Some Interesting Facts About Romania

Public Holidays

Date 2005 Occasion
January 1-2  New Year's Day Holiday
January 6 Epiphany
January 14 Orthodox New Year
May 1 Labour Day
May 2 Easter Monday
August 24 Bank Holiday
December 1 National Day
December 25 Christmas Day  
December 26 2nd Day of Christmas

Weekend: Saturday, Sunday

Customs & Duties

The following items in the given quantities may be imported into Romania without attracting duty: 200 cigarettes or 200 grams of tobacco, 1 litre of spirits and 4 litres of wine or beer.You are not allowed to import ammunition and explosive substances, pornographic material, animal and dairy products, and narcotics.As a rule, retain all receipts of your purchases, as you might have to prove to the authorities that you did buy that rug or those earrings legally. You can only export art bought at certain government stores like the Apollo Gallery in the National Theatre Building in Bucharest. Declare any valuable items that you are importing and keep the endorsed documentation carefully: you’ll be required to show it on your way out of the country.

Electricity

Electricity is available at 220 volts or 50 MHZ.

Post & Communications

Romanian postal services are quite efficient but we still suggest that you do not use them for important papers and precious cargo. Post offices are open from 7 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday, from 8 am to noon on Saturdays. Courier services are available at larger cities and towns. Most hotels have public fax machines.

For international direct dial, you will have to go to the post office, a public call booth, or use your hotel phone. Phonecards may be bought at post offices. Hotels however, often charge extra for international calls. To dial out, press 00 and then proceed to punch in the country code. You can also make an international call through an operator available at 971. Rates are lower between 11 pm and 7 am. There are some Internet cafes in Bucharest and the other major cities. .

Weights and measures

Romania follows the metric system of measurement.

Tipping

The foreigner is held in high esteem, and this means he or she must also be generous and tip about 10% at hotels, restaurants or cabs – although the locals rarely do.

English Language Media

The English language print media concentrates largely on business and economic issues. Two major English newspapers are Romanian Business Journal and the Romanian Economic Daily. English channels are available on Cable TV, which is available widely. BBC World Service and Voice of America are on a Megahertz frequency.