I took off for Bucharest, Romania for a few days. No real reason other than to get away. I have been in Budapest the past month and it was a cheap easy side trip. This was my first trip back into Romania in almost 10 years. The previous trip was a week, this one a long weekend.
Tarom Airlines is adequate. They fly ATR-70’s on that route so if you want to be the first off, get a seat by the door in the back (no front door). The flight crew not once walked through the cabin and no food or drink. But for 1:45 flight it was okay.
Arrived about 8pm and took an Uber to the Moxy Hotel in the Old Town district. Sort of a new age place where the 20 to 30 year olds go to the breakfast buffet in their pajamas. But clean, nice room, well located and pretty well run.
After check-in I googled “Wine Bar” and was at a place called “Corks” a few minutes later. Very nice place on one of the scariest side streets I have ever walked. Around midnight I was the only one there, so they locked the door and we drank, talked, ate olives and breadsticks for another hour.
Next morning, I walked around the Old Town District. The architecture was a clear indication why Bucharest was once called the Paris of the East. In some ways more grandiose than Budapest and the lack of renovation and the black soot on everything reminded me of Budapest 20 years ago.
Interesting pubs, restaurants, architecture and a few worthy shops. Interesting and worth the time.
My guide showed up after breakfast and we drove to her home north of town and parked her car then began the 1 hour + walk through town back to the Old Town. Worth every step to see more of the town other than just the old town. Parks, lakes, modern architecture, great 19th century mansions and soviet block housing all mixed together.
Dinner was a typical tourist place with the local music and dancing and local food. Actually, nothing wrong with that and we had fun. Especially when the gypsy band discovered I was from Texas and played some country western music. Food was “good”.
Then we hit a few of the clubs. That was an experience I haven’t had in 40 years. Did I enjoy it? I got home a 3am. You guess. If you are under 30 and you want to “play” you cant do much better than Bucharest. Most of the tourists I saw were British.
Next morning we drove up into the mountains near Brasov. Still some snow on the ground and it was very beautiful. Stopped at a few little restaurants for coffee and the view from time to time. Then on to Bran castle (which I had skipped on the previous trip to Romania) and Brasov for street walking and dinner in a very nice restaurant with a view down on the city. Home about 9pm.
The next morning the guide arranged a visit for me to a Moldovan run spa on the way to the airport. I will skip the details but will return.
Flight home to Budapest then to the wine bar for the evening.
Excellent guide. Well worth a few days. The cost? You have no idea how affordable.