Bucharest was slow to recover from the depredations of communism, but Romania’s capital now ranks as one Europe’s most fascinating cities. We recently had a memorable visit prior to the start of an epic five-country Danube cruise aboard the AmaMagna. Stays in Bucharest also make excellent bookends to an excursion into entrancing Transylvania, a pastoral landscape with a scenic beauty that rivals Tuscany.

On its own, Bucharest has much to offer the curious traveler, including a pedestrian-friendly old center, striking architectural contrasts, fascinating museums, chic bars and restaurants and, at last, a recommendable hotel.

This video takes you inside the thoroughly renovated InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest, a historic property facing a picturesque square near both Old Town and the Armenian Quarter. It proved to be a most comfortable base, and you can read my full review of it.