Romania

SAFETY: very good
The whole country is generally considered safe. No particular risks are reported other than petty crime (theft, pickpocketing, extortion).

TRANSPORT: good
Well connected by air to Italy and easily reached by car, Romania offers a good domestic air network and a good rail network. The bus network is extensive but slow. The road network has only two motorway stretches (Bucharest-Pitești, 115 km, and Bucharest-Cernavodă-Constanța, 200 km). Ordinary roads are not always in good condition. Air links with Italy are good and frequent.

Main airports: Bucharest (Henri Coandă airport at Otopeni), Timișoara and Cluj-Napoca.
Main ports: Constanța, Tulcea.

ACCOMMODATION: fairly good
Romania has a good choice of accommodation of various kinds and prices, especially in the major cities and along the classic tourist circuit. Elsewhere the choice narrows, and so do the standards.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Romania – Location: Eastern Europe. Borders: Bulgaria to the south, Serbia to the south-west, Hungary to the north-west, Ukraine to the north, Moldova to the north-east, the Black Sea to the south-east – Time zone: UTC +2, 1 hour ahead of Italy, observes daylight saving time – Area: 238,400 sq km – Capital: Bucharest – Population: 22,300,000 – Religion: 87% Romanian Orthodox, 10% Catholic, 0.1% Protestant – Languages: Romanian (official language) – Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: Leu (RON). Amounts of up to 10,000 euros (or equivalent) may be brought in without customs formalities; above that, a declaration on entry is required. On leaving, it is not possible to take out more than the amount declared on entry – Credit cards: the major credit cards are accepted in the main cities and larger businesses; elsewhere, local currency – Exchange: bring euros, easy to exchange.

ELECTRICITY: 220 V and 50 Hz (as in Italy) – Sockets: two-pin type, bring an adapter.

DOCUMENTS: an identity card valid for foreign travel or a valid passport is sufficient – Driving: Italian driving licence – Car: Green Card for Italian vehicles.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: International dialling code: 0040 – GSM: network coverage throughout the country. Standard: GSM 900/1800 and 3G 2100 (as in Italy). Local operators: Vodafone, Orange Romania, Cosmote Romanian Mobile Telecommunications – Internet: fairly widespread – Web domain: .ro – Emergency numbers: ambulance, police, fire brigade 112, emergency hospital 962.

RULES, LAWS AND CUSTOMS: with regard to the laws on the use or trafficking of drugs, prostitution and offences against minors, severe criminal penalties are in force, including prison sentences (up to life imprisonment). The country decriminalised homosexual relations in 2001 under pressure from the European Union. Numerous episodes of violence and discrimination against the gay community are recorded, including by the police and the authorities. In general the country is puritanical and conservative.

HEALTH: no vaccinations are required. Healthcare standards are not comparable with those of Western countries; only the capital has good medical facilities and private clinics of a good standard. Medical care is adequate for non-emergency problems. For foreign nationals the emergency service is free of charge, while treatment, consultations and hospital stays must be paid for.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1-2 January, New Year; Easter Sunday and Easter Monday; 1 May, Labour Day; 1 December, National Day; 25 December, Christmas Day; 26 December, St Stephen's Day.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Sat 8.00-12.00, Sat 14.00-18.00 – Banks: Mon-Fri 8.00-12.30 and 13.30-15.00 – Shops: Mon-Sat 9.00-19.00 (varies) – Museums: Tue-Sun 10.00-17.00 – Closing day: Sunday.

CLIMATE: mainly continental, influenced by the cold, dry Sarmatian air currents from Ukraine. The seasons tend to be clearly defined. Summers are very hot and humid, springs rather short with frequent thundery showers, autumns are cool, while winters are cold and dry, although foggy days are common on the plains. The Danube Delta enjoys milder temperatures than the rest of the country. Rainfall is not abundant, falling mainly in spring and autumn and more frequently on the Carpathian heights.

Monthly max/min temperatures (in °C)

Rainy days (at least 1 mm of rain)/monthly rainfall in mm

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY

Embassy of Romania
Via Tartaglia Nicolò 36 – 00197 Rome – Tel. 06 8084529 – Fax 06 8084995 – Web: http://roma.mae.ro/ – E-mail: roma@mae.ro
Consular section: Via Del Serafico 75 – 00142 Rome – Tel. 06 51531155/519656266/51965268 – Fax 06 51531151
consulara@roembit.org

Consulate General
Via Gignese 2 – 20148 Milan – Tel. 02 40074018 – Fax 02 40074023 – Web: www.consulatmilano.com – E-mail: consulatmilano@gmx.net

Romanian Tourist Office
Via Torino 95 – 00184 Rome – Tel. 06 4880267 – Web: www.romania.it – E-mail: office@romania.it

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ROMANIA

Embassy of Italy
Strada Henri Coanda 9 – 010667 Sector 1 Bucharest – Tel. 0040 21 3052100 – Fax 0040 21 3120422 – Web: www.ambbucarest.esteri.it – E-mail: ambasciata.bucarest@esteri.it
Consular Chancery: Str. Arch. Ion Mincu 12 – 011358 Sector 1 Bucharest – Tel. 0040 21 2232424 – Fax 0040 21 2234550 – E-mail: consolato.bucarest@esteri.it

Consulates
Bd. Decebal 7, int. 7, Arad, jud. Arad
Tel. 0040 257 230112
Fax 0040 257 210269
Email: arad.onorario@esteri.it

Calea Timisoarei n. 66 ap.3
Giroc, jud. Timisoara
Tel. 0040 784399944
Email: timisoara.onorario@esteri.it