Monasteries, Cultural Palace...oh, and Copou park. This is what most Iasi residents will tell you to see while visiting this city. If you've made it to Iasi, Romania, you have probably seen your share of monasteries already. Skip this. Cultural Palace? Yes, it makes a good photo-op from the parking light, but the dimly lit interior and antiquated displays are just depressing. Copou park..well, it's a park. There are some trees there. Again, if you're adventorous enough to travel to Iasi, you've probably seen trees before. As an American, living and working in Iasi (I run a small bar, drive a Trabant and buy my cigarettes from Moldova) I would suggest you skip the well-meaning suggestions of the locals. The main attraction in Iasi is not a statue, park, monastery, but the city itself. If you hang out around the city center, stay in an expensive "100 Euro a night" hotel and spend your money at the "especially for tourists" establishments, you're never going to see the city. Find a local you can trust (It's easy to make new friends in Iasi, despite the somewhat dour expressions on passer-bys) and ask for a tour of the piața or bazar (keep your mouth shut and your money in your shoe.) People watching in Iulius Mall is also an interesting experience, just trust me on this. Take a cab or walk to some of the other "not-so nice" neighborhoods in Iasi and see the decaying blocs and abandoned Dacias. Buy some covrigi or a shawarma from the fast-food joints located every 20 feet. If you're lucky enough to befriend a local, beg and plead for a trip to visit the granparents outside of the city. You won't be dissapointed, promise. Special note: Watch the stray dogs in Iasi. They know to use the cross-walks, you should too.

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