Bucharest - hidden European gem

Here are my favourite things to do in Bucharest: • visit to Ceaușescu's grand ‘Palace of the Parliament’ (entry: £10, bring your passport), the second-largest building in the world (after the pentagon), is a must. This imposing marble behemoth was made solely from Romanian materials, and took the country to the brink of bankruptcy. Now home to Romania’s parliament, tours here discuss Ceaușescu's vision, and the building’s purpose. • Revolution Square, home to the 1989 revolution which ended Ceaușescu's regime, is another important site you must visit. • Lipscani (or the old town) has a heap of shops, bars, restaurants and clubs to waste many an hour. But for me the simple pleasure of wandering the old squares, streets and alleyways on foot was the reason we loved this part of Bucharest so much. Unfortunately, much of Bucharest’s architectural grandeur was destroyed by wars, earthquakes and Ceaușescu's march toward systemisation. • Chill in Bucharest’s many parks which come alive on warm days as locals flock to walk the vast pathways, relax in the sun, row the many lakes, or enjoy an ice cream or two. And the cherry on the cake: • Therme Bucharest is Romania’s number one most popular tourist attraction. Over 1 million visitors (30 percent from abroad) visit the wellness center each year. Prices start at 63 Lei (or about €12) for limited access and increase up to 193 Lei (€38) for an all day Saturday pass. Therme is divided into the Galaxy waterpark section, the Palm atrium section and the Elysium sauna section. #bucharest #europetour