Travel Russia Today

Many will agree that exploring a country by private car is an appealing option as it allows for greater freedom, flexibility, and the chance to travel around remote and off-the-beaten-track areas. However, the current state of the roads in Romania and Bulgaria, both of which joined the European Union last year, could discourage even the most adventurous visitors. The latest Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum ranks both countries high for their natural and cultural resources but according to the same study the quality of the ground infrastructure in Romania and Bulgaria apparently puts them behind some less developed African and Asian countries. A typical mode of transportation in the rural areas of Romania and Bulgaria can be seen above.

Visitors to this part of the Balkans should be aware that proper highways are only few and the rest of the road network leaves much to be desired. Despite the promises preceding the parliamentary elections in both countries, most major infrastructure projects have been in a standstill following the accusations of mismanagement and corruption regarding the funding provided for these projects by the European Union. In addition, it is best to avoid self-driving in the major cities like Sofia, Varna, and Bucharest as the traffic is very hectic and jams are a regular occurrence. In the summer months, finding a parking spot in the centers of the large cities can also be a real challenge. Out in the countryside, road signs are often only in the local alphabet, which in Bulgaria means it is in Cyrillic. In the remote rural areas, one must also add the “bonus” of encountering slow-moving farm animals and horse- and donkey-drawn carts.

Undoubtedly, discovering the hidden historic and cultural charms of these countries’ remote villages, monasteries, and national parks is best done by car and quite often this is also the only option. While the central parts of the large cities are generally best explored on foot, considering using a professional driver and guide when touring the countryside is highly recommended as the added value of their local knowledge and experience will save you time and undoubtedly offset the cost of their services.