How to behave in Romania correctly if you are a stranger tourist

Visiting  Romania must run smoothly and gently, it is a wonderful country with interesting people. Whether you come privately, or over a renowned travel agency, you should remember a few things  while you are in Romania.

Another happy friendly Romanian, as we all are

First of all, the people are really fantastic. If you are going to behave yourself in the right way, most of them will be prepared to give all their clothes, literally. Please don't understand wrong, I mean hereby that you can count of them as on your best friends. Nevertheless, check your bills in the restaurants, following the outside patterns some of them will try to charge you with a thick tip!

We are a happy wine country, see here some of my tourists during a wine taste. They all learned to say "Noroc"(cheers!)

Besides, even in this country when the people have an excellent behavior and none incidents against foreign tourists have been reported, you may not go alone in a few suburbs (e.g. Ferentari in Bucharest is very poor and dangerous). If a policeman will dare to stop you, you are supposed to be polite and pacient, which shall not mean showing him your purse or giving him your credit card number.

It is usually here to kiss the hand of a woman, and if you do that, all the Romanian ladies will be watching you much more interested than if you don't. It is a flavor of our culture. If you will be able to speak a few Romanian words, all of us will love for ever! Besides, the love may not be bought, you don't need to give tips bigger than 10 % (an average Romanian wins monthly between 300 and 400 Euros, no more).

Impressive:90 % of the Romanians are Orthodox, and you should take your time and visit one of the selected churches or monasteries, which are really masterpieces

Speak to the people, they are friendly and will answer gladly to any of your question. They are ready to help you at any moment, as they are proud of their identity and are very glad that you came here. In the restaurants, as in other places, rely on the waiters, asking them what is the best dish to order and how to pair it with the right wine (we are a wine country, but you won't be thirsty if you are a beer addicted). Never forget to say "hello" or "good bye", but is advisable to stay away from any discussion concerning politics.

The horse waggons are still largely in use in the Romanian agriculture, maybe you have the opportunity to take part to a special race!

In many places the best offers are hidden under the incomprehensible notion "meniul zilei". As you pronounciation in Romanian is probably not yet the most accurate possible, take a local (maybe a travel guide) in order to grab this offer.

On the market, you must handle a lot, pretending the wished goods are not so good or you don't need them at any price. Here is again better to receive help from a skilled local.

Otherwise, be sure to visit a fabulous country with a rich history, which is a very safe travel destination

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Romanian Festivals in 2013 (part III)

October Festivals

 Bran, tree days by the beginning
 The Ancient Celebration of Sheepherds Comeback turns nowadays in a big Festival with lots of food and drinks.

The St Parascheva Church in Iasi is the main target for October

Sibiu, by the middle of the month, but only during the even years: The Movie Festival Astra
Iasi, one week long, by the middle of the month, The Iasi Festival, consisting on a traditional folklore Festival, but also on a church pilgrimage (The Saint Parascheva is the protector of the entire Moldavia). Many visitors, the city and its hotels are overbooked and overcrowded.
Bucharest, the last week, The Bucharest Festival, due to celebration of Saint Dumitru, the protector of the city.

November Festivals

Focsani, the second week: The Vineyard and Wine Festival

The peacefull town of Focsani is in the middle of big vineyard and hosts every Autumn a Wine Festival

Brasov, the third week, The festival of the Romanian and other minorities traditions
Timisoara: The Beer Festival. Yes, you can find in Romania good , even excellent, sorts of beer and become a beer sommelier. In Timisoara the beer production started 300 years ago, and they know what they do indeed.
Odobesti (Vrancea), the last week : The Vrancea Sheepherds Festival, with grill all over the streets. Don't miss the delicious smoked pemmican, which is not soft, and pairs the best with an easy, sweet and young wine (Must).

A cave in Odobesti, don't be shy when drinking, we have some reserves

December Festival

The 1st December is the National Day, and in some places is celebrated with military parades. Best cities to take part are Bucharest or Alba Iulia
Bucharest,the Middle of the month, one week long, The International Theatre Festival
Bucharest, the week before Christmas: Carols and other songs and traditions on Christmas
Tulcea-The Winter festival
Sighetu Marmatiei (Maramures): The Winter Festival (local winter folklore)

Important mention: the December Festivals are also organized this year,  and if you hurry up, you can catch them, keep in touch for it.

Important observation: during the summer months there are more festivals than in winter, and anyone can explain it, the conditions are much more favorable.

