Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Romanian question

USNR,
Well, from what I saw, (and I'm not an authority, this is just basic observations) I'd say that home-based lodging was common in certain areas. "Pensiune" is the sign you'd likely see posted. A cazare is usually referencing more of a "room to rent", even if overnight. Seems like there's a lot of overlap though in definitions.

There are certain areas of the country where tourism has caught on to a greater degree, sometimes with the assistance of outside help. The Antrec system website that A_G referenced for instance is a French program to assist areas of Romania in establishing a tourist infrastructure. The areas that I know are more likely to have readily available pensiunes are Bran, Bucovina, Maramures, the Marginimea Sibiului. I saw signs around better known towns such as Beirtan as well.

In addition to the sites A_G listed, also check out the site http://www.ruraltourism.ro/indexen.html

Scroll down to the map and click on the various areas. I liked this site as it had photos, amenities, prices (sometimes $5 per night, so likely not of the level you'd see in Germany yet) and listed languages spoken and contact info.

In bigger towns, such as Sibiu and Sighisoara, I'd watch closely where your planned accommodation is. I just say that generally in that these towns have fascinating medieval centers with some, but not a lot, of lodging. The center is ringed though with more gritty block-style areas.

We really Casa Legenda in Sighisoara, as an example. www.legenda.ro Just a little guesthouse, but with doors to the outside little pathway. Breakfast was no great shakes though.