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Food & Drink
Although there are some regional differences between the provinces, there is a definite national culinary tradition. Dishes include ciorba de perisoare (soup with meatballs), ciorba trneasc (vegetable soup with meat and rice balls served with sour cream), lamb bors, giblet soup and a variety of fish soups. The Romanians excel in full-bodied soups, some of the best being cream of mushroom, chicken, beef, vegetable and bean soup. Sour cream or eggs are also added to soups. Mamaliga (a staple of mashed cornmeal) is served in many ways. Other national specialities include tocana (pork, beef or mutton stew seasoned with onions and served with mamaliga), ghiveci (over 20 vegetables cooked in oil and served cold), Moldavian parjoale (flat meat patties, highly spiced and served with garnishes), sarmale (pork balls in cabbage leaves), mititei (a variety of highly-seasoned charcoal-grilled meat) and patricieni (charcoal-grilled sausages similar to Frankfurters). Fish dishes include nisetru la gratar (grilled Black Sea sturgeon), raci (crayfish) and scrumbii la gratar (grilled herring). Desserts include placinte cu poale in briu (rolled cheese pies), Moldavian cozonac (brioche) and pasca (a sweet cheesecake). Pancakes served with jam and doughnuts topped with sour cream or jam are also popular desserts. Breakfasts almost always include eggs, either soft-boiled, hard-boiled, fried or scrambled. Omelettes, filled with either cheese, ham or mushrooms, are also frequently served. Vegetarians may have difficulties, as most local specialities are meat-based. Although there are inexpensive self-service snack bars, table service is the norm.
A traditional drink with entres is tuic (plum brandy) which varies in strength, dryness and smell according to locality. Tuic de Bihor is the strongest and generally known as palinca. Romanian wines have won international prizes and include pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, riesling, pinot gris and chardonnay from the Murfatlar vineyards. Grasa and feteasa from Moldavia’s Cotnari vineyards are also recommended. Many Romanian wines are taken with soda water and hot wine is also popular during winter. Romanian beers are excellent. Romanian sparkling wines, or methode champagnoise, are very good and superb value. Glhwein (mulled wine) is another popular Romanian drink. There are no licensing hours, but the legal age for drinking in a bar is 18.

Nightlife
Bucharest has a growing number of discos and nightclubs with entertainment and live dancing. Restaurants at most major hotels double as nightclubs and there are also several Parisian-style cafes. Two casinos operate in the Calea Victoriei. Opera is performed at the Romanian Opera House and the Romanian Athenaeum has two symphony orchestras. Folk entertainment is performed at the Rapsodia Romana Artistic Ensemble Hall and there are a number of theatres.

Shopping
Specialist purchases include embroideries, pottery, porcelain, silverware, carpets, fabrics, wool jumpers, woodcarvings, metal, leather goods, rugs, glass paintings and silk dresses. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0600-2100 for small local shops, while larger stores and department stores open earlier and close later. Some shops open Sun 0600-1200, although these vary according to season.

Special Events
Folk festivals include dances, music and displays of traditional art. For a full list contact the Romanian National Tourist Office.
The following is a selection of special events occurring in Romania in 2005:
Feb Secular Winter Customs Festival, Sfantu Gheorghe. Apr International Festival of Contemporary Theatre, Brasov; National Festival of Spring Agricultural Customs, Hoteni-Maramures District. May Feast of the Daffodils, Vlahita-Harghita District; International Jazz Festival, Brasov. May-Jun Transylvanian International Film Festival, Cluj Napoca. Jun Traditional Crafts Fair, Bucharest; Fundata Fair. Jul Maiden’s Fair, Gaina Mountain; Bucharest of Old. Jul-Aug National Festival of Light Music, Mamaia; Medieval Days. Aug Dance at Prislop, Prislop Pass; Medieval Days, Sighisoara. Sep International Carp Angling Contest. Oct Halloween in Transylvania; Wine Making Festival. Dec Christmas Traditional Festival; De la Colind la Stea Christmas Festival, Brasov.

Social Conventions
Handshaking is the most common form of greeting, but it is customary for men to kiss a woman’s hand when being introduced. Visitors should follow normal European courtesies on social occasions. Dress tends to be rather conservative but casual wear is suitable. Beachwear should not be worn away from the beach or poolside. Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in cinemas and theatres. Many Romanians are smokers and gifts of Western cigarettes are greatly appreciated. Other well-appreciated gifts include toiletries and Western clothing. Photography: Military installations should not be photographed. Some tourist attractions require visitors to pay a fee of approximately Lei2000 for taking photographs. Tipping: A 5 to 10 per cent service tip is customary in restaurants. Porters, chambermaids and taxi drivers expect tips.