Skill: ivangdavila/romania (version 1.0.0)

--- name: Romania slug: romania version: 1.0.0 homepage: https://clawic.com/skills/romania changelog: "Initial release with regional trip logic, city playbooks, mountain and Black Sea guidance, and practical local execution." description: Plan Romania trips with regional contrasts, Transylvania and Black Sea logistics, local food cues, and practical local guidance. metadata: {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"🇷🇴","requires":{"bins":[],"config":["~/romania/"]},"os":["linux","darwin","win32"]}} --- ## Setup If `~/romania/` does not exist or is empty, read `setup.md` and start naturally. ## When to Use User is planning a Romania trip and needs help that goes beyond generic Europe advice: route shape, regional differences, local food, mountain and seaside timing, practical logistics, and what is worth skipping. ## Architecture Memory lives in `~/romania/`. If `~/romania/` does not exist or is empty, run `setup.md`. See `memory-template.md` for structure. ```text ~/romania/ └── memory.md # Trip context, route logic, and evolving constraints ``` ## Quick Reference Use this map to load only the Romania subtopic that changes the decision in front of you. | Topic | File | |-------|------| | **Cities** | | | Bucharest entry hub and urban strategy | `bucharest.md` | | Brasov and first Transylvania base | `brasov.md` | | Cluj-Napoca for cafes, festivals, and western access | `cluj-napoca.md` | | Sibiu for slower culture and southern Transylvania | `sibiu.md` | | **Planning** | | | Region choice and route logic | `regions.md` | | Sample itineraries for 3-10 days | `itineraries.md` | | Where to stay by trip style | `accommodation.md` | | Essential travel apps | `apps.md` | | **Food and Drink** | | | Dishes, markets, and restaurant logic | `food-guide.md` | | Wine regions, tuica, palinca, and ordering cues | `wine.md` | | **Experiences** | | | High-value Romania experiences | `experiences.md` | | Black Sea coast and Danube Delta choice | `black-sea.md` | | Carpathian hiking and mountain safety | `carpathians-and-hiking.md` | | **Reference** | | | Culture, etiquette, and language cues | `culture.md` | | Family travel and mixed-age planning | `with-kids.md` | | **Practical** | | | Trains, buses, driving, and route tradeoffs | `transport.md` | | SIMs, data, and roaming | `telecoms.md` | | Safety, health, and emergency response | `emergencies.md` | | Setup process | `setup.md` | | Memory structure | `memory-template.md` | ## Core Rules ### 1. Route by Region, Not by Castle Count Romania works best when the trip has one dominant shape: - Bucharest plus Brasov for first-timers - Southern Transylvania for pretty towns and mountain access - Cluj plus Apuseni for a younger, western-facing trip - Black Sea or Danube Delta only in warm-season windows ### 2. Specific Beats Generic Do not say "visit Transylvania." Say which base, how many nights, what it unlocks, and what the tradeoff is: - Brasov for easiest first trip and day trips - Sibiu for slower old-town rhythm and southern routes - Cluj for urban energy, festivals, and west-side access ### 3. Flag Tourist Traps and Overhyped Stops Be explicit when something is popular but weak: - Bran Castle is an icon, not the best castle experience - Bucharest Old Town is good for a walk, noisy for sleeping - Mamaia is for party energy, not the best quiet seaside - Pele's Castle can justify a detour; random "Dracula" branding usually cannot ### 4. Treat Transport and Season as Core Planning Inputs - Trains are best on some corridors, but not all - Drives that look short on a map can be slow on mountain roads - Black Sea logic changes sharply outside June to early September - Winter mountain plans need backup options for fog, ice, and closures ### 5. Match the Trip Style Early | Traveler | Best starting files | |----------|---------------------| | First-time culture trip | `bucharest.md`, `brasov.md`, `itineraries.md` | | Food-led trip | `food-guide.md`, `wine.md`, `bucharest.md`, `sibiu.md` | | Nature and hiking | `carpathians-and-hiking.md`, `regions.md`, `brasov.md` | | Family trip | `with-kids.md`, `accommodation.md`, `black-sea.md` | | Beach trip | `black-sea.md`, `transport.md`, `accommodation.md` | ### 6. Protect the User From Practical Friction Always cover the execution details that break Romania trips: - airport or rail entry point - cash vs card expectations - realistic transfer times - weekday vs weekend crowd patterns - when local verification is smart for hours, tickets, or weather ## Common Traps - Treating Bucharest as the whole point of Romania instead of the transport hub - Trying to combine Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu, Cluj, the Black Sea, and the Delta in one short trip - Booking Bran Castle as the centerpiece and skipping stronger town or mountain time - Assuming every rail leg is efficient because the distance looks short - Choosing Mamaia for a calm family beach week in peak party season - Going into bear territory with food, poor timing, or zero trail planning - Building Black Sea plans in shoulder season and expecting full-summer atmosphere ## Security & Privacy **Data that stays local:** Trip preferences, route decisions, and saved constraints in `~/romania/` **This skill does NOT:** Access files outside `~/romania/` or make network requests. **Memory rule:** Keep local trip notes only when the user is actively planning Romania or clearly wants continuity across sessions. For one-off answers, help without creating extra trip memory. ## Related Skills Install with `clawhub install <slug>` if user confirms: - `travel` — General trip planning and itinerary structure - `europe` — Better wider-Europe context when Romania is part of a longer route - `food` — Deeper restaurant and cuisine planning - `booking` — Reservation workflows and confirmation hygiene - `family` — Extra support when multiple ages or family constraints drive the plan ## Feedback - If useful: `clawhub star romania` - Stay updated: `clawhub sync`

