Travel to Romania

Day 1 Bucharest - Curtea de Arges (175 Km.)

(19 Km. away) Bucharest: After landing at Henri Coandă International Airport, we headed towards the historic centre of the Romanian capital. As we drive along its avenues, the first monument we see is the Triumphal Arch (Arcul de Triumf). It was built in 1936 to commemorate Romania's independence. Standing 27 metres high, it is notable for its neoclassical design and is adorned with reliefs and sculptures depicting historic moments. Although somewhat smaller, it reminds us of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It is not for nothing that Bucharest is called the "Little Paris of the East". During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Bucharest experienced a period of development and modernisation, and many landmark buildings were built in the French architectural style.

Our next stop is the Caru' cu Bere restaurant, one of the most emblematic and traditional places in Bucharest. Founded in 1879, it is housed in an impressive Gothic-Renaissance style building, which has become an architectural icon of the city. The restaurant is famous for its bohemian atmosphere and authentic Romanian food. Inside, Caru' cu Bere is exquisitely decorated with colourful stained glass windows, frescoed walls and ceilings painted with traditional Romanian motifs. It offers a wide variety of Romanian dishes, from veal soup and mămăligă (polenta) to ciorbă (sour soup), sarmale (cabbage roll) and mici (grilled sausages).

The restaurant is located in the Lipscani district, one of the oldest and liveliest areas of Bucharest, Lipscani is famous for its cobbled streets, colourful buildings and rich history. Just 50 metres away is the Stavropoleos Church, also known as Stavropoleos Monastery. Built in the 18th century, the church is an excellent example of Romanian Orthodox religious architecture, combining Byzantine and Renaissance elements. The façade is adorned with intricate stone carvings and religious sculptures, which add to the beauty and elegance of the structure. Inside, the church is equally impressive. The carved iconostasis is a masterpiece of sacred art and is decorated with religious paintings. The ceiling is decorated with detailed frescoes depicting biblical scenes and Orthodox saints.

The Palace of Parliament, known as "Palatul Parlamentului" is one of the most prominent symbols of the communist era in the country. The palace was built during the regime of Nicolae Ceaușescu in the 1980s. With the fall of the regime in 1989, the palace became the seat of the Romanian Parliament. The building is an architectural marvel, with a floor area of over 365,000 square metres, making it the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon. Its design is a mixture of architectural styles, including neoclassical and neo-Renaissance elements, with touches of local influences. The interior of the Palace of Parliament is equally impressive, with halls and rooms decorated with marble, glass, precious woods and gilded details. Some of the most notable rooms are the Hall of Mirrors, the Senate Chamber and the Great Hall of the People.

As we spent just four hours in Bucharest having lunch with a colleague, we barely had time to stroll around the city. These are some of the places we left pending for next time: Bulevardul Unirii, a promenade full of fountains and garden areas in front of the Palace of Parliament; the Patriarchal Cathedral, a monumental complex with Renaissance architecture, the most important orthodox cathedral in Romania; Curtea Veche: the ruins of the Royal Court, with a history dating back to the 14th century; Macca-Vilacrosse Passage: a shopping passage with a colourful glass roof and a mix of shops and cafes; Pasajul Victoria: a picturesque and photographed alley with colourful umbrellas; Revolution Square: Historic site of the 1989 Revolution against the Ceaucescu regime; The Romanian Athenaeum: an iconic neoclassical building that houses the Bucharest Opera House and is famous for its superb acoustics.

(156 Km. away) Curtea de Arges: We go to sleep in this town, with the aim of starting early the next morning along the Transfagarasan road.