Expatriates Forums in Romania

Discover Romania and its Neighbors On Line (Video + Stills)

IntrepidBerkeleyExplorer — Thu May 28, 2009 7:00 pm

Author: IntrepidBerkeleyExplorer

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 7:00 pm

My recent film “Draculas Neighborhood” presents Balkan highlights from Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, and Slovenia. Romania comes first.

It includes dictator Ceausescu’s massive palace, fortified churches and the legend of Dracula, Orthodox Church artistic splendor, a Thracian tomb, folk dancing, Belgrade’s citadel, the destruction of Yugoslavia by Milosevic, Sarajevo’s recovery from civil war, and its splendid old town, Mostar’s landmark bridge, the walled city of Dubrovnik, Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, the Postojna Cave, and scenic Lake Bled.

“Draculas Neighborhood” can be seen on the web, if you a high speed internet connection. This is a free, non-commercial, streaming video on the Windows Media Player. No ads and no strings attached. I sell absolutely nothing.

My video site is:

http://www.geocities.com/intrepidberkeleyexplorer/Video.html

The still photo gallery of all six Balkan countries can be viewed with any modem at:

http://www.geocities.com/intrepidberkeleyexplorer/Page30.html

There are over 30 of my other amateur travel videos on-line covering all seven continents. Visit Italy, England, China, Antarctica, Peru, Hawaii, South East Asia, Russia, Mayan Pyramids, American National Parks, Greece, or Turkey; see buffalo, penguins, or polar bears.

The planet is yours, including my Home Page giant galaxy of still pictures at:

http://www.geocities.com/intrepidberkeleyexplorer/

The Intrepid Berkeley Explorer

GETTING AROUND IN ROMANIA / ROMANIA TRANSPORTATION GUIDE

requiem — Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:37 pm

Author: requiem

Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:37 pm

I find this company on wwwdotcitytransfersdotro. at the first beginning I was suspicious because when i was for the first time in Bucharest i have a nasty experience with a taxi driver... it's a long story. But this guys are really great, I never know that I could have so more fun in Romania. Sincerely, they are the best choice for a trip in Bucharest! They know very well the night life in town and ... Bucharest City Transfers, thank you for this two beautiful nights!

very short skirts in Romania ...good or bad ?

jasmine007 — Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:40 pm

Author: jasmine007

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:40 pm

Perhaps many women simply do not have shapely enough legs that can carry off the wearing of a very short skirt gracefully.
Legs have to be more than shapely they also have to be attractive. Nylon stockings make legs more attractive but this is evidently a personal choice .

Not only are our legs not elegant or sexy enough to show off in a very short skirt but our posture isn't observed enough to NOT show off more than we intended. How many times have your eyes been drawn to the sudden hiking of a skirt thigh high? More times than many men would like their wives or partners to know about anyway, I'll bet.
The sudden hiking of a skirt thigh high can be improved upon if the woman is wearing pantyhose nylon stockings. At least these look a bit sexier than the sudden appearance of fish-belly white thighs.

>>>>>But from this woman's perspective, another of the disadvantages of wearing a very short skirt is **********the breeze factor*******. Don't laugh, but getting a sudden gust of cold wind up bare legs is cold and disconcerting, to be polite.<<<<<<<<<

Very short Skirts leave a lot of bare leg open to the elements and this is very disadvantageous as far as most women are concerned.

ROMANIA TRAVEL INFORMATION / ROMANIA TRAVEL GUIDE

etarkoo — Mon Jun 11, 2007 10:06 pm

Author: etarkoo

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 10:06 pm

wikitravel (dot) org/en/Romania

DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN ROMANIA / EMBASSIES IN ROMANIA

Romania Info — Tue May 29, 2007 5:26 am

Author: Romania Info

Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 5:26 am

DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN ROMANIA

ALBANIA
Embassy of Albania
Str. Duiliu Zamfirescu 7,
Sector 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 211-8743/ 9829/ 312-2210
Fax: (+40 21) 210-8039
Email: albemb@dataline.ro

ARGENTINA
Embassy of Argentina
Union Internacional Center,
Str. Ion Campineanu 11,
3rd Floof, Office 301,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 312-2626/ 3044/ 1739
Fax: (+40 21) 312-0116
Email: eruma@mrecic.gov.ar

