Discovering Romania

Synonymous with warm encounters and a rich historical heritage, Romania is the ideal destination for epicureans.

Deeply attached to ancestral traditions, the country is an incredible blend of modernity and rural life. Indeed, horse-drawn carts on country roads can be seen alongside large sedans in the cities.

It is also an amazing fusion of civilizations, making the country so diverse. The cities of Transylvania resemble medieval Hungary, the Orthodox monasteries of Bukovina display Byzantine exoticism, the west of the country reflects the influence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, while Dobruja and the port of Constanța display an atmosphere that is both Roman and Turkish.

For their part, the castles of the Carpathians are home to legends and superstitions surrounding vampires, the most famous of which is Dracula.

Nature also offers plenty of fun for outdoor enthusiasts! Hiking or cycling, skiing, caving, birdwatching in the Danube Delta, bear and wolf watching in the Carpathian region and much more.

Technical specifications:

Capital: BUCHAREST

Official language: Romanian

Currency: The Leu (Lei in the plural)

Value: 1 CAD = 2.96 RON

Area: 238,391 km² (approximately 6.5 times smaller than Quebec)

Population: 20 million

Religion: 86% Orthodox

Formalities: Passport valid for at least 6 months after the return date. No visa required for stays of less than 90 days.

Time difference: +7 hours

Some basic vocabulary:

Hello: buna ziua

Goodbye: The Revedere

Thank you: Mersi or multumesc

Please: va rog

Yes: da

No: naked

Where is…?

How much does it cost? : Cât costa?

I don't understand: nu inteleg

Do you speak French?

I don't speak Romanian: nu vorbesc române ste.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

• the Danube delta;
• the monasteries of Moldavia;
• the Horezu monastery;
• village sites with fortified churches in Transylvania;
• the historic center of Sighişoara;
• the wooden churches of Maramureș;
• the Dacian fortresses of the Orăştie Mountains.

View from the sky:

Located in southeastern Europe, Romania is dominated by the Carpathian Mountains in the north and center. The south is occupied by the vast Danube Valley, with its delta near the Black Sea.

International Airports of Romania:

1. Bucharest Henri Coanda (OTP)
2. Cluj-Napoca (CLJ)
3. Traain-Vuia (TSR)
4. Mihail Kogalniceanu (CND)

The one that mainly concerns Quebecers is, of course, the one in Bucharest.

The total travel time is approximately 13 hours. The price is approximately $1000 per passenger, including taxes.

For those wishing to explore on their own, rental cars and hotels are inexpensive. However, it's best to visit this destination as part of an organized tour, as English is not widely spoken there, if at all!

To give you an idea of the cost of living, here are some indicative prices :

Bread: 0.70 CAD

1-liter bottle of water: 0.96 CAD

3-course menu: 14 CAD - Gratuity not mandatory but 10% is recommended

Bus fare: 0.65 CAD

1 kilometer by taxi: 0.53 CAD

1 liter of gasoline: 1.88 CAD

Must-see places:

• The Apuseni
• Transylvania
• Bucharest
• Bukovina
• Moldova
• The Danube Delta
• The Black Sea coastline
• The Muntenie
• Maramures

With that, I hope I've inspired you to discover this destination!