Please sign in to post.

Travel Talk Nov 8: our visit to Romania with special guest guide Teo Ivanciuc

Have you thought of visiting Romania? Would you love to have a personalized "Rick Steves type experience" with a private, Rick Steves recommended Romanian guide who will handle all the logistics and customize the itinerary to meet your special interests? At a price point that is surprisingly competitive with big bus tours, without the big bus!

Please join us for this very special meeting to talk about our visit to Romania, along with special Romania guest guide Teo Ivanciuc.

WHEN: Saturday, November 8, 2025 @ 11am-1pm Pacific
WHERE: online (details will be sent via pm closer to the meeting date)

Please RSVP on this thread.

New participants, please note: if you are new to this meeting, there is a security setup step which I will send to you via private message on this forum. You must complete that step and reply to my message. After I receive your reply, I will send the meeting link.

Disclaimer - the discussions at these travel meetings have been known to increase the length of travel wishlists!

Posted by
6113 posts

MEETING TOPICS

Our visit: hear from TexasTravelMom, Mardee and CWsocial about our 3+ weeks in Romania, including time spent with Rick Steves recommended guide Teo Ivanciuc.

Places we visited pre-tour: Bucharest, Brasov
Places we visited with Teo: Sighisoara, Sibiu, Cluj-Napoca, Maramures, Bucovina, Timisoara, Horezu (our addition)

Q&A with Teo: expert Romanian guest guide Teofil Ivanciuc will share his expertise about Romania, its culture and people, and answer questions about his flexible, private tours.

TRIP REPORTS read more about our travel in Romania

TexasTravelMom
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/3-1-2-weeks-in-romania

CWsocial
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/romania-trip-report-bucharest-brasov-and-customized-grand-tour-romania-with-teo

Mardee
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/romania-up-close-and-personal-our-private-tour-experience

Posted by
6113 posts

ABOUT EXPERT GUIDE TEO

Teofil is a private tour guide, travel designer, and travel consultant in Romania. During the last 20 years, he has guided people from 50 countries on 7 continents. He specializes in multi-day tours for genuinely small, private groups.

We started with Teo's Grand Tour of Romania and customized it, adding nights in 1 town and adding the town of Horezu to visit the ceramic artisans:

https://maramurestour.com/maramures-transylvania-bucovina/

Rick Steves episode of Romania featuring Teo as he shows Rick around Maramures:
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/romania

See Teo specifically at 21:22 in the video, although he is showing Rick around throughout the Maramures section of the episode.

Posted by
3856 posts

Darn! I will be flying home this day and will miss. Maybe you and I can talk privately sometime as I would love to know more.

Posted by
3555 posts

Yes, add me please and thank you!

Posted by
684 posts

Please sign me up! Looking forward to it.

Best to all,
Cynthia

Posted by
4856 posts

We have a wedding that day at 4:00 our time and we need about 1 hour to get into Manhattan from Brooklyn. I know, it’s only about 11 miles to drive but it could even take longer.
Anyway, if I promise my hubby I will be ready to go out the door, I could stay on for at least an hour.
I checked again and the ceremony begins at 4:30 so I have a little leeway. We can’t miss it though as my 2 granddaughters are in the wedding party.

I was thinking of you ladies and can’t wait to hear all about your time together, even if it is just a little bit!

Posted by
6113 posts

Barbara, you are welcome for as long as you can stay without missing the wedding!!

Posted by
372 posts

I will be traveling as well, but would love a link in case I can make it work, thank you!

Posted by
6113 posts

acraven and Barb (Cleveland) - I've sent you each a message with the preliminary setup required to join this meeting.

Everyone else has attended previously, so you should be set. I will send the meeting link nearer the date.

Our online meetings have plenty of room for anyone who would like to join!

Posted by
6113 posts

Mary, I just sent you a forum message. Looking forward to having you join us!

Posted by
6113 posts

Elizabeth - just sent you a private message with the security setup, since I believe this is your first meeting with us.

Carol - of course, there's always room!

Everyone - if you've participated before, I'll be sending the meeting link nearer the meeting date.

Posted by
1511 posts

Sounds fantastic, unfortunately I have a conflict with that day so look forward to reading all your TR's!

Posted by
3251 posts

Have you noticed that there is a PBS nature special about the animals and terrain of Transylvania on the featured shows this week?

Posted by
6113 posts

I will send out the meeting link towards the end of this month. There is plenty of room for anyone who would like to join!

Posted by
36039 posts

Sorry, I have an AGM (National Trust) in Swindon all day so won't be back in time.

It is AGM season, I have another a week later and another at the beginning off December.

AGM = Annual General Meeting of a charity or a company.

Posted by
3251 posts

Bucharest cathedral in the news this week:

https://apnews.com/article/romania-church-cathedral-europe-orthodox-e06e3f275ca32c8796934390fb385327?

