Review or the actual done is indicated in RED.
Itinerary
Flights
17-Jul-15, 02:00-06:45 (5h45m), TK781, DOH-IST
17-Jul-15, 07:45-09:05 (1h20m), TK1043, IST-OTP
20-Jul-15, 21:50-23:15 (1h25m), TK1046, OTP-IST
21-Jul-15, 00:30-04:40 (3h10m), TK782, IST-DOH
As suggested by Romanian Tourism
Itinerary: Bucharest - Sinaia - Brasov - Sighisoara - Sibiu
Duration: 5 days
Best way of transportation: train or car
» Day 1: Bucharest
Explore Bucharest, the capital of Romania. In the evening enjoy a concert by George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra or travel to Valea Calugareasca, one of the top Romanian wine regions. After wine tasting and dinner return to Bucharest.
» Day 2: Bucharest - Sinaia - Brasov (103 miles/ 166 km)
Drive or take the train to Sinaia and visit the Peles Castle. Built in 1883, Peles Castle is a masterpiece of German Renaissance architecture. The smaller Pelisor Castle features a unique collection of Viennese furniture and Tiffany glassware. Continue straight to Brasov or from Predeal take a 25 miles detour to the village of Bran to visit the 14th century Bran (Dracula’s) Castle then continue to Brasov. Overnight in Brasov.
» Day 3: Brasov - Sighisoara (72 miles/ 116 km)
Sightseeing in Brasov. Highlights include: the Council Square, the beautiful Saint Nicholas Church, Brasov Fortress, Franciscan Monastery. Do not miss the Black Church whose name is attributed to a fire set in 1689 by disgruntled invaders unable to breach the city’s walls. Ever since, the church and its red-tiled roof have been ash-stained. For a panoramic view of Brasov and the surrounding Carpathians Mountains take the cable car to Postavarul Peak in Poiana Brasov.
» Day 4: Day-trip to Sibiu (110 miles/ 178 km)
Sightseeing in Sibiu. Highlights include: Craftsmen’s Square, Huet Square and Evangelical Church, Bridge of Lies, Goldsmith Square, Great Square, Orthodox Cathedral, Roman Catholic Church, City Hall Tower. Take an afternoon train/ drive back to Sighisoara or continue to Brasov. Overnight in Sighisoara or in Brasov.
» Day 5: Return to Bucharest (175 miles/ 282 km)
or continue your journey to the Painted Monasteries in Bucovina.
As suggested by TripAdvisor
Do Bucharest another time.
Rent a car, drive straight from the airport to Sinaia on Friday morning (it's somewhat less crowded), then go to Bran in the afternoon and on to Brasov.
Visit Brasov on Saturday morning, then in the afternoon head to Sighisoara with a detour to Viscri fortified church. Visit Sighisoara in the evening.
On Sunday morning drive to Sibiu and spend the day visiting the city.
On Monday morning head to Bucharest via the Transfagarasan road.
If you need to choose, go for Peles castle and Viscri church.
Actual Itinerary done
Day 1 (17-Jul-15)
Arrived in Bucharest Otopeni Airport in the morning.
House of Parlement.
Joined Free Walking Tour
Stayed at Bucharest.
Day 2 (18-Jul-15)
Joined tour to Sinaia for Peles Castle and Monastery, Bran Castle and Brasov.
Stayed in Brasov.
Day 3 (19-Jul-15)
By train to Sighisoara.
Walking around Sighisoara for about 2 hours, by train to Sibiu.
Stayed in Sibiu.
Day 4 (20-Jul-15)
By train to Bucharest.
Places
Bucharest
- Parliament Palace, the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon.
Lesson learnt: the tourist entrance is in the north side, or at the old town/ river direction. Somebody directed me wrong, that caused me walking around such a big complex in the hot day!
Joined the mandatory guided tour (if you are lucky you will get a good guide, mine was boring one). Several options for the tour, in addition to regular tour, you can add terrace and basement. The terrace is closed till 2017, so I added basement, paid 30 Lei in total, which was not worth it actually, basement was boring.
- Calea Victory, Bucharest's oldest and most charming street
Some interesting points, including the statue of a man holding a dog in front of a museum.
