Chat GPT is an artificial intelligence but Dracula does love a catchy title… So Dracula knows a lot about Romania, but sometimes you require some inspiration. We decided to flip the script and make Chat GPT ask questions, not answer questions.
What did Chat GPT have to say about “What uncommon questions do tourists have about Bucharest?”
When writing a blog about Bucharest, it’s essential to address not only the common questions tourists have but also the uncommon ones that pique their curiosity. Here are some uncommon questions that tourists might want to know about Bucharest:
Chat GPT: What is the story behind the Palace of the Parliament?
Dracula: This is easy, also it is something that you can easily find online (this article is nice). Long story short a dictator with a massive ego wanted to centralize the administration of the Romanian communist state in one spot. That meant demolishing an entire neighborhood and lots of human and financial sacrifices made to construct the 2nd largest building in the world in terms of volume. The revolution came and due to the high cost of the building the government had to decide if it will be demolished or kept with a hefty maintenance cost. As the building is made of 550.000 tons of cement demolishing it would be a titanic endeavor. The Communist vs Monarchy tour in Bucharest goes into details (Link).
Chat GPT: Are there any hidden gems or lesser-known attractions in Bucharest?
Pfffffffff… Yes! A lot of places and so many articles to write in the future! Just to start with something simple, Dracula made a mini treasure hunt with buildings that not many tourists get to see because they stick to the old town: Treasure Hunt. If it’s the summer, Dracula recommends going to terraces or even better, Mogosoaia Palace (Google Maps), as it has a beautiful park surrounding it.
In terms of architecture, I recommend going to visit Cotroceni neighborhood + Cotroceni Palace (you can start with InfiniTea and from there go exploring on your own), Dorobanti neighborhood + Zambaccian Museum (a nice terrace to enjoy the summer is Mercato Kultur and a good point to explore around).
Choose Obor Market for an authentic Romania – the largest market in Romania. Rich and poor go here to eat mici, have a beer (here), drink an Albanian drink called Braga that was really popular in Bucharest in the late 19th century, or just explore the vast multiple other products that you can find here. And last thing, the Vacaresti Delta – it was supposed to be a water reservoir, but due to it being neglected turned into a habitat for birds and amphibians.
Later edit: Holocaust Memorial, Bellu Cemetery
Chat GPT: How has Bucharest transformed since the fall of communism?
Wow, Chat GPT you went for the jugular! Just imagine that after 1989 you switched economic models. So shops themselves are no longer state owned and each person has to figure out branding, advertising and a lot of businesses making umbrellas, chairs, fridges with the brands that they sell to small shops all over the place. Buildings start getting covered up by advertising, and more importantly, urban planning disappears. Anyone with enough money or connections can build on land that was state owned for example, in between apartment buildings or extending your ground level apartament in the exterior or the most common practice closing out your balcony for more usable space inside the apartament.
The worse part is less green space and a large increase of cars driving in the city. Noise pollution has definitely increased and parts of town are not very well connected, even though they have a large number of people.
But overall the city is the most important economic hub in Romania and areas of the city that 20 years ago were a no-go zone are safe and crime rate has gone down considerably, with Bucharest being one of the safest European capital in the EU. And almost forgot to mention: graffiti, murals and extra colour, sometimes done well, sometimes less but a bit better from the gloomy communist colours.
If we talked about mici, here is a list for the best places with mici:
Also if you need some exploration tips here is an architectural treasure hunt:
Dracula's Guide to Romania 
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