Heading off to Romania

[paultol]

Heading off in 2 weeks time on my TT600RE (have 3 weeks off work) from Isle of Man -thought Romania would be a good destination - need to travel through EU , would like to take in Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia and the Tatra region of Poland - any recomendations on places not to miss or places to stay (will be camping or Hostelling)?

[Graham_Kawa]

I'm going to miss you by about a week as I am leaving similar trip next Friday

Anyway, there are heaps of good rides. Croatia / Montenegro coast if you can get that far south. The road from Montenegro to Sarajevo is meant to be fantastic.

Rather than me tell you heaps, there is a site Welcome to Motoromania.com - Your online guide to motorcycling in Romania that has a lot of good routes there. I'm sure others can pitch in on places and sights.

Don't have as much info on poland. Loosely route we are taking is London - Ancona -> Split (ferry) -> Budva -> Mostar -> Sarajevo -> belgrade region -> Pitesti -> Sibiu -> then back across northern serbia / croatia - slovenia austria etc. on the wya home.

Here is a rough map I drew Google Maps

[paultol]

Thanks for the link Graham - good luck with your trip. I'm just going to stick to EU countries to avoid insurance hassles. Found some other usefull stuff on the forum as well.

[Gill750]

Hi Paul, I recently got back from a three week trip which included Romania. Wish I had known of the Motoromania site before I went. Brilliant place to visit, though the old life is changing rapidly. I went in through Poland and Ukraine and back the same way. Your plan sounds like it could make for a better trip. Major road works on E40 East of Krakow.
The painted monasteries in northern Romania are great to see and Transylvania, the Saxon Villages south of Sighisoara are fabulous if you like hot weather, unspoiled wildlife and scenery.
Roads are very poor, driving standards not good, horses and carts and huge lorries all on the same piece of road. You will have a fantastic time. Once you get in the country you will see signs where foreign vehicles have to purchase something like our road tax. This does not apply to motorcycles. Bistrita to Vatra Dornei, the E578 was one huge off-road experience due to roadworks... Lots of this going on. You can apparantly contact me by email, so feel free, I can give you info on accommodation, good places to visit etc. Gill

[Caleyman]

Hi Paul

I echo the comments of Gill above about Romania. As for the roads there were even manhole covers missing in major towns like Brasov although thankfully somebody had kindly stuck bits of tree in to warn you of the impending hole!! Saying that it is still a great country.

When in Hungary I would recommend around the Danube bend in the North of the country, possibly the hilliest part of the country. There is also a cheap and good campsite at Szentendre about 15k north of Budapest. Its also on a bus route which saves you the hassel of taking the bike in.

The Tatry mountains in Southern Poland and North Slovakia are pretty spectacular. Zakopane in Poland is very busy however there is lots of cheap accommadation and access to the mountains is easy if you fancy some walking, all trails are well marked. Some of the side roads were in a pretty bad state , 20mph in some places( well it was on my Sprint ST).

The 537 which runs along the base of the Tatry in Slovakia is a great road. I stayed just outside Stary Smokovec in a guesthouse( approx £12). Again there was easy access to the mountains for walking. I found the roads generally good however like Poland some of the side roads around the Slovensky Raj National Park were pretty bad.

When in Slovenia I found lake Bled well worth the visit. There is a great campsite ( Camping Bled) at the western end of the Lake. Good prices as well as Internet access and Mountain bike hire if required. Bled is about 45mins to 1hr walk. The road from Kranjska Gora over the Julian Alps to Bovec is superb, just watch out for the cobbles on the hairpin bends( strange place to put them).

I also admit I followed the tourist trail to the caves at Postojna. Despite the Train ride in and number of folk still very impressive. If going do the early or late trip.

Have a great trip.

Kev

[noahb]

hey - i'm in the middle of that trip right now. isle of man-minsk-bucharest (today). if you guys had come to romania via the ukraine, you'd kneel down and kiss the romanian asphalt! seriously, i haven't found the roads here to be bad.

no offense meant, but poland has been the least favorite of my countries so far (bad roads, hard communication - even worse than russia - not so scenic, so-so food). i'm not saying this will be true for eveyone, just my experience. hit transylvania for sure.

noah

[Paul64]

Hi Paul, maybe i can help you. I live in Ojdula, Transylvania. Although I run a small 4x4 tour company I regularly host bikers on tour. Most of these are passing through the village from Brasov to Lepsa via the Vrancea mountains. Most bikers stop requesting accommodation for the night and needing local advice. However, once here they usually stay for a couple of nights exploring the area. We are in a very wild and remote location on the edge of the Vrancea known to contain one of the largest bear and wolf populations. We can also help with stocking up on supplies and have a workshop at my house for running repairs.

I have a large garden and offer cheap camping or a small summer house. I can also arrange discounted accommodation in my friends guest house.

Don't take this as blatant advertising as my business is really the 4x4 fraternity, I am just trying to help out, but I do have to cover my costs!

I must admit I am a little jealous when you guys rumble through the village, stop for a while and tell me of your travel adventures. Many go on to Ukraine and Russia! I even hosted a couple on their way back from China!

Live the dream and call me if you need any help.

Cheers,

Paul

[stumuxlow]

Hi Paul,

just to add to Coleyman's recomendation for Lake Bled - Slovenia, and also its less touristy but equally beautiful neighbour, Lake Bohinj. Also if you're heading to the Croatian border, avoid the motorways - the twisty country roads are just something else!

Have a great trip.

[Gill750]

Hi Paul, dont know if you have set off yet. Hope you got the email will all the info. Yes, just been reminded by another post..... some manholes do have covers missing , esp. in Brasov ( bit like is happening in parts of Enland I suppose). Have a great trip. You will find the "countdown" numbers at some Romanian traffic lights quaint, for sure. Enjoy! Gill