Was wanting to vacation in Romania in May. Looking to spend 10 days and go see some old churches and castles and maybe do some hiking and climbing. I've heard about families in small villages taking you in to show you their culture in exchange for some farm help. Was wondering if anyone may have some information.
1
battybilly
Hi - and welcome to Thorn Tree.
Which part of Romania are you considering to visit?
The finest old painted churches are mainly in the N.E. of the country, the climbing region is a bit way off.
Perhaps others can help you with the 'Farm help' suggestion. I don't know of it.
Families will often give you a room for the night. However, they'll expect money - and not labouring.
2
cobrob
There is a group of climbers in Sighet who climb at the Cocks Chrest between Sighet and Baia Mare they are very experienced having climbed many mountains across Europe. Maramures also offers the opportunity to visit old churches and probably work in exchange for accommodation. Certainly there are many farm pensions in Maramures where as Batty says you get to pay. Labor is cheap in Maramures where as beds are not particularly. Also you have to be very fit to work the fields up here, the day starts early with cutting the grass with scythes, then the hay is turned by pitch fork and you dare not miss a strand because the farmers get upset about left strands of hay. Usualy the day stops around lunch time for consumption of alcohol (be prepared) then there's always another field to cut. Next day your out having milked the cows at five to turn the hay again, after alcohol consumption you turn the hay again before piling it up in small stacks using pitch forks. It may all look very nice but it is also very hard work. And dont forget its likely to be over thirty degrees out there.
Rob
3
frida1
Having visited both Maramures and the "Saxon village"area of Transylvania around Sibiu, I can recommend doing homestays in both regions. No experience with laboring in exchange, although the price of rooms is very reasonable. People I met are very willing to show you how they live, but may not speak English. In southern Transylvania, there are many villages. There are 7 that have UNESCO heritage sites, and many more with fortified churches. The style of building in Maramures is very different and also easy to find homestays.
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