The Today Network - 4/11/17( The November Issue)
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Hmmm... I just saw the Barbie Movie Charm School and it reminded me of Hogwarts. Oh! It stuck a brand-idea upon me on writing the secrets of Hogwarts! Care to read out? I won't keep one of my energetic readers waiting. 4/11/17( The November Issue)
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Travel Guide : To Romania
Chapter 3
Romania (România) [2] is situated in the north of the Balkan Peninsula on the western shores of the Black Sea. It enjoys great natural beauty and diversity and a rich cultural heritage. Romania enchants visitors with its scenic mountain landscapes and unspoiled countryside areas, and also with its historic cities and its busy capital. Over the last decade Romania had undergone a significant development and it is one of the recent members of the European Union. Tourists from western countries might still, even today, enjoy some surprising experiences in Romania. This is a large country which can sometimes be shocking with contrasts: some cities are truly Western Europe; some villages can seem to have been brought back from the past. While it has significant cultural similarities with other Balkan states, it is regarded as unique due to its strong Latin heritage. Things for which Romania is famous include: the Carpathian mountains, sculptor Constantin Brancusi, wine, salt mines, George Enescu, medieval fortresses, Eugene Ionesco, "Dacia" cars, Dracula, stuffed cabbage leaves, Nadia Comaneci, primeval dense forests, the Black Sea, Gheorghe Hagi, sunflower fields, wolves and bears, painted monasteries, the Danube Delta, etc. etc.
But When people think of Romania, they tend only think of gypsies and Dracula, but there is much more the country than that. I had no idea what to expect when I visited (hopefully a lot of vampire stuff) and found Romania to be far more wonderful than I ever imagined. I love the delicious and hearty food, the historic cities with their cobblestone streets and their medieval architecture, the warm people, and the beautiful, picturesque countryside. I love Romania to bits and I strongly, strongly encourage you to take the country slowly and spend extra time here. Few people come here so you’ll get most of it to yourself! (P.S. – There’s no Dracula tourism in this country so don’t expect to visit and find any.)
Accommodation – Most dorm rooms with 6-8 beds cost about 50-60 RON per night at a hostel, with private rooms that sleep two cost about 130-150 RON. A room in a budget hotel that sleeps two will cost around 100-125 RON per night. Airbnb is available in Romania and shared rooms start around 40 RON and entire homes start around 95-135 RON.
Food – Romanian meals can be very hearty, containing potatoes, meats, cabbage, and spices. Romania also has pretty good coffee and pastries. Food is very cheap in Romania, and most small meals cost around 20 RON. In major tourist cities like Brasov or Sighisoara, meals with drinks at restaurants can be a bit pricey and cost around 100 RON. Soup is a good option for saving money, as it costs around 6-10 RON and is pretty hearty in Romania. (It also typically comes with a side of free bread.) If you cook your meals, expect to pay about 180 RIO per week for groceries that will include pasta, vegetables, chicken, and other basic foods. Save money by shopping at discount supermarkets like Profi, Lidl, and Penny Market.
Transportation – City buses and trains cost about 4 RON for a single journey ticket. Trains are a slow but reliable way of getting around Romania. The extensive network covers much of the country. There are 3 different kinds of trains: InterCity (IC), InterRegional (IR), and Regional (R). Trains are priced by distance. For example, traveling up to 10km will cost you 16 RON (IC), 12 RON (IR), or 3.50 RON (R) for a second class, while traveling up to 200km will coast you 77 ROM (IC), 60 RON (IR), and 29 (R) for second class. Buses begin at 30/40 RON but are rarely more than 80 RON for a second class ticket. For example, a ticket from Brasov to Sibiu costs 30 RON and takes about 2.5 hours. And a bus ticket from Brasov to Cluj Napoca costs 70 RON and takes nearly 5 hours.
Activities – A lot of Romania’s best activities are free. There are a lot of fortresses, mountains, and churches. Besides that, most museums and attractions cost between 20-40 RON.
