A diamond in the rough, Bucharest - ROMANIA

If you mention you've been to Bucharest, many will think they heard wrong and say 'Oh how was Budapest?' It's not a city on the travel plans of many tourists, mainly because many outside of Europe simply don't know where it is. The city of Bucharest is quite small in comparison to other European cities and when you take a look around, you'll see it's a place with tarnished commission buildings, dotted with half built abandoned concrete structures, several high rise business towers and a few beautiful European architectural buildings. Great places can be found, even though it can seem like finding a needle in a hay stack.

Being in Bucharest at times feels like living in the 80's, stepped back a little in time. The safety of seat belts aren't quite recognised in Romania and you can pretty much drive and park wherever the car seems to fit. It really does seem like everyone has their own set of road rules! On the hospitality side of things, smoking is still allowed inside restaurants and bars. So be prepared to be engulfed in fumes of cigarette smoke as you eat your food. Non-smoking seating areas do exist, but are hardly effective, especially when you're still in the same area, just seated to one side!

Getting around the city is easy and inexpensive, taxi's can be found everywhere. Take note of the different tariffs printed on the side of each taxi before you get in, (eg 1.39, 1.75, 3.49 lei/km) it can mean a big difference in taxi fare for the same experience in service - No seat belts and a roller-coaster ride, while the driver's having a mobile phone conversation the whole trip.

However, like a diamond in the rough, Bucharest shines brightest during the Summer months. The whole city comes out from the Winter long hibernation and springs to life. In full bloom are the luscious green parks and lakes, such as Herastrau Park. Restaurants and bars are set up ready to make full use of the pleasant Summer season. The Old City sprawls with people wandering the cobble streets. The Palace of Parliament, a mammoth icon to this city and weekend migrations to Mamaia Beach are some of the things to look forward to while in Bucharest, Romania.

Herastrau Park is located in the lovely Northern area of Bucharest. The tree filled park is huge and surrounds a vast lake. Several restaurants/bars and clubs can be found in and around the expansive green park, that is best explored by bike. Bike hire can be found just outside the Aviatorilor Metro Station. Biking around also ensures that you're getting the most out of your visit. Don't miss the string of notable places to eat & drink along the lakes waters edges, perfect for a warm sunset evening.

Herastrau Park

Herastrau Park with restaurants on the lake

Restaurant on the Herastrau Lake

Peacocks in Herastrau Park

The epicenter of Bucharest is the Old City. At all hours, there are a traffic load of people, wandering through the cobble stoned lane ways, surrounded by restaurants, bars and clubs. The evening gathers a lot more people and is pumped with an energetic nightlife.

For a traditional Romanian dinner, head to Caru’ Cu Bere Restaurant. A place that provides a whole lot of entertainment throughout the evening. The Romanian food is served simple and homely, with basic flavours. An item on the menu that must be tried, is the impressive large pork shank, succulent and juicy, accompanied by sides, perfect for sharing between two. You can find this place in the heart of Bucharest’s Old City at - Strada Stavropoleos 5, București 030081, Romania - www.carucubere.ro

The Old City

Car Cu Bere Restaurant

Pork Shank at Caru Cu Bere

Other restaurants, bars/clubs and spas with great food and atmosphere in Bucharest:

- Biutiful Restaurant: An eclectic pub, best for burgers, ribs and fish & chips - Address: Strada Gabroveni 8, București 030088, Romania - http://www.biutiful.ro/

- Vacamuuu: The best place for a steak in Bucharest. Try the Steak & Eggs for breakfast or the Steak Sandwich that comes with deliciously seasoned chips - Address: Calea Floreasca, București, Romania - http://www.vacamuuu.com/

- Zexe Restaurant: A Romanian restaurant with french inspired decor. Quality food and fabulous service - Address: Strada Icoanei 80, București, Romania - http://www.zexe.ro/

- Restaurant Coreean Seoul: The venue is awkwardly situated, but the food is authentic, owned by Koreans. Good Asian cuisine is hard to find, but this is one of the good ones - Address: Strada Aviator Mircea Zorileanu 89, București, Romania - http://www.restaurantkorean.ro/