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Thousands of pilgrims turned out Sunday in Romania’s capital for the consecration of religious paintings inside the world’s largest Christian Orthodox church that was being opened after 15 years of construction.

Worshippers and officials arrived in droves at the People’s Salvation Cathedral, known as the National Cathedral, which at its highest point stands more than 125 meters (410 feet) and has an inner capacity for 5,000 worshippers in the deeply Orthodox country. The cathedral’s opulent interior is covered with frescoes and mosaics depicting saints and icons.

Posted by
6113 posts

avirosemail, we just missed its opening. I guess I'll have to go back!

Posted by
6113 posts

I have sent the meeting link (and instructions for first-time attendees) to everyone who expressed interest above. If you did not receive the meeting link, please let me know and I will have a word with my secretary .... me!

We will begin this meeting promptly at 11am PT. I will start the meeting 15 minutes ahead if you would like to join early to test your audio/video and to socialize.

There is still plenty of room for those would like to join us in Romania!

Posted by
11489 posts

When I checked to see if I have an up-to-date Zoom and downloaded the version for joining a meeting (at 19.99 here in France), the message I received was that I needed a commercial Zoom account. Since I'm retired, I don't have a commercial account. How do we join the meeting? My husband and I were both going to listen.

Posted by
36039 posts

you can get a free account (at east here in the UK, surprised they are charging in France, and your previous software should have automatically updated when you opened it) - I've seen you before on Zoom, Elizabeth so you must have had some sort of account - and you only need the free account to join an existing meeting.

You only need a Pro account if you will be doing hosting of meetings over half an hour or 40 minutes. If you are not hosting you don't need a Pro account. I have one but only because I host at least one long Zoom a week, usually more...

If you'd like to do a dummy run prior I can set up a session, and you know my contacts, and we could sort any problems.

Posted by
11489 posts

I got it to work this morning. When I pasted the link into a Zoom box, it didn't work. When I clicked on the link and logged in, it worked.

Posted by
10726 posts

Oops, for some reason I accidentally deleted my post (user error). And unfortunately I can’t remember what I posted. 😵‍💫 But I will see everyone on Saturday!

Posted by
9107 posts

Sad to miss this one! I will be spending the weekend with my son’s family.

Posted by
6113 posts

Looking forward to seeing everyone! Sorry we will miss you this month, Jean. Family (and travels) first!

I will start the meeting about 15 minutes early tomorrow so that people can log in, check your audio and video, and socialize. We will start the meeting promptly at 11am PT.

See you all tomorrow morning!

Posted by
11109 posts

I realize it is late and you probably have other things to do, but please let me know if you would still have the time to add me. It sounds like a good way to spend a chilly Saturday evening (my time)!

Posted by
6113 posts

Yes, Kim, plenty of time and plenty of room! Sending you a forum message now.

Posted by
6113 posts

Everyone - I will start the meeting about 15 minutes ahead. Feel free to join to test your audio and video, and to socialize. We will start the meeting promptly at 11 PT.

See you soon "in" Romania!

Posted by
1346 posts

Is it too late to add me?
I’m in Paris and just now saw the meeting announcement.

Posted by
6113 posts

I will start the meeting about 15 minutes early for anyone who would like to test their audio/video. Or bring your coffee and a pastry, a glass of wine if you're in Europe - socialize with friends and meet some new ones - before we start at 11am PT.

Posted by
3251 posts

Another exceptional zoom get together today! Great photos and stories and a special privilege to have Teofil in the meeting to answer our questions about touring Romania.

Posted by
3251 posts

Updated comment

I'm not making the AI summary available to everyone on the forum; DM me if you would like the link.

Posted by
11489 posts

Thank you ladies for doing this, and thank you to Theo who stayed up for us. It started at 9 pm for him!

Posted by
3251 posts

This is condensed and I've changed some of the names to match the forum.

Quick recap
The meeting focused on a group's recent trip to Romania, where participants shared their experiences with private tours and customized itineraries led by guide Teo. The travelers discussed their visits to various cultural sites, traditional crafts, and local experiences across different regions of Romania, including Bucharest, Brasov, and Sibiu. The group concluded by reflecting on the benefits of guided tours versus independent travel, with particular praise for Teo's knowledge and flexibility in creating memorable experiences for the travelers.

Summary
Romania Travel Planning Discussion

SWsocial introduced the trip to Romania, explaining the reasons for the visit and outlining the itinerary, which included both independent travel and a guided tour with Teo. She emphasized that the trip was not focused on Dracula but rather on exploring a part of Europe she had not previously visited. Mardee and TXtravelmom were set to discuss their experiences with Teo, while participants were encouraged to ask questions throughout the presentation.

Private Tours in Romania Insights
The group discussed their experiences with private tours in Romania, with TX and Mardee sharing that they preferred private guides over large group tours due to flexibility and personalized experiences. They highlighted their guide Teo's adaptability in creating custom itineraries, including visits to modern Bucharest and the Mary Cemetery, which larger tours would not have accommodated. The discussion also covered the cost-effectiveness of private tours compared to DIY travel and large group tours, with Bucharest being noted as a surprisingly affordable and interesting city with numerous attractions.

