Joys of Romania

Amen to Anne-Marie O’Connor’s articles about Romania [“Europe as It Once Was,” Aug. 16]. Romania has a complex history, lots to see and do, delicious fresh food and friendly people. It’s clean and affordable. You can drive yourself (tricky on narrow roads) or get a guide/driver. Public transportation is not abundant and figuring it out can take time.

A friend and I had no time to plan our trip in fall 2013, so we traveled with Balkan Trails (www.bal kantrails.com), a highly professional and responsive tour company. The knowledgeable and delightful Florin Vladu was our guide. Our two-week itinerary through the northeastern regions featured stays at immaculate rural guesthouses, including one at lovely Viscri.

I would go back in a heartbeat.

VALERIE TRACY

La Cañada

O’Connor’s article on Romania brought back memories of our trip there in 2009. Upon our arrival in Bucharest, our guide, Eduard Popescu (www. medievaltours.com), escorted us to a ceremony in Revolution Square commemorating the anniversary. We stood among the numerous dignitaries as they laid flowers on the square.

Although O’Connor’s article focused on the rural part of the country, which is indeed beautiful, we found Bucharest to be a fascinating city. Contrary to most guide books, there are numerous impressive buildings, churches, a few remaining synagogues, monuments to commemorate the Holocaust victims (Jews and Roma), museums, a concert hall and an operating Yiddish theater.

During a private tour of the George Enescu museum, our guide persuaded the guards to allow my husband (a classical pianist) to play Enescu’s personal piano. It was a highlight of our trip. ARLENE KARPEL

Tarzana

Just as I would not deem all Greeks to be as critical as Sabina Klimm — “Everybody knows that food in America is very bad” — she should not judge American food by Big Macs [Letters, Aug. 23].

There are, of course, many fine restaurants in America, plus much attention is focused on fresh and locally grown ingredients and farmers markets. That’s especially true in California, where you can eat well every day. PATRICIA L. MOORE

Los Angeles