Sighisoara, Romania

Though the Monasteries were well worth the trip, the city of Suceava was not too stimulating; thus we were both ready for a quaint little village and Sighisoara provided.  As soon as we stepped off the train we were in love.  We found a cozy little guesthouse only minutes from the station and settled into our attic room, complete with matching twin beds and tapered ceiling.  The next morning we met a heavy snow storm that gave our journey to the town citadel a very peaceful and fresh feel.  The little village sits at the base of a large mountain where a huge castle, churches and many half-a-millennium-old townhouses survey the town.  Our first stop was the Museum Clock Tower, which was well worth the many steep stairs to the breath-taking view of the city.  The museum itself was mainly a collection of artifacts with nothing too note worthy, and to our disappointment, the torture room museum was closed for off season.  We then made our journey through the many historical buildings along narrow cobble stone streets.  Though they led no-where we were on top of a huge mountain, so each turn over looked the main village of Sighisoara, and thus gave breath-taking views.  

Along the way we stumbled upon a small gift shop that even offered photos, for a small fee, with Vlad “Dracul” Tepes!  We of course jumped at the opportunity.  For lunch we had planned on enjoying a hot meal and “blood wine” at Casa Dracula, where Vlad Tepes was rumored to have been born and lived until the age of four.  Unfortunately, as with a few other haunts, it was closed for maintenance due to it being off-season.  Along the way stumbled upon a “castle” restaurant, where we enjoyed our well deserved wine and cheese dumplings!  We continued on our trek through calf-deep snow in slightly tipsy states and ended up at an antique store.  Under the slight influence of wine we both thought it would be a great idea to buy hand blown glass vases.  We didn’t consider until later that we would have to continue traveling with them for the next week and a half and successfully get them home.  We finished the evening off at a cozy restaurant not far from our hostel.  Though we were only here two nights and one full day it was one of the most beautiful villages we traveled to!

~ Randi