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	TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO ROMANIA: PLACES TO VISIT, AIRFARE, TOURS, ACCOMMODATION, RESTAURANTS, CURRENCY CONVERTER, CALLING PLANS, WHITE PAGES, YELLOW PAGES, TRAVEL TIPS	:: HOME ::
	UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Romania -- The Danube Delta biosphere reservation (1991), home to "over 300 species of birds as well as 45 freshwater fish species" -- Seven painted Churches of Moldavia (1993), dating from the 15-16th centuries, all in Suceava county in Bucovina (northern Moldavia). With the exception of Pătrăuţi, the churches listed are all monastery churches. They are the churches of Arbore, Humor, Moldoviţa, Probota, and Voroneţ monasteries, and the Church of St. George of the Monastery of St. John the New in Suceava. Missing on this list is the church of Suceviţa (with a memorable fresco of the Ladder of Virtue on the north wall), which is definitely a must-see for anyone visiting these monastery churches. The five most important of these churches -- Arbore, Humor, Moldoviţa, Suceviţa, and Voroneţ -- retain impressive exterior murals (as well as interior ones). -- The Monastery of Horezu (1993) in Vilcea county, in 17th-century Bracovan style, remarkable for "the richness of its sculptural detail" as well as for its mural painting -- Seven Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania (1993, 1999), founded by the Saxons since the 13th century and remarkable not only for their 13th through 16th-century church ensembles but also for "a specific land-use system, settlement pattern and organization of the family farmstead that have been preserved since the late Middle Ages" -- The Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains (1999), including Sarmizegetusa Regia, the capital of Dacia, now in Hunedoara county; all of them fell to the Romans in the 2nd century AD. -- The Historic Center of Sighisoara (1999), actually extending from the hill-perched citadel to encompass the Lower Town at its feet. The historic center has preserved much of the urban structure of the medieval Saxon town. -- Eight Wooden Churches of Maramures (1999), out of ninety-three in Maramures county declared monuments of architecture, a vernacular "interpretation of the Gothic style . . . crystallized in the 18th century [and] thus creating a model, even a style, described as the 'Maramures manner' " (quote from the 1998 evaluation of the UNESCO advisory body, listing the grounds given for inscription by the Romanian party). Added: January 30, 2006. Romania -- from VisitEurope.com Romania at a glance, with fast facts and main tourist areas. Romanian National Tourist Office, New York Quick sketch of the country, a look at Romania by region, phone number for airlines flying to Bucharest, travel tips and list of attractions. Visiting Romania -- from RomaniaGuide.com Country profile and quick info guide for the traveler, ancient, medieval, modern and 20th century history, overview of several places to visit and accomodation, a few Romanian phrases, books about Romania, and a quick photo tour. Green Mountains Holidays in Transylvania, Romania Hiking trips, cycling and horse riding trips, bird watching in the Danube Delta, caving trip, and so much more, with guide or without. Visit this site to learn more about their different trips to Romania. See pictures (try here), itineraries, area information and opportunities for the Apuseni Mountains, accommodation, prices. Maramures Gallery by John Rausch John Rausch tells you all you need to know about Maramures, complete with pictures and travel tips. He has done an excellent job. It's the best Web site on Maramures, covering geography, history, social aspects, travel, folk costumes, wooden architecture, carpet weaving, plum brandy, and so much more. You'll Die Laughing, if You're Not Already Dead "Their lives were the same but they want their epitaphs to be different," says Dumitru Pop, the carver of the blue wooden crosses in Sapinta's Merry Cemetery. A wonderful article by Peter S. Green, capturing the atmosphere of Sapinta and commenting on the colorful crosses, their carved images, and their epitaphs. From Peter S. Green, The New York Times, May 29, 2002, available on the Web site of the Romanian National Tourism Office. Also see images of the Merry Cemetery on TravelRomania. Updated: January 28, 2006. Maramures -- Living