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Green Area Countries to travel to Romania

Check out the list of countries that you can come from without the need of self-isolation or quarantine if you are traveling to Romania. The Romanian National Committee for Emergency Situations announced the list of the countries from green area where asymptomatic travelers can come from without having to stay in self isolation or in quarantine. As of today (June 23 – 2020) travelers from 22 countries can travel to Romania.

  • Austria
  • Bulgaria
  • Czech Republic
  • Cyprus
  • Croatia
  • Switzerland
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France (European territory of France)
  • Germany (excepting Kreis Gutersloch District)
  • Greece
  • Ireland
  • Island
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Malta
  • Norway
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Hungary

The number of new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the last 14 days was considered in evaluating the countries introduced in the green area (less than 5 new cases to 1 million people).

This list will be updated weekly by the National Institute for Public Health.

Siguranță pe două roți

Scăderea numărului de accidente în care sunt implicați motocicliștii, creșterea nivelului de conștientizare în rândul conducătorilor auto privind prezența în trafic a motocicliștilor precum și creșterea nivelului de conștientizare în rândul motocicliștilor privind importanţa purtării echipamentului de protecție și a conducerii preventive sunt obiectivele campaniei Siguranță pe două roți.

Pentru ca mesajul să ajungă la cât mai mulți motocicliști din comunitate, Cluburile BLACK HELMETS, FREE RIDERS şi WIMA ROMÂNIA – Asociația Femeilor Motocicliste vor începe luni 31 mai, un circuit moto la nivel național.

20 de motocicliști vor rula peste 1400 km într-un circuit pe două roți pe ruta București – Hunedoara (31 Mai) – Oradea (01 Iunie) – Cluj (02 Iunie) – Sibiu (03 Iunie) – Buzău (04 Iunie) cu scopul implicării comunității moto în campania Siguranță pe două roți. Motocicliștii vor vizita comunități moto locale, vor promova obiectivele campaniei și se vor documenta cu privire la aspectele care contribuie semnificativ la efectuarea unei călătorii de aventură pe două roți în condiții de siguranță.

Circuitul se va încheia cu o dezbatere amplă privind importanța conștientizării pericolelor la care sunt expuși motocicliștii. La această dezbatere vor participa atât motocicliști, cât și conducătorii altor categorii de vehicule, cu care aceștia împart drumul în fiecare zi.

Ediția 2021 a Campaniei Siguranță pe două roți a inclus mai multe evenimente, precum:
– Operațiunea Mărțișorul (1 martie)
– Parada motociclistelor (6 martie)
– o campanie de donare de sânge sub deviza “Este o viață în joc! Donează!” (19-20 mai)
– un curs de prim-ajutor în cadrul unui eveniment numit “Este o viață în joc! Salveaz-o!” (22 mai).

Evenimentele s-au bucurat de participarea unui număr mare de persoane atât din comunitatea moto cât și din afara ei.

Campania se află la a doua ediție, a început în luna martie 2021 și se va încheia în iunie 2021 cu o paradă moto care va avea loc în capitală.

Evenimentul este organizat de Cluburile BLACK HELMETS, FREE RIDERS și WIMA ROMÂNIA, cu sprijinul MOTUL, ROMPETROL și BMW MOTORRAD, în calitate de sponsori, având ca parteneri Media ROCK FM și Pe Motoare.

30.05.2021

Green Area countries to travel to Romania

July 07 – 2020 COVID19 Update
List of countries from green area – no self-isolation, no quarantine

The Romanian National Committee for Emergency Situations announced the list of the countries from green area where asymptomatic travelers can come from without having to stay in self isolation or in quarantine. As of today (July 7th – 2020) travelers from 32 European countries and 12 states from other continents can travel to Romania.

From Europe:

  • Andorra
  • Austria
  • Bulgaria
  • Belgium
  • Czech Republic
  • Cyprus
  • Croatia
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Faroe Islands
  • Holland
  • Hungary
  • Finland
  • France (European territory of France)
  • Germany (excepting Kreis Gutersloch District)
  • Greece
  • Ireland
  • Island
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Liechtenstein
  • Malta
  • Monaco
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Spain
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Switzerland
  • U.K.
  • Vatican

Other Countries:

  • Australia
  • Algiers
  • Canada
  • Georgia
  • Japan
  • Morocco
  • Rwanda
  • South Korea
  • New Zealand
  • Tunis
  • Thailand
  • Uruguay

The airlines will also resume traveling to/from these destinations.

This list will be updated weekly by the National Institute for Public Health.

Romanian Roads – what to expect

From no road to poor roads and perfect tarmac, you can find it all: a paradise for off road riders, a challenge for speed motorbikes and heaven for tourers.

