Almost a quarter of the historical places of Romania claim to play a role in the life of the notorious Vlad Tepes (he is also Nosferatu, he is also the Unmerciful, he is also Count Dracula) .You can even say that the "pope" of all vampires has become a kind of tourist "trademark" of the country .However, in one box, even the most unhealthy, you will not get far .In Romania, this is well understood, and therefore they apply other more material values ​​to the macabric entourage: a good "excursion", reconstructed hotels, the beautiful nature of the Carpathians, and in winter - also several ski resorts with good routes and developed infrastructure..

The capital is Bucharest. Large cities - Brasov, Constanta, Sighisoara.

A full list of interesting cities to visit the country can be found on the city page and the resorts of Romania, and about when it is best to go here and what to do, is told on the page tours to Romania.

Regions of Romania

In the region of Wallachia (or Muntenia) is the capital of the country, Bucharest, as well as the main ski resorts in Romania: Poiana Brasov, Predeal and Sinaia. In addition, this area is famous for the picturesque Transfagaras Pass and Lake Vidraru, the ancient towns of Courta de Arges and Targovishte.

Transylvania, the most popular region of the country, is famous throughout the world for the castle of Count Dracula in Bran, the medieval towns of Sibiu, Brasov and Sighisoara, unique fortified churches protected by UNESCO, as well as unforgettable nature: forests and fields, Fagaras snow peaks and many scattered here and there are ruins of ancient fortresses.

The Dobruja region stretching along the Black Sea coast includes all the main beach resorts of the country: Mamaia, Constanta, Eforie Nord, Eforie Sud, Costinesti, Neptune-Olympus, Jupiter, Cap-Aurora, Venus, Saturn and Mangalia. In addition, it is here that the unique delta of the Danube River, a national park taken under the UNESCO guardianship, is located and is simply a stunning place of beauty.

Maramures is the most northern region of the country. There are amazing wooden churches, traditional villages, picturesque mountain landscapes and a recipe for apple tincture, which is appreciated all over Romania.

Banat is located in the west of Romania and is considered the most economically developed region of the country. Baroque cities like Timisoara, ancient German settlements and picturesque rocks are the main advantages of this region.

Bukovina is famous for its ancient Orthodox monasteries with amazing frescoes, nestled among the picturesque green hills. Suceava, Putna, Voronets - the names of these monasteries are known to every self-respecting admirer of ancient religious painting and architecture.

The region of Krishan is interesting with its history, the large city of Arad and as the main gateway of Romania for travelers from Hungary and central Europe. Moldavia attracts wine traditions, medieval towns and fortresses, as well as the famed friendliness of local residents.

There are many mineral springs on the territory of Romania, and more than 160 health resorts. The most famous balneological resorts of the country are: Tekirgiol, Beile-Olanesti, Kovasna, Slanik-Moldova, Sovata, Bayle-Tushnad

How to get to Romania

Flights on the route Moscow-Bucharest are carried out by Aeroflot, the frequency of flights (from one to three a week) depends on the season, duration - 2 hours 45 minutes.

Since the beginning of June 2008, Carpatair has been making regular flights Kiev - Bucharest and Kiev - Timisoara. The estimated frequency is 7 times a week. Also regular flights to the Romanian capital are carried out from Minsk by the airline Tarom. There is no direct flight from Kazakhstan.

In Romania, you can get by rail: trains wagons composed of Moscow-Bucharest follow through Ukraine. The duration of such a trip from Moscow is about 46 hours, from Kiev - about 31 hours. In summer, trains leave daily, in winter - on individual days.

A visa to Romania is

To enter the country, Russians will need a visa.

Customs

Allowed duty-free import of objects and things for personal needs, needed for the period of stay in the country. Also allowed to import duty-free photo, audio and video equipment (one item of each name), up to 4 liters of wine, up to a liter of spirits, up to 200 cigarettes or 200 g of other tobacco products, up to 200 g of coffee or cocoa for personal consumption .

Import and export of firearms, ammunition and explosives, drugs, radioactive, psychotropic and toxic substances, pornography, uncooked meat and dairy products is prohibited.

Phone Numbers

Embassy of Romania in Moscow: st. Mosfilmovskaya, 64; tel .: (499) 143-04-24, 143-04-27, 143-03-50 (consular department); website

Embassy of Russia in Bucharest: Sos. Kiseleff, 6; tel .: (21) 222-31-68, 222-34-59, 222-31-70; website

Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Constanta: str. Mihai Viteazu, 5; tel .: (41) 615-168, 615-168; website

Ambulance: 961, emergency hospital: 962, police: 955, firefighters: 981

City codes: Bucharest - 21, Constanta, Mangalia, Neptune and Olympus - 41, Dej, Cluj-Napoca and Floreshty - 64, Brasov and Fagarash - 268.

