Tuesday, May 06, 2014

Brașov

Just two weeks after the Easter holiday weekend comes the May 1st 4-day weekend (as May 1st falls on a Thursday this year). So again we change plans and head to a larger city with more hotel rooms; more available rooms we hope. And that city is Brașov, the 7th most populous city in Romania located just 100 miles north of Bucharest.

Planning and executing our time in Brasov was complicate by those weather liars. Every night the forecast for tomorrow was "periods of rain" yet the first three days were sunny. The fourth day it did indeed rain and we lit out for Sibiu in the afternoon thus having to save Bran Castle aka Dracula's Castle for another visit.

Day one we excurted to Zarnesti for a hike; another gorge.;)

The next day we visited the fortified church at Prejmer. Unique! Then walked the old walls and towers around Brasov.

Finally, we rode the train to Sinaia, visited Peles Castle, then walked north to Buşteni Station via the hills.

On all these excursions we were rarely alone as Romanians make the most of their holidays by hiking, picnicing and seeing the sights - or all three!

The Clock Tower in Brasov.
Bra?ov, Romania

Crosswalk.
Bra?ov, Romania

Day One.

On our way to Zarnesti with fellow day trippers and weekend warriors.
Bra?ov, Romania

On the Blue Trail.
Bra?ov, Romania

Just when you think you may be alone, along comes a horse cart or a bicycle.
Horse Cart near Zarnesti, Romania

MTB'er - Near Zarnesti, Romania

Into the Curmatura Gorge.
Bra?ov, Romania

Bra?ov, Romania

Then up through the spruce and larch forest to Cabana Curmatura .
Brașov, Romania

Bra?ov, Romania

Cabana Curmatura (45.549997, 25.255092 ) with great views to Piatra Craiului Ridge - one of the best in the Carpathian Mountains.
Bra?ov, Romania

And back down to Zarnesti.
Bra?ov, Romania

Day Two.

Prejmer Fortfied Church (from the back).
Prejmer, Romania

A very serious entrance to the fortifications.
Prejmer, Romania

The fortified wall around the church has four floors of rooms where the families of the surrounding villages could shelter during a siege.
Prejmer, Romania

The door to room 76.
Prejmer, Romania

Most of the rooms are open and you can just wander among them, around, up and down, until you're worn out. ;-)
Prejmer, Romania

Prejmer, Romania

And you can walk 360 degrees around the battle-ready attic atop the walls.
Prejmer, Romania

Prejmer, Romania

View of  Old Town Brasov from the White Tower.
Bra?ov, Romania

And from the Black Tower.
Bra?ov, Romania

St Nicholas Church.
Brașov, Romania

St Catherine's Gate where Romanians had  pay a toll to enter the Saxons-only fortified town.
Brașov, Romania

The Synagogue.
Bra?ov, Romania

Day Three.

The Casino in Sinaia - Definitely still a resort town.
Brașov, Romania

Peles Castle.
Brașov, Romania

Fellow tourists.
Brașov, Romania

Headed up from Peles Castle on the Royal Pathway.
Brașov, Romania

Switchbacks (Serpentines).
Brașov, Romania

Viewpoint (Belvedere).
Brașov, Romania

And a more popular belvedere.
Brașov, Romania

And at 1400 meters there is an alpine meadow with a restaurant with uniformed waiters.
Brașov, Romania

Heroes' Cross in the distance at ~2000 meters.
Brașov, Romania

Down the muddy track to Busteni.
Brașov, Romania

Brașov, Romania

Brașov, Romania

Busteni Ski Resort.
Brașov, Romania

Busteni Station.
Brașov, Romania

Brasov at night.
Brașov, Romania

The Deco-ish Aro Palace Hotel.
Bra?ov, Romania

Totally Ruined. ;-(
Bra?ov, Romania

And this cool circular, appropriately named, Modernist building .
Bra?ov, Romania






7 comments:

Crash Eddy said...

OK, don't give me no lip! You have to start thinking about how to monetize your travels. I don't believe any other Earth travelers hike any more and photograph any better than you two.

Liz said...

I love the pictures taken while you both werehiking.

Sun-Ling said...

@Ed, there is a ton of hiking around Brasov. We didn't even begin to cover any grounds. Romania has A LOT OF trails. Just today we were recommended a three-part documentary "Wild Romania" which we had missed during our trip research. BTW, the movie "Cold Mountain" which is supposed to take place in NC was filmed on location around Zarnesti.

Crash Eddy said...

S-L, do you mean "Wild Carpathia"?

john said...

@Liz - Thanks much!

Sun-Ling said...

@Ed, thanks! I meant "Wild Carpathia." You are the best proofreader!!!

Crash Eddy said...

As Wikipedia is my guide, S-L!

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