Whether you are British or not, you must surely enjoy a cup of aromatic tea –with the smell of cinnamon and apple, honey or pepper tickling your nostrils. The sensation is enhanced once the tea is accompanied by a good book and chill music ‘whispering’ in the background.

If so, I could recommend the perfect place for such an experiment, namely the Act Teahouse. Placed in an old-style house on Victoriei Street, it is an oasis of silence, contrasting with the noisily combustion in the street. (http://www.teatrulact.ro/index.php?pag=contact). An old-style elevator takes you to the 2^nd floor, where you can easily recognize the entrance by the many posters promoting cultural events.

Seated on one of the red couches, your wondering eyes lay upon many shelves of books, beautifully crafted decorative items, flowers and paintings. There is even an oriental room, where you can sit on pillows, in a diffuse light.

The prices are acceptable (10 lei/ tea) and there are more than 20 types of tea to order, together with delicious cookies, brown sugar and honey. Also, the teahouse organizes many cultural events, such as piano concerts, art exhibitions or theatre plays. You just have to follow their blog. (http://www.teatrulact.ro/index.php?pag=sala&cat=program)

I hope I have raised your interest. If so, I wish you a lovely time at the Act Teahouse!

For those of you who have seen What Dreams May Come (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120889/), you surely remember the scene when Robbie Williams plunges into a heaven made of different hues of colorful paint. A turquoise bird, orange clouds or a purple tree – all brushed in vivid colors with exquisite paintbrushes.

Coming back to reality, a lovely place where you can stop by and recreate that colorful atmosphere is the Hanul cu Tei bazaar. You should look for an antique street in the old centre of Bucharest, crowded with art stores and antiquity galleries. Once you step into these stores, you are surely taken aback by the multitude of pencils, the ‘explosion’ of colors, the diversity of paintbrushes or the quality of drawing paper. (http://www.bucharest-driver.com/images/hanul_cu_tei.jpg)

Also, do not overlook the antique galleries. Your inquisitive spirit will surely get lost among tables teeming with different antiquities – from old watches and decorative items, to vessels and coins. In other words, it is the perfect way to stroll among different periods in history.

So, if you have an artistic inclination, if you want to wander in the old centre of Bucharest or if you simply liked the movie scene, Hanul cu Tei bazaar is a must destination. For the exact direction, here you have a link with the detailed map. (http://www.sapteseri.ro/ro/detalii-loc/galeria-hanul-cu-tei-ceramica-7/bucuresti/)

A lovely day!

Green Teahouse

Second: it is all about the  t e a  (you can also buy some there in the cutest little “store”[more of a room].)

Third: They didn’t forget about the  h o u s e: it is three storeys of beautiful little corners, niches and places. All done in a different design.

Where Serendipity (see below) tends a little more to asian style, the Green Tea House is more like the english version: White cast iron chairs and tables in the garden, lanterns, green lawn and beautiful flowers. When it comes to the house apparently they couldn’t decide so there would be one floor more asian, next more indian and last, but not least, third more grannylike/frenchish. There is a fire place, a piano and in wintertimes even a xmas tree.

Enjoy any kind of tea you can have in mind, with some wonderful cake, quiche or sandwich (I said, it is kinda english). They care for the veggie and even have tofu sandwiches. It is a cigarette-free environment but not entirely smoke-free: If you have the time, enjoy a shisha with your tea, sit back and relax and await the stars in the sky. You will feel so remote, romantic and comfortable, if you like, you can forget about Bucharest or you realize you’re right there a part of it.

It is close to Universitate, on Dr. Burghelea. Walk on Carol headed east, turn right on Sf. Stefan and cross the playground. Say hi to the securityguys at the Croatian embassy (blocked road on one side, which makes the Green Tea even more peaceful) and then just follow the street. Or look it up on a map.)) Make a reservation on weekends and order your shisha before eleven.

Nina Catherine

Today I would like to share with you a wonderful tea place I visited on my last visit in Bucharest.

If you come from Piata Romana on Bd. Dacia you can have a nice walk if you take Str. Aurel Vlaicu to the right. You can have a wonderful green break first, taking Intrarea Ioanid which takes you to Parcul Ioanid. This beautiful park dates from the 19th centuries and is surrounded by old feudal houses. It is perfect to relax here on a warm spring afternoon and enjoy the quite and peaceful atmosphere of this neighbourhood.

If you take the opposit exit, it will take you to Piata Cantacuzino from where you should continue on Str. Dumbrava Rosie.There is a small entrance between majestic embassy buildings at house number 12. It will lead you to Serendipity tea house. They offer a large range of teas and service is really nice and friendly. In summer you can have a seat in the garden. The interior rooms have small separees, seperated by bamboo mats. The atmosphere is calm and relaxing. They have a strict non-smoking policy.

For sure, when I will be back to Bucharest I will take the chance again to enjoy a relaxed evening at Serendipity.

Christian Pauls

Bucharest Angel