Dracula was here

The train from Sibiu to Sighisoara is not in a hurry but fortunately, neither are we. When it pulls into our stop, a walk across the river takes us to some beautiful lodgings with charming staff, two double bedrooms and a living room with sofa. And here are some views of the Orthodox cathedral, from a window under the eaves of our hotel, and from its restaurant.

Having hit Sighisoara during an outbreak of thundery weather, we virtually write off the first day but on the following day are treated to the medieval delights of this UNESCO-listed city. Due to its small size (25,000 people) it's very walkable---or would be, but for the steep gradients. In keeping with its backwater nature, the 13th century clock tower is anchored on early afternoon while numerous towers and spires survive from the following centuries.

Over the years the city changed hands between Germany, Hungary and Austria but is best known as the lair of Romania's most notorious son, Vlad the Impaler---whose father Vlad Dracul gave rise to the Bram Stoker legend. But luckily even those miniature bloodsuckers, the midges of Sibiu, are absent here!Read more