The tour ended where it began, in Bucharest. Arriving in late afternoon from Tulcea, Cristi stopped at what was, and is still referred to as, the “People’s Palace.” This gigantic Parliamental Palace was built by Communist Party leader, Nicolae Ceausescu in 1984 and is the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon. The palace has 12 stories, 1,100 rooms, a 328-foot long lobby and four underground levels which includes a nuclear bunker.
According to guide Cristi, Ceausescu spared no expense and the interior is filled with crystal chandeliers, mosaics, oak paneling, marble, gold leaf, stained-glass windows and carpets. Apartment buildings lined streets leading up to the People’s Palace that were once occupied by the “in-people” during Ceausescu’s regime.
Click here to view the embedded video.
People’s Palace built by Ceausescu in Bucharest, Romania
Steve and I were heading to the airport at 4:00a to begin the semi-long haul back to Chicago. Hotel Minerva arranged transport to Henri Coandra Airport (Otopeni) where you will most likely fly in and out of; the other airport was currently closed due to unsafe conditions! Otopeni was easy to navigate and had a nice Business Class Lounge.
The first part of our International flight flew from Bucharest to Munich where we spent more time in the always wonderful Lufthansa Senator Lounge (for Star Alliance Gold travelers as well as Lufthansa Senator flyers), snarfing down the always delicious food and drinks, before the onward flight to Chicago.
“Bits and Bobs” of Romania Information and Trivia
- Wells in the front yards. While driving through Romania, keep eyes open for the infinite varieties of wells in front yards; covered, open, ornate and simple; I must have taken dozens of well photographs from the bus;
ornate well in Romania
goat and well in Romania
– The Danube River begins in the Black Forest of Germany and flows past: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Ukraine;
scum collecting in the Danube Delta, Romania
– According to driver Marinel, we drove 2,000 Kilometers/1,242 Miles through Romania in 11 days;
– Food and wine (video) is excellent and inexpensive in Romania. Drink only bottled water and watch out for the Carp. Carp is considered a delicacy by Romanians, but Carp are bottom feeders and trash littered the river; I’d think twice about eating Carp unless farm raised;
– Superstitions in Romania. Horses wear red decoration (yarn tassels) to keep away evil spirits and crosses erected in front of villages and towns, are there for the same purpose;
horse with red tassels to ward off evil in Romania
farmyard horse wearing red to keep away the “evil eye” in Romania
village crosses ward off evil in Romania
…and,
Do visit Romania on your next European holiday. A country with Castles, Villages, gorgeous mountains, hiking, history, and even more to see that we accomplished on two separate trips…