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According to legend, Bucharest
was founded by a shepherd boy named 'Bucur' whose
name meant
joy. He spread joy all around the place
by playing his flute and the local traders were impressed with his wine
and therefore Bucharest was named after Bucur.
Also known as "Little
Paris" due to its boulevards filled with trees and beautiful
buildings with many 18th and 19th century palaces and mansions now home
to elegant casinos. The city has a reputation for high life, so
tourists are bound to dine on a sumptuous dinner and dance all night to
live music.
Bucharest sits on the banks of the Dambovita
River and contains many lakes, including the small, man-made lake
called Lake Cismigiu at the center of the capital. Near the lake are
the Cismigiu Gardens, which opened in 1847 and have been visited by
many famous poets and authors. The gardens are the main recreational
facility in the city's center.
Also known as "Little Paris" due to its boulevards filled with trees
and beautiful buildings with many 18th and 19th century palaces and
mansions now home to elegant casinos. The city has a reputation for
high life, so tourists are bound to dine on a sumptuous dinner and
dance all night to live music.
The Cismigiu Gardens aren't the only green space within Bucharest.
In fact, it is home to many gardens and parks, such as Herastrau
Park and the Botanical Garden.
Bucharest is also home to an impressive cultural scene. Its cultural
attractions include a wide array of activities, like visual arts,
performing arts, and nightlife. There's really no defined style to
Bucharest's culture, so there's something for everyone.
Bucharest has been called "The Paris of the East" and "Little Paris"
because its architecture was heavily influenced by the French. Its
buildings include everything from traditional Romanian to those
created in the French style.
Imagine a melange of old buildings with an interesting and wonderful
architecture with new and modern ones. Imagine strolling down the
alleys of a park and then at night going crazy in clubs that play
great music and create an atmosphere that makes you feel like you're
floating.
Or you might be more of a studious type of person, in which case you
are lucky. Why? Because Bucharest has so many Museums you can visit,
where you can interrelate with Romanian culture, learn interesting
things and also spend a great time. The Botanical Garden, The Opera
and all the theatres are also objectives you cannot miss because of
their cultural but also entertaining character.
If you want to feel the breath of the past, go to the central part of
Bucharest where the old Curtea Veche (the Old Court of the King) is
located. Built in the 16th century, it is adorned with
well-preserved frescos. George Enescu museum displays the musician’s
manuscripts and personal belongings. There is also the Palace
Athenee hotel located in Bucharest, where the characters of the
Balkan Trilogy book by Olivia Manning meet. It took about 50 million
dollars to restore this building and now it is one of the most
prestigious and expensive city hotels.
Even though the city itself is not seen as an old city by European
standards, it still upholds a sense of history with its tree ined
boulevards and glorious Belle Eque buildings. It was remodelled in
the later half of the 19th century in which the city features the
Triumphal Arch on the Soseaua Kiseleff which is a boulevard longer
than the famous Champs lysees in Paris.
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| Telephone:
Dialing
from a foreign country directly to Bucharest:
+40
(country code) - 21 - seven digit telephone number
Dialing
from a foreign country directly to any other city in Romania:
+40
(country code) - three digit area code - six digit telephone number
Dialing
within Romania:
0
- 21 - seven digit telephone number (for Bucharest)
0
- three digit area code - six digit telephone number (for rest of
Romania)
Three digit telephone numbers are local
toll-free numbers for emergencies or businesses. Most public telephones
require the use of a calling card. One could also rent a
cellular/mobile phone.
Internet:
Romania has convenient access to a number of cyber cafes and internet
retail outlets providing internet messaging via your mobile phone,
internet paging, international roaming and if you check with your
hotel, access is often available in the comfort of your room.
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| Transportation:
Bus: Inter-city bus
stations are usually next to the train stations and buses ply within
city limits as well. Trolley bus or Trams are also available in many
areas.
Car Rental: Promotor Services provides car rental services in
Bucharest Romania. Simply fill in the rental
form for an email response or call us at +40 - 740 031 173 to
book your car.
Train: Romania is characterised by Local trains (Personal),
Express trains (Accelerat and Rapid) and Inter City trains.
Official railway site
http://www.cfr.ro/
Romania
National Tourist Office Railway Map Link
Taxi: Taxis can either be booked by telephone or simply
hailed on the street. All official taxis have the "TAXI" sign on the
roof and are equipped with meters.
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| Import
allowances by customs:
Tobacco:
200 cigarettes / one carton or 40 cigars
Liquor:
4 litres of wine or 2 litres of liquor
20
rolls of camera film if not carrying a digital camera
Medicines
for own use
For
more information, please visit http://www.customs.ro
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