Long
weekend
Owing to Romania’s relatively large size and the
poor condition of some of its roads, it is not the easiest country in which to
nip about.
What’s more, many of its highlights are off the beaten track. But
even if your time is limited, provided you structure it well, you can have a
rewarding mini-break and still experience, in small doses, a lot of what
country has to offer. For those on a more relaxed schedule, the little-known
delights of Romania will prove more than rewarding.
If you have only a weekend or so in Romania it is
likely that your starting point will be in Bucharest. Although it is much maligned, there is plenty to see and do
in this lesser-known European capital, and it is certainly worth spending a day
or two here. The must-see is the Casa
Poporului, Ceaușescu’s gargantuan
vanity project. If you have time, take the 45-minute tour of the interior.
Provided teh
weather is bearable, your next stop should be the outdoor Village Museum. Not
only does make for an enjoyable couple of hours in its own right, but the
collection of 60-plus original homes, farms, churches and other buildings from
across the country presents a microcosm of rural Romanian architecture. If the
15 ha (37 acres) of museum tire you out, take a break in one of the boutiques
cafes in the Lipscani district, Bucharest’s historical heart. The area also
merits a stroll for its cobbled alleys, antique-cum-junk shops full of curios,
and shabby-chic houses.
Depending on your
interests, you may also want to take in the Muzeului Național de Artă al
României (National Art Gallery), Muzeul Țăranului Român (Peasant Museum) or
Grădina Cișmigiu (Cișmigiu Gradens).
For dinner, teh
twice-weekly Dracula Show at Count Dracula Club is hilariously
kitsch.
Alternatively, Caru’ cu Bere offers traditional
Romanian food in a historical building often accompanied by a folk dancing
show. But if the local fare doesn’t appeal, there are at least a dozen
top-class international restaurants from which to choose. After your meal -and
if you have the energy- head to a basement dive bar or, if it’s summer, enjoy a
few drinks on a terrace.
If your stay is short it’s better to take taxis from
place to place rather than try to fathom the sometimes complicated public transport
system. Some of the central places can be visit on foot.
Unless you have just two days in the country, you
will probably want to see something other than capital. The best choice on a
long weekend is Brașov, around
two hours from Bucharest by train or car. There is plenty to see around the
city centre, which is small enough to explore on foot. You don’t
want to leave Brașov without seeing
Bran Castle, about an hour’s drive away from the city. En
route you’ll pass the fortress at Râșnov,
the climb to which is fairly tiring.
Buses go between
Brașov and Bran, but if you are in a group, it may be worth negotiating with a
taxi driver to take you there and back.
One week
With a week you can
also fit in one other destination, perhaps two if you have your own transport
and don’t
mind rushing. If it’s summer, you could pay a visit to the seaside. Hippies snd
other admirers of counterculture should go for Vama Veche, a sort of Eastern
European Goa, replete with dreadlocks, DJs and nude bathing (although officially
prohibited). If you enjoy decent food
and a wider range of activites, head for Mamaia. In spring or autumn, a
better choice would be the Danube Delta, as there are peak avian seasons. In
winter, break your journey to Brașov
to Sinaia. Not only does it have two great castles and a monestery, but you can
also go skiing. While things are easier
with your own car, this trip is easily done on trains, buses and
maxi-taxis.
Two weeks
Extend your stays
in Bucharest and Brașov, and see some of the smaller, more esoteric museums.
Depending on the seasons, you can visit the coast, another mountain resort and
even thr Danube. You’ll be able to reach remoter – and often
more rewarding- parts of the country, particulary with your own transport. If
you choose to do so, it is worth considering a homestay. Some such places are
in tiny villages, and afford an authentic glimpse of real Romania. You can also
extend your Transylvania foray further. Sibiu and Sighișoara are both beautiful medieval towns, if you have to
pick one go for Sibiu, as it has a livelier cultural scene. In two weeks you
can also plan to take in a festival.
Longer
A longer trip of,
say, a month, gives you the chance to get all around teh country. On top of all
the aforementioned locations, you can go further west to Cluj, Timișoara and
Oradea. You can also head north and see the striking monasteries for which the
country si famous, in Maramureș and Bucovina. There are places, and the north is one of them, where having a car
will make things more easier, but a mounth gives you time to do the trip using
public transport. You could even take a train or two – woefully time- consuming
but a wonderful way to see a colourful slice of Romanian life and some tiny
hamlets. You can plan your route to see any festivals that take your fancy as
well.
By simply wandering
in the suburbs, you’ll get a much truer picture of Romanian
life than if you stick to the tourist trail. Of course there are some areas in
which it might be unwise to wander, check with your hotel before you set off.
No comments:
Post a Comment