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Travel to Banat PLANNING & INFORMATION - Passports - Getting There - Time Zone - Climate - Currency - Electricity - Police - Health Services - Money - Telephones - Post Offices CALIN BORUGA Taxi / Translator / Guide CRISTIAN BADOIU Tour Guide LOCAL CUSTOMS HOTELS RESTAURANTS THINGS TO DO SHOPPING GUIDE GETTING AROUND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

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TIME ZONE:  The current time in Romania?

Romania is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Daylight Savings Time is from March 28 to September 25. ie: EST/USA: 12:00 pm = 7:00 am (7 hours ahead)

Romania is in the Eastern European Time Zone.  Eastern European Standard Time (EET) is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2). 

Does Romania observe Daylight Saving / Summer Time?

Like most states in Europe, Summer (Daylight-Saving) Time is observed in Romania, where the time is shifted forward by 1 hour;  3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+3).  

After the Summer months the time is shifted back by 1 hour to Eastern European Time (EET) or (GMT+2)

Climate - Climate in Timisoara

Monthly Climate Chart for Timisoara

HANDY NUMBERS:

ELECTRICITY:
220 volts and cycles, and plugs are the standard continental type with two round pins.  You can purchase Electrical Converters here in the US. I bought one from Circuit City.  You will surely need on, especially if you need to charge a camera, blow dryer or shaver, etc.

POLICE:
Like cities all over the world, Timisoara too has dangerous spots, however it is considered a safe city in European terms.  The city center is usually safe, but at night be careful in the parks and peripheral areas.  In case of emergency the Police number is: 955, 194-064 or 191-772.

HEALTH SERVICES:
For urgent medical assistance dial 961 for special ambulance service.  Overnight medical assistance and Medication is free for emergency cases only.
Pharmacies NON-STOP:
- Vlad - 16 Decembrie Blvd. No. 53 Tel: 192-650
- Vladarmed - 13 Brancusi St. Tel: 125-380

MONEY:
Money can be exchanged at banks, hotels and private exchange offices (Casa de schimb valutar).  There can be a major difference in rates, especially between the banks and the private exchange offices.  So it is advisable to shop around.  You can also change money in the street, but it is illegal and inadvisable.   Bank notes are in the following denominations: 500 lei, 1,000 lei, 5,000 lei, 10,000 lei, 50,000 lei, 100,000 lei.  Banks are open weekdays from 8:30 to noon.

Note:  Travelers Checks are a waste of time in my opinion, as it is a major ordeal to cash them at a bank.  There is a fee when exchanging US dollars lei at a private exchange offices.  If you have a Visa Bank Card, that is the best way to go.  There are ATM machines everywhere to draw cash out.

CURRENCY: 
As of Saturday, March 24, 2007

1 US Dollar = 2.53121 Romanian New Lei
1 Romanian New Lei (RON) = 0.39507 US Dollar (USD)

• International Currency Converter

• Romania Currency Converter - Currency Exchange Rate

• National Bank of Romania

The national currency is the leu (plural lei). Coins come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 lei. Notes in denominations of 500; 1.000; 5.000; 10.000; 50.000, 100.000 and 500.000 lei. Foreign currency can only be exchanged at banks and authorized exchange offices.

Credit Cards
ATM machines are available.  American Express, Dinners Club, JBC International, Euro -Master Card and VISA are accepted in most travel agencies, airlines, hotels and car hire companies and in some shops, restaurants, coffee bars and exchange offices. It is however advisable to check in advance.

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Local Customs

• Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting, and it is done often (men should still wait for the woman to offer her hand first, however). The formal addresses of Domnul ("sir") and Doamna ("madam") are used by Romanians when addressing one another, although first names are used among younger people and in business with English-speaking partners. Titles should be used, especially among professionals and older Romanians (Doctor Iliescu, Engineer Donescu, etc.). Americans may be treated with what seems to be an inordinate level of formality; you should reciprocate, and not move to a first-name basis until your host does.

• Tipping - As anywhere, tip according to service. 

• Normal courtesies are observed when visiting people's homes. Flowers are very popular in Romanian culture, and are given for almost every occasion, including name day celebrations, weddings and visits to Romanian homes. Offering an odd number of flowers is the rule, except for such sad occasions as funerals, when bouquets should have an even number of flowers.

• Local water does not contain fluoride. The Health Unit has limited supplies of fluoride drops/tablets for children, but bring a supply with you.

• Electricity in Bucharest is 220-volt/50-cycle, AC.  Electric current can be variable. Frequent low-voltage conditions, occasional high-voltage spikes, and below normal cycles are common. Bring 220-voltage stabilizers or surge protectors to protect sensitive high fidelity computers, or similar equipment. A 110v computer with a 110v voltage stabilizer will work through a transformer. Do not bring plug-in electric clocks, even those made for 50-cycle current, because low cycles cause them to lose time.

• Bring a supply of European electrical adapters and multiple wall plugs.  If you already have 220-volt, 50-cycle small appliances, bring them.

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HOTELS

I am letting the cat out of the bag & recommending a tucked away little secret: Pensiunea Zefir, see my photos from our stay there: Zefir Pensiune  Pensiunea Zefir  3 str. Tulcea nr.17  1900 - Timisoara Tel: +40-256-474766 E-mail: pensiuneazefir@go.ro Official Web: http://www.pensiuneazefir.go.ro

If the Zefir does not fit your needs or booked up I recommend THE PERLA HOTEL, it is a great place to stay, air conditioned, great food and the staff is great.

