Located in Eastern Europe, Romania is the 9th largest European country by surface with a rich and diverse geography and breath taking natural sights.
Romania is a NATO member since 2004 and a member of the European Union since 2007.
The capital of the country is Bucharest nicknamed “ Paris of the east “ with its elegant early 20th century architecture that indicates french influences its easy to see how the title came about. An underrated destination in Europe, the buzz of the city will captivate you.
Explore Old Town
Only a decade old, Bucharest’s historic core , the old town must be the youngest Old Town in the world. One the stomping grounds of the Princely Court it has been transformed into the place to be , with streets and streets of restaurants , bars and night clubs and boutique stores stocking mostly stylish clothes from Italy. The street is like a magnet, each day in the city one is pulled back there to experience the friendly hospitality of the Romanian people. Occasional street performances take place adding to the vibe of the area.
Macca- Vilacrosee Passage
A fork shaped , yellow glass covered arcade street. This popular indoor spot is a not – so – secret passageway in Old Town frequented by tourists. Many cafes and restaurants have both indoor and out door seating here.
Umbrella Lane
The most photographed spot in Bucharest, umbrellas have become an architectural ornament around the world, Pasajul Victoria is no different, it boasts dozens of colourful umbrellas that transform the gritty alleyway into one of the unmissable spots.
Stavropoleos Church
Built in the 18th century by a Greek monk Loanikie Stratonikeas, the church is tiny and peaceful. Built in Brancoveanu style it features an intricately carved and columned entrance with rich wall paintings inside and finely carved doors.
Gawk at one of the world’s largest buildings
The world’s biggest parliamentary building is in Bucharest. The gargantuan Palace of Parliament is three million plus square feet with more than 1000 rooms with the focus on tons of marble , hardwood, and gold used in the buildings construction in the 1980’s
Arc de Triomphe
A smaller version of the one in Paris, this was built rapidly to celebrate the end of World War 1. On the walnut tree lined street, stands the 27 metre high replica while traffic swirls around it.
Caru’ cu Bere for local cuisine
One of the most famous restaurants in the city and a symbol of Bucharest that began in 1879 by three Mircea brothers. It originally started as a brewery and then became a restaurant in 1899, classified as a historic monument it is noted for its distinctive art nouveau interior decoration. The name means beer cart and is the ideal place to indulge in traditional Romanian cuisine.
Carturesti Carusel book shop
Housed in an early 20th century former bank, this must be the most instagramed spot in Old Town. Its a relaxing place to visit ,with its impressive minimal design that plays with light that filters through a central skylight to make the space appear to visitors as if they are in a moving carousel.
Fountains
Unirii Sqaure has 44 fountains that put on a magnificent display involving, music, lights and dancing water . Early evening when the sun is setting is ideal to sit and marvel at this show. The city is swathed in beautiful parks, the oldest being the Cismigiu Gardens that were designed in the mid 19th century.
Transylvania
The most famous location and “ must do “ on every tourists itinerary. This is a day trip from Bucharest, although long ( around 12 hours ) its well worth it.
The picturesque route through the Carpathian Mountains allows one to discover two of the most beautiful Romanian castles – Peles Castle and Bran ( Dracula’s ) Castle. Stopping for lunch in the city of Brasov in south Transylvania. The Council Square is located in the historic centre of Brasov and held markets from 1364, most of the houses surrounding the square are historical monuments.
The Black Church is over 600 years old and the most famous monument from this old town , its one of the biggest medieval churches in this part of Europe. Its name came from the devastating fire in 1689 which destroyed the town, only the walls, the front and treasury survived, it has been known as the Black Church ever since.
Peles Castle near Sinaia was the summer home of the Romanian royal family from 1883 until 1947.The neo-classical master piece was commissioned by King Carol , and built between 1873 and 1883. It was the first ever European palace to be powered by electricity and to have central heating. The castle was made a heritage site in 1989 and opened to the public, with a wealth of artwork in over 160 rooms, the lavish interior and Fachwerk facades its a magical experience.
Bran Castle better known as Dracula’s castle is steeped in myth, intrigue and history. Made famous by being the inspiration for Dracula’s Castle in the Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula visitors can enjoy rooms dedicated to Transylvania’s most famous count .Positioned high atop a 200 foot high rock it boasts a commanding view of the charming village of Bran and is surrounded by an aura of mystery.
Egg painting is an old and well beloved Easter tradition in Romania, best represented at the Eggs Museum. Watching one of the artists in Bran she told me how it takes 5 hours to complete the delicate art on an egg, each picture tells a story.
Heading back to Bucharest after a long day out one realises that this country has so much to share with travellers and beckons one to return again and again.
The Romanian capital continues to redefine itself, merging its storied history with modern identity. Look more closely at one of the most promising capitals in the European Union and further charms will continue to be revealed.
by Marion Kate