path: accommodation.md
content: # Romania Accommodation — Where to Stay

## General Rule

Choose the base first, then the property type:
- city hotel for short logistics-heavy stops
- pension or guesthouse for scenery and slower pace
- apartment only when the user values space or self-catering more than service

## Best Base by Trip Style

| Trip style | Best bases |
|------------|------------|
| First Romania trip | Bucharest + Brasov |
| Slow culture | Sibiu + Brasov |
| Urban food and nightlife | Bucharest + Cluj-Napoca |
| Family summer | Brasov or coast, depending on dates |
| Hiking-led | Brasov area, Sinaia, or a mountain village base |

## City Stay Logic

### Bucharest
- central but not deep inside the loudest Old Town blocks
- prioritize air conditioning in summer

### Brasov
- old-town proximity for atmosphere
- edge-of-town or Poiana options if parking or winter access matters

### Sibiu
- old town if the user wants charm
- outer ring if the user is self-driving

### Cluj-Napoca
- central for short stays
- confirm event calendars because festival dates distort value fast

## Property Type Guidance

- Pensions are often better than generic midrange hotels outside major cities
- Rural stays can be excellent for food and warmth, but weaker for language consistency or late-night flexibility
- In shoulder season, confirm heating, not just aesthetics

## Booking Traps

- overvaluing "castle view" marketing when the route is the real priority
- sleeping in noisy party strips for the sake of being central
- underestimating parking friction in old centers


path: apps.md
content: # Romania Travel Apps

## Core Stack

| App | Use |
|-----|-----|
| Google Maps | Navigation and opening-hours checks |
| Bolt | Best default for city rides |
| Uber | Backup ride-hailing option |
| Waze | Better when driving |
| CFR Calatori | Train tickets and schedules |
| Infofer | Rail timing cross-check |
| Meteoblue or another weather app | Mountain and coast weather sanity check |
| Salvamont | Mountain safety and rescue contact context |
| Revolut or Wise | Cleaner card and cash strategy |

## What To Use Them For

- use rail apps before promising a train-heavy route
- use weather apps before mountain or Black Sea commitments
- use ride-hailing apps instead of street taxis in cities
- use map pins, not just written addresses, in older city areas

## App Traps

- assuming one rail app always reflects every local nuance
- using only a city forecast for mountain decisions
- relying on random taxi availability instead of ride apps


path: black-sea.md
content: # Romania Black Sea — Coast and Delta Logic

## When The Coast Makes Sense

Recommend the coast mainly from June to early September. Outside that window, it is usually better as a walk-and-sea-air stop than a true beach holiday.

## Main Choices

| Place | Best for | Watch out for |
|-------|----------|---------------|
| Constanta | History plus coast access | More city stop than resort |
| Mamaia | Clubs, big-resort energy, broad beach | Loud, flashy, expensive by local standards |
| Eforie | Family and midrange beach logic | Less style, more practicality |
| Vama Veche | Alternative, younger crowd | Not for quiet rest |
| Sulina and Delta edge | Slow nature and water landscape | Harder logistics |

## Coast vs Delta

Choose the Black Sea if the user wants:
- beach time
- easy seafood stops
- lighter planning

Choose the Delta if the user wants:
- birdlife
- boat days
- quiet nature
- slower pacing

Do not sell them as the same product.

## Good Advice

- weekdays beat weekends for calmer beach time
- Mamaia is a mood, not a universal recommendation
- verify water and weather conditions before promising sea days
- private transfer or car becomes more useful once the route leaves the main rail spine

## Common Traps

- choosing Mamaia for a quiet restorative trip
- forcing the coast into May or October and expecting peak-summer atmosphere
- treating the Delta like a quick half-day detour


path: brasov.md
content: # Brasov — Best First-Timer Base

## Why Brasov Matters

Brasov is the easiest Romania base to recommend confidently:
- pretty old town
- direct first-timer appeal
- easy access to mountain scenery
- good launch point for Sinaia, Peles, Bran, and Rasnov

If the user wants one Romania town that feels immediately "worth it," start here.

## Best Use Cases

### 1. First Romania Trip
Stay 2-3 nights and use it as the main Transylvania base.

### 2. Mixed City and Nature
Walk the old center, then add:
- Tampa viewpoint
- Poiana Brasov
- Piatra Craiului or nearby village routes

### 3. Winter Base
Useful if the user wants easy winter atmosphere without designing a full ski trip.

## What To Do Nearby

| Place | Worth it when | Reality check |
|-------|---------------|---------------|
| Peles Castle | User wants one standout castle | Stronger than Bran for most travelers |
| Bran Castle | User accepts the icon factor | Crowded, branding-heavy |
| Rasnov | User likes fortresses and short stops | Better as a combo, not a full day |
| Poiana Brasov | User wants resort energy or winter access | Can feel commercial |

## Food and Stay Notes

- Old-town stays work well if the user wants atmosphere
- Outer-ring hotels are better for parking or faster road exits
- Good local bets often include robust Transylvanian food, soups, grilled meat, and papanasi

## Brasov Traps

- making Bran the emotional center of the trip
- assuming nearby mountain weather matches the old-town forecast
- driving in peak snow or holiday weekends without backup timing


path: bucharest.md
content: # Bucharest — Entry Hub and City Strategy

## Why It Works

Bucharest is best used as:
- the easiest international entry point
- a strong food city
- a two-night urban reset before or after Transylvania

It is not the prettiest part of Romania, but it is useful, lively, and much stronger than its reputation if the user likes city texture.

## Best Uses

### 1. First 24-48 Hours
- recover from arrival
- eat well
- visit Calea Victoriei, the Romanian Athenaeum area, and a museum
- leave Old Town for a short walk, not necessarily for sleeping

### 2. Food-Focused Stop
- Obor Market for mici and market energy
- Caru' cu Bere for the historic room more than quiet intimacy
- Lacrimi si Sfinti or Zexe for stronger Romanian food framing

### 3. Easy Day-Trip Launch Point
- Sinaia and Peles
- Snagov
- Mogosoaia

## Where to Stay

| Area | Best for | Watch out for |
|------|----------|---------------|
| Calea Victoriei | First-timers, walkability, museums | Higher hotel prices |
| Cotroceni | Quieter, leafy, local feel | Less nightlife |
| Floreasca | Dining and modern city vibe | Less classic sightseeing feel |
| Old Town | Nightlife and late energy | Noise, crowds, weak sleep |

## What To Prioritize

- Village Museum if the user wants Romanian vernacular culture fast
- Revolution Square for modern history context
- Parliament only if they care about state scale or communist-era legacy
- Therme if they want a leisure day and do not mind a polished, popular venue

## When To Cut It Short

If the user has only 4-5 nights total in Romania, do not let Bucharest eat the trip. One or two nights is usually enough before moving to Brasov or Sibiu.

## Local Traps

- staying in Lipscani and expecting quiet
- relying on street taxis instead of Bolt or Uber
- assuming every district is equally walkable for visitors
- treating airport-to-center timing as fixed during rush hour


path: carpathians-and-hiking.md
content: # Carpathians and Hiking — Romania Mountain Rules

## What Makes Romania Hiking Good

Romania offers strong mountain variety:
- easy scenic lift-and-viewpoint days
- serious ridge hiking
- cabin culture
- forests and limestone routes

The quality is real, but so are the risks.

## Best Areas

| Area | Best for | Notes |
|------|----------|-------|
| Bucegi | Easy access from Bucharest or Brasov | Popular and weather-sensitive |
| Piatra Craiului | More dramatic ridge feel | Better for confident hikers |
| Fagaras | Big mountain ambition | Not casual day-hike territory |
| Apuseni | Gentler routes, caves, west-side trips | Great from Cluj-side routes |

## Mountain Rules

### 1. Use Marked Trails
Do not improvise off-trail routes just because the map looks compact.

### 2. Respect Bear Reality
- carry food carefully
- avoid dawn or dusk wandering without a plan
- do not chase wildlife photos

### 3. Weather Changes The Whole Day
Fog, storms, and wind can collapse a "simple" plan quickly. Always keep a downgrade option.

### 4. Winter Changes Everything
Snow, ice, and avalanche exposure mean many routes stop being casual recommendations.

## Best Advice Patterns

- families or beginners: viewpoint days, shorter marked loops, mountain towns
- fit users: longer marked routes with early starts
- uncertain users: scenic roads, cable cars, and one controlled hike instead of a heroic agenda

## Common Traps

- treating every mountain day as interchangeable
- hiking with city shoes because the weather looks good from town
- forgetting that mountain rescue takes time even when the system works


path: cluj-napoca.md
content: # Cluj-Napoca — Urban Romania Without the Cliche Package

## Why Pick Cluj

Cluj is strong when the user wants:
- a younger city
- cafes and restaurants
- festivals and nightlife
- a less touristic, more contemporary Romania

It is not the best first stop for a postcard-heavy trip, but it is excellent for users who like modern city energy.

## Best Uses

### 1. City Break
- old town and cafe density
- strong food scene
- easy evening culture

### 2. Western Romania Gateway
- useful entry or exit point from western Europe
- good base before Apuseni or Turda area

### 3. Festival-Led Trip
Cluj becomes a different city during major events. Confirm dates early because pricing and hotel availability move fast.

## Nearby Adds

| Add-on | Best for | Notes |
|--------|----------|-------|
| Turda Salt Mine | Easy standout half-day | Very popular, book time wisely |
| Apuseni | Caves and gentler mountain routes | Better with a car |
| Alba Iulia | History stop on a west-south route | Good as transit, not always full base |

## Stay Logic

- Central Cluj works for short urban stays
- outer neighborhoods help on cost, but reduce charm
- if the user mainly wants Transylvanian old-town atmosphere, Sibiu or Brasov may fit better

## Cluj Traps

- treating it like a must-see for every first-timer
- missing that prices can spike hard around festivals
- forcing it into a one-week route that is already full


path: culture.md
content: # Romania Culture and Etiquette

## Core Social Feel

Romanians are often warmer and more direct than visitors expect. Hospitality matters, and so does practical common sense.

## Useful Social Rules

### Greetings
- "Buna" works casually
- a handshake is normal in formal or first-meeting settings

### Homes
- expect to remove shoes in many homes
- bringing sweets, wine, or flowers is a good move
- give flowers in odd numbers, not even

### Meals
- portions can be large
- refusing homemade spirits is fine, but do it politely
- toasting matters more in homes than in casual city bars

## Important Cultural Notes

- Romanian and Roma are not interchangeable terms
- Bucharest and Cluj feel more western-facing; smaller towns can feel more traditional
- Orthodox holidays shape family rhythms and some closures
- older generations may be more formal, especially outside major cities

## Language Reality

- Romanian is the main language
- younger people in cities often speak solid English
- outside urban centers, basic Romanian phrases help a lot

## Useful Phrases

| English | Romanian |
|---------|----------|
| Hello | Buna |
| Thank you | Multumesc |
| Please | Va rog |
| Cheers | Noroc |
| The bill | Nota |
| How much? | Cat costa? |

## Etiquette Traps

- assuming every rural interaction will happen easily in English
- joking carelessly about communism or "Dracula" with strangers
- treating church visits casually without basic respect for dress and behavior


path: emergencies.md
content: # Romania Emergencies and Safety

## Emergency Number

- General emergency: `112`

Tell the user to say "English" immediately if language is a concern.

## Main Risk Profile

Romania is generally manageable for travelers. The bigger issues are practical, not dramatic:
- petty theft in busy urban areas
- taxi scams if using street pickups
- mountain weather and wildlife
- road safety on long drives

## Health and Help

- private clinics in larger cities are often the easiest path for non-critical care
- pharmacies are common in cities and towns
- travel insurance matters more for mountain or road-heavy trips

## Mountain-Specific Safety

- use marked routes
- check weather before leaving town
- respect bear warnings and food discipline
- do not assume rescue is instant

## Beach and Delta Safety

- weather and water conditions can shift quickly
- boat or nature trips should use operators the user trusts
- mosquito prep matters in Delta logic

## Good Safety Advice

- use ride apps in cities
- avoid isolated shortcuts late at night in unfamiliar districts
- keep some cash, but do not carry a full-trip amount
- if driving, plan generous daylight buffers


path: experiences.md
content: # Romania Experiences — High-Value Picks

## The Best Experiences Are Not All in Cities

Romania becomes memorable when the user mixes one strong town base with one high-value experience that feels locally rooted.

## Best Bets

### 1. Saxon Villages and Fortified Churches
Best for:
- first-time Transylvania users
- slower routes
- users who want scenery without hard hiking

### 2. Rural Guesthouse Stay
Best for:
- food
- warm hosting
- a more human Romania than checklist tourism

This often beats adding one more rushed city.

### 3. Danube Delta Boat Day or Multi-Day Stay
Best for:
- birdlife
- slow nature
- users who actively want a nature segment

Not ideal as a forced add-on to a city-heavy week.

### 4. Scenic Mountain Day
Good options depend on season:
- easy viewpoint and cable-car logic near Brasov or Sinaia
- marked hikes in Piatra Craiului or Bucegi
- gentler Apuseni days from Cluj-side routes

### 5. Painted Monasteries or Maramures Villages
Best for:
- repeat visitors
- longer trips
- travelers who care about cultural depth more than famous-name stops

## Seasonal Thinking

- Summer expands the coast and Delta
- Autumn is excellent for slower road or food-led trips
- Winter suits city-plus-mountain atmospheres better than broad rural loops
- Spring can be beautiful but variable in mountain conditions

## What To Skip

- generic "Dracula dinners"
- overpacked day tours that promise castles, bears, and villages in one sweep
- any experience that depends on wildlife spectacle without ethical guardrails


path: food-guide.md
content: # Romania Food Guide

## The Core Idea

Romanian food is hearty, generous, and better when the user stops chasing gimmicks and leans into soups, grilled meats, baked dishes, and regional produce.

## Dishes Worth Naming

| Dish | What it is | Best context |
|------|------------|--------------|
| Mici | Grilled minced meat rolls | Market or terrace lunch |
| Sarmale | Cabbage rolls with meat and rice | Traditional meal |
| Ciorba | Sour soup, many variants | Everyday starter |
| Mamaliga | Polenta-style staple | Side or full comfort dish |
| Papanasi | Fried dough dessert with cream and jam | Share one after dinner |
| Zacusca | Vegetable spread | Breakfast or starters |
| Placinte | Filled pastries | Bakery or road snack |

## Where The User Usually Eats Best

- markets and casual terraces for mici
- old-school Romanian restaurants for ciorba and sarmale
- guesthouses and rural stays for full meals with less menu theater
- modern city spots in Bucharest or Cluj for cleaner presentations and lighter pacing

## Regional Signals

### Transylvania
- heavier comfort food
- smoked meats
- stronger Austro-Hungarian influence

### Moldavia
- rich soups
- pastries
- strong home-cooking reputation

### Dobrogea
- more fish and seafood logic
- best paired with coast or Delta plans

## Practical Advice

- lunch and dinner timing is easier than in Spain or Italy; do not overcomplicate it
- many strong dishes are filling, so avoid overordering
- ask for the house soup or grill when the menu is huge and generic
- in tourist cores, steer away from places that sell only "Dracula" atmosphere

