Our pick of Romania’s highlights, from buzzing Bucharest to mountain trails and ghoulish castles
The capital is in an exciting stage of development, with EU investment resulting in sympathetic modernisation projects and a general buzz around the city. But you can still visit Ceausescu’s obscenely grandiose palace and other communist-era monstrosities, plus medieval churches and monasteries. Stay in the Hotel Christina, a boutique hotel in the centre.
• Doubles from £54 B&B, hotelchristina.ro
With so many spectacular walks in the Lake District, it’s a tough job narrowing the list down to just 10. So we sought expert advice and asked National Trust Cumbria’s Mike Innerdale to tell us about his favourites
• 10 of the best walks in Cumbria
• As featured in our Lake District and Cumbria holiday guide
Distance 4 miles
Start Grange in Borrowdale, grid ref NY253174
National Trust downloadable route and map
Borger Dalr was described by the famed fellwalker and writer Alfred Wainwright as the “finest square mile in Lakeland” and it’s not difficult to see why. You’ll climb Castle Crag, the site of a hill fort some 2,000 years ago, which, though small in stature, offers some of the finest views you will ever see. Take a moment to pause at Peace How, a small summit bought for the benefit of the nation in 1917 as a place where soldiers returning from the front line could find some tranquillity.
