Official name: RomaniaState language: Romanian. Romania is located in the southeastern Europe and borders Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova (in the east and north), Hungary (in the southwest and northwest), Serbia (in the southwest) and Bulgaria (in the south). The country’s supraface area is 238.391 km2.
Flag: Blue, yellow and red, in vertical stripes, from left to right, respectevely.
Capital: Bucharest (2,064.000 inhabitants), first mentioned in 1459.
Official time: GMT+3 hours in summertime (from the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of October), and GMT+2 hours in the remainder of the year.
Climate: Temperate continental. The average summer temperature is between 22 and 24 C, although maximum temperatures can reach 38C. In winter the average temperature is typically below -3C.
National currency: LEU (RON). 1 Leu=100 Bani. Currently circulating banknotes: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Lei. Current circulating coins: 1, 5, 10 and 50 Bani.
Currency exchange: at banks and currency exchange offices in hotels, airports and stations, in supermarkets or on main roads in the cities. Avoid changing money at unauthorized locations. Credit cards: larger hotels, restaurants, shops and supermarkets in the major towns and cities tipically accept credit cards (American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club and Visa). The number of outlets accepting cards in increasing rapidly.
Calling Romania from abroad: dial the country code (0040) and (21) ares for Bucharest (different codes for the other cities), followed by the phone number.
Emergency phone number: 112.
Official public holidays: December 1-Romanian National Day, January 1st and 2nd-New Year, May 1st-Labour Day, first and second day of Easter, December 25th and 26th-Christmas.
According to their standards, hotels provide such special services as: ticket reservation, group dinners, cars renting, business meeting (some hotels have business centers). Do not forget that a hotel day ends at 12:00; please mention in advance your departure day.
A large variety of restaurants are available, providing usual or special menus. Ask for suggestions at the hotel reception. It is usual to tip the waiters in restaurants as well as other personnel.
For further information and reservation please contact the nearest Romanian Tourist Information Office, the hotel or your travel agent.
