All about hosteling in Romania

Let's Green Travel este un proiect început de mine alături de un foarte bun prieten cu care am în comun ieşirile în aer liber în cautarea unei relaxari din stresul cotidian, prin care încercăm să promovăm turismul ,,verde" în România.
Deşi nu este finalizat în totalitate proiectul, noi considerăm că sunt doar pe la 60% cu site-ul, credem că este o piatră de temelie pentru promovarea turismului românesc, deoarece credem că România are un foarte mare potenţial în sectorul ecologic.
Pe lângă posibilitatea de a opta pentru o vacanţă ecologică, în cel mai scurt timp (consider că în maxim 2 săptămâni) veţi avea oportunitatea de a cumpăra produse ecologice precum: îmbrăcăminte; încălţăminte; accesori, genţi şi poşte 100% ecologice produse cânepă si bumbac de partenerul nostru Ecolution - companie americană ce activează pe piaţa internaţională de 20 de ani.
Vă aşteptăm cu drag atât pe site-ul nostru cât şi pe blogul nostru Let's Green Travel pentru mai multe informaţii !!!

Letter of motivation for contest TH!NK ABOUT IT

Bucharest
Legend says that the Romanian capital was founded by a shepherd called Bucur, whose name is recognizable 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 epicenter 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.

Specialist purchases include embroideries, pottery, porcelain, silverware, carpets, ceramics, crystal, glassware, fabrics, wool jumpers, woodcarvings, metal, leather goods, rugs, glass paintings and silk dresses.

Shopping hours
Mon-Sat 09.00-18.00, although this may vary according to season and area.

Currency Information:
Currency
New Leu (RON; symbol (plural) Lei) = 100 bani. Notes are in denominations of Lei500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of Bani50, 10, 5 and 1. (Old notes were in denominations of Lei1,000,000, 500,000, 100,000, 50,000 and 10,000 and coins in denominations of Lei5,000, 1,000, 500 and 100.)
Note: As of December 2006, the old Leu is no longer legal tender. Previously coded as ROL, it has been redenominated so that Lei10,000 are exchanged for 1 new Leu (RON).

Currency Exchange
It is recommended that visitors bring Euros, as these can be easily exchanged by shops, restaurants and hotels. Pounds Sterling can be easily exchanged in most resorts. All hard foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, larger hotels and airports and at authorized exchange offices (Birou de Schimb Valutar). Rates can vary from one place to another, so visitors are advised to shop around for the best rate of exchange. Exchanges on the black market are made frequently, but visitors are advised to exchange money through proper exchange channels and to receive a currency exchange receipt, as certain services require visitors to show the receipt as proof of having made at least one financial transaction.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
The use of credit cards is growing. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted by large hotels, car hire firms and some restaurants and shops. ATMs (bancomat) accepting MasterCard and Visa can be found in main banks, airports and shopping centers but should not be relied upon as a sole source of cash.

Traveller’s Cheques
Like credit and debit cards, these are usually only useful in hotels and for obtaining cash at the bank or selected exchange offices. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or Euros.

Currency Restrictions
Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours
Mon-Fri 09.00-13.00

Exchange Rate Indicators

Date	Jan 2010
£1.00=	Lei 4.63
$1.00=	Lei 2.84
€1.00=	Lei 4.12

Romania is the largest of the Balkan states, sitting at the crossroads of Europe, whose nationals are proud of being ‘an island of Latinos’ in a ‘sea of slavs’. The country has seen several empires come and go – Roman, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian, all leaving their legacy.

Romania has a rich cultural and natural diversity. Its dramatic mountain scenery includes the densely forested Carpathian Mountains, the Danube Delta (the largest wetland in Europe) and 70km (43 miles) of fine white sandy beaches on the Black Sea Coast.

In picturesque valleys and on mountain slopes are many health and winter resorts. Romania’s cultural heritage can be experienced in the Saxon towns of Transylvania, also home to Bran Castle, of Dracula fame, the painted monasteries of Bucovina and the rural village idyll of Maramures.

