Ohme

Hi,
We plan to be in Romania in this summer, we would like to know:
1) What do u think about Romania's Lonely Planet?
2) Are there other books recommended?
3) We seek for some trekking sites (over net).

Thanks,
Avi And Roi et al.

Art Sauder

Hi
My wife and I are planning a trip to Romania next year. Sure would be
pleased if we could get some feedback and suggestions from you based
on your experience. We would plan to take a car in to have the
flexibility of going whereever.
Thanks
Art
    >Thanks,
    >Avi And Roi et al.

The Juggernaut Jockey

"Art Sauder" wrote


    > Hi
    > My wife and I are planning a trip to Romania next year. Sure would be
    > pleased if we could get some feedback and suggestions from you based
    > on your experience. We would plan to take a car in to have the
    > flexibility of going whereever.

Romania is a largely-rural country. Roads are poor by Western standards (but
adequate and well-signposted) and fuel is readily available and cheap. Roads
are generally unlit at night, and it`s preferable to restrict driving to
daylight hours.

I thought Romania was very beautiful, and people were friendly. Apparently,
there is a fair degree of tourist crime, but that happens everywhere.

I have only ever driven to Romania in a truck (In transit from Ukraine to
Turkey) so can`t give you car-specific advice. I have read here though, that
Western car hire companies may prohibit you from taking their hire car into
former Warsaw-pact countries- if this is so, you will have to fly there and
hire a car in Romania itsself.

It is also worth noting that it`s very cheap to hire a car with driver for
the day, and the driver acts as guide if you want.

Is there anything specific you want to know?

--
Regards,
Vince
Truck Driving In Russia- www.coventon.co.uk

usenet

On 15 Feb 2003 05:21:21 -0800, [email protected] (ohme) wrote:

"Hi,
"We plan to be in Romania in this summer, we would like to know:
"1) What do u think about Romania's Lonely Planet?

IMHO, Rough Guides to Eastern Europe countries
are providing more of the core info. Without unnecessary bells and whistles.
However, you may check LP website, http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com
Once there, click on Eastern Europe and the Caucasus message board.
Lots of info
regarding trekking/hiking in Romania.

Regards,
Tom

Ohme

we found some very nice general tour proposals at
http://www.mountainguide.ro/en/trekking.htm also a general search on
all google's groups archiving gave some nice
results.
you're more than welcome to keep in touch through email:
gozolaa at shoshi dot ph dot biu dot ac dot il (push @ instead of "at"
and . instead of "dot". just to keep mass mail tracers away)
we had a great experience with "lonelyplanet" on our previous hike to
greece but heard some bad opinions about romania's one.
we're going to adventurously count on public transportation (should be
quite cheep there).

best,
Avi.

Art Sauder wrote in message news:...
    > Hi
    > My wife and I are planning a trip to Romania next year. Sure would be
    > pleased if we could get some feedback and suggestions from you based
    > on your experience. We would plan to take a car in to have the
    > flexibility of going whereever.
    > Thanks
    > Art
    > >
    > >Thanks,
    > >Avi And Roi et al.

Deep Floyd Mars

Yeah, I am a little dubious about the Romanian LP. It seemed unusally off
the mark on a number of points.

Regarding Bucharest, it starts out saying something like "tree lined streets
and boulevards give Bucharest a smooth Parisian flavour...", where the Rough
Guide says "the first thing most people want to do when they get to
Bucharest is turn around and leave as quickly as possible".

I would lean toward the Rough Guide on this one. Bucharest is a dump, does
not resemble Paris in anyway, and has got to be one of the least desirable
capitals in Europe.

