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Romania is slowly emerging from the effects of being one
of the most repressed countries under communism and
having suffered the megalomaniac dictatorship of
Nicolae Ceausescu whose rule left the country in
the depths of poverty. Travel in Romania is rewarding
yet habitually challenging as much of its charisma
lies in the more remote regions, and optimistic plans
are often frustratingly slowed down by practical
realities. Despite this, Romania is rapidly regaining
its identity as a popular tourist destination and
has plenty to offer the international traveller.
The charms of Transylvania lure people with the imagery
of haunted forests, medieval towns, vampires, turreted
cliff-top castles, and the legends of Dracula. In addition
to its medieval castles and enchanting historic towns,
the region also offers the dramatic alpine scenery of
the Carpathian Mountains with spectacular skiing and
undisturbed hiking opportunities.
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Local
time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 between the last Sunday in March to
the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).
Electrical
current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Two-pin European-style plugs
are standard.
Romanian
is the official language, but English will be understood
in Bucharest and other tourist areas.
The
direct dialling country code for Romania is +40, and the outgoing code
is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK).
There are numerous area codes applying to cities, towns and villages,
for example (0)21 for Bucharest. The country is well covered with two
GSM 900 mobile phone networks. Email and Internet are freely available
in the cities and larger towns.
Climate:
Romania has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons.
Spring and autumn are cool and pleasant, making May and June,
and September and October the best months to visit. Summers
are hot from July to August and winters are harsh and very
cold between December and March, with snow falling throughout
most of the country. Spring and summer are the wettest seasons,
but rain can be expected throughout the year.
Car Rental
If you like to drive and stay at hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, that is
fine. We offer you Avis Car Rental offering budget vehicles, new vehicles
and mini-buse. If you tell us your requirements we will happy prepare a quotation
for you. See details: Romania
Car Hire
You can also travel by boat. As the largest global canal boat wholesaler,
we offer you a choice of 5 Luxury River cruises from Peter Deilmann River Cruise.
Luftner River Cruise, Amadeus Waterways, Viking River Cruise and A-Rosa River
Cruise. Self
drive
barging
or cruising is lots of fun. No license is required and boats are available for
2-12 passengers. It really is a terrific bonding time for families or just a
great time for a group of friends. The boats are very comfortable and most boats
have en-suites and comfortable cabins. BBQ's , fishing rods and outdoor deck
furniture complete the picture.
For details, Romania
River - Ocean - Cruises
ROMANIA PASSPORT AND VISA REQUIREMENTS:
Entry
requirements for Americans: United States nationals
require a valid passport, but no visa for stays of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK passport
holders endorsed British Citizen or British National (Overseas)
do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian
nationals require a valid passport, but no visa for stays of
up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australian
nationals require a valid passport, but no visa for stays of
up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South
Africans require a valid passport and a visa to enter Romania.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New
Zealand nationals require a valid passport, but no visa for
stays of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish
nationals require a valid passport, but no visa for stays of
up to 90 days.
Passport/Visa Note: All passports must be
valid for period of intended stay. All visitors must hold all
documents required for further travel, onward or return tickets,
sufficient funds for period of stay, and proof of reserved
accommodation.
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at
short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry
requirements with their embassy or consulate.
BUCHARESTOnce considered the 'Paris of
the East' for its long leafy avenues and grand buildings together
with its distinguished social scene enjoyed by the extravagant
Romanian aristocracy, the city's elegance and beauty soon deteriorated
under the harsh era of communism. The notorious redevelopment
project by Nicolae Ceausescu, leader of the Communist Party
in 1965, was a scandalous affair; in order to create an imitation
Champs Elysee, a Civic Centre and 12-storey palace for himself
together with a parliament building, he demolished an immense
area of historic architecture in the old city, including 26
churches. The parliament building was designed to be the largest
building in the world. It is now known as the Palace of Parliament,
second in size to the Pentagon, and has become one of the city's
prime tourist attractions.