The capital, Bucharest, earned the nickname ‘Paris of the Balkans’, but it is the stunning medieval city of Sibiu in Transylvania that was crowned European Capital of Culture 2007.

Since the overthrow of Nicolae Ceausescu’s communist dictatorship in 1989, Romania has been working towards the twin goals of gaining admission to NATO, which it joined in 2004, and the European Union, which it achieved in January 2007, behind some of its neighbors.

Geography
Romania is bordered to the north and east by Moldova and Ukraine, the southeast by the Black Sea, the south by Bulgaria, the southwest by Serbia and in the west by Hungary. The country is divided into four geographical areas. Transylvania (a belt of Alpine massifs and forests) and Moldavia compose the northern half of the country, which is divided down the middle by the north-south strip of the Carpathian Mountains. South of the east-west line of the Carpathians lies the flat Danube plain of Wallachia with the capital Bucharest, its border with Bulgaria being defined by the course of the Danube. Romania’s coastline is along the Black Sea, incorporating the port of Constanta and the Danube Delta.

Romanian cuisine is a product of the influence of different cultures throughout the centuries – Greeks, Romans, Saxons, Turks and Slavic neighbors. The main ingredients used by Romanian chefs are meats such as pork, beef and lamb, fish, vegetables, dairy products and fruit. They excel in full-bodied soups. Breakfasts almost always include eggs, either soft-boiled, hard-boiled, fried or scrambled. Omelettes, filled with either cheese, ham or mushrooms, are also frequently served.

Things to know: Vegetarians may have difficulties, as most local specialties are meat-based. Although there are inexpensive self-service snack bars, table service is the normal. There are no licensing hours.

National specialties:
• Soups: Ciorba de perisoare (soup with meatballs), ciorba tãrãneascã (vegetable soup with meat and rice balls served with sour cream), giblet soup and a variety of fish soups.
• Moldavian parjoale (flat meat patties, highly spiced and served with garnishes).
• Mamaliga (a staple of mashed cornmeal).
• Nisetru la gratar (grilled Black Sea sturgeon).
• Pasca (a sweet cheesecake).

National drinks:
• Tuicã (plum brandy) and Tuicã de Bihor (strong brandy, generally known as palinca).
• Wines: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay from the Murfatlar vineyards; Grasa and Feteasa from Moldavia’s Cotnari vineyards.
• Sparkling wines.
• Glühwein (mulled wine).

Legal drinking age: The legal age for drinking in a bar is 18.

Tipping: A 5 to 10% tip is customary in restaurants.

Watersports
Beaches and luxury resorts line the Black Sea coast, which extends for some 245km (153 miles) from the Danube Delta towards the border with Bulgaria in the south. The sea is clean and the absence of tides makes it ideal for swimming, windsurfing and many other types of waterports. Some of the best-known resorts include the seaport of Constanta; Mamaia, which has a 7km- (4.5 mile-) long beach; and a string of luxury resorts named after women and mythological gods, such as Neptune, Jupiter or Venus.
Sailing is widely practiced on the coast, while Romania’s many rivers are well-suited for kayaking. Tourists wishing to explore the waterways of the protected and UNESCO-listed Danube Delta must comply with strict conservation regulations. Visitors arriving with their own boat must pay a fee at Tulcea Harbour Station and produce their passports, a sailing license and valid registration papers for their craft.

Fishing
Romania has many easily accessible places for fishing such as the Danube Delta (where there are over 160 fish species including sturgeon, wel, pike and carp) and on lake shores around big cities. For details of legal requirements, contact the Romanian National Tourist Office.

Winter sports
There are numerous facilities for skiing with pistes of varying degrees of difficulty found in almost all mountain resorts, the majority of which are equipped with cable cars. The main ski resorts are at Poiana Brasov (13km/8 miles from Brasov) and Sinaia. Facilities are fairly limited in comparison to more established skiing destinations. Locals are very friendly and most ski instructors speak English. National and international skiing and bob-sleighing competitions are held annually. Sledging tracks, skating and ice hockey are available at most mountain resorts.

Health spas
Romania has been a renowned spa country since Roman times and there is a choice of 70 health centers as well as 3000 mineral-rich thermal springs. The most renowned health resorts include Baile Herculane in the Cerna Valley (southern Carpathians); Baile Felix (near the city of Ordena in the northwest); and Sovata (in Transylvania near Ursu lake, popular with women). Romanian spas are particularly known for mudbaths (using the sapropelic black mud from Lake Techirghiol) and the Gerovital cure pioneered by Professor Ana Aslan. For further details contact the National Organization of Spas, 2-4 Luterana Street, Sector 1, Bucharest 1 (tel: (1) 312 2993; fax: (1) 314 8097; e-mail: optbr@fx.ro; website: www.spas.ro).

Folklore and culture
Traditional folk music and dancing is still very much alive and shows can be seen in many hotels and restaurants. The renowned Romanian composer Georg Enescu’s Romanian Rhapsody is world famous. Regional crafts and costumes also play an important part of everyday life: woodcarving, pottery and ceramics, wooden architecture and glass paintings can be found throughout the country. The Dracula myth originated in Romania, where a medieval king known as ‘Vlad the Impaler’ became the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula. One of Vlad’s homes, Bran Castle, can be visited in Transylvania.

Social Conventions
Handshaking is the most common form of greeting, but Romanian men may kiss a woman’s hand when being introduced. Mr or Mrs should be used when greeting someone for the first time. Visitors should follow normal European courtesies on social occasions. Dress tends to be rather conservative but casual wear is suitable. Beachwear should not be worn away from the beach or poolside. If visiting a home, a small wrapped gift should be given to the host, such as flowers or chocolates (to women only), wine or liquor. Flowers should be given as a gift in odd numbers only.
Many Romanians are smokers and gifts of Western cigarettes are greatly appreciated. Other well-appreciated gifts include toiletries.

Photography: Military installations should not be photographed. Some tourist attractions require visitors to pay a fee (sometimes hefty) for taking photographs.

Smoking: The Romanian government bans smoking in every public place, but, as in many countries in Eastern Europe, smokers have little respect for non-smokers and for smoking laws. Smoking is forbidden on planes, on buses and on some trains. Luxury hotels have designated no-smoking floors but very few restaurants have no-smoking sections.

International Travel:
Getting There by Air
The national airline is Tarom (RO) (website: www.tarom.ro). Delta (website: www.delta.com) flies direct from New York to Bucharest.
Departure Tax
None.
Main Airports
Bucharest (OTP) (Henri Coanda) (website: www.otp-airport.ro) is 16km (10 miles) north of the city. To/from the airport: An express bus service operates to the city (journey time – 45 minutes). Taxis, minibuses and limousines are available 24 hours (journey time – 25 minutes). Facilities: Bar, snack bar, restaurant, left luggage, first aid, post office, bank, bureau de change, ATM, car hire, duty-free, information office and business lounge.
There are also international airports at Arad (ARW), Cluj (CLJ) (website: www.airportcluj.ro), Constanta (CND) (Mihail Kogalniceanu), Sibiu (SBZ) and  Timisoara (TSR) (website: aerotim.ro).
Getting There by Water
Main port: Constanta (website: www.constantza-port.ro) on the Black Sea.
Sea ferries: Not running at present. Contact the Romanian National Tourist Office for up-to-date information (see General Info).
River cruises: Sailings from Passau to Constanta on the Black Sea along the Danube are available; these stop at various places of interest, including Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Bazias, Giurgiu, Calafat and Bucharest. The cruises incorporate varied itineraries: historic towns, museums, art collections, monasteries, spas, archaeological sites, folk evenings, nature reserves and of course, the dramatic scenery of Eastern Europe, including the ‘Iron Gate’ through the Carpathians. Some companies offer travel via the Main-Danube Canal as far west as Rotterdam along the Rhine. For further information, contact the Romanian National Tourist Office.
Getting There by Rail
CFR (tel: (21) 319 9539 ext 134 563; website: www.cfr.ro/calatori) operates services from many European cities to Bucharest. First and second class sleepers are available. The Wiener Waltzer takes around 20 hours from Basel to Bucharest, operating in summer only (June to September). There are sleeping cars from Vienna to both Bucharest and Constanta on the Black Sea coast. There are also through trains from other Eastern European cities.

Rail Passes
InterRail: offers unlimited first- or second-class travel in up to 30 European countries for European residents of over six months with two pass options. The Global Pass allows travel for 22 days, one month, five days in 10 days or 10 days in 22 days across all countries. The One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month in any of the countries except Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. Travel is not allowed in the passenger’s country of residence. Travelers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children’s tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).

Balkan Flexipass: allows five, 10 or 15 days of first class travel for one month across Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Turkey. Available from Railpass.com (website: www.railpass.com).

Getting There by Road
Border crossing between Romania and its western neighbors is just a formality. At the border, drivers need to show vehicle registration, proof of insurance and a driving license for their home country. Insurance can be bought at any border crossing point. The most direct international routes to Romania are via Austria, Germany and Hungary. The best route from Hungary is the E64 from Budapest to Szeged through Arad, Brasov, Campina and Ploiesti. There is also a route from Szeged to Timisoara. A more frequently used route from Hungary to Germany is via the E60 through Oradea.

Coach: Eurolines (tel: 0870 580 8080, in the UK; website: www.eurolines.com) runs regular coach services from other European cities to Romania. Travelers can buy 15- and 30-day passes.

Overview
The following items may be imported into Romania from outside the EU without incurring customs duty:
• 200 cigarettes, 40 cigars or 200g of other tobacco articles.
• 2l of liquor.
• 4l of wine or beer.
• Gifts up to a value of €175.
• 20 rolls of camera film and reasonable quantities of perfume, medicines and travel souvenirs.
Note: Valuable goods, such as jewelry, art, electrical items and foreign currency should be declared on entry. Endorsed customs declarations must be kept, as they must be shown on leaving the country.

Abolition of duty-free goods within the EU
On 30 June 1999, the sale of duty-free alcohol and tobacco at airports and at sea was abolished in all of the original 15 EU member states. Of the 10 new member states that joined the EU on 1 May 2004 and the two states that joined on 1 January 2007, these rules already apply to Cyprus and Malta. There are transitional rules in place for visitors returning to one of the original 15 EU countries from one of the other new EU countries. But for the original 15, plus Cyprus and Malta, there are no limits imposed on importing tobacco and alcohol products from one EU country to another. Travelers should note that they may be required to prove at customs that the goods purchased are for personal use only.
Member states may follow the EU’s guide levels of: 10l of spirits; 20l of fortified wine; 90l of wine; 110l of beer; 800 cigarettes; 400 cigarillos; 200 cigars and 1kg of tobacco.

Prohibited Imports
Ammunition, explosives, narcotics, pornographic material, uncanned meats, animal and dairy products.

Prohibited Exports
Articles of cultural, historical or artistic value are not permitted to be taken out of the country.

Internal Travel:
Getting Around By Air
Carpatair (website: www.carpatair.com) operates domestic flights from Timisoara. Tarom (website: www.tarom.ro) operates internal routes from Bucharest.
Getting Around by Water
The Danube Delta is easily explored by boat. Most trips and cruises depart from the ancient city of Tulcea and sail to Sulina.
Getting Around by Rail
Bucharest’s main station is the Gara de Nord on Calea Grivitei. CFR (tel: (21) 319 9539 ext 134 563; website: www.cfr.ro/calatori) runs five different types of train, varying in speed from the slow personal to the faster accelerat, rapid and express trains, and the more expensive, modern and comfortable Inter-City. Rural services have a way to go – currently poor onward connections make these an undesirable choice for travelers to the countryside. Seats must be reserved in advance on express routes. Rail Inclusive Tour tickets include transport and hotel accommodation. There are no platforms of any great height in Romania, making entering and alighting a little difficult for the elderly or infirm.

