Sibiu area
 

I am staying in Sibiu for several days. I had planned on day for the city itself and another day trip to Sighisoara. I have a day free and would like to see something more rural or at least off the beaten track. Is there a recommendation? Or should I spend the extra day seeing Sibiu or Sighisoara? I have a 5 day train pass so I can use that. But prefer not to rent/hire a car unless required. On a note, if this turns out to be a nice trip then I had planned a more thorough rural Romania trip.

BTW, I will be visiting Brasov also on another leg of the journey but won't have time to travel from there.

Thanks

You could visit some of the traditional villages in the Marginimea Sibiului area just south-west of the city (Rasinari, Poplaca, Gura Raului, Orlat, Sibiel etc), they're easily accessible by bus. Orlat can also be reached by train.

Or you could catch a train into the mountains along the spectacular Olt valley, get off at Pausa station (about 1 1/2 hours from Sibiu) and visit the 14th century Cozia monastery.

I've looked into Marginimea Sibiului area. Sounds like a cluster of villages. Do they have woodcrafting and such there? I thought that was a known area for it. <always looking for souvenirs :-) >

I will also look into the Olt Valley. Thanks!

There is also an open air folk museum at the end of one of the street car lines. It had the best craft shop we came across in Romania.

They do have woodcarvers, although traditionally the main occupation there is sheep herding and related things (wool processing, making dairy and meat products etc.)

I agree that the Marginimea Sibiului would make logical sense, given where you're starting and how close they are. Beautiful little villages.. probably not tremendously different that other villages, but I think I tiny bit more 'tourist aware', from a presentation standpoint. i.e. = being scrubbed up a bit and maybe having a couple of pensions. But nothing like t-shirt or souvenir shops or other things of that nature. I'm not sure I saw a lot of demonstrative craft shops underway though.

Thanks all. I believe I will visit Marginimea Sibiului. I have read up on it and it seems a good choice.

Clifton, I've read several of your other posts. You really know this area well!

BTW, does one visit particular ones? Do they differ in character? I heard they are on a tram line or something similar. Thanks.

They don't differ that much, but if you're interested in places a bit more off-the-beaten-track you should try to get to the ones located deeper into the mountains, like Poiana Sibiului or Jina.

The only village that is reached by a tram line is Rasinari; the tram starts from a terminal in the southern part of Sibiu (every half hour on weekdays, less frequently on weekends).

I've reviewed the bus schedules. It seems some get several visits a day and others just once. Jina has a very nice schedule back and forth with Sibiu (2 1/2 hrs each way). But Rod only had one per day. I suppose once you get off the main highway the travel time increase greatly. I'm still not sure which is the best but the fun is in the planning they say. They sell clothing and such there? I've had a few requests for souvenirs like that. Thanks all!

You're right, secondary roads are usually in bad condition.
Bus schedules usually don't list intermediate stops - all the buses to Jina actually pass through Rod.
It would be better to get there during a weekend if you want to buy things.

Weekend would be tough. I have Sunday and Monday and was planning on visiting Sighisoara on Sunday since a lot of things are closed on Monday there. Plus the bus schedule looked good for weekday. It's isn't imperative to purchase something. But thought since they tend flocks maybe they make and sell some clothing. I suppose the weekend they have fairs or markets. My main desire is to get a view of normal life and people (I'll have plenty of touristy stuff in Brasov I'm sure). But would be nice to purchase my friend a blouse or skirt made locally. If anyone has an idea I appreciate it. Also appreciate all the comments. I'm trying to plan well. ;-)

Nowadays most locals prefer to sell the wool directly instead of turning it into clothing.

A simpler way to get local items would be to buy them from the store at the folk museum mentioned above by Michael (the Astra museum complex in Dumbrava forest right outside the city, on the tram route to Rasinari); the museum also has another shop in downtown Sibiu.

Thanks! 6 more days until liftoff!