- il Calcio Restaurant: Located on the serene Herastrau lake serving good Italian cuisine - Address: Șoseaua Nordului 7-9, București 014101, Romania - http://trattoriailcalcio.ro/

- The Player Club: A nightclub oozing all class with two huge outdoor swimming pools. During the Summer months, the days at The Player Club are full of people relaxing on the sun-beds, with music and drinks flowing. At night, take it indoors and do it all again - Address: Aleea Primo Nebiolo 1, București 011349, Romania - http://theplayer.ro/

- Interbelic Cocktail Bar: An upstairs bar with an urban rustic vibe, bare in features but full of substance. Address: Calea Victoriei 17, București 030023, Romania - https://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Interbelic-Cocktail-Bar/328768230543519

- TrickShot: For some bowling or billiards fun, along with good food take it to TrickShot. Located on the rooftop of the Promenade Mall - Address: Mall Promenada (Calea Floreasca 246B, Bucuresti), etajul 2 - http://www.trickshot.ro/

- Shiseido Spa: For the ultimate pampering session, book yourself in for a massage at Shiseido Spa and enjoy their luxurious facilities - Address: Str. Jandarmeriei, nr. 14, Sector 1, Bucuresti - http://www.stejariicountryclub.ro/shiseido-spa

Biutiful Restaurant

Rack of ribs at Biutiful Restaurant

Steak sandwich at Vacamuuu

Zexe Restaurant

Restaurant Coreean Seoul

Il Calcio Restaurant

The Player Club - Outdoors

The Player Club - Indoors

Interbelic Cocktail Bar

The TrickShot Burger at TrickShot

Shiseido Spa

A major sight in Bucharest is the Palace of Parliament building, also known as The People's Palace. It is the second largest administration building to the Pentagon, spanning 270 metres at it's longest stretch. The building also has underground tunnels, so large that Top Gear UK filmed a racing segment below ground. To watch part of the Top Gear video click here: http://s679.photobucket.com/user/njxp42/media/Top%20Gear%20Romania%20series%2014%20episode%201/TopGearRomaniaseries14episode1partB.mp4.html

The People's Palace

View from the People's Palace

Sometimes a hot weekend in the city of Bucharest can seem a little quiet. That's because everyone's headed to the Black Sea to Mamaia Beach in Constanta to bask in the sun and swim in the cool sea, escaping the city Summer heat. The Black Sea water is flecked with bits that reflect the sun making it shimmer like bits of gold in the soft flowing waves. Mamaia Beach is a popular beach destination for all Romanians and where you'll find little or no foreign tourist at all. The beach stretches for kilometres and is packed with what seems like the majority of the Romanian population.

North of the Mamaia stretch, you will find the chic and up-scaled beach venues, such as the Loft Mamaia (http://www.loftlounge.ro/) and Club Fratelli Mamaia (http://www.fratelli-constanta.ro/clubs/fratelli-beach-club/). At these venues, bookings for sun-beds are required ahead of time, otherwise you can forget it, as they will be all booked out due to their social popularity. Towards the South of Mamaia Beach you'll find similar and also as upbeat in atmosphere, where sun-beds line the front of each designated restaurant or bar. However, reservations aren't necessary in the South and finding a sun-bed should be easier. Otherwise you could simply lay your towel on the sand and enjoy it all the same.

Mamaia Beach - South end

Mamaia Beach - South end

Mamaia Beach - South end

Mamaia Beach - South end

Without knowing where to go or what to see, Bucharest can seem like a dull holiday destination. But with surprisingly upbeat and lively restaurants and bars during the Summer months, and a park you can compare to Central Park, a weekend in Bucharest can be enjoyable if you know where to go. Bucharest is a diamond in the rough, where you'll have to search hard to find the best places - It's like the Romanian's are keeping the best venues in this city their secret.

Sunset at Herastrau Park

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