Hats off to Romania

Remember all that hoo-ha about how Romanians and Bulgarians were going to come over and steal all our jobs once work restrictions were lifted? At one point there was even talk of the UK government advertising over there to counter immigration. Well, now Romania’s fighting back with this website, which encourages Brits to visit – or even set up home – in their country.

I think it’s a brilliant response. After all, how would you feel if the world suddenly started dissing your country and suggesting everyone wanted out?

My favourite feature of the site by far is the ‘More reasons to come over’. These include arguments like ‘Our draft beer is less expensive than your bottled water’, ‘Summer here lasts three months, not three hours’, and ‘We speak better English than anywhere you’ve been in France’.

Having been in Romania earlier this year, I can vouch for all these points. What’s more, the people there are really very nice. Okay, parts of Bucharest could do with a makeover and the country definitely has a stray dog problem. But given it was still under the leadership of a communist dictator until 1989, it has come a long way.
(FYI, apparently people were forced to abandon their dogs when old apartment buildings were torn down to make room for new high rises in the 1970s).

So I say we give Romania a break, and Bulgaria for that matter. And when you’re planning your next holiday, think about visiting there. The Transylvania forests are one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.