While in Romania, we spent most of a day exploring Bucharest, before taking the train on to the Transylvanian Region.
As I often do, especially on short stays in a new place, I joined a free walking tour to learn as much as I could in the short time I had. Our guide, Elena, took us through more than 500 years of history including Vlad the Impaler, the height of communism, the ’89 Revolution, and more as we made our way around part of the city.
At first glance, Bucharest is not one of Europe’s beautiful old cities. However, as you begin to explore, you soon find that all the beautiful, old buildings are hidden behind the ‘Communist Curtain,’ as Elena put it.
During the communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu, many of the buildings that were not destroyed were hidden away. When you stand in the centre square, you see a wall of concrete buildings, but as you make your way past them, you find the city’s hidden gems. Some buildings were even moved out of the way to save them from being destroyed.
With less than a day to explore, here are some of the highlights.
Hanul- Lui Manuc is the oldest operating hotel building in Bucharest. Inside the gates it houses a popular restaurