PHOTO: Fountain and National Theatre in Sofia, Bulgaria
Fountain and National Theatre in Sofia, Bulgaria, centerpiece of the Ivan Vasov Garden. This square is a popular gathering place in the city.
PHOTO: Men Relax With Game of Chess in Ivan Vasov Garden in Sofia, Bulgaria
Men relax with a game of chess in Ivan Vasov Garden in Sofia, Bulgaria, a favorite gathering place for locals and tourists alike
PHOTO: Rotunda of the Church of Saint George and Ruins of Ancient Serdica in Sofia, Bulgaria
Rotunda of the Church of Saint George and ruins of ancient Serdica, the city that preceded Sofia, Bulgaria
PHOTO: CEC Bank Palace in Bucharest is Headquarters of the Romanian National Savings Bank
CEC Bank Palace in Bucharest, built in 1900, was once a private mansion. Today it is headquarters of the Romanian National Savings Bank.
Delving into the history and culture of Bucharest with the help of Romanian friends
When locals in Maramures and Cluj-Napoca learned that my itinerary included Bucharest, they warned me about a cultural divide between the eastern and western portions of Romania. Residents in the west, they insisted, had always felt a stronger affinity with Europe, while cities in the east looked toward Russia. I began to feel the shift … Read more
