BUCHAREST & BEYOND
Vlad the Impaler (a.k.a. the inspiration for Bram Stoker's gothic novel and subsequent myth of "Dracula") set here the capital of Wallachia, the southern historical region of what later became Romania. His successors brought in the charms of late Italian Renaissance and the splendors of Istanbul luxuries, often in hectic doses, like much of their reigns. During the 19th century, the foreign travelers using the iconic Orient Express services nicknamed it Little Paris, due to its French-inspired architecture, chic shopping and omnipresent use of French.
Currently, its growing population of international clubbers and expats refer to it as New Berlin, for its hype yet low-key cosmopolitan vibe, mishmash of experiments in early 20th century modernism, as well as for the scarring legacies of its recent totalitarian past, including the largest administrative building in Europe (and second in the world, after the US Pentagon) - now hosting the Romanian Parliament and the largest international conference centre in the region (visits available).
Yet, after hundreds of years of palimpsestic urban planning, beyond all labels and for the traveler open to new experiences, București / Bucharest remains uniquely itself: The City of Joys. For all tastes.
Whether it’s the delicious local desert “papanaşi” or a refined wine tasting session, discovering the places where once worked and lived famous political scientists of Romanian origin such as David Mitrany, Mattei Dogan and Ghiţă Ionescu, walking on the footsteps of vanguard artists Constantin Brâncuşi, Tristan Tzara and Eugen Ionescu, fashionable writers Emil Cioran and Norman Manea, controversial history of religions scholar Mircea Eliade or glamorous contemporary opera diva Angela Gheorghiu, strolling through the calm streets of the forgotten Armenian and Jewish quarters, following the intricate details of the frescos on the inner and outer walls of its hundreds of small churches, contemplating an urban re-imagining of rural life while walking on the grass-invaded alleys of a traditional village with original houses from all the corners of Romania at the Village Museum, watching people while enjoying a drink at one of the popular pubs and terraces of the Old City Centre, or simply taking a sunbath in one of its many parks, just let yourself immerse in the city’s vibrant atmosphere and you will get stories for a lifetime.
The official language of Romania, Romanian is a Romance language related to Italian, French, Spanish and Portuguese. Starting from early 1800s and for almost one century and a half, French has been the main language for daily interaction within the circles of Romanian elites. However, for several decades now, English has become the dominant language of communication with foreigners and you will be able to conversate in English (and sometimes even in Spanish or Italian) especially with young people, if you need to buy something or ask for directions.
Alongside Romanian, other languages such as Hungarian, Rromani, German, Yddish, Ukrainian, Russian, Bulgarian, Greek, Serbian, Croatian, Czech, Slovak, Polish, Albanian and Turkish are also spoken within various local ethnic minorities contexts but for the usual traveler to Bucharest these are less visible.
Discovering Romania beyond its capital could be an excellent complementary option for your trip to Bucharest, especially during late spring and early summer when both temperatures and prices are truly enjoyable.
Just several kilometers away from Bucharest and only ten-minute drive from the airport opened recently Therme - the largest geothermal spa, wellness and entertainment centre in Europe. Free shuttle buses from the city centre to Therme and back are available all year round.
Among the most popular destinations are also the Carpathian mountains (home to the largest concentration of virgin forests in Europe, uncountable thermal and hot springs, fascinating ancient civilizations and, more recently, one of the favourite private residences of H.R.H. King Charles), the medieval Transylvanian towns and fortified villages, the old painted monasteries of Oltenia and the North of Moldova (UNESCO cultural World Heritage sites) and the Danube delta (the best preserved river delta in Europe, UNESCO natural World Heritage site).
If you look for day trips from Bucharest you can visit Peleş (a romantic neo-Renaissance Royal castle from the mountain resort of Sinaia), Bran (a fortified castle that allegedly inspired the myth of Dracula), the historical Medieval sites of Curtea de Argeş, Târgovişte and Câmpulung (all of them old capitals of Walachia), Vlad the Impaler's ruined fortress of Poienari, the infamous fortress of Făgăraş used occasionally as prison for several centuries, or the Iulia Haşdeu Castle (a 19th century folly house built by a politician and historian as a memorial for his prematurely deceased daughter).
For the more adventurous traveler, there are the scenic drives of Transalpina and Transfăgărăşan (once labbeled in a BBC program as the greatest driving road in the world). Or you could try the little known moon-like landscapes of the strange mud volcanoes from the Buzău county, excellent for unique off-road experiences.
If you do not have much time or you would rather prefer some shopping, there are plenty of opportunities, with various local products increasingly available for the tourist market. Most of the high street international brands and some of the luxury brands may be also found especially within the many of the city's shopping malls, which also have gym and multiplex cinema facilities with up to 6D movie experiences. Some of the shopping malls sport indoor skating rings throughout the whole year and several bicycle renting centres are available in the city.