It may be pleasant spring time weather, or it may be rainy. Cold is unlikely, but not impossible.

Thanks, Ghorian, kind of you to provide that information. Michael

I recommnd using this website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/country_guides/ for average weather condition in a given country.

Kris

I know it's strange to answer like this, but trust me, in Romania at the end of April and begining of May can be realy nice (20-25 C), or as last year, you can wake up in the morning with 20 cm of snow on your bike. So it depends on your luck.

Cheers,

Chris, Transylvania Motorcycle Tours

Thanks, Chris, much appreciated. I think I will go down the Adriatic coast in May, through Greece, and then up through Romania in June, rather than doing things the other way around.

May I trouble you with a question about language? How much difficulty will I have in rural areas considering that I have no knowledge of Romanian? I speak English, French, Portuguese, and can read German. Do the kids study English in school, and if so, what grade level do they start to learn the language? I have found that in other countries (e.g. Poland), even if the adults didn't speak a second language, the kids were usually proficient enough in English to help me out.

Michael

Hi guys, I will go to Romania for the first time in April, I will take part in the Enduromania, have you heard about it - it sounds great! How is about the weather - I hope it won`t be to cold brrrrh.

Perhaps somebody want to join us???

I think that April is too early and that most of mountains will be in snow or roads could be coverd with remains of snow. I am talking about higher atitudes and gravel roads, of course, not paved roads. Weather situation in Romania is similar as in croatian mountains - could be very nice in april and could be complete disaster!
Regards,
AnteK, XTZ 660

[QUOTE]Originally posted by PanEuropean:

I need to ask you a question about meteo in Romania: What is the climate like there around the end of April - beginning of May for the purpose of motorcycle travel? Is there a lot of rain that time of year? Is it cold, with the possibility of snow?

April is cold and rainy. The begining of May is better but expect cold and even snow!! Forget the Transfagaras road until July!
You can see the weekly weather forecast at www.vremea.com

Sz.

A lot of persons speak foreign languages, in Transylvania: Hungarian, English and German are widely spoken by young people. But in rural areas you'll have difficulties. But it is no problem. If you show them on your map where do you want to go, they can help you. Don't worry! It'll be very amazing!


[This message has been edited by santhasz (edited 08 March 2006).]

I recomend for everybody this penzion near VatraDornei
http://www.bebaweb.weber.cz/Rumunsko.../vladimir.html
Vladimir speak anglish and french. He is very friendly!

At Sibiu: Hotel Kon Tiki, str. Tudor Vladimirescu nr. 12, 100 RON (about 30 eur) with breakfast, biker friendly

Sz.

I spent beautiful time in Romania. Urdele pass is for me the best place for my Africa Twin. It is good idea to stay near the lake Vidra and spend some days riding nearby. There is small hotel "bikers friendly" on the northern bank. I paid about 10 euro per night. You can find some of my pics from Romania here: http://tiny.pl/m46d.
Don't forget to visit Sighishoara!

Ya know, from the look of this discussion, it appears that Romania is going to be seriously crowded with foreign motorcycles this summer... http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

I think I had better make my hotel reservations well ahead of time.

Michael

May I suggest you, don't make any hotel reservation?! Because the hotels where you can make reservations are probably the expansivest, and there are a lot of empty pensions all over the country!

Szabi

Hi, hows it going. I'm riding through romania on the was to oz with a few others. should hit the boarder sometime on the 18th april. if anyone fancies a beer and is on route then get back to us, it would be good to hear from you.

here is some info for riding romania across the mountains and off road in the north. hope this helps.

Hello Allen

Seems that our emails have crossed - had just sent to a different emails address for you. Hope the following is helpful. All the best and good luck
Best wsihes
Mike Morton
Transylvania Uncovered


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Travel
Sent: Sat 21/01/2006 08:16
To: Alan Starkey
Subject: Romania travel advice


Dear Alan

Apologies for the delay in replying. I placed your email to one side to answer properly but must have mislaid it with so many enquiries to process this month.

We would be very happy to assist where possible with route recommendations. However, first we need to be sure of your entry and departure points. There are no borders with Slovakia and Ukraine crossings can be tricky without the right documentation and visas beforehand.

