Romania is a wonderful country to visit, but like any country in the world, it has its ups and down – its pluses and minuses. This is why today, I thought I would break-away a bit from the #DiscoverPoland posts and rather focus on #DiscoverRomania instead 🙂 so without any further ado, my dears, here is a list of things you should not do while in my homeland.
Do not take a cab from the airport!
NEVER GET A CAB FROM THE AIRPORT – ANY AIRPORT!!! – Use public transport or the shuttle buses that take you back to the city. The taxi drivers love to scam the newbies that have no clue where they are heading and they always take the longest route or spin you around the city, to get the bill bigger.
On the other hand… The prices for driving in a taxi are probably the lowest in Europe, so you will not be spending a fortune 😉 and some of the taxi drivers are actually nice and very talkative. Also, it is best, if you think the bill was too large, if you will haggle.
Traveling by train – unreliable
When visiting Romania, it is best if you would rent a car or you would go by bus (buses also usually have WIFI). The trains are rather unreliable in their schedule and … each time I went by train I always bumped into rather weird individuals.
Public transport – buses and trams
No AC for the buses and trams! Most of them are rather old-school or second hand. In summertime you should definitely avoid them as they tend to be very packed and you end up feeling like sardines… they do open up the windows for more air… but it is equal to going to the sauna!
The Metro is reliable, fast and cheap. In Bucharest you should use it, rather than buses as you might get stuck in traffic.
Pickpocketing
Pickpocketing in Romania is real! You have to be careful of your goods while in town as there are loads of gypsies ready for you! They hide in the shadows or in plain sight and they wait for any wrong move! Do not show off with your possessions and always keep an eye on them.
Do not keep your phone and or wallet in your pockets – especially the back pockets! Keep your bags and backpacks in the front while traveling by public transport. Better be safe than sorry, that’s what I always say!
Vlad Dracul was real!
Yes, Dracula was real – vampires, however, are just fairytale material. Do not ask the first question if they are real and if we spotted any! We do not carry garlic with us nor a wooden stake. We do not live in the Middle Ages and just so you know… Vlad III, known as Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Dracul > Dracula) was Voivode of Wallachia 3 times between 1448 and his death. He is often considered one of the most important rulers in Wallachian history and a national hero of Romania – yes he did impale people, but only because they were doing mean things.
Do you have an example of things one should not do while going to Romania? Would love to hear your stories and if you agree with me or not!
Yours sincerely,
The Twisted Red LadyBug, born in Romania 🙂
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