Insider tips for a Romania travel

If you come to Romania, you should know prior the basic things about this fascinating and fantastic country. E.g., today, on the 1.December we celebrate, it is our national day.

Bucharest, the Romanian Capital in winter

Consequently, before any other else, I would advise you to visit Romania on its national Day. You will see everywhere smiling faces and a sincerely genuine joy of life coming from inside to the most of Romanians. It is really a privilege for us living in this country and we also invite you to visit this piece of paradise on Earth. You can even watch the impressive military parade and take part to the useful popular distribution of the portions of beans and sausages, a sort of national meal.

Maybe you should know, the Traian Grand Hotel from Iasi, Romania has been designed by Gustave Eiffel 

You can party further in a night club, there are a plenty of such locals in Bucharest and throughout Romania. It means excellent food with plenty of drinks at fantastic low prices, really a bargain for sure. Besides, you can be treated like a king/queen in a first class hotels, e.g  Ramada Parc Bucharest, with swimming pool, sauna etc.

And else, what can I do else, I can almost hear your next question? Well, there are two possibilities: first of them, there is a lot of snow in the country, you can ski, skate or do other winter sports, in renowned resorts like Poiana Brasov, Predeal, Paltinis to name only a few. Second of them, there is no snow, no trace of winter, that means you can discover thoroughful Romania at its best, making a cultural trip through this country of mine.

If you want to learn more about the Romanian history, the National Museum of Bucharest is the right place for sure

And you can discover first historic Capitals of the former Romanian states, e.g cities like Iasi, Suceava, Curtea de Arges, Campulung Muscel or Alba Iulia, last but not least. Some of them might seem totally decayed, being actually today very small towns, wearing nevertheless a certain pride and arrogance. Visiting them you will perfectly understand what I mean.

Or you can try to discover the fortified churches of the German Saxons of Transilvania. Most of them are sad and deserted, this community is diing, they only mean 0,2 % from the Romanian population. Despite it, a member of this community, namely Klaus Iohannis, has been freshly elected as Romanian President, with a lot of hope and expectations. He must be really a charismatic leader to succeed, the task is not easy to fulfil, we all wish him good luck and will try to help him in this entreprise!

The painted churches from Bucovina are simply fantastic, a part of the world heritage as described by UNESCO

No matter if the winter is cold, hot, rich or poor on snow you can find the best of Romania to the countryside. There you can find the best of Romania, the eternal Romania!  Don't be afraid of the bad winter, any Romanian on the street will invite you inside in his bigger or smaller house   with a natural born kindness and courteousy. You are going probably to resent the same feeling to the Romanian countryside: the time stays still, and you can really enjoy the present moments.

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Most important event in Romania: European  Youth Olympic Winter Festival EYOWF

If you would like to visit Romania, but always find a reason to postpone booking, hesitate or whatsoever, I can give you another serious reason to take the big decision.

Nowadays is taking place in Romania a major winter sports event of this year, namely The International Olympic Youth Festival. It is going to be a brilliant success, judging the flamboyant start from Saturday. As the event is very important, the president of International Olympic Commitee (IOC), Mr Jacques Rogge was present in person to the inauguration, and declared to have found an excellent developed infrastructure.

This is the picturesque Romanian city of Brasov, hosting the EYOWF Festival right now. You can still join the gang.

The Festival is taking place in Poiana Brasov and nearby, there is a lot of snow and the people are all very happy. An Olympic fire is permanently burning in Brasov. Mr Rogge would be delighted if Romania wins a medal, and meanwhile this thing has been already accomplished.

There have been rumors for decades in Romania in many circle to organize the Olympic Games. O,K, for the Summer Games Romania doesn't qualify, but for the Winter Olympic games is perfectly fit. This Olympic Festival is the perfect test and general repetition for the aspiration to organize The Winter Olympic games. At this moment all the hotels in Poiana Brasov are completely booked, and also on a 100 km radius. But if you still want to book and take part to this unique event, I can give some tip and help finding the best solution.

Poiana Brasov/Schulerau and its many slopes are hosting the most of the Festival. 

Once there, don't waste time, please. Besides the normal time on the slope for the sport freaks, you have so many things to do. Visit Brasov, Bucharest, or Sibiu, visit Dracula castle in Bran, or make a few of the recommended tours. Go shopping, go partying, there are so many things to do in Brasov. You are going to love the fantastic animation caused by the Festival, which you can observe in all bars and restaurants from Brasov. The city is once again charming and appealing and turned to a Babilon Tower. Unfortunately, a few restaurants ran out of wine, but will renew the strategic resources. The Festival has attracted many sportsmen and spectators showing to be a success. Prominent Romanian singer Inna sung in the first night of the event and everybody forgot the freezing temperature as any other trouble.

If you are a winter sport freak and fond of events, please join the tribe. If you are not in the mood for overcrowded places, wait two weeks, until the Festival is coming to an end, and the prices fall down.

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How to find the best hotels in Brasov

It is not very easy finding the best hotels in Brasov. As the most touristic city in Romania, it doesn't lack neither on tourists, nor on hotels. Based on my personal experiences and on what I shared with other travelers, I made a selection which could be helpful to you.

First, if you don't need to stay within the city of Brasov, you could stay in the neigborhood, in Poiana Brasov or Bran. About the hotels in Poiana Brasov, waiting their skiers clients or the wanderers, be very careful in the mid seasons or on week ends, due to the crowds of travelers coming mainly from Bucharest.

In Bran there are a lot of small hotels, villas and pensions along the main road. If you are luckily enough, here you can find a room without prior reservation.

About the good hotels from the very city of Brasov, you also need normally a prior reservation. The hotels are good, and the city very circulated, resulting in a huge traffic. Having a hotel in Brasov is surely a good business, despite the crisis!

Aro Palace is the normal first choice when thinking to Best hotels in Brasov

Thinking about Brasov and the good city hotels, my first choice is unfortunately also the most expensive. Being in downtown and walking there you simply can't miss Aro Palace, which has a long tradition, excellent service and a good cuisine. A room costs 100 Euros, affordable comparing with some locations from Bucharest, e.g. The golden interiors, the marble and  other golden ornaments compose a particular, but cold environment. Coming alone means that you are aware of some risks, the many groups coming here have a priority!

Hotel Postavaru is for the budget travelers

If you are on a tight budget, The Hotel Postavaru is very close, and a room only cost 25 Euros (no bathroom). Don't forget the wonderful position, and you must declare you very happy with this solution.

After presenting the cheapest and the most expensive hotels, let's think to the middle budgets. In downtown Brasov, in Piata Sfatului, you can find the totally satisfying Casa Wagner. It is small, familiar and charming with only 12 rooms ( 70 Euros for a room). Old furniture, sober interior of good taste make from Casa Wagner an important adress.

In downtown Brasov the House Wagner is a good target

Not far, maybe similar in a way with Casa Wagner one can find Casa Rozelor (The Roses' house). The house itself is very old, from the XVth century. The special of this hotel consists even on combining in style the old stone house with the modern amenities, and further in combining with a good taste the old stone with the contemporary furniture. Must see for art freaks.

The Roses house in Brasov is a boutique hotel with a touch of style

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