Bucharest

Two days cover central Bucharest — Lipscani and the Athenaeum on the first, the Palace of the Parliament and the parks on the second; a third day, if there is one, goes on a trip to Sinaia or Mogoșoaia. The city was first documented on 20 September 1459, in a document the Wallachian prince Vlad III, better known as Dracula, signed „in the citadel of Bucharest“ — of that citadel only the Old Princely Court (Curtea Veche), rebuilt that very year, survives today.

The city's name most likely comes from a man called Bucur — a shepherd of legend, or a historical figure who left no other trace — whose name carries the suffix „-ești“, typical of settlements named after their founder. The first written mention is from 20 September 1459; that same year Vlad III rebuilt and extended the Old Princely Court (Curtea Veche), first put up on the same site in the 14th century for prince Basarab I. In the late 19th and early 20th century, with French architects such as Albert Galleron at work, the city picked up the nickname „Little Paris“.

From Henri Coandă Airport (OTP) into the centre runs bus 100 (ex-783) or train, 40–45 min (bus), for €0.57 — the same fare as any other ride on public transport. The first two days hold the centre: Lipscani and the Athenaeum on one, the Palace of the Parliament and the parks on the other. A third day, if there is one, goes further: 1 h 34 (one way) by train to Sinaia and Peleș Castle, or half a day to Mogoșoaia Palace.