Romania Cultural and Customized Tour
CW shared her experiences visiting Bucharest and Brasov, highlighting the National Art Museums, Parliament, Ceausescu Mansion, and various cultural events. She emphasized the importance of finding new artists to appreciate in museums and noted the contrast between the opulent buildings and the historical context of food scarcity during their construction. CW also described their customized 12-day tour with Teo, which included stops at traditional sites, local experiences like potato harvesting, and visits to family-run businesses. The tour was tailored to their interests, with full days of activities and a flexible itinerary.

Romania Tour Highlights and Insights
The group discussed their recent tour of Romania led by Teo, who provided insights into the country's diverse landscapes, cultural heritage, and culinary delights. Teo shared recommendations for additional destinations, including Oradea, Sibiu, the Danube Gorge, and the Danube Delta. The travelers expressed appreciation for Teo's flexibility in customizing the tour to suit their interests and preferences. They also discussed the possibility of independent travel in Romania, noting that while it is feasible, a guided tour offers a more enriching experience. The group agreed that Teo's knowledge, engaging personality, and language skills made the tour particularly enjoyable.

Posted by
6113 posts

Wow, Avi, that's remarkable! And interesting to see what it picked up.

Posted by
1787 posts

Thank you, that was one of the best meetings we had. I think Teo should expect a lot of bookings from us attendees! There will be an option on his website to copy your trip!! Copyright the itinerary!

Posted by
1584 posts

Agree this was a great meeting! The organization of the topics was great with each presenter having a specialty. Having Teo with his expertise was an added plus.

The meeting made me want to return to Romania and it probably left a lot of people with a desire to visit Romania. We’re not called a travel group for nothing!

Posted by
3555 posts

I wished I could have stayed longer, the presentations were great! Teo will be very busy in the future I suspect. Thanks to the three traveling amigas for sharing your travel secrets.

Posted by
11109 posts

Thanks so much for adding me.

And thank you so much for all the trouble you all went with to give us good insight into how your trip worked and how key Two was to your wonderful experience. Each of your slide presentations was excellent, and complemented the others well.

I love the idea of his putting up the "Three Ladies Tour" on his website. For me, I would have to go to Oradea for the Art Nouveau !

Thank you, CW Social, TxTravelMom, and Mardee, again for all the time you devoted to making this a fun and interesting gathering!

Posted by
5748 posts

It was really fun to get to talk through the trip and go through our photos remembering! (It was also a little painful to have to leave things out - ha!) Thanks to everyone for listening! Thanks to Avi for hosting and CWsocial for being the lead on organizing!

Posted by
6113 posts

For me, I would have to go to Oradea for the Art Nouveau !

I caught that as well, Kim! Top of my list for next time!! Thanks for riding along to Romania today, I'm so glad you could make it.

Posted by
6113 posts

Thanks to the three traveling amigas for sharing your travel secrets.

We had a "secret weapon" on this trip, for sure! Glad you could join us until your guest arrived, CL!

Posted by
10726 posts

Thank you to everyone for coming and to CW and Avi for hosting! It was fun to do although I was a little nervous about it beforehand. But it was great to refresh my memories of that wonderful country! I hope that you all make it to Romania!

CL, now you have the theme song from the movie “The Three Amigos” running through my head, lol!

Posted by
2249 posts

Sorry I couldn’t join. Still on the east coast visiting family and old school friends while freezing my backside off.

Posted by
858 posts

I enjoyed the reports on Romania, too. Great photos, good advice and well presented. Having Teo join in was an extra plus. Thank you to CW, TX, Mardee and Avi for such a delightful travel talk!

Posted by
204 posts

Thank you CWsocial, TexasTravelMom, and Mardee for your presentations about your trip to Romania. So interesting. Thank you Teo for your information about Romania. I didn’t know much about it before so thank you for igniting my interest.

And Avi, thank you for your comment about Satmar - I kept staring at the map and thinking, “Why does Satmar sound so familiar?” It was almost as if you read my mind and answered! Smile.

Posted by
2941 posts

Thank you three traveling amigas for the very interesting talk and photos.

Mardee, your love of Sibiu led me to watching YouTube videos about it this morning - so enchanting!

Posted by
10726 posts

Thanks, Mary! It really is a wonderful place, and would make a great solo trip! 😉

Posted by
5748 posts

Mary, I think we all agreed that had we both known and had days, an extra day in Sibiu would have made a wonderful addition. I could have easily stayed another day in the Maramureş also.

Missed you, Nigel!

Posted by
2984 posts

I am so sorry I missed this! I never saw this thread until half way through the meeting. I guess I need to spend more time on the forum, LOL.

What a cool idea this was. Kudos to whoever came up with it, as well as all the amigos. : )