The Independent's Traveler Guide to Romania - Ed III, Nov 2013, Rev 2

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    www.logisticpartner.ro

    INDEPENDENTS TRAVELER

    GUIDE TO ROMANIA

    Edition III, November 2013, Rev. 2

    2013 Logistic Partner Romania

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    TTeell%% &&'' 00(( )) )) **33)) **33++ &&'' 00(( ++55 ++(( (( **++55;; -- aa %% &&'' 00)) '' 55 ++00++00'' '' ;; // mmaaiill%% iinn oo22 llooggiissttii ppaar r ttnneer r ..r r oo 2

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    TABLE OF CONTENTS

    Foreword ..................................................................................................................... 3

    I. Currency, Exchange and Travellers Checks .................................................... 5

    II. Emergency Services ............................................................................................ 7

    III. Transportation ...................................................................................................... 8

    IV. Driving in Romania .............................................................................................. 11

    V. High Detail Digital Map of Romania .................................................................... 13

    VI. Accomodation ....................................................................................................... 14

    VII. Food, Drink, Tobacco ........................................................................................... 16

    VIII. Internet in Romania .............................................................................................. 18

    IX. People .................................................................................................................... 19

    X. General Safety and Comfort tips ......................................................................... 20

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    TTeell%% &&'' 00(( )) )) **33)) **33++ &&'' 00(( ++55 ++(( (( **++55;; -- aa %% &&'' 00)) '' 55 ++00++00'' '' ;; // mmaaiill%% iinn oo22 llooggiissttii ppaar r ttnneer r ..r r oo 3

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    FOREWORD

    Dear independent traveler,

    We decided to write this guide after having the experience of organizing the 2012International Paragliding Championships of Romania (Priseaca Open 2012) and the2013 Romanian Pre Paragliding World Cup (Priseaca Open 2013), both remarcablysuccessful and also the biggest airsports events in Romania so far.

    Pilots from all continents attended our both events and, before or during their stay, wehad to answer a lot of questions and to provide all kind of travel informations and tips toour competitors.

    Thus, we found out that there was no effective travel guide for Romania so far.

    And, because Romania is an incredible and wonderful country that you really shoulddiscover, we considered using our experience in order to issue this comprehensive guidethat, were sure, it will help you during your wonderful Romanian journeys.

    Some people prefer visiting a country using the all-inclusive services of travel agencies,which, most of the times, provide carefree trips and, of course, this is one nice way to doit but, in the same time, this kind of tourism does not give you all time you desire in orderto completely relish places, people and traditions or to attend all possible locations andevents. It can also be more expensive this way.

    Other people, those who travel for business, transit or the more adventurous tourists,prefer to do it by themselves, alone or as a bunch of friends, and they are those we liketo refer to as independent travelers. In fact, it is our intimate thinking that this is themost interesting and best detail providing way to understand, taste and sense a country,its people, its traditions, backgrounds and realities.

    Of course, independent travels require certain planing, organization, preparations,informations and precautions.

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    TTeell%% &&'' 00(( )) )) **33)) **33++ &&'' 00(( ++55 ++(( (( **++55;; -- aa %% &&'' 00)) '' 55 ++00++00'' '' ;; // mmaaiill%% iinn oo22 llooggiissttii ppaar r ttnneer r ..r r oo 4

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    This Independents Traveler Guide to Romania intends to provide you the detailed

    information you might need in order for you to efficiently plan your first Romanianadventure.

    We will continue updating and upgrading this guide, according to newsituations/questions coming from you, the independent travelers. Thus, please feel freeto communicate us your sugestions and questions, regarding things you might not find inthis guide today, by writing us at [email protected] . We will comply.

    Our guide is not intended to contain places to visit or history&tradition facts becausethose you can easily find in regular travel guides, Wikipedia or other online resources. Infact, our work is intended to contain general travel information&tips and, very important,

    those informations, things and facts you cannot usually find on the internet or inregular travel guides . It is our intention to give you the main simple knowledge youneed in order to prepare your trip, manage yourself here and, thus, have an excellentfreeminded stay in our country.

    However, about Romania, the main things to know is that it is a safe and wonderful country, having very nice and hospitable people and, definitely, many of the mostbeautiful women in the world. Of course, just like in any other civilized country, thereare some things and rules you should be aware of and respect. But, even if Romania isan EU member, this country is not at all boring like some other EU countries.

    We wish you a great time in beautiful and fascinating Romania!