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Romanian Festivals in 2013 (part I)

2012 is still on, you (or us) still have some good possibilities to celebrate Christmas, New Year,  with a plenty of wine and food. But we still can celebrate the current days: today, tomorrow. Thus I found some reasons to drink another glass of wine to you, but you are ought to do the same!

Thinking to the next year is not an easy task. First of all, we must reach it in the best shape and mood, which I sincerely wish you, with all my heart. Really hope that the Maya predictions will prove them wrong, and we will pay our taxes next year too.

In downtown Cluj Napoca there is a celebration on Christmas and New Year

I think that would be a good idea to schedule your trip to Romania for the next year based on the many feasts, carnivals and festivals scattered all year long in the most diverse corners of this wonderful country, as it follows

January.
The New Year is everywhere celebrated, in the all country. Every human settlement marks it in its own way, and they will be really happy to welcome you there. The main condition is to drink some tzuica (strong plum brandy) , wine and to eat a lot. In many places these celebrations take place in the streets, and are really spectacular.
During the second week of January in Deva there is a festival of popular dances.
On the 30th of January in Iasi takes place the religious celebration of The Three Saints.
On the last Sunday of January in Campulung Moldovenesc is organized the Festival of the Winter Sports.

Authentic Romanian dresses in the central market of Sibiu

February.
On the third Sunday of the Month in Targu Jiu falls the Festival of the Charming Water Sources (popular traditions and miners orchestras)

March
In Halmagiu (Bihor) The Kissing Festival was once a meeting place for the single, which nowadays turned to popular music and sheepherds' traditions.

These spectators are also performers

April
Resita hosts during the first weekend The Spring Festival, which is a folcloric one.
In the middle of the month in Paltinis-Sibiu we can see the Snow Festival. In Apata /Brasov the strange festival of Cock Killing coming from the XIVth century!

Through all the country you have the unique opportunity to celebrate The eastern, which is by far the most important celebration,in  church or private. Very spectacular indeed.

Also in April an important opportunity for celebration is the day of the Saint George The Warior. It is followed in all Romania, because there are many Romanians carrying this name, but the main target is the town of Saint George, by Brasov.

May.

All this month long in Bucharest, Cluj Napoca, Constanta, Iasi  is celebrated the Festivinum, a Wine Festival. Best place for the wine afficionados, like me!

In a few villages of Maramures find , please, the peasant Festival of Fertility and Nature.

In Sibiu there is the Mayfest, when germans and germanophones gather together in the Dumbrava park.

In Brasov, during the first Sunday after Easter the spectacular festival of Junii Brasovului ( The Brasov Youngs).

Again in Sibiu the Jazz festival.

Allow me to continue tomorrow with the rest of the year!

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Romania for honeymooners

Unfortunately, Romania is not seen as a destination for for honeymoon. It is not right, it is not correct, and it is not true, and I will explain why. Please,reconsider your approach seeing Romania as an important destination  for your honeymoon.

Maybe you'd like to be bride in the Romanian popular dress, which is very rare and exotic even among the Romanian brides nowadays

First of all, you can make your wedding here, in an orthodox church, goes so deep inside! It is touching indeed, and lasts 2 hours. For the non-orthodox would be a problem, they need prior to baptise, which is a separate ceremony, and is practically impossible to have both in the same day! But doing this you will feel yourself filled (remember from the Greek, orthodoxia=right religion!) and doing this you will have a perfect balance between mind, body and saw!

I wish you to have such a huge wedding as the daughter of the Romanian President Traian Basescu (here in the churc, during the religious ceremony)

After the religious marriage, or even prior, bag you pardon, you need the civil ceremony, when the Mayor shall pronounce you man and wife for the rest of your lives, no matter how long it seems nowadays! At evening, the feast, lasting all night long, because all the friends and relatives would like to take part and celebrate! Be sure to order more sorts of wine, in big amounts. Be sure to dance a lot, having a good orchestra, and be sure to have a wonderful time. It is unforgettable for the bride and the gloom, an important day of their lives.

Honeymoon on wine tasting, why not? Romania's many vineyards will facilitate a long exciting trip

After that you might need a day for rest, and afterwards you need some privacy, find a place for your own! The gloom must be a wine afficionado, I am very sure; and if the bride shares the same passion, we can have wine tasting a milestone for your original honeymoon. In this wonderful season, a long Autumn, I am going to organize special wine tasting of Muscat Ottonel and Feteasca Neagra in vineyards, staying there in the manors! Remember that Feteasca from Romanian means young girl wine, and make distinction from babeasca (old maid wine). I am going to spare you during the honeymoon from Babeasca, you won't get any drop.

