Before we begin our cruise along the Danube we are spending a week exploring Romania starting in Bucharest. Known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle Époque buildings and a reputation for the high life (which in the 1900s earned its nickname of "Little Paris"), Bucharest, Romania's largest city and capital, is today a bustling metropolis. The amazing architecture in this once strong communist country is a sight to behold although due to ownership disputes much of the residential areas remain forgotten.

One cannot do anything but stare in awe of the Parliament Palace. Built at the special request of Nicolae Ceausescu, leader of Romania's Communist Party, the colossal Parliament Palace - formerly known as "People's House" ( Casa Poporului ) - is the world's second largest administrative building after the U. S. Pentagon. It took 20,000 workers and 700 architects to build this massive structure that boasts 12 stories, 1,100 rooms, a 350-ft.-long lobby and four underground levels, including an enormous nuclear bunker. You can just about get your daily exercise by walking around the perimeter!

I am starting to learn that most European cities appear to have their own "Arch de Triumphe" and Bucharest is no exception. Initially built of wood in 1878 to honour the Romanian soldiers who won the Independence War, Bucharest's Arch of Triumph was rebuit in 1922 and redecorated in 1936 with base reliefs carved in granite brought from Deva (Transylvania). Designed by the architect, Petre Antonescu, the Arch stands 89 feet high. The sculptures decorating the structure were created by leading Romanian artists, including Ion Jalea, Constantin Medrea and Constantin Barasch.

The old town was delightful and we really enjoyed just walking around immersing ourseves in the atmosphere. I am not sure what I was expecting but Bucharst has proved to be a wonderful place to visit.