Romania for Nature freaks

Romania Travel Guide for Nature freaks

If you are a nature freak, you might find in Romania a few interesting areas and landscapes.

Fantastic road in the Fagaras Mountains

Even if you are not a big fan of the wet lands, Danube Delta is a must. It is the big winner of the strong  rains falled this year throughout Europe. Also UNESCO appreciated as a part of the world heritage, is really spectacular. But please, as a nature freak, don't take part to the organized cruise ships turning Danube Delta to mass tourism and ruining it. Discover Delta on your own, from a fishermen village in its middle, which you can reach by a line ship. Observe the locals already on the deck, they are amazing. Will seem to be not very friendly, but a bottle of alcohol will save everything. Observe carefully the environment, there are some problems for sure, and first of all this plague of the plastic bottles (PET), turning to the worse threatening and provocation in the all Romania. It is really an issue.

Try to discover the pelicans in Romania without disturbing them at all

Once there in the middle of nowhere, go in a canoe or kaiak discovering further the secrets of the Danube Delta. Go bird watching, there are a few protected areas, trying not to disturb the pelicans, as other sensitive birds. Go fishing, and ask the fishermen about their prey. There are for sure a few endangered species, mainly the sturgeons. Nevertheless, The Danube Delta is a trip worth. If you aren't a nature freak, can take a cruise ship, and I suggest to use Karpaten, it is the most serious and has largely contributed to environment protection.

Fishing in the Danube Delta

If you are a montagnard, or even a climber, The Romanian Carpathians will offer you many magnificent places and unforgettable landscapes. You can start with the Romania's highest mountains, Fagaras. Discover them from Sibiu or Ramnicu Valcea. They are not very high or impressive for you, with their 2500 meters, but really spectacular in some places, e.g The Lake Balea or the Waterfalls Balea. Very close to them there is a cabin for the convenient discovery.

St. Ana lake is the only volcanic lake in the Romanian mountains

Also very interesting to discover are the Retezat Mountains, a protected area and a national park. Please notice there the strange extincted animals and plants, as the fantastic glacial sees. Don't dare to bath in them, unless you are not a skilled swimmer: they are deep and cold! Close to them, and similar from many points of vue, the Parang Mountains. Observe everywhere the plastic pets, it is a national obsession and dilemma!

Man made or natural erosion? Totally strange limestone rocks in the Romanian Carpathians

In many places of the Carpathians small, but hardworking  rivers managed to digg impressive  keys: Prahova Valley, Olt Valley etc. But the most spectacular of all is the fantastic Bicaz Gorges, near Lacu Rosu (The Red Lake; due to the ferric and ferrous oxides, its water have strong red reflexes. Walk through the gorges only one kilometer, becoming already anxious due to the high rocks overwhelming you. Really strange, yet great sensations.

And a last tip: the caves, e.g Scarisoara, or Pestera Muierii. Or even the deserted salt mines, waiting their visitors. You have a lot of work in Romania as nature freak indeed.

Prices and bargains in Romania

How much should cost a glass of wine in Romania?

I am born in Romania, I am living in Romania, I have been living in Romania for decades and I am a professional travel guide here, aiming to present the real Romania to the foreign tourists.

The Romanian wines are very tasty, but may not be very expansive!

As a local, I know the best places and prices, mastering the art of good living on a budget (don't laugh, in Romania is still possible). And I am the happiest travel guide on Earth when I can spare something for my tourists.

E.g.: I am going with my tourists in the best hotels possible, and I was very angry to see how expansive is a glass of wine in Hotel Gerald's, Radauti. It was 10 Lei for sure (if you still don't know, the Romanian coin is called Leu, plural Lei and 1 EURO= 4,3 LEI). The result is not very bad for a foreign tourist used to travel at four stars hotels: 2,2 Euro for a glass of wine. But I buy a liter of the same wine (my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon) in my town of Focsani with 10 LEI again. Seems to me so unfair!

