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Post by rikita on May 2, 2014 16:59:53 GMT -5
Need some decision help ...
After deciding to postpone our original travel plan (Italy) for financial reasons, Mr. R. and I are looking for an alternative. Two countries we are considering are Romania or Slovenia. We need something that is good with a toddler and that can be done on a tight budget, and will probably only chose two or three locations to stay in, rather than travel around a lot (we have two weeks, at the end of August). Oh, and neither of us drives, so we need to get around on public transport ...
For me, the main argument for Romania is that I speak the language and have always wanted to go back, know my way around a bit already and know that there are a lot of nice places.
Main argument for Slovenia is that I haven't been there yet (and really want to finally visit a "new" country again soon), and that it is not quite as far away as Romania.
Anyone here been to both countries and can give me an opinion as to how they compare? Or to one of them and can give me an idea what to expect cost-wise (last time I was in Romania was in 2003, so I suspect costs there have changed a lot since then) - we tend to stay at budget places, but would need places that are okay with a small child, want to visit some sights, but not a huge "programme", and would like to eat in a (budget to midrange) restaurant once per day, for the other meals markets or supermarkets or bakeries ...
will keep researching of course, but thought maybe i can get some ideas from someone here ...
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Post by mei on May 4, 2014 13:57:41 GMT -5
I've heard great things about Slovenia, so for the next central europe trip it's likely to be a destination, but haven't been.... so can't help with the comparison. I enjoyed Romania, though can't really judge what it would be like travelling with kids. I think it would be good to do, I found it quite cheap (this was 2008 or 2009), and if you have a car I think it would be easy to stick to 2 or 3 places. Few days in mountains, see some castles, old town, maybe a few days at the Black Sea coast? oops. re-read OP and noticed you don't drive  I travelled on public transport which I thought was a bit limiting for places that were easily accessible. I think it's a country that becomes much more alive when you can get out of the towns, but there are many beautiful towns of course (Brasov, Sighisoara - are only a few that I visited) |
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Post by rikita on May 9, 2014 1:52:31 GMT -5
We are leaning towards Romania so far, mainly because of it being cheaper ... Brasov and Sighisoara are definitely two locations we are considering - and I suppose despite being towns they are not that big that they'd be stressful with a small child (though I also want to include a few days of Bucharest, because I studied there and would really like to see it again ...)
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Post by mei on May 9, 2014 2:35:31 GMT -5
i agree, they wouldn't be stressful at all I think. they're towns but nothing like big, stressful cities (though I don't know what they become with tourists! I was there in late April/early May so it was pretty quiet).
another thought - I also spent a few days in the Danube Delta. Very very relaxing - it's a pretty unique part of the country I think, and could be good with a kid with beach etc. there's not a lot there though - but again I think that changes in summer when the surfers apparently come out (and there's actually a daily ferry heading out instead of one every three days)
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Post by sprite on May 16, 2014 21:45:33 GMT -5
we went to romania a couple of years ago in august, only in transylvania for two weeks, but loved it soooo much. the only downside was that it got quite hot in the afternoon.
we drove, but i imagine that staying in that area and having the language (we used a lot of french), public transport would be ok. we tried not to drive more than 4 hours a day, except for one wild goose chase up a mountain looking for someone who would take us bear watching. (he was on holidays).
we stayed at a farm in a village famous for this, they had kittens. such adorable kittens!! lots of walking.
we enjoyed dracula's village. the castle is actually very pretty with minimal Vlad, and the town was good fun for a couple of days--lots of kitsch.
in the end, my partner had food poisoning so we didn't make it to either the salt mines or cluj, which was really disappointing. i think we were driving out of hungary...
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Post by rikita on May 18, 2014 16:26:40 GMT -5
sorry your partner got food poisoning, sprite ... but glad you enjoyed the trip otherwise ...
we'll also consider the danube delta, mei ... i have been there once but just two days, so it might be ncie to see more of it ...
we have pretty much decided for romania now ... additionally, a friend of mine from australia (who i got to know back when i studied in romania and she was there on an exchange program) is planning to be there at the same time, so i am getting really excited!
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Post by sprite on May 18, 2014 16:55:36 GMT -5
lesson: when the restaurant smells like mildew, don't eat the chicken.
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Post by tinaja on May 19, 2014 16:04:07 GMT -5
I was in Romania during the Communist era. That was an eye opener. I'd like to go back sometime. And I'm sure this is no help to you!
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Post by rikita on May 19, 2014 16:24:28 GMT -5
maybe no help, but it is interesting. would like to hear a bit about your journey! (spoke to some people who have been there back then, including my dad, and they all have interesting stories to tell ...)
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Post by sprite on May 19, 2014 19:08:53 GMT -5
that contrast would be amazing!
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Post by weeg on May 20, 2014 7:17:45 GMT -5
Never been to Romania, but I loved Slovenia.
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Post by sprite on May 20, 2014 15:52:56 GMT -5
slovenia is next on my list of european places.
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Post by tinaja on May 20, 2014 16:32:58 GMT -5
Some shortened stories of the Communist era visit were:
The conductor thought I was a hooker on the train. Tried to have his way with me for $$. I'm not sure that had anything to do with Communism;
The hotel management was extremely suspicious of me. I got an anonymous creepy call in my room, "I know vat u vant," (No he really didn't; I was so punchy after the conductor thing, I might have said that.)
The bell boy wanted 1) a date (I said no) and 2) to trade money for me on the black market (I said yes) and then there was nothing to buy.
There were lots of things you couldn't photograph.
I saw the police beating a guy in an alley, but my friend covered by saying the guy was probably drunk.
My friend (actually friend of my girlfriend & husband on the outside in Germany) said he was not supposed to be visiting with me unless he reported it to the police.
There was one channel on the tv.
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Post by rikita on May 21, 2014 14:28:23 GMT -5
the train conductor must have been really creepy ...
i had a strange encounter with a train conductor when i was there, long post communism ... was at night, i was almost the only person in the train, was sleeping in a normal (non-sleeper) car lying on the bench, with the light on, and a book on my face so no one would think i am asleep. i kept waking up feeling i am being watched - and once i saw a face against the window of the compartment, and another time i thought i saw someone actually leaving the compartment. i hurried out and looked, and saw the conductor walking away. he said yes, he was in there, and claimed he was checking if i am alright. didn't come back after that, but i felt a bit unsure whether i should fall asleep again or better not ...
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I travelled on public transport which I thought was a bit limiting for places that were easily accessible. I think it's a country that becomes much more alive when you can get out of the towns, but there are many beautiful towns of course (Brasov, Sighisoara - are only a few that I visited)