- Arch of Triumph
Too far, and was under construction as seen from bus from airport.
- Romanian Athenaeum
Didn't have time to check the inside. Couldn't find info on opening times.
Sinaia
- Peles Castle
Bran Castle
http://www.bran-castle.com/
Opening Hour:
Tue–Sun: 9AM - 6PM
Brasov - Bran (route DN73/E574 30Km, 45 mins trip time)
Bus terminal No. 2 Brasov, provides regular rides between Brasov and Bran - Moeciu and return trips, with departures at every 30min, and at every hour during weekends.
Duration: Approx 45min
Frequency: 30min week days, 1hr weekends
Fare: Approx €1.2 (5 Lei) /ride
Brasov
- Black Church, largest gothic church in Romania.
- Town Hall Square, admire the colorfully painted and ornately trimmed baroque buildings fringing
- Council Square, said to be the spot to which the legendary Pied Piper led the childrem of Hamlin.
Sighisoara
- History Museum inside the 800 year old Clock Tower where we can enjoy a magnificent view over the old town.
- The Citadel
- Vlad Dracul's House restaurant
- Church on the Hill
Passed through roofed passage. There is the oldest school in Romania up there. Not much to see up there. Pay 5 Lei for the church entrance. There was cemetery outside the church.
- Spent only 2 hours to complete strolling the old city, small enough to see everything in 2 hours.
Sibiu
- stroll in the magnificent old center with the large and small squares, Catholic Church and Liar's Bridge.
- Cozia Monastery, the oldest and most complex historical and art monument in Romania.
- Council Tower
Paid 2 Lei after visit, to climb the tower. Open at 10:00.
Accommodation
Bucharest:
- Pura Vida Hostel
http://sky.puravidahostels.ro/
Paid 45 Lei for 6 beds dorm.
Great location inside the old town.
But room was cramped with beds, shower cabins were too small, even the entrance is a narrow alley. Their selling point, the sky bar was also small, and the door to the rooftop was locked when the bar is not opened (open only at night).
Noisy at night due to nearby bars.
I arrived before the check in time on 17 July 2015, when I ask the girl in the reception any idea what to do during the waiting time, she just handed over all the pamphlets and maps she had, not really friendly. Next time I will book Antique Hostel.
- Antique Hostel
Brasov
- JugendStube Hostel
- Centrum House Hostel
Paid 55 Lei for 10 beds dorm.
Located in the edge of the cobbled street of old town, it is great location.
The staff was super nice, both the girl and the boy.
It was a bit difficult to find the entrance of the hostel though.
The room is average, if I could say, the ladder design to the upper bed was nice.
The wifi was really poor during my stay on 18-July-2015.
- Kismet Dao Hostel
- Hostel Mara
- Boemia Hostel
Sibiu
- Smart Hostel
- Welt Hostel
Booked this place since Smart Hostel was full.
Paid 50 Lei per night, booked 4 beds dorm, but they gave 6 beds dorm but stayed alone in the room.
Really really unfortunate with this hotel, they have such a great location, nice surrounding, nice building and interior (first investment), but they are poor in maintenance and management.
When I stayed on 19 July 2015, it was not cleaned enough, i.e. there was food remaining on the floor in my room, the bathroom floor was dirty, the common rubbish can was full.
The staff was not attended, there was no hostel staff when I arrived, the bar staff was attended me, but she didn't know which room should she gave it to me.
There was no information on day tour or what to do. Even the staff had no good knowledge about the city since he was just part time job foreign student. The hostel guide pamphlet, the English one was finished, only Romanian and German ones were plenty, no city maps, no other information.
Really really felt sorry for the good first investment and idea to establish this hostel, but not followed by good management and maintenance.
The bar staff, after the bar was closed, put a high volume of music in the ground floor bar, even after midnight, screaming and enjoyed themselves like in their own room.
The shower covers were broken, the toilet door knobs were broken...
They really should change the management. What a waste of investment.
No wonder when their competitor, Smart Hostel was full, they were empty.
The room I was placed was so spacious, they should have put the locker inside the room, instead in the corridor.
