Dan

I am planning on going to Romania soon but, am terrified I will fall prey to one of the multitude of vampires that country is infamous for. What precautions would you recommend I take? Do you think it would be enough to simply stuff my pockets with cloves of garlic? Or should I additionally insist on packing several wooden stakes just to be on the safe side? Any advice would be most welcome. <BR>Seriously though, I am planning on going there perhaps mid to late September for a couple weeks. Do you think this is a good time of year to go (not too cold)? ALso, I figured I would miss most of the tourist season, if there is such a thing. <BR>What do you consider to be some of the "must see" areas, whether well-known or undiscovered? Do you think renting a car is the best way to go assuming I have twelve days at most of available travel time? Thanks in advance for your response.

Betty Fordor's Clinic

Dan, <BR>We brought your posting to our group session and this is what the addicts would like to share with you... try stuffing your galoshes with garlic instead of your pockets, forget the wooden stakes (too heavy to pack and carry), go in October for All Souls Day and you'll have a better chance of actually encountering one (you know that subliminally that's what you're hoping for), and lastly, forget the car and rent a black cape. Be sure to send a post card. <BR>The folks at Betty Fordor's Clinc. <BR>

Tahiti Bob

You can find some basic info on Romania at www.lonelyplanet.com &gt; destinations. <BR>I have some distant relatives who toured Romania by car 4 yeara ago and they said it was fine.

George Holt

No need to pack stakes, you can hire them when you get there.

Al Godon

The best way to keep off the Romanian Vampires is to throw Yankee Green on the street. They migrate to the money while you escape. Does anyone know if the Sacajewa coins are recognized yet in Europe. I haven't seen one here yet to even know what one looks like!!

Brian in Atlanta

Dan, do not fear the vampires that you may meet. In fact, join them. For once you are one of the undead, you'll never again have to ask, "WILL I BE KILLED?"

Ben Haines

Fodors Scared of Vampires <BR> <BR>You'll find a deal of advice on various web sites. <BR> <BR>Links: http://goeasteurope.about.com/travel...ope/msubro.htm <BR> <BR>Other: <BR>http://cristian.org/oradea/imgframe.html <BR>http://www.romanianvoice.com/ <BR>http://www.ici.ro/romania/ <BR>http://www.atevo.com <BR>http://www.bikeromania.de <BR>http://www.bucharest.com <BR>http://www.dntcj.ro/NGOs/napoca <BR>http://www.eurodestinations.com <BR>http://home.t-online.de/Karpatenwilli <BR>http://www.city.net <BR> <BR>Bucharest, Transylvania, Snagov, Mogosaia: http://www.inyourpocket.com <BR> <BR>Forum: http://goeasteurope.about.com/travel...site.htm?site= <BR>Guide calendar and forum: http://www.rotravel.com/ <BR> <BR>Romanian Rail pages: http://www.cfr.ro/defeng.htm. <BR> <BR>After some reafding you could put your serious question to Mike Morton, using the e-miladdress on his site http://www.enzia.com <BR> <BR>September can be quite sunny: it was in 1998. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines <BR> <BR> <BR>

Craig

I just had a short trip to Bucharest (3 days) about three weeks ago. The weather was nice and reminded me of Prague or Vienna. The people were like people anywhere else, except they don't have that much in the way of money. The students in the A Club (university bar / hangout) reminded me of the clubs I'd gone to in the boston area during the school year. A few warnings: <BR> <BR>I got off the plane after midnight (this was a last minute deal for tickets) and was lightly taken advantage of by a cab driver (paid about 10$ for a cab ride I could've gotten for 2$), but it was the only way to get into town at that hour. Walking down a city street I stepped ankle deep into wet cement. There were no signs or orange cones or anything, just a rectangle of fresh cement. The ATMs limit your withdrawal to 1500000 Leu = 73 USD So you might want to find a way around this. <BR> <BR>My awful attempt to speak some Romanian may help you: <BR>Yes/no = dah/noo <BR>Hello = Boo-nuh zee-wah <BR>Please = vuh rohg <BR>Thank you = mool-tsoo-Mesk <BR>Speak English? = voor-Bee-tz ehng-leh-Zesh-teh <BR> <BR>I hope this helps.

Dan

I didn't quite make it over there last year but, this year is a done deal, I have myu nonrefundable tickets in hand.. I will be staying in BUcharest for Th (5/31) and Fri night (6/1) then I basically have until the following Saturday to travel about the country. I want to hit maybe one other city but, mainly concentrate on areas of beuaty and small villages. ANy suggestions on a potential itinerary? Despite my careful precautions I still think it would be prudent to avoid areas of significant vampire infestation, Thank you.

Art

Have a good trip Dan and don't worry about Vampires. They only like a little blood wine accasionally. Seriousally, I'm going to be there in Sept. It may be a little to late for you, but I just ordered Pimsleur tapes on the Romanian language and they have the best approach to languages that I've tried so far. I used them last year for Spanish also. NO, I DON'T WORK FOR THEM, I just like them better than any others I've tried. <BR>Be sure to give us your trip report when you return, or at least e-mail it to me. <BR>Art <BR>

Judy

Al: when we went to Rome to visit my cousin, we brought her and her husband 50$(dollar coins) in rolls for them. My cousin's husband was very happy to get them. He said at the time they were not recognized (Sept). Enio thought they were very lovely. He collects coins too. <BR>FYI, Judy ps. remember the "vampire virus" spreads, be careful!

Patrick

If you don't take the stakes, don't despair. There's a great Romanian Stakehouse called Count Peter Luger's in Brookland, Romania. No reservations, no credit cards.

Daniel

Dan, <BR>I was born and lived in Romania until 1966. I am going back to visit this year (June) for the first time since I left it. The only vampires you will find there are disguised as con artists who will try a few scams. Don't show your money in public, avoid crowded places and public transportation and, above all, don't trust anyone with a story. Use common sense and you will be fine. As for itinerary suggestions I recommend Southern Transylvania, especially Sinaia and Brasov. Have a nice trip.

anon

great stories! any more?

Bob Brown

There are a few real vampires on the highways of Romania who use various tricks to induce the driver to stop the car. One friend of mine, a young woman who was born and raised there, fell victim to the plot.<BR>The modus operandi is as follows: The driver of the vampire vehicle pulls along side the victim's vehicle. The passenger then gesticulates wildly indicating that something is wrong with the victim's car. <BR>When the victim pulls over, the vampire car stops and the passenger gets out to give "assistance". In the mean time, the driver heists the goodies from victim's vehicle.<BR><BR>

Buffy

Well everyone knows vampires can't go out in direct sunlight so you'll be perfectly safe during the day...night time though is another matter! In addition to plenty of garlic & stakes I'd also take along a few crucifxes to wear & some bottles of holy water which I would splatter liberally around your hotel room before you go to bed each night. As long as you take these reasonable precautions you'll have a blast in Romania!!

Vlad

Just take a picture of Bush-that'll scare anything away.