Romania is my 35th country and it came as a nice surprise. Spending Halloween in Count Dracula’s castle was the most special birthday present I got from my sister this year. In less than 48 hours we covered a part of Romania, creating beautiful memories together.
The trip started on a Wednesday afternoon and we arrived in Bucharest around 5:30 local time. After getting settled in the hotel, we went to dinner in the old town, which was a 20 minute walk from our hotel, so we also enjoyed a walk. We were recommended Taverna “Covaci” for dinner. The food was good, however, not outstanding for their prices. After dinner we wandered around town and visited the “Cărturești Carusel” bookstore. It was very interesting inside and it was spacious, but it didn’t leave you with the feeling that an old library leaves.
We ended the evening early, as the bus to “Peleș Castle” left at 7:15 in the morning. We got pies from a bakery and got to the bus on time. However, the guide was delayed and on the way out of Bucharest we encountered a lot of traffic. The journey to the first destination, Peleș Castle, took about 4 hours, including stops along the way.
When we arrived there was a long queue as it was a public holiday and it was school break. We waited for about an hour in the front yard of the castle, which was under reconstruction. The construction of this castle began in 1873 and took about 40 years to complete, along with the interior decoration. Peleș Castle was the first in Europe to have electricity since its construction (History Hit, 2024). Exploring the rooms of the castle was very interesting, as each room offered a variety of styles and materials.
After completing the first level of the castle, we walked exploring the surroundings until it was time to head to Bran Castle, where Bram Stoker set the character of Count Dracula. This castle dates back to 1211 and was primarily a military defense base. Vlad Tepes never lived a day in this castle (Bran Castle, 2024). Perched on top of a cliff, the castle offered views of the surrounding valleys, hills and forest. The interiors were very simple, similar to the houses in Gjirokastër.
One of the king’s daughters at the time remodeled the castle in the early 20th century, turning it into a summer house. The castle somewhat felt like a labyrinth, as the rooms were small, with few doors, and there were narrow passages between the stone walls. However, it did not compare to the fortress of San Felipe de Barajas, in Cartagena. The experience was very interesting, even more so during Halloween, when many visitors were dressed in costumes. At the exit of the castle courtyard there was a large souvenir and food market, with a pleasant atmosphere. We walked around, had something to eat and left for the last visit of our itinerary.
Due to the late start and the queues at the castles, we saw the central city of Brașov by bus. This city has a special historical importance, first as a trade center and later as an industrial power during the communism period. German influences in its center, old Romanian architecture, and communist buildings until 1989 can be easily distinguished in this city.
The return to Bucharest was long and we all were tired. To avoid the traffic on the highway, we took an alternate route through the lush green forests. The next day, we only had the morning free to see Bucharest during the day.
The first destination was the Palace of Parliament. “The building has a surface of 365.000 sqm and holds the 1st position in the Guinness World Records for the largest administrative building (for civil use), and the 3rd place worldwide from the volume point of view of; it is the heaviest and most expensive building in the world4.” (Bucharest International Conference Centre, 2024). An impressive building in terms of size and volume. We then continued our walk towards the old town, stopped for a coffee, and started our way back home.
This trip was a very pleasant surprise, which opened the door to a new place for me. Romania is one of those countries where I would happily return. There is still more to discover from nature and the experiences it offers, such as thermal baths, salt mines and other castles.