Having said that, plenty of the rest of Romania is stunning. Make certain
you go to Sighisoara for a couple of days, and the Bucovina painted churches
of the north are amazing too. Remember when you are driving that it is
illegal to honk at the horse and carts, and many of the roads are in a bad
way. Enjoy!
---
DFM

ohme wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > we found some very nice general tour proposals at
    > http://www.mountainguide.ro/en/trekking.htm also a general search on
    > all google's groups archiving gave some nice
    > results.
    > you're more than welcome to keep in touch through email:
    > gozolaa at shoshi dot ph dot biu dot ac dot il (push @ instead of "at"
    > and . instead of "dot". just to keep mass mail tracers away)
    > we had a great experience with "lonelyplanet" on our previous hike to
    > greece but heard some bad opinions about romania's one.
    > we're going to adventurously count on public transportation (should be
    > quite cheep there).
    > best,
    > Avi.
    > Art Sauder wrote in message
news:...
    > > Hi
    > > My wife and I are planning a trip to Romania next year. Sure would be
    > > pleased if we could get some feedback and suggestions from you based
    > > on your experience. We would plan to take a car in to have the
    > > flexibility of going whereever.
    > > Thanks
    > > Art
    > > >
    > > >Thanks,
    > > >Avi And Roi et al.

Jomar HøNsi

I think most people (amongst them myself) would place Bucharest somewhere
between the two extreme
descriptions in LP and RG. There ARE broad tree-lined boulevards (the smooth
flavour is another) matter, there ARE dumps (around Gara de Nord) but I
didn't find Bucharest THAT disagreeable in 2002 (I did in
1985 but that's another story). I stayed three days and mostly enjoyed it
although the misery gets to you.
There are some attractive areas, around Stavropol, Bvd. Magheru and the
Cisimigui gardens. Bucharest is
not the captial I'd go back to first, but was it that bad ? The rest: I only
know Sinaia (stunning scenery), Sighisoara (genuine medieval town), Brasov
(attractive old centre) and Sighetu Marmatiei (capital of out of the way
Maramures). All are highly recommended.

"Deep Floyd Mars" wrote in message
news[email protected]...
    > Yeah, I am a little dubious about the Romanian LP. It seemed unusally off
    > the mark on a number of points.
    > Regarding Bucharest, it starts out saying something like "tree lined
streets
    > and boulevards give Bucharest a smooth Parisian flavour...", where the
Rough
    > Guide says "the first thing most people want to do when they get to
    > Bucharest is turn around and leave as quickly as possible".
    > I would lean toward the Rough Guide on this one. Bucharest is a dump, does
    > not resemble Paris in anyway, and has got to be one of the least desirable
    > capitals in Europe.
    > Having said that, plenty of the rest of Romania is stunning. Make certain
    > you go to Sighisoara for a couple of days, and the Bucovina painted
churches
    > of the north are amazing too. Remember when you are driving that it is
    > illegal to honk at the horse and carts, and many of the roads are in a bad
    > way. Enjoy!
    > ---
    > DFM
    > ohme wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > we found some very nice general tour proposals at
    > > http://www.mountainguide.ro/en/trekking.htm also a general search on
    > > all google's groups archiving gave some nice
    > > results.
    > > you're more than welcome to keep in touch through email:
    > > gozolaa at shoshi dot ph dot biu dot ac dot il (push @ instead of "at"
    > > and . instead of "dot". just to keep mass mail tracers away)
    > > we had a great experience with "lonelyplanet" on our previous hike to
    > > greece but heard some bad opinions about romania's one.
    > > we're going to adventurously count on public transportation (should be
    > > quite cheep there).
    > >
    > > best,
    > > Avi.
    > >
    > > Art Sauder wrote in message
    > news:...
    > > > Hi
    > > > My wife and I are planning a trip to Romania next year. Sure would be
    > > > pleased if we could get some feedback and suggestions from you based
    > > > on your experience. We would plan to take a car in to have the
    > > > flexibility of going whereever.
    > > > Thanks
    > > > Art
    > > > >
    > > > >Thanks,
    > > > >Avi And Roi et al.

Gregory Morrow

Deep Floyd Mars wrote:

    > Yeah, I am a little dubious about the Romanian LP. It seemed unusally off
    > the mark on a number of points.
    > Regarding Bucharest, it starts out saying something like "tree lined
streets
    > and boulevards give Bucharest a smooth Parisian flavour...", where the
Rough
    > Guide says "the first thing most people want to do when they get to
    > Bucharest is turn around and leave as quickly as possible".
    > I would lean toward the Rough Guide on this one. Bucharest is a dump, does
    > not resemble Paris in anyway, and has got to be one of the least desirable
    > capitals in Europe.

