3-May-25 Brasov, Romania

The bells. The bells. At six in the soddin’ morning. Right. Outside. My. Bedroom. Grrr.

Breakfast is ordered and tell Indian waiter it’s room 4 and only 1 person. He goes to kitchen and overhear chef say, “It’s impossible! That’s for two. Must be room 1!” Indian waiter reappears to clarify room number. Yep. Room 4. Returns to kitchen. To hear chef huffing.

As car had to be parked outside the old city walls overnight a quick hotel minivan transfer to car park. But. Am told by security guard I need to pay a few more quid for parking from 7am to 10am. He’s told I’ve already paid. I haven’t. But he doesn’t know that. He also doesn’t know my car registration number. So can’t check it anyway. Jump in car and scoot off waving to guard as I pass.

Two hour drive to Bran Castle south west of Brasov.

Oh.

Dear.

God.

It. Is. Heaving. With. Tourists.

Jeez. The whole world and his wife is here.

The reason.

‘tis the home of Count Dracula. Allegedly.

Bran Castle sits atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the river.

Queue for tickets.

Queue for the queue to the castle entrance.

Queue up the hill for over an hour.

Solid line of people shuffling forward.

And then.

Enter the castle.

But it soon becomes clear it’s another long queue of people shuffling forward through each room. Just a long snake of tourists.

Built in the 14^th century and now associated with Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’. Even though Vlad the Impaler never lived there. Nor did Bram Stoker apparently visit the castle. But that didn’t stop the tourist board.

Originally built as a defence against the Ottoman Empire it became a royal residence in 1920, when Hungary lost Transylvania it became part of the Kingdom of Romania, and the favourite home of Queen Marie, the last Queen of Romania. Her daughter, Princess Ileana, took it over until being kicked out by the communists in 1948.

Shuffle. Shuffle. Shuffle. As we slooowwwllly go through each room. With hundreds of other tourists.

Nightmare.

Arrive back in Brasov and have to return hire car. Now I know why they said leave it anywhere in the old town and send us a photo of where it is. Jeez. Parking is a nightmare. Have to drive around a few times before, thankfully, a space appears near the rental office. And abandon car.

Another night in the comfiest bed I’ve ever slept in at the Radisson Blu Aurum (https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-aurum-brasov). Excellent hotel. Excellent view from rooftop bar. Excellent dinner.

Brasov. I shall return.