Romania Advice

Since we'll be in Bucharest for a week in late August, we're hoping to be able to enjoy an afternoon in Parcul Herastrau for some green garden time as well as a cruise on the lake. Have you found any particular walking tour company? Or are you using TBL or another private guide service? This may be overkill based on your itinerary, but the Village Museum, which is an open-air ethnographic museum park with lots of old houses and buildings from all over Romania, not just Transylvania and Moldavia, looks interesting too.

Barb, Wanderlust; someone sent me a PM and suggested that I come help. Here is the deal, I have no confidence in helping with places where my experience is limited or old. My last trip to Bucharest was 2 years ago, on that trip i did a revisit to Brasov and Peles Castle and Bran Castle plus a few days in Bucharest. The trip was more social than anything despite all the stops; so i didnt pay as much attention as I should have. My previous trip was about 3 years before that and then two trips in the ten years prior to that.

But I will give it a try. Other than Bucharest, Brasov, Peles Castle and Bran Castle a couple of years ago, I have been to every place on Barb's list but that was geee close to 10 years ago now. Sighisoara was and remains one of my favorite visits; I could spend two nights or more there. Sibu was lovely too. Between Sibu and Sighisoara is the Fortified Saxon Church of Biertan which was another high point for me. In part because of the history I learned there. Unexpected and interesting. Cluj-Napoca did not impress as much as other places did. One trip was in early March and we went to Poiana Brașov. Odd March, they had a blizzard that kicked up just as we got on the cable car to the mountain top. At the top the visibility in the snow storm was about 6 feet. Saw nothing but had a blast.

The last trip to Brasov we went to a great restaurant above the city https://maps.app.goo.gl/xuYGSixgYqftKKcP8 that I would insist on going back to if I were there. On the way to Peles / Siana Monastery we stopped at a restaurant with table that had a view across the canyons ... sorry, cant remeber the details but I have good photos.... (this is why I havent tried to help with Romania, I was generally preoccupied on those trips).

Okay Bucharest. My favorite wine bar: https://maps.app.goo.gl/N3qeNhp6etqEmx1U9 and my three favorite (the only 3 I have stayed in) hotels: In order of preference (but really all 3 were good in different ways - Moxy was a little to "hip" for me but I liked the location: Hilton Garden Inn, Rembrandt Old Town, Hotel Moxy. I will call my friend because we went to some pretty good restaurants I just didnt pay attention to the names.

Sorry not more help. I really dont pay much attention when I travel.

@Barb, It's great to read about your trip to my country. You're having a great itinerary, and Teo is a wonderful tour guide. If I may, I would spend 3 nights in Brasov, instead of 2. The town of Brasov is amazing, so the Saxon villages between Sighisoara and Brasov. Stop to see Saschiz too, not only Viscri. While in Brasov, visit Harman and Prejmer fortified churches, hike on Tampa or take the cable car. The views from the top, where you have Panoramic Restaurant, are fabulous.
If you want to explore the idea of having a tour guide in Sibiu and Brasov, for the walking tours or the day trips, I highly recommend Adela Dadu from Transylvania Essence Journeys in Sibiu, and Carmen Murasan, in Brasov.
Four nights in Bucharest will allow you to do all those things listed and maybe even more. I'd rather add that extra night to Brasov, for example. Also, I would highly recommend getting in touch with Elena Ciobanu, from My Nice Romania, for the communist tour and the food tour, and with Alina Brasoveanu from When in Bucharest, for other tailor-made tours of the city.
I wish you a great time in Romania, and looking forward to hearing your impressions after the trip.

Thank you all for your input on Romania!

Mr É; Although you say you don't pay much attention, it is a good sign that you've traveled to Romania so many times! I have bookmarked the Brasov restaurant and certainly the Bucharest wine bar.

Ana Adamoae; You gave me some great tips for guides. I have contacted Adela Dadu for Sibiu, from her website, and she sounds exactly like what we look for in a local guide. I will reach out to Alina Brasoveanu of When in Bucharest and Elena Ciobanu, from My Nice Romania, as well.

Wanderlust58; At this point, we do not plan to see the National Village Museum since we may have seen lots of villages by the time we get to Bucharest. And I have not reserved any Bucharest walking tours yet. Someone mentioned Walkabout Free Tours, and the two suggested by Ana Adamoae look great as well.

Dear Barb,
Thank you for your reply. I am so happy to hear that my suggestions were right on spot with your plans for Sibiu. I am confident you'll have some great options in Bucharest too, with Alina or Elena. I would have loved to meet with you in Bucharest or Brasov, but, sadly, I'll be back in my home country no sooner than October this year. Maybe another time, if you have a chance to return to Romania. Meanwhile, if you have any other questions or need more help planning your trip, don't hesitate to ask here or over a private message. Happy planning of your trip and safe travels!