Rail Passes
InterRail One-Country Pass: offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within Romania. Travel is not allowed in the passenger’s country of residence. Travelers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children’s tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (tel: 0844 484 4064, in the UK; website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).

Romania Pass: available to those who reside outside Europe, the CIS, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Allows five or 10 days’ travel within a two-month period. Available from Rail Europe in the USA (website: www.raileurope.com).

Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. Road conditions vary widely throughout Romania. While major streets in larger cities and major inter-city roads are in fair to good condition (DM (Drum National) are better maintained), other roads (DJ (Drum Judetean)) are in poor repair, badly lit, narrow and often do not have marked lanes. Drivers need to be alert for horse-drawn carts and livestock especially at night.
Tolls are charges on motorways and main roads, payable in Euros. Drivers must buy a toll badge or RoVinieta; these are available for one week or one month at border points, post offices and at most petrol stations.

Coach: Several bus companies offer fast and inexpensive connections between Romania’s main cities. Inter-city bus stations are usually located next to the train stations.

Car hire: Available at hotels and at Bucharest Airport from local and international firms. The minimum age for car hire is 21 years. Driving is very erratic, so it might be advisable to hire a car with a driver
.
Regulations: Children under 12 are not allowed to travel in the front seat and front seat passengers must wear a seat belt. Speed limits are 50kph (30mph) in built-up areas, 90kph (56mph) on main roads, and 110 kph (70mph) on highways.

Emergency breakdown service: Contact the Romanian Automobile Club (ACR) (tel: (21) 222 2222; website: www.acr.ro).

Documentation: National driving license or International Driving Permit are required, as is Green Card insurance. Police carry out frequent checks so observe the speed limit, and carry relevant documents.

Getting Around Towns and Cities
Most cities offer efficient and inexpensive bus, trolleybus or tram transport.

Bucharest has a good bus and tram system and a metro. Tickets are pre-purchased from agents, and there are stamping machines on board buses and trains. There are also daily, weekly and fortnightly passes. A separate minibus network is operated.

Taxi: Inexpensive metered taxis can be hailed in the street or called from hotels. Although most drivers are honest, prices should be agreed beforehand, especially at the airport.

Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Bucharest to other major cities and towns in Romania.

First words in Romanian

Hello – Buna
Goodbye – La revedere
Good morning – Buna dimineata
Good afternoon – Buna ziua
Good evening – Buna seara
Yes – Da
No – Nu
Please (formal) – Va rog
Please (informal) – Te rog
Thanks – Multumesc
How much is it? – Cat costa?
See you later – La revedere
Excuse me (formal) – Ma scuzati
Excuse me (informal) – Scuze

Romanian phrases. Shopping

I want to buy .. – Vreau sa cumpar
I’m just looking – Ma uit doar
It’s too expensive – Este prea scump
That’s all, thanks - Atât, multumesc
I’d like a refund – As dori o restituire
Do you have a larger size? – Aveti o marime mai mare?
Do you have a smaller size? – Aveti o marime mai mica?


Basic Romanian phrases

My name is .. – Numele meu este ..
I am called .. – Ma cheama ..
What is your name (formal)? – Cum va numiti?
How are you (formal)? – Cum sunteti?
Fine, and you (formal)? – Bine, dar dumneavoastra
Pleased to meet you (formal) – Incantat sa va întalnesc

Communication problems

Do you speak English? – Vorbiti engleza?
I don’t speak Romanian – Nu vorbesc limba româna
Could you write it down? – Ati putea scrie aceasta?
Does anyone speak english? – Vorbeste cineva engleza?
Can you repeat that? – Puteti repeta?
I don’t understand – Nu inteleg
Pardon? – Cum?
What does .. mean? – Ce înseamna asta?


Surse : http://www.linguata.com/linguata/Romanian_Phrases.html