Home & Away with Robert Walshe
www.robertwalshe.com
Weekend Hotspot – Bucharest Romania Resting along the river banks of Dambovita, Bucharest takes pride in a booming economy as well as an ambience that has a pleasant fusion of the old and the new. It has entire neighborhoods of 19th-century Belle-Époquestyle villas interspersed with impressive Art Deco and Modernist architecture. Bucharest has churches with Byzantine frescos. But there is also the infamous Ceausescu-era Bucharest with its main symbol, the Intercontinental Hotel, at its centre. Built in 1970, the hotel was the tallest building
in Bucharest at the time and the city’s only five-star international high-rise hotel, a distinction owed to its ideal location, elegant appointments and impeccable service. You’ll feel the pulse of nearby Balcescu Boulevard while dining in the Brasserie, an energetic restaurant surrounded by a wall of windows. Intermezzo Piano Bar is just the way you might imagine a classic bar to be: sophisticated but relaxed,
■ Dutch chef Paul Oppenkamp The Artist Bucharest
chic but comfortable. Located off the lobby it is open all day so you can drop in for morning coffee, enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up or linger over cocktails before or after dinner. www.intercontinental. com/bucharest Within walking distance are business and shopping boulevards, embassies and the Metro. The National Theatre, four significant museums, the old city and Cismigiu Gardens are just a few minutes away. Palace of Parliament is the most striking architectural monument of the city with 6000 rooms to visit! The Arc of Triumph is located nearby. This wonderful monument was erected in 1920 in the
■ Intercontinental Hotel Bucharest Exterior
For our best deals call 0044 28 9038 1111 or visit www.mooneyhotelgroup.com memory of Romanian soldiers killed during the First World War. Revolution Square is also a perfect place for walking. Royal Palace traditionally amazes visitors by its luxury. For a long time the palace remained the main residence of the Romanian monarchs. The Village Museum an open-air ■ Palace of Pa rliament Buch ethnographic museum arest located in the Herastrau Park on the outskirts of O u r the city showcases traditional choice “The Artist “was village life. The museum con- created when Dutch chef Paul taining 272 authentic peas- Oppenkamp fell in love with ant farms and houses from Romania and decided to open all over the country is over his own restaurant in 2012. Lo100,000 m². Bucharest has cated ten minutes walk for the simply everything you need Intercontinental it is a beacon for quality relaxation - beau- of high quality and impeccatiful parks and gardens, in- ble service. The menu offers teresting shopping malls and a sophisticated molecular colorful markets, modern cuisine, influenced by tramovie theaters and night- ditional Romanian dishes. clubs. Restaurants and bars These delicious works of art have multiplied in the last two are best enjoyed with a glass decades. Since the fall of com- or two of Cotnari and Odomunism, traditional Romanian besti wines produced in the food has mingled with world oldest vineyards in Bucharest cuisine, giving rise to creative www.theartist.ro Adrian Rusu menus at affordable prices is a wonderful tour guide for with many interesting venues both Bucharest and all of Rolocated in the historic centre. mania. www.thefixers.eu Rya-
nair fly to Bucharest daily from Dublin. www.ryanair. com For travellers from Northern Ireland or Ulster counties the Hilton Dublin airport offers a perfect stop off point before you catch your flight the following day. This homely Hilton offers short & long term parking, a complimentary shuttle to the airport, good sized rooms and a friendly service at Burnell Bar & Grill. www.hilton.com Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio Network and Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe.com