BALNEOLOGY

Balneology treatment and health resorts are of the best quality in the world because of the natural factors of the climate and natural mineral and thermal springs coming from the Charpatian Mountains.

In addition -traditional and medical studies have produced a class of medical specialists who can help most of the modern illnesses: rheumatic affections, digestive tract etc.

If one is ready to accept simple accommodation for high-class medical treatment - one could earn much health improvement easily.

Don’t forget that spa and balneological treatment was started over 2000 years ago by the Romans - conquerors of the world - and improved since then.

CLIMATE

The climate is temperate-continental, characteristic of Central Europe (hot summers, cold winters, very distinct seasons, abundant snowfalls especially in the mountains). Warmest areas are in the south. Annual average rainfall is 677 mm, with more in the mountains (1,000-1,400m) and less on the coast (below 400m).

CLOTHING

Clothes should be suited for the climate of the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, winter. In the mountains, weather can be totally unpredictable so layers of warm clothing is essential and walking boots are strongly recommended.
In any event clothing is good value in Romania so you can easy purchase additional items if necessary.

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American Express, Dinners Club, JBC International, Euro -Master Card and VISA are accepted in most travel agencies, airlines, hotels and car hire companies and in some shops, restaurants, coffee bars and exchange offices. It is however advisable to check in advance.

credit card processin fees : 1% to 5%.

CURRENCY

The national currency is the leu (plural lei). Coins come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 lei. Notes in denominations of 500; 1.000; 5.000; 10.000; 50.000, 100.000 and 500.000 and 1 000 000 lei. Foreign currency can only be exchanged at banks and authorized exchange offices. As rates can vary from one place to another it is wise to shop around things in lei. .

Avoid black market money changers as this is an illegal operation and subject to punishment by law, and is risky too. Exchange offices are everywhere.

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DANGERS & ANNOYANCES

Petty crime

Petty crime is on the rise in Romania with Westerners being a primary target. When you out and about Bucharest, use the same precautions you would in any large city. Be careful with your purse or bag. Many, many people have their bags slashed and their money taken while they walk or board public transportation. If you carry a purse or bag, keep it close to your body with the latch facing inward. It should be held tightly under the arm. If you carry only a wallet or loose money, carry it in your front pocket.

If you are staying in a hotel room, is better to ask for you valuables to be located in the hotel safe.

Money change scams
There are several scenarios to this scam. However, the basic scam involves a "money changer" who makes an approach on the street. This is quickly followed by the rush "plain -clothes policemen" who flash something they expect you to believe in their official identification. If you think you are being scammed, demand to see the officer's identification as you continue to walk. When challenged, the imposters usually give up without further incident. If they are persistent, look for a police officer in uniform and walk towards him. Do not show a perpetrator any indetification or pull out your wallet to prove your innocence.

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Dogs

Stranded dogs can be a nuisance but speaking to them in a firm voice can avoid problems.

Many of dogs are "short of owned" by locals, meaning they are thrown scraps of food and given cover in hall ways, etc. due to this, they are quite harmless as long you leave them alone.

If mobility is a problem , the hard fact is that most hotels, museums and ancient sites are not wheelchair accessible.

If you are determined, the trip needs careful planning, so get as much information as you can before you go.

Renting cars is possible and there is no problem of gas. But you must know the language -ROMANIAN - to be able to find your way around. 

Roads are not ver good always  and only very few highways exists.
The best solution is to hire a car with driver which is not much more expansive.
On drive on the right and overtake on the left.
Speed limits on highways: 100 km/hr.
Speed inside the cities is limited to 50km/hr. and is enforced by police radars.
It is compulsory to use safety belts also for the back seats in case the car is provided with this accessory by the manufacturer.

Drunk driving is punishable by temporary confiscation of the license.
It is not recommended driving at night, as many streets and roads are unlit.
If you hire a car, make sure to have a repair kit with you.

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ELECTRICITY

220 volts and cycles, and plugs are the standard continental type with two round pins.

Bucharest provide one of the highest number of casinos in Europe. There are now approximately ten major casinos, offering varied standards of quality.

Romania is situated in south-eastern Europe, between latitudes 43-37'07'' and 48-15'06'' north and longitudes 20-15'44'' and 29-41'24'' east, extending approximately 480 km north to south and 640 east to west.
The country has an area of 237,500 sq.km and a population of over 23,000,000 of which 89% are Romanians, 7% Hungarians, 2% Gypsies, with small minorities of Germans, Ukrainians, Serbs, Slovaks, Turks, Russians, Bulgarians, Croats, Tartars, Czechs, Greeks, Jews, Armenians, Polish, Albanians....
The Carpathians form a mountainous arc in the center of the country, bordered on both sides by hills and plateau and finally the great plains of the outer rim.
Forests cover over a quarter of the country and the fauna is one of the richest in Europe including wolves, bears, deer, lynx and chamois.
The mighty Danube forms the southern boundary of the country terminating in the Delta on the Black Sea, a heaven for countless native and migratory birds.
Countries sharing borders with Romania are Hungary, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Republic of Moldavia and the Ukraine.

