Nywoman

Would really appreciate some comments on my itinerary, especially Romania, have tried to be as practical as possible given my time frames, but as usual so many places and so little time.
A little bit about me, I am an older woman living in NYC, quite used to traveling by myself. Where I differ from many Fodorites is that I am a budget traveler which doesn’t stop me.
I don’t drive anymore so a car rental is out of the question, also I don’t really like organized tours. However I am willing to hire a guide or a tour in Saxon Country and in Suceava any recommendations gratefully accepted.
Have a large part of my accommodations already booked but if you know of a fabulous not to be missed place I am open to suggestions.

Aug 26 Delta Flt 218 to CPH 20.40 pm
Aug 27 Rome
Aug 28 Rome
Croatia
August 29 Iberia 13.25 pm to Dubrovnik
August 30 Dubrovnik
Montenegro
August 31 Bus to Kotor
Sep 2 Kotor
Sep 2 Kotor
Sep 3 bus to Ulcinj
Sep 4 Ulcinj
Sep 5 Podgarica flt to Belgrade 18.00 pm arr
Serbia
Sep 6 Belgrade
Sep 7 Overnight Train to Sofia
Bulgaria
Sep 8 Sofia
Sep 9 Sofia excursion to Rila Monastery
Sep 10 daytrip to Koprivshtitsa
Sep 11 Bus to Plovdiv
Sep 12 Plovdiv
Sep 13 Bus to Burgos and Sozopol
Sep 14 Bus 13.30 Burgos –Velika Tarnovo
Romania
Sep 15 Night train to Bucharest 22.26 arrive 05.16
Sep 16 Bucharest
Sep 17 Bus to Sinaia then bus to Brasov
Sep 18 Brasov
Sep 19 train to Sighisoara
Sep 20 Bus to Sibiu
Sep 21 Overnight train to Suceava
Sep 22 Suceava
Sep 23 Suceava
Sep 24 Bus to Lasi TAROM RO405 20.10 arr Rome 21.30

tower

NYWoman...seems like a grueling trip to me, but I've somewhat paralleled it over the years. I'll share with you some old and newer pics of the countries involved. I must remind you that some of the scanned pics are purely amateur, but they do tell a story when travel to that part of Europe was rarer than it is now. I hope they help familiarizing you with many of the locations mentioned. Things change much more infrequently herein.......and pics are mixed in from 1970's, 80's on up to the 90's and 2000's. In most cases they are captioned accordingly. No matter what, you're in for an astounding adventure.

tower

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...a1980SAnd2005#

tower

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...ureshBukovina#

tower

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...adAndBulgaria#

tower

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...Kq1odTr3IKLHA#

tower

NYWoman: Sorry I had to sequentially post pics--older software.Any questions, please write at stuarttower at aol dot com
Enjoy your exciting trip.

julia_t

You should search here for the trip reports by thursdaysd - she has travelled extensively throughout this part of Europe and done it solo and on a budget.

Also a poster called kja has good knowledge of this area.

I seem to recall Clifton posted an amazing TR for Romania, albeit some years ago.

Good luck, and please post a Trip Report of your own to help those of us wishing to visit the same countries in the futureQ

iannetti

I can help with Serbia/Belgrade.
Go and see Kalemegdan, maybe Nikola Tesla museum, and have a launch in Skadarlija street.

Nywoman

Thanks everybody. Tower your photos are lovely.

Yes it is a bit of a grueling trip and not the way I usually travel, or maybe it is. I am very aware that I will only get a nibble of what's available to see and experience.

Unfortunately most of the trip reports are from people who travel by car, which doesn't help me at all.

I have read Thursday's reports she traveled partially with a group and then had a less than wonderful experience with a private guide, still it has been useful.

Julia I will as is my custom post trip reports if you want to read some of the older ones just click on my name.

The itinerary is not set in stone and it is possible that I may hire a guide on the spot for a few days of touring.

Am looking forward to the adventure.

thursdaysd

Hi Fanny - just saw this. We are going to just miss each other, alas. I have finally given up on planning for South America and bought tickets for Europe. I will fly into Bucharest Sep 24!

I only visited northern Romania last time, but am planning to visit just the south this time. Friends of mine were there this spring, and found lots of Art Nouveau buildings, so I have to go and see them. I expect to travel mostly by train, but am still working on the itinerary, I only bought the tickets Saturday.

Will be interested to hear your take on Bucharest - have you found somewhere to stay yet?

Nywoman

I will only have 1 night am staying at Hotel Tempo. If you go to their website they have all sorts of deals abvailable.

What a pity that I will miss you. How long are you going for?
e-mail me and we will chat.