Things to do in

Lipscani

Explore the historic center of Bucharest, once dubbed “Little Paris,” on a private 5-hour sightseeing tour. See the contrast between the wide boulevards and the tiny streets of unique charm. Best observed in the jumble of lanes of Lipscani, between Calea Victoriei, Boulevard Bratianu, Boulevard Regina Elisabeta, and the Dambovita River, the once-glamorous residential area and old city center is now being refashioned into an upscale neighborhood. Continue to the monumental Parliament Palace. Built by Communist Party leader Nicolae Ceausescu, it is the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon. The extravagant interior is a riot of crystal chandeliers, mosaics, oak paneling, marble, gold leaf, stained-glass windows, and floors covered in rich carpets. In contrast, a visit to the Village Museum on the shores of Lake Herastrau in Herastrau Park, provides a fascinating glimpse into Romanian rural history. Founded by royal decree in 1936, the outdoor museum is the largest in Europe at some 30 acres. Discover an enchanting collection of 50 buildings that represent the design of Romania's rural architecture through the centuries.

Bucharest is a city that wears its history proudly, if not painfully, on its sleeve. The city is a vibrant and noisy place, filled with stunning architecture, plenty of smiles, and someone at a cafe always happy to tell you their story of where they were in 1989. Today, we will experience the best Bucharest has to offer, and learn a bit of its history, while enjoying marvelous architecture and grand boulevards. We begin at Revolution Square, home to the 1989 revolution that brought Ceausescu's regime to a close. Here we can see the Royal buildings, Libraries and Statues that make up this grand and central area of Bucharest. From here we walk down Victoriei Avenue towards the heart of Bucharest's bustling commercial quarters. We will pass the Princely Court and Church in the old quarters, as well as the Palace of Justice, with its imposing columns reminding us that the state was once all powerful. Eventually after a nice stroll, we arrive at Unirii Square, the gigantic transportation hub of Bucharest. Here we can see the Palace of Parliament, which we can stop and visit, should you choose. If there it’s not possible to visit the palace, we can instead visit the Spring Palace/Ceausescu's residence. We move on to the Metropolitan Church, where we can again look at the lovely iconography of these Orthodox churches. Walking back towards the University, we will pass Bucharest's own Arch de Triumph, and have the option to stop at the Village Museum. All together, our walk will introduce you to the highlights of this city, while explaining to you their importance in history. Romanians proudly walk these streets along side you, and by the end of our day together, hopefully you will feel a bit closer to their incredible story.