Suggested daily budget – 130 -175 RON / $30-40 USD (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel, eating out a little, cooking most of your meals, and using local transportation. Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. However, if you stay in fancier accommodation or eat out more often, expect this to be higher!)
I didn’t find that Romania offered any amazing ways to save. There wasn’t really one particular thing that I found and was like, “Wow! This is going to be great! My budget is saved!” but there are a few things you can do:
Couchsurf — Nothing’s cheaper than sleeping for free. Couchsurfing connects you with locals who will give you not only a free place to stay, but also a local tour guide who can introduce you to all the great places to see.Eat lunch out — Although food in Romania is inexpensive in general, you can save more money by cooking your own dinners and eating your lunches out. A lunch menu in Romania typically consists of three courses (soup, main, dessert), and can cost as little as 20-30 RON.Rideshare – If you’re flexible in your schedule, use the ridesharing service BlaBlaCar and catch rides with locals between cities (or countries). You save money and get to spend time with locals. Drivers are verified and it’s perfectly safe (though sometimes rides don’t show up, which is why you need to be flexible).Shop at discount grocers — If you’re going to cook or even are just grabbing a snack, save money by shopping at discount supermarkets like Profi, Lidl, and Penny Market.
Top Things to See and Do in Romania
Wander through Alexandru Borza Botanic Gardens – Located in Cluj Napoca, this is a massive botanical garden with rolling green hills, an observation tower, a rose garden, and even a Japanese garden. Admission costs 10 RON and it’s open from 8am-8pm in the summer and 9am-6pm in the winter.Get a cultural immersion in Maramures – This medieval region of Romania is one of my favorites. Peasant culture is still thriving, and there is an interesting blend of traditional music, hand-made wooden structures, and colorful textiles to experience. It’s like stepping back in time (in a good way).Hike at Mount Tampa – Towering above Brasov, this is one mountain that is riddled with interesting history. It’s easy to hop on a cable car, and check out the view from the top, as well as explore with the defensive fortress. Many people like to go hiking here and visit the Brasov sign.Visit the Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral – As one of the most religious countries in Europe, it should be no surprise that there are churches, cathedrals, and monasteries everywhere, many of which date back several centuries. This particular cathedral in Bucharest still has all of its original interior paintings and icons, in addition to some beautiful frescoes.Explore Bucharest – With several centuries of architecture in this city, this is a pretty city and a good mix of old world buildings and modern communist style concrete blocks. As the capital, there are plenty of museums, cemeteries, historical sites, shopping centers, and architectural sights to check out here. While there is not much left of the historic center, what is left is still quite pretty and a nice contrast to the bland modern buildings. In recent years, the city has become some what of a hub for digital nomads and has taken on a more international feel. Bucharest is a city on the move and as such it’s an interesting time to visit!See the wildlife at Northern Dobrogea – Here there are tons of wildlife and exotic birds to see, but you still have a bit of the city to keep from being entirely secluded. There is a decent selection of restaurants and entertainment spots, including theater and opera houses.Shop at a traditional crafts fair – Every year during the month of June, there is a huge craft fair held in Bucharest. People come from all over Romania to sell goods and provide demonstrations. You can see pottery molding, woodcarving, glass blowing, rug and textile weaving, embroidery, and egg painting.Visit the Danube Delta – Flowing over 1,700 miles from its source, this is Europe’s second largest and best-preserved delta. There is so much wildlife to see here, and the hiking is surreal. You can go bird watching and fishing as well.Explore Brasov – My favorite place in Romania, this historic city is the launching pad for trips to “Dracula’s castle.” There’s great hiking around here, a beautiful historic center, and beautiful medieval streets. The core of the city is this beautiful medieval destination but walk five minutes out in any direction and you start to see modern glass buildings, malls, and wide streets. Moreover, Brasov has a wide variety of food from local Romanian fare to good international food.Trek in the Fagaras Mountains – For those of you that are major hiking enthusiasts, this is one of those awesome multi-day hiking experiences. Taking you along the main ridge of