Hey Stu!! So happy to see you joining in here!!

I do still regularly pop into wonderful Fodors from time to time, but not very often, so not surprised that you haven't seen me here. ur

Mozart is 10, will turn 11 this fall...still playing her violin and piano as we roam the world & is now very fluent in Spanish and Mandarin.Hard to believe we are entering our 6th year of non-stop travel.

In May she climbed/trekked to the top of the Tiger's Nest and played her violin in native dress.

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2011/0...utan.html#more

Of course, I know who you are remember our conversations and how well traveled and well informed you are, but I some how didn't know you knew so much about Romania! Coolio!

Thanks so much for your wonderful suggestions!

What iconic spot in Romania should we play the violin at?


I will email you! Thanks!! So happy

Nearest hotels to Baneasa airport are Avis ( http://is.gd/leC9Oo ) and Phoenicia Grand/Phoenicia Apartments ( http://is.gd/WOuwGD , http://is.gd/Tmga5n )

A more affordable option might be to get a short-term apartment (prices start from about €30/night). Check for instance http://is.gd/XaBxPx or http://is.gd/CY4xc3
A trip with a regular taxi from Baneasa to downtown (where most of these apartments are located) should cost ~€5.

Wow, you are always great with helpful info @flat4! How do you know so much about Romania?

I have booked my flights in and out.

I haven't booked anything to get to from Romania to Budapest on the 25th yet. Do you think I should?

I am not sure how to get to Budapest ( plane train or bus) and not sure where I will be at that point in Romania..so that is why I hesitate...but I don't want to get stuck with higher prices if I wait too long.

Hmm, what do you think I should do?

This trip is very open and flexible because our friends from Romania ( who live in US) will be there when we are there and has lots of friends, so will be helping us.

We will do a lot of "winging it" so not sure how to work this detail in before hand.

Thanks for any input!

Budapest dining recommendations: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/718555
We liked Le Jardin de Paris across the street from the Institut Francais for french cuisine and Kadar Etkedzde for very inexpensive and authentic Hungarian dishes in the Jewish quarter.

Like you, we have Romanian friends who helped us rent an apartment and plan our travels in Romania for a month. If you have questions about Brasov, please post and I will be happy to share my knowledge or make inquiries of my friends.

Thanks Saige...so appreciate that!

flat4 - I am looking again at your June 18th post here where you gave me great ideas and options.

I am not sure at this point where I will be before heading to Budapest ( I like to keep things as open as possible as I find getting some where on a specific date always the hardest thing about travel).

If I take a train in late August to Budapest ( probably most likely as I am not really fond of teeny planes or planes in general really as I have fear of flying despite all the flying we do) should I book now or can I wait until I get to Romania and get more of an idea of the flow ..to book the train?

Since we are traveling in high season August, that is my delimma at the moment.

My friend has a friend in Timișoara so one possibility is to stop there for a few days and then take the train to Budapest.

Can I wait on this booking to Budapest at the end of Romania or must it be booked now to avoid problems down the line?

Don't worry, there's not much need to book train tickets to Budapest far in advance, you can easily get them at the station with a few hours before departure or at the very most (if you want to be absolutely care free) the day before you plan to travel.

There are direct trains to Budapest from nearly all parts of Transylvania and western Romania (Timisoara has two trains to Budapest daily). The city with the most frequent connections is Arad (one hour north of Timisoara), which has direct trains to Budapest every two hours.

There are also numerous buses from most Transylvanian cities to Budapest. They are much more popular with locals than trains so it's best to book with one-two days in advance.

Thanks a bunch flat4, I figured as much, but it is good to have the inside scoop!

Then I will not worry about that until I get there.

Stu - It is so interesting you mentioned Piatra Neamts because I just found out today that my friend has a dear Romanian friend who lives in Chicago but owns an apartment there so we will stay there when we are visiting the monasteries.

So we won't miss your tips and are happy to be able to live the life of a local for a bit.