12 independent reviews for Romania vacation, the Beauty of Yesterday
Reviews for Romania vacation, the Beauty of Yesterday
Faye Courtney review 24 Sep 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Very hard to split between castles, painted monasteries and the besutiful countryside.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared to be amazed and have a great time. Be open to new experiences. You don't need to change as much money as you think.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The trip utilises local often family hotels and restaurants. The visit to Libertea Bear Sanctuary assists the rescue and support of the rescued bears and wolves. The travel is done on a small group, small vehicle basis. The train trip to Piatra Neamt was an enjoyable way to start to see the country.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We really enjoyed our discovery of Romania and its treasures.Andrew Gerry review 14 Jun 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
You would do well to reconsider the CATERING. Some lunches were full 3-course meals, more than could be managed and much was returned uneaten. On a few occasions a buffet would have been more appropriate. The dinner at Hotel Korona, Sighi?oara, was the worst meal ever encountered in all my travels (details available if you want them). Would have preferred a MacDonald’s from across the road2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If you drink tea, take your own teabags. Take your own plug for the basin. This sort of info should be provided automatically by you3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
No comment4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
You ought to have provided a reading list and recommendations of travel books. This is across the board. Otherwise documentation as expectedRead the operator's response here:
Thank you for your comments and feedback. Food and hospitality are engrained in Romanian culture and we have had a couple of comments regarding the waistline on return from this tour! We have, though, requested that lunches on our tours in Romania are a little lighter, particularly if the weather is hot. Following from your comments, we found out that the Hotel Korona had a large group in the same night and, although we had booked and insisted on separate catering options, they provided only the same food as the big group. In this situation, as it was too late when your guide found out to obtain alternative food at the hotel, they should have taken you to a local restaurant instead and we would have refused to pay the original dinner. I am so sorry that this solution was not offered at the time - we have informed our small team of guides that this would always be the best course of action in such a situation as, clearly from your comments, a bad food experience is big disappointment on vacation.
In terms of the benefit for local community and how we minimise our impact on the environment, a small group by its very nature has a relatively low impact on the environment and a much bigger interaction with the local culture. The majority of the accommodation is small-scale and locally owned, all our staff are Romanian and are well trained in general history and cultural knowledge but they are also very mindful of the environment and the legacy of tourism in their country. Entry fees for historic monuments and national/nature parks go directly towards restoration and improvements in access and educational resources.
Gerhard Kordmann review 11 Oct 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Coming from a miserable autumnal England, I very much enjoyed the delicious outdoors meals we had in the gardens of various hosts. A personal highlight was the Nicolae Popa museum, both for the exhibits and the beautiful settings. Talking about food: meals are generous and tasty, mostly 3 courses. Prepare to put on weight :-) The main attractions come in two groups. On the one hand churches, in a multitude of styles and sizes. The old wooden village churches are, in their own way, every bit as rewarding as the famous painted monasteries. The other theme is the titular yesterday. We saw old villages in their individual styles, visited traditional craftsmen, took rides in a horse cart, and on a steam train. And somehow, in between, Romania snuck in some amazing landscape and sunshine. It was my first group tour, and thoroughly enjoyable. Nothing to worry about, just have breakfast, go to the minibus, and enjoy what is coming. Alexandra, our guide, was no doubt the one who made all this possible. She seems to know everything and everyone, and any extra wishes or small problems were just resolved with a smile. Extra mention to Cristi, who did not only safely drive us - no mean feat on some of those roads - but was always ready to give a helping hand and find extra treats.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Bring something to read for the longer driving parts. Much of it is through breathtaking views, but sometimes it's unavoidable to pass 2 hours of unremarkable fields. Souvenirs shopping is best during the first half of the tour, later it became a bit generic. And most of all: take the moments as they come. This should not be a vacation to tick off must-see items from a guide book, but one to drink in the ever changing character of the countryside. A simple early morning walk to a lake near a guest house left a bigger impression than the overly busy Bran Castle, spectacular though it is.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely. Most of the guest houses were local and independently run. The meals were often prepared by local families and served in their yard. Even though we did come as the classical coach tourists, I never had the impression that the people put on a show for the camera. The wood carver clearly was a craftsman showing us around because he was proud of his work, not because he wanted to earn tourist fees. The small group size allows to support to such individual places, which simply couldn't cope with large coach parties.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Absolutely delightful, I never came back from a vacation more relaxed. The weather, of course was a bonus, but the perfect organisation made all the difference.Sue Beckingham review 5 Oct 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We enjoyed it all but going to to the Merry Cemetry at Sapanta was interesting also Viscri where Prince Charles has bought a home. He has helped the village and it was great going to the woods on a horse drawn cart to the brick maker and learning about his craft. The fields to the village were covered in autumn crocuses and other wild flowers..... so beautiful. Churches were wonderful although for us too many! Our guide Alexandra was excellent. The food was a big surprise . We did not expect three good meals daily or to be taken to restaurants. The food at guest houses was wonderful, organic in most cases and was served with home made wine and schnapps.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Quite tiring traveling every day, but we had a great group of people, nine in all. We stayed over an extra day in Bucharest and visited The People's House or Parliament....well worth a visit.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely. Guest houses were successful so the owners built another next door. Tourism is still young but is providing many jobs. A lot of the food was home grown and organic. The people are poor and work hard and it would be a pity to become so commercial that the local produce disappears4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Different but excellentRodney Mount review 20 Jun 2018
For anyone with an interest in this part of Romania, with its unique history, unusual ecclesiastical architecture, and its customs and traditions, and who may be considering a vacation there, I can recommend this 10 day group tour by mini-bus with almost no reserve. There was so much to see and enjoy. The painted monasteries of Bucovina each different from the last, the journey along the Vaser valley on the forestry railway - slightly touristy but great fun , the splendid scenery on the Prislop Pass, the fortified Saxon churches of Transylvania, the larger towns, the villages with their traditional wood carving, the folk art - an almost inexhaustible list full of interest and intrigue. The tour price included full board and the hotels and guest houses were all of an acceptable standard, varying from almost palatial impersonal hotels in the larger cities to the far more enjoyable and more rural guest houses where we found ourselves almost part of the family. All rooms were en suite with modern showers and spotlessly clean. I doubt if Romania could lay claim to culinary greatness, but the food was consistently good with the accent on soups, grilled meats, fish, with peppers and aubergines in various forms and all usually served with polenta. Lunches were an unexpected delight often taken in intriguing and lovely rural surroundings, old village inns or tiny restaurants in private houses where there was usually no choice of menu but abundant helpings and always accompanied by home made slivovic and wine of varied quality as one might expect. We over ate of course – how could one not? The whole trip was undertaken by minibus – a modern 8 seater Renault – reasonably roomy and very pristine when we boarded on arrival at Bacau airport, where we were greeted by Alexandra who would be our guide and driver for the tour. And she turned out to be an absolute gem. Young , pretty, highly educated and speaking excellent English, there seemed nothing she did not know about her country, past and present – not that any of the six of us was in a position to doubt her explanations. She went out of her way to ensure we enjoyed ourselves, often making little detours for odd sites that were not on the itinerary which she thought we might enjoy. Furthermore she drove well and safely on roads where that could not always be taken as normal. And my one reserve? It was all too short! I was a little breathless at the end.Howard Somerville review 28 Sep 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The painted churches, Sighisoara, the Merry Cemetery in Sapanta, the dramatic mountain scenery around Azuga and the excellent tour leader and meals.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Go with realistic expectations.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, no, and no.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The administration by the operator was faultless and the tour leader (Alexandra) was outstanding. The accommodation overall was very satisfactory, and the meals (all of which were included, despite a free menu choice in most cases) were the best I have ever had. But Romania (even Marmures) is hardly the Ruritanian idyll, barely touched by time, that the brochure description leads one to expect. There is fine scenery in parts of the country and some interesting sights, and although the occasional horse-drawn cart, or local in traditional costume can be seen, they are few and far between. Likewise the historic buildings, precious few of which have survived Communist redevelopments. In fact few of the towns and villages passed through during the first week of the trip contained anything worth seeing. Also, the tour was too long - many of the more threadbare sight could have been omitted and the tour easily shorted by 2 or 3 days.Rob Moody review 12 Sep 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
