The Romania Experience

Although Romania is a member of the European Union, it does not use the euro (€), but has its own currency - the RON / Leu. The official currency is most commonly referred to as the plural ‘lei’ although some banks and exchange offices list it as the RON. One leu divides into 100 bani with banknotes coming in various denominations normally 1 leu, 5 lei, 10 lei, 50 lei and 100 lei and less commonly, 200 and 500 lei notes. Coins come in 50 bani and 10 bani pieces, which can be useful for small tips or donations.

The easiest option is to head to a cash machine once you’ve checked into your hotel in Bucharest to withdraw funds. There are plenty of ATMs around so it’s quick and convenient to get hold of your holiday cash

If you want to come prepared beforehand, the Bureau de Change in M&S is, strangely, one of the only places that dispenses the local currency. You can also purchase currency online and collect it from your local post office or even have it delivered straight to your door. Ordering currency online with the Post Office is commission-free and available for next day delivery. Obviously the more you buy the better rate you’ll receive.
However you choose to get hold of your spending money, just make sure you either spend or convert your RON before you leave. 

Most major credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted throughout Romania’s main towns and cities. While you should have no problem using your card to pay for drinks or dinner in major towns and cities using your card, some establishments accept cash only so it’s worth checking before you get settled in. Although cash machines are widespread across Bucharest and the rest of Romania, it would be wise to ensure you have enough local currency on you before you enter the villages of Romania or the Danube Delta as you’re highly unlikely to find cash machines in the small villages. Don’t leave it later than Cluj or Constanta to withdraw funds – those are your last guaranteed port of call for ATMs. It is also advisable to try to break big notes, as the locals only tend to accept small denominations so 10 and 20 RON notes are best. It is always advisable to inform your bank that you’re travelling abroad in order to avoid the frustration of having your card blocked. 

As a general rule, you’ll be able to have a good lunch for around £10 a head and will pay around £15 a head for a nice evening meal. Naturally, the type of establishment you choose to eat in and what you order will dictate the cost of your meals. Be aware that ordering imported wines can cause your bill to sky-rocket so drinking local wines is advisable. We reckon around £70 for lunch, dinner and drinks for two people is plenty per day. Please note that these are rough estimates and you can always choose to spend more or less depending on your budget and preferences. Please note that dinner at Inn on Balaban and Viscri and lunch in Letea in the Danube Delta are included. 

Tipping is not obligatory in Romania although rounding up taxi fares and adding 10% in restaurants is polite and common practice. If the service has been poor please don’t feel obligated to leave a tip. 

Spring: Spring weather is pleasant as the intense heat of the summer is yet to arrive. However, it’s not unusual for the weather to change quite drastically, particularly on higher ground so it’s a good idea to pack layers just in case! The other plus side to travelling in the spring is the presence of stunning wildflowers and butterflies that fill the countryside. As a bonus, it is migration season in the Danube Delta so it is the perfect time to visit for birdwatching.
Summer: Summer affords long hot sunny days and blue skies with little chance of rain. While temperatures can soar to around 40 degrees in Bucharest, the countryside tends to be a little cooler so you can enjoy the great outdoors. The weather means the Danube Delta will be more crowded as well.
Autumn: September brings with it slightly fresher temperatures and a certain sense of tranquillity as the rush to get the hay in from the fields is usually over by this point. You’ll still have warm and very pleasant days with cooler evenings to explore the villages. September also witnesses bird migration in the Danube Delta, so it is another great opportunity for birdwatching. 

You can always contact the UTP team on +44 207 101 4061 or info@untravelledpaths.com. Before you travel, you will also receive a personalised itinerary with the contact details of the local manager in Romania should there be any problems. Your guide will be on hand throughout the trip as well, so you're in safe hands. 

Our digital booklet, which you will receive before travel, contains all the information you need about optional activities. Simply drop us an email letting us know what you'd like to do during your trip, and we'll take care of the rest. Please note that the payment for the optional activities will be taken locally in cash 

As Romania can get quite hot in summer, it's advisable to pack lighter clothing. Evenings can get a bit chillier, however, especially in Transylvania, so it's a good idea to have a hoodie or jacked on hand. If you're travelling in spring or autumn, do take your rain jacket with you. If you're opting for the Bear Hide trip, pack some dark-coloured clothing as the idea behind observing wild animals is to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Think black, navy blue and dark green attire. Remember, you want to see the bears but you don’t want them to see you! You might also want to bring a few layers as the temperature drops in the evening and you’ll be sitting still for quite a while. Please also ensure you bring a waterproof with you just in case! 

While in Brasov, you will have the opportunity to head into the woods and observe the wild bears from the safety of a bear hide. Please let the team know beforehand if you're interested, and we can arrange the visit for you.

Obviously not a good idea to head into the woods with a pair of high heels or flip-flops on. Wear shoes that will be comfortable for walking like a sturdy pair of trainers or some walking boots. Again, darker colours are preferable.

Yes, there are a few things. A small backpack can be useful to carry all your essentials while keeping your hands free. A bottle of water is always practical and don’t forget your sun cream for hot days walking in the mountains and insect repellent to keep mosquitos away at dusk. Binoculars can be useful too!

When it comes to spotting bears in the wild, your best chance is at the bear hide. In ten years, there have only been a couple of very rare occasions that the bears didn’t show up at the hide so that ought to give you a good idea of how likely you are to catch a glimpse of them! You will, of course, see quite a few rescued bears at the Libearty Bear Sanctuary so you won’t go home without seeing at least one bear.

Very. With an experienced local tracker that is professionally trained in tracking and dealing with wild animals, you’re in safe hands for all of the bear tracking excursions. Typically, your tracker will carry an electric rod and/or a can of mace spray in the unlikely event that you should run into any problems. During the mating season it is common for trackers to carry a gun with them so please do not be alarmed.

Yes, of course. Although there are certain rules you’ll need to follow if you’d like to capture the experience on film. The use of flash, automatic focusing functions, continuous modes or settings that detect red eye are not permitted as the bears will be alerted by your presence and may react or vacate the area. If you are unsure about which camera settings you should use, ask your tracker. If you're planning to use your phone to take pictures, please ensure the settings comply to the regulations and that you put it on silent.

You will be travelling by car between each location, and you will be able to explore the towns and sights at your own pace. If you opt for the Bear Hide excursion, there is a moderate amount of walking involved. Depending on which location you will be visiting, it might take you between 15 minutes to 45 minutes to reach the hide. You will be following a forest trail with level terrain. There is some walking involved at the Sanctuary as well, with a small uphill portion, but all broken down with stops to hear the stories and watch the bears.

Transfagarasan, aka "the best road in the world" according to Top Gear, is only open a limited amount of time during the year. While not part of the experience, a trip to Balea Lake via the Transfagarasan can be arranged if you are travelling between the end of June and beginning of October. 

Tap water is safe to drink practically everywhere, but most people stick to bottled water to be on the safe side. We would highly recommend drinking bottled or filtered water during your stay in Romania.

You’re likely to encounter a fair few mosquitoes and other insects during your trip to the Danube Delta particularly during the main summer months. You can reduce your risk of being bitten by applying insect repellent or wearing long-sleeved tops and trousers to cover up. If you do suffer any bites or stings a couple of antihistamine tablets with water and an application of hydrocortisone cream to the affected area will help symptoms. It can be difficult to access a pharmacy while you’re in the area so make sure you pack appropriate medical supplies just in case.

Of course! The trip to the Sachalin Peninsula to watch the Pelicans and other bird species is included in the experience. Other additional trips can be arranged during your time in Sfantu Gheorghe, so have a read through the booklet and let us know what you'd like to do!