    Daniel MATEIPresident of the Romanian Foundation for Aviation and Mountain Sports

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    TTeell%% &&'' 00(( )) )) **33)) **33++ &&'' 00(( ++55 ++(( (( **++55;; -- aa %% &&'' 00)) '' 55 ++00++00'' '' ;; // mmaaiill%% iinn oo22 llooggiissttii ppaar r ttnneer r ..r r oo 5

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    I. Currency, Exch n!e n" Tr #e$$er% Chec&%

    a. The Romanian currency is Leu (plural: Lei ), also known as RON .

    b. The National Banks main currencies exchage rates at the date of this edition (14 th of November, 2013) are:

    1 Euro = 4.4536 lei1 USD = 3.3152 lei1 GBP = 5.3218 lei

    The inflation rate is very low in nowadays Romania so, most probably, theexchage rates will remain quite similar for a long period.

    Commercial banks and exchange offices usually provide 1.5% - 3% differentexhange rates.

    Daily exchange rates (National Bank and main commercial banks) are displayedon the Home page of our www.logisticpartner.ro website.

    c. Normally, at banks and regular exchange offices, you will obtain about 4.35 to4.40 Lei for 1 Euro.

    d. DO NOT exchange money in airports, railway stations, international bus stationsor border points: there you will be charged extra fees or they will give you a poorrate (you might encounter a 10% to even 20% loss sometimes). If you really needsome local money, exhange just a small amount, only enough for you to reach theclosest populated/town area (or until morning when banks and regular exchange

    offices open). There, you will easily find plenty of commercial banks and exchangeoffices. Exchange offices will be visibly marked as EXCHANGE or CASA DESCHIMB or SCHIMB VALUTAR. In order to exchange, you will need your ID orPassport. In some exchange offices, they will agree to do it even if you dont havethose with you.

    e. Banks exchange almost any kind of currency. Regular exchange offices onlyexchange Euro and USD (some of them also GBP). Border point exchange officesalso exchange and sell neighboring country currency (however, it wont be thebest rate).

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    TTeell%% &&'' 00(( )) )) **33)) **33++ &&'' 00(( ++55 ++(( (( **++55;; -- aa %% &&'' 00)) '' 55 ++00++00'' '' ;; // mmaaiill%% iinn oo22 llooggiissttii ppaar r ttnneer r ..r r oo 6

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    f. The proper ways to exchange money in Romania are:

    i. Go to any bank at least about this, the Romanian banks are seriousand, apart than some other countries, anybody can exchange money ina bank here, just have your passport or your ID card with you.

    Hint: some banks, such as more important agencies of the BCR (BancaComerciala Romana), have automatic exchange machines withbilingual menu (RO/EN) at their front. There, you can exchange money24 hours a day.

    ii. Go to an exchange office in the cities please ask if they charge any

    exchange fees before you hand them the money. Most of these officesdo not charge exchange fees.

    iii. You can use your card in ATM machines for local currency withdrawal they will give you their banks exchange rate which is just fine. You canfind ATMs almost everywhere in town areas, in airports, railwaystations, also in some border points.

    WARNING: Avoid apparently nice persons offering you good exchange rates onthe street! If you accept dealing with those independent exchange professionals,you have serious chances to be severely cheated!

    g. You can use Travelers Checks in banks but they will charge fees, also in very fewand very expensive hotels. The best way to go in Romania is cash or card.

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    TTeell%% &&'' 00(( )) )) **33)) **33++ &&'' 00(( ++55 ++(( (( **++55;; -- aa %% &&'' 00)) '' 55 ++00++00'' '' ;; // mmaaiill%% iinn oo22 llooggiissttii ppaar r ttnneer r ..r r oo 7

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    II. E'er!ency Ser#(ce%

    a. Emergency number: for any kind of real emergencies (including police abuse,which is unlikely), please call the 112 phone number ( 911 also works). They can alsospeak English. Please do not call them if you only have a flat tire or so.

    b. Emergency services are very effective and highly competent in Romania (at leastmost of the times and in town/city areas). You can usually rely on their fast arrival andprofessional conduct.

    c. However, most public Romanian hospitals are kind of creepy and the personalcan be quite careless sometimes. Small attentions might help. In case of surgery,doctors and anesthesiologists might name their unofficial price (even if thats illegal).The salaries in the public health system are very low, also not enough staff. Itsalways better to be transferred to a private clinic in a major city. Those arereally good but expensive. A comprehensive medical travel insurance isadviced!

    d. Pharmacies are almost everywhere and not expensive. For antibiotics,dangerous medicines and sedatives you will need a prescription. For that, you canvisit a doctor. We recommend a private one (this will save your nerves and time). Itwill cost you 50-100 lei. In order to easily find one, ask a young policeman (many ofthe young ones speak English), a Taxi driver or at the reception of any hotel. You canalso ask about that in a public hospital, they will either serve you quickly, either theywill be happy to get rid of you.

