Day 0.

Catching the taxi to airport to begin our trip to Romania.


As we were flying out from Al Maktoum International Airport that is situated on the outskirts of Dubai, we didn't need to worry about rush hour traffic at the start of the National Day long weekend and were outside departures with plenty of time to spare.


Our outward flight was from Dubai to Bucharest (DWC-OTP) and the return was from Cluj-Napoca back to Dubai (CLJ-DWC), with both flights on Wizz Air (W6) for a very reasonable 220 euro each.


We hadn't had dinner yet so headed to the Maharba lounge for a quick bite to eat.


Outside the gate for the 8:25pm departure. We had paid 4 euros extra for priority boarding (which includes an extra carry-on bag allowance), but as it was a bus transfer we didn't bother to jump the queue.


And about to board the Wizz Air A320. The flight mainly seemed to be filled with Romanian expats heading back home.


Take-off was on time and we were soon on our way to Bucharest. We originally had a middle and an aisle seat, but the gentleman in the window seat was keen to grab a spare aisle seat elsewhere on the plane, so we were able to move across to the window and have an open middle seat.

Buying some on-board snacks, with some free peanuts from a 'buy two, get one free' deal they had.


After a pleasant and uneventful flight, we landed on time just before midnight at Bucharest's Henri Coandă International Airport. I was only wearing my t-shirt from Dubai and was a little chilly in the cool Romanian winter air.


After managing to find our pre-booked taxi, we arrived at the Grand Hotel Continental (108 euro's per night) in the centre of the city for our two night stay in Bucharest.


And our bathroom with a super shallow sink, definitely designed more for aesthetics than practicality.


We then got some sleep before our day of exploring Bucharest tomorrow.



Day 1.

I managed to get up just before 7am and go for a bit of a run around the city. The temperature was just above zero and my hands and fingers started to sting with the cold, but luckily I was fine once I got going and warmed up abit.

Breakfast wasn't included in our room rate so we headed out to a café instead.

Walking past the Memorialul Renaşterii (Memorial of Rebirth) which commemorates the struggles and victims of the Romanian Revolution of 1989 that overthrew longtime Communist leader Nicolae Ceaușescu.


At Chocolat, a café ironmanjt had recommended on his trip to Bucharest. A couple of black coffees to start.


A great place just a short walk from our hotel. It was just after 8am and the start of the Romanian National Day long weekend, so there were only a few other customers there.


Rianda had the bacon and cheese omelette.


While I had the full breakfast, a tasty selection of cheese, bacon, sausage and egg.


After the amazing and very filling breakfast, we put on our hats and gloves again and went for a stroll through the streets of Bucharest.


Outside the Palace of the Parliament, the world's largest civilian building. The building also has eight underground levels including a nuclear bunker on the deepest level, and is linked to the main state institutions by 20 km of tunnels. Tours of the building are normally available, but as it was the National Day weekend the building was unfortunately closed today.


Wires.


Outside Mănăstirea Antim monastery.


And some of its very beautiful and colourful architecture.


]90% of Romanians are Christians of which 81% are Eastern Orthodox.


We then walked along the tree-lined Bulevardul Unirii (Union Boulevard).


Rianda all dressed up for the cool weather.


Pălărie și haină.


Outside the Bucharest Jewish Museum, located in the former Templul Unirea Sf ntă (United Holy Temple) synagogue. It was unfortunately closed for refurbishment however.


We then walked north across Bulevardul Corneliu Coposu. Up in the sky were a trio of Romanian Air Force MiG-21's. They were quickly followed by four F-16's, also rehearsing for tomorrow's parade for Romanian National Day.


Our next stop was Templul Coral (Choral Temple). Outside was a large Menorah as a memorial to the Jewish Romanians killed during World War 2.


Inside we were warmly greeted by the Temple Hakham / Rabbi. He gave us a brief history of the Temple and that of the Jewish people in Romania. In the 1930's there were more than 700,000 Jewish people in Romania, but after the Holocaust and immigration to Israel, that number has decreased to less than 4,000 today.

During the reign of Nicolae Ceaușescu, for every Jew that wished to immigrate, Israel had to pay a tax or ransom. The amount varied by age, education, profession, employment, and family status with a minimum of $2,000 per head and up to $25,000 for doctors and scientists.


We then stopped for a quick coffee before walking back into the city.


The controversial and slightly bizarre Statue of Trajan and the She-wolf on the steps of the National Museum of Romanian History in central Bucharest.


After all the walking we were starting to get hungry, so headed to Caru' cu Bere, a restaurant hauteboy had visited on his trip to Bucharest. First opened in 1879 before moving to its current location in 1899 to a gothic revival building designed by Austrian architect Siegfrid Kofczinsky on Stavropoleos Street in the Lipscani district.


A string quartet performing.


Having some mint tea. The interior was in art nouveau style and added to the atmosphere.


We decided to share their signature dish, pigs knuckle with saurkraut, polenta and horseradish. A real tasty meal and we struggled to finish half of it!


We then strolled through the Old City. Biserica Stavropoleos, an Orthodox monastery & church from 1724, partly rebuilt in the early 1900s after earthquake damage.


Browsing through a local antique and art market.


At Universitate station after buying a couple of two-ride trip cards.


And about to board for the ride north on the M2 line.


Looking down the interconnected, doorless subway train.


Disembarking after three stops at Aviatorilor station.


After a short walk we arrived at the Arcul de Triumf. A wooden arch was built hurriedly after Romania gained its independence in 1878 so that the victorious troops could march through it. Another arch was built in 1922 after World War I, and then in 1936 the arch was replaced again with the current arch.


As Romanian National Day was tomorrow, preparatons were also underway for the annual military parade.

At the metro station to catch the train back into the city.


And back at the Grand Hotel Continental where we crashed out for an afternoon nap after our walking tour of Bucharest.


After a decent rest we headed out in the cool evening to do some more exploring.

Back in the Old City.


Where a few brave souls were braving the winter cold for a drink outside.


After a bit of wandering we settled on Café KLein for a light dinner.


While Rianda had a latte I had a super thick and creamy hot chocolate to warm up.


And a bacon and cheese waffle and some delicious pumpkin pie to share.


We then wandered back to the hotel after a great day out exploring Bucharest.