Museum Travel agency Medieval Tours offers individual custom tours throughout Romania. One such tour starts in Bucharest, continues through Sibiu, Alba Iulia, Cluj, among other places, and eventually reaches Maramures, where the visitor is spoiled with visits to numerous places of interest: Baia Mare, Sighet, Sapinta, Birsana, Botiza, Ieud, and so much more. The final days of the tour are just as satisfying, although the visits through Sighisoara and Brasov may be a bit rushed. For more info and great photos, see www.medievaltours.ro. Added: August 17, 2007. Getting Around to Sighisoara, What to See and Expect -- on StudentUniverse.com A run-down of quick facts on this small town home to a citadel, a covered medieval stairway and church on a hill, as well as to a few museums related to Vlad Dracula, to handcrafted souvenirs, and a yearly Medieval Arts Festival in late July. Added: February 2, 2006. History of Sighisoara -- on VirtualTourist.com Inhabited since at least the 6th century BC, Sighisoara became a thriving medieval town in the 14th and 15th centuries, and, according to this account, the second most important town in Transylvania in 1937. Since 1992, Sighisoara has played host every summer to a Medieval Arts Festival, during which time visitors can see plays, attend concerts, and stroll around the medieval citadel and its surroundings. Also included in this travelogue are a few pictures. Added: February 2, 2006. History of Brasov -- on VirtualTourist.com Stoica Family's Homepage includes links to photos of several cities in Romania as well as a history of Brasov. Added: March 9, 2006. About Cluj/Kolosvár/Klausenburg Short history of Cluj (Kolosvár in Hungarian and Klausenburg in German) from Retro Youth Hostel in Cluj. Also included is an overview of the city tours they provide. Added: August 11, 2007.	PICTURES OF ROMANIA TRAVELOGUES TRAVELER'S GUIDE GENERAL INFORMATION AND NEWS RESOURCES BUSINESS AND ECONOMY INTERNATIONAL POLITICS ROMANIAN HISTORY ROMANIAN DIASPORA ARTS AND CULTURE ROMANIANS THE WORLD KNOWS ABOUT SOCIAL ASPECTS AND RELIGION ROMANIAN RECIPES AND WINES SPORTS AND GYMNASTICS LINK COLLECTIONS LEARN ROMANIAN Romania - Order FREE Travel Brochure! Romania Tours and Vacations on InfoHub! Find your dream vacation to Romania on InfoHub! Enjoy your meal in a Transylvanian castle, a weekend in the medieval citadel of Sighisoara, picturesque monasteries, Turda Gorges, fishing and birdwatching in the Danube Delta, and so much more! The InfoHub Web site advertises vacations all over the globe; find them by searching for destinations or popular categories such as arts and crafts, food and wine, farm stay, language schools, scuba diving, and so on. You'll also find useful InfoHub's forum pages and its Destination Guides. 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	Tourist attractions in Cluj and surroundings Read about the Botanical Gardens, the various spas, the Turda Gorges and other natural attractions, and get a quick overview of the main historical monuments in the city. Added: August 17, 2007. www.Montania.ro Sinaia travel guide. Sinaia lies in Prahova Valley 120 km north of Bucharest and 49 km south of Brasov. It is home to Peles Castle, built by King Carol I in the 19th century to serve as the royal family's summer residence. Today Sinaia is a busy resort, with easy to expert-level slopes to enjoy in the winter and a whole range of mountain trails to explore in summer. Added: August 3, 2007. Hiking trip in the nature reserves of the Western Carpathians -- with Green Mountain Holidays (Cluj) Green Mountain Holidays organizes a 13-day tour of spectacular places in the Apuseni Mountains. Rolling valleys and mountainous outcrops, canyons and caves, and a whole array of wildlife will challenge your feet as well as your photo abilities. The Web site includes a series of nice photos as well as a description of the hiking trip, reasonably priced for such a professionally led tour. Added: August 11, 2007. Hiking in the heart of the Apuseni Mountains -- with Apuseni Experience (Oradea) A 11-day trip will take you from the Bears Cave to the Felix thermal spas near Oradea. The karst relief offers a whole range of caves and tunnels, gorges and waterfalls. Apuseni Experience also offers weekend trips. Added: August 11, 2007. Things to see in Craiova Stoica Family's pages on VirtualTourist.com also include a few photos of Craiova, with a