Happy german Tourists in Romania, on a Danube Delta cruise

I am not angry anymore about the high price of a glass of wine in Hotel Gerald, since I discovered in the Ramada chain the same glass of wine at 14 LEI! Otherwise, with a few of small observations, these hotels are really excellent, and the tourists really enjoyed staying there. Tell me your opinions about it, I hope I am not exaggerating in protecting the interests of my tourists vs my beloved Romania!

As you see, I am striving not to present Romania as a fancy expansive destination. Nevertheless, it could become also such a destination, we have many exquisite hotels with four and five stars. But I am trying to keep everything in the limit of a certain common sense, and I am going to give you another example.

Eating in a Romanian restaurant is a rewarding task sometimes, you must only 

Most of my groups come with half board, and sometimes I am trying to organize the lunch on the way. Most of restaurant owners and managers, when receiving such a call, try to offer rich tables with expansive prices, beyond the limit. Consequently, I refined my searches: don't call anymore with one day or a few hours in advance. Instead, capture and hunt the fantastic offer "Meniul Zilei" (Day offer) when I can find it.

Most important things to do in Northern Romania

In the Romanian province of Bucovina, District Suceava, very close to the Ukraina border, you have a lot of things to and to discover.
 A good possibility is staying in Suceava with its good hotels, and exploring every day, a bigger or smaller neighboring area. Don't think now to Maramures and Satu Mare, nevertheless they are also in the extreme North of Romania. Now we shall be focused on Bucovina.

Observe please the hills and the mountains, making this area so beautiful and picturesque. The villages seem to be rich, the houses are big. Traditions are well kept and the rural society seems to be still o.k.! Don't miss in one day of your holidays in the area the black pottery of Marginea, which is very cute and has a long tradition.

On the day when you are going to visit the Putna Monastery, allow yourself some extra hours for an instructive trip to Radauti. The town of Radauti is easy accessible through a wide plain, the only one proper plain in the hilly Bucovina! A few centuries ago Radauti was an interesting ethnic mix, counting Romanian, Germans, Jews, Polish and other nationalities.

The St Nicholas Church of Radauti, nowadays the Metropolitan cathedral

Radauti has been for centuries an important trade point, which is still today, despite the huge difference comparing to the prosperous Suceava, the local star and capital. Radauti hosted even an important Orthodox archbishop, but faced many internal and fratricide fights, making it to decay a little, for the profit of Suceava.

If you arrive in Radauti at noon, or at night, it is the right time to do a culinary trip to restaurant Nordic, asking about Lidia Sticlet. I hope she is still there, at her leading place, and will strive to fill the most bizarre and cosmopolitan culinary wishes (nevertheless, she has a soft spot for the Romanian national meals, like cabbage rolls, with a half dry white wine).

The ancient Bogdana Monastery, build by the grounders of the Moldavian dynasty, namely bogdan I, which is burried here.

If you enter the town at other moment of the day, start your cultural trip from the very centre, with the Etnographic Museum. You will be able to understand better afterwards the rich long history of the town, as also the agricultural civilization of the area. Observe and admire the rich collections of wooden icons, sledges or horse wagons made by the local craftsmen, as also other agricultural  tools widely used in the area. The objects concerning the Hutzuls are of the utmost importance, because this mystery civilization is really fascinating. No one was able to answer to the simple question " Where come the Hutzuls from?". But they do exist in many remote villages, are Orthodox of the ancient calendar an their mainly occupations are shepherds and horse keeping ( they breed a special art of horses, also known as Hutzul, which is huge and strong).

The Etnographic museum from Radati is a good starting point for your trip in this area

Walk further on the streets of Radauti, towards Jewish temple, build at 1876. Very intrepid bankers, trade agents or industrials, the Jews build schools, hospital, temples, and even an establishment for old people! The Jews started to come by the end of the XVIIIth century, and were forced to leave the city in 1941, when the German troops occupied the town. Very few people escaped the Holocaust, and consequently nowadays there are very few people of this ethnic group in the town (mainly old people).