- PanGeea Hostel
Sighisoara
- Panorama Guesthouse
- Pensiune Citadela Sighisoara
Transportation and Tour
Train
http://www.cfrcalatori.ro/
- Train is not comfortable, the AC is not cool enough. Also it runs so slow and always delay minimum 30 minutes.
- A bit complex with the ticket booking system. Didn't try online booking, but that should be the better way to buy a ticket. Tried to buy Sibiu-Bucharest ticket, two days before the day in Brasov and Sighisoara, but informed the ticket was sold out. But when I tried again in Sibiu station one day before the departure day, there were plenty of tickets.
- Train stations are located a bit separated from the old town. Brasov, about 10-15 minutes by bus. Sighisoara, about 20-25 minutes walk. Sibiu, about 15-20 minutes walk.
- Sibiu-Bucharest, paid 75.50 Lei, bought before the day in Sibiu station. Scheduled departure was 11:01, but only departed about 11:30. Scheduled arrival was 16:15, but only arrived about 17:30.
Bus (intercity)
http://www.autogari.ro/?lang=en
Didn't have tried the inter city bus.
Tried to buy a bus ticket at Sibiu Transmixt bus terminal, was there on about 20:00, wanted to buy Sibiu-Bucharest bus depart on 10:55 the next day, but the guy in the entrance told me I need to come again after 05:00 the next day to buy the bus ticket for 10:55 departure. That time he said I could only buy the ticket for 05:35 departure.
Bus (inside cities)
- Bucharest
Ticket is only sold in the box in some bus stops, which opens only up to 20:00. So after 20:00 it is impossible to buy ticket to ride on bus.
- Brasov
Inconveniently, the train station is far from the old town (the local called it Centrum), so bus ride (or taxi) is better, around 10-15 minutes ride. One ride is 2 Lei.
From/to Airport
Bus 783 from airport to the downtown. I think better to get down at Piata Universitate to go to the old town, because after this stop, the bus will go passing over the Piata Unirii.
To get in the bus from Piata Unirii to the airport, the bus stop is under "Coca-Cola" big sign on the top of the building around Piata Unirii.
Ticket/card is bought in the airport for 2 ways, so no need to buy again to return to the airport, paid 9 Lei.
Two Castles in One day tour by Travel Maker
Paid EUR 69, not including entrance tickets.
Our guide, Mr. Servan Riga, has really rich knowledge in Romanian historical, cultural, political, to tell us interestingly, frequently in funny way during the trip. He even acted as the official guide in Peles Castle!
I enjoyed much the trip.
Free Walkabout Walking Tour in Bucharest
Every day, 10:00 and 18:00, gathering at Piata Unirii under the Clock.
Our guide, Andre, a local medical student, very passionate and funny.
Enjoyed the tour, though the day was so hot.
Eat
Bucharest
- Caru'cu Bere, means Beer Wagon
Locals informed me it is the best restaurant in Bucharest.
I can agree with them. It was shown that they opened 1879.
The place is inside the old town, the inside, is very cool, just like in the old time.
The rotating door was a bit scary though.
The staff dressed cutely in green and white.
Lesson learnt: don't ask recommendation from the waiter in restaurants in Bucharest.
Here, I asked recommendation, the waiter recommended T-Bone steak! Later on, locals informed me I should have ordered other Romanian traditional dishes.
The second time I came here, I ordered Mititei (minced kebab) and Ciorba (sour soup) which were good. They made their own beer, which was good beer.
Price example: original draft beer (10 Lei), Ciorba Burta (13 Lei), Mititei (4.9 Lei each), Legume Gratar or vegetable side dish (13 Lei).
- La Mama
There are several branches in the city. I went to the new opened one inside the old town.
Ordered the traditional rolled cabbage and ciorba.
The taste was OK.
- Others
I didn't try, but others budget options include many kebab shops also in the old town.
Brasov
- Restaurant Sergiana
Recommended by local hostel staff. Open till 01:00. Popular, I came about 20:00 but it was full, so I came again at 22:00.
