Eastern Europe
Castles, painted monasteries, wild Carpathians and buzzing cities.
Romania is one of Europe's most underrated and best-value countries — a land of the wild Carpathian mountains and their bears and wolves, medieval Saxon towns and Gothic castles (Dracula's included), painted monasteries and a rich, hearty food-and-wine culture. Its capital Bucharest, long overlooked, has emerged as one of the continent's most exciting and affordable city breaks: grand belle-époque boulevards, the colossal Palace of the Parliament, a lively old town and a famously wild nightlife.
What things cost: Romania is one of the cheapest countries in the EU — food, drink, transport and rooms all cost far less than Western Europe, and the wine is excellent value. Bucharest's smart restaurants and clubs are the priciest end. When a zone below says 'low', that means genuinely low for Europe.
Sometimes the event picks the city for you.
One of Romania's coolest music festivals, held in the beautiful lakeside grounds of the Știrbey Palace just outside the city — a stylish weekend of international indie, pop and electronic acts in a gorgeous green setting. Relaxed, well-run and popular with a young, fashionable crowd; a lovely way to combine live music with a summer escape to the countryside near the capital. A highlight of the Bucharest summer.
Bucharest · Domeniul Știrbey, Buftea
One of the world's great classical music festivals, held every two years in honour of Romania's greatest composer — a month of concerts by the finest international orchestras, conductors and soloists, centred on the beautiful Romanian Athenaeum. A prestigious, hugely popular event that fills the city with music and visitors; book ahead if you're a classical fan, and enjoy Bucharest at its most cultured. A highlight of the European musical calendar.
Bucharest · The Athenaeum & concert halls
Bucharest's festive market fills the grand Constitution Square (in front of the vast Parliament) with wooden chalets of crafts, mulled wine (vin fiert), sausages and Romanian treats, a big tree, lights and often skating and rides. Cosy, atmospheric and cheaper than Western Europe's markets, in a dramatic setting; a lovely, warming reason to visit in winter, wrapped up with a hot wine as the snow falls. A festive, good-value treat.
Bucharest · Constitution Square