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    TTeell%% &&'' 00(( )) )) **33)) **33++ &&'' 00(( ++55 ++(( (( **++55;; -- aa %% &&'' 00)) '' 55 ++00++00'' '' ;; // mmaaiill%% iinn oo22 llooggiissttii ppaar r ttnneer r ..r r oo 8

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    III. Tr n%)*r+ +(*n

    a. For those arriving to Romania by airplane/bus/train, the best way to go is to bookand rent a car having a navigation system, in due time. Usually, car rentalcompanies agree to transfer you at no or very low rates. Please ask them aboutthis when booking. Ask Mr. Google, he will return a lot of car rental companies in

    Romania, some really cost-effective and, also, some expensive but theres a lot ofroom for choice.

    b. Taxis are not expensive but the overall costs for long distances will becomeimportant and they will also charge you for their return kms for trips outside thecity/town (today, in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, the average price forboarding is 1.6 lei and then 1.6 lei/km; in other cities/towns it can reach up to 2.5lei for boarding and 2.5 lei/km night rates are about 20%-25% higher).

    c. However: in airports and important railway stations, the Taxis are way moreexpensive. You should avoid those by taking a bus (which is cheap) to the first

    populated area. There you will find plenty of Taxis charging the normal rates.

    d. Be aware: Romania also has some fake Taxis (non-licensed or driven by somenasty kind of violent sharks). If you use their services, it will be very expensiveand they might also become really violent if you argue about the price. In order toavoid those, you should take few elementary precautions:

    Check the inscriptions/label on the cars in order to be sure its a companyand not an independent Taxi (company owned ones have big companylogo/name stickers and sometimes some sort of big plastic constructionson their tops).

    Check that the car has an electronic meter/counter and a fixed radiotransceiver (not handheld as those are usually used by sharks to stealthe orders of companies).

    The rates should pe visibly printed on the car check to be the same onthe electronic meter/counter. Also ask the driver before boarding (somedrivers are able to speak English or French).

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    LLooggiiss ttiicc PPaar r ttnneer r FFuunnddaattiiaa RRoommaannaa ddee AAvviiaattiiee BBdd.. II..CC.. BBr r aattiiaannuu,, BBll.. DD55,, AApp.. 33,, PPaar r tteer r ;; 113300005555 TTaar r ggoovviissttee,, JJuudd.. DDaamm oovviittaa,, !! "" ## AA$$ IIAA

    TTeell%% &&'' 00(( )) )) **33)) **33++ &&'' 00(( ++55 ++(( (( **++55;; -- aa %% &&'' 00)) '' 55 ++00++00'' '' ;; // mmaaiill%% iinn oo22 llooggiissttii ppaar r ttnneer r ..r r oo 9

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    You should try to tell the driver that you only have few money and, thus,you should ask him to tell you the approximative cost of the trip to your

    destination, he should be able to give you a rough evaluation. If you seehim trying hard to avoid the answer, then you should take another Taxi!

    Always memorize, write or note into your phone the number on theregistration plates of the Taxi before boarding/approaching the driver.

    If, before traveling, you have the chance to check the approvimativedistance to your destination and print the route from Google Maps orsomething similar, please show this to the driver, so that he understandsyou have the right idea and thus you have a better chance to avoid theextra fraudulent detour kms.