An isolated cabin in the mountains is a good option for honeymooners

Another possibility is going in an isolated chalet in the mountains, where you can get all the intimacy you need. Keep writing there in your book of souvenirs for the latter years, make short walks. You are a small piece in a puzzle, which is your Earth and the Universe. Most important, stay in peace and harmony with the Universe, maybe you will experience even tantra!

Travelling on a ship on honeymoon is like a dream coming true

Also recommendable for honeymoon in Autumn: a trip in Danube Delta, starting from Tulcea, of course. Very relaxing and romantic indeed to discover other living creatures of the Universe. And from time to time you can go back in your heated cabin, under the deck!

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A Romanian Wine Festival

Focsani is a little town 200 km away from Bucharest. Nice, peaceful, clean enough, but has not very spectacular old architecture landmarks, as do  other bigger or smaller cities in Romania. During Ceausescu's forced industrialization policy, all Downtown has been destroyed, and instead have been build so many identical blocks of flats. Maybe it is easier to live in these match boxes, but the city itself acts grey and is not able to differentiate comparing to other sad grey towns countrywide.

In the very peaceful like Focsani, the Wine Festival is a necesary celebration, which everyone waits  in the Autumn

Nevertheless, there are also some things making Focsani special. First of all, in the Vrancea mountains, not far from Focsani (80 km) have the origin and epicenter all the major earthquakes who scares all the Romanians every 50 years. Amazingly, these earthquake don't do much harm in Focsani, but can cause large scale destructions in Bucharest and other towns lieing 200 km away or more! One might say, the people of Focsani are the most feared Romaniawide!

At the presentation stand of vineyard Rovinex I managed to taste an excellent Feteasca Neagra from 2006

Second, Focsani is a local center of the biggest vineyards in all Romania. Consequently, it is normal to organize here an yearly Wine Festival, and this edition from 2012 has a huge budget, which is not so normal in a poor country like Romania. But the people live their lives and take profit from this huge festival with consistent budget. Most important than everything else, the wine is being honored as it deserves, and many exquisite wine tastings ruled by leading someliers took place between 19th-21st of October 2012.

The Romanian "mici" or "mititei" are one of the stars of the Wine Festival. They enjoy a good tradition and reputation, and are easy to pair practically with any wine.

My personal favorite was a fabulous Feteasca Neagra 2006 from Rovinex, which has such a strong bouquet.  Legends say, that you can get drunk with Feteasca Neagra even without drinking a single drop! That impossible to describe bouquet is all the secret! Further, when you have this wine in your mouth you'll notice! Tastes like dried wood fruits, and it is not wise to hold it in the mouth longer than 60 seconds, or you can get drunk again only through tongue absorbtion. Last, you must spit this excellent dangerous wine, no matter how sorry you might be. Pair this wine with a roasted meat or chicken, may be even with mititei, the local star of the Festival and uncrowned King.

Imagine how difficult is for the poor locals to drink the contents of so many barels, paired with mici or  meat.

May be next year you will have the time to see Festival alive, if you will go healthy and wealthy through the End of The World. You need only some time and a small budget, as I have as always some unbeatable propositions, need only to mail at dorugiu@gmx.net or to call at 0726268717

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Tips and tricks for travelling to Romania

Romania is neither a tropical, nor a dangerous country, but has some insider tips, which I am glad sharing with you.

The prices for a good meal in Romania are very different. You shall ever prefer the small restaurants and pensions, as having better prices and better food

First of all, don't worry about tropical diseases, you don't need any vaccine. AIDS is up to you, and your level of personal protection, other diseases totally unknown. Many visitors are unpleasant impressed about the level of corruption in Romania, and many comments concerning the big political crisis between president Traian Basescu and the Prime Minister Victor Ponta are pointing to corruption as a main reason. I would say no to it, there is rather a personal matter, or a power fight, in my opinion. Certain is that many Romanians are deeply disappointed about their rulers and the political class entirely. About the obvious corruption, I also don't agree, as little presents seem to me really o.k. After all, the corruption is not a Romanian invention or discovery, we are in the Balkans!