Transport of Romania

In large and medium-sized cities, public transport is well organized, but often crowded (it usually works from 5:00 to 23:00). Tickets are sold in specialized or tobacco kiosks, and after planting are composted. Often on the routes supervisors work. For traveling by express bus it will be necessary to buy a special magnetic card in the RATB kiosk.

The city transport of Bucharest is represented by modern buses, trolleybuses, trams and metro (three lines). Magnetic cards on the subway are sold in kiosks at the entrance. The subway operates from 5:00 to 23:30. The names of Bucharest metro stations are not always clearly visible - they are usually written on a separate plate and placed quite inconveniently.

All taxis, as a rule, are equipped with counters - if they are not available, then the price should be agreed in advance. The state taxi can be distinguished by "checkers" on its side. Private cabs are marked with the letters "R" and "RO" on the roof. They work without counters and are more expensive, but they are easier to catch.

Rent a car

Almost all major international car rental companies have their offices in the country's capital and large cities, car hire is carried out under the same conditions as in most European countries. You can order a car right at the airport or a large hotel. For rent, you must be over 21 years old, have international rights and an international credit card. The daily insurance fee is usually paid separately. When paying with cash, a deposit is required.

Rental price per day from ~ 30 EUR, GPS navigator from ~ 5 EUR. One of the most popular cars - Dacia Logan (in Russia it is called Renault Logan) - quite comfortable car of economy class.

Homes in Romania with best price guarantee $ $

The safety of tourists in Romania is

Romania is considered the quietest of the countries of the former socialist camp. People there are friendly and sociable, always happy to tell and show how they are in the country, everything is fine and beautiful. Practically there is no hooliganism or harassment of tourists: you can safely walk at night.

As for Bucharest, it is also much safer than most other European capitals. Minor thefts and fraud, although they do occur, but usually thrive far from the main attractions and eyes of the police, whose powers in this country are very wide.

Inspections on the streets are infrequent, but they are carried out very carefully. In this case, you should always have a copy of your passport or driver's license. It is also necessary to remember that photography of military installations, bridges and ports is prohibited.

Tap water is usually thoroughly chlorinated and therefore relatively safe, but can, in itself, cause gastric disorders - due to excess chlorine. So it's better to drink bottled or boiled water.

In large cities, as well as in popular resorts, you can speak English without any problems: 99% of young people working in the tourism industry (cafes, bars, hotels) speak the language quietly. With older people, there will be no problems either, as well as in banks, mail and shops, you can easily find common English.

The climate in Romania is

The climate is moderately continental, in the east - marine. Winter is mild, with a lot of sunny days, but sometimes there are severe frosts, up to -30 ° C. On the plains, the average January temperature is 0 ..- 5 ° C, in the mountains - up to -10 ° C. Snow in the Carpathians lies from December to April. The average temperature in January in Bucharest is -3 ° C.

Actual information: weather forecast for the main Romanian resorts for the coming days.

Romania hotels - $

The hotel base of Romania has significantly changed for the better in recent years. At the ski resorts are hotels and villas of different levels - from 1 to 4 "stars". Almost all hotels are located near the ski lifts.

In addition, the country has very developed boarding houses: families who rent several room-rooms directly in their home. Such boarding houses, as a rule, are in nature, in medical or ski resorts, and are distinguished by coziness, price and atmosphere of the traditional way of life of the local population. The cost of living from about 35 EUR.

Another, more and more popular type of accommodation, hostels. While they are only in popular tourist cities - Bucharest, Sibiu, Sighisoara. The cost of accommodation in a 6-8-bed room starts from 12 EUR.

Voltage in the network 220 V, 50 Hz, two-pin sockets. Some high-end hotels have European-style sockets.

Banks and exchange points

Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks or specialized exchange offices (casa de schimb) located in hotels, railway stations, airports, some supermarkets and main streets of cities. Receipts for the exchange should be maintained until you leave the country. Exchange currency on the local "black market" is not recommended: it's easy to run into all sorts of fraud and fraud.

Most major hotels and restaurants accept American Express, MasterCard, Dinners Club and Visa credit cards. In large banks of the capital you can cash travelers checks (preference is given to checks in euros).

Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 12:00, currency exchange offices from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 15:00. In large resort areas, opening hours are usually extended to 16:00.

Shopping and shops in Romania - $

Shops are open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 18:00 with an hourly lunch break. In large cities there are 24-hour shops.

From Romania they bring plum tincture (slivovitz, 55-60 °), apple tincture from the area of ​​Maramures, embroidered blouses, tablecloths, napkins and needlework, ceramic dolls, earthenware, wooden boxes. In addition, all kinds of souvenirs with "draculovian themes" are very popular: mugs, plates, magnets, false teeth, t-shirts, caps, etc.

