Criticism from Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet 2008 Guide:

Foreign tourists who visit Romania are advised to avoid pickpockets, taxi drivers without taximeters and stray dogs

by Radu Rizea HotNews.ro

Miercuri, 28 mai 2008, 9:51 English | Bucharest

"Thieves, taxi drivers who don't use their taxi meters, stray dogs, unpleasant surprises with restaurant bills and the aggressive driving are main issues in the Lonely Planet article about Bucharest, in the 2008 edition of the guide.

The guide warns that pickpockets and thieves are an issue not only in Bucharest, but also in Brasov, Constanta, Iasi, Suceava and Timisoara. Bags should therefore kept zipped and out in front, so they can't be cut.

In restaurants, the author finds three problems: different menus (one to order and a more expensive one, when it is time to pay), prices per 100 grams, while the portion is at least 400 grams or serving other wines than ordered, at significantly higher prices.

The guide also warns tourists not to use taxis without taxi meters and to avoid dogs, claiming that each and every citizen in Bucharest was at least once bitten by a dog. Furthermore, medical services are not trustworthy enough in case a tourist is bitten.

The Lonely Planet guide, taken over in 2007 by BBC Worldwide, publishes some 500 titles, produces the "Lonely Planet Six Degrees" TV series for Discovery Networks and owns the lonelyplanet.com and lonelyplanet.tv websites.

The author of the article says he stayed for 18 months in Romania in order to gather information. Similar recommendations were published by Le Routard guide for the 2006-2007 edition."

Yes, yes, okay it's all true. Taxi drivers without metres are cruising for targets and you'd be an idiot to get into one, there are restaurants who rip off tourists, the medical services are chronic if you're daft enough to travel without medical insurance which entitles you to good care at the Euroclinic. But as for the dogs...guys, what on earth would you be doing touching a wild dog anyway??? Come on. Even if you're a passioned dog-lover, you can tell which dogs you can pet, and which ones would rip your arm off at a glance. Be reasonable!

Of course there are negative points travelling here, but that's the case in EVERY country. I haven't read the 2008 Lonely Planet, so I can't really comment. I just hope that the wonderful things about Roumania are mentioned, too - the incredibly overwhelming generosity and hospitality, the warmth of the Roumanian people, their fabulous and completely silly sense of humour, their gift of throwing the most marvellous parties at the drop of a hat, the art, literature, music and history, the beautiful buildings and parks, the great food... I could go on for hours, and that's only Bucharest! The joys of the mountains, coast, delta and countryside would take another week!

I've always appreciated LP for its excellent guide books and hope this isn't the beginning of the end of that particular happy relationship! Don't be put off by the criticism. Just be streetwise and sensible, wherever you're travelling. This is one country not to be missed - it'll touch your heart and perhaps even change your life as it did mine. It certainly makes you prioritise and look inwards. How I love it!

Incidentally, the pix are all mine (apart from the book cover at the top) showing: Rucar, Cheia, Piatra Craiului, a lovely church carved into the mountains visited with Lucia and George (can't remember the name - sorry), Agapia, the Atheneum, a road in Bucovina, violinist in str. Lipscani, fountain at Pta Unirii, hay-making near Piatra Neamt, another field in Rucar, hay cart somewhere in Moldavia and a cobbled street in Sighisoara. Roumania really does look like this. So, let's have no more of it! Do notice there isn't a street dog in sight. But if you want one, là voilà! I'm sure you'll agree that he doesn't look very vicious! Actually, he ate my Easter cake as we were leaving Cocos monastery....

Love, Sarah

Comments

[aylinB]

Indeed a beautiful country and although there are some negative aspects as in every other country like you say, Sarah, its beauty shouldn't be overshadowed by them.
Romania has a personality and Romania has a voice but who's left to listen to it if all we hear are bad comments and reviews?
Bravo Sarah for this article!