Policemen on duty. No policeman is entitled to ask you  your papers without a strong reason., and even less to controll your money or valuables (they are sure faked policemen if doing that)

Much worse than this little corruption are the faked policemen e.g. Please note that no policeman is entitled to legitimate you without a strong reason; even less is entitled to ask about money or other valuables. When entering Romania through Bucharest Airport avoid the taxis and the luggage porters, is simply too expensive and even dangerous to your life, as a recent incident proves it.

When entering Romania through Bucharest International Airport avoid the taxis and the luggage porters. They are unshamed expansive and even dangerous to your life

Many Romanians drink the wine with water in the same glass (sprit). You can make a try of this method, but you are not supposed to do the same, no one will be hurt if you drink the wine separately. As you know, being a somelier, this method decreases the qualities of wine. The locals use it just to drink more liquids during the hot days.

Meiul Zilei is an incredible local offer: 3 courses meal with 3 Euros only.

A matter who could hurt any local is on the contrary shaking hands. It is normal to do it when meeting someone, not only for the first time. The shake must be strong enough, lasting for 5 seconds at least, while you look deeply in the eyes of the counterpart. If you are a man meeting a lady in a sophisticated environment, it is bon ton to kiss her right hand, while you look in her eyes.

Eating in Romania is very cheap, if you are tight on your budget. Everywhere on your ways there are incredible offers as MENIUL ZILEI, meaning a three course menu at 15 RON (3 EUROS). You can also have your meals in a sophisticated restaurants, but the hi end prices you can find there don't reflect a much superior quality of the meals. On the contrary, the same meals are to be found in a pension at the country side much cheaper and tasting better ( nearly bio for sure)!

A good hotel in a big city vs a little pension to the countryside  is  a matter of time,  budget and taste

The same thing about accommodation. You can barely find a hotel room in Bucharest or other touristic cities (Sibiu, Brasov, Cluj Napoca) under 60 Euros, but you can find some excellent accommodation in a pension at the half of this price. So it is easy to make the choice, according to your budget.

Tips is also not entirely a Romanian invention, and if you are very happy with a certain service no one will be ofenced for receiving tips (no more than 10 %).

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Romania Survival Course (part II)

Dear friends, in order to really enjoy the Romanian wines, I must insist on these little things, who could spoil or ruin your pleasure. Even if you book through me, and I will be guiding you all the time in Romania, you should be aware of these details, which are not worse in Romania than in any other part of the world.

1. Romanian policemen are always wearing uniform. No one of them is entitled to check your money, after checking your identity. It is normally for them to introduce themselves and show a police pass. They are also not allowed to check your identity without a strong reason (this applies even for the traffic agents checking your driving licence)

A Romanian policeman wearing his uniform

2.When hiring a car, prefer the agencies from Bucharest and other major city. Negotiate the price per day (between 25 and 70 Euros) and check (even double-check) milesage, general state ( scratches, wheels, go to details). Never take a car without insurance! When having an accident with victims, you are not allowed to  leave Romania until police research.

3. Be very careful when paying by card. First of all, make sure that the system is running, even if the labels indicate it so. Prefer the bancomats of the leading banks, they seem to be safer. When paying by the card double check the amount; another way to be cheated is to charge you twice (become very suspicious if the operator says that system is not working properly, and he must try again).

Usually, you don't find or need cars like this. But you must respect some procedures and pay attention to details!

4.Don't interfere in the Romanian politics during discussions with unknown (e.g. in trains), even if you have opinions. The Romanian society is very splitted nowadays, and its members very fervent. The same applies by football matches, when the fans become easy very violent.

Romanian politics simply splits the society and make the Romanians mad

5.When meeting a person, strongly shake hand if he's a man, or kiss the hand, if a lady.When entering a church or monastery you must  wear decent clothes (common sense, like in Rome and its churches), don't smoke, and don't take photos (if forbidden)

6.The dogs might become in Romania a serious matter. They are by hundreds everywhere. When they are alone, can't do any harm (major exception are the the shepherd dogs in the mountains, who can ruin your day); on the contrary, when grouped in a pack they could become very aggressive and dangerous (sometimes a quarter can't sleep because of the barking dogs).

The dogs living on the streets can become aggressive  when are in a pack

7.In the remote areas are still to find poisonous snakes (vipers), while in Danube Delta you need protection against mosquitos. In some protected areas of the big Romanian forests is possible to find big mamals, like wolves and bears.

The Danube delta is a Romanian natural paradise, but what you can't see in the picture are the unbearable mosquitos

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