We have 2 weeks booked for May here - landing in Bucharest. Don't want to drive so just train preferably or bus if needed, ideally a max of three hours in any go. Dont want to run around like a maniac but probably 3 or 4 days in each place then move on. So looking suggestions. Want a few hikes or long walks but main focus or certainly the wife's is photography and more just life photos - she doesn't really do landscapes

I wanted to go on the 7 Ladders Trail just south of Brasov, but it was too hot outside in the Summer.

https://canionul7scari.ro/?lang=en#prettyPhoto[coregallery]/7/.

You can identify your transportation options using rome2rio.com.

The Rough Guide to Romania is excellent.

If you haven't already seen it, you might get some ideas from my trip report (although I drove): Remarkable Romania!

We drove, too, and it was very easy driving. My husband did all the driving but he was never stressed about it. The roads are in good condition, and we never hit a lot of traffic except perhaps for driving through Brasov to get to our hotel and then driving through Bucharest to return our car. But even that wasn't too bad especially with gps.

My trip report with photos is ongoing if that will help you. Just scroll down the list of threads. As much as we loved Transylvania, I really believe that spending time in Bucovina and Maramures made our trip all the more special and rewarding. Your wife can photograph Romanian life in the villages of Maramures, Bucovina and Transylvania. But you do need a car or hire a private driver to visit the rural villages. I know that Teofil, who is on the Rick Steves forum and Trip Advisor, leads small tour groups. I don't know what he charges. But I am sure he can tailor a tour with your specific needs in mind. I know there are trains or buses from Bucharest to Brasov but I don't think Romania has an extensive transportation network. As kja recommends, you need to consult Rome to Rio.

I also used the Rough Guides Romania guidebook.

FYI, Romania is the least expensive European country we have visited. One hotel was USD $146 for two nights; another hotel was USD$328 for 3 nights, and so on.

I doubt it matters, but FWIW: When I said I thought the Rough Guide to Romania excellent, I didn't just mean that I used it: I used five different guidebooks (the others being from Insight Guides, the Lonely Planet, National Geographic Traveler, and a E-guide, "Romania Basic Travel Guide"). Of the five I used, I thought the Rough Guide the best.

Rough Guide (the first Romanian one was written by a school friend would you believe) is perfect for the place.

Use transport option available at gudies in Rome.

The best is to find a local guide there, they can offer best advice regarding transport, as local one's is cheaper than going through big company

Its Romania, not Rome