Romania-Transylvania September 18-19, 2016

Romania-Transylvania  September 18-19, 2016

ROMANIA and TRANSLYVANIA

The most convenient way for us to get to the old walled cities and castles in Transylvania, Romania is to drive.  The freeways in Hungary are wide open and fast.  We drove an average of 150 kilometers per hour.  Once we crossed into Romania the freeways disappeared and we were driving an average of 60 kilometers per hour.  It took us 8 hours to reach our destination of Brasov but we broke up the journey by visiting Sibiu.

We walked through the center of the old walled city of Sibiu with its cobblestone streets and multiple towers and bastions built by the Saxons to ward off enemies.

Walking through Sibiu

Beautiful church in Sibiu

Inside the church

Inside another church

Brasov is a beautiful walled city and was also built by the Saxons.  It is home of the largest gothic church in Europe called the Black Church.  It seems they built large churches in order to discourage challenge from enemies.  The Soviets re-named Brasov the City of Stalin.  The Romanians do not have pleasant memories of the Soviet occupation of their country.

The black church

Buttress on the church

The walking street in Brasov

Brasov

We stayed at Casa Albert Bed and Bistro, on the main walking street.

Entrance

Courtyard

Inside the Bistro

Breakfast in the Bistro

The lookout towers and gates to the city were impressive.  The Saxons would charge a tax for anyone wishing to come into the walled city.  There was a festival going on and there was a band playing on the main square and locals and tourists were having fun.

One of the entrances into the walled city.

View from the lookout tower

Lookout tower view at dusk

Bran Castle is about a 30 minute drive from Brasov.  It is known as Dracula’s Castle.  The legend began when Vlad the Impaler (he was known to impale his enemies on long sticks) was held in prison at this castle.  The castle is actually very attractive with warm wood floors and white wash exterior and interior.  The Saxons from Brasov built the castle in 1382.  Hungary’s Queen Marie lived here from 1920 and it was a summer residence for King Michael of Hungary until he was forced to abdicate after World War II when the Soviet Army occupation of Hungary and Romania began.  The last of the Soviets did not leave until 1992.

Portrait of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula)

Courtyard of the castle

Weapons

View of the castle

It rained hard while we were there.

Inside secret passages

Torturing devices

We drove up to Sighisaura.  This is another fairy tale walled city with old buildings, churches and cobblestone streets.  It is also the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula).

The church had a glockenspiel clock

The glockenspiel

Main square

Birthplace of Vlad the Impaler

He still lives!

Driving back to Hungary, we passed local Romanian women in their traditional costume.

Having a Blast!!!!!

Budapest, Hungary September 16-18, 20, 2016

Budapest, Hungary 

September 16-18, 20, 2016

Rome to Budapest, Hungary is a 90 minute flight.  We rented a nice car since we plan to drive into Transylvania, Romania for a few days.

Our Car

Barb at the airport

We are staying at the Gresham Palace Hotel (Four Seasons), which is in Pest and has a beautiful view across the Danube River and the Buda side of the city.   

Gresham Palace Hotel

Beautiful iron work inside the lobby.

Our room.

We hired a guide to take us to the main sights of Budapest.

The Central Market Hall has a colorful food market, along with floors of clothing and tourist items to buy.  It is in a beautiful architectural building.

Marketplace building.

All kinds of fruits, vegetables and meats are sold.

Paprika.....for which they are famous.

Handmade items to buy

Budapest has many thermal spas.  We looked at the Gellert Spa and walked up to a Catholic Church that was built in a cave and was used by the Hungarian Catholics to shelter and protect fugitives during the war.  When the Soviets occupied the City they closed the Church and sealed off the entrance.

Gellert Spa

 The outdoor pool.  There are thermal pools, a swimming pool, saunas, steamers, and places for massages.

The concrete around the edges are where the Soviets sealed it off.

Gellert Cave Church

We saw St. Stephens Basilica and drove through the old Jewish Quarter where the Nazis walled off the area and made it a ghetto, locking in the Jewish people where they survived until near the end of World War II when they were sent to concentration camps.  The Parliament building is also on the Pest side of the river.

St. Stephens

Jewish Synagogue

 A shoe memorial for the Jews that were killed by the river.

Parliament Building.

Square where the US Embassy is located, along with a statue of Ronald Reagan.

Statue of Ronald Reagan

After walking across the bridge we hiked up Buda Castle Hill.  It has nice views of the city and the Royal Palace is now the home of the National Gallery.

View from the top.

Barb on the bridge.

The National Gallery.

Coming back from Romania, we again stayed for one night at the Gresham Palace Hotel.  We went to the Gellert Spa for a massage and for soaking in the thermal pools for which they are so famous.  It is like swimming in an old Roman Bath.

The lobby.

Barb in the pool.

Scott enjoying the spa.

Daytime view from our hotel window.

Nighttime view.

Of course we had afternoon tea at Gresham Palace!

Budapest was a beautiful city.