ARMENIA
Embassy of Armenia
Str. Calotesti 1,
Sector 3,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 312-5930
Fax: (+40 21) 321-5679
Email: armembro@starnets.ro

AUSTRIA
Embassy of Austria
Str. Dumbrava Rosie 7,
Sector 2,
Bucarest
Phone: (+40 21) 210-4354/ 9377/ 0271
Fax: (+40 21) 210-0885
Email: bukarest-ob@bmaa.gv.at

BELARUS
Embassy of Belarus
Sos. Pavel Kiseleff 55,
Villa 6,
Sector 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 223-1776/ 3510
Fax: (+40 21) 223-1763
Email: romania@belembassy.org

BELGIUM
Embassy of Belgium
B-dul Dacia 58,
Sector 2,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 210-2969/ 70
Fax: (+40 21) 210-2803/ 211-1378
Email: bucharest@diplobel.org , ambabuc@ines.ro
Website: www.diplobel.be

BRAZIL
Embassy of Brazil
Str. Praga 11,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 230-1130/ 7825
Fax: (+40 21) 230-1599
Email: braembuc@starnets.com
Website: www.brazil.as.ro

BULGARIA
Embassy of Bulgaria
Strada Rabat 5,
Sector 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 230-2150/ 9
Fax: (+40 21) 230-7654
Email: bulembassy@pcnet.ro

CANADA
Embassy of Canada
Str. N. Iorga 36,
Sector 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 307-5000
Fax: (+40 21) 307-5015
Email: bucst@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Website: www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/bucharest

CHINA
Embassy of China
Str. Nordului 2,
Sector 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 232-8858
Fax: (+40 21) 233-0684
Email: embchina@dial.kappa.ro
Website: www.chinaembassy.org.ro

CROATIA
Embassy of Croatia
Str.Dr. Burghelea 1,
Sector 2,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 313-0457/ 0369
Fax: (+40 21) 313-0384/ 0369
Email: croemb.bucharest@mvp.hr , crobuc@canad.ro

CZECH REPUBLIC
Embassy of the Czech Republic
Str. Ion Ghica 11,
Sector 3,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 303-9230/ 8
Fax: (+40 21) 312-2539
Email: bucharest@embassy.mzv.cz , bukurest@ines.ro
Website: www.mzv.cz/bucharest

DENMARK
Royal Embassy of Denmark
Str. Dr. Burghelea 3,
Sector 2,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40-21) 312-0352/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6
Fax: (+40 21) 312-0358
Email: buhamb@um.dk
Website: www.danishembassy.ro , www.danishembassy.ro

EGYPT
Embassy of Egypt
B-dul Dacia 67,
Sector 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 211-0938/ 9
Fax: (+40 21) 210-0337
Email: egyptemb@canad.ro

FINLAND
Embassy of Finland
Str. Atena 2,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 230-7504/ 45/ 26
Fax: (+40 21) 230-7505
Email: sanomat.buk@formin.fi
Website: www.finlandia.ro

FRANCE
Embassy of France
Str. Biserica Amzei 13-15,
Sector 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 303-1000
Fax: (+40 21) 303-1090
Email: chancellerie.bucarest-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Website: www.ambafrance-ro.org

GERMANY
Embassy of Germany
Str. Av. Cpt. Gheorghe Demetriade 6-8,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 202-9830/ 53/ 230-2830/ 2580/ 2680/ 2780/ 2645/ 2745
Fax: (+40 21) 230-5846/ 202-9869
Email: botschaft@deutschebotschaft-bukarest.ro
Website: www.bukarest.diplo.de

GREECE
Embassy of Greece
Pache Protopopescu 1-3,
Sector 2,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 200-4170/ 4
Fax: (+40 21) 209-4175
Email: hellas@com.pcnet.ro
Website: www.grembassy.ro

HUNGARY
Embassy of Hungary
Str. Jean-Louis Calderon 63-65
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 312-0073/ 3281/ 3225/ 3285/ 311-1542
Fax: (+40 21) 312-0467
Email: hunembro@ines.ro
Website: www.hungaryemb.ines.ro

