Before I visited Romania I had the vague impression that the country was run amok with wild drivers, packs of rabid dogs and Dracula kitsch. Here’s what I’ve found so far: a proud folk heritage, ravishing countryside, friendly and astute people, lots of smoking and yummy (if meat-laden) food. For a taste of Transylvania’s enchanting landscape and architecture, enjoy the following snaps from our trip today to Dumbrava Sibiului forest:
Picnic at the sheepherder’s hut: stuffed cabbage, cucumbers, and strawberries.
Rainshowers in Sibiu.
Piata Mare, Sibiu.
Well…okay.
We opted for cabbage rolls.
It’s truly a Transylvania miracle: the apartment we rented in Sibiu has a washing machine! The prospect of clean clothes drove HOB and I into a frenzy. We stuffed everything inside…and couldn’t figure out how to run the machine. The machine is in the building’s hallway, and most of our clothes were in the wash, so we were running out of apartment repeatedly in an embarrassing state of undress, opening and closing the little slot for detergent. Somehow, we emerged victorious, clean clothes drying all about our room.
How we got to Sibiu: train from Brasov.
Where we slept: Casa Bieltz. Price: €35 for a double. Recommended: yes.
Picnic at the Cathedral 
WOW it looks BEAUTIFUL! Romania is one of the top places I want to see! My dad’s mom is a first generation Romanian born in America so it would be AMAZING to see where her parents came from!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you know what city your grandma comes from?
LikeLike
Bucharest the capital.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m considering adding Romania to my trip this summer, especially Transylvania. You’re convincing me! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You should totally do it Annie! Also,I think you’ll find it works well with a backpacker’s budget.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This look so so so fun!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My father-in-law’s housekeeper is romanian and although we have met and sat down to dinner a few times, I can’t for the life of me bring up the subject of Dracula! She always has a gold cross hanging around her neck.
LikeLiked by 2 people
She’s probably Orthodox–most people in Romania are. They have beautiful churches and monasteries.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Sharing Maniak.
LikeLike
Looks wonderful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really was a special trip. We feel quite fortunate to have had such a culturally immerse experience.
LikeLike
I skipped sibiu when I last went to romania. Wonderful !
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ll have to go back–it’s a charming and relaxing town.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on travelobuzz.
LikeLike
Traveling to Romania never even crossed my mind…but I see you mentioned beautiful churches and monasteries in an earlier comment, so now I’m intrigued!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need to start posting pictures of the churches and monasteries so you can get an idea of how beautiful they are.
LikeLike
Yes, please! I imagine they’d be more in the Orthodox/Byzantine style, but I truly have no idea.
LikeLiked by 1 person