Romania Tours

Romania Travel guide

Geography and weather

Our tours mostly operate from late spring (April/May) to early Autumn (in Eastern Europe) when the weather is generally at its best. Temperatures will vary but will still be cool in April/May and again in October. The warmest months tend to be July/August. The further south you are the higher the average temperatures. You can expect snow from December to late March.

Visit www.worldclimate.com to get an idea of what the weather will be like on your tour.

Visas

Citizens of the EU, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the US citizens can enter Romania visa-free for 30-90 days (depending on nationality). All other nationalities need a visa to enter, which must be purchased in advance.

Money

The monetary unit in Romania lei (ROL). For up to date exchange rates with your own currency visit www.oanda.com or www.xe.com.

Changing money, credit cards & ATMs

The easiest way to obtain money in Eastern Europe is to draw it out of an ATM (cash machine) on a credit or debit card (e.g. visa or cirrus). ATMs are widely available throughout Eastern Europe. Another option is to bring cash, in either US Dollars or Euros (pounds sterling and other currencies cannot always be easily changed) but we advise against bringing all your money in this form, in case of theft. In all of the cities that we visit there are many places to change money and your tour leader will be able to show you where to get the best rates of exchange.

Please note: Travellers cheques are not recommended for travel anywhere in Eastern Europe as these can be difficult to change and attract poor exchange rates or exorbitant commission. In some countries it may not be possible to change travellers cheques at all. If possible make sure that you bring crisp new banknotes as some exchange offices will not accept old or dirty notes (US$ notes issued before 1990 are not generally accepted).

Tipping

If there is no service fee, a general rule of thumb is to add 10 to 15 percent of the bill for a tip.

Security

Generally people find Eastern Europe to be safe and feel confident wandering alone during the day. However if you are unfamiliar with an area it is recommended that you exercise more caution at night and taxi taxis rather than walk, especially if you are a lone female traveller. In some cities bag snatching can occur so always keep a firm hand/eye on your personal items. If there is a safe available in your hotel it is recommended you use it.

Local food and drink

Some breakfasts are included in your tour. Breakfasts can be basic so if you tend to get hungry it may be a good idea to buy some fruit or snacks to eat during the day. All other meals, extra snacks and drinks on the tour are at your own expense.

Ask your tour leader if they can recommend any restaurants in the area to suit your taste or budget or have fun exploring independently.

Food offered in much of Eastern Europe is delicious, hearty, and often (but not always) meat orientated. You may well find yourself smoked or salted fish, pickled cabbage stew, beef stroganoff, goulash, meat stews, game meats, and many varieties of dumplings. Your tour leader will be able to advise you on all the best places to eat and the various specialities of each country.

All drinks such as bottled water or soft drinks are at your own expense at all times and are fairly inexpensive. Alcoholic drinks vary in price, with wine and beer generally being the cheapest options. The legal drinking age is 18.

Time Difference

The time difference in Romania is GMT/UTC + 2. For other time differences please visit www.timeanddate.com

Voltage

220-240V. Sockets are of European two pronged round pin variety.