The food was good, spent 37.70 Lei for a soup (Ciorba Ardelen, 11.5 Lei), grilled pork with vegetable (Ceafa Porc, 16.6 Lei + Salata de Varz, 4.6 Lei) and a draft beer (Ursus draft, 5 Lei), so the price is good too, but the service of the waiter was terrible, no smile at all and looked impatient, most probably because she was too tired, serving me at 22:00. There was still bread crust on my table. Worse, she said tip is not included when she gave me the bill!
Sighisoara
- Vlad Dracul's House restaurant
Paid 39 Lei, ordered Dracula Stew and Apple Cider. Not bad and not that expensive.
Sibiu
- Crama Sibiana
Found in Google Map, also on Wikitravel. In Wikitravel, it is said Celler/basement restaurant, but the one I went was outside, near Piata Mica (the Small Square).
Ordered noodle soup (Supa Rasol, 7 Lei) and Transylvanian pork stew (Tochitura Taraneasca, 24 Lei) and beer (CIUC Halba, 5.5 Lei). Good taste and good price.
- Cafe Wien
Didn't actually dine in, but enjoyed the sunset view, probably the best sunset view in town, and enjoyed also live music outside the cafe.
Phone
I bought the local SIM card from Vodafone at the kiosk in airport arrival gate. The lady was nice and kind, helping me setting up. The price was 55 lei, with 1GB internet. The Orange one is the same price, but only got 250MB internet, so I bought Vodafone.
Money
- I used only ATMs, which available everywhere. Some ATMs I couldn't use my card, but others were OK. I could use my card at Transylvania Bank ATM, but not at Volksbank and BRD's.
- Credit cards, many shop required PIN. I don't have PIN (or I forgot?!) and normally I only have to sign, so in some shops I couldn't use it.
- Rate during my stay, RON 1 = JPY 30.5. Locals take EUR 1 = RON 45.
Missed Things or Things I Will Do Next Time I Visit Romania
- Rent a car and visit remote villages, fortress and churches, also passing Transfagaran road.
Itinerary
Flights
17-Jul-15, 02:00-06:45 (5h45m), TK781, DOH-IST
17-Jul-15, 07:45-09:05 (1h20m), TK1043, IST-OTP
20-Jul-15, 21:50-23:15 (1h25m), TK1046, OTP-IST
21-Jul-15, 00:30-04:40 (3h10m), TK782, IST-DOH
As suggested by Romanian Tourism
Itinerary: Bucharest - Sinaia - Brasov - Sighisoara - Sibiu
Duration: 5 days
Best way of transportation: train or car
» Day 1: Bucharest
Explore Bucharest, the capital of Romania. In the evening enjoy a concert by George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra or travel to Valea Calugareasca, one of the top Romanian wine regions. After wine tasting and dinner return to Bucharest.
» Day 2: Bucharest - Sinaia - Brasov (103 miles/ 166 km)
Drive or take the train to Sinaia and visit the Peles Castle. Built in 1883, Peles Castle is a masterpiece of German Renaissance architecture. The smaller Pelisor Castle features a unique collection of Viennese furniture and Tiffany glassware. Continue straight to Brasov or from Predeal take a 25 miles detour to the village of Bran to visit the 14th century Bran (Dracula’s) Castle then continue to Brasov. Overnight in Brasov.
» Day 3: Brasov - Sighisoara (72 miles/ 116 km)
Sightseeing in Brasov. Highlights include: the Council Square, the beautiful Saint Nicholas Church, Brasov Fortress, Franciscan Monastery. Do not miss the Black Church whose name is attributed to a fire set in 1689 by disgruntled invaders unable to breach the city’s walls. Ever since, the church and its red-tiled roof have been ash-stained. For a panoramic view of Brasov and the surrounding Carpathians Mountains take the cable car to Postavarul Peak in Poiana Brasov.
» Day 4: Day-trip to Sibiu (110 miles/ 178 km)
Sightseeing in Sibiu. Highlights include: Craftsmen’s Square, Huet Square and Evangelical Church, Bridge of Lies, Goldsmith Square, Great Square, Orthodox Cathedral, Roman Catholic Church, City Hall Tower. Take an afternoon train/ drive back to Sighisoara or continue to Brasov. Overnight in Sighisoara or in Brasov.
» Day 5: Return to Bucharest (175 miles/ 282 km)
or continue your journey to the Painted Monasteries in Bucovina.