Next comes the Orthodox church of St. Nicholas, which is really an important worship building with big dimensions and interesting architecture. Next to St Nicholas church you may see Catholic or Lutheran churches, which belonged once to the German colonists, brought by the Austrian administration of Bucovina. They were craftsmen, skilled glass blowers, bricklayers, carpenters as also army officers or official clerks. But a visit in Radauti is not complete without seeing the Bogdana Monastery. Its very old and very simple, without the normal signs of importance and opulence of a Royal church. The Bogdana monastery looks simply like a peasant house, with a round pointed roof. Thick walls, no towers, these are other characteristics of this amazing church. For a history or culture freak is simply a must, because here is buried Bogdan, the first ruler of Moldavia, who reached the area coming by horse from Maramures with an important suite.

Essential tips for discovering the Danube Delta

When it comes to discuss about Danube delta, there are a lot of things to say. The most important thing: more than 90 % from the European animal and vegetable species can be found here. You can make wonderful photography trips in the Delta, you can go fishing and also you can find many other things to do, I am sure you will never be disappointed.

To make an idea about the speed of stretching  Danube Delta: in the time of Moldavian ruler Stefan cel Mare (or Stephen the Great) the fortress Chilia was his possession, and was on shore of the Black Sea, an important  port of it. Nowadays from Chilia to the sea there are 40 km to go (this process happened in 500 years). The result is a convincing 1 kilometer yearly.

The villages and human settlements in Danube Delta are very rare, but they do exist, and you don't need to take all basic foodstuffs

For the car fans and freaks, stop thinking to discover Danube Delta by car. In many places is simply impossible, while in other protected areas banned. Please be reasonable and discover Danube Delta by water from Tulcea, on bigger or smaller ships. On the bigger ones you have the advantages of comfort and ammenities, while the little ones can access the most remote and hidden places. But it is possible combining them, and getting the perfect mix.

For the photo freaks the flying or swimming pelicans make the Delta delightful

Go for the Delta adventure in an appropriate, light, but comfortable suit, don't need to be fancy or fashionable there. Don't forget or neglect a raincoat, a cap or a hat, a wind coat.

The mosquitos are showing after 19 hours in summer, and it is wise and advisable to get a shelter before.Take with you creams and solutions against stitches, but also some antidotes against digestive diseases (the nearest hospital is many kilometers away, only in Tulcea, and is not easy reachable!)

Typical architecture for the houses in Danube Delta, based on the local resources

Listen and follow carefully all the advises and recommendations of the locals about dangerous areas, weather conditions, best places for fishing. Don't dare to dream about swimming in the river, unless you are a professional skilled swimmer, because the streams, the mood near the shores and the hidden rocks or wrecks are serious risks.

In the protected areas you need a special authorization for visiting, which is issued by the Natural Reserve Danube Delta Authority from Tulcea. If your visit is granted, and you have the permit, you need to respect some normal elementary regulations (no parking, no open fires, keep silence and don't break the trees).

A sunrise in the Danube Delta is a major compensation for all the risks you must take for reaching  this  fantastic area

There are some villages in the Danube Delta, as you can see on the map, nevertheless they are rarely and the food comes by water ( Danube Delta is one of the poorest inhabited European areas). Nevertheless, you don't need to take with you so much food, you will be able to find something in the groceries from these villages.) Vegetables are not easy to find, also the cheese, or replacing pelicula for your camera. Not to forget, tobacco and alcohol are very good for bargaining with the locals.

Romanian Festivals in 2013 (Part II)

We have a lot of things to do, our job is to fill all the major festivals in Romania for the coming year. Not an easy task, there are some extra local little unknown festivals, which are even more picturesque than these official ones, sometimes overcrowded due to exaggerated publicity.