the Fagaras, the route is one of the longest and continuous high-mountain traverses in Europe. You will trek over Moldoveanu, Negoiu, and Vista Mare that are three of Romania’s highest peaks.Celebrate Hora de la Prislop – Held every August, this festival is a celebration that brings together Transylvania, Moldova, and Maramures. Known more commonly as the Dance at Prislop, you can probably guess that there is lots of traditional dancing and singing, beautiful costumes, parading, and awesome feasting.Set up base at Baia Mare – If you are wanting to check out a bunch of the traditional villages, this is a good place to start. It is easy to access many of the famous valleys from here, including Iza, Viseu, Cosau, and Mara – all of which are riddled with interesting villages.Hunt for Dracula in Sighisoara – Founded during the 12th century, this town is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. A world heritage site, there is a mass of towers, ornate churches, and burgher houses to see throughout the cobbled streets. This is also the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, otherwise more commonly known as Dracula.Visit Peles Castle – Not too far from Brasov is Sinaia, the site of Peles Castle. The castle itself was constructed between 1873 and 1914 as a getaway spot for the monarch. The building is lavishly decorated and serves as a great indication of the luxurious lives these rulers enjoyed. A visit to the ground floor of the castle costs 20 RON and goes up in price for tours of additional floors.Tour a salt mine – Salina Turda is the salt mine in Turda which has been converted into a subterranean museum. The mine dates back centuries and was used heavily during the Middle Ages. The layout of the museum is really neat and looks almost futuristic. If you’re in the area, this is worth a visit.Go to Cluj-Napoca – Cluj-Napoca is very pleasant university town located in Romania’s northwest and a big stopping point for people coming east from Hungary. The city dates back centuries, and there are a lot of historical churches, museums, and ruins (especially on Cetatuia hill) to visit. Because of the university here, there are a lot of affordable restaurants and a very happening nightlife in the city. I really liked the days I spent here and, while not as historic and medieval as many of Romania’s other cities if you’re looking for a city with a cool atmosphere in Romania, this place is it.Visit Sibiu – I felt my visit to Sibiu was like walking back into the middle ages. As one of Romania’s tourism capitals, Sibiu attracts a lot of tourists seeking its wonderful medieval charm, excellent views of the surrounding landscapes, great food, and stunning parkland. Out of all the places I visited in Romania, this city was my favorite. I’m a sucker for medieval cities, and as an added bonus, the city’s historical center was recently renovated in 2006 and looks spectacular. And, while it may attract the crowds, they don’t deter from the many sites in the city. Make this place a stop on your Romanian travel itinerary. This travel guide can help you decide what to do.
What's keeping you?
Annebella Sofia
WRITER OF THE TRAVEL GUIDE
But When people think of Romania, they tend only think of gypsies and Dracula, but there is much more the country than that. I had no idea what to expect when I visited (hopefully a lot of vampire stuff) and found Romania to be far more wonderful than I ever imagined. I love the delicious and hearty food, the historic cities with their cobblestone streets and their medieval architecture, the warm people, and the beautiful, picturesque countryside. I love Romania to bits and I strongly, strongly encourage you to take the country slowly and spend extra time here. Few people come here so you’ll get most of it to yourself! (P.S. – There’s no Dracula tourism in this country so don’t expect to visit and find any.)
Accommodation – Most dorm rooms with 6-8 beds cost about 50-60 RON per night at a hostel, with private rooms that sleep two cost about 130-150 RON. A room in a budget hotel that sleeps two will cost around 100-125 RON per night. Airbnb is available in Romania and shared rooms start around 40 RON and entire homes start around 95-135 RON.
Food – Romanian meals can be very hearty, containing potatoes, meats, cabbage, and spices. Romania also has pretty good coffee and pastries. Food is very cheap in Romania, and most small meals cost around 20 RON. In major tourist cities like Brasov or Sighisoara, meals with drinks at restaurants can be a bit pricey and cost around 100 RON. Soup is a good option for saving money, as it costs around 6-10 RON and is pretty hearty in Romania. (It also typically comes with a side of free bread.) If you cook your meals, expect to pay about 180 RIO per week for groceries that will include pasta, vegetables, chicken, and other basic foods. Save money by shopping at discount supermarkets like Profi, Lidl, and Penny Market.
