Bucharest

Bucharest, once known as the "Little Paris of the East" for its Belle Époque architecture and tree-lined boulevards, is a city of dramatic contrasts. Elegant French-influenced palaces sit beside austere communist-era blocks, while the colossal Palace of the Parliament - the world's heaviest building and second-largest administrative structure after the Pentagon - dominates the skyline.

Beneath the communist-era overlay, a vibrant city is flourishing. The Old Town (Lipscani) has been transformed into a buzzing nightlife and dining district, the Village Museum is one of Europe's best open-air museums, and a creative arts scene is taking root in converted factories. Bucharest is also the gateway to Transylvania, the Carpathian Mountains, and the Danube Delta.

May to September is warmest (18-30°C). Bucharest can be very hot in July-August. Spring and autumn are ideal with pleasant temperatures. Winters are cold with occasional snow.