nice introduction to the architectural look of this southern Romanian city. Added: March 9, 2006. The New Curse of Dracula? Little, if anything, has been heard recently about former tourism minister Dan Matei Agathon's project of a Dracula Park near Sighisoara; so the info in this 2001 article about the jobs this project would create might not be of interest. Still, the article gives info on other matters as well, such as the extent of financial support needed to preserve this historic site, as well as of vampire lore infusing the atmosphere in Sighisoara. Tens of millions, not millions of US dollars are needed if Sighisoara is to be spared a "state of 'total degradation'" in the next fifty years, and this money has already started to pour in, not only from the Romanian state but also from international foundations, such as the Messerschmidt Foundation, which will spend at least $1.5 million US dollars restoring landmarks in Sighisoara. There is also the danger of "hodgepodge" restoration to be reckoned with, as the town hall has no appointed office to take such matters in hand. By Mark Andress, Business Week Online, November 19, 2001. Added: February 6, 2006. Lonely Planet World Guide -- Destination Romania Lonely Planet Guide to Romania, with Facts for the Traveler, Off the Beaten Track, History and Culture, and other sections with Lonely Planet's facts and views on Romania. The Tour of Bucharest -- with Mr Peter Company Read about the history of Bucharest, and take three virtual tours with Mr Peter Company Travel Agency. Added: January 30, 2006. Romanian Mountain Guide -- on www.MountainGuide.ro If you're interested in weekend hikes and multi-day tours in the Romanian Carpathians, you've come to the right place. See the suggested trips, read the enthusiastic testimonials, view the superb photos, and you might end up contacting Iulian, the certified mountain guide and owner of the Web site who makes it all happen. Added: August 3, 2007. Travel Agency Pan Travel in Cluj-Napoca Explore Romania's mountain villages and hiking treks, monasteries in Bucovina, castles and old towns in Transylvania, Maramures with its wooden architecture and Merry Cemetery, spas, lakes and passes, Bucharest, plum brandy, fresh trout and much more with the 15-day Discover Romania Circuit from Pan Travel in Cluj-Napoca. Pan Travel's other tours, with an emphasis on "off the beaten tracks," include One Week Hiking in the Apuseni Mountains, and Tour on Horseback in Dracula's Country. Pan Travel rates its tours in terms of their emphasis on Culture, Nature, Comfort, Human Contact, and Fitness for walking and climbing. Added: May 9, 2002. Tourism in Romania -- built by DNT I especially recommend their page on Monasteries in Bucovina, complete with facts and pictures of architecture, frescoes and people. Also find quick facts on the monastery churches at Humor, Voronet, Sucevita, Moldovita and Arbore, five of the seven painted churches of northern Moldavia which made their way into UNESCO's list of world heritage sites. This site also offers a page on outdoor activities, including watersports, caving, rock climbing, horseriding, hiking and camping. Other pages introduce you to the Danube Delta, the Merry Cemetery, Sighetu Marmatiei and life in Maramures, Black Sea Resorts, Bucharest, old and new, and more. Added: April 18, 2002. Romania Travel Guide -- Romania In Your Pocket The BBC WebGuide considers this site "extremely worthwhile." Monasteries of Romania Read about Monasticism and Monasteries in Romania, The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina, Oltenia and Its Cultural Heritage, and The Monasteries of Neamt County. Romania Visa Application You'll find here entry and visa requirements, addresses of embassies and consulates in Romania, as well as travel tips and general info about Romania. The Embassy of Romania in Washington, DC The official site of the Romanian Embassy in the US. Read here about their services, and about travel to Romania. Make Cheaper Calls to Romania See the $0.419/minute offer from BuyersOnline! If you make mostly calls over ten minutes, try a plan for $0.23/minute. Talkmore.net also advertises pre-paid phone cards. I see one card at 15.5 cents/minute with no connection fee. For more deals, news, Web sites and books about Romania, and slide shows with pictures of Romania, subscribe to the TravelRomania newsletter. If you have a specific