Though I was sad to leave Croatia sooner than I had planned, I am even more ecstatic about my last minute itnerary change to include Romania! Romania has always been on my short list of countries to visit, but I didnt think I would make it on this trip because it was too far off course, it being further east, and my need to make my way west. Still, I had a couple of extra train trips on my Eurail Pass, so I decided to give it a go, even though it requires me to spend an entire day (as in 24 hours) to make the trip from Zagreb to Brasov, and another 14 hours to make the trip back from Brasov to Budapest. I decided to stay away from the capital city of Bucarest and settle instead in the dead center of the country, in a small city called Brasov. Brasov, lies in the middle of a place you may have heard of called Transylvania. That's right, the home of none other than Dracula...Muhahaha! Anyways, it was really more about the scenery and rolling hills of the region, and the casltes, which included of course Bran Castle, the inspiration behind the tale of Dracula.
I knew I was going to love Romania, but I wasn't expecting how head-over-heels I would fall for Brasov. I think a big part of my love affair had to do with the hostel I was staying at. Kismet Dao Hostel felt immediately like home. It was clean and comfortable, the employees were incrediably kind and helpful, the rooms were spacious, and they even had a backyard and an entertainment room. I also met some fantasic fellow travelers, which always makes a place more fun, including a guy from Pittsburg who had been traveling for nearly 2 years! Now thats stamina. And of course I have to also mention Zara, the hostel pup who was so endearing.
Aside from the fantastic hostel atmosphere, the city of Brasov was a breadth of fresh air. It is small but there is a lot to see and do. The hostel employees told me all the places I needed to see including churches, towers, squares, bars and restaurants, and the Brasov Hollywood-esqe sign. It was enough to keep busy for at least a couple of days, and I really enjoyed just leisurely wandering around. The Brasov sign can be reached by either a hiking train or a lift. The day I went up it was cold and rainy so I opted for the lift, but I was dying to actually hike the trail. Beyond the 2 days I spent in Brasov, I also did a tour offered by the hostel to 3 nearby castles, and made another day trip, with my Pittsburg friend, to the charming medieval city of Sighisoara. I'll post separately about those trips.
In the end I decided to extend my stay in Romania an extra day, and if I wasnt on a schedule to make it to Amsterdam to fly home by Oct 2nd, I would have stayed much much longer. I will defintely be planning another trip back to Romaina to see more of the country and even to spend more time in Brasov.
I knew I was going to love Romania, but I wasn't expecting how head-over-heels I would fall for Brasov. I think a big part of my love affair had to do with the hostel I was staying at. Kismet Dao Hostel felt immediately like home. It was clean and comfortable, the employees were incrediably kind and helpful, the rooms were spacious, and they even had a backyard and an entertainment room. I also met some fantasic fellow travelers, which always makes a place more fun, including a guy from Pittsburg who had been traveling for nearly 2 years! Now thats stamina. And of course I have to also mention Zara, the hostel pup who was so endearing.
Aside from the fantastic hostel atmosphere, the city of Brasov was a breadth of fresh air. It is small but there is a lot to see and do. The hostel employees told me all the places I needed to see including churches, towers, squares, bars and restaurants, and the Brasov Hollywood-esqe sign. It was enough to keep busy for at least a couple of days, and I really enjoyed just leisurely wandering around. The Brasov sign can be reached by either a hiking train or a lift. The day I went up it was cold and rainy so I opted for the lift, but I was dying to actually hike the trail. Beyond the 2 days I spent in Brasov, I also did a tour offered by the hostel to 3 nearby castles, and made another day trip, with my Pittsburg friend, to the charming medieval city of Sighisoara. I'll post separately about those trips.
In the end I decided to extend my stay in Romania an extra day, and if I wasnt on a schedule to make it to Amsterdam to fly home by Oct 2nd, I would have stayed much much longer. I will defintely be planning another trip back to Romaina to see more of the country and even to spend more time in Brasov.
Council building in Brasov
The main square
Caffe culture surrounding the square
Clock tower
The Black Church
The Black Church
The Brasov Sign
St. Nicholas Church
View of Brasov witht he Black Church and Clock Tower in view from the Black Tower
Wooden church
View of Brasov from the Brasov Sign on Tâmpa
Ive never been to the Hollywood sign, but I made it to the Brasov Sign
The Brasov sign
Zara the hostel pup!
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