Romania is ethnically an island in the Balkans. Unlike all its neighbouring countries, Romania does not speak a Slavic, but a Latin language, clearly sharing its roots with Italian, French and Spanish. There is also a large part of the country, in the north-west, where Hungarian is spoken, but that too is not a Slavic language. Much of Romania remained for a very long time under Ottoman Turkish occupation, until the late 19th century. And some decades later, Romania fell prey to the crippling absurdity of a communist and austere dictatorship, which made genuine development impossible. Romania has had more than its share of suffering, for sure. It is therefore all the more refreshing to wander about in current day Bucharest, with stylish central avenues, lined with beautiful buildings from the period of hope and prosperity, between independence and the Second World War. This report also takes you to the Danube Delta, offering not only the sights of a pristine alluvial ecosystem, but also a glimpse of rural life, far away from the big city. Yes, there is infinitely more to be seen and discovered in Romania, but, well, for the time being, this is it. Enjoy Bucharest and the Delta.