Traffic:
Transalpina Road Romania by motorcycleback in the communist times, Romanians had access to motor brands made in communist bloc only. To avoid traffic on week-ends, a system was introduced, forcing drivers to use the vehicles based on the license plate number (odd – even number).  One week-end only the odd license plate vehicles were allowed on roads and the next weekend the even numbers, making the traffic more fluid and relaxed.

This adding the limited amount of vehicles on the road plus the fact that gas was rarely found at gas stations, would make traffic very fluid.

motorbike mirror viewThe communism fell; you don’t see queues at gas stations anymore as there is plenty of it and it is not rationalized.  Drivers can take their cars and motorbikes out with no restrictions on license plate number and the number of vehicles purchased by Romanians has increased rapidly. All brands can be seen on the roads, from the cheap to the most expensive, local or not.

This has made the traffic heavier especially inside the big cities and on important road connections. I believe it is the same in your own country nowadays.

Roads:
If you are looking for motorbike adventure in Romania you should probably avoid the main roads and take on the back roads: gravel, some potholes and decent tarmac to perfectly built roads, great views, traditional villages and welcoming people. Please note that the model of the motorbike you ride is important. You won’t be able to use a speed motorcycle on the same roads you can use a GS.  Please choose your rides according to what your motorbike was designed for and your experience level.

Rides on famous roads:
dsc_2125Should you like to ride the famous Romanian Roads (Transalpina, Transfagarasan, etc.), as most of you do when are thinking of venturing in Romania, please organize your ride in a way that you have an overnight somewhere at the base of the mountain. This way you can get an early start the next morning and beat the crowds.

You will be rewarded with easy traffic, amazing views and a great satisfaction seeing the road unfolding right in front of you – a ribbon of curves perfectly built like a racetrack to the clouds.

Animals on the roads:
In the rural areas or in the mountains sheep, goats, horses or cows can sometimes be seen on the roads. Please overtake with caution as animal behaviour can be unpredictable.
motorbike overtaking horse drawn cartIn Romania people living in the countryside still use the horse drawn carts in their daily activities.
You get to overtake such carts carrying corn, potatoes or whatever they are growing in the fields. Horse drawn carts carrying huge piles of hay are an authentic image that worth a stop for a picture.

Candid observation on Romania by motorbike travellers:

  • If you are crossing some traditional villages in the afternoon you can see people sitting on the bench in front of the house discussing the day, politics or whatever is going on in the village. They are friendly and always happy to offer a glass of water from their fountain.
  • Kids on the road love motorcyclists. They show this by waving to the riders and moving their hands requesting from the motorcyclist to give it some gas.
  • Architecture is different from region to region. If you pay attention to these details you will find it fascinating.
  • Crossing villages you can see tables with fruits and vegetables in front of some houses. The villagers are selling what they have cultivated in their own back yard. Generally the taste of these products is way better than what you can find in supermarkets. I dare you to just taste a tomato. You will love it.motorcycle riding trough villages

7 reasons to venture in Transylvania on a motorbike

dsc_4234Transylvania is a region situated in the central part of Romania, Eastern Europe. It is the land beyond the forest (from latin trans=crossing; silva=forest). The name itself shows that the land is perfectly covered with valleys, hilltops, beautiful forests and mountains – some of them taking the riders and their motorbikes above the three line rewarding them with stunning views.

All this sounds very nice, but there is nothing more exhilarating than the roads that lead there:

1. Transfagarasan Road
transfagarasan-rdConnecting Muntenia (southern part of Romania) with Transylvania, by crossing Fagaras Mountain, Transfagarasan Road ride takes the motorbike riders up to 2042 m in altitude on a perfect ribbon of asphalt road, built just like a race track, a Mecca for motorbike riders today.

It was constructed during the communist regime (1970-1974) under the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu to ease the access of the troops.

Due to the high altitude the road is open only 3-4 months/year, generally from June 15 until October 31, depending highly on the Weather conditions. In the summer time the road tends to be crowded, with its peak in the weekends.

The riders should start the ride from south to North (from Curtea de Arges to Cartisoara), this way the view of the entire road unfolding in front will be thrilling. Also they should start riding early in the morning (about 08:00 AM). This way they will lose the crowds and be able to really get the feel of a unique road with bends to last for a lifetime. Attention should also be directed to the gas tank as there are no gas tanks on this road, the riders should fill up before starting the ride.

2. Transalpina Highway
dsc_3855known as the Kings Road, linking the town of Sugag in Transylvania with Novaci, crossing Parang Mountains in the central Carpathians. With its highest peak at 2145m in Urdele Pass, the road takes the riders to the clouds in a ride to remember.