    The best way to avoid unpleasant Taxi issues is to previously check onthe internet, find and note the names and phone numbers of local Taxicompanies and, when you need a ride, just call a company number andonly board in a car that specificly comes for you and bears the companyname/logo. Inside cities, you wont have to pay for picking up but just foryour ride. If you are outside the city, perhaps you will have to paysomething extra in some cases. Usually, dispatch operators speak Englishso they can understand where to send the car for you.

    e. Public transportation inside the cities/towns is quite OK, cheap and safe in mostof the cases.

    f. However , please avoid boarding in public transportation at late hours, especiallyin suburbs and when you notice dubious persons and lots of vacant seats(imagine that Romania has its own Bronx replicas even if only few).

    g. In urban areas you will find buses or mini buses. Some major cities also havetrams and Bucharest also provides a good subway network.

    h. Airports: Romania has several airports, covering the country quite well. You canfind them all on the internet. Several companies operate local flights but, ofcourse, flying can be quite expensive.

    i. Also, all over the country, there are lots of small private airfields and lots ofsmall private airplanes (from 2 seaters to bigger Cessnas or even multiengines).All sizes private helicopters, gyrocopters and microlights/ultralights are alsoavailable. In case of need/urge, you can contact us ( www.logisticpartner.ro ) inorder to obtain immediate air departure from/to any location inside Romania, atthe best local rates. Exiting the country requires customs and border checks to beperformed on an international airport.

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    TTeell%% &&'' 00(( )) )) **33)) **33++ &&'' 00(( ++55 ++(( (( **++55;; -- aa %% &&'' 00)) '' 55 ++00++00'' '' ;; // mmaaiill%% iinn oo22 llooggiissttii ppaar r ttnneer r ..r r oo 10

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    j. Trains : nowadays Romanian trains are really nice and much cheaper than inother EU countries. Traveling by train can be more expensive than traveling by

    bus but its also more reliable and comfortable. For informations about trains anddepartures, please visit the nationals railway company passenger divisionwebsites: www.cfrcalatori.ro and www.infofer.ro .

    k. Long distance buses : theres a wide variety of long distance buses and mini-buses in Romania. Traveling is cheap but sometimes they are crowded. Weadvice you to avoid the crowded mini-buses (up to 20 seats) because, during thelast years, those were involved in a certain number of severe accidents. Best longdistance ground travel in Romania is by train or by big buses. In order to reach adeparture station, you can ask a Taxi driver, a young policeman (many of theyoung ones speak English), somebody at the reception of a hotel or, for major

    cities, just check the internet.

    l. Hitch-hiking is very common in Romania even if not all the times the first carstops. Stretch you hand and be patient. Sometimes you will have to pay for theride, according to distance, but its not going to be expensive. For short distances,usually few lei will do. Displaying a sheet of paper showing your desireddestination is a good thing to do. However, during night, it is unlikely for a car ortruck to stop and take you. People just prefer not to take risks. For such situations,buses and coaches should solve your problem.

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    TTeell%% &&'' 00(( )) )) **33)) **33++ &&'' 00(( ++55 ++(( (( **++55;; -- aa %% &&'' 00)) '' 55 ++00++00'' '' ;; // mmaaiill%% iinn oo22 llooggiissttii ppaar r ttnneer r ..r r oo 11

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    IV. Dr(#(n! (n R*' n(

    a. Driving in nowadays Romania is safe. Due to the efforts of the authorities toenforce increasingly severe road laws, the number of accidents is diminushingeach year. You have to know that the autorities are truly commited to reduce thenumber of life loses on the roads. This is why the Romanian road code is quitesevere regarding alcohol, speed, railway crossing and priority rules.

    b. Romanian road/driving rules and road signs are the international standard ones.Also, the Romanian rode laws are mostly similar to other ones in the EU.

    c. Dont drink and drive. This is serious. The Romanian road code has zerotolerance for alcohol. Bellow the crime limit your driving license will be suspendedfor 3 months. The crime limit is 0.8 and the government anounced a decreaseto 0.5 in short time (sometimes, this can be reached after less than 2 beers).Above the crime limit, you will face prosecution and risk imprisonment between 1and 5 years (but, if you have no criminal record and there were no human victims,

    you will usually get a suspended prison sentence but, then, if you comit a newcrime, you will have to do that time). However, the best way to go is not drivingafter drinking. Usually, when going out for a drink, most Romanians take a Taxi.

    d. Speed limits: in the localities 50 km/h (also 60 or 70 km/h in some in thesecases, you will see a clear sign when entering); outside localities 90 km/h;highways 130 km/h (but we dont have so many of these). Police has state of theart radars here and they are allowed to use the pulse mode, so hold your horses.If you speed in excess of 50 km/h above the legal limit, your driving license will besuspended for up to 3 months. The government anounced a decrease of theexcess license suspension limit to 30 km/h in short time.

    e. When other drivers blink their lights, you are about to meet a police patrol. Payattention, adjust speed, no funny maneuvers.

    f. The Romanian roads are improving each year now but we still have some not sogood ones here and there.

    g. Bring you patience with you and, where the road is not so good, please swear thepoliticians and not the country.