June Festivals
Brancovenesti (Transilvania)- Cherry Festival, on the first Sunday.
Bucharest hosts The carnival, consisting on one week long of public street manifestations.
Cluj-Napoca enjoys the International Transilvania Film festival
Bucharest on 21st : The Feast of music
Bucharest again: Beer Festival with music in the Herastrau Park
Avram Iancu (by Oradea): the sheep Festival (Tacasele)
Miercurea Ciuc-Pilgrimage of the Catholic Szekelyi on the Whitsuntide
Odorheiu Secuiesc: Festival and market of skilled artisans

A specific Romanian Dance, Hora (The Round) as you can see in any Romanian traditional festival

July Festivals
Vadu Izei: traditional music festival, four days long
Somcuta Mare (Maramures): The oak festival, popular music and traditions
Sibiu: International festival of popular and country music
Ilisesti (Suceava), the second Sunday, The Folklore Festival of The Rarau mountain
Mount Gaina (Western Carpathians) on the last Sunday before 20th : The Girl Market, a big Festival with concerts and  traditional dances
Sighisoara, the last week: Festival of Medieval Art
Targu-Mures, the last five days: Rock Music festival Felsziget
Mangalia, the third week end: Callatis Music Festival

Traditional Festival in Sibiu

August Festivals
Marginimea Sibiului (Transilvania) -first Saturday: The Bear Day
Bucharest,the second week end, The Hora Festival in Village museum, dedicated to Romanian folkloric groups
Constanta, the first week: National Music Festival
Sibiu, the first week: national festival of popular traditions, hosted in Astra Museum

Baia mare hosts many Traditional Festivals

September Festival
Mamaia, the first week: International Festival of Popular Music
Brasov, the first week: International festival of Chamber Music
Lesu (Transilvania), first Sunday: Traditional Festival (sheepherds)
Bucharest, three weeks long: George Enescu Music Festival
Targoviste (Wallachia), middle of the month: Festival of Folkloric Song Miorita
Biertan (Transilvania): Saxon Festival (Sachsentreffen)
Sibiu, by the end of the month: International Oper Festival
Brasov, the end of month: Golden deer, International Entertainment Music Festival, with many Romanian and international first class stars

Romanian Festivals in 2013 (part I)

2012 is still on, you (or us) still have some good possibilities to celebrate Christmas, New Year,  with a plenty of wine and food. But we still can celebrate the current days: today, tomorrow. Thus I found some reasons to drink another glass of wine to you, but you are ought to do the same!

Thinking to the next year is not an easy task. First of all, we must reach it in the best shape and mood, which I sincerely wish you, with all my heart. Really hope that the Maya predictions will prove them wrong, and we will pay our taxes next year too.

In downtown Cluj Napoca there is a celebration on Christmas and New Year

I think that would be a good idea to schedule your trip to Romania for the next year based on the many feasts, carnivals and festivals scattered all year long in the most diverse corners of this wonderful country, as it follows

January.
The New Year is everywhere celebrated, in the all country. Every human settlement marks it in its own way, and they will be really happy to welcome you there. The main condition is to drink some tzuica (strong plum brandy) , wine and to eat a lot. In many places these celebrations take place in the streets, and are really spectacular.
During the second week of January in Deva there is a festival of popular dances.
On the 30th of January in Iasi takes place the religious celebration of The Three Saints.
On the last Sunday of January in Campulung Moldovenesc is organized the Festival of the Winter Sports.

Authentic Romanian dresses in the central market of Sibiu

February.
On the third Sunday of the Month in Targu Jiu falls the Festival of the Charming Water Sources (popular traditions and miners orchestras)

March
In Halmagiu (Bihor) The Kissing Festival was once a meeting place for the single, which nowadays turned to popular music and sheepherds' traditions.

These spectators are also performers

April
Resita hosts during the first weekend The Spring Festival, which is a folcloric one.
In the middle of the month in Paltinis-Sibiu we can see the Snow Festival. In Apata /Brasov the strange festival of Cock Killing coming from the XIVth century!

Through all the country you have the unique opportunity to celebrate The eastern, which is by far the most important celebration,in  church or private. Very spectacular indeed.

Also in April an important opportunity for celebration is the day of the Saint George The Warior. It is followed in all Romania, because there are many Romanians carrying this name, but the main target is the town of Saint George, by Brasov.

May.

All this month long in Bucharest, Cluj Napoca, Constanta, Iasi  is celebrated the Festivinum, a Wine Festival. Best place for the wine afficionados, like me!

