Romania offers something for everyone -- restaurants, shopping, movies, and more. Planning can be difficult as many businesses do not keep regular hours, opening and closing as the business owners and managers see fit. However, anyone with an adventurous spirit will not run out of things to do.

Festivals are abundant. Some are linked to the widely practiced Orthodox religion, some mark life events, and still others center on agricultural activity. The primary public holidays are Easter, New Year's Day, Labor Day on May 1st, National Day on December 1st, and Christmas on the 25th and 26th of December -- each with many public celebrations and unique festivals of their own.

Sports have a strong presence, with national interest in football, tennis, and gymnastics. As for the expat athlete, Romanian terrain invites those interested in hiking, skiing, and cycling. Caving and canoeing are also favorite local activities. Those living in the cities who like to jog or walk must watch out for heavy traffic and unfriendly, and numerous, stray dogs.

Entertainment is not limited to festivals and sports. Since there are no travel restrictions in Romania, residents are free to experience the beauty of the country in a variety of ways. The Black Sea coast, Danube delta, zoos, monastery tours, century-old museums, operas, visits to The Palace of Parliament, ballets, and more, all offer a healthy blend of culture and old-fashioned fun. It should be noted that admissions and tickets to performances can be quite expensive when compared to Western pricing structures.

Those who like to read for entertainment and leisure should bring their own books, newspapers, and magazines as very little reading material is available in English.