ABOUT ROMANIA

1. Capital: Bucharest ( București --- pronunciation: boo koo re sh tea )

2. Time zone: GMT+2

3. Currency: LEU (plural Lei --- pronunciation "lay" --- abbreviations: Lei or RON). Foreign currencies may be exchanged at banks orauthorized exchange offices ("casa de schimb valutar"). 

4. Official language: Romanian, but people often speak foreign languages: most often English, German or Hungarian  (in Transylvania), Spanish, Italian or French.

5. Main Ethnic Groups:

1. • Romanian 84%, 

   • Hungarian 6.1%, 

   • Gipsy 3.1%, 

   • German 0.2%, 

   • Ukrainian 0.2%

1. Religions:

   1. Christian Orthodox 81%, 

   2. Roman Catholic 4.3%,

   3.  Reformed 3%, 

   4. Greek-Catholic 0.7%, 

   5. Unitarian 0.3%

   6. Other 11,7%.

 

Emmergency services number: 112

 

ABOUT TRANSYLVANIA

 

Transylvania or Transilvania comes from Latin and it means "the land beyond the forest"
Area: 34,177 sq miles
Population: Approximately 5 million
Climate: Temperate, four distinct seasons, cold winters and hot summers. Average temperature sprung from negative values in January (-5 to -10 0C) to high values in July-August (30-35 0C). Please keep in mind that variances can be as high as +/- 15°C at midday during the Summer or over night during the Winter.

 

 

TRAVELLING TO ROMANIA

 

1. Adminission documents: 

   • For stays shorter than 90 days: A valid passport for the entire duration of your visit and for all overseas / non-EU visitors. It is recommended that your passport has at least six months' validity remaining whenever you travel abroad. Citizens of the EU can enter Romania also with a valid National Identity Card.

   • For stays longer than 90 days visitors need to need to apply for a temporary residence permit (either before arriving into Romania or at least 30 days before the 90-day "no visa" stay expires). More details at eVisa.MAE.ro

2. Customs: Amounts over 10,000 Euros (or equivalent in cash or traveler's checks) have to be declared when entering or exiting the country. Items that must be declared at customs: art objects, historic artifacts, weapons, ammunition, explosive materials, toxic and hazadous substances etc.

3. Driving is on the right side of the road. Independent travelers by car (own or rental) need to have a valid road toll sticker, called "RoVinieta". They can be purchase online (at www.RoViniete.ro), at border-crossing points, postal offices and most gas stations. 

4. Travelling with pets: Romania follow the EU regulations for non-commercial pet travel to Europe. This means that your pet should have a microchip implantation record, a proof of rabies vaccinations - Rabbies Certificate (dated at least 21 days before your travel dates) and the Official Health Certificate for your pet.

 

Info source and more details at http://romaniatourism.com/

 

WHILE IN ROMANIA

 

1. Driving: 

   • Passengers in the front seat of a car must wear seatbelts at all times. Children under 12 years of age must ride in the back seat. 

   • Speed limits are 50 km/h (31 mph) inside villages and cities, 90 km/h (56 mph) on main roads and 130 km/h (80 mph) on highways, unless specified. 

   • The use of cellular phones while driving is not allowed (except hands-free devices). Driving while under the influence of alcohol is not allowed.

   • Romanian drivers tend to have a competitive driving style (improper passing / cutting into another car's path and tailgating flash of the headlamps are not uncommon). A quick flash of the headlamps is not considered rude, but a heads-up to get the car lead to move on the first lane of the (multi-lane) road.

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1. Pets in Public transportation: 

• Trains: Dogs are allowed in second-class cars only, upon the purchase of a half priced ticket for dogs that do not travel in a cage; they must stay on the floor, in leash, and wear a muzzle at all times; the dog’s certificate must be present as well. Breeds with agressive tendencies (ex. Pittbull) are not allowed.

• Buses: Most municipalities allow animals in public transportantion with some rules (Dogs: in leash and wear a muzzle; Small pets and birds: kept in a cage at all times). However, some municipalities and intermunicipalities transport companies do not allow acces at all.

• When going on long hikes, please take notice that you are crossing areas with wild animals

   

   2. Romanian etiquette

• Romanians are friendly and visitors are always made welcome. 

• Handshaking is the most common form of greeting. When a Romanian man is introduced to a woman, he will probably kiss her hand, strictly avoiding her eyes. 

• Most romanians will offer you a drink or even something to eat. Romanians love meat (usually pork, beef or chicken). The ladies of the house will never take no for an answer – your refusal will be often be taken as a polite refusal by guest who really means to say "yes". It is common to linger once the meal (luch or dinner) is over.

• When visiting someone at home it is accustomed to bring a small gift. Most common gifts include flowers (always in odd numbers) or chocolate (for women only), a bottle of wine or liquor. All gifts should be wrapped, but many Romanians might not unwrap their gifts in your presence. Appointments are necessary and punctuality is expected.

• It is not considered impolite to ask a person's age, politics, income or religion, so don't take such questions amiss.

• Restaurants, bars and minimarkets in small towns and especially in villages are the best place to get to know the locals.

 

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IInfo source and more details at http://romaniatourism.com/

 

 

 

WHEN IN TRANSYLVANIAN HIGHLANDS

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1. Plan your trip and get information about the segments you wish to visit. 

2. Be ready to share the road with slow-moving vehicles, including horse-drawn wagons.

3. Most eco-tourist accommodation spaces are of medium and small size (4 to 8 places) and are owned by the locals. Here you will find the best stories of the region.

4. Some villages don’t telephone coverage - take advantage of that quiet time to be present, enjoy and admire the wonders around you.

5. The WI-FI connection is available and free in almost all the recommended accommodation spaces – so you will be able to virtually share your experience with your loved ones.

6. Take notice that, while in towns like Sighişoara, Rupea, Mediaş or Agnita, ATM machines are available, in villages, this is not always the case. Please also make sure you have enough cash with you as credit card payment may also not be available in all the villages (except touristic sites). Accommodation may be pre-paid via online transfer.

7. Do not leave alone or inform others if you chose so. Transylvanian Highlands are much more interesting when you share the experience with your family and friends.

8. Adapt your route to your and your fellow companions’capabilities.

9. Leisure hiking and biking are not a competition. Conserve your energy. There is no shame in turning around if you get overwhelmed. Back-up choises are limitless!

10. Always check wheater conditions. There are sections that may become unaccessible on heavy rain.

11. If you see wild animals, stay away and don’t provoke them. Remeber ! We are the visitors in their natural habitat. 

12. Avoid hiking and biking in the forest during hunting season (October to March), unless you have accurate information. Trails are most recommended between April and September.

13. Be aware of shepfold’s dogs. It is reccommended that you get off the bicycle and move slowly aways from the shepfold. If necessary, use the bicycle or your backpack as a shield.

14. Make sure you have proper equipment and be prepared for bad weather: hiking shoes, rain coat, waterproof clothing, food and water etc

15. Always have a small first aid kit with you, just in case.

16. It is reccommended that you have a detailed (not touristic) map with you. This is how you will always know where you are. Not all areas have GSM coverage.

17. Do not light the fire in the forest of grazing areas and do not throw lid cigarettes.

18. Be a part in preserving this unique landscape, take only memories and beautiful pictures with you. Leave a smaller carbon footprint of yout trip in Transylvanian Highlands and always take the trash with you, don’t leave it in the woods.