Explore the historic center of Bucharest, once dubbed “Little Paris,” on a private 5-hour sightseeing tour. See the contrast between the wide boulevards and the tiny streets of unique charm. Best observed in the jumble of lanes of Lipscani, between Calea Victoriei, Boulevard Bratianu, Boulevard Regina Elisabeta, and the Dambovita River, the once-glamorous residential area and old city center is now being refashioned into an upscale neighborhood. Continue to the monumental Parliament Palace. Built by Communist Party leader Nicolae Ceausescu, it is the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon. The extravagant interior is a riot of crystal chandeliers, mosaics, oak paneling, marble, gold leaf, stained-glass windows, and floors covered in rich carpets. In contrast, a visit to the Village Museum on the shores of Lake Herastrau in Herastrau Park, provides a fascinating glimpse into Romanian rural history. Founded by royal decree in 1936, the outdoor museum is the largest in Europe at some 30 acres. Discover an enchanting collection of 50 buildings that represent the design of Romania's rural architecture through the centuries.