Bucharest offers a number of superb museums, galleries, exquisite
Orthodox churches and architectural surprises and its political
legacy provides a fascinating selection of sights where visitors
can rediscover the events and emotions of its history. It is
experiencing renewed vigour; historic buildings have been restored
and there is plenty of nightlife and an increasing amount of
cultural events. Traditional Romanian cooking can be savoured
alongside international cuisine, and in summer festive beer
gardens and picturesque parks are filled with cheerful crowds.
ATTRACTIONS IN BUCHAREST
Palace of Parliament
Built by Communist Party leader, Nicolae Ceausescu, the colossal
Palace of Parliament is the second largest building in the
world after the Pentagon. It is an immense structure that took
20,000 workers and 700 architects to build, and cost billions.
It has 12 storeys, 1,100 rooms, a 328 ft-long (100m) lobby,
and four underground levels including an enormous nuclear bunker.
Started in 1984, the dictator intended it to be the headquarters
of his Communist Government, but it was still unfinished when
he was executed in 1989. Today it houses the seat of Romania’s
Parliament and is an international conference centre. Widely
viewed as a personification of his obsession with grandiose
things and actions, the construction entailed the demolition
of a quarter of Bucharest’s historic centre, including
26 churches, and the relocation of 40,000 inhabitants from
their 19th-century homes to new developments on the outskirts.
Built and furnished exclusively from Romanian materials, the
building reflects the work of the country’s best artisans.
A guided tour takes visitors through a small section of dazzling
rooms, huge halls and quarters used by the Senate (when not
in session). The interior is a luxurious display of crystal
chandeliers, mosaics, oak panelling and marble, gold leaf and
stained glass windows, and the floors are covered in rich carpets.
The largest room has a sliding roof wide enough for a helicopter
to enter. Tour guides delight in recounting tales of the vast
amounts of money that went to waste in decorating and re-decorating
its rooms.
Address: Bulevardul Unirii; Telephone: (0)21 311 3611 (reservations);
E-mail: cic@cdep.ro; Website: www.cdep.ro/cic; Transport: Metro
Izyor or Unirii, or bus 136 or 385; Opening time: Daily 10am
to 4pm; Admission: 20 L (foreign adults). Other concessions
are available. Cameras and video recorders: 30 L
The Village Museum
One of Bucharest's finest sights is the Village Museum, situated
within the Herastrau Park alongside a lake. It is a fascinating
outdoor museum with a collection that spans more than 300 buildings
representing the history and design of Romania's rural architecture
including peasant homes, barns, wooden churches and Transylvanian
houses from all regions of the country to recreate a village
setting. Traditionally dressed peasant workers portray life
during the 16th and 17th centuries along with everyday tools
and accessories. Traditional crafts are also for sale around
the site.
Address: Kiseleff Road 28-30; Telephone: (0)21 222 9106; E-mail:
muzeulsatului@xnet.ro; Transport: Metro Aviatorilor, or bus
331 or 131 to Herastrau Parc; Opening time: Daily 9am to 7pm,
closing at 5pm Mondays; Admission: 5 L (adults), 2.50 L (students
and children)
Stavropoleos Church
The tiny but remarkable Stavropoleos Church was built in
1724, designed by a Wallachian prince renowned for his religious
architectural accomplishments, and is one of the oldest churches
in Bucharest. Built using a combination of Romanian and Byzantine
architecture it has a beautiful façade and a delicately
carved columned entrance. Surrounded by a peaceful garden,
it is an architectural jewel, with beautiful frescoes and religious
icons.
Address: Strada Stavropoleos; Opening time: Daily 8.30am to
6pm
National History Museum
Housed
in the former 1900 Post Office building is one of Bucharest’s
most important museums, the National History Museum. Spread
throughout 41 rooms the exhibits recount the country’s
development from prehistoric times to the 1920s. The highlight
is the basement National Treasury crammed with a dazzling display
of gold, jewellery and valuable Neolithic curios. It is the
biggest and best museum in the country and affords an excellent
opportunity to get to grips with the exciting history of Romania.
