anyone been to Romania? tips needed

[horseymum]

we are going to visit some friends who have been to stay with us. they are not that well off and we will be quite a costly imposition to have. any idea what gifts etc would be good. Also any tips on travelling with 2 kids age 1 and 3. We will go to some other areas after seeing them, so where is good? we will be near Bucharest so would like to see there and somewhere else - may the Black sea?

Travelled to Romania in 2005 with our DD when she was 9 months old and had no problems finding accommodation en route - beautiful country but absolutely crazy on the roads.

Highlights - Maramures region (make sure you get to Merry cemetery) , Bucovina region (Unesco listed monastaries), Sibiu and Brasov). Fabulous driving through Transylvania (the Dracula thing completely over-rated). A great source of up to date info is on the Romania forum of Trip Adviser.

As for gifts - we've stayed with family in Ukraine and Poland and gifts of books (in English esp for children) and clothes have always been appreciated. Where possible we've paid for food but also discretely given money in an envelope as a gift on departure. You will be overwhelmed by the generosity of people who don't have a great deal of material wealth. Watch out for the local home brew!

thanks for that, some ideas to look up there. I wasn't sure about English books but i guess the genuine article would be apreciated - the mum is an Englsih teacher so she would probably like them too!