Pine forests, traditional sheepfolds where visitors are offered the traditional “balmos” (food cooked by the sheepherders), great views and plenty of road bends and hairpin curves. Just as Transfagarasan Road, better to be ridden on week days or in the morning to beat the traffic. Attention should also be directed to the gas tank as there are no gas stations on this road, the riders should fill up before starting the ride.

3. Transbucegi Road

the-sphinx-on-bucegi-mthird highest mountain road in Romania, Transbucegi is a narrow asphalt road leading to Bucegi Plateau in Bucegi Mountains. From the Plateau walks to the Sphinx and Babele (famous rock formations shaped by the wind) can be explored. The Walk to the Sphinx can take up to 45min.
It is important for the riders to keep in mind that they need to walk back to the motorbike as well which will add to the relaxing walk in the nature some more time.

Recommendation: The riders interested in great views that can only be reached with a bit of walking are advised to bring comfortable walking shoes and to leave the motorbike boots locked on the motorbike. Also water and a chocolate bar for energy are recommended.

4. Sunset Mountains in the Western Carpathians offer you great rides, one of them – Transursoaia Road. From DN 1 in the city of Huedin the road snakes up to the Dark Hill along Belis Dam and Belisului Valley to the village of Horea. 80 km of asphalt on a narrow mountain road offering some great riding, amazing views and traditional stops on the road, carved in wood by the locals.

dsc_3719Short deviation: in Rachitele area – the Vail of The Bride Waterfall, 30m of waterfall attracting visitors from all over the world. From May to October, depending on the weather. Caution is required as there are sections of narrow areas.

Best to be ridden during the day as the mountains will reward the riders with spectacular views.


5. The Rich History
Transylvania has everything, from great winding roads to medieval churches and fortified medieval citadels. History buffs should not miss Cluj Napoca – home of Saint Michael’s Cathedral, Europe’s Youth Capital in 2015, Sighisoara Medieval citadel – the birth place of “Vlad The Impaller” (also known as Dracula), the medieval city of Brasov home for the Black Church, the medieval city of Sibiu – former cultural capital of Europe in 2007, place for the “Redbul Romaniacs” off road competition, Bran Castle – also known as Dracula Castle in Transylvania, Rasnov Medieval Citadel with a 360 degrees Panorama over the surrounding mountains.

6. The food and drinks
Transylvania is a melting pot regarding the cultures and the food they brought to the region.
img_4356Hungarian, Austrian, Turkish foods are all traditional in Transylvania: 4 mititei (grilled skinless sausages) with fries and mustard washed down with a glass of local beer is Transylvanian understanding of fast food. Slow food and very slow food is also served in Transylvania, long late dinners on a terrace in the middle of a charming medieval town is something that any visitor should experience.

The price of good wine and beer is ridiculously inexpensive compared with other countries.

7. Fly & Ride Transylvania, Romania
The riders can come with their own motorbike and enjoy the Carpathian experience.The best part of it is that no matter where the riders are coming from they can enjoy a motorbike adventure in Transylvania with no fuss on fly& Ride bases. Cluj Napoca Airport is the biggest in Transylvania, Romania and it welcomes flights from all over the World, low cost or not.
dsc_3897If the riders choose to fly here they can still enjoy a 2wheel adventure by renting a motorbike. A fleet of 11 BMW motorbikes, the GS range is available for rental in the city of Turda (40 km away from Cluj Napoca Airport).

They can rent BMW motorbikes 650cc, 800cc or 1200cc, recent year of fabrication.

GPS and motorbike gear is also available at the motorbike rental shop in Turda (Transylvania, Romania). Maps can be found almost in each gas station and the staff at the motorbike rental company can offer recommendations on where to ride.

Romanian currency: leu
1 euro = 4.4909 lei
1 USD = 4.1260 lei

Gas
1 litre – about 5 lei (1.2 euro)

Alcohol and driving:
Zero alcohol tolerance. Should the riders like to immerge in the beer and wine culture they should do it after a riding day.

Speed limit:
50 km/hour in cities unless instructed otherwise.
100 km/hour on national or European roads
130 km/hour on highways

For money the visitors can choose ATMs or the exchange offices (“Casa de Schimb Valutar” in Romanian). ATMs are available in every big city. For the exchange offices, visitor should choose the ones that do not charge a commission.

English, Spanish or German speaking Romanians can be found. However we recommend learning a few words in Romanian just enough to thank someone for a well done service.

Wear bright reflective gear to be visible. When overtaking, make sure that the drivers have acknowledged your intention.

The riders should be safe and remember to have fun and to enjoy the Transylvanian experience!

MTR Team

 

Motorcycle Touring Romania

Follow us for reccommendations on what to do and where to ride while in Romania. Motorbike roads, motorcycle tours, motorbike rental services, everything you need to venture in this part of the World on 2 wheels.
Some of The Best Roads in the World are just a click away!

MTR Team