Palatul Primaverii

The former residence of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu can now be visited on a guided tour. Built in the 1960s and known by the codename P50 during the communist period, the 80-room Spring Palace (to use the English translation of its name) served as a home for the Ceausescus for almost two decades. While the building - which came with its own cinema and swimming pool - is elegant from the outside, the interior is decorated throughout in a ghastly style. Chosen by Ceausescu's wife, Elena, the decor is perhaps best described as neo-classical kitsch, complete with solid gold toilet roll holders. To book a place on a tour, you need to phone a day in advance. You can also reserve a tour directly on the palace's website.