Runway to Ride: Bucharest - Sofia and Varna

Once known as the 'Little Paris', Bucharest, Romania's capital, is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, and glorious Belle Epoque buildings. There is even an Arc de Triomphe on a boulevard longer than the Champs Elysees, with a variety of trees that flower beautifully in the spring. You will be intrigued by the city's eclectic mixture of architecture, from old monasteries and Orthodox Churches, to Second Empire mansions, the stolid Stalinist architecture of the communist years, and the colossal Parliament House, the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon.

Visit and explore the amazing Palace of Parliament, Romanian Athenaeum, Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum, King Michael I Park, Cismigiu Gardens, National Museum of Art of Romania, Stavropoleos Monastery, Arcul de Triumf, Revolution Square, National Museum of Romanian History, Cotroceni Palace, Mogosoaia Palace, University Square, Pasajul Macca-Vilacrosse, and so much more.

One of the oldest capital cities in Europe, Sofia dates back to the 8th century BCE. Its landmarks reflect more than 2,000 years of history, including Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Soviet occupations. Sofia houses numerous museums, notably the National Historical Museum which has a vast collection of more than 650,000 historical items. Sofia is one of the hippest cities in Bulgaria, boasting a lively nightlife scene with many different nightclubs, live venues, pubs, mehani (Bulgarian traditional taverns), and restaurants. The city also offers large green spaces and manicured gardens, and the ski slopes and hiking trails of mighty Mount Vitosha are just a short bus ride away.

Visit and discover the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Boyana Church, National Historical Museum, Banya Bashi Mosque, Church of St. George, Vitosha Boulevard, Mount Vitosha, National Palace of Culture, St. Sophia Church, St. Nedelya Church, National Art Gallery, Central Sofia Market Hall, Cherni Vrah, Sofia Synagogue, Church of St. Petka of the Saddlers, Museum of Socialist Art, and so much more.

Varna is the largest of the Black Sea resort towns. Varna is well-known for its archaeological sites and finds, such as the 6,000-year-old Gold of Varna, the oldest gold treasure in the world, and the Roman Baths which is the largest of its kind in the Balkans. Many people use Varna as a jumping-off point to explore the rest of the Black Sea Coast, but it is a popular tourist destination in its own right. It is one of the cultural centers of Bulgaria, and it is also home to one of the most vibrant nightlife scenes in the country. Be sure to visit one of the hot thermal spring 'sea baths' which dot the coast.

Visit and discover the Dolphinarium Varna, Sea Garden, Varna Archaeological Museum, Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral, Roman Thermae of Odessos, Retro Museum, Butterfly House, National Maritime Museum, History of Varna Museum, Varna Eye, Monument of Tsar Kaloyan, and so much more.