Transportation – City buses and trains cost about 4 RON for a single journey ticket. Trains are a slow but reliable way of getting around Romania. The extensive network covers much of the country. There are 3 different kinds of trains: InterCity (IC), InterRegional (IR), and Regional (R). Trains are priced by distance. For example, traveling up to 10km will cost you 16 RON (IC), 12 RON (IR), or 3.50 RON (R) for a second class, while traveling up to 200km will coast you 77 ROM (IC), 60 RON (IR), and 29 (R) for second class. Buses begin at 30/40 RON but are rarely more than 80 RON for a second class ticket. For example, a ticket from Brasov to Sibiu costs 30 RON and takes about 2.5 hours. And a bus ticket from Brasov to Cluj Napoca costs 70 RON and takes nearly 5 hours.
Activities – A lot of Romania’s best activities are free. There are a lot of fortresses, mountains, and churches. Besides that, most museums and attractions cost between 20-40 RON.
Suggested daily budget – 130 -175 RON / $30-40 USD (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel, eating out a little, cooking most of your meals, and using local transportation. Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. However, if you stay in fancier accommodation or eat out more often, expect this to be higher!)
I didn’t find that Romania offered any amazing ways to save. There wasn’t really one particular thing that I found and was like, “Wow! This is going to be great! My budget is saved!” but there are a few things you can do:
Couchsurf — Nothing’s cheaper than sleeping for free. Couchsurfing connects you with locals who will give you not only a free place to stay, but also a local tour guide who can introduce you to all the great places to see.Eat lunch out — Although food in Romania is inexpensive in general, you can save more money by cooking your own dinners and eating your lunches out. A lunch menu in Romania typically consists of three courses (soup, main, dessert), and can cost as little as 20-30 RON.Rideshare – If you’re flexible in your schedule, use the ridesharing service BlaBlaCar and catch rides with locals between cities (or countries). You save money and get to spend time with locals. Drivers are verified and it’s perfectly safe (though sometimes rides don’t show up, which is why you need to be flexible).Shop at discount grocers — If you’re going to cook or even are just grabbing a snack, save money by shopping at discount supermarkets like Profi, Lidl, and Penny Market.
Top Things to See and Do in Romania
Wander through Alexandru Borza Botanic Gardens – Located in Cluj Napoca, this is a massive botanical garden with rolling green hills, an observation tower, a rose garden, and even a Japanese garden. Admission costs 10 RON and it’s open from 8am-8pm in the summer and 9am-6pm in the winter.Get a cultural immersion in Maramures – This medieval region of Romania is one of my favorites. Peasant culture is still thriving, and there is an interesting blend of traditional music, hand-made wooden structures, and colorful textiles to experience. It’s like stepping back in time (in a good way).Hike at Mount Tampa – Towering above Brasov, this is one mountain that is riddled with interesting history. It’s easy to hop on a cable car, and check out the view from the top, as well as explore with the defensive fortress. Many people like to go hiking here and visit the Brasov sign.Visit the Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral – As one of the most religious countries in Europe, it should be no surprise that there are churches, cathedrals, and monasteries everywhere, many of which date back several centuries. This particular cathedral in Bucharest still has all of its original interior paintings and icons, in addition to some beautiful frescoes.Explore Bucharest – With several centuries of architecture in this city, this is a pretty city and a good mix of old world buildings and modern communist style concrete blocks. As the capital, there are plenty of museums, cemeteries, historical sites, shopping centers, and architectural sights to check out here. While there is not much left of the historic center, what is left is still quite pretty and a nice contrast to the bland modern buildings. In recent years, the city has become some what of a hub for digital nomads and has taken on a more international feel. Bucharest is a city on the move and as such it’s an interesting time to visit!See the wildlife at Northern Dobrogea – Here there are tons of wildlife and exotic birds to see, but you still