What is Romania like as a tourist destination ?

Been there as a tourist. The country is still lagging behind in terms of development, if you look outside the main cities. Tourist hotspot is obviously Transylvania: this is probably too commercialised already to consider. Other regions to look at are the Carpathian Mountains (winter skiing/summer pursuits), medieval towns(Brasov, Sighisoara, Sibiu, and more), the Danube Delta (river trips for birdwatching/fishing, etc), and also of course, the Black Sea coastal resorts. If you buy property in the right sort of area, you will almost certainly benefit from price rise, if not from renting. Language and local law problems may cause some difficulty. A friend bought property in Bulgaria, and it has proven to be a good investment.

Been there as a tourist. The country is still lagging behind in terms of development, if you look outside the main cities. Tourist hotspot is obviously Transylvania: this is probably too commercialised already to consider. Other regions to look at are the Carpathian Mountains (winter skiing/summer pursuits), medieval towns(Brasov, Sighisoara, Sibiu, and more), the Danube Delta (river trips for birdwatching/fishing, etc), and also of course, the Black Sea coastal resorts. If you buy property in the right sort of area, you will almost certainly benefit from price rise, if not from renting. Language and local law problems may cause some difficulty. A friend bought property in Bulgaria, and it has proven to be a good investment.

You have to choose carefully. Some cities in Romania are litter strewn (Constanta), others are gorgeous (brasov, sibiu, cluj). But, there is practically zero violent or aggressive street crime. Children respect their elders, Streets are quiet on major religious holidays. Family is central to all here. Drugs are never obvious if they exist. Don't mind what anyone tells you is 'probably' true, I live here, am from the UK, have travelled to 59 countries before moving here, I socialise 2-3 times per week most times, sometimes till well past midnight (its often a late night culture, like Spain) in decent clubs, bars & restaurant in Sibiu, Bucharest, Brasov, Cluj etc) & in 8 years, I have seen only one fight, no drunken behavior, no stabbings, no gang fights, no drug induced agro. What you do see a lot of in some towns in some areas are beggars. Harmless, polite beggars. Simply say 'va rog frumoase' (=please, pretty!) & they look down in shame & walk off. its a bit like saying, 'you have a nerve' & usually works. Romanians are not at all aggressive. Intelligent yes, crafty? some, but aggressive, definitive not. I would have zero hesitation in letting my 80 somehting mum walk through town at 2am. Would I do that in the UK?, not in a million years! Bucharest is often a dirty, littered place. But confusingly, dirt, graffiti etc is not linked to anti-social or violent behaviour. Its simply a 'not my concern' mentality which is the single biggest downfall. But ask yourself, if Prince Charles spends 16 or more weeks per year here, can it be that bad? Clarkson said the Transfagarasan road was the best in the world. Look at this youtube vid. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2LKZYTOER8 You decide. Leamington spa on a Saturday night with rowdy overwieght chav's outside Yate's or calm terraces, nice wine, full clubs with people sober enough to drive home dancing till 4am. Hmmm, let me think that one through...Ok, the gorgeous women make it a little easier to decide. Romania has its problems. Beggars, scrongers included, but its a massively underated place with huge history. The tough part is making a living here, but as a tourist, its tops.

Yuk...When last there the whole place smelt of body odour & garlic......

Yuk...When last there the whole place smelt of body odour & garlic......

I have been acquainted with Romania for 19 years and can honestly say it is not a good place to invest. When you buy land and property you can not rely on the Institutions, they continually make mistakes and no one is accountable, for you to take any type of recourse. The fact that your land and property documents say "clear title" this is meaningless and claimants can go behind your back and you never know until it is too late, you don't even get called to Court. The whole system appears to be totally corrupt and you can loose 100,000's euro by simply trying to be honest. I see large major companies closing down and pulling out as they have simply had enough.