Unveiling Romania: A Deep Dive into My Independent Travel Itinerary, Food, and Accommodation

Hey everyone 👋! My procrastination finally got the better of me, and I'm only just now summarizing my June trip to Romania in November 🎉! Initially, I planned to travel to Romania by train, but when I arrived at the bus station in Ruse, I discovered a minibus that went directly to Bucharest. The ticket lady was incredibly helpful and managed to find two seats for us, so we switched to the minibus. Our planned route was a triangle: first to Sibiu, then to Brasov, and finally back to Bucharest via Sinaia (a day trip). 💖 Sightseeing Experiences Sinaia was the highlight, especially Peleș Castle. It was absolutely amazing! I kind of regret only doing a day trip; it felt too rushed. I wish we could have stayed overnight. Sibiu was also quite nice. Brasov, on the other hand, was relatively underwhelming. And Bran Castle (the so-called "Dracula's Castle") was a complete waste of time; I wouldn't recommend it. Bucharest actually has quite a few worthwhile attractions, so don't miss out on those. 🍜 Food Overall, Romanian cuisine is a bit more refined than Bulgarian, and naturally, the prices are a bit higher. Be sure to check the portion sizes when ordering, or you might end up wasting food. For example, in the last photo, I had lunch at a popular local restaurant, but we ordered too much. We packed up half of it, but we still ended up throwing it away, which was a shame 😭. 🚂 Transportation The trains are incredibly slow! The first day, going from Bucharest to Sibiu, took almost 6 hours! I considered taking the bus, but it wouldn't have saved much time and was more expensive. So, if you're short on time, you might consider skipping Sibiu. Also, a reminder that train tickets can be booked online up to a month in advance. The conductor will scan the QR code on your ticket. 🏨 Accommodation Apart from Bucharest, there aren't many international hotel chains in Romania. I encourage you to explore the local hotels; they have a unique charm. However, be aware that the breakfast quality can vary, but it's usually enough to fill you up. So there you have it, my independent travel experience in Romania. I hope this helps 💖. Have any of you been to Romania 🧐? Share your experiences in the comments below!