Bucharest, Romania

Romania's capital and largest city is a dynamic blend of historic elegance and modern vibrancy. Bucharest was known in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as the "Little Paris" due to its elegant architecture and cosmopolitan culture. The city's flourishing arts scene during this period, including its theaters, cafes, and literary salons, contributed to its Parisian ambiance. On Christmas Day in 1989, after 21 years of despotic ruling, one of the most repressive communist regimes came to an end with the execution by firing squad of Romania's tyrannical dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.