INDIA
Embassy of India
Str. Uruguay 11,
Sector 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 222-5451/ 8715
Fax: (+40 21) 223-2681
Email: sscom@embassyofindia.ro , indem@dnt.ro
Website: www.embassyofindia.ro

INDONESIA
Embassy of Indonesia
Strada Orlando 10,
Sector 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 312-0742/ 3/ 4
Fax: (+40 21) 312-0214
Email: indo.bucharest@itcnet.ro
Website: www.indonezia.ro

IRELAND
Embassy of Ireland
Str. Vasile Lascar 42-44,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 212-1560
Fax: (+40 21) 212-1561

ISRAEL
Embassy of Israel
Blvd. Dimitrie Cantemir 1,
Block B2, 5th Floor,
Sector 4,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 330-4149/ 99
Fax: (+40 21) 330-0750
Email: info@bucharest.mfa.gov.il

ITALY
Embassy of Italy
Strada Henri Coanda 9,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 311-3465/ 70/ 231-5054/ 312-9673
Fax: (+40 21) 312-0422/ 4269
Email: primosegretario@ambitalia.ro , segreteria@ambitalia.ro
Website: www.ambitalia.ro

JAPAN
Embassy of Japan
Str. Polona 4,
Sector 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 210-0790/ 1/ 2
Fax: (+40 21) 210-0272/ 7718
Email: embjpn@euroweb.ro
Website: www.ro.emb-japan.go.jp

MALAYSIA
Embassy of Malaysia
Str. Pta Cantacuzino 1,
3rd Floor, Office 8,
Sector 2,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 211-3801/ 2
Fax: (+40 21) 210-0270
Email: mwbucrst@ictnet.ro

MEXICO
Embassy of Mexico
Str. Mihai Eminescu 124C,
Office 13-14,
Sector 2,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 210-4417/ 4728/ 4577
Fax: (+40 21) 210-4713

MOROCCO
Embassy of Morocco
B-dul Dacia 75,
Sectorr 2,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 317-4124
Fax: (+40 21) 317-4144
Email: ambamarbuc@ambasadamaroc.ro
Website: www.ambasadamaroc.ro

NETHERLANDS
Royal Embassy of the Netherlands
Str. Atena 18,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 208-6030
Fax: (+40 21) 230-7620
Email: bkr@minbuza.nl
Website: www.olanda.ro

NORWAY
Royal Embassy of Norway
Str. Dumbrava Rosie 4,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 210-0274/ 6/ 7
Fax: (+40 21) 210-0275
Email: emb.bucharest@mfa.no
Website: www.norvegia.ro

PHILIPPINES
Embassy of the Philippines
Str. Carol Davila 105-107,
5th Floor, Office 10-11,
Sector 5,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 224-8058/ 70/ 167
Fax: (+40 21) 223-3500
Email: daciafil@dnt.ro

POLAND
Embassy of Poland
Aleea Alexandru 23,
Sector 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 230-2330
Fax: (+40 21) 230-7832
Email: ambasada@bukareszt.ro
Website: www.bukareszt.ro

PORTUGAL
Embassy of Portugal
Str. Paris No. 55,
Sector 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 230-4136/ 4118
Fax: (+40 21) 230-4117/ 8
Email: emporrom@fx.ro
Website: www.embportugal.ro

RUSSIA
Embassy of Russia
Sos. Pavel Kiseleff 6,
Sector 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 222-3170/ 3459
Fax: (+40 21) 222-9450
Email: rab@mb.roknet.ro
Website: www.romania.mid.ru

SLOVAKIA
Embassy of Slovakia
Str. Otetari 1-3,
Sector 2,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 312-6822/ 3/ 5
Fax: (+40 21) 615-0338/ 312-2435
Email: slovakembassy@b.astral.ro , zusrbuh@fx.ro

SOUTH KOREA
Embassy of South Korea
Blvd. Mircea Eliade 14,
Sector 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 230-7198
Fax: (+40 21) 230-7629
Email: koerom@mofat.go.kr
Website: www.uriel.net/~romemb

SPAIN
Embassy of Spain
Str. Tyrannous 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 230-1730/ 0288
Fax: (+40 21) 230-7626
Email: embespro@mail.mae.es

