Kicked off my Friday with a ripper 7am Mass. literally just steps from our bnb was an absolutely stunning Italian built church. The church bells were clanging at 6.55am as Amadeus and I hurried across the square while the rest of the family snoozed. Possibly the first weekday mass I’ve attended that had organ and  singing (and amazing singing at that!) absolutely breathtaking and all wrapped up by 7:30 which was even more impressive! Below is the sunrise that greeted us as we left the church.

Went home to collect the lay abouts and then set out for Bran Castle.

Bran Castle has been immortalized as “Daracula’s Castle” which is fascinating given that :

a) Vlad the Impaler who Dracula was inspired by never set foot here.
b) Bram Stoker’s description doesn’t match Bran Castle at all.

Regardless this is it’s claim to fame and they’re definitely trying to cash in on it! The place was awash with tacky Halloween costumes and decorations.

I actually found the lives of its historical inhabitants far more interesting. Queen Marie (originally of Edinburgh ) who married King Carol 1sts nephew. Definitely worth a google to read about their remarkable achievements.

The fitout was a far cry from the opulence of Peles Castle yesterday!

From here we made our way to Rasnov which also has its name in lettering above the village.

It seems that maintenance on the tourist hotspots has to take place during the shoulder season as it snows so heavily during the winter. (At least I’m assuming so). As a result the fortress was closed, however we could still take the “ascendor” to the fortress to walk around the outskirts.

Really wish I could afford one of these on our driveway!

 

Jesse has been desperate to see the “red

forest” all trip. So here we are!

Next stop was a cave (for Jesse namely) it was actually pretty epic in the end. Probably better than we one we went to in Macedonia even .

Noelle complained as we were walking in that she wanted to get out of the carrier because “I never get to walk in “Cave-hes” So here is photographic evidence of her walking in a cave.

Had no idea it lit up.