I've read that one of the problems in Bucharest is the LARGE number of packs
of wild dogs that roam the streets...and also (tragically) large packs of
homeless children.....

Bucharest back "in the day" was known as the "Paris of the Balkans"...and
apparently it was quite the charming place until Ceaucescu levelled much of
it during his numerous megalomaniac "city planning" binges.....

--
Best
Greg

Deep Floyd Mars

Gregory Morrow wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Deep Floyd Mars wrote:
    > > Yeah, I am a little dubious about the Romanian LP. It seemed unusally
off
    > > the mark on a number of points.
    > >
    > > Regarding Bucharest, it starts out saying something like "tree lined
    > streets
    > > and boulevards give Bucharest a smooth Parisian flavour...", where the
    > Rough
    > > Guide says "the first thing most people want to do when they get to
    > > Bucharest is turn around and leave as quickly as possible".
    > >
    > > I would lean toward the Rough Guide on this one. Bucharest is a dump,
does
    > > not resemble Paris in anyway, and has got to be one of the least
desirable
    > > capitals in Europe.
    > I've read that one of the problems in Bucharest is the LARGE number of
packs
    > of wild dogs that roam the streets...and also (tragically) large packs of
    > homeless children.....
    > Bucharest back "in the day" was known as the "Paris of the Balkans"...and
    > apparently it was quite the charming place until Ceaucescu levelled much
of
    > it during his numerous megalomaniac "city planning" binges.....

Packs of dogs are everywhere in Romania, but nowhere moreso than Bucharest.
They generally don't bother you if you leave them alone. Some of them are in
bad shape though.

There were bits of the place which were ok, but there are so many skeletal
buildings and broken streets which detract from it in a big way.

Also, there are plenty of people trying to scam you too. A popular one is to
be approached by "tourist police", where they ask for your passport. They
don't plan to give it back to you quickly or cheaply.

Admittedly you can see they are making an effort around the dodgy Gare du
Nord.

It's a pity they didn't get rid of Ceaucescu earlier.
---
DFM

Doctor Angelicus

"Deep Floyd Mars" wrote in message news:...
    > Gregory Morrow wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > >
    > > Deep Floyd Mars wrote:
    > >
    > > > Yeah, I am a little dubious about the Romanian LP. It seemed unusally
    > off
    > > > the mark on a number of points.
    > > >
    > > > Regarding Bucharest, it starts out saying something like "tree lined
    > streets
    > > > and boulevards give Bucharest a smooth Parisian flavour...", where the
    > Rough
    > > > Guide says "the first thing most people want to do when they get to
    > > > Bucharest is turn around and leave as quickly as possible".
    > > >
    > > > I would lean toward the Rough Guide on this one. Bucharest is a dump,
    > does
    > > > not resemble Paris in anyway, and has got to be one of the least
    > desirable
    > > > capitals in Europe.
    > >
    > > I've read that one of the problems in Bucharest is the LARGE number of
    > packs
    > > of wild dogs that roam the streets...and also (tragically) large packs of
    > > homeless children.....
    > >
    > > Bucharest back "in the day" was known as the "Paris of the Balkans"...and
    > > apparently it was quite the charming place until Ceaucescu levelled much
    > of
    > > it during his numerous megalomaniac "city planning" binges.....
    > >
    >
    > Packs of dogs are everywhere in Romania, but nowhere moreso than Bucharest.
    > They generally don't bother you if you leave them alone. Some of them are in
    > bad shape though.

Wrong. They are no longer. I haven't seen any pack of dogs last
September in Bucharest.

    > There were bits of the place which were ok, but there are so many skeletal
    > buildings and broken streets which detract from it in a big way.

The town has much improved in the last few years (I go every year to
see my relatives living in Bucharest). The large avenues in central
Bucharest are much cleaner and the people look relatively well off.

