This is the perfect time to explore the Danube Delta and also monitor the migratory birds. This is also the best time to visit the cities of Romania and the province of Moldavia.

From July 15th to August 15th, the most frequented places are the regions of Bukovina and Maramures, the city of Sighisoara, the Black Sea and the Danube Delta, which offer freshness and beautiful nature. Heat waves reign in Bucharest during this time of the year. The mountain climate is very pleasant in the summer, and makes for nice walks and relaxation.

In Transylvania, the orchards are filled with fruits and the mountains are at the height of their beauty. This is the perfect time to visit the monasteries of Bukovina, where you will find light, peace and the soothing colors of the woods. The migrations of the birds are in full swing throughout the Danube Delta.

The Romanians know what a real winter is like: cold and dry weather with a significant amount of snow (usually about three months in the mountainous areas). The winter holidays (Christmas and New Year among the most important) are celebrated according to the beautiful traditions of Moldavia, Transylvania and Dobrogea. The light creates a festive atmosphere among the Moldavian hills and the Danube Delta. Skiers rarely have concerns about snow in the Carpathian Mountains. The Apuseni Mountains and the country of Szekely (where high temperatures are about -40 degrees Celsius) are also great for skiing.

Travel Guides – some of the most famous and complete

Websites

Practical information and fun ideas:
www.romaniatourism.com
www.inyourpocket.com/romania

Romanian tourism offices:
http://www.turism.ro/

We offer a comprehensive portal in English , with beautiful pictures and useful information about major cities:
www.aboutromania.com

There is a very low risk of becoming ill after a trip to Romania, but it doesn’t hurt to take some precautions.
Each city has a hospital (spital) and pharmacies (farmacie) with all of the necessary equipment and medicine.
In the countryside, you can be looked over by a doctor in the village clinics, but in the case that you get sick, we recommend using the services of the hospitals in the large cities rather than rely on these small settlements. If the need to visit the hospital is imperative, you must be cautious: Romanian doctors are poorly paid, and it is not unusual for them to ask for extra payment for their services.
For a temporary stay in Romania, consider getting a European Health Insurance Card by calling your social security center (or to connect to the website of your center), which will mail it to you in no more than 15 days. This card is valid in all EU countries.

No special vaccinations are required, but you must have the “usual”: tetanus, polio, hepatitis B, and diphtheria. Some guides recommend getting a rabies vaccine due to the high population of stray dogs, especially in Bucharest. However, this is not necessary, because dog bites are quite rare (they are accustomed to human presence), and you can have the vaccine administered at the hospital in the case of a bite.

If you are going for a walk in the woods, for example, check your skin for ticks from time to time. If one is stuck to you (a rare occurrence), spray it with an ether solvent, which will remove its legs from your skin. You can then remove it carefully with a pair of tweezers, taking care not to miss anything.

If you are planning to travel in the summer, come equipped with mosquito repellent, especially if your destination is the Danube Delta or Bucharest. Also, avoid drinking the tap water, especially in Bucharest. Bottled water is preferred.
Pets – cats and dogs (maximum of 2 per person) must submit health certificates and a rabies vaccination, as well as a legalized translation: more than one month and less than one year for dogs, six months for cats.

Bucharest is the only city with a metro, but the other cities have a dense network of buses (and trams in the larger cities). Taxis are yellow in every city, and feature a mandatory cash register. The cost per kilometer is displayed and is more than reasonable (0.4 euros/kilometer, approximately). It is advisable to check whether the driver resets the initial tariff when starting the drive.

You can travel almost anywhere in Romania by train, but at a slower pace. No matter the type of train (intercity or international), passage through the Carpathians is annoying. Trains rarely exceed 50 km/h in the mountains; the trip from Cluj-Napoca to Bucharest takes about nine hours to pass 500 kilometers. There are many night trains that allow for transportation as well. Consider reserving a seat, as it is not uncommon for a train to be crowded, forcing you to stand during the entire trip.

We advise you to use paid parking lots, as they are not that expensive. Be aware of scammers, who will present themselves as the owners and attempt to charge you money.

Vignettes are mandatory throughout the country, and provide access to any type of road, including highways. The price for a week is about 5 euros, depending on the type of vehicle. You can purchase a vignette in any gas station, as well as at the borders. Do not worry about rental cars, as they always come equipped with a vignette.

Fuel is cheap (about 25% cheaper than in Western Europe). The price of gasoline varies slightly among different gas stations, but the differences are relatively small, a liter of gasoline costs about 1.3 euros. In some cities, the large gas stations are open 24 hours a day, and payment is made by credit card.

The working hours of public services are similar to that of the US and the UK. Bars and restaurants on the other hand, tend close a bit later.

Phone booths can still be found in Romania (as well as phones mounted on the walls of public buildings), which will allow you to make calls if your mobile phone is not working. You can also buy prepaid cards in supermarkets and newsstands. These cards offer more attractive prices than Telekom for international calls.

From abroad to Romania – dial 0040, then the area code of the city you are calling, followed by the corresponding number (6 digits, 7 in Bucharest).
Romania to another country – dial 00, followed by the code for the country (1 for the US, 44 for the UK).
Domestic calls – dial the area code followed by the six digits corresponding to the number.

