Bucharest, Romania

Romania is the largest of the Balkan countries that also sports a stunning coastline on the Black Sea.  It’s Capital is Bucharest, a city of 1,800,000 people, 8% of the countries population.

The city is made up of majority Romanians (96%) with ethnic groups of Roma (Gypsies), Hungarians, Jews, Turks, Chinese and Germans.  The city vibrates of an evening, especially in the Old Town district, where there are bars and restaurants to be found like a bounty.

Bucharest is a most stunning and beautiful place. Some parts you need to look through the grey paint of the communists and notice there are still some really fantastically aesthetically pleasing buildings still there.

Temperatures there are at both extremes of the scale, winter is harsh and freezing (down to minus 32 degrees C), summer is very hot and humid (up to 43 degrees C).  Average rain days are just 4-5 per month! 

Prices are on the whole very good.  Average beer price was 70p for 0.4 litre jug of draught or 90p for a 0.5 litre bottle of the wonderful local brews.  Ursus, Ciuc (pronounced Chuck), Silva and Bergenbier are the ones most commonly found in bars.  All major European brands are available at a premium for some.  Wine is good, cheap and plentiful. 

Eating out is very affordable with very palatable food.  All restaurants have a variety of languages for menu’s, or if not, revert to the good old international sign language of pretending to use a knife and fork. If you like a good steakhouse, we would recommend the Red Angus Steakhouse. Its situation is perfect for a meal in the evening followed by a nice wander through the bars of Bucharest Old Town.

The city is served by 2 airports, one of which is private, the main International Airport is called Henri Coanda Airport (OTP).  It is not very easy to get to by public transport to/from the city centre though.

There is a great transport infrastructure consisting of Underground, Over ground wombling free (Oops got carried away there) trains, Trams and an extensive diesel and electric trolley bus system.  Taxi’s are pretty much like everywhere else in the world, ALWAYS get a price before you get in.  All official taxi’s must display the Lei per km (Romanian Currency Lei/Leu) on the outside of the rear passenger doors and on the wings of the car.  This can vary from 1.40 lei/km up to 3.5lei/km.  No prizes for guessing which one is cheapest and not the rip off.  Taxi from the airport should be no more than 50 lei, and only this much if you have been sat in traffic for 2 hours or gone to your hotel via Budapest.  The average price we found was 20 Lei (Old Town to Airport).

The Parliamentary Palace (Also known as the People’s Palace)  is a most stunning building.  It is a pity of the circumstances of its construction is marred by Ceausescu's Lasting, Loathed Legacy, but, still is a must see.  The Bulevardul Unirii goes straight to the front of the palace.  It is purposely exactly 1 metre wider and 6 metres longer than the Champs-Élysées in Paris France.

We found Bucharest to be safe and secure, even though the stories of pillage and robbery you hear, we saw none of it.  There are plenty of Gendarme, Municipal Police and private security guards around to prevent any trouble.  There were no beggars in the Old Town, the closest you got were people selling things like roses and packs of tissues.  There is also a man there with 3 parrots perched on a musical box with 2 mice running around the brim of his top hat.  The kids loved it, a little sense of non Disney magic.

In summary this is another Gem of Europe waiting to be discovered. Plan at least a long weekend there as soon as possible. If your budget is tight, then this is a must for your short list.