Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Is Romania worth visiting? How long would you recomend?

Is Romania worth visiting? How long would you recomend?

Old Nov 13th, 2009, 06:09 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Is Romania worth visiting? How long would you recomend?

Hi everyone! We're looking at maybe driving through Romania as part of our ongoing European roadtrip next week and I was wondering if anybody has been to Romania and what their impressions were. I ask because after having such a great time in Prague and Budapest and such disappointing times in places like Chesky Krumlov we want to spend as few nights as possible in towns that close when the sun goes down. We're tired of walking empty streets at 6 in the afternoon. Is Romania one of those places that goes to sleep with the sun? We've heard such mixed things.

So, do we stop to see the sights or do we admire them as we drive through?
hayestrip is offline  
Old Nov 13th, 2009, 06:56 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,422
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Romania still has relatively little money outside the capital and even here there is real poverty. I like the country and but I found Bucheresti a little creepy at night in the centre. Still despite that just out from the centre the bars by lakes or the holiday camp areas are pretty safe and interesting.

Then the few tourist towns for Roumanians are ok in the evening so ski resourts etc ok with drunken parties and a bit of fun.

But this is not Vienna or Prague
bilboburgler is offline  
Old Nov 13th, 2009, 08:57 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hayes:

depends on what you're looking for. Off hand, I'd have to say that Romania is not for you. Night life is available in some of the circumstances that Bilbo refers to above. Buchares(h)t
has been trying hard to liven up since the revolution. The towns wih sizeable universities (Cluj and Iasi (Yash) are alive to an extent...however,, having traveled extensively in the country since the pre revolution Ceaucescu days, Romania is more about small towns and villages in the northwest ...Maramures(h) region... , and the wonderful fresco'ed churches in Bukovina, and some of the more medieval places like Sighishoara. If this sort of attraction bores you, then honestly Romania is not for you. My most recent post-revolution,lengthy journey throughout the country, made me realize that as Bilbo says, poverty is a long way from major eradicaton...but the color and "authenticity" is still there.
If interested, I can draw you up an itinerary...I would suggest at least a week. Also many pix if you can download on your laptop.

stu tower [email protected] (L.A., Ca.)
tower is offline  
Old Nov 13th, 2009, 09:17 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,939
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I agree with Tower. Moreover, your post sounds like a whim. Do you know that your rental agency will allow you to take the car to Romania? Have you figured out how much time you have to spend there? From what I heard, Krakow, Poland, might be more suitable to your desires.
Michael is offline  
Old Nov 13th, 2009, 09:25 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,567
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
tower-- have you been to Pascani?
Viajero2 is offline  
Old Nov 13th, 2009, 09:59 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,257
Likes: 0
Received 21 Likes on 2 Posts
"From what I heard, Krakow, Poland, might be more suitable to your desires."

Agree! Kraków after dark is hoppin!

maitaitom is offline  
Old Nov 13th, 2009, 12:30 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
viajero:

There are two Pashcans (Pascani=Pashcan). maybe more.
One is due west of Iasi (Yash), on Hwy.#28, between Piatra Neamts and Suceava. The other is north of Galatz. In Romania , as in most countries, there are numerous duplicate names (take the USA, for instance). Pashcan is quite near Barlad (Birlad) where my most recent historical novel begins in 1904. I conducted dozens of research interviews in that area of the country. from 1983-1990...and made another return vsit in 2005. My guess is that you're looking for the largest of the two mentioned...that would be the Pashcan west of Yash (a major Romanian city).

Can you share with me the level of your interest? Is it genealogical? If so, I would be happy to provide much more 19th and 20th century history of the area. Not all of it pretty...especially the "death Train of 1941", also referenced in detail in my aforementioned historical novel.

stu tower
tower is offline  
Old Nov 13th, 2009, 12:33 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
bookmarking
germanblonde is offline  
Old Nov 16th, 2009, 03:51 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,567
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
tower-- very interesting information you have posted, no idea there was more than one Pashcan, it seems I should have guessed. The one we are interested is near Iasi. My husband and I are friends with a family in Pashcan and have been invited to visit.

We would be also very interested in reading your novel, where can we get a copy? Thanks again for your kind reply.
Viajero2 is offline  
Old Nov 16th, 2009, 09:14 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Via: Probably is Pashcan between Piatra Neamts to the west and Yash to the east. Google me for novel info.

stuart Tower [email protected]
tower is offline  
Old Nov 17th, 2009, 03:13 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,567
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
tower-- thanks for the suggestions; I have found your book ("The Wayfarers") and know how to procure it. Many thanks. The story sounds absolutely fascinating with outstanding reviews and I am looking forward to reading it. I am also encourage about visiting Romania.
Viajero2 is offline  
Old Nov 17th, 2009, 07:07 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Via...I suppose we've hijacked this thread to hell and back...please send me an address and I will send a signed author's decal to place in the book.

Stu [email protected]
tower is offline  
Old Nov 18th, 2009, 04:11 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,567
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the kind offer. I will email you shortly. Thanks again, all the best.
Viajero2 is offline  
Old Nov 29th, 2009, 02:36 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,567
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Stu-- I have received the book, really excited about getting into it over the holidays. Thanks again for posting such great insight.
Viajero2 is offline  
Old Nov 30th, 2009, 08:47 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Viajero...please send email and I will quickly forward the decal to you.
stu tower [email protected]
tower is offline  
Old Dec 24th, 2009, 11:01 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I was in Romania for 6 months (for work), based in Brashov and had occasional trips into Bucharesti,I was very glad when the 6 months was up, other than the food and the dark beer (Ciuc as I remember it was called) I thought the place was a dump. I don't come to that conclusion lightly as I've lived and worked in some dumps in my time (Tehran for one), although not quite as bad as Tehran but not far off.

Regards.
Hooameye is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
travellin
Europe
22
Jul 17th, 2017 07:01 PM
tms777
Europe
10
Aug 27th, 2015 10:49 PM
tcreath
Europe
11
Nov 8th, 2007 08:57 AM
TAD1
Europe
4
Dec 11th, 2005 01:20 AM
travelerquestion
Europe
9
Nov 10th, 2003 06:54 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -