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Travel to BucharestTraveling to Romania is as easy as traveling to any other European destination. Romania offers a rich tapestry of tourist attractions, which are unique in Europe. Even if Romania is not your main travel destination in Europe, a two or three-day ad-on trip is well worthwhile. Although some remote areas in Romania only offer mid-scale or budget accommodation and basic tourist facilities those visiting the country will always encounter friendly people, wonderful sights and affordable prices. Travel formalitiesAmerican and Canadian citizens as well as citizens of most European countries do not need an entry visa to visit Romania (for stays up to 90 - ninety - days). There is no arrival or departure tax. Romania is a year-round tourist destination. However, from the end of April to the beginning of July and from end of August to the end of October are the most popular sightseeing periods, with generally mild and pleasant temperatures. Summers can be hot especially in Southern Romania, including Bucharest , but along the Black Sea Coast, sea breezes offer moderate temperatures. The mountain resorts and higher elevation areas are warm and pleasant during summer. Winters can be very cold, especially in the mountains and snow is common throughout the country from December to mid March. Skiers can usually enjoy their favorite sport in the Carpathian Mountain resorts from December until mid-April. Arrival:International air passengers arrive at the recently renovated Otopeni airport , 16km north of the centre. Upon arrival fill in a "talon de intrare" (which you must retain for departure) and buy your visa, if needed. There are a few exchange offices and a cash machine here, as well as several car rental outlets. Most internal flights (and those of Carpatair, Air Moldova and Ukrainian Airlines) land at Baneasa airport , from where you can catch bus #131 or #783 or tram #5 into the centre, or bus #205 to the Gara de Nord, until around 11.30pm. The international and domestic services terminate at the Gara de Nord , which is the main rail station in the city; a small entrance fee (payable if you don't possess a ticket) apply. It's a thirty-minute walk from the Gara de Nord to the city centre; head right along Calea Grivitei to reach Calea Victoriei, the city's main north-south axis. Alternatively, you could take the metro to Piata Victoriei (one stop towards Dristor II), where you can change onto line M2 to reach Piata Universitatii, the nearest stop to the heart of the city, or catch a taxi, which shouldn't cost more than a couple of dollars. Buses and trams from the Gara de Nord run around the centre rather than straight through it. Approaching from Transylvania on the DN1 you'll pass both airports, before reaching the Soseaua Kiseleff, an avenue which leads directly to the centre. The approach from Giurgiu (the point of entry from Bulgaria) on the DN5 is less inspiring, with a long run through suburbs until Bulevardul Dimitrie Cantemir finally reaches the Piata Unirii; likewise, the A1 motorway from Pitesti and the west brings you in through serried ranks of apartment blocks before reaching the Cotroceni Palace. The DN3 from the coast leads through the modern suburb of Pantelimon before reaching the older districts along Bulevardul Carol I. Long-distance buses and private buses from towns such as Târgoviste or Râmnicu Vâlcea will drop you on Calea Grivitei by the Gara de Nord. Bucharest's six bus stations are all on the edge of town and primarily serve the local villages. The main ones are Filaret, on Piata Filaret (in the station built in 1869 for Bucharest's first rail line), which sends buses south and southeast towards Giurgiu and Oltenita; Baneasa, on B-dul Ionescu de la Brad 1, serving Snagov, Fierbinti and Ploiesti to the north; Militari, B-dul Pacii (Metro Pacii or bus #785), for points west, and Grivita, Sos. Chitilei 221 (at the Mezes terminal of tram #45), serving Târgoviste. |
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