There are many to choose from, but Biertan and Viscri stand out for their beauty and country setting.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for a lot of traveling, but the many things to see along the way make it worthwhile.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We used local guest houses and brought income to some small villages with their churches. We met and talked to Romanian conservationists and learned about their projects.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We had a great time. The accommodation was good, the people were friendly and the museum village and Ethnographic museums were wonderful.Ann Lindsay review 29 Sep 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Painted monasteries, fortified churches, peasant/rural lifestyle all brilliantly presented by our guide Alexandra. Also the steam train.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Staying in guest houses must benefit local people but the character and variation between these guest houses was quite wide.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent with one or two exceptions in the accommodation.Heather Rushton review 21 Jul 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The rich history and culture, the variety of landscapes, the natural beauty and the glorious food.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for some long, but worthwhile, drives. Oh, and if you are a tea drinker, carry your own black tea3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
In some ways, yes.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A wonderful vacation full of diversity in terms of sights, activities and experiences. Doina, our super guide/ driver (and sometimes cook), made sure we were well looked after. A trip to Romania is highly recommended.Peter Hartnall review 22 Jun 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Hard to say as so many wonderful bits. Maybe visiting the fortified church in the village where Prince Charles has bought a house, and then going by horse and cart to visit the brick maker.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Come with an open mind and enjoy the home produce and home made wines of these very hospitable people. Learn a little of the history of this nation before you come. Visit the village museum in Bucharest. Fly with the national carrier TAROM as we found them very good.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes because we used local hotels, local restaurants, and the tour was run by a Romanian company.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
EXCELLENT, Our guide Alexandra was first class.Julie. Stokes review 22 Oct 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It is difficult to pick out the 'most' memorable as the whole vacation was absolutely wonderful. We were met by the link tour operators who were charming and cheerful. We were able to see many of the sites of Bucharest the following day, and the trip around the other parts of Romania over the subsequent week was brilliantly organised. The historical buildings, both religious and secular were stunning, and the young guide who took us around was knowledgeable, accomodating, and lovely to be with. Marvellous.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If you have any preconceptions of Romania, they are likely to be wrong. It is a clean, bright country with excellent infrastructure, including much better Wifi speeds everywhere than most of the UK.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The guide made it possible to visit small museums and 'cottage industries' such as a rural tile maker, which involved a pony cart ride, none of which would have been possible without her local knowledge.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A thoroughly memorable and enjoyable experience. Not given 5 starts only because the phrase attached to it seems impossible. Many vacations can be fantastic but cannot be compared.Martin Sutton review 15 May 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It's difficult to pick one thing. For me the Carpathian Forest Steam Train trip and the visit to Viscri Weisskirch are the two most memorable items.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
1) Get Alexandra Anghel (the daughter of the Romanian Agent Doina Anghel) to be your driver and guide. She is fluent in English, an extremely safe driver, has a great sense of humour, and tries her best at all times to see you have a great vacation. 2) Be prepared to accept different standards of behaviour (e.g. smoking) and accommodation that you might expect in Western Europe. 3) Swat up on your Bible if you are going to be taken round the painted monasteries!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It benefitted local people to some extent, but it did not reduce environmental impacts or supported conservation.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Good. It was a well constructed tour (created by the Romanian Agent) BUT it was let down by the "Tour Guide" who seemed to have limited knowledge about things other than the monasteries and palaces; never made any attempt to find out what we wanted to gain from our vacation; often started to talk about things when only one of us was present; at meal times often took more than her share of food (e.g. butter, bread water) and couldn't leave her mobile phone alone and at times acted as she was the one on vacation. We found this behaviour quite rude and unacceptable.Read the operator's response here:
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback on this vacation. We are very pleased that the tour itinerary and Alexandra's driving and company were a positive and enjoyable experience.
We investigated your guide's conduct and found that her child was ill in hospital and so she was obviously distracted and not up to her usual high standards. She obviously should not have been allocated your tour under he circumstances and we have discussed this thoroughly with our local partner agency to ensure all guides perform to an expected high standard for all visitors and at all times.
Regarding the environmental impact of our tours we believe that by using small-scale and locally owned guest houses and hotels we help to keep food miles and waste to a minimum as well as supporting local economies directly and indirectly. The latter because more interaction with local people and tourist service providers engenders greater understanding and respect which almost always leads to larger and more careful spending by visitors. Our guides (and drivers/escorts) will also provide best practice information regarding your environmental impact upon sites and fragile landscapes which is key to respecting and conserving both remote and well-visited places.
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