Address: Calea Victoriei 12; Telephone: (0)21 315 8207; E-mail:
direct@mnir.ro; Website: www.mnir.ro; Opening time: Daily 10am
to 6pm; closed Mondays; Admission: 3.06 L; concessions available
EVENTS IN BUCHAREST
Music MultiSonic Fest
The MultiSonic Music Fest celebrates the fusion of music styles
from every different background but is most noted for the twisting
and melting of styles into jazz formats. The festival is held
throughout various venues in Bucharest.Venue: Various; Date: September 2007, TBC
TRANSYLVANIA
Transylvania is not just about Dracula, however. It has splendid
mountain scenery and alpine peaks, some of the country's
best hiking and skiing, rural villages and a way of life
that remains almost as it was in the 18th century. Historic
towns are scattered throughout the region, with their stone
medieval streets, defensive towers and fortified churches.
The charming town of Sighisoara is the most striking introduction
to Transylvania, the birthplace of 'Dracula' (a medieval
prince, Vlad Tepes, who led the Romanian resistance against
the Turks), along with the impressive castles and churches
of Brasov and Sinaia, and the dramatic castle at Bran, also
known as Dracula's Castle, that looks every bit a vampire's
lair with its soaring turrets and dramatic setting.
The populace is a mixture of different characters and customs
that have been shaped by years of colonisation and the coming
and going of different groups, and includes Romanians, Gypsies,
Hungarians and Germans. Despite the creeping effects of modernisation
into the large towns, visitors to this region will be rewarded
by its medieval charm and the traditional character of the
people. Endearing images will linger, and memories of horse-drawn
carts piled high with cabbages, driven by elderly couples with
scarf-covered heads and rough hands; lively food markets, quaint
cobbled streets, and hilly pastures nestled among the Carpathian
Mountains will be the lasting impressions left by the charm
of Transylvania.
ATTRACTIONS IN TRANSYLVANIA
Bran Castle
The fortified medieval Bran Castle is often
referred to as Dracula’s Castle, looking as a vampire count’s
abode should look with a forbidding façade, towers and
ramparts rising out of the forest, and perched high on a steep
cliff face against a dramatic mountain background; however
there is little evidence to suggest Vlad Tepes ever stayed
there. Bran Castle was built in 1377 to protect nearby Brasov
from invaders, and it later became the favourite summer residence
of Queen Marie, offered to her by the people of Brasov who
owned it. The rooms and towers surround an inner courtyard
with a sculpted stone fountain. A warren of narrow, winding
stairs, secret chambers and underground passageways lead between
vaulted halls, a prison, watchtowers with sweeping views, and
the living area. The rooms are decorated with a collection
of Baroque furniture, elaborately carved four-poster beds,
weapons and armour dating from the 14th to 19th centuries.
On the grounds below is an open-air ethnographic Village Museum
consisting of old local-style architecture with household objects,
costumes and furniture on display. At the entrance to the castle
grounds is a large handicraft market that aims to distract
the bus loads of tourists.
Address: 498 Traian Mosoiu Street, Bran; Telephone: (0)268
238 333; Website: www.brancastlemuseum.ro; Transport: Buses
leave from Brasov’s bus station, Autogara 2 and are
marked ‘Moieciu-Bran’. The journey takes 40 minutes;
Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 5pm; Admission: 80
L (adults). Concessions are available
Brasov
Nestled at the foot of Mount Tâmpa, Brasov is a charming
medieval town, and along with Sighisoara is one of the seven
fortified towns settled by the Saxons, with a distinct Germanic
flavour to its architecture. The Saxons built massive stone
walls and seven bastions around the city that are still visible
today, as well as ornate churches, elaborately trimmed buildings
and a fine central square that is said to be the spot from
where the legendary Pied Piper was to have led the children
of Hamlin. Lining the square are the red-roofed merchant's
houses, now occupied by cafes and shops, and in the centre
is the 15th-century Old Town Hall that is home to the History
Museum. The town's landmark is the impressive Gothic structure
known as the Black Church, so named because its outer walls
were blackened by a fire in 1689. The interior is beautiful,
with balconies, stained glass windows, an enormous organ, stone
columns and walls adorned with fabulous Turkish carpets. Many
people use Brasov as a base for visiting the nearby attractions
of Dracula's Castle at Bran, as well as Râsnov Castle
and the ski resorts of Sinaia and Poiana Brasov.
