Take a walk with M.Radulescu through the centre of Bucharest and you will have the chance to discover a cultural, political and historical puzzle, which has its origins in the influence of the Ottoman Empire, followed by the successive advances and retreats of the Eastern and Western alliances and which finally ends with half a century of communism.
You will be surprised by the stories of Romanian kings, dictators and aristocratic families, which originate in the darkness of history. They are the creators of modern Romania, a country at the crossroads of history and civilisations.
Stories about Romania's recent rulers will give you a glimpse of what life was like as history rolled on. And because the clash of civilisations was particularly strong in the region, it will also be an opportunity to better understand yourself.
This tour is an incredible way to get to know Romania better. You will be accompanied by a journalist and academic who will accompany you on the mysterious journey. You don't have to be an expert in politics or foreign affairs for this experience. You will participate in a kind of documentary spent in real time.
HOW DOES THE EXPERIENCE WORK?
You will meet, usually around 10.00 in the morning, with your guide for an introductory talk at your hotel, if you are coming from another city or country, or at the Winestone bistro on Calea Victoriei, if you prefer or if you are from Bucharest.
You will take a look together at how society found oases of happiness under the megalomaniac communist regime, how different it was compared to the flamboyant lifestyle of the aristocracy under the constitutional monarchy of the 19th and 20th centuries and how Romania made the leap from a marginal region at the crossroads of the Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and Russian empires to a dynamic state connected to European trends.
Last but not least, you will explore the origins of the city, deeply linked to historical figures from the 15th century, such as Vlad Tepes, the real character behind the famous fiction Dracula.
Sights along the route:
Starting point - Royal Palace
Recent history has been marked by the events that took place in front of the Royal Palace in Bucharest. This is where communism collapsed in Romania, where the Royal Family enjoyed their last show of support before being expelled by the new Soviet-backed rulers and where Romania left the Axis and joined the Allied forces in the fight against Nazism.
Calea Victoriei Avenue
You'll explore the city's early history by walking along the main boulevard, which connects the official southern residence of the first rulers to the other northern end of the historic city, now Victoriei Square.
Residence of Vlad Tepes
The old town around the Old Court founded by Vlad Tepes, near the Dambovita river, is an exotic mosaic of buildings with different styles and stories, accumulated between the 15th and 19th centuries. They reflect the turbulent history of a place that was trying to distance itself from the Ottoman influence and was trying to gradually become part of Europe. It is an extraordinary experience to understand how the West expanded and stabilised the boundaries of its model of civilisation.
For connoisseurs, a quick trip can be organised to the beautiful "Charles Park" which houses the "Mausoleum", a Soviet-style monument originally built as a necropolis for communist leaders.
Victory Square
Until after the First World War it was the northern limit of the city. Then, the whole area beyond became the new preferred ground for interwar new constructions, air shows, car races and... parties. Romanian royalty, with its complicated life, was part of the story. Then, when the communists took power, the new elite settled into the luxurious buildings confiscated from the rich. They enjoyed their own social events and shared their lives in an almost exclusive neighbourhood designed mainly for the use of working-class leaders.
Because Romania is located on the border between several geopolitical zones, its gradual integration into the West is also part of the recent history of today's Euro-Atlantic configuration.
The experience is promising:
- to offer a different kind of journey in Bucharest
- to present Romania from a historical, cultural, political and anthropological point of view
- to provide an insight into the political and economic environment in Romania today and future trends
- to explain the structure of the political and economic system and its particular way of functioning
We recommend that you read the article on our blog to discover the advantages of choosing an experience gift for your loved ones.
Details of the experience:
- Duration: 1 day
- Location: Bucharest
- Distance: 2-6 km
- Private tour
- English and French speaking expert guide
- Welcome coffee and other drinks
- Photos along the route
- A little surprise
- You receive an electronic voucher with your choice, as well as the possibility to add a personalised message if you choose to give it as a gift
- Voucher validity: 12 months for 2 people
Important to know:
- Tickets to museums or other sights are not included in the experience
- The tour runs all year round, but we recommend booking at least a few days in advance
- Usually a minimum of 2 people is required to run the tour. In the case of a single traveller, an additional fee applies
- The experience is valid subject to availability (advance booking required)
Română
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