Flying to Romania!
A week after our return from the Balkans in Europe, I laugh at the thought that for ten years we avoided going back to the Balkans. Marc and I had such a wonderful time there. Not just in Bucharest but in Sofia, Skopje and Belgrade. Had anyone asked us about going to the Balkans up until last year, the answer was a resounding NO! Little did we know, our experience was going to be the complete opposite of our first trip to the same region ten years earlier.
To cut a long story short, our trip this time around was much more pleasant and definitely, less stressful than the first. Armed with the knowledge we acquired from lots of research on the internet and from watching travel to Romania on You Tube videos, we were ready.
Our initial plan was to stay in Bucharest a total of four full days not counting the days we flew in and out. Our stay had to be shortened by a day when our onward flight to Sofia on Turkish Airlines was canceled and we had to fly out a day earlier. At any rate, the three days were just enough for us to see and love Bucharest.
We arrived mid afternoon in Bucharest after a 2.5 hour flight from Amsterdam. The flight was so bumpy, a fellow passenger screamed on board the plane out of sheer fright. Thank goodness for a calm elderly male flight attendant, the lady passenger calmed down a bit. After clearing immigration and collecting our bags, we took Bus 100 from the airport. We bought two tickets for the 40 minute bus ride from the airport to the city for 6 lei. That's $1.31 for both Marc and me. Dirt cheap if you ask me! FYI, people who take the shuttle can also pay by credit card. It was an easy swipe and go.
The shuttle ride from the airport to Piata Unirii 2 was also like riding the Hop On Hop Off bus. It passed by many of the city's attractions. I was just in awe when we passed by them. What I only saw on You Tube videos and on the internet, I now saw live and in person.
We flew KLM from Amsterdam to Bucharest. Just like flights in the US, our flight was full. Not an empty seat in sight.
We stayed at the Mercure Unirii in Bucharest and it was an excellent choice. We were truly happy with our accommodations here. We shall return!
The bed in our hotel room at the Mercure
The new National Library on the bank of the Dimbovitja opened in 2012. Every time we walked over to Old Town or the Piata Unirii, we had to pass by this huge building. It was very close to the Mercure Hotel.
Old Town was just a few minutes walk from our hotel. The Capitoline Wolf or She Wolf monument was the very first thing we saw as we entered the area. How it reminded me of Rome!
The rear view of the Capitoline Wolf or She Wolf monument in Bucharest's Old Town
Saints Martyrs Ciprian and Justina Church. It was here where the owner of the gift shop gave both Marc and I icons much to our delight.
One of Bucharest's most significant historical monuments is this 19th century C.E. C Palace designed by Paul Gottereau.
The National Museum of Romanian History in Old Town
When walking the streets of Bucharest, one has to look up at times to appreciate the lovely architecture of the buildings.
Bars and cafes filled Old Town Bucharest. They were everywhere!
Matei and Luca were two of the most popular bakeries in Bucharest. Frequented by locals all day long, we bought bread here for our breakfast everyday for three days. Their apple and cherry strudels were our big favorites followed by the cheese filled Burek.
It is no wonder why Bucharest is sometimes called the Paris of the East. The buildings are beautifully decorated.