## Good Fast Wins

- Obor in Bucharest for mici
- a strong local restaurant in Brasov or Sibiu for soup, sarmale, and papanasi
- a guesthouse dinner in rural Transylvania if the user wants the most memorable meal


path: itineraries.md
content: # Romania Itineraries

## 3 Days — Romania Sampler

### Shape
- 1 night Bucharest
- 2 nights Brasov

### Why it works
- easy first entry
- one strong city contrast
- one high-value Transylvania base

## 5 Days — First Proper Trip

### Shape
- 1-2 nights Bucharest
- 2 nights Brasov
- 1-2 nights Sibiu

### Good for
- first-timers
- couples
- users who want culture plus mountain-town feel without overbuilding

## 7 Days — Flexible Core Romania

Choose one of these:

### Option A: Classic
- Bucharest
- Brasov
- Sibiu

### Option B: Urban Contemporary
- Bucharest
- Sibiu
- Cluj-Napoca

### Option C: Summer Coast
- Bucharest
- Constanta or coast base
- optional Delta if the user actually wants a nature segment

## 10 Days — Deeper Romania

Best shape:
- Bucharest
- Brasov
- Sibiu
- Cluj-Napoca or Maramures or Bucovina

Do not try to include both the west and the coast unless the user explicitly wants long transfers.

## Routing Rules

- First-time users usually do better with fewer bases and smarter day trips
- Summer coast logic is seasonal, not evergreen
- Winter mountain users need backup plans for weather and roads
- Users who hate packing should stay 3 nights in one Transylvanian base instead of hopping every day


path: memory-template.md
content: # Memory Template — Romania

Create `~/romania/memory.md` with this structure:

```markdown
# Romania Memory

## Status
status: ongoing
version: 1.0.0
last: YYYY-MM-DD
integration: pending

## Trip
<!-- dates, entry point, likely bases, and route shape -->

## Style
<!-- pace, budget level, food interest, mountain tolerance, beach interest -->

## Constraints
<!-- kids, mobility, driving comfort, seasonal limitations -->

## Notes
<!-- practical context and recommendations already given -->

---
*Updated: YYYY-MM-DD*
```

## Status Values

| Value | Meaning | Behavior |
|-------|---------|----------|
| `ongoing` | Still learning the trip | Gather context opportunistically |
| `complete` | Enough context exists | Give direct guidance without extra setup questions |
| `paused` | User does not want deeper planning now | Help with current asks only |
| `never_ask` | User explicitly does not want memory-building | Never push for more context |

## Key Principles

- Keep notes short and trip-relevant
- Save constraints before preferences
- Update `last` when Romania planning meaningfully advances
- Avoid speculative details that were never confirmed


path: regions.md
content: # Romania Regions — Route Logic

Use this file to choose the right Romania shape before naming hotels or day trips.

| Region | Best for | Reality check |
|--------|----------|---------------|
| Bucharest and Wallachia | First entry point, food, museums, easy first nights | Big-city energy, not the prettiest Romania |
| Southern Transylvania | Pretty towns, castles, mountain access | Best first-timer corridor |
| Cluj and the west | Cafes, younger vibe, festivals, remote-work feel | Better urban trip than classic postcard trip |
| Maramures | Wooden churches, village life, slower rhythm | Needs more time and stronger logistics |
| Bucovina | Painted monasteries, rural scenery | Better with a car or driver |
| Dobrogea and Black Sea | Beaches, Delta access, seafood | Strongly seasonal |
| Carpathian mountains | Hiking, cabins, alpine scenery | Weather and bear awareness matter |

## Best First Shapes

### 1. Classic First Trip
- Bucharest
- Brasov
- optional Sinaia or Sibiu

This gives the easiest balance of city, old-town atmosphere, and mountain scenery.

### 2. Slower Culture Trip
- Bucharest
- Sibiu
- Brasov or Sighisoara

Best for users who want less transit and more time in walkable historic centers.

### 3. Urban Romania Without Dracula Cliches
- Bucharest
- Cluj-Napoca
- optional Sibiu

Good when the user wants restaurants, cafes, nightlife, and contemporary city energy.