As suggested by TripAdvisor
Do Bucharest another time.
Rent a car, drive straight from the airport to Sinaia on Friday morning (it's somewhat less crowded), then go to Bran in the afternoon and on to Brasov.
Visit Brasov on Saturday morning, then in the afternoon head to Sighisoara with a detour to Viscri fortified church. Visit Sighisoara in the evening.
On Sunday morning drive to Sibiu and spend the day visiting the city.
On Monday morning head to Bucharest via the Transfagarasan road.
If you need to choose, go for Peles castle and Viscri church.
Actual Itinerary done
Day 1 (17-Jul-15)
Arrived in Bucharest Otopeni Airport in the morning.
House of Parlement.
Joined Free Walking Tour
Stayed at Bucharest.
Day 2 (18-Jul-15)
Joined tour to Sinaia for Peles Castle and Monastery, Bran Castle and Brasov.
Stayed in Brasov.
Day 3 (19-Jul-15)
By train to Sighisoara.
Walking around Sighisoara for about 2 hours, by train to Sibiu.
Stayed in Sibiu.
Day 4 (20-Jul-15)
By train to Bucharest.
Places
Bucharest
- Parliament Palace, the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon.
Lesson learnt: the tourist entrance is in the north side, or at the old town/ river direction. Somebody directed me wrong, that caused me walking around such a big complex in the hot day!
Joined the mandatory guided tour (if you are lucky you will get a good guide, mine was boring one). Several options for the tour, in addition to regular tour, you can add terrace and basement. The terrace is closed till 2017, so I added basement, paid 30 Lei in total, which was not worth it actually, basement was boring.
- Calea Victory, Bucharest's oldest and most charming street
Some interesting points, including the statue of a man holding a dog in front of a museum.
- Arch of Triumph
Too far, and was under construction as seen from bus from airport.
- Romanian Athenaeum
Didn't have time to check the inside. Couldn't find info on opening times.
Sinaia
- Peles Castle
Bran Castle
http://www.bran-castle.com/
Opening Hour:
Tue–Sun: 9AM - 6PM
Brasov - Bran (route DN73/E574 30Km, 45 mins trip time)
Bus terminal No. 2 Brasov, provides regular rides between Brasov and Bran - Moeciu and return trips, with departures at every 30min, and at every hour during weekends.
Duration: Approx 45min
Frequency: 30min week days, 1hr weekends
Fare: Approx €1.2 (5 Lei) /ride
Brasov
- Black Church, largest gothic church in Romania.
- Town Hall Square, admire the colorfully painted and ornately trimmed baroque buildings fringing
- Council Square, said to be the spot to which the legendary Pied Piper led the childrem of Hamlin.
Sighisoara
- History Museum inside the 800 year old Clock Tower where we can enjoy a magnificent view over the old town.
- The Citadel
- Vlad Dracul's House restaurant
- Church on the Hill
Passed through roofed passage. There is the oldest school in Romania up there. Not much to see up there. Pay 5 Lei for the church entrance. There was cemetery outside the church.
- Spent only 2 hours to complete strolling the old city, small enough to see everything in 2 hours.
Sibiu
- stroll in the magnificent old center with the large and small squares, Catholic Church and Liar's Bridge.
- Cozia Monastery, the oldest and most complex historical and art monument in Romania.
- Council Tower
Paid 2 Lei after visit, to climb the tower. Open at 10:00.
Accommodation
Bucharest:
- Pura Vida Hostel
http://sky.puravidahostels.ro/
Paid 45 Lei for 6 beds dorm.
Great location inside the old town.
But room was cramped with beds, shower cabins were too small, even the entrance is a narrow alley. Their selling point, the sky bar was also small, and the door to the rooftop was locked when the bar is not opened (open only at night).
Noisy at night due to nearby bars.
I arrived before the check in time on 17 July 2015, when I ask the girl in the reception any idea what to do during the waiting time, she just handed over all the pamphlets and maps she had, not really friendly. Next time I will book Antique Hostel.
- Antique Hostel
Was full when tried to book this hostel, but a friend stayed here let me in.