    > Also, there are plenty of people trying to scam you too. A popular one is to
    > be approached by "tourist police", where they ask for your passport. They
    > don't plan to give it back to you quickly or cheaply.

Never happened to me. And haven't seen yet "the plenty of people
trying to scam me".

    >
    > Admittedly you can see they are making an effort around the dodgy Gare du
    > Nord.
    >
    > It's a pity they didn't get rid of Ceaucescu earlier.
    > ---
    > DFM

Deep Floyd Mars

Doctor Angelicus wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > "Deep Floyd Mars" wrote in message
news:...
    > > Gregory Morrow wrote in message
    > > news:[email protected]...
    > > >
    > > > Deep Floyd Mars wrote:
    > > >
    > > > > Yeah, I am a little dubious about the Romanian LP. It seemed
unusally
    > > off
    > > > > the mark on a number of points.
    > > > >
    > > > > Regarding Bucharest, it starts out saying something like "tree lined
    > > streets
    > > > > and boulevards give Bucharest a smooth Parisian flavour...", where
the
    > > Rough
    > > > > Guide says "the first thing most people want to do when they get to
    > > > > Bucharest is turn around and leave as quickly as possible".
    > > > >
    > > > > I would lean toward the Rough Guide on this one. Bucharest is a
dump,
    > > does
    > > > > not resemble Paris in anyway, and has got to be one of the least
    > > desirable
    > > > > capitals in Europe.
    > > >
    > > > I've read that one of the problems in Bucharest is the LARGE number of
    > > packs
    > > > of wild dogs that roam the streets...and also (tragically) large packs
of
    > > > homeless children.....
    > > >
    > > > Bucharest back "in the day" was known as the "Paris of the
Balkans"...and
    > > > apparently it was quite the charming place until Ceaucescu levelled
much
    > > of
    > > > it during his numerous megalomaniac "city planning" binges.....
    > > >
    > >
    > > Packs of dogs are everywhere in Romania, but nowhere moreso than
Bucharest.
    > > They generally don't bother you if you leave them alone. Some of them
are in
    > > bad shape though.
    > Wrong. They are no longer. I haven't seen any pack of dogs last
    > September in Bucharest.

I was there in mid August and there were dogs EVERYWHERE! Are you sure you
were in Bucharest? ;o)

    > > There were bits of the place which were ok, but there are so many
skeletal
    > > buildings and broken streets which detract from it in a big way.
    > The town has much improved in the last few years (I go every year to
    > see my relatives living in Bucharest). The large avenues in central
    > Bucharest are much cleaner and the people look relatively well off.
    > > Also, there are plenty of people trying to scam you too. A popular one
is to
    > > be approached by "tourist police", where they ask for your passport.
They
    > > don't plan to give it back to you quickly or cheaply.
    > Never happened to me. And haven't seen yet "the plenty of people
    > trying to scam me".

Around Gare du Nord some guys approached me. Some of the other travellers I
met reported the same. The info centre in the station has warning signs
plastered all over it saying "ignore all scumbags that approach you". They
have even put security on the station doors.

I think it's fair to say it's a problem.
---
DFM

Jomar HøNsi

When I visited in June last year, the packs of dogs were evident in some
areas of Bucharest (notably around Gara de Nord and around Strada Popa
Tatu). In Mangalia, Sinaia, Brasov, Sighisoara and Sighet I didn't notice
it. It was also interesting that the dogs are now much fatter than they were
than when I visited in 1985. All in all Bucharest is much more cheerful now.

I had one encounter with the "Romanian Tourist Police" scam, but it is
fairly innocent as long as you're aware of it. This was right in front of
Gara de Nord. By reading the LP I got quite paranoid about crime, but no
need to according to the Rough Guide which describes Romania as a relatively
safe country.
This is a thing you often hear, how "dangerous" Eastern Europe is. I
travelled for 8 months last year and got robbed twice. However, that was is
Florida, not in some "lawless" former Communist state.