have a bit of the city to keep from being entirely secluded. There is a decent selection of restaurants and entertainment spots, including theater and opera houses.Shop at a traditional crafts fair – Every year during the month of June, there is a huge craft fair held in Bucharest. People come from all over Romania to sell goods and provide demonstrations. You can see pottery molding, woodcarving, glass blowing, rug and textile weaving, embroidery, and egg painting.Visit the Danube Delta – Flowing over 1,700 miles from its source, this is Europe’s second largest and best-preserved delta. There is so much wildlife to see here, and the hiking is surreal. You can go bird watching and fishing as well.Explore Brasov – My favorite place in Romania, this historic city is the launching pad for trips to “Dracula’s castle.” There’s great hiking around here, a beautiful historic center, and beautiful medieval streets. The core of the city is this beautiful medieval destination but walk five minutes out in any direction and you start to see modern glass buildings, malls, and wide streets. Moreover, Brasov has a wide variety of food from local Romanian fare to good international food.Trek in the Fagaras Mountains – For those of you that are major hiking enthusiasts, this is one of those awesome multi-day hiking experiences. Taking you along the main ridge of the Fagaras, the route is one of the longest and continuous high-mountain traverses in Europe. You will trek over Moldoveanu, Negoiu, and Vista Mare that are three of Romania’s highest peaks.Celebrate Hora de la Prislop – Held every August, this festival is a celebration that brings together Transylvania, Moldova, and Maramures. Known more commonly as the Dance at Prislop, you can probably guess that there is lots of traditional dancing and singing, beautiful costumes, parading, and awesome feasting.Set up base at Baia Mare – If you are wanting to check out a bunch of the traditional villages, this is a good place to start. It is easy to access many of the famous valleys from here, including Iza, Viseu, Cosau, and Mara – all of which are riddled with interesting villages.Hunt for Dracula in Sighisoara – Founded during the 12th century, this town is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. A world heritage site, there is a mass of towers, ornate churches, and burgher houses to see throughout the cobbled streets. This is also the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, otherwise more commonly known as Dracula.Visit Peles Castle – Not too far from Brasov is Sinaia, the site of Peles Castle. The castle itself was constructed between 1873 and 1914 as a getaway spot for the monarch. The building is lavishly decorated and serves as a great indication of the luxurious lives these rulers enjoyed. A visit to the ground floor of the castle costs 20 RON and goes up in price for tours of additional floors.Tour a salt mine – Salina Turda is the salt mine in Turda which has been converted into a subterranean museum. The mine dates back centuries and was used heavily during the Middle Ages. The layout of the museum is really neat and looks almost futuristic. If you’re in the area, this is worth a visit.Go to Cluj-Napoca – Cluj-Napoca is very pleasant university town located in Romania’s northwest and a big stopping point for people coming east from Hungary. The city dates back centuries, and there are a lot of historical churches, museums, and ruins (especially on Cetatuia hill) to visit. Because of the university here, there are a lot of affordable restaurants and a very happening nightlife in the city. I really liked the days I spent here and, while not as historic and medieval as many of Romania’s other cities if you’re looking for a city with a cool atmosphere in Romania, this place is it.Visit Sibiu – I felt my visit to Sibiu was like walking back into the middle ages. As one of Romania’s tourism capitals, Sibiu attracts a lot of tourists seeking its wonderful medieval charm, excellent views of the surrounding landscapes, great food, and stunning parkland. Out of all the places I visited in Romania, this city was my favorite. I’m a sucker for medieval cities, and as an added bonus, the city’s historical center was recently renovated in 2006 and looks spectacular. And, while it may attract the crowds, they don’t deter from the many sites in the city. Make this place a stop on your Romanian travel itinerary. This travel guide can help you decide what to do.
What's keeping you?
Annebella Sofia
WRITER OF THE TRAVEL GUIDE