Peles Castle
Considered to be one of the most beautiful castles
in Europe, Peles Castle was the summer residence for Romania’s kings.
Built by King Carol I in 1883 the castle is a masterpiece of
German-Renaissance architecture with an exquisite exterior,
and is surrounded by fir forests and the towering peaks of
the Carpathian range. Its 160 rooms are magnificent; lavishly
decorated in ebony, mother of pearl, walnut and leather with
crystal chandeliers, fine collections of sculptures, paintings
and tapestries, stained glass windows and furniture. It is
set within a large park with a statue garden in front. Further
up the hill from the main palace is the smaller Pelisor Palace,
built for Carol I’s son and decorated in the Art Nouveau
style.
Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm (June to September).
From October to May the castle is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays,
and for the whole month of November
Sighisoara
Sighisoara is one of the seven fortified towns founded
by the Saxons in the hills of Transylvania, and is a beautifully
preserved medieval town that is renowned as the birthplace
of 'Dracula', or Vlad The Impaler. The hilltop citadel dominates
the town with the original medieval settlement enclosed within
the fortress walls, surrounded by nine surviving towers. Within
the old town, the narrow cobbled streets and steep alleyways,
brightly-painted tiny lopsided houses, ancient churches, stone
archways and covered stairways are overlooked by the striking
Clock Tower, the control tower of the main gate with magnificent
views over the whole town and countryside. At the foot of the
Clock Tower is the simple yellow building where Vlad was born
and lived with his father, Vlad Dracul, and is marked by a
hanging wrought-iron dragon. It now houses a restaurant with
medieval furnishings. The ancient cobblestone street that passes
beneath the Clock Tower leads to the lower town, and although
shabbier than the citadel, it has some interesting little shops
where 'Vampire Wine' and locally made products can be bought.
There are also lively markets here and pretty stone squares
where townsfolk gather to chat animatedly about daily affairs
CONTACTS:
Lastly and I hope you don't need it, but should
you require consular help - here are the details
Romanian Tourist Office, Bucharest: +40 (0)21 314 9957or www.romaniatourism.com
Embassy of Romania, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 332
4846.
Embassy of Romania, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7937
9666.
Embassy of Romania, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 789 5345
Embassy of Romania, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6286 2343.
Embassy of Romania, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 460 6940.
Embassy of Romania, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 668 1085
Consulate of Romania, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 476
6883.
United States Embassy, Bucharest: +40 (0)21 200 3300.
British Embassy, Bucharest: +40 (0)21 201 7200.
Canadian Embassy, Bucharest: +40 (0)21 307 5000.
Australian Consulate-General, Bucharest: +40 (0)21 316 7558.
South African Embassy, Budapest, Hungary (also responsible
for Romania): +36 (06)1 392 0999.
Irish Embassy, Bucharest: +40 (0)21 212 2088
Emergencies: 112.
Henri Coanda/Otopeni
International Airport (OTP)
Location: The airport is situated 10 miles (16km) north of
Bucharest. Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from last Sunday
in March to second last Saturday in September). Contacts: Tel:
+ 40 (0)21 204 1200. Transfer between terminals: A free bus
links the two terminals. Transfer to the city: An express bus
service 783 leaves every 15 minutes for the city centre; the
journey takes around 40 minutes. Taxis and Sky Services minibuses
are also available 24 hours to take passengers anywhere in
Bucharest or to any other region in the country. Passengers
should avoid cabs that do not display the price and have no
meters. Car rental: Car rental companies include Budget, Europcar
and Hertz. Facilities: There are banks, bars and restaurants
at the airport. Other facilities include a bureau de change,
left luggage, a hairdresser, business facilities (fax and internet),
duty-free shops and a post office. Disabled facilities are
good; those who need a wheelchair or have other special requirements
should contact their airline in advance. Parking: Parking is
available. Departure tax: None. Website: www.otp-airport.ro
