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This is the medieval castle, often referred to as Dracula's Castle. But it is not only interesting for horror fans; built in 1377 it’s a true art treasure.
Built to protect from invaders it became a royal residence in 1920.
Take your time and enjoy the view of the castle; it sits high on top of a tall rock, overlooking the picturesque village. Inside you can have a look at a rich collection of Romanian and foreign furniture and art items from the 14th-19th centuries.
Location: the village of Bran, 16 miles southwest of Brasov.
Open: Tuesday through Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
In the 19th century French architecture was very envogue. The city features a lot of large neoclassical buildings, parks and its own Arch de Triomphe.
It was built in 1922 to honour the bravery of Romanian soldiers who fought in World War I. In 1936 it was finished in granite. It’s 85 feet high and there is an interior staircase allowing you to climb upstairs and enjoy a phenomenal view of the city.
Piata Arcul de Triumf
Just a tip about buying a ticket and recognising the train. This site is ace for planning times reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/e.
Worth writing down the journey details and the Romanian for 'first-class ticket' and handing it over - no English spoken at the train station when I was there. But the Lonely Planet guide came to the rescue.
Once you have found the platform watch out. The noticeboard flagged two separate trains - one to Targa Mures and one to Bucharest. The Bucharest train stops at Sighisoara.
But the trains appear to arrive joined as one - late. So it can be confusing.
What seems to happen is that the first-class carriage is always carriage three.
If you are on the same train as me be prepared for 50 year-old rolling stock in first class.
The scenery is fantastic. Ranging from the awesome pollution of Copsa Mica to shepherds and their flocks.
Str. Garii 1-3
Nice looking restaurant on one of the main streets in Cluj - just up from the cathedral.
Lovely meatball soup - through be warned the meat balls are in fact strips of meat. But the best was to come - hare chop. Strongly recommended.
Washed down with a large bottle of Ursus Black. And all-in including tip at 60 LEI. Awesome.
21 Decembrie 1989 nr. 22
Friendly and cheap local restaurant. The chicken soup was brilliant. And the wraps of meat with polenta for a main dish were not too bad as well. And with a bottle of beer the whole thing came to less than 40 lei.
Al. Ciura, nr. 6A
Poeme is one of Bucharest's best restaurants, actually located in the Carol Parc Hotel.
International cuisine, excellent service, but moreover an excellent 'de luxe' atmosphere.
www.carolparchotel.ro
+40-21-3363377
Brîndusa is a fair way out of the centre, although not that far from the Civic Centre and 'House of the People', but it is worth seeking out if you are looking for a wholly authentic Bucharest culinary and drinking experience with no pretentious tourist frills or added kitsch. This is the real Bucharest, in the raw. A little further up the street, tucked away between Str. Vasile Topliceanu and Str. Motoc, you will find La Pietris, a rough and ready though highly picturesque beer garden and summertime hangout. Don't mind Rex the bar dog - he's very friendly.
Str. Elev Popovici Nicolae, on the corner with Str. Novaci, just off Str. Mihail Sebastian, the main road linking Calea Rahovei and Str. 13 Septembrie
Romanian railways make a nominal surcharge for excess baggage. Its hard to define when a bag becomes excessive but the fine is 10% of ticket. They call it 'baggage voluminous'
The Cyber Cafe internet & coffee shop is a tourists' home away from home in Brasov. Different from other internet places in town. It is clean, safe, and has good music.
Facilities include desktops, Skype, headphones, colour printer, CD burner, laptop/notebook area, and a large selection of coffees, juices, wines and beers.
Opening hours: weekdays 11am-10pm; weekends: 12.30pm-9pm.
58, Republicii Street
The Cyber Cafe-internet&coffee shop is a 'home away from home' place in Brasov, dedicated to tourists visiting Brasov.Totally different from other internet places in town(clean, safe,good music) is welcoming you with desktops, skype, headphones, color printer, cd-burner, laptop/notebook area and a large selection of coffee, juice, wine, beer.
Opening hours:weekdays 11-22;weekends:12.30-21.
From Piata Sfatului (at Tourist Info Center you'll find flyers with map and directions) take the Hirscher street and llok for the house with big black shutters. Only 2 minutes walk from Piata Sfatului.
If it's a clear day, take the cable car up to the top of the mountain behind the Old Town (the one with the very classy 'Brasov' sign).
The view over the town and the mountains beyond is spectacular, especially when the sun comes out and turns the houses below varying shades of gold.
You can also climb up a zigzag path to the top, apparently this takes about 45mins if you're fit.
Closed on Mondays, open till around 5pm otherwise.
From Piata Sfatului, take Str. Hirscher to the end, then turn left for 200m and right onto Str. Julius Romer to reach the base station.
Most head for Bucovina during the relatively warm months, between April and September, or during the winter holidays when it’s covered in snow. In April or even in May it is best to take an extra sweater with you, because the weather can be windy, with temperatures around 9-15° C. The summers can be very hot, but usually the temperatures are lower than in other parts of Romania, due to the mountains and hills. At this time of the year all the monasteries are full of flowers in bloom. Even the autumn months could be a good time to travel to enjoy the turning colours of the wooded hills. During winter the cold can be quite intense, especially in the northern part of Bucovina, so you should come prepared. If you plan your trip by yourself and you want to go during the high season, it is better to book the hotel rooms two or even three months before your arrival.
It's a museum of traditional folk civilization. It is like a very big park with a forest and a lake and it's
amazing... you can find all the old houses from every part of Romania there, from windmills to old fisherman's house from the Danube Delta to the old house in the mountains, in Bucovina, Maramures and many other places.
Dumbrava Sibiului (Sibiu's Forest);
www.muzeulastra.ro
A very lovely restaurant in a very old cellar where you can eat Mexican and Hungarian cuisine. Try the bean broth in bread... delicious.
Gheorghe Baritiu 2 Brasov, near Piata Sfatului
This website presents places from Brasov and other regions of Romania through a virtual tour. Beautiful and comprehensive.
Not to be confused with the more commonly found tuica, which is a mere 40% proof, this version of the traditional local plum brandy whups you with a staggering 60-80% (it's double distilled).
Imbibe with caution from miniature beer mugs before, during and after meals. Try not to finish the bottle because it will be swiftly replaced - this is the Balkans, don't forget.
On every table, especially the local 'pension' style guesthouses.
Even if you are not a lover of classical music, just to experience the rich decor and the ambience this is worthwhile.
I paid less for a good ticket to a symphony concert than I would have paid for a coffee in the interval at a western European concert.
This city has so much to offer. It’s a shame it is often given such bad publicity. It is cleaner and safer than many others and excellent value.
1 Franklin Street, by Piata Revolutiei (Revolutiei Square);
tel: 01 315 6875
the centre of Sibiu is much prettier than Brasov - wander round the Habsburgian streets and squares and soak in the atmosphere
a lovely park to stroll in, just beware of all the other people with the same idea and the rollerbladers. Stop off along the way for a beer and some mici at one of the lakeside bars.
north of the centre, various entrances including Piata Charles de Gaulle, Arcul de Triumf, Str. Scoala Herastrau
the only Thai restaurant in Bucharest with UK and Thai chefs, with a similarly expat pricetag to match. The food is truly delicious though, shame there's no Thai beer though ...
Str. Petre Cretu, near Arcul de Triumf
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