The view of the river from the terrace was pretty.
They are really close to the old town, but not inside therefore not noisy with the bar sound.
The drinking water is free.
The staff were nice and friendly. Will surely stay in this hostel in my next visit in Bucharest, and will book earlier!
The view of the river from the terrace was pretty.
They are really close to the old town, but not inside therefore not noisy with the bar sound.
The drinking water is free.
The staff were nice and friendly. Will surely stay in this hostel in my next visit in Bucharest, and will book earlier!
Brasov
- JugendStube Hostel
- Centrum House Hostel
Paid 55 Lei for 10 beds dorm.
Located in the edge of the cobbled street of old town, it is great location.
The staff was super nice, both the girl and the boy.
It was a bit difficult to find the entrance of the hostel though.
The room is average, if I could say, the ladder design to the upper bed was nice.
The wifi was really poor during my stay on 18-July-2015.
- Kismet Dao Hostel
- Hostel Mara
- Boemia Hostel
Sibiu
- Smart Hostel
- Welt Hostel
Booked this place since Smart Hostel was full.
Paid 50 Lei per night, booked 4 beds dorm, but they gave 6 beds dorm but stayed alone in the room.
Really really unfortunate with this hotel, they have such a great location, nice surrounding, nice building and interior (first investment), but they are poor in maintenance and management.
When I stayed on 19 July 2015, it was not cleaned enough, i.e. there was food remaining on the floor in my room, the bathroom floor was dirty, the common rubbish can was full.
The staff was not attended, there was no hostel staff when I arrived, the bar staff was attended me, but she didn't know which room should she gave it to me.
There was no information on day tour or what to do. Even the staff had no good knowledge about the city since he was just part time job foreign student. The hostel guide pamphlet, the English one was finished, only Romanian and German ones were plenty, no city maps, no other information.
Really really felt sorry for the good first investment and idea to establish this hostel, but not followed by good management and maintenance.
The bar staff, after the bar was closed, put a high volume of music in the ground floor bar, even after midnight, screaming and enjoyed themselves like in their own room.
The shower covers were broken, the toilet door knobs were broken...
They really should change the management. What a waste of investment.
No wonder when their competitor, Smart Hostel was full, they were empty.
The room I was placed was so spacious, they should have put the locker inside the room, instead in the corridor.
- PanGeea Hostel
Sighisoara
- Panorama Guesthouse
- Pensiune Citadela Sighisoara
Transportation and Tour
Train
http://www.cfrcalatori.ro/
- Train is not comfortable, the AC is not cool enough. Also it runs so slow and always delay minimum 30 minutes.
- A bit complex with the ticket booking system. Didn't try online booking, but that should be the better way to buy a ticket. Tried to buy Sibiu-Bucharest ticket, two days before the day in Brasov and Sighisoara, but informed the ticket was sold out. But when I tried again in Sibiu station one day before the departure day, there were plenty of tickets.
- Train stations are located a bit separated from the old town. Brasov, about 10-15 minutes by bus. Sighisoara, about 20-25 minutes walk. Sibiu, about 15-20 minutes walk.
- Sibiu-Bucharest, paid 75.50 Lei, bought before the day in Sibiu station. Scheduled departure was 11:01, but only departed about 11:30. Scheduled arrival was 16:15, but only arrived about 17:30.
Bus (intercity)
http://www.autogari.ro/?lang=en
Didn't have tried the inter city bus.
Tried to buy a bus ticket at Sibiu Transmixt bus terminal, was there on about 20:00, wanted to buy Sibiu-Bucharest bus depart on 10:55 the next day, but the guy in the entrance told me I need to come again after 05:00 the next day to buy the bus ticket for 10:55 departure. That time he said I could only buy the ticket for 05:35 departure.
Bus (inside cities)
- Bucharest
Ticket is only sold in the box in some bus stops, which opens only up to 20:00. So after 20:00 it is impossible to buy ticket to ride on bus.
- Brasov
Inconveniently, the train station is far from the old town (the local called it Centrum), so bus ride (or taxi) is better, around 10-15 minutes ride. One ride is 2 Lei.
