts have plenty of hotels and pensions - and plenty to offer a person on a holiday. Some resorts are purpose-built, while others are thriving towns with a life of their own off-season. The biggest and most modern resort is Mamaia, but the atmosphere may be more Romanian in other resorts like Eforie Nord. Eforie Sud , Saturn or Neptun - Olimp. The young and wild have their own resort Costinesti, and the more casual crowd Vama Veche. | READ ABOUT THE ROMANIAN SUMMER RESORTS |
THE DANUBE DELTA
The
Danube River ends her long way through Europe in the Black Sea and creates Europe's biggest wetland area on the border between Romania and Ukraine.
The Delta is huge, unique and a paradise for bird watchers. If you visit this Delta part of Romania you should spend at least three days to get a feeling of the life lived there. A great start for your Delta tour is the town of Tulcea, aprx 100000 inhabitants.| MORE |
Below. Sibiu
THE WEATHER ......The weather in Romania may cause surprises to a new visitor.While it may be boiling hot in the capital late spring, it may be freezing cold and wet in the mountain areas.While the summer seaside may be comfortable due to a cooling breeze mid July, you may find yourself in an open air sauna in the mountains at the same time. In other words, it differs a lot from region to region. A normal sea temperature in the Black Sea during summer is 24 - 25 degrees celcius,and in the air 30 - 34 at noon.- If you are heading for a skiing holiday in the beginning or at the end of the winter season, you should always check the snow level ahead of booking. The most popular resorts like Poiana Brasov may lack snow while it is plenty of the white powder in the more remote and cheaper resorts. | Link: www.skiresorts
WHERE TO STAY
Romanian hotels are generally in the same price category as the rest of Eastern Europe.Romania is not dead cheap any more regarding hotels, and in our view Romania never has been if you include factors like service. However, standards are generally good since most hotels and motels have been renovated and polished and updated - including the staff. If you spend 30 euros a night for a room, you will get a decent and clean place to stay anywhere in Romania. Even in the big cities if you search on the net for a while. In general there is no big difference between 2STAR and 3STAR hotels if we talk about the rooms. The difference is the service offered in addition to the bed and the shower.
Even though hotel rooms tend to be cheaper if arriving directly in the reception without prebooking - apart from peak seasons in resorts that is - you should at least book a room on the net or elsewhere the first tow nights to avoid time consuming search on arrival. If you have a budget for your stay.
If you are looking for a real treat in a luxury hotel, Romania have plenty of them and the prices are like in NY or London
Romania is by nature a unique and surprisingly beautiful country, half forgotten by the West in the southeast corner of Europe. Though international mass media seem obsessed with the social and financial problems in the country, Romania has far more to offer: A proud culture, snowcovered mountains, dotted and lively villages, big vibrant cities, the biggest delta in
Europe and a sandy and sunny Riviera in the summertime. And a Latin language that is understandable to most globetrotters and a people that would like to know visitors. Romania is stunning, different in many ways, and worth a longer visit. 