My guess is that you will enter Romania in the north west from Hungary. The main crossing is Bors (Oradea) but it can be busy with queues of trucks. The crossing further north at Valea lui Mihai (near Debrecen) would be better and would enable you to easily reach one of the most interesting regions of Romania - Maramures

http://www.beyondtheforest.com/Pages/MM1.html

You would take the main road through Satu Mare and Baia Mare crossing either the main Gutai Pass north to Sighet or, better, the quiet Neteda Pass (Baia Mare - Baia Sprie - Cavnic - side trip to tallest wooden church at Surdesti - Neteda Pass - Budesti etc). The pass takes you down into the superb Cosau valley where time seems to stand still with traditional farming techniques, waterwheels, carved gateways and wooden churches. Roads out of the valley to the main Iza valley road at Calinesti (or via Ocna to Sighet) are unsurfaced but good. Follow the Iza valley east along the main road through a string of villages to Bogdan Voda (side trips up valleys to south to the villages of Pienile Izei, Botiza and Ieud are recommended).

Onward travel depends on your length of stay in Romania. If you are heading into Ukraine the main crossing is in the north east near Radauti. The quickest (and very scenic) route would be as follows:

Left in front of the wooden church at Bogdan Voda over a small unsurfaced pass with amazing panoramic views to Viseu de Jos - Viseu de Sus (steamm forestry railway) - Moisei - Borsa (deep inthe Rodnei Mountains) - Prislop Pass - Bistrita Valley (spectacular scnery, remote landscape to Ciocanesti - pretty houses) - Iacobeni - Campulung Moldovenesc. You are now approaching the region of the famous Painted Monasteries

http://www.beyondtheforest.com/Pages/SV1.html

Best route is left just before Campulung Moldovenesc to Moldovita (monastery, stunning pass) - Sucevita (Monastery) - Marginea - Arbore - Solca - Cacica (saltmines) - Gura Humorului (for side trip to Humor monastery and Voronet Monastery) - Suceava - Radauti - UKRAINE

For a longer trip, deeper and further south into Transylvania youu have two options:

At Bogdan Voda continue up the valley and over the Setref Pass south to Salva then either:

1. Nasaud - Bistrita - 'Borgo Pass' (Hotel Castle Dracula) - Vatra Dornei - Iacobeni (pick up previous route) ... again very scenic and mountainous - easy roads though watch the condition of the etref Pass road which is surfaced but in need of repair.

2. Nasaud - Bistrita - (south west) - Saratel - Reghin (nice open moorland type country) - Targu Mures - Sighisoara (historic walled town - one of best preserved mediaeval townscapes in Europe - heart of 'Saxon Transylvania'

http://www.beyondtheforest.com/Pages/SX1.html

- Rupea ( good detaours availble to fortified churches such as Biertan and Viscri - terrain is rolling hills and woodland filled with distinctive Saxon villages) - Brasov (major town in the southern Carpathians with beautiful preserved old town centre, ski resorts above at Poiana Brasov and nearby attractions including Bran Castle and Rasnov Fortress).

http://www.beyondtheforest.com/Pages/BV1.html

Turn north and head deep into the Hungarian-speaking Szekely country of the heavily forested eastern Carpathians:

Sfantu Gheorghe - Baile Tusnad (spa in forest beside a lovely lake) - Miercurea Ciuc - Gheorgheni - turn east to Lacu Rosu crossing the eastern Carpathians and descending through the spectacular Bicaz Gorges to Lake Bicaz passing the famous 'Magic Mountain' of Ceahlau. The most scenic route is now north along the beautiful Bistrita Aurie Valley to Vatra Dornei (spa) then Iacobeni where you pick up the route above to reach the Painted Monasteries.

These are the best scenic roads. You could detour from Sighisoara westwards to see the old town of Sibiu or south from Brasov to visit Peles Palace at Sinaia (in which case take teh smaller Paraul Rece Pass from Rasnov west of Brasov rather than the concested Predeal Pass and the main road. Avoid the main arterial roads as much as possible. e.g.

Arad - Deva - Sibiu - Ramnicu Valcea - Bucharest

Bucharest - Buzau - Bacau - Suceava

These are very busy with great convoys of trucks travelling between Europe and Asia or Ukraine and can be very stressful. The roads mentioned carry relatively little traffic though take care in villages which often have geese and livestock about ... and plenty of horses and carts. Avoid any driving during the hours of darkness ... there is often livestock and particularly unmarked horses and carts on the road ... you may only see them when you hit them!

You could also call in on the children's charity FARA who run a wonderful organic farm and guesthouse in the tiny village of Spataresti near Falticeni (reached by an easy straight road from Gura Humorului - south eastwards).

http://www.beyondtheforest.com/Pages/SV5.html

Please do not hesitate to call if you need further advice or assistance.
With best wishes

Mike Morton

Transylvania Uncovered

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