In a few villages of Maramures find , please, the peasant Festival of Fertility and Nature.

In Sibiu there is the Mayfest, when germans and germanophones gather together in the Dumbrava park.

In Brasov, during the first Sunday after Easter the spectacular festival of Junii Brasovului ( The Brasov Youngs).

Again in Sibiu the Jazz festival.

Allow me to continue tomorrow with the rest of the year!

Iasi, the Cultural capital of Romania

The city of Iasi ( also referred as Jassy) is very important for the history of Romania, and every Romanian loves it unconditionally. Nowadays is the country's fourth most populuos city, after Bucharest, Constanta and Cluj-Napoca.

In many parts of the city, the history is very obvious. The House of Dosoftei, a Romanian writer, is 400 years old.

Iasi tries hardly not to live in the past, but in the present, which seems to be very difficult with such a long glorious history and so many old houses and monuments. Iasi is still today the most important economic hub for Moldavia, enjoying simultaneously a rich long history, as I said already.

The Iasi City Hall is old, monumental and impressive ( former Palace Roznovanu)

Coming from any direction you will admire the wonderful position of the city from far away. Iasi lies on 7 hills, similar to Rome, and the nicest, or most important is Copou , hosting the city's neighborhood with the same name. Traces of human beings in this wonderful area date back from the paleolithic in the VIth century b.C. (Cucuteni culture for the Archaeology freaks). Not very far, on these blessed hills there are vineyards for sure, in Bucium and Cotnari, and you can take part to wine tasting in those areas. Or you can further taste the best Romanian wines in one of the Iasi many leading restaurants (with a special mention for the Hotel Restaurant Traian, first opened in 1882).

Hotel and restaurant Traian from Iasi is the city's oldest and best

For centuries, during the Middle Age, Iasi has been the Capital of Moldavia, one of the three Romanian countries. After Unification with Vallachia in 1859, the new formed Romania had two Capitals, Iasi and Bucharest, which was amazing, and even overwhelming. Finally, in 1862, Bucharest has been nominated as c
Capital, and Iasi lost its supremacy. But not the importance, to be sure! Between 1916-1918, during WWI, because foreign occupation of Bucharest, Iasi enjoyed again its status of Capital!

The Culture Palace of Iasi is definitely a must do for your schedule in Iasi

The people of and the way of life in Iasi is not so crazing speedy like in Bucharest. The people still have time enjoying free afternoons in a restaurant and taste a glass of wine ( or even beer, if too hot)! The high schools of Iasi still have an excellent level, and the Computer school gave many people to Microsoft.

There are many things to do in Iasi: walking in the Copou Garden crossing the pairs of lovers (most of them are students); visiting the huge Culture Palace, which hosts four Museums; having a good meal or a  wine tasting. You may love Iasi, or hate Iasi, but simply visit it while in Romania. Be sure, I have some special offers for you.

The leading travel agency in the today Romania

As I have a good experience in presenting Romania to the foreigners, I wanna share with you, as you must take a profit from this experience of mine.

Karpaten (German for Carpathians) made a good choice of the best Romanian  hotels. 

Before 1989, in the Ceausescu time, the Romanian tourism reached some peaks, which seemed long time to be untouchable. The centralized economy facilitate low prices, and in the early 70ties Romania was really booming. After the dissolution of the communist power , on one hand the prices rose, and on the other hand  the centralized structure perished. As an immediate result, the foreign tourists fled away, there are many good  destinations in the world, and the travel industry is very competitive. I personally have been working as a travel guide and travel director in the communist times and a few years after. Since 1998 it was such a deep crisis in this branch, that I had only a few groups.

Going on the Romanian Blackseacoast is an event, booking through Karpaten  is even very cheap.