### 4. Summer Coast Split
- Bucharest or Constanta
- Black Sea coast
- optional Danube Delta

Only recommend this when the dates support beach weather and open-season energy.

## What Usually Does Not Work

- Romania plus Black Sea plus Delta plus Cluj in one week
- treating every historic town as equal when one good base can cover several day trips
- building the whole route around Bran Castle branding


path: setup.md
content: # Setup — Romania

Read this silently when `~/romania/` does not exist or is empty. Start naturally and keep the tone grounded, useful, and local.

## Your Attitude

You are helping them avoid a clumsy Romania trip. Be clear about what is actually worth the time, what is only worth a quick stop, and what changes by season.

Reward useful context:
- reflect what you understood
- connect it to better route choices
- ask the next question only after showing how the answer will help

## Priority Order

### 1. First: Integration

Within the first couple of exchanges, learn how this should activate in the future:
- should this jump in whenever Romania comes up
- should it stay quiet unless they ask directly
- are there trip types where it should always help

Save that integration preference only in `~/romania/memory.md`. Do not write outside the local Romania folder.

### 2. Then: Understand Their Situation

Start broad, then narrow:
- first trip or repeat visit
- dates or season
- route shape they are considering
- mountains, food, cities, beach, family, or mixed priorities
- how many nights and how much movement they can tolerate

### 3. Finally: Details

Only go deeper when it will change the advice:
- driving comfort
- rail tolerance
- child ages
- mobility constraints
- budget level
- appetite for rural guesthouses vs polished city hotels

## What You Are Saving

Keep only what improves future Romania guidance:
- likely trip shape
- preferred pace
- strong likes and dislikes
- previous places already discussed
- practical blockers like long drives, stairs, or weak shoulder-season tolerance

## Tone

- Be specific about bases, not just attractions
- Be honest about overhyped stops
- Default to practical timing and transfer reality
- Mention verification when weather, road closures, hours, or tickets can shift


path: sibiu.md
content: # Sibiu — Slow, Walkable, and Strong for Southern Transylvania

## Why Sibiu Works

Sibiu is one of the best Romania bases for users who want:
- elegant old-town atmosphere
- a calmer pace than Bucharest
- easier access to southern Transylvania
- a city that feels rewarding without nonstop movement

## Best Uses

### 1. Slower Couple Trip
Sibiu rewards 2 nights well. It is excellent for strolling, eating, and taking shorter excursions.

### 2. Cultural Base
- old town squares
- ASTRA Museum for open-air heritage
- nearby villages and artisan routes

### 3. Southern Route Anchor
Useful on Bucharest -> Brasov -> Sibiu or Cluj -> Sibiu corridors.

## Good Add-Ons

| Add-on | Best for | Caveat |
|--------|----------|--------|
| Marginimea Sibiului villages | Rural food and village rhythm | Better with a car or driver |
| Transfagarasan approach | Scenic-road users in season | Seasonal, not year-round |
| Sighisoara | Day trip for fortified-town feel | Better as a stop than a second base |

## Stay Logic

- stay in or near the old town if the user values atmosphere
- stay outside center if parking and larger rooms matter more
- Sibiu suits users who dislike noisy nightlife districts

## Sibiu Traps

- expecting it to replace mountain planning by itself
- overcommitting in winter when daylight is short and some side trips feel thin
- using it for long day trips that would be better as overnight stops elsewhere


path: telecoms.md
content: # Romania Telecoms and Connectivity

## Why Romania Is Easy Here

Romania is one of the easiest parts of the trip:
- cheap mobile data
- strong urban internet
- decent connectivity even on many travel routes

## Main Carriers

| Carrier | Best for |
|---------|----------|
| Orange | Broad coverage and easy tourist familiarity |
| Vodafone | Strong mainstream option |
| Digi | Good value, widely used locally |

## Practical Guidance

- local SIMs are usually affordable enough that the user should not overthink them
- eSIM can be cleaner when the phone supports it
- city Wi-Fi is usually fine, but remote mountain stays are less predictable
- confirm signal expectations before selling a deep-rural workcation

## Roaming Notes

- EU users often have smoother roaming logic, but local SIMs can still be better value
- non-EU users should compare roaming costs before arrival

## Common Traps

- assuming one guesthouse claim of "good Wi-Fi" means video-call grade internet
- treating remote cabins and mountain villages like city coverage zones


path: transport.md
content: # Romania Transport — Realistic Route Tradeoffs

## The Core Rule

Romania transport is not one thing. The right answer changes by corridor.

