Romania is in the Balkans, located in Eastern Europe. Even though Romania is a hot spot for tourism, it has something to offer all types of travelers. Prepare to be captivated by the mighty Carpathian mountains, warm wine, the sculptures of Brancusi, ancient fortresses, and lush green forests. The list goes on and on if we count all of the compelling reasons to travel to Romania.

The official language is Romanian. English is the second language and is taught in schools so communicating with locals should not be an issue.

Geography

 Ukraine borders Romania to the North and Northeast. Hungary lies to the west with  Serbia and Bulgaria on the southwestern and southern border respectively.

You can visit the infamous Black Sea on the southeastern coast of the country. The central region of the country is known as Transylvania. Not only is Transylvania know throughout the world but it is also the economic and historical center of the country. Maramures is a beautiful region that lies in the north of Romania and it is known for its magnificent medieval churches and beautiful countryside.

The capital, Bucharest, and Prahova Valley lie in the southern region of Muntenia. West of Muntenia is Oltenia. The varied landscape of the desert found in this area is a surprising change from the rest of the country. The eastern region of Moldavia is known for its plentiful cathedrals. Banat is the western region and the most developed part of Romania. It proudly hosts splendid Baroque architecture and tremendous flora. Brasov (Dracula’s castle), Iasi (historical capital and cultural center), Cluj- Napoca (economic center), Constanta (Black sea resort), Sibiu (a beautiful city in the country), Timisoara (modern city), and Oradea (baroque architecture) are all wonderful cities worthy of a visit.

You can ski at the Predeal or Vatra Dornei resorts. If you are a nature lover, try hiking in the Carpathian mountains or visiting Danube Delta, a natural wonder you must see.

Are you more of an architecture geek? Then visiting the painted monasteries from Suceava city may be for you.

Getting Around

The train network is extensive but due to the massive geographical area, it is hard to connect the whole country. Trains can be helpful for long distance travel but using rental cars can enable you to relish the countryside. Cars can be expensive depending on your choice of size. An SUV can cost you 100 Euros/day. Buses connect the remote areas and are a convenient way to see places off the beaten path. Traveling by taxi inside the larger cities is convenient, and they tend to be very cheap.

The currency used here is Leu (RON). One USD is equal to approximately 4.35 RON. The currency exchange is available in larger hotels, airports, and exchange offices. Euros, US Dollars, and Pounds Sterling are the easiest currencies to exchange. You can withdraw money from ATMs, which are available in main banks, airports, and shopping centers. Also, large hotels, car hire companies, some restaurants, and shops accept credit cards for payment. 

As for electricity, Romania uses type F sockets, as most countries in Europe. You need to bring a travel adapter to fit the proper socket type. Check out the above-linked page to see the photos and other useful information. The standard voltage is 230 V.  Many of your devices may need a step-up transformer to match the electrical voltage.

August 15, 2016 12:00 am Published by Neha Rizal Leave your thoughts