Bucharest

The capital of Romania, Bucharest has a reputation for the high life. It first earned the name “Paris of the East” before WWII, when its impressive art nouveau palaces and architecture were reminiscent of Paris. You can still see glimpses of old “Paris” and its former elegance throughout the city, particularly on the broad tree-lined avenues of villas like Şoseaua Kiseleff, leading up to a replica of the Arc de Triomphe, and around the Cișmigiu Gardens in the city centre – a picturesque park built on a romantic lake.

Bucharest’s iconic landmark is the gigantic Palace of Parliament; the world’s biggest parliamentary building (and one of the largest buildings of any kind). Building began in 1984 and still continues today, and the 330,000sq-metre building has over 3,000 rooms. The city also has its finger on the pulse when it comes to art, and some of the best new galleries include the Zorzini Gallery, the H'art Gallery, and the Galateca gallery, which hosts cutting-edge art events as well as exhibitions.

Bucharest also has a reputation for its lively nightlife scene, often drawing in the stag groups for hedonistic weekends, but if you’re looking for more relaxed evenings you can still enjoy the outdoor cafés, bars and restaurants that have sprung up in recent years, which come to life on hot summer nights.