question, you can email me. Romanian White Pages Online searchable phone book. Search the Romanian Yellow Book/Yellow Pages Search a company by name, location, and domain. Added: August 23, 2002. Romanian Diplomatic Missions Abroad From the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a list of Romanian Embassies, Permanent Missions, General Consulates, Honorary Consulates and Cultural Centers worldwide. Discount airline tickets to Romania Lutetia Travel offers roundtrip samples consolidator airfare from several US cities to Bucharest. Added: April 18, 2002. Discount Fares to Europe Pick your city and departure dates, and see if you can find a best buy for Romania. Bucharest Baneasa airport reopens after upgrades Baneasa airport (Aurel Vlaicu Airport) had been closed for four months. It is now open to flights from many low-cost airlines such as Blue Air, Wizz Air, MyAir, Germanwings, SkyEurope and AlpiEagles. AP, International Herald Tribune, August 19, 2007. Added: August 21, 2007. Cognigen's International Best Rate Search Look up best phone rate to call Romania. Eastern Europe Travel Center -- REZ-Q International Pick your arrival and return dates, your destination city or province, and start looking for airfares, hotels, car rentals, tours, and more. ACCOMMODATION Accommodation in Romania -- from Lonely Planet author Leif Pettersen When looking for accommodation, you might want to start here, with a few tips from Leif Pettersen. Added: August 11, 2007. Bucharest Hotels - from Yahoo! Travel Reviews of Bucharest Hotels, with descriptions and links to images. You can also book a room through their site. The JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel is consistently rated as the number one choice for business travelers. Remember too that you can also try out its good restaurants if you're in the area (near the massive Palace of Parliament). If you're on a budget, you may prefer the Ibis Bucharest or other good value choices reviewed on TripAdvisor. Added: October 8, 2005. Bucharest and Romania Hotels on HotelsRomania.com HotelsRomania.com is part of the HotelsCentral network. Here you can check availability and book your hotel room. See rates, descriptions and pictures of some of the major hotels in Romania. Site also includes an extensive Bucharest Travel Guide, with a well-written intro to the look and feel of yesterday's and today's Bucharest. This travel guide to Bucharest also includes information about the main attractions and events, as well as helpful guidelines for those traveling to Bucharest by car, train or air. And there's more: clubs and bars, tips on where and what to shop for. Entry updated: October 9, 2005. Hotel Reservations - Cities in Romania Room rates, general information about the hotel and area, facilities, reservation policies, and more from HotelRoomPlus and its partners. Added: April 18, 2002. Romanian Hotels -- from rotravel.com Choose your city and hotel category (includes Youth Hostels), and contact a travel agency for reservations. Travel Guide Romania -- Watch for Database of Hotels and Villas Where does the name Alexandria comes from? What to see in Campulung and why is it important to the Romanians? Find the answers to these and more questions on a Web site about Romania that also aims to bring you a wealth of information on Romanian hotels and villas in the near future. Added: July 3, 2003. Adrian Accommodation For your stay in Bucharest Adrian Accomodation offers an alternative to hotel rooms: standard flat from $25, or business and luxury flats from $60, all in the center of town. Apartments for Rent in Bucharest from CiaoBucharest.com See pictures and info on several apartments located within easy reach of the city center, and book them online. Added: January 30, 2006. EastComfort -- Accommodation in Bucharest and the Brasov Area If you are considering overnights in Bucharest, Brasov, Bran or Moeciu, you might want to take a look at EastComfort. Central apartments in the very heart of Bucharest, start at $45/day; price includes TV, computer with dial-up access to the Internet, and fully equiped kitchen. EastComfort also offers airport pickup service. Added: September 22, 2002. Accommodation in Cluj-Napoca If you are looking for budget accommodation in Cluj-Napoca, try the nice Retro Youth Hostel. Very close to downtown, the safe, clean and fun Retro Youth Hostel also organizes trips to various sights