## Best Defaults

### Rail
Best when:
- entering or exiting Bucharest
- connecting Bucharest and Brasov
- the user prefers not to drive

Reality check:
- some rail routes are slower than the map suggests
- comfort and speed vary

### Car
Best when:
- the route includes villages, mountain areas, or the Delta edge
- the user wants flexibility
- the trip leaves the easiest city-to-city spine

Reality check:
- roads can be slow
- overtaking culture can feel aggressive
- weather changes mountain driving fast

### Bus or Minivan
Useful when:
- rail is weak on a specific leg
- the user is price-sensitive
- the route is regional rather than cross-country

## Entry Points

| Airport | Best use |
|---------|----------|
| Bucharest OTP | Easiest first-time gateway |
| Cluj CLJ | West-side or urban-focused routes |
| Sibiu SBZ | Strong for southern Transylvania starts |

## Route Advice

- 3-5 days: stay on the Bucharest plus Brasov axis
- 7 days: add Sibiu or Cluj, not both plus the coast
- coast or Delta: simplify the rest of the trip

## Transport Traps

- thinking a short-distance road leg will be quick
- designing a route that depends on perfect train connections
- adding too many one-night stops because each town looks close on paper


path: wine.md
content: # Romania Wine and Drinks

## Why Romania Drinks Better Than Many Travelers Expect

Romania is a real wine country, not just a cheap-beer stop. Good local bottles often overdeliver for the price.

## Grapes To Know

| Grape | Style |
|-------|-------|
| Feteasca Regala | Fresh, versatile white |
| Feteasca Alba | Light aromatic white |
| Feteasca Neagra | Signature red, spicy and dark-fruited |
| Tamaioasa Romaneasca | Floral, often sweeter white |
| Busuioaca de Bohotin | Fragrant rose-toned wine |

## Regions To Mention

- Dealu Mare for reds and accessible wine framing
- Dragasani for stronger modern winery interest
- Cotnari for traditional sweet-wine reputation
- Transylvanian plateau for cooler-climate styles
- Dobrogea and Murfatlar for coast-adjacent production

## Other Drinks

### Tuica and Palinca
- fruit brandies
- stronger than many visitors expect
- often offered in homes or rural guesthouses

### Visinata
- sour-cherry liqueur
- sweeter and easier for cautious drinkers

### Beer
- local lagers are everywhere
- craft beer is strongest in Bucharest and Cluj

## Ordering Guidance

- recommend Romanian wine before imported bottles at the same price point
- for food-heavy dinners, Feteasca Neagra or a local white often makes more sense than defaulting to international labels
- warn the user that homemade spirits can be much stronger than they feel


path: with-kids.md
content: # Romania With Kids

## Why Romania Can Work Well

Romania is strong for families when the route is simple:
- old-town walks
- parks
- mountain scenery
- beach time in summer
- generous food and family-friendly guesthouses

## Best Bases

| Base | Why it works |
|------|--------------|
| Brasov | Easy first family base, mountain views, manageable scale |
| Sibiu | Walkable, calm, lower noise than bigger cities |
| Bucharest | Good for short entry or exit, parks and indoor options |
| Eforie or practical coast base | Better for family beach logic than party-heavy resorts |

## Good Family Activities

- Village Museum or large parks in Bucharest
- easy cable-car or viewpoint days near mountain bases
- ASTRA Museum near Sibiu
- beach days with low-complexity logistics in season
- short village stops or guesthouse meals instead of nonstop formal sightseeing

## What To Watch

- long transfers feel longer with children on Romanian roads
- old towns mean cobblestones, stairs, and stroller friction
- summer city heat can be tiring in Bucharest
- mountain and wildlife zones require more discipline than casual park outings

## Good Planning Rules

- fewer hotel changes
- one indoor backup every couple of days
- confirm family-room sizes instead of assuming
- keep one real rest block in the plan


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