But meanwhile Romania made excellent progresses in the field, and the real professionals started to emerge. Despite the very insignificant state promotion, private owned companies, hotels,travel  agencies appeared, and many of them already vanished. During all these long and difficult years one agency managed to keep and even enlarge its portfolio of clients. Karpaten Turism is in my opinion the most reliable private travel agency in the today Romania, judging based on more factors, but before all the personal experience. Being a tour guide in Romania at Karpaten is a big pleasure and a deep honor, and even an impulse for better work. I always felt an excellent support from the incoming department (Catalina Halauca and Madalina Leu) and the programs I made for this company were simply fantastic at very reasonable prices. The tourists (a group fromNorwa y, a froup from Swiss) have been mesmerized by the program (don't forget my personal contribution, please!) and pledged me to come again.

But in the mountains too Karpaten offers dream packages

I am very happy having found this company, which is Romania's best for incoming, as I can serve better the interests of the tourists. They have good contracts, after days of negotiations, and excellent prices. They managed to set up a good structure for incoming tourism who proudly stays next to the achievements of the Ceausescu regime, but in a very different manner, due to high level and quality of the people working in this company.

The people need to sell all this production!

A small tribute for a great wine

I lived up to now a peaceful, wonderful and intense life. I tried all the joys of this Earth life, and I deeply enjoyed it.

Among the Romanian vineyards you are kindly asked to find the Tarnave!

Above and before anything else I remember  a glass of a special wine, an old wine of Tarnave, the heart of Transilvania. It is the famous Traminer from Blaj, made in 1940-1960, following the same methods like the heavy Rieslings of Rhine, or the Alsacian wines. The taste of this wine is in a certain way the taste of Transilvania, if you allow me.I am deeply convinced, that you will understand the history of Transilvania deeper and better drinking this wine than reading  a few volumes about it.

A little piece from the Tarnave vineyard

I also had the privilege to open ( and even drink, to be honest) many bottles of exquisite Romanian wines. I can also mention the spectacular Grasa or Tamaioasa from Cotnari. Describing them requires a few pages, it is much simplier to drink it. Translating all the resulted sensations in words, enumerating the right smell or taste impulses, this is the real labor of the wine afficionado when meeting these wines. I would mention rather as a memory practise honey, wax, nuts, overiped fruits, late flowers, Eastern spices, etc-it is quite an experience!

This a product from Tarnave, a Riesling, but we may not forget the Traminer!

I was also very enthusiasthic discovering the classic wines of Minis, I became wiser from the Samburesti, and I let myself becoming tipsy and dizzy in Murfatlar.

As I enjoyed all these things, I also push you to spoil yourself with these exquisite wines. The opportunities will come for sure, you only need to stay eager and grab them.

But let's go back to my favorite Traminer of Blaj. This wine still holds a typical scent of fresh hay. This sortiment came in Transilvania at 1900 , and you can barely find it dried, only scented. Enjoy it with a shells soup, or a white Mediterranean chicken, cooked with butter and Provence herbs in a pan ( only for advanced connaisseurs).

Tips and tricks for travelling to Romania

Romania is neither a tropical, nor a dangerous country, but has some insider tips, which I am glad sharing with you.

The prices for a good meal in Romania are very different. You shall ever prefer the small restaurants and pensions, as having better prices and better food

First of all, don't worry about tropical diseases, you don't need any vaccine. AIDS is up to you, and your level of personal protection, other diseases totally unknown. Many visitors are unpleasant impressed about the level of corruption in Romania, and many comments concerning the big political crisis between president Traian Basescu and the Prime Minister Victor Ponta are pointing to corruption as a main reason. I would say no to it, there is rather a personal matter, or a power fight, in my opinion. Certain is that many Romanians are deeply disappointed about their rulers and the political class entirely. About the obvious corruption, I also don't agree, as little presents seem to me really o.k. After all, the corruption is not a Romanian invention or discovery, we are in the Balkans!

Policemen on duty. No policeman is entitled to ask you  your papers without a strong reason., and even less to controll your money or valuables (they are sure faked policemen if doing that)

Much worse than this little corruption are the faked policemen e.g. Please note that no policeman is entitled to legitimate you without a strong reason; even less is entitled to ask about money or other valuables. When entering Romania through Bucharest Airport avoid the taxis and the luggage porters, is simply too expensive and even dangerous to your life, as a recent incident proves it.