An excellent souvenir is Romanian wine. In the Dobrogea region, almost all types of wine are produced: the vineyards of Murfatlar, Istria-Babadag, white Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling Italico and Muscat Ottonel, red Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir.

The vineyards of Muntenia (Muntenia) are considered the main supplier of high-quality dry red wines to Dyal Mare (Dealu Mare). The Stefanesti region specializes in white wines of the varieties Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regal, Tameias Romanyasca and Sauvignon Blanc. Oltenia is another region of high-quality wines. Here white wines are made from the varieties Feteasca Regal, Tameias Romanyasca and Sauvignon Blanc.

From Transilvania it is worth to bring white Riesling Italico, Gevurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, as well as local Feteasca Alba and Fetiasca Regalia.

• Prices in Romania are

The majestic Corvin Castle

The lakes of Romania

Dracula's Castle in Transylvania

Kitchen and restaurants

Romanian cuisine is very original .Its basis is meat, poultry, all sorts of vegetables and corn .The most popular dish - "mititie" or "michi", fried on open fire spicy sausages from three varieties of meat .They are served "for hot" or for beer ."Mamalyga" is also popular - steeply cooked porridge from corn flour .It is served with all kinds of additives, fried, makes puddings and light snacks out of it..The only minus of Romanian cuisine is a small number of national restaurants .In cities it is easier to find Italian cuisine with a good pasta or pizza, rather than Romanian .Cost of lunch for two with drinks ~ 80-90 RON (20 EUR) .

Find a cafe, where a good coffee will not be difficult. But black tea is a big problem. For Romanians, tea, as a rule, is an herbal collection: most often fruit. So when ordering tea, it is worthwhile to clarify that it was "black."

Excellent quality is known for Romanian wines and local brandies "winars", among which the best are the brands "Vasconi", "Pyotroasa", "Zhidvei", "Dorobantz" and "Murfatlar" .Also in the country make good strong drinks, including the traditional Romanian plum moonshine "tsuyka" (55-60 °) and the Hungarian "palinka" .Local beer also has an excellent reputation, the best sort of it is "Ursus" .Also not bad: "Timishoreana", "Chiuk", "Bergenbir" .Romanians themselves prefer "Heineken" local spill .By the way, draft beer in bars is a rarity .Here, as a rule, all beer is served in bottles .

Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Romania

Brasov is one of the most popular cities of Transylvania, its main attraction is the Black Temple, built in the Gothic style. Also interesting are the churches of St. Nicholas and Bartholomew, the Historical Museum and the Town Hall of the 15th century.

In the same Transylvania is located Sighisoara - the city where Vlad Tepes was born (the same Count Dracula). "Must see" of this town is the Clock Tower (now a museum), a Gothic church located on a hill, and the Historical Museum.

Constanta is the largest port on the Black Sea coast of Romania and the second most populated city in the country. It retains the Roman wall (6th century), the monument to Ovid, the Roman mosaic, the Genoese lighthouse (13th century), the Orthodox cathedral and the church. In addition, it is worth to visit the museums of the city: the Museum of the History of Nature, the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Navigation, the Museum of Ethnography and the Museum of Astronomy.

Not far from the capital are Biserika-Domnasca ("The Church of the Lord") and the monastery of Curtea de Arges in the city of the same name, the ruins of the castle of Vlad Tepes (the famous Count Dracula), the ruins of the castle of Zhidov near Campulunga, the Mud Volcanoes and Mynzalesht 34 salt caves) in the Buzau district, the magnificent monasteries of Khurez, Dintr-un-Lehm and Govor in Vilcea county, the picturesque foothill town of Targu-Jiu, Cornoyu fort and the most ancient monastery of the Tisman country in Gorz district.

Around the country in abundance are scattered majestic (and often eerie) castles.

In the Southern Carpathians, at the foot of the Buchej massif, is the famous Prahova Valley. The plateau Bucegi is famous for its erosion forms - the winds and rains for millennia "carved" amazing sculptures from the local rocks - the Sphinx, the Harp, the Old Man, etc. Also very interesting is the northwestern part of the country - the famous Transylvania, the "cradle of the Romanian people". This land is famous for its huge number of historical places, original culture and magnificent nature of the Carpathians.

Separate attention deserves the county of Maramures, one of the most mountainous and rich in mineral waters of the country. The business card of the district - Chimitiril-Vesel ("Funny cemetery") in Sepinets is the only memorial building in the world where death and all related rituals are presented in an optimistic manner - painted crosses, cheerful epitaphs and original carved monuments. Photo Romania (196)