From/to Airport
Bus 783 from airport to the downtown. I think better to get down at Piata Universitate to go to the old town, because after this stop, the bus will go passing over the Piata Unirii.
To get in the bus from Piata Unirii to the airport, the bus stop is under "Coca-Cola" big sign on the top of the building around Piata Unirii.
Ticket/card is bought in the airport for 2 ways, so no need to buy again to return to the airport, paid 9 Lei.
Two Castles in One day tour by Travel Maker
Paid EUR 69, not including entrance tickets.
Our guide, Mr. Servan Riga, has really rich knowledge in Romanian historical, cultural, political, to tell us interestingly, frequently in funny way during the trip. He even acted as the official guide in Peles Castle!
I enjoyed much the trip.
Free Walkabout Walking Tour in Bucharest
Every day, 10:00 and 18:00, gathering at Piata Unirii under the Clock.
Our guide, Andre, a local medical student, very passionate and funny.
Enjoyed the tour, though the day was so hot.
Eat
Bucharest
- Caru'cu Bere, means Beer Wagon
Locals informed me it is the best restaurant in Bucharest.
I can agree with them. It was shown that they opened 1879.
The place is inside the old town, the inside, is very cool, just like in the old time.
The rotating door was a bit scary though.
The staff dressed cutely in green and white.
Lesson learnt: don't ask recommendation from the waiter in restaurants in Bucharest.
Here, I asked recommendation, the waiter recommended T-Bone steak! Later on, locals informed me I should have ordered other Romanian traditional dishes.
The second time I came here, I ordered Mititei (minced kebab) and Ciorba (sour soup) which were good. They made their own beer, which was good beer.
Price example: original draft beer (10 Lei), Ciorba Burta (13 Lei), Mititei (4.9 Lei each), Legume Gratar or vegetable side dish (13 Lei).
- La Mama
There are several branches in the city. I went to the new opened one inside the old town.
Ordered the traditional rolled cabbage and ciorba.
The taste was OK.
- Others
I didn't try, but others budget options include many kebab shops also in the old town.
Brasov
- Restaurant Sergiana
Recommended by local hostel staff. Open till 01:00. Popular, I came about 20:00 but it was full, so I came again at 22:00.
The food was good, spent 37.70 Lei for a soup (Ciorba Ardelen, 11.5 Lei), grilled pork with vegetable (Ceafa Porc, 16.6 Lei + Salata de Varz, 4.6 Lei) and a draft beer (Ursus draft, 5 Lei), so the price is good too, but the service of the waiter was terrible, no smile at all and looked impatient, most probably because she was too tired, serving me at 22:00. There was still bread crust on my table. Worse, she said tip is not included when she gave me the bill!
Sighisoara
- Vlad Dracul's House restaurant
Paid 39 Lei, ordered Dracula Stew and Apple Cider. Not bad and not that expensive.
Sibiu
- Crama Sibiana
Found in Google Map, also on Wikitravel. In Wikitravel, it is said Celler/basement restaurant, but the one I went was outside, near Piata Mica (the Small Square).
Ordered noodle soup (Supa Rasol, 7 Lei) and Transylvanian pork stew (Tochitura Taraneasca, 24 Lei) and beer (CIUC Halba, 5.5 Lei). Good taste and good price.
- Cafe Wien
Didn't actually dine in, but enjoyed the sunset view, probably the best sunset view in town, and enjoyed also live music outside the cafe.
Phone
I bought the local SIM card from Vodafone at the kiosk in airport arrival gate. The lady was nice and kind, helping me setting up. The price was 55 lei, with 1GB internet. The Orange one is the same price, but only got 250MB internet, so I bought Vodafone.
Money
- I used only ATMs, which available everywhere. Some ATMs I couldn't use my card, but others were OK. I could use my card at Transylvania Bank ATM, but not at Volksbank and BRD's.
- Credit cards, many shop required PIN. I don't have PIN (or I forgot?!) and normally I only have to sign, so in some shops I couldn't use it.
- Rate during my stay, RON 1 = JPY 30.5. Locals take EUR 1 = RON 45.
Missed Things or Things I Will Do Next Time I Visit Romania
- Rent a car and visit remote villages, fortress and churches, also passing Transfagaran road.