Almost the entire country receives cell phone coverage. You can use your mobile phone if you have signed with your international provider. It is also possible to use a prepaid card of a local operator, or activate the option for international calls.

To check emails, do not hesitate to ask your hotel for internet or computer access. You can also go to one of the many internet cafes, which offer reasonable prices.

The currency of Romania is the leu (plural: lei). In July of 2005, a new leu, worth 1,000 old lei, was issued. There are 1, 5, 10 and 50 cent coins, and banknotes of 1, 5, 10, 100 and 500. One euro is worth about 4.4 (new) lei.

You can find currency exchanges in all of the major cities. Be aware of the fees, and use banks such as Raiffeisen Bank, for example, which does not charge a fee.

This is a way to prevent theft, but in exchange for a hefty fee. Many exchange offices do not accept them.

This method of payment can be utilized in most of the supermarkets, restaurants…etc. in the capital. However, you should carry cash with you when going to shops and restaurants in the smaller towns.

Romania is a safe country, but be aware. Be careful in the airport, public markets and marketplaces in the large train stations, and on public transport. Also, avoid leaving valuables in the hotel. Don’t let this scare you however, as most of the stereotypes of Romania come from people who haven’t even been there.
You can call 112 - the national emergency number for the police, fire department and ambulances - from a landline or mobile phone.

Some of the most interesting and diverse experiences of your trip will be encountered during fairs (targuri) and markets (piete). The fairs and weekly markets in Maramures are superb. The Radauti and Dorohoi fairs of Bukovina and Moldavia are also worth a visit. There are many traditional products at the fairs, which you can take home for a lasting memory. Here are some examples:
Hand-made objects – Romanian craftsmen continue to resist international influences. Clay pottery, weaving and masonry are still alive here. Tourist information centers (centru de informare turistica) will give you advice, and may even take you directly to some of the local artisans.
Painted eggs – Bukovina – this popular tradition has become a real art, and is still practiced in the region of Bukovina. You will find these gifts in many craft shops, as well as in the Museum of Painted Eggs in Vama Veche.
Embroidery and traditional clothing – you can find many merchants of traditional clothing and embroidery near the monasteries, who can meet your needs. We encourage you to go to the tourist information centers, which will direct you to the local artisans and museums.
Glass iconography (icoane pe sticle) – In areas with well-preserved traditions, such as Maramures, this art form is still alive. Here, you can enter the workshops and purchase products, or even try to create something of your own with your hands.
Remember to grab a bottle of palinca/tuica (brandy), before you go home, which will allow you to warm up during the winter! Rather than buy it from shops, check in the guesthouses, who will surely offer quality products.

Customs and habits

Here are some useful tips, which will help you to be well received at the places you are invited to: Romanians have no fixed meal times. They eat at any time, before, after and even during work. When at the table, do not feel obligated to eat the entire plate, because your host will think that you are still hungry. Keep the same in mind with regards to alcohol: when they see that your glass is empty, they will immediately refill it. Do not be surprised if the waiters pick up your plate as soon as you have finish! After dinner, it is polite to tell the hosts “Sarut mana pentru masa”, which means “I kiss your hand for this meal”. The host will respond “Sa va fie de bine”, or “I do it with pleasure”.
Make sure to remove your shoes when entering a house, especially in the rural areas.
Churches and monasteries are considered holy places, so try to avoid going inside wearing shorts and other revealing clothing (especially ladies). This is mainly for visits to churches and monasteries that are not often visited by tourists. Also, you’ll want to be mindful of your clothing if entering churches on a Sunday.
Orthodox Christians in the area still practice Lent, which starts 45 days before Easter, 45 days before Christmas, the first 15 days of August and Friday.

Official holidays

In order to better organize your trip in Romania, here is a list (not complete) of official and public holidays in Romania. Most of these holidays are connected with the religious calendar.
New Year – January 1st
Epiphany (Baptism of Christ) – January 6th
Presentation of Christ at the Temple – February 2nd
Annunciation – March 25th
Palm Sunday – one week before Easter
Easter – first Sunday after the full moon on or after March 21st
Ascension Day – 40 days after Easter
Pentecost – 50 days after Easter
Transfiguration – August 6th
Assumption – August 15th
Immaculate Conception – September 8th
Exaltation of the Cross – September 14th
Presentation of Mary – November 21st
Christmas Day – December 25th
There are also many beautiful agricultural holidays, which differ from region to region. These festivals are usually associated with herding livestock into pastures, and are celebrated by many people in the smaller towns and villages. Some examples are:
Day of the worker – Hoteni (Maramures) – early may
“Ruptul Sepelor – Maramures – a tradition of measuring milk, and the separation of lambs from their mothers – May
“Festival for girls” – Mount Gaina (Apuseni) – around July 20th
Other national holidays:
Martisorul – celebrates the arrival of spring. This is an opportunity to give flowers and small gifts to women. Martisorul is a day on which people decorate themselves with handmade brooches or bracelets of red and white threads.
Labor Day – in reality, this day has become a “festival of the sea”, because the younger people celebrate the beginning of the summer on the seaside resort of Vama Veche – May 1st
National Day of Romania – this is the celebration of the unification of the Romanian provinces, proclaimed in Alba Lulia in 1918 – December 1st