England to Romania in October08

I've done this trip a few times, and try to take a different route each time. We (my family) did it through a charity called JOY, Jubilee Outreach Yorkshire. Taking unusable humanitarian aid for the orphans over in Romania. Out of all the trips, the most memorable places i n my opinion are Sighisoara, which is phenominal, and if you go via Czech Republic try and visit Telc, it's well worth it. We have always done the journey in 14/15 days, so 3 weeks is enough to do it well. Try to route your plan so you are not stopping for anything (fuel, food etc) in Austria. Although the country is gorgeous, is extremely expensive (especially when compared with Hungary or Romania). Take plenty of pictures, it'll be a trip you'll remember for ever.

You can go in Maramures, look for the Vaser Valey, a remote and nice river, then come down, look for the Ceile Turzii (that is a nice and wild canyon, near a Cluj Napoca), then you can continue driving South, visit Sighisoara and Bieratn, 2 medieval cities, and than crossing the mountains on Rout 67c, from Sebes to Ranca, drive Est trough the subapline regions, visit caves and monastery and cros again the mountains via an alpine route (Transfagasasan) or visit Bran castle (trough Rucar-Bran passage)

Thanks, this is brilliant and exactly what we need! Getting a bit overwhelmed looking at the map with not much idea where to go.
Think it's good preperation for when we go to Africa for 6months- a year in the next few years!!

ok.
If you like this, PM me and we can make a route. Depend on the period when you come in Romania, we can join the trip to.
Have a nice day!

still here Debs?

Hi, just having a quick check. Am really busy with work so no time to stop!! Will be back within the next couple of weeks to update you x

Ive been a truck driver more years than i care to remember both in the UK and Europe , ive heard a lot of drivers turn down work to Romania . the advice i would give you is be carefull where you park for the nite, ive spoken to different drivers who have been robbed, beaten , had their fuel stolen, even had the six wheels stolen off the trailor in the nite while parked on a garage and no body saw a thing. and the best way to keep the police off your back is cigrettes , i know im going to get stick for my comments , but i would,nt take my cat out there . Good luck

Thanks for the advice, we have heard a lot of comments very similar to this. Don't worry, we will be on our guard x

Hi Debs,

Maybe I could assist you in some way. I am an RGN and worked in Romanian hospitals and GP practices in the early 90's, so I know a lot about the health system and rules on what can be brought into the country.

Since that period I have now moved to Romania and formed my own tourism company, taking people on Land Rover tours all over Transylvania. So I think I can help you in that department too. If you have time please come and visit, I am about 1 hours drive from Brasov.

Best wishes

Paul

Still here Debs?

Hi i have just got back from Bulgaria with out any problems
i was a truck driver that went out to Romanina on a regular basis and was shot at but that was 15 years ago,
i now have property in Bulgaria and drive down two or three times a year Romania has and is still changing fast the roads are getting better each time if you get down to the bottom end try to have a look at the Danube as it is a mighty river with some quite magical Scenery
Make sure buy road tax in Hungary as they have spot checks in almost every parking area it is only about 1530 forints or 7 euros but it is funny watching all the turks getting finned for not having it you can get this at the border or the first garage
Austria is 7.70 euros
Rominia is 4 euros for 1 day
these prices are for a motor home(truck) with a landrover on tow so it might be cheaper

have fun Rick

Update time!

Again been busy sorting out the trip with work in the way too.

New cambelt, split charge system for the Engel and lights etc, repaired the slight wobble on the steering, still got to change all the oils (most are full of mud!), the back (interior) is looking brilliant- will have to take a pic on my mobile and post it because the camera has died.
The living room is full of maps and camping equipment, I have made an inventory of every single pair of scissors and each nappy for UNICEF to divide up, we are going to 3 places and they are deciding what is the most appropriate stuff for each.
Got all our paperwork together, my mum is looking after the hens and the rabbit and Dan's mum is having the dog.


Also got to:
clean to house so it's nice for when we get back
send animals to relevant homes
sort out our food and clothes
pack our 'spares' box for the landy
get the curtains fitted (Dan's mum is making some)
agree on an actual route!

Good luck to you. and don't forget to clean the fridge out before you go. Nowt worse than coming home to a stinky fridge (Been there got the badge)

When you have the route, give us a sign!

I drive from Serbia to the Uk and back about 4-5 times a year,
There is nothing to it now, you won't even have to leave the EU.
Just keep your wits about you and keep different denominations of euros in different pockets (remember which pocket has what note)
in Germany the trucks tend to keep off the autobahns at weekends which makes driving a slower vehicle a lot easier.

What date are you going?
I am going from the UK eastwards in my Disco at the end of October.

We're packing! Setting off tomorrow, seems like tons of stuff to do still. Been chatting to a chap at our local garage who takes his 300tdi defender to romania and back twice a month. He's given us a few handy insights, and mentioned the tax thing in Hungary. This fella 's ex AA station wagon has covered 300, 000 miles with only normal servicing stuff done to it, what's more he pulls a three and a half ton trailer flat out all the way to Romania and then turns round and comes straight back again! He gets 25 MPG avarage on the trip.

Once again thanks to everyone for all the tips and insight and sorry I've been so sporadic with my messages!

Debs

x

Oh yeah, we're going Ramsgate-Ooestend then along the E40 around Brussels then to Arden on the E314. we've been told Lille is full of road works so we'll be scooting around that. Then over to Wein and follow the signs for Hungary! -Not forgetting to stop at the shell garage to buy the tax thing. Easy!

Have a great trip and enjoy , keep us posted and DON'T forget the piccies.
O , and be carefull , these kind of trips tend to be very adictive ;-).

yes best of luck people and if you can get any gps info on were you have stayed and stuff that would be greeeeeeeeeeeeeeat.

And the route in Romania?