SWEDEN
Royal Embassy of Sweden
Str. Sofia 5,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 230-2693
Fax: (+40 21) 230-6256
Email: ambassaden.bukarest@foreign.ministry.se
Website: www.swedishembassy.ro

SWITZERLAND
Embassy of Switzerland
Str. Grigore Alexandrescu 16-20,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 206-1600
Fax: (+40 21) 206-1620
Email: vertretung@buc.rep.admin.ch
Website: www.eda.admin.ch/bucarest

THAILAND
Royal Embassy of Thailand
Str. Vasile Conta 12,
Sector 2,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 311-0031/ 67/ 78
Fax: (+40 21) 311-0044/ 0145
Email: thaibuh@fx.ro

TURKEY
Embassy of Turkey
Calea Dorobantilor 72,
Sector 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 210-0279/ 3715
Fax: (+40 21) 210-0407
Email: bukres.be@mfa.gov.tr

UKRAINE
Embassy of Ukraine
Calea Dorobantilor 16,
Sector 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 211-6986/ 55/ 24
Fax: (+40 21) 211-6949
Email: emb_ro@mfa.gov.ua , emb_ukr@itcnet.ro

UK
British Embassy
Str. Jules Michelet 24,
Sector 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 201-7200
Fax: (+40 21) 201-7299/ 7317
Website: www.britishembassy.gov.uk/romania

USA
Embassy of the United States
Str. Tudor Arghezi 7-9,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 21) 210-4042/ 0149/ 6384
Fax: (+40 21) 210-0395
Website: www.usembassy.ro , www.bucharest.usembassy.gov

VENEZUELA
Embassy of Venezuela
Str. Pictor Mirea 18,
Sector 1,
Bucharest
Phone: (+40 1) 222-5874/ 4311
Fax: (+40 21) 222-6183/ 5073
Email: embavero@kappa.ro

HOTELS DIRECTORY IN ROMANIA / ROMANIA HOTEL GUIDE

Romania Info — Mon May 28, 2007 9:30 am

Author: Romania Info

Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 9:30 am

HOTELS DIRECTORY IN ROMANIA

BUCHAREST

Athenee Palace Hilton
Str. Episcopiei 1-3,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 303-3777
Fax: +40 21 315-3813
Email: sales.bucharest@hilton.com
Website: www.hilton.com

Centre Ville Aparthotel
Str. Luterana 2-4,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 312-7070
Fax: +40 21 312-0927
Email: centreville@hbu.ro
Website: www.centreville.ro

Class Hotel
Str. Garlei 30A,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 233-2814/ 3
Fax: +40 21 233-2886
Email: reservation@class-hotel.ro
Website: www.class-hotel.ro

Crowne Plaza Bucharest
B-dul Poligrafiei 1,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 224-0034
Fax: +40 21 318-1302
Email: reservations@crowneplaza.ro
Website: www.bucharest.crowneplaza.com

El Greco
Str. Jean Louis Calderon 16,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 315-8131/ 9000
Fax: +40 21 315-8898
Email: office@hotelelgreco.ro
Website: www.hotelelgreco.ro

Golden Tulip Bucharest
Calea Victoriei 166,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 212-5558
Fax: +40 21 212-5121
Email: reservation@goldentulipbucharest.com
Website: www.goldentulipbucharest.com

Golden Tulip Sky Gate
Calea Bucurestilor 283,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 203-6500
Fax: +40 21 203-6510
Email: office@goldentulipskygate.com
Website: www.goldentulipskygate.com

Golden Tulip Times
B-dul Decebal 19,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 316-6516
Fax: +40 21 316-6517
Email: reservations@goldentuliptimes.com
Website: www.goldentuliptimes.com

Hotel Stil
Str. Nicolae Caramfil 63,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 233-3990/ 72
Fax: +40 21 233-3971
Email: office@hotelstil.ro
Website: www.hotelstil.ro

Howard Johnson Grand Plaza
Calea Dorobantilor 5-7,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 201-5000
Fax: +40 21 201-1888
Email: sales@hojoplaza.ro
Website: www.hojoplaza.ro