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Restaurants

Romanian Dish's:  http://members.aol.com/simonagscu/recipes.html  the recipe pages includes the Romanian translation for the dish.  It may be a good idea to take along a list of what looks good to you, in both languages, to order while there.

We have been to and recommend:

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Things to do in Banat.....

Shopping Guide

German National Theatre in Timisoara
2 Marasesti Street
Phone: +40 (0)56 201291, 201293

#1 web spot about Romania: romania.org

Events in Timisoara

Timis County

• Timisoara, City of Roses

• Romania - MAP OF MONASTERIES

• City Plans From Romania-Timisoara

• Romania Outdoors

• Guided Tours of Timisoara

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Shopping Guide

Presents and Souvenirs

Name Address Telephone BEGA 3rd floor Str. Bocsei 3 40-256-293111 GALERIA ART Pasaj P-ta. Victoriei HERMES TIM P-ta. Victoriei 4 MODEX P-ta. Iancu de Hunedoara 3 MUZEUL DE ETNOGRAFIE Str. Popa Sapca 4 STIREX Str. Vasile Alecsandri 2A

Antiques

Name Address Telephone ANDREAS ANTIK P-ta Unirii 2 40-256-134770 ANTIC DAVI P-ta Unirii 2 40-256-201423 ARS MUNDI Str Vasile Alecsandri 10 40-256-136003 FILIMONEX Str. Stefan cel Mare 28 40-256-224462 NOMICOS COMPANY Cal. Sagului 165 40-256-219339 PMP ART HOBBY Str. Gh.Doja 6 40-256-194889 RETRO Str. Popa Sapca 4 SANATICUS Str. Gheorghe Lazar 3 40-256-133103 TACTICOS S.R.L. Str. Simion Barnutiu 24 40-256-194889 WELLA Str. Eugeniu de Savoya 24 40-256-202262

Clothing

Name Address Telephone CIMINELLI Str. Lucian Blaga 2   EXCLUSIV Str. Bocsei 3 - Shopping Center Bega FAVIOR Str. Ialomitei 66 - TERRA   NEW FASHION Str. Lucian Blaga 4 STEFANEL Str. Bocsei 3 – Shopping Center Bega Str. Ungureanu 17   VOGUE Str. Popa Sapca 18 STEILMANN 3 Piata Victoriei 40-56-191177 EXCLUSIV Augustin Pacha Street nr.2 STEILMANN Shopping Center Bega 40-56-201978 HORIA Victoriei Square nr. 1A

 

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Getting Around Timisoara:

Recommended Taxi/Translator/Guide
Calin Boruga - T#: 0722534647 - Timisoara and Banat Villages

Recommended Tour Guide:

TYMES TOURS

I recommend Cristian Badoiu with Tymes Tours who provides a wonderful presentation of the old Temeswar and how it came to be Timisoara today.  He also escorted us to some ancestral villages.  jody  visit www.tymestours.ro

TAXIS:  It is advisable to take a metered taxi, or to negotiate the price before commencing the journey.  Taxis can be ordered by telephoning 923, 953 or 944.

If Calin is not available here are other TAXI options:

Company	Tele	Company	Tele	Company	Tele
City Taxi	949	Dacia Taxi	944	Eco Taxi	120120
Vest Taxi	944	Regal Taxi	943	Tudo Taxi	945
Getax	962,134470	Grup Taxi	946	Radio Taxi	940
		777 Taxi	947

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Public Transportation

Timisoara has a relatively efficient public transport system, which operates from 5 am to midnight.  The main routes for buses, trolley buses and trams can be obtained at one of the stations.  Tickets can be bought at RATTS kiosks, which are located on the main thoroughfares in the city. 
Timisoara Public Transportation, I have not used, but here is some information I have found:  

The Official Site / English version for "CFR IT Center of the Romanian Railway Company “CFR”- SA"  there you will see photos of trains and learn more about the development of the rail system in Ro.  See: Routes and schedules  

The main railroad station in Timisoara is TIMISOARA NORD
Located on "Strada Garii Nr. 3 - Phone number: +40 56 112552 & 193806.

A good explanation of getting to Timisoara by Train - Tips and General Information by the Romanian Railroad System CFR .  -  DEVA Train Station routes also go out to some of the villages and outlining areas.  Includes their route map of Romania.

Below is a route map out of Timisoara. Click image below to enlarge map.

Car Rental:

BUDGET CAR RENTAL & LEASING	Aeroport	+40-723-255168
HERTZ SEPOY TOURISM INTERNATIONAL	STR.POPA SAPCA NR.2	+40-256-192211
QUAL TOURS SRL	STR.GH. LAZAR NR.9	+40-256-294411 +40-723-606666
AIRPORT		+40-256-220552
AVIS RENT A CAR	TIMISOARA AIRPORT	+40-256-203234
GLOBE TRADING SRL	International Airport	+40-256-191637 +40-256-194145
PUSCAS SRL	Martirilor - 100	+40-722-892158
SAMEX	3 August 1919 - 23	+40-256-195060

TELEPHONES:
There are three types of public telephone in the city.  The oldest use 20 lei coins and can be used only for local calls.  The 2nd type 50 lei and 100 lei and can be used for local and long distance calls.  The newest telephones are orange and use a magnetic card.  These can be used for all kinds of calls including the direct international calls.  The magnetic cards can be purchased at the Post Offices.  From a hotel without direct international access you must dial 971 to get connected to the international telephone network.
US directly: 01-800-4282 (AT&T); 01-800-1800 (MCI); 01-800-0877 (SPRINT)