Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:11:14 PP here. Another PP was right to call me out on my characterization of Bucharest as a hellhole - I was mainly basing that on memories of growing up in Romania in the 80s. Bucharest is sprawling and drab to me - curious whether others found it charming. Mostly, the point is that there are so many other beautiful places to visit in Romania. It's safe, great culture and history, and people are friendly. There's a little bit of a language barrier (many people speak French as a second language, though English is more prevalent among the younger generation). Totally worth visiting!!

Interesting perspective; makes sense. I lived in Kiev for awhile and liked Bucharest a lot but it was because I had friends there and we had a great time. I think it also can be interesting for Americans to see/experience a place like Bucharest (or Sofia or Kiev [not right now]).

But what Bucharest was also great for was getting out to the Romanian Carpathians, which are stunning. I loved Sighisoara and Brasov, and I stayed in a tiny town outside of Brasov that is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. It was just gorgeous.

Anonymous wrote:11:14 PP here. Another PP was right to call me out on my characterization of Bucharest as a hellhole - I was mainly basing that on memories of growing up in Romania in the 80s. Bucharest is sprawling and drab to me - curious whether others found it charming. Mostly, the point is that there are so many other beautiful places to visit in Romania. It's safe, great culture and history, and people are friendly. There's a little bit of a language barrier (many people speak French as a second language, though English is more prevalent among the younger generation). Totally worth visiting!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check out the second and third cities instead of the major ones.

This.

My husband (who literally keeps a running tally for all expenses in his head) thought most of the places we visited in Italy and Croatia were relatively cheap (in terms of food and drinks).

The trick is to avoid the areas you know are overpriced and avoid the tourist traps. You’ll find better food and better prices 5 blocks off the beaten path.

While I’ve heard Albania is cheap, the Albanians I know living in the dc metro area don’t go back unless there’s a funeral (and some have even skipped those).

Anonymous wrote:Iceland. Was cheap at the time for us. And an amazing lifetime experience.

Anonymous wrote:Where was Hostel?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:11:14 PP here. Another PP was right to call me out on my characterization of Bucharest as a hellhole - I was mainly basing that on memories of growing up in Romania in the 80s. Bucharest is sprawling and drab to me - curious whether others found it charming. Mostly, the point is that there are so many other beautiful places to visit in Romania. It's safe, great culture and history, and people are friendly. There's a little bit of a language barrier (many people speak French as a second language, though English is more prevalent among the younger generation). Totally worth visiting!!

I think it sounds lovely. Of course you will have mixed feelings growing up there, especially under communism.
I really want to visit someday.

This is a good example of why “act like a local when you travel” doesn’t totally work -/ locals experience cities in very different ways. As someone who grew up in Arizona; I views Phoenix as a hell hole, but I do understand some people llle to vacation there!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:11:14 PP here. Another PP was right to call me out on my characterization of Bucharest as a hellhole - I was mainly basing that on memories of growing up in Romania in the 80s. Bucharest is sprawling and drab to me - curious whether others found it charming. Mostly, the point is that there are so many other beautiful places to visit in Romania. It's safe, great culture and history, and people are friendly. There's a little bit of a language barrier (many people speak French as a second language, though English is more prevalent among the younger generation). Totally worth visiting!!

I think it sounds lovely. Of course you will have mixed feelings growing up there, especially under communism.
I really want to visit someday.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check out the second and third cities instead of the major ones.

This.

My husband (who literally keeps a running tally for all expenses in his head) thought most of the places we visited in Italy and Croatia were relatively cheap (in terms of food and drinks).

The trick is to avoid the areas you know are overpriced and avoid the tourist traps. You’ll find better food and better prices 5 blocks off the beaten path.

While I’ve heard Albania is cheap, the Albanians I know living in the dc metro area don’t go back unless there’s a funeral (and some have even skipped those).

Anonymous wrote:Central or Eastern Europe. Krakow and Bucharest are both lovely in summer.

Anonymous wrote:11:14 PP here. Another PP was right to call me out on my characterization of Bucharest as a hellhole - I was mainly basing that on memories of growing up in Romania in the 80s. Bucharest is sprawling and drab to me - curious whether others found it charming. Mostly, the point is that there are so many other beautiful places to visit in Romania. It's safe, great culture and history, and people are friendly. There's a little bit of a language barrier (many people speak French as a second language, though English is more prevalent among the younger generation). Totally worth visiting!!

Anonymous wrote:Check out the second and third cities instead of the major ones.