Turkey has been a part of Australia’s history, dating back to the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign in World War 1. Paying your respects to our fallen soldiers at Anzac Cove is an emotional rite-of-passage for many Australians, and is well worth the trip alone. However, Turkey also offers plenty of other options for holiday-makers, including its culture, World Heritage Sites and the architecture of numerous historical buildings.

We’ve put the country through our Optimise Travel holiday destination test, and it certainly passes.

• Is now a good financial time to go? 

• Is there a wide variety of interesting things to see and do? 

• Is there a good time of year to go? 

• How hard is it to get to and get around when you’re there? 

We’ll look at each one of these criteria in more detail in this article, offering you some practical tips and advice along the way.

A good financial time to go √

Current exchange rates between the Australian dollar and the Turkish lira make Turkey a great value for money destination for Australian tourists, which is a bonus.

As the graph below shows, this has been the case for the last few years in particular. The Australian dollar (AUD) will currently buy you approximately 2.04 Turkish liras (TRY), about double the figure of a decade ago when it hovered around the 1 lira mark. Even 5 years ago, an Australian dollar would only get you about 1.5 Turkish liras. So now is a good time to go.

Image: xe.com

A variety of interesting things to see and do √

Before we get into those, you need to get your head around the geographic layout of the country, and in particular, appreciate two of its bordering countries. The capital city of Turkey is Ankara, and as you can see from the map below, the country is bordered by Syria and Iraq in the south, two countries that are currently in conflict. It is best to avoid Turkish regions that border those two countries accordingly.

In addition, you need to appreciate that there will be an English language barrier to some extent in Turkey. Turkish is the official language, and while young people in Turkey may know some basic English, older people are less likely to know any.

Image http://guidemap.tk

ANZAC Cove, Gallipoli peninsula

ANZAC Cove is a small, 600-meter long cove on the Gallipoli peninsula, about 200 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. It is where the ANZAC soldiers landed at dawn on April 25, 2015 (a date commemorated each year via the Anzac day public holiday in both Australia and New Zealand).

8709 Australians lost their lives in the ill-fated, 8-and-a-half month Gallipoli campaign of World War 1, and a further 19, 441 were wounded. Each year thousands of Australians and New Zealanders trek to Gallipoli to pay their respects, firstly at the ANZAC Day dawn service, followed by visiting the grave sites of fallen soldiers. It is a truly moving and humbling experience.

                                                           Image:http://www.syne.com

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

The Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century and is remarkably well preserved. Formerly a mosque and before that a church, it is now a museum. Its distinctive architecture is a landmark in Turkey, and its inner walls feature a variety of striking religious mosaics.

Image: www.wikipedia.com

Topkapi Palace, Istanbul

Topkapi Palace was a royal residence that also served as the administrative centre of Turkey from 1465-1856. It is now a museum containing artefacts from that era, holy relics and jewellery.

Image: http://ephesus-tour.com

Pamukkale

Meaning “cotton castle” in Turkish, Pamukkale is a distinctive travertine (white limestone) terraced hot spring landscape in the south-west of the country. People have bathed in its pools for thousands of years, and it is a World Heritage Site.

Image: http://www.sademdis.com

Ephesus

Ephesus is a city from the Roman empire in south-west Turkey that still has many of its monuments largely intact, as well as its marble-columned roads from that era. It is another World Heritage Site.

Image: http://www.wanderlustturkey.com

Bodrum Castle

Built in the 15^th century, Bodrum Castle in south-west Turkey has a fascinating history. It has been used variously over the years as a chapel, mosque, military base and prison. It is now an underwater archaeology museum, containing ancient shipwrecks extracted from the Aegean Sea.

Image: https://evapartments.files.wordpress.com

Relax by the beach or paraglide at Ölüdeniz

Ölüdeniz is a small secluded beach resort in Turkey’s south-west. Its turquoise coloured water makes it one of the most photogenic beach location in the world. Tandem paragliding is a popular option available to take in its panoramic views.

Image: http://www.otelseden.com

Cruise the Mediterannean, off Bodrum

Hundreds of tiny islands are scattered off the coast of Bodrum in the south-west, and these can be explored on a relaxing yacht cruise.

Image: http://www.turkeytraveller.com

Hike or go hot air ballooning in Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a historical region located in the provinces of Nevşehir, Kayseri, Aksaray and Niğde in central Turkey. Its World Heritage listed rock formations and underground cities built hundreds of years ago provide lots of exploring opportunities for hikers. You can also take in the breathtaking views via hot air ballooning.

Image: http://www.asherworldturns.com

A good time of year to go √

Being located in the northern hemisphere, Turkey’s seasons occur at the opposite time to Australia’s. Coastal areas of Turkey tend to have hot, dry summers and cool to cold, wet winters. Winters in the interior of the country are more severe, with significant snowfall.

Turkey’s major summer school holidays occur each year predominantly between mid-June and mid-September. A shorter 2 week winter school holiday period occurs during the last week of January and the first week of February each year. You can expect holiday destinations and accommodation within Turkey to be more crowded and expensive accordingly during these times, especially in summer.

Islam is the major religion in Turkey, and in 2016 the Ramadan month of fasting will begin in early June. It is recommended that tourists respect the locals by not eating, drinking or smoking in public during this time, nor in the presence of people who are fasting.

Getting there and getting around while you’re there √

There are regular flights to Ankara and Istanbul (the two largest cities in Turkey) from most capital cities in Australia. It’s a long flight, taking between 16 and 19 hours from the east coast of Australia, based on one quick stopover at a connecting flight destination along the way (such as in Singapore or Dubai). Connecting flights are common for such a long journey. Your total travel time will obviously be affected by the length of any stopovers, so you should plan accordingly.

Within Turkey, there are airports in each of its major cities. Flights between cities are relatively short by Australian standards. For example, a flight between Ankara and Istanbul only takes about 30 minutes. An example of a long flight within the country would be between Istanbul in the north-west to Erzurum in the east, which takes about 2 hours.

Is it safe?

The Australian government’s official advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is that Australians should exercise a high degree of caution when travelling in Turkey. This is because there is a relatively high threat of terrorist attacks and kidnapping in the country, especially in regions near Syria, due to the on-going conflict in Iraq and Syria.

In addition, as you should in any international country, pay close attention to your personal security and belongings in Turkey. You should also talk to your doctor about appropriate vaccines and preventative medicines before you go. In addition to the routine vaccines, for Turkey, you should prevent your chances of contracting any of the following diseases –hepatitis A/B, typhoid, rabies and malaria.

Please Share your travel tips, tricks and stories about Turkey in the comments section so that others can benefit on their travels!

*We aim to provide up to date content and information. If any information provided is no longer correct then please email us at optimisetravelaustralia@gmail.com or post in the comments section

After several Airbnb stays I have found out what to look for when booking. It can be confusing as major cities can have hundreds or even thousands of homes for rent. Many places scattered all over the city, all offering different amenities and options.

Step 1: Where to Stay- City Dweller or Suburban Freedom?

Figure out what’s important to you and aim to stay in those areas. Some people like the busy, chaotic inner city streets while others prefer returning to quiet, peaceful suburban places to spend their evenings. Are restaurants and nightlife your priority or maybe it’s the major tourist attractions that you prefer to be close to?

If you have spent time in the city before then you may have an understanding of which areas you like. If you haven’t been before, simply google ‘best areas to stay in …….’ or ‘safest neighbourhoods in …….’. Alternatively, you can use the Airbnb guidebooks here.

By focusing on specific areas or suburbs in Airbnb searches, you narrow results and eliminate some of the indecision that comes with sifting through too many options.

Step 2:Basic Bits. What do you Require?

Which dates am I travelling?

I can’t help you with this 

What is my price range?

Don’t be too stringent with this initially, because prices and places in search areas can vary due to additional costs such as the cleaning and Airbnb fees. Also, depending on your length of your stay you may receive a discount. You can always ask the owner for their best offer before booking.

Lastly, do you want to rent an entire apartment, a private room from someone or even share a room?

This depends again on your situation. If you stay with an owner you can view their profile and even contact them beforehand to get a feel for their personality. Learn more about Airbnb stays in our previous article here

As you can see by my example in the image below, I have already narrowed search results in Hong Kong from over 1000 down to 54 by putting in my dates, the area I prefer to stay in, and specifying that I want a place to myself. It is noticeable that homes with high star ratings will now feature prominently.

Step 3: Filtering to Find the Diamonds

The above tabs will be on the Airbnb reviews page. Click on ‘Filters’ and a drop down menu will appear with many options.

This is where I typically add all those (un)necessities that I would like to have.

Some of the most common for me include:

• Wifi – it’s best to have wifi available, either for business or as a tourist.
• Air con/heating – if the weather is uncomfortable then a nice home can feel like a luxury.
• Washer – great for stays longer than 3-4 days.
• Iron – clothes generally need ironing after travel and especially if I have the need to wear more than a t-shirt.

You can tailor these settings to your needs. The cancellation policy can also be important if you’re in a situation where you think you may have to cancel. No-one wants to lose a large deposit just for cancelling a trip.

After filtering my example to include a washer, iron, air conditioning and wifi, , I am left with 13 options of 2 bedroom apartments. These vary in price and star rating with many having a full 5 star (excellent) Airbnb review rating.

Step 4: Make Sure it’s a Real Diamond

After narrowing your results, it’s time to deep dive into the properties one by one to explore their images, review their amenities, read comments from previous occupants and their overall rating.

I usually only book properties with a rating of 4.5 or 5 stars. The only exceptions I have to this are:

(a) if the property is new on the market with no Airbnb reviews, or

(b) if I am looking to get the cheapest possible deal and am prepared to sacrifice quality for price. This is where an Airbnb coupon comes in handy, I always make sure I take advantage of any Airbnb coupon codes that are available.

In my example above, many homes both have 4.5 or 5 star ratings.

Make sure you inspect all images closely, looking for anything positive and negative. Some things to remember when viewing images include:

• Wide angle cameras can make spaces look bigger than they actually are.
• Professional shots enhance a space compared to smart phone images.
• People will often put only 2-3 images of the accommodation, but many more of the surrounding suburbs. This is not ideal.
• Understand that photos taken by amateurs (the owner) may not showcase the property as well as professional shots.

When you’ve found a gem that fits your needs, it’s time read the Airbnb reviews thoroughly to see what others have said about staying at the property. Airbnb reviews will give you an insight into any possible problems that could arise. Take the time to read at least 5-10 reviews. If anything stands out that you think may be an issue, start your search again.

Step 5: Take the Leap and Book It!

If you are satisfied with the reviews then pull the trigger and book your Airbnb!
In my example, 3-4 places are similar in terms of price, size and rating. In that case go with you personal preference or even drop the price to narrow results further. Once completed, take the next step and make a booking. 

Procrastination is normal on your first Airbnb attempt, but trust us when we say it’s best to be smart, do your research and book quickly!

**the Airbnb accommodation options in the examples in this article may no longer be available for rent.

This article will answer that question, and many more, including:

• How does Airbnb work?
• What is an Airbnb coupon code?
• Why is Airbnb so good?
• How do I book the right Airbnb?

So What is Airbnb ?

The concept is simple – you stay in someone’s home or apartment (or occasionally somewhere random like a boat). The owner may or may not be there during your stay. Whether they will be or not is listed in the accommodation description when searching airbnb.com, along with many other property details including amenities, the suburb location and Airbnb reviews.

Airbnb’s slogan is: ‘don’t just go there, live there’. Experiencing new places can be daunting, scary and stressful. Living and interacting with a local can make a world of difference, changing your perspective of a town, city or country.

Hosts are mostly welcoming and informative people who take pride in their homes and their city. The comforts of a home are at your fingertips. Kitchen and washing facilities, generally more space than a hotel and the feeling of living like a local combine to make Airbnb accommodation so popular.

How does Airbnb work?

Stays are usually short term, with the average being between 4 and 7 nights in most major cities. Stays can be for a longer period however, guests pay a nightly rate set by the property owner. Airbnb takes a small fixed fee when booking and usually a cleaning cost is applied by the owner.

What is an Airbnb coupon code?

Airbnb coupon codes are additional discounts available via special offers from time to time. If you redeem an eligible Airbnb coupon, it will appear as a travel credit on your next Airbnb transaction. Click on the Airbnb Images in this article to receive $45 Australian Dollars off your first stay or hosting experience with Airbnb. 

There are also many other alternatives to Airbnb.com. Optimise Travel has reviewed the other options in this market enabling travellers to get the best value for their money on their next journey. Click here to see our article on alternatives to Airbnb.

Where have I stayed and why was it so Good?

I have now stayed in Airbnb accommodation in Sydney (Australia), New York (US), Stockholm (Sweden), Nice (France), Ibiza (Spain) and Rapallo and Milan (Italy). Having also been a host in Australia, I feel comfortable using Airbnb from both perspectives.

In each place I have rented, the hosts have been welcoming and accommodating. In some cases, they have gone above and beyond in their attempts to make my stay a positive one. For example, in Stockholm and Rapallo the homeowners picked me up from the train station rather than meeting me at their place. A nice gesture when you’re travelling with large suitcases. In Nice, I was offered to be driven to the locals ‘best beach in the French Riviera’, which is difficult to access by public transport.

These simple touches helped create a positive initial vibe for my stay. Combine that with larger living space, the ability to buy and store food and drinks, wash and dry clothes, and often better check-in/check-out options, and the result is a great travelling experience.

Booking a hotel can seem like an overwhelming experience. There are many options available and rooms frequently change the price. Booking an Airbnb stay can also seem confusing and overwhelming initially. Optimise Travel has broken down the process to help readers. From the start to the finish, our next article is a step by step guide to an amazing home on your next holiday. Click Here to Learn More

If you’re looking for a destination that offers you plenty of options for cultural, historical, scenic, and adventure experiences, then South Africa should rank highly on your ‘possible next overseas holiday’ list!

We’ve put South Africa through our Optimise Travel holiday destination test, and it certainly passes all of our key criteria with flying colours:

• A variety of interesting things to see and do? 

• Is there a good time of year to go? 

• Is now a good financial time to go? 

• How hard is it to get to and get around when you’re there? 

We’ll look at each one of these criteria in more detail in this article, offering you some practical tips and advice along the way.

But first, you’ll need to get your head around the geographic layout of the country. South Africa is made up of 9 provinces. Each is colour-coded in the map below. It is bordered by 6 countries – Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, and Lesotho.

Image: http://www.worldofmaps.net/en/africa/map-south-africa/map-regions-south-africa.htm

A variety of interesting things to see and do √

Kruger National Park in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga 

South Africa is known for its wildlife safaris, and Kruger National Park is the oldest national park in South Africa. It is also one of the largest game reserves in the country. Various guided safari drive tours are available in the early morning, late afternoon or evening, as well as self-drive tours. You will be able to see wild animals including lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinoceroses and elephants in their natural habitat, a truly unique experience!

Naturally, if you take the self-drive option, it is very important that you keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the animals, and are aware of escape routes if necessary.

Accommodation options at Kruger National Park range from basic campsites for tents and caravans, right through to luxury lodges, depending on your preferences and budget.

Image: http://corridorgazette.co.za

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway in Cape Town

Table Mountain forms part of the Table Mountain National Park, and overlooks Cape Town. Its summit is more than a kilometre above sea level. Besides riding the Cableway to take in the breathtaking views, tourists can hike the mountain (it takes about 2-3 hours), or go mountain biking, caving or rock climbing on its surface.

Image: http://www.splashpr.co.za

Nelson Mandela’s prison cell on Robben Island

Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town, is where the iconic Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison. Tours are conducted by former prisoners, and you’ll see where Mandela spent his time breaking rocks into gravel, before ultimately triumphing to become President of South Africa in the late 20^th century.

http://studentenwohnungenkapstadt.co.za/robben-island-boat-trip/

Watch a live sporting event

Rugby, cricket, and soccer (football) are three popular sports in South Africa, just as they are in Australia. The Super Rugby competition runs from late February through to early August each year, and in 2016 there will be an Australian Super Rugby team playing a South African team in South Africa in the months of March, April, and July. 

The Australian cricket team will also tour South Africa regularly and play different international matches. The South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) season runs from August through to May, with 16 teams from all over the country competing.

Image: http://www.independent.co.uk

Cango Caves in the Western Cape province

Two types of guided tours of these wonders of mother nature are available. A standard walking tour takes about an hour, and the adventure tour lasts approximately an hour and a half, where you will crawl through dark narrow passages, as well as climb some steep rock formations.

Image: http://africageographic.com

Cape Winelands

For wine lovers, most of the vineyards in South Africa are in the Western Cape. Cape Winelands is a region that is particularly well-known and includes wine routes such as Constantia and Stellenbosch.

Image: http://www.blacktomato.com/?attachment_id=27640

Whale watching in Hermanus

Hermanus in the Western Cape is known for its whale watching tours, with the best time for sightings typically from September to November each year.

Image: http://www.ushoponline.co.za/whale-watching-route/

Beaches and surfing

The South African coastline is dotted with pristine beaches, meaning you can’t go too far wrong wherever you are. For two potentially memorable experiences, try swimming with the penguins at Boulders Beach, which is about a 50-minute drive south from Cape Town, or surfing at Elands Bay, which is about a 2 and a half hour drive north.

Image: http://www.tentree.com/

Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg

To understand a country, you need to appreciate its history. This museum illustrates the 1948-1994 era of racial segregation in South Africa and is as educational as it is haunting.

Image: http://www.financialgazette.co.zw

Visit a township

Townships were segregated urban living areas during the Apartheid era. Soweto in Johannesburg is the largest historical township in South Africa. If you want a genuine cultural experience of the daily living of many South Africans, take a professionally guided tour of a township like Soweto.

Image: https://asktam.wordpress.com/tag/south-africa/

A good time of year to go √

Like holidaying in Australia, if you want to avoid the maximum crowds and the most expensive accommodation dates, it’s best not to go to South Africa when the local school holidays are on. Below is a list of the 2016 South African school holiday dates, which are the same across all 9 provinces.

2016 South African school holiday dates (all 9 provinces)

http://www.schoolterms.co.za/2016.html

In terms of seasons, South Africa’s occur at the same time as Australia’s, since both countries are in the southern hemisphere. Its climate is similar to Australia’s, with various areas ranging from desert to sub-tropical, and temperatures varying across the country. South Africa gets most of its annual rainfall between October and April, and particularly during the summer months.

For visiting game reserves like Kruger National Park, this is best done in the dry season (May to September). There are a number of reasons for this – temperatures are milder, there is less vegetation to block your view of wildlife, animals will come to waterholes to drink more often, and there is less chance of you contracting malaria. Travelling withing South Africa is easy and we recommend using this travel site for flight bookings.

 A good financial time to go √

 Current exchange rates between the Australian dollar and the South African rand make South Africa a great value for money destination for Australian tourists, which is a bonus.

As the graph below shows, this has been the case for several years now. The Australian dollar (AUD) will buy you approximately 10 South African rand (ZAR), a far cry from a decade ago when it hovered around the 4-5 rand mark.

Image: xe.com

Getting there and getting around while you’re there √

There are regular, direct flights to Johannesburg (the largest city in South Africa) from both Sydney and Perth, which take approximately 13 and 8 hours respectively. This is a long distance but well worth the experience.

Within South Africa, there are airports in the major cities of each of its 9 provinces (Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, Western Cape).

Flights between provinces are relatively short by Australian standards. A “long” flight, for example, would be from Cape Town in the Western Cape to Kruger International Airport in Mpumalanga in eastern South Africa, which takes approximately 2 and a half hours.

Is it safe?

The Australian government’s official advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is that Australians should exercise a high degree of caution if they travel to South Africa. This is because there is a relatively high level of serious crime in the country.

This means you should take sensible precautions, like paying close attention to your personal security and belongings at all times. You should also be aware that there is a relatively high level of HIV/AIDS within South Africa, and you should take precautions if engaging in any activities that will expose you to the risk of infection.

As with travelling to any destination, you should talk to your doctor about appropriate vaccines and preventative medicines before you go. In addition to the routine vaccines, for South Africa, you should prevent your chances of contracting any of the following diseases – hepatitis A/B, typhoid, malaria, and rabies.

 In addition, if you are travelling with children under 18, you must carry both a passport and full valid birth certificate for each child, to be produced on request by local authorities.

Please Share your tips, tricks and stories about Travel to South Africa in the comments section so that others can benefit on their travels!

*We aim to provide up to date content and information. If any information provided is no longer correct then please email us at optimisetravelaustralia@gmail.com or post in the comments section

 Romania offers plenty of options for holiday-makers, including both inland snow and coastal Black Sea resorts, as well as culture, historical medieval buildings, and national parks.

We’ve put the country through our Optimise Travel holiday destination test, and it comes up trumps.

• Is now a good financial time to go? 

• Is there a wide variety of interesting things to see and do? 

• Is there a good time of year to go? 

• How hard is it to get to and get around when you’re there? 

We’ll look at each one of these criteria in more detail in this article, offering you some practical tips and advice along the way.

A Good Financial Time to Go √

Current exchange rates between the Australian dollar and the Romanian new leu make Romania a good value for money destination for Australian tourists.

As the graph below shows, the Australian dollar (AUD) will currently buy you approximately 3 Romanian new leus (RON). Although you would have been able to get more than 3.5 new leus to the dollar 3 or 4 years ago, the Australian dollar has held up better against the new leu in recent years than against currencies like the United States dollar (USD).

Image via: www.xe.com

A Variety of Interesting Things to See and Do √

Before we get into those, you need to get your head around the geographic layout of the country. Romania is located in south-east Europe. Its capital city is Bucharest, and the country is bordered by the Black Sea, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, the Ukraine, and Moldova.

Romanian is the official language in the country, but English is a subject offered in Romanian schools. About a third of the population speaks at least some English.

Image via: http://reliefweb.int

• Palace of the Parliament, Bucharest

The Palace of the Parliament in central Bucharest is the second largest building in the world, with 365,000m² of floor space spread across its 12 stories. It is where the Parliament of Romania convenes. More than 700 architects and up to 100 000 workers were involved in its construction. Guided tours of the Palace’s opulent interior take place throughout the day and it is well worth a visit.

Image via: lonelyplanet.com

• Cruise the Danube Delta

The Danube Delta is a World Heritage listed river that runs through the southern part of Romania. Day trips to explore its passages, scenery, and wildlife are popular. Over 300 bird species are known to inhabit the surrounding regions of the Danube in spring and summer each year (March to August).

Image via: http://tripscout.net

• Black Sea coastal resorts

The 275-kilometre white sandy coastline of the Black Sea off south-eastern Romania features numerous resorts that are popular with beachgoers in summer (June – August). The Mamaia resort in Constanta is the most well known. In addition to 4 and 5-star accommodation options, campsites are also available.

Image via: https://romaniadacia.wordpress.com/

• Inland ski resorts

Romania’s winters and its Carpathian Mountains provide ideal skiing conditions at any number of inland resorts. The Poiana Brasov resort in the central Romanian city of Brasov is the most popular. Its numerous slopes cater for all standards, from beginner through to advanced.

Image via: http://www.bradtguides.com

• National Parks in the Carpathian Mountains

The Carpathian Mountains spread for 1500 kilometres across central Europe, with more than half of the range located in Romania. In addition to the range providing great skiing conditions in winter, numerous National Parks are situated in its surrounding areas. You’ll find pristine forests as well as a wide variety of unique flora and fauna.

Image via: https://romaniadacia.files.wordpress.com

• Bran Castle

Also known as Dracula’s Castle, Bran Castle near Brasov was built in the 14^th century as a Romanian fortress. It is now a museum open to tourists. In addition to the historical features of its design, Bran Castle’s interior contains art and furniture from the period. The region where the Castle is located is Transylvania, an area which inspired author Bram Stoker to make it the home of the fictional title character in his 19^th century Dracula novel.

Image via: http://www.medievalarchives.com

• Palace of Culture, Iasi

Built in the early 20th century, the Palace of Culture in Iasi in north-east Romania is a striking example of neo-Gothic architecture. It features 4 themed museums – science and technology, ethnography (culture), art and history.

Image via: http://www.alux.com

•  Bucharest Social Scene

Romania and Bucharest, in particular, has a flourishing nightlife scene with restaurants, cafes, bars, and clubs very popular among locals and tourists alike. The ‘Old City’ in the capital has been redeveloped into a thriving cafe and bar scene and a fantastic way to spend a balmy summers evening.

Image via: http://oldcityties.com

A Good Time of Year to Go √

Being located in the northern hemisphere, Romania’s seasons occur at the opposite time to Australia’s. Its winters are much cooler than Australia’s, with average temperatures of -5°C. Its summers are moderate, with a typical day being 29°C.

As with any destination, you can expect tourist attractions and accommodation within Romania to be more crowded and expensive during school holiday times. Romanian school holiday dates are as follows:

Winter:      End of January to approx 7 February

Spring:       Approx 23 April to 3 May 

Summer:   Mid June to the beginning of September 

Autumn:    Beginning of November to mid-November 

Christmas: Approx 19 December to the start of January 

Getting there and getting around while you’re there √

There are regular flights to Bucharest (the capital and largest city in Romania) from most capital cities in Australia. It’s a long flight, taking approximately 22 hours from the east coast of Australia. However, there are very few direct flights. You are likely to have at least one but probably two stopover destinations along the way (in Asia, the Middle East and/or Europe). Connecting flights are common for such a long journey. Your total travel time will obviously be affected by the length of any stopovers, so you should plan accordingly.

Within Romania, there are airports in each of its major cities. Flights between cities are relatively short by Australian standards. For example, a flight between Bucharest in the south-east of the country and Iasi in the north-east only takes just over an hour. It also has a vast train network allowing travel between Bucharest and all major tourist hot spots.

Is it safe?

The Australian government’s official advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is that Australians should exercise normal safety precautions when travelling in Romania. As you should in any international country, pay close attention to your personal security and belongings.

You should also talk to your doctor about appropriate vaccines and preventative medicines before you go. In addition to the routine vaccines, for Romania, you should prevent your chances of contracting any of the following diseases – hepatitis A/B and rabies.

Please Share your travel Romania tips, tricks and stories in the comments section so that others can benefit on their journey!

*We aim to provide up to date content and information. If any information provided is no longer correct then please email us at optimisetravelaustralia@gmail.com or post in the comments section