Romania Travel Answers

Thanks, hasbara, that's some very helpful information. I'd like to avoid driving as much as possible so your point about police in the Ukraine is well received. My main area of interest here is actually Romania because it strikes me as a beautiful country rich in history and a lot to see and do - although I'm interested in the Ukraine because my family has roots there and it would be fascinating to see it as well. In terms of specific questions, can you tell me what the most efficient way to travel from Bran to Sibiu along the Fagaras Mountains would be? I found a number of tours out of Brasov that include Bran among their destinations but most wind up returning either to Brasov or Bucharest after the tour is over. It would be interesting to spend 2 nights in Brasov and the 3rd in Bran, departing from Bran the next morning to tour along the mountains. Any info on tours of the Fagaras Mountains leaving from Bran as well as hiking/camping opportunities would be quite useful. On the subject of train travel, I like the idea of just showing up at a terminal and buying my ticket when I arrive, but part of me finds the idea rather intimidating. Are there physical copies of the Romanian train schedule that I can either send away for through the mail or obtain upon arrival? I've been to the CFR Calatori website and have been able to find some important schedule information but wouldn't feel confident enough to show up at any terminal in the country and know how to get to where I was going. Beyond that, can you tell me some other Ukrainian destinations/attractions/landmarks that aren't to be missed? You mentioned the city of Lviv and it sounds like it would definitely be worth a look. The route I'm thinking of taking ends in Kiev so destinations to the west of that would be preferable; but anywhere that is accessible during a day trip would also be worth exploring. As for safety issues, it's good to be informed of possible risks before throwing myself into a situation that I can't handle. Thanks again for all of your help. It's most appreciated.

Obviously Romania and Ukraine differs a bit form Canada, Poland or Israel.As all travellers know the difference is a great thing. Don't be afraid of Ukraine or the police there, however use common sense as elswhere else. Don't be afraid of Gypsies as well. I treat them with the respect but also set the line in contacts to respect my style. But, I have read reports that belongings were stolen at night form tents of free campers/hikers as they made the camp close to villages inhabited by Gypsies. My friends (Poles) were there by car (in Lviv, Karpaty, Podole, Bukowina and Zakarpatie) last summer, no problem with police on the route. Only EU customs officers (in their case Slovaks) kept them and others 5 hours at entry to Slovakia. However if I were you I wouldn't use the car because of the good train service between Lviv and Kiev. The main tourist destination in Ukraina from my perspective: Kiev- and there are some places for one day trips. Crimea- overcrowded in summer time. Ukrainian Karpaty- empty mountains partly at the Romanian border. Gorgany Czarnohora and Poloniny (like Borzawa) are the most famous. Lviv and some Western Ukraine cities, palaces, strongholds. Odessa? Romania- free camping is quite popular among hikers. However there is a good network of mountian hostels in Fagaras and Bucegi. Bran is only few hours so called 'tourist Disneyland' destination and it is located rather in Bucegi than in Fogaras. Rasnov is a better choice. Mind you also towns as Medias, Tirgu Mures or Sighisioara. You can buy hiking maps online. Ask Gyurift as an VT expert about the railway journey. Spending money on organised tours is a prodigality in my opinion. Romania has an efficient local transport network for locals. However I travelled there by car few times.

You could hike all the way from Bran towards Sibiu, first through Piatra Craiului massif then along the Fagaras' ridge stopping at the chalets along the way but it takes a few days. It might be better to do some short hikes around Bran (either into Piatra Craiului or into the Bucegi), then get back to Brasov and catch a bus (on the Brasov-Sibiu route) to the start of Transfagarasan road. From there hitchhike up to Balea lake, stay a night or two, do a few other hikes in the area, then hitchhike back down and take the bus onwards to Sibiu. There is a physical copy of the Romanian train timetables, called "Mersul trenurilor de calatori". It's sold at major stations and ticket booking agencies in large cities. If you want to get sleepers or couchettes on overnight trains it's better to book them with a day or at least a few hours before departure.

The train from across the boarder from Sighet goes to Lvov which is indeed beautiful. It leaves from Solotvyno around 16.oo and gets in to Lvov early the next day. If you want to see another nice Town in the South of Ukraine take the regular bus from Solotvyno to Rahiv which is very nice and has a nice Spanish restaurant (don't ask how ive no idea but the food is great).The train from here to Lvov goes later in the evening around 21.30. There are very nice trails around Rahiv but its wild and unmapped so be careful.

This is some excellent info, everyone! Planning is very much in its infancy at the moment but I feel like I know a lot more now than I did before posting this thread. I'll check back periodically to see if people have additional ideas or if I think of some more questions but this is a fantastic start.

I don't do overnight hiking, camping or car rentals, but I did travel from Chisinau (and Tiraspol) to Sighet, into Solotvyno and back, over to Budapest and back all the way back to Constanta by myself in the summer of 2010, and it was REALLY easy. I didn't have ANY problems. Transportation, accommodation, finding vegetarian food... everything just fell into place really easily and effortlessly. HOWEVER I had almost six weeks. I would have found it tight in two weeks. I don't think you'll have any problems at all, but I think you'll be pressed for time.

@potemptkin It the check point over the bridge on Cisa is reopened for pedestrians betweem Rahiv and Sygiet? Eastern Karpaty, Podole, Maramures and Bu(c)kow(v)ina are one of my possible destinations for my summer holidays, That's why I ask.

Yes the boarder between Sighet and Solotvyno is open to small vehicles and people on foot or useing bikes.