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    TTeell%% &&'' 00(( )) )) **33)) **33++ &&'' 00(( ++55 ++(( (( **++55;; -- aa %% &&'' 00)) '' 55 ++00++00'' '' ;; // mmaaiill%% iinn oo22 llooggiissttii ppaar r ttnneer r ..r r oo 12

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    h. If the police stops you, you have a better chance than us because, generally, ifyour deed is not so severe, they might be friendly because you are a tourist.

    Obviously, this doesnt mean that you can push the limits to far.i. However, do not try to bribe policemen. Apart of what you have maybe heard,

    the times are changing here. New/young policemen have a more Europeanmentality (at least an important number of them). However, the Romanian penalcode states that, if the bribe is required by the bribed one without being previouslyofered/proposed by the bribing one, then the bribing one is not to be heldreponsible for the bribe. However, Romania still has some serious corruptionissues and, the best way to help us getting better, is to never offer bribe . Thecorrect thing to do, when you are asked for bribe, is for you to immediately call112 and report it.

    j. Even if you have a navigation system, its always good to also have a detailedRomanias printed map with you. It will give you the general image and help youunderstand directions and plan your trip better. Just like everywhere, major citiesmaps are also available in hotels, gas stations, airports, main railway stations andbook shops.

    k. Car repair workshops and wheel workshops are plenty and easy to be found intowns, also on major roads. The usual Romanian terms used for car repairs areAUTO SERVICE or SERVICE AUTO. The wheel workshops are dispalyed asVULCANIZARE. As for the price, its better to always ask for the total cost of theintervention before they start fixing your car. If you dont like the price, then findanother workshop, it shouldnt be to far.

    l. Fuel stations are almost everywhere in Romania. In order for you to be sure of thefuels quality, avoid small individualy owned stations and only refuel at biggernetwork stations such as Petrom (the best!), OMV, Agip and Mol. Their fuel pricesare quite similar.

    m. At the date of this edition, the usual fuel prices are: Diesel regular 5.9 lei/lt; Dieselsuper 6.3 lei/lt; Petrol regular 5.8 lei/lt; Petrol premium/super 6.2 lei/lt.

    n. Avoid parking where youre not supposed to. In many cases, your car will beblocked until you pay the fine. It towns/cities, they can even tow your car awayand retrieving it will cost you a lot of time and money (600-2500 Lei).

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    TTeell%% &&'' 00(( )) )) **33)) **33++ &&'' 00(( ++55 ++(( (( **++55;; -- aa %% &&'' 00)) '' 55 ++00++00'' '' ;; // mmaaiill%% iinn oo22 llooggiissttii ppaar r ttnneer r ..r r oo 13

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    V. (!h De+ ($ D(!(+ $ M ) *- R*' n(

    a. For Garmin road or outdoor/trail GPS units, you can use the high detail digital map ofRomania.

    b. It is very useful for drivers, hikers, cyclists or any kind of travelers and, definitely, itshigly recomended to the independent travelers.

    c. It provides unprecedented detail and informations: roads (including the new orchanged ones), paths in the forrests, mountain trails, topography, POIs, 3D routableplans of historical objectives and sites, cabans in the mountains, off-road trails,detailed Danube Delta and many more that you wont find in any other GPSaplications.

    d. In order for you to obtain a VAT free such map of Romania for your Garmin GPS unit,please contact us at [email protected] before ariving in Romania (because, ifyou buy it here, you will also have to pay the Romanian 24% VAT). We are licensedto provide the dowload link and unlock key for each Garmin unit ID. The map can bealso provided in PC version (but no Mac, Android or Windows Mobile versions so far).