Jomar Hønsi

"Deep Floyd Mars" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Doctor Angelicus wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > "Deep Floyd Mars" wrote in
message
    > news:...
    > > > Gregory Morrow wrote in message
    > > > news:[email protected]...
    > > > >
    > > > > Deep Floyd Mars wrote:
    > > > >
    > > > > > Yeah, I am a little dubious about the Romanian LP. It seemed
    > unusally
    > > > off
    > > > > > the mark on a number of points.
    > > > > >
    > > > > > Regarding Bucharest, it starts out saying something like "tree
lined
    > > > streets
    > > > > > and boulevards give Bucharest a smooth Parisian flavour...", where
    > the
    > > > Rough
    > > > > > Guide says "the first thing most people want to do when they get
to
    > > > > > Bucharest is turn around and leave as quickly as possible".
    > > > > >
    > > > > > I would lean toward the Rough Guide on this one. Bucharest is a
    > dump,
    > > > does
    > > > > > not resemble Paris in anyway, and has got to be one of the least
    > > > desirable
    > > > > > capitals in Europe.
    > > > >
    > > > > I've read that one of the problems in Bucharest is the LARGE number
of
    > > > packs
    > > > > of wild dogs that roam the streets...and also (tragically) large
packs
    > of
    > > > > homeless children.....
    > > > >
    > > > > Bucharest back "in the day" was known as the "Paris of the
    > Balkans"...and
    > > > > apparently it was quite the charming place until Ceaucescu levelled
    > much
    > > > of
    > > > > it during his numerous megalomaniac "city planning" binges.....
    > > > >
    > > >
    > > > Packs of dogs are everywhere in Romania, but nowhere moreso than
    > Bucharest.
    > > > They generally don't bother you if you leave them alone. Some of them
    > are in
    > > > bad shape though.
    > >
    > > Wrong. They are no longer. I haven't seen any pack of dogs last
    > > September in Bucharest.
    > >
    > I was there in mid August and there were dogs EVERYWHERE! Are you sure you
    > were in Bucharest? ;o)
    > > > There were bits of the place which were ok, but there are so many
    > skeletal
    > > > buildings and broken streets which detract from it in a big way.
    > >
    > > The town has much improved in the last few years (I go every year to
    > > see my relatives living in Bucharest). The large avenues in central
    > > Bucharest are much cleaner and the people look relatively well off.
    > >
    > > > Also, there are plenty of people trying to scam you too. A popular one
    > is to
    > > > be approached by "tourist police", where they ask for your passport.
    > They
    > > > don't plan to give it back to you quickly or cheaply.
    > >
    > > Never happened to me. And haven't seen yet "the plenty of people
    > > trying to scam me".
    > >
    > Around Gare du Nord some guys approached me. Some of the other travellers
I
    > met reported the same. The info centre in the station has warning signs
    > plastered all over it saying "ignore all scumbags that approach you". They
    > have even put security on the station doors.
    > I think it's fair to say it's a problem.
    > ---
    > DFM

Deep Floyd Mars

Jomar Hønsi wrote in message
news[email protected]...
    > When I visited in June last year, the packs of dogs were evident in some
    > areas of Bucharest (notably around Gara de Nord and around Strada Popa
    > Tatu). In Mangalia, Sinaia, Brasov, Sighisoara and Sighet I didn't notice
    > it. It was also interesting that the dogs are now much fatter than they
were
    > than when I visited in 1985. All in all Bucharest is much more cheerful
now.
    > I had one encounter with the "Romanian Tourist Police" scam, but it is
    > fairly innocent as long as you're aware of it. This was right in front of
    > Gara de Nord. By reading the LP I got quite paranoid about crime, but no
    > need to according to the Rough Guide which describes Romania as a
relatively
    > safe country.
    > This is a thing you often hear, how "dangerous" Eastern Europe is.
    > I
    > travelled for 8 months last year and got robbed twice. However, that was
is
    > Florida, not in some "lawless" former Communist state.

Eastern Europe dangerous? No, not at all. Under communism crime levels are
generally low, if you don't count corruption.

It get's rough in the south of the Balkans, but the rest of it is fine.
---
DFM