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Bucharest hotels

Romania hotels

The language spoken is Romanian - a Latin language mixed with Slavic words - similar to Italian or a little to Spanish.

The younger generation speaks english, and the older generation speaks French. In the northern-western part of the country the older generation speaks German a little. But in general - only in the main cities one can get along with English and French.

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

  Tickets are available at any RATB kiosk, and are some for buses and trams.
The bus and tram lines are serving each stop are posted on that stop; additionally buses display their major stops on the front screen.. You must validate your ticket immediately upon entering upon the vehicle in one of ticket boxes or poles - if caught without a validated ticket you will be fined.

Available in state and private health units throughout the country (hospitals and dispensaries), according to the medical agreements with  other countries.
Medical personal generally have good qualification, but the hospitals rarely have the equipment that you may be used to.
Disposable needles are almost 100 percent, but is a good idea to bring some with you just in case.

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The Carpathian Mountains. The main health resorts of the country are placed at an 800-1400 m altitude (Poiana Brasov, Sinaia, Predeal, Semenic, Durau, Paltinis, Muntele Mic, Borsa, Balea, Stana de Vale, Voineasa etc), being at the same time the most important centers for winter sports practice (skiing, bobsleighing, sledding), endowed with adequate material supplies and suitable technical installations.

The Black Sea Coast. All along 60 km, on the sea coast, the well-known seaside resorts Mamaia, Eforie, Costinesti, Olimp, Neptun, Jupiter, Venus, Aurora, Saturn are scattered within an authentic constellation of summer destinations marked by modern cities built overancient precincts, as Mangalia and Constanta; their capacity is about 200.000 places. Non-stop antirheumatic balneary cures using sapropelic mud and over-mineralized waters of the Lake Techirghiol are worked out in Eforie, Neptun and Mangalia.

Poiana Brasov in the Charpatian Mountains and Olimp on the Black Sea shores are the pearls of vacations.

Anti-rabies vaccination certificates are required for cats and dogs.

Post offices are open daily, including Saturday morning, in most areas, and provide domestic and international services.

Most long distances telephone calls are made through the operator but increasingly direct dial national and international services are available. Use phone cards (50.000 and 100.000 lei) for urban and international calls

For special services numbers of 3 digits are used:
971 - international calls
991 - internal trunk calls;
930 - Directory Enquirer - government, public and private organizations and companies;
931 - Directory Enquirer, individual subscribers (A-L);
932 - Directory Enquirer, individual subscribers (M-Z);
955 - Police;
953 - taxis;
951 - information;
961 - ambulance/emergencies;
981 - fire;
958 - time;
952 - train times.

On direct dial telephones dial 0 then city area code for internal calls or 00, then the country and city code for internal calls.

For long-distance calls : for Bucharest dial 40 then 1 and the phone number; for other localities dial 40, the code of the respective locality and the phone number.

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Food is very good and cheap if you compare to western prices. It seems very expansive for local standard of living. Of course a moderate tip at the beginning to the waiter will give you better service and better food.

Give some tip at beginning and promise some more at the end - is part of the game.

Safety is quite good provided that you don’t walk in dark alleys. There is no big difference than many big cities in the world.

TAXIS

Taxis are easy to find in towns, with lots of private taxis as well as state-owned vehicles. They are affordable for the visitor too, with city-centre trips costing just two-three dollars.
Finding a taxi on the street in the centre of town shouldn't be a problem, but do make sure that it belongs to a reputable company. Never get in to an unmarked cab


.TIME ZONE

Summertime: 1 hour ahead of GMT (last Sunday of March to last Sunday of September).

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As previously mentioned for all services - tips are welcome and these could be the difference between a good and pleasant tour to nothing. Tips of one dollar could straighten up any need or request. Don't overdo but be generous.

Aliens who travel to Romania have the prior obligation to apply for a visa at a diplomatic mission or consular office, except those citizens arriving from countries with which Romania concluded agreements on abolition of visa requirements or has renounced unilaterally at the visa requirement...  more here 

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Romania uses the metric system.

Some handy conversion are:

1 inch = 2.5 cm 1 oz = 28 grams
1 foot = 30 cm 16 oz = 1 lb. = 454 grams
1 yard = .9 meter (roughly 1 m) 1 kilogram = 2.2 lbs.
1 kilometer = 2.2 miles

50 F = 10 C 1 cup = 240 ml = 227 grams
98.6 F = 37 C 1 quart = .946 l
120 F = 49 C 1 gallon = 3.8 l
Remember that decimals are indicated with commas and thous and with points.

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