One of the largest cities in Central and Eastern Europe, Bucharest lies in the south of the country, on the Romanian Plain. The Colentina River creates a girdle of lakes - Mogosoaia, Chitila, Baneasa, Herastrau, Floreasca, Tei and Pantelimon - while the river Dambovita crosses the city from West to East. Bucharest began to develop at a rapid pace in 1862 when Romania gained international recognition as a state. Following the Union, in 1918, the city became a major European cultural center and, in the interwar period, this cosmopolitan capital became known as the "Paris of the East".

    Today, Bucharest - the capital and largest city of Romania - is experiencing renewed vigor. The city reflects an interesting heritage of mixed cultures influenced by: the old Romanian aristocracy educated in France, the German King Carol I, and the communist society.

    Among the attractions that shouldn't be missed are:

   The Palace of Parliament, with a total surface area of 265.000 sq.m, it is the biggest in Europe and the second biggest in the world, after the Pentagon;

   The Romanian Athenaeum, built between 1886 and 1888 by the French Architect Albert Galleron, is a symbol of elegance and glamour;

   The Romanian Opera House, ever since 1772, Bucharest has had an opera company but in 1919 the Romanian Opera house was founded and ever since the lyrical stage has enjoyed intense activity;

   The National Theatre, built in 1852 has succeeded in performing the most beautiful and significant plays of the international repertoire;

   The National History Museum, here are valuable collections of fossils, jewellery, tools, and weapons presenting more than 2000 years or Romanian history;

   The National Art Museum houses the works of several famous painters such as Theodor Aman, Nicolae Grigorescu, Nicolae Tonitza, and others;

   The Village Museum, this is the place where you can discover more than 50 households, workshops, churches, mills and votive crucifixes;