2 castles and Brasov, Romania

It was an early start for the the bus tour to Peles Castle , Brasov and 🧛🏻‍♂️Dracula's Castle as we had to be at the meeting point by 0720. We left the hotel in a sprinkling of rain, stopped to pick up coffee and a pastry and waited for the bus. We arrived at Peles Castle after a 2 hour drive, some of which was in the Bucharest morning traffic - 7 lanes! The Castle was built in the town of Sinaia, by the first King of Romania, Carol I of Hohenzollern – Sigmaringen, between 1873 and 1914 and became a summer home with an adjoining Castle for adopted son, King Ferdinand. The town is reminiscent of a German ski town as there is a ski resort and large mountainside homes. After a partial tour of the castle, we traveled down mountain switchbacks to the town of Brasov. We saw what I assume was a professional cyclist 🚵‍♂️ as he was pedaling downhill (!!) and ahead of the bus! We wandered through the town and had lunch then on to 🧛🏻‍♂️Dracula's Castle. It was disappointing in that there was no tour, limited information, crowded, and minimal furnishings. A three hour bus trip back to Bucharest, a 2.5 km walk to the hotel and fortunately, a nearby restaurant! A long day with beautiful mountain scenery. I'm glad we weren't driving but I wouldn't recommend the day tour. Apparently you can take the Orient Express to Sinaia/Peles Castle and have a private tour. Now THAT would be the way to do it! We met a fellow from Kamloops who now lives in Columbia, S.A. and says the drug/crime issue is all hype. We also met a U.S. missionary living in Vienna. He's lived there for 3 years, has only visited Salzburg and his kids are at an English school and not learning German. I'd say he's missing fabulous opportunities!Read more