Intercontinental
B-dul Nicolae Bălcescu 2-4,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 310-2020
Fax: +40 21 312-0486
Email: bucharest@interconti.ro
Website: www.intercontinental.com

JW Marriott Grand Hotel
Calea 13 Septembrie 90,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 403-0000
Fax: +40 21 403-0001
Email: marriott.bucharest@marriotthotels.com
Website: www.jwmarriott.ro

K+K Hotel Elisabeta
Str. Slanic 26,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 311-8631
Fax: +40 21 311-8632
Email: hotel.elisabeta@kkhotels.co.ro
Website: www.kkhotels.com

Le Boutique Hotel Moxa
Str. Mihail Moxa 4,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 650-5555
Fax: +40 21 650-6666
Email: sales@hotelmoxa.com
Website: www.hotelmoxa.ro

Lido
B-dul Magheru 5-7,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 314-4930
Fax: +40 21 312-1414
Email: hotel@lido.ro
Website: www.lido.ro

NH Bucharest
B-dul Mircea Voda 21,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 300-0545
Fax: +40 21 317-9154
Email: nhbucharest@nh-hotels.com
Website: www.nh-hotels.com

Novotel Bucharest City Centre
Calea Victoriei 37B,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 312-5114
Fax: +40 21 313-1137
Email: H5558@accor.com
Website: www.novotel.com

Parliament Hotel
Str. Izvor 106,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 411-9990
Fax: +40 21 411-9991
Email: reservations@parliament-hotel.ro
Website: www.parliament-hotel.ro

Phoenicia Grand Hotel
B-dul Alexandru Serbanescu 87,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 300-0888
Fax: +40 21 300-0885
Email: reservation@phoenicia.ro
Website: www.phoenicia.ro

Ramada Bucharest North
Str. Daniel Danielopolu 44A,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 233-5000
Fax: +40 21 233-5001
Email: sales@ramadabucharestnorth.ro
Website: www.ramadainternational.com

Ramada Majestic
Calea Victoriei 38-40,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 310-2720/ 72
Fax: +40 21 310-2799
Email: reservations@ramadamajestic.ro
Website: www.ramadamajestic.ro

Sofitel
P-ta Montreal 10,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 318-3000/ 316-2500
Fax: +40 21 316-2550
Email: reservation@sofitel.ro
Website: www.sofitel.com

ROMANIA TOURISM GUIDE / TOURISM IN ROMANIA

Romania Info — Mon May 28, 2007 8:29 am

Author: Romania Info

Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 8:29 am

ROMANIA TOURISM GUIDE

BUCHAREST

Legend says that the Romanian capital was founded by a shepherd called Bucur, whose name is recognisable in the Romanian version of the name Bucharesti. Located midway between the Carpathian Mountains and the Black Sea, in southeastern Romania, Bucharest has not earned the nickname ‘Paris of the Balkans’ by accident. Its astonishing range of architecture – from Wallachian wooden and bell-towered mansions to Byzantine-style chapels, neo-classical buildings, striking 1930s modernism and even the post-Stalinist absurdities of Ceaucescu’s megalomaniac regime – cannot help but leave the visitor in awe at the varieties of vision that have taken place in this city over the centuries. But Bucharest has also been the epicentre of the country’s many upheavals, with the stages of the country’s history like vivid tattoos etched across the city’s surface, each telling a different chapter of the story. There are a number of buildings which are of constant interest to visitors: The 19th-century Roman Atheneum, the Palace of the CEC, the University, the Palace of Justice, the Town Hall and the Old Parliament Building, built in 1907. Churches of interest include the 18th-century Stravropoleos and the 17th-century Partriarchal Cathedral. Bucharest is also home to the second largest building in the world, after the Pentagon. The Parliament Palace, built in the 1989, was initially called the People's Palace and it admired for both its colossal size and its exceptional facilities.

Among the most important streets in Bucharest is Calea Victoriei (Victory Road) which holds the The Vernescu House and The George Enescu Museum (Museum of Collections). Boulevards Gh. Magheru, Carol I, Calea Mosilor, Calea Dorobantilor and Soseaua Kiseleff are also important. The Romanian capital has many interesting museums such as The Museum of the Romanian Peasant which was awarded the 'European Museum of the Year' in 1994, The Museum of History of Bucharest, The National History Museum of Romania, The Art Museum of Romania (situated in the former royal palace) and the National Museum Cotroceni within the Cotroceni Palace.