in the vecinity of Cluj. Alternatively, you can choose to stay at one of a number of 2, 3, and 4 star hotels, listed and introduced on BeyondtheForest.com. Budget accommodation in Sibiu county -- from HostelEurope.com Get info and ratings on The Old Town Hostel (2004) in Sibiu and various guesthouses around Sibiu. You can also check out sights around Sibiu by reading through the linked descriptions of the various pensiuni. Added: January 28, 2006. RESTAURANTS Wondering where to dine out in Bucharest? Here's a list of Bucharest Restaurants: American, Austrian, Belgian... with contact data and photos. Restaurants in Several Cities of Romania -- from RomaniaByNET.com Lists restaurants in Bucuresti, Brasov, Cluj-Napoca, Craiova, Iasi and Sibiu. Restaurant in Bucharest a "gem" Glowing review of Hotel Capsa and its restaurant. By David Roland, International Travel News, December 2004. DICTIONARIES ONLINE Romanian-English Dictionary -- on www.dictionarromanenglez.ro One of the best Romanian-English and English-Romanian Dictionaries online. Site includes Joke of the Day, links to online games from partner site diseara.ro, and a list of most searched words. Added: August 11, 2007. Romanian Dictionary Online -- from Industrial Soft, on www.dictionare.ro English to Romanian and Romanian to English dictionaries online. Available through WAP on mobile devices as well. For a fee you can download the dictionaries. Also advertised on the Web site is a Teach Yourself Romanian CD-ROM. Overall it's a useful Web site, although the dictionary pages are a bit cluttered with advertising. Romanian-Hungarian-English Dictionary -- from Transylvania.info A useful link if you're visiting Transylvania. Includes several diacritics. WHERE TO GO Romania: Leisure -- mainly for Bucharest visitors For the traveler to Bucharest, fast info on places to visit, including museums, clubs and pubs. Briefly mentions attractions in other major cities in Romania. For more, see Pics of Romania and Travelogues. CURIOSITIES Ice Hotel Opens in Romania's Transylvanian Mountains Aurelian Nica and his partners have finished building their ice hotel. It now stands at an altitude of over 2,000 meters and it's ready to welcome visitors at a price of 69 lei (23 US dollars, 19 euros) / 134 lei (45 US dollars, 37 euros) per night until it melts down in May or June. Added: February 4, 2006.	The 4th edition of the Lonely Planet guide Romania & Moldova is out (May 2007). This edition is co-authored by Robert Reid and Leif Pettersen. The 3rd edition of the Lonely Planet guide Romania & Moldova (July 2004) is co-authored by Steve Kokker and Cathryn Kemp. Unlike the more practical and tips filled Lonely Planet Romania and Moldova travel guide, Blue Guide Romania (Blue Guides) is rich in colorful descriptions and bets on luring you to Romania. Parting the Curtain: An American Teacher in Postcommunist Romania If you're thinking of spending a few months or years in Romania, try to get your hands, eyes, and mind on Anne Coe Heyniger's book. Its strength is in the story and the perceptions of a teacher who came to Romania for a year and ended up staying seven. The story is well told, consistent with the facts, and representative of Timisoara of the early 1990s. The books also wins through the author's willingness to bare herself in front of her Romanian friends and today's readers. This is a testimonial by a gracious woman and a talented writer. While Anne Coe Heyniger talks mostly about her life in Timisoara, Caroline Juler's Searching for Sarmizegetusa will take you to Maramures, Brancusi's Endless Column in Tirgu Jiu and to Rosia Montana -- among other places. The book is illustrated by the author herself, with drawings and maps that are as memorable as the writing! So is the account about Angela Gheorghiu visiting Romania, and the portraits of several Romanians that Caroline Juler undertakes with so much spirit and color. Both authors are talented and experienced writers and their descriptions manage to coalesce at the other end into sensible, scent-filled visions, or into funny, humor-filled scenarios that probably cut across many cultures to speak about individual reactions that most of us would relate to. Two experiences, two perspectives, and two beautiful writers: Parting the Curtain: An American Teacher in Postcommunist Romania and Searching for Sarmizegetusa.
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