When entering Romania through Bucharest International Airport avoid the taxis and the luggage porters. They are unshamed expansive and even dangerous to your life

Many Romanians drink the wine with water in the same glass (sprit). You can make a try of this method, but you are not supposed to do the same, no one will be hurt if you drink the wine separately. As you know, being a somelier, this method decreases the qualities of wine. The locals use it just to drink more liquids during the hot days.

Meiul Zilei is an incredible local offer: 3 courses meal with 3 Euros only.

A matter who could hurt any local is on the contrary shaking hands. It is normal to do it when meeting someone, not only for the first time. The shake must be strong enough, lasting for 5 seconds at least, while you look deeply in the eyes of the counterpart. If you are a man meeting a lady in a sophisticated environment, it is bon ton to kiss her right hand, while you look in her eyes.

Eating in Romania is very cheap, if you are tight on your budget. Everywhere on your ways there are incredible offers as MENIUL ZILEI, meaning a three course menu at 15 RON (3 EUROS). You can also have your meals in a sophisticated restaurants, but the hi end prices you can find there don't reflect a much superior quality of the meals. On the contrary, the same meals are to be found in a pension at the country side much cheaper and tasting better ( nearly bio for sure)!

A good hotel in a big city vs a little pension to the countryside  is  a matter of time,  budget and taste

The same thing about accommodation. You can barely find a hotel room in Bucharest or other touristic cities (Sibiu, Brasov, Cluj Napoca) under 60 Euros, but you can find some excellent accommodation in a pension at the half of this price. So it is easy to make the choice, according to your budget.

Tips is also not entirely a Romanian invention, and if you are very happy with a certain service no one will be ofenced for receiving tips (no more than 10 %).

Romania Survival Course (part II)

Dear friends, in order to really enjoy the Romanian wines, I must insist on these little things, who could spoil or ruin your pleasure. Even if you book through me, and I will be guiding you all the time in Romania, you should be aware of these details, which are not worse in Romania than in any other part of the world.

1. Romanian policemen are always wearing uniform. No one of them is entitled to check your money, after checking your identity. It is normally for them to introduce themselves and show a police pass. They are also not allowed to check your identity without a strong reason (this applies even for the traffic agents checking your driving licence)

A Romanian policeman wearing his uniform

2.When hiring a car, prefer the agencies from Bucharest and other major city. Negotiate the price per day (between 25 and 70 Euros) and check (even double-check) milesage, general state ( scratches, wheels, go to details). Never take a car without insurance! When having an accident with victims, you are not allowed to  leave Romania until police research.

3. Be very careful when paying by card. First of all, make sure that the system is running, even if the labels indicate it so. Prefer the bancomats of the leading banks, they seem to be safer. When paying by the card double check the amount; another way to be cheated is to charge you twice (become very suspicious if the operator says that system is not working properly, and he must try again).

Usually, you don't find or need cars like this. But you must respect some procedures and pay attention to details!

4.Don't interfere in the Romanian politics during discussions with unknown (e.g. in trains), even if you have opinions. The Romanian society is very splitted nowadays, and its members very fervent. The same applies by football matches, when the fans become easy very violent.

Romanian politics simply splits the society and make the Romanians mad

5.When meeting a person, strongly shake hand if he's a man, or kiss the hand, if a lady.When entering a church or monastery you must  wear decent clothes (common sense, like in Rome and its churches), don't smoke, and don't take photos (if forbidden)

6.The dogs might become in Romania a serious matter. They are by hundreds everywhere. When they are alone, can't do any harm (major exception are the the shepherd dogs in the mountains, who can ruin your day); on the contrary, when grouped in a pack they could become very aggressive and dangerous (sometimes a quarter can't sleep because of the barking dogs).

The dogs living on the streets can become aggressive  when are in a pack

7.In the remote areas are still to find poisonous snakes (vipers), while in Danube Delta you need protection against mosquitos. In some protected areas of the big Romanian forests is possible to find big mamals, like wolves and bears.

The Danube delta is a Romanian natural paradise, but what you can't see in the picture are the unbearable mosquitos