For a Half Day

Cernica: Situated 14 km (9 miles) east of Bucharest, on an island in the middle of a lake, is the beautiful 17th-century Cernica monastery (website: www.cernica.go.ro/prezentare-eng.htm). Within its walls are two 19th-century churches, a cemetery, chapels, a seminary and a museum of religious art and typography - a school of religious painting flourished here in the 19th century. The monastery was shut down at the end of WWII but reopened in 1995 and is now occupied by 80 monks. The relics of a 19th-century saint, who helped restore the monastery after it was abandoned due to plagues, attracts many pilgrims. The lake is excellent for swimming. From the Pantelimon metro station, take bus 410 or 459 to the monastery gates (journey time - 20 minutes).

For a Whole Day

Sinaia: Visitors should follow the royal precedent and head for Sinaia, Romanian royalty's historic summer residence. King Carol I fell in love with Sinaia's sublime location at the foot of Mount Furnica, while visiting the monastery there in 1868, and built Peles Castle, a nearly 40-year project that was completed shortly before his death in 1914. This impressive German Renaissance-style palace with soaring gothic spires is now a museum displaying furniture, weapons, paintings and other royal possessions. Nearby is Pelisorul, King Ferdinand's palace, decorated in striking art nouveau style.

Sinaia Tourist Information Centre provides further information (tel: (0244) 315 441). Trains to Sinaia leave from Gara de Nord (journey time - 1 hour 30 minutes). Many visitors stop here en route to Brasov in Transylvania, an hour farther north.