Bucharest now boasts trendy bars and clubs, some capitalising on the history of Vlad the Impaler, Bucharest’s most infamous son, with cobwebs and dank underground dancefloors. Beyond Bucharest are the palaces of Mogosoaia, Buftea and Heresti and old buildings and monasteries in Snagov, Cernica, Pasarea, Caldarusani and Tiganesti.

BLACK SEA COAST

This coastline is the principal tourist area of Romania and ideal for family holidays. Its 70km (43 miles) of fine white sandy beaches boasts many resorts, the main ones being Costinesti, Eforie Nord, Eforie Sud, Jupiter, Mamaia, Mangalia, Navodari, Neptun, Olimp, Saturn, Techirghiol, Venus and Aurora. There are boating centres for watersports on the sea and lakes, and both daytime and evening cruises. The curative properties of the salt waters and the mud from Lake Techirghiol (whose thermal springs have a year-round temperature of 24°C/75°F), Mangalia, Eforie and Neptun make the Romanian Riviera popular with those seeking spa treatments, especially for rheumatism. The Greek/Byzantine port of Constanta, founded in the sixth century BC, merits a visit, and inland there are interesting archaeological sites including the ancient Greek city ruins of Histria, Tomis and Callatis. The area is inhabited by foxes, otters, wildcats and boars and in the migratory periods one can see over 300 species of birds.

DANUBE DELTA

Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, this vast expanse of protected watery wilderness in the north of the Romanian Black Sea coast comprises three main arms of the Danube with numerous little waterways, wetlands, small patches of forest and a rich and varied wildlife. The backwaters can be explored by fishing boat or floating hotel, and several hotels and campsites welcome visitors. The main town of the Delta is Tulcea with its excellent Danube Delta Museum.

CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS

This beautiful and densely forested mountainous area lends itself to many sporting and leisure activities such as skiing, bob-sleighing, horseriding and tennis. Situated in picturesque valleys and on mountain slopes are many health and winter resorts, open all year round and well equipped with ski-hire facilities. The major resorts are: Borsa, Busteni, Durau, Paltinis, Poiana Brasov and Predeal (both of which have illuminated ski slopes), Semenic and Sinaia (bob-sleigh tracks). All are equipped to cater for a long winter sports season running from December to April. Spectacular mountain lakes are found in the Fagaras and Retezat ranges, and caves in the Apuseni, Bihor and Mehedinti regions. The Hurezi Monastery, in the Vâlcea county, has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.

BUKOVINA

An area in the northern Carpathian foothills which has unique churches and monasteries with exceptional frescoes dating back 500 years. Sucevita is the home of a monastery with the largest number of frescoes in the region. 29km (18 miles) west of Sucevita is Moldovita, renowned for its spectacular paintings. The Moldavian region has 48 monasteries in total, nearly all of them built to celebrate victories over the Turks in the 14th and 15th centuries. There are also numerous beautiful old churches, notable for their painted exterior walls decorated with 15th- and 16th-century Byzantine frescoes. Seven of them are now included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

TRANSYLVANIA

Since Roman times, Romanian spas have been known for their miraculous healing powers. Transylvania holds many well-equipped spa towns, such as Baile Felix, Baile Herculane, Covasna and Sovata, some of which have facilities offering acupuncture, acupressure and slimming cures. It is here that the myth of Dracula, immortalised in Bram Stoker’s famous novel, originated. The original Dracula was a medieval King known as ‘Vlad the Impaler’, owing to his unpleasant habits. One of Vlad’s original abodes is Bran Castle; set in a commanding position, with its thick walls and peaked tower, it offers a dramatic view and a chilling atmosphere (tours are available to Bran Castle from the mountain resort of Poiana Brasov, where it is possible to ski in winter and undertake mountain climbing and walking in summer). From here it's possible to travel to Sibiu which has a great market. Transylvania is also known for its numerous Saxon fortified churches, including the Biertan Church, which stands on top of a hill overlooking the village of Biertan and is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site.