Private Walking Tour of Communist Bucharest

We had an amazing and very informative tour and I strongly recommend it to anyone in Romania. It provided a very detailed explanation of a part of modern world history that is not frequently talked about. The itinerary is full of interesting sites and we were able to see so much. All the sites are important to the topic and very interesting to visit. All relevant background information about the topic was given, as well as many touching stories of average peoples experience during Communist Romania. Anyone who would take the tour would strongly enjoy, appreciate and learn a lot from this tour, weather or not they know a lot about Communist Romania before taking the tour. Diana, who was our guide, was very friendly, very well informed and very helpful. She explained the background and context of relevant political events very well. She explained the relevance of each site we saw very clearly and with great detail. She answered all of our questions very well, helping us to know a lot more about the topic. She also gave very helpful advice about directions, and good lunch dishes where we went for lunch. This trip would have been amazing with anyone but she made it even better.

Laura took us on a fabulously informative tour. She was very knowledgeable and knew her way around the city well.

My husband and I booked this unique, experiential walking tour of the darker 1980s Ceaușescu-era in Romania's history. Diana was our guide for the day. A keen and well-studied historian, Diana is a fountain of knowledge, as well as continuously inquisitive. She brought the history of Communism to life in this full-day tour, taking us back in time to the embryonic beginnings of Communism in Romania. We were fortunate to begin our tour inside the spectacular Atheneum concert hall, where a music rehearsal was taking place. The importance of the Atheneum, and how its surround of historical frescoes evaded Communist re-painting, was brought to life. I will ensure there are no spoilers in my review, as I want to encourage as many people as possible to take this unique tour. From there, it was on to Revolution Square and environ, as Diana took us through the steps leading up to the 1989 Revolution. Included in the tour itinerary was a visit to the home of the Ceaușescu's, only opened since 2016. From there, it was on to the Militar neighborhood, where we visited the living-museum experience of Ferestroika. Originally, we had hoped to visit the Palace of Parliament - Ceaușescu's gargantuan megalomaniac construction project - but it was closed for private meetings. So Diana offered us the substitute of the Ferestroika tour (for which you can also read my review here on TripAdvisor). This whole day was one I will carry for the rest of my life...it was so deeply thought-provoking, emotionally and viscerally connected, and intellectually stimulating. Couldn't help thinking at times - given how the political climate is shifting around the world at this moment in our own history - if we, as humans, might not be learning from our past. Highly, highly recommended! If I could award this more than 5-stars, I definitely would!!

+6

I expected a little bit more from this tour and not only the huge rooms and the balcony. I thought they were going to show us the underground's and tunnels but no.

My wife and I cannot recommend this private tour enough! Our guide, Diana, was personable, punctual, and extremely insightful. You will learn a lot about life under Communist rule in Romania (especially during Ceausescu's dictatorship). All of the sights were visually and historically fascinating. If you book the tour on a day when Primaverii Palace (Ceausescu's home) is closed, be sure to schedule time to see it while in Bucharest. The home richly embodies the lifestyle and aspirations of the dictator and his family. On the tour you will visit Primaverii Palace, Palace of the Parliament, the Athenaeum, "hidden" churches, and other important landmarks. While you can technically see these places on your own, there is nothing like having someone intimate with the culture and history of Bucharest to give you context, share personal stories, and answer any questions you may have. Again, my wife and I highly encourage you to book this tour. You won't be disappointed. Thank you, Diana, for a wonderful experience!

my guide Diana went above and beyond what I was expecting of the tour. she was great in her knowledge not just of the city but Romania has whole, and did not mind answering questions in regards to all of Romanians history and culture. with a focus mainly on the communist era of Bucharest. the highlights for me where seeing revolution square and seeing Ceaușescuc house. and it ending on the balcony on the parliament. defiantly worth the price!!

<p>Diana was very informative and we had a great day with her.</p>

<p>This was a fantastic tour - the guide was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. We would give this 10 stars if we could. We saw so much and learnt so much and at the end the guide even refused to take a tip. We felt more like we were being shown around by a friend or relative than by a paid guide. I would recommend this tour and this particular guide to anyone. We have had several experiences with Viator - all good but this one was truly exceptional.</p>