The most interesting places to visit in Romania

Ok touchdown, you're in Bucharest, the capital of Romania.

You're going to want to stay somewhere overnight, and kick your feet up.Somewhere modern or do you want a feel of the old times?

Athenee Palace Hilton, otherwise the Epoque Hotel. Luxury at a great price.

Welcome to Bucharest!

Now you're going to want to get cultured, but where to start?Make your way down to Old Town for a refreshing pint. Hungry now? Go and eat a Shawarma, from the edge of the pedestrianised area, they're delicious.

You're going to want to walk that off now. Take a walk in Herastrau Park, and make your way over the national museum of art. In the evening get dressed, because it's time to see Romania's finest orchestra play at the Antheneum, for no more than 25lei or £5.

Tomorrow take a trip past the former biggest building in the world: the palace of parliament. We call it the palatul poporului. It's significant because it was a palace built for Ceausescu but he was overthrown and executed before it was completed. Now it would be timely to go visit the Peasant's museum, wouldn't it. And the village museum, a representation of Romania's countryside architecture.

Two days should do it. You can squeeze another day on your return before you leave. The climate is hot and the humidity, high. And there's no breeze! Time to get out of the capital, under the mini Arc de trumphe

Just another, amongst a palette of French-inspired architecture.

Time to visit the countyside!Outside the manic capital, you'll find an entirely different country. One befitting to put near the top of people's to-visit list. You'll fall in love with the scenery and the culture, as you make your way North towards Hungary.

First stop, Sinaia, to visit Peles Catle. Fairy-tale like and aurrounded by beautiful green meadows.

And within hiking distance, the Bucegi Mountains:

and the Sphinx

Make your way to Brasov now, and see the main landmark, the Black Church. Gothic, by design, and built in the late 14th century, it has stood since the time of the Ottomans and even a fire.

West to Brasov you'll see Sibiu...

But first we're going to take a detour, around Top Gear's most beautiful road in the world, the Transfăgărășan. I agree. Constructed under the communist regime of the Nicolae Ceaușescu, he wanted quick military access to the mountains, and with 6 million kg of dynamite he blew this into the landscape. Wow.

Sibiu:

Further north you go now, to Sighisoara (pronouched sig-e-sh-wara).

Fallen in love yet? The Medieval spires and the beautifully preserved squares?No?Ok on we go.

Past meadows:

...and towards the land of Bram Stoker's inspiration behind Dracula, Transylvania.

Bran Castle:

Past Cluj..

and towards the Gutai Mountains and the blue lakes which inhabit it:

Don't you want to have a dip in that?

Time to get back round down now, to folk music and the famous painted monasteries of Bucovina.

After victory, Stefan the Great commissioned a new monastery not far from the, also unique, Carpathian mountains. Painted on the outside as well as in, these UNESCO listed masterpieces are stories of Romania's past.

Your final stop, and perhaps best saved for last, the Danube Delta, and Europe's second largest.

Ever wanted to be surrounded by miles of upspoilt beach? Come to the delta in Romania! The best preserved in Europe; untouched wild nature and unaltered by civilization.

Edit: Now I missed one of my favourites!The Bigar Waterfall lies South-West of Romania, located in the Caras-Severin country. The locals call it “the miracle from the Minis gorge”.

Romania should be on everybody's list to see. It's a beautiful surprise; a hidden gem.