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    VI. Acc*'*" +(*n

    a. Just like everywhere in the world, you can usually rely on www.booking.com .

    b. Unfortunately, only a small part of the hotels and pensions in Romania have acontract with booking.com.

    c. However, you can easily find a clean and afordable place to sleep in Romania.Look for Hotel, Pensiune or, in Transylvania, sometimes, Zimmer Frei orPanzio.

    d. The prices are for all pockets. A double room with bathroom normaly costsbetween 80 and 140 lei/night. Sometimes breakfast in included. When it is not,you can still have nice breakfast in the location for good prices (usually about 20lei/person).

    e. Of course, in major cities and resorts, you can also also find expensive/luxuryacomodation if you desire and, anyway, there, the general acomodation pricescan also be a little higher than usual.

    f. Remote or non-touristic rural areas can be sometimes really scarce inacomodation posibilities. In such cases, you should find the hall of the village(Primaria) or the police station (Politia). There you should find guidance. Ifthere are no pensions in the area, please ask the officials to help you in findingbed and breakfast in some local house. As Romanians are hospitable people, thisshouldnt be a problem. In such a case, paying 50 lei (sometimes even less) forone room in a village house should do. Breakfast should usually be about 10-15lei/person.

    g. If you are an independent traveler, then you should arrange your acomodationbefore night falls because, afterwards, it can become quite hard in remote areas.

    h. Campings can be found in most tourist resorts (its the same word in Romanian).They provide only basic services but the rates are very low (few Euros will do).

    i. However, in Romania, you can camp almost everywhere, it is somethingcommon. If you are not in a tourism developed area, village people will usually

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    accept tents in their yards for 1-2 days with no charge. You can also camp inforrests or near the road but, if you dont know how to choose the safe camping

    place, its better not to. j. Camping in the mountains is something very common here. However, before

    camping you should ask the locals if they have bear issues in the area. Bearpopulation in Romania has increased during the last years and they tend tobecome to bold sometimes.

    k. Do not store food inside the tent! This is the best invitation for bears.

    l. Always remember to take away the garbage at departure. The Romaniannature is superbe, please help us keep it this way.

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    VII. F**", Dr(n&, T* cc*

    a. In Romanian supermarkets, prices of most food and beverages products are quitesimilar to the ones in the EU, sometimes smaller or bigger but not so much.Bread, anyway, is much cheaper than in Western Europe (one regular bread is0.7-0.9 lei).

    b. The price for one 0.5 lt local beer can/bottle is about 2.5-3 lei, one bottle of qualitywine is 14-20 lei and the price for one 0.7 lt bottle of well-known brand whisky orvodka is 45-60 lei.

    c. The Romanian traditional alcoholic drink is Tuica (to be pronounced Tzuika). It isa distilled spirit obtained out of fermented plums (also grapes, apples, mirabelles,apricots and pears). It is unanimously appreciated by locals and all tourists whotasted it. It has a special unique flavor. Try it!

    d. Extremelly strong versions of Tuica are to be found in Transylvania region andtheir names are Palinca and Horinca (be very careful with those, youre drunk longbefore you know it!).

    e. You can find Tuica in supermarkets (priced like any other spirit) but it wont beexactly the real thing. The best way to find the true Tuica it is to ask in the villagesfor locals making it at home. That is the best Tuica you can find and it will also bevery cost-effective (10-15 lei/lt no excise).

    f. Romanian wines are well known for their quality. You should definitely try themwhile here. Some very good wineries/brands: Murfatlar, Recas, Castel Huniadi,

    Niculitel, Jidvei, Samburesti, Budureasca, Cotnari, Odobesti. Some exceptionalRomanian grape/wine varieties: Cramposie, Zghihara, Babeasca, Braghina,Feteasca (Alba, Neagra and Regala), Sarba.

    g. Romanian beer, also, has a very good quality, just dont buy the cheapest beeryou can find in supermarkets.

    h. Beer hint: you can buy quality beer for beter price to volume ratio if you choosethe 1 or 2 lt plastic bottles (some good brands: Ursus, Ciuc, Bergenbier,

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    Timisoreana) which can be as low as 7-8 lei/2 lt bottle and 4 lei/1 lt Ursus beerbottle (very good!).

    i. Avoid bottles of wine larger that 0.7 lt or very low priced (under 10 lei): those arelow or no quality. If you dont take this advice, you have all the chances to deeplyregret it, especially after drinking that poison. Also, avoid cheap spirits.

    j. One 20 cigarettes pack is 13-15 lei. As long as its just tobacco, you can smoke onthe street and in open spaces. You can also smoke while driving, in mostbars/pubs, restaurants and clubs. Some of them also have non-smoking areas.You cannot smoke inside institutions, hospitals, trains, buses but this is the sameall over the civilized world.

    k. Towns abound in restaurants and pubs. In the countryside, except from pensionones, the are only few and rare restaurants and a lot of smoky rural bars that itsbetter to be avoided when customers are really drunk. However, along majorroads, you will encounter plenty of restaurants.

    l. Restaurant hint: choose only the restaurants where you see a lot of people,activity and cars in the parking. The food is good and fresh there. Same applies totrucker restaurants along the major roads if you see a lot of trucks in one place.

    m. Also, in towns and cities, between noon and 3 p.m., you can have their daily offer(Meniul Zilei) for very low prices (12-13 lei in towns and 20-25 lei in cities). Itusually includes soup or ciorba (sour soup very good!), main course (e.g. steakand fries or beans with smoked meat) and desert (small cookie or pankakes);sometimes it also includes one 0.5 lt bottle of water. If youre in a hurry, in somemajor gas stations (Petrom, OMV) you can eat quite decent daily meals for 13-20lei (these usually include some schnitzel/pane, fries and Coke). Anyway, itsalways better to eat in a restaurat. Just make sure its not that kind of placeavoided by local people.

    n. Except for few ones in major cities and resorts, Romanian restaurants are non-expensive. You can pay the same price in a regular restaurant as in a McDonalds.For example, without alcohol (but with water and Coke), two people lunch willusually be around 40-60 lei if you dont go for the fancier stuff like seafood, lambcutlet or beef muscle. One soup is between 5-9 lei, including bread, and one maindish should be between 12 and 20 lei. One 0.5 lt bottle of water will be between 4and 5 lei in a restaurant.

    o. In retaurants and pubs, alcoholic drinks are also afordable: one beer is 5-10 lei,one bottle of quality wine is 25-50 lei, spirits are 10-15 lei/50 ml. Certain clubs inmajor cities and tourist resorts might be very expensive, though.

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    /. Gener $ S -e+y n" C*'-*r+ T()%

    a. As previously explained, Romania is a safe and welcoming country.

    b. However, just like everywhere else, few precautions are to be taken.

    c. Avoid walking at night in poor suburbs. Poor villages are safe but, still, its better toavoid walking in dark areas.

    d. Avoid cheap bars where you see a lot of drunk and dubious people.

    e. In moutain areas/towns, do not feed or tease the bears (even if they might seemharmless sometimes, theyre not!). You can enjoy the view but stay within a safedistance, preferably inside a house or a car.

    f. The tap water is drinkable almost everywhere, except Bucharest and few other

    major cities. Ask locals before drinking tap water.

    g. Do not buy alcoholic drinks displayed near the road. In many cases they are fake.

    h. Avoid prostitutes and especially those who pick their clients along the road or inparkings. Imagine the worst.

    i. Danube Delta is unique in the world and its one of the best places to visit inRomania. However during nights, billions of mosquitos unleash their thirst forblood. Have some efficient mosquito repellent skin lotion with you.

    j. Drugs, even Marijuana, are strictly prohibited in Romania and the law is severe,especially when you are caught at border points. Remember this.

    k. Facing penal proceedings is going to be very unpleasant in Romania. Prisonsare quite medieval. Respecting the criminal law is the best way to go so stay outof trouble.

    l. However, if it happens for you to be under investigation remember these fewthings:

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    - in Romania, you have the right to remain silent and you have the right to beassisted by a lawyer;

    - if you cannot pay/appoint a lawyer, you will receive one for free;

    - But: its better not to accept being assisted by a lawyer brought or suggested toyou by your prosecutors because this might not really be your lawyer;

    - if you dont know a trusted lawyer in the area, you can contact us (or ask yourprosecutors to do it they have to) via the contact details on the footer of thisguide or on www.logisticpartner.ro ; we will provide you a very good and trustedlawyer, no matter where you are in Romania; of course, it wont be for free but youwill have the safest and best defense;

    - before making any statements and having any discussions with your prosecutors,its always better to discuss the issues with your lawyer and to be assisted byhim/her during proceedings; in order to do this, you can always say It is my clearintention to cooperate with the prosecution but, in order for me to be correctlydefended, I will make statements only after consulting the lawyer I choose andonly in his/hers presence ;

    - if detained, please imagine your fellow inmates might be informers, no matterwhat they say or how they look/act.

    m. Policemen are usually helpful but also very proud. Its better to avoid arguing withthem unless you really have to. Always express your arguments using a calmtone.

    n. Smiling and showing respect to people and the coutry will always help.

    You might find it useful to print this guide

    and have a copy with you while traveling.

    Have a wonderful stay in incredible Romania!

    www.logisticpartner.ro Your Romanian all-fields connection