Hi guys, i'm planning my first trip to Bucharest in November this year. I'd hoped to be able to go this summer, but money did not cooperate. I'll be leaving the states the day before thanksgiving and staying for about 10 days. Any advice about where to stay? I don't need 5 star, just clean and comfortable. Also, recommendations for restaurants, sightseeing would be greatly appreciated.

If it were my trip, I wouldn't stay in Bucharest for the full 10 days. Transylvania is an easy and good destination - you can be in Brasov by train in 4 hours or less. It is one of the 3 major medieval walled towns in Transylvania (the others are Sibiu and Sighisoara). All 3 are rewarding to visit. November will not be the best time to see the country, I'm betting. We were there at the end of September and it was warm and clear. You might hit gray and cold.

In Bucharest we stayed at the Hotel Rembrandt, in the pedestrian area of the city. It is ranked 3 star (I believe) and is quite nice. One of our rooms was a (small) single, and it wasn't all that expensive, but of course, I have no idea of your budget. The rack rate for that room is 68euros/night, including breakfast. http://www.rembrandt.ro/rhglance.php

I can't imagine how you're going to fill ten days in Bucharest.

Romania has a continental climate. By the end of November, that means a very high likelihood of heavy snow and treacherous driving conditions over much of the country. This is less of a problem immediately round Bucharest than in the north and west of the country. I'm a bit of a wimp about these things, so others might be more daring: but I won't drive from mid-November. The area round Bucharest has no equivalent of Versailles or Cambridge: just grimmish postindustrial towns.

The country's adequate (but no better than that) railway system operates reliably (that is, the trains are no slower or more infrequent than they usually are) in the winter. The domestic plane system gets very undependable in winter. Road clearance is poor, and patchy. Neither planes nor trains cover the country fully, from a tourist's point of view.

So while the railway will get you to Suceava, for example, even when the roads are feet deep in snow, it's often impossible to go round the nearby (and wonderful) painted monasteries. And even when the weather cooperates, you've got to allow two or three days from Bucharest because the trains are so slow.

From mid-November to mid-March I just do what I have to do in Romania (bearing in mind that plans frequently have to be radically revised because of weather) then go straight home. Unless someone can offer you realistic suggestions about ten days there at that time of the year, I'd strongly recommend you develop alternative plans.

Bucharest is possibly the most charm-free city in Europe, and its handful of pretty streets and gingerbread houses can't provide diversions for much more than a day or two. Provincial Romania's many charms are best visited in spring or autumn. The country simply hasn't got the infrastructure to be visited in winter the way you might visit Austria.

Ten days in Bucharest is too much. There is not enough to see or do. On my visit there I stayed at Hotel Elizeu, reasonable priced, clean, helpful staff, and located near the north rail station.

I was in Romania last January, and the weather was not bad.

Consider renting a car. Do not believe all the horror stories you hear about driving in Romania.

Last January, I spent two days in Bucharest, then a few days each in Constanta, Brasov, Sibiu, and Sighisoara.

Again the weather and driving were not bad.

Overall, the most difficult part of the entire trip was the Bucharest subways system. It is not very user friendly, but with patience and a sense of adventure, you will do fine.

Romania is a great country to visit. Just do not stay in Bucharest for 10 days!

I've been travelling to Romania all year round for the past 15 years.

You sometimes get driveable weather for part of the winter: you mostly don't.

If you don't you're stuck.

Novemeber 10 days in Roumania. No makes no sense so much more to do in Hungary, Austria, Germany etc etc.

Not sure I fully agree about Bucharest being the most charmless capital in Europe. Perhaps we should hav a thread?

My vote is the capital of Moldova and I don't like large parts of Bratislava

We spent 3 weeks in Romania and
I think 10 dys is far to long in
Bucharest. We were there in April
3 yrs ago and it was not fun driving
thru the mountains. We averaged about
35 mi an hour the whole trip and the
worst thing was the potholes. My
husband could not take his eyes off
the road for a minute. The people
were warm and helpful and very
appreciative that we had come to their
country. I don't know about the train
travel thru the country. But, we did
take an overnight to Sophia. It
was fun, we met several couples from
other countries. I would do that again.
We had a wonderful steak dinner in
brasov on a side street. Waiters
black coats and ties. About $30
for 2 including coffee, wine and dessert.

The name of the restaurant is
The Steak House, a two level place.

Thanks to everyone for your tips. I appreciate it very much. Noe847, good idea about Brasov, and thanks for the hotel info. I will explore out a bit, and have taken the weather into consideration as to travel conditons, etc. I appreciate your input as well, flanneruk, particularly the rail info. As for the comment regarding Bucharest as the most charm free city in Europe, I would wonder how many cities you would call charming here in the states.
In my opinion, the people of any local are the defining characteristic of any destination, domestic or otherwise. I'm not going simply to see the city, or the sights, I sincerely hope to make some new friends. Centralmainer,
thanks for the subway tip, and I will indeed consider renting a car depending of course on weather conditions. I will make it a point to eat at The Steak House in Brasov, should I be able to get there , thanks Katiemay. You've hit upon a key point of my trip as well. I want to experience the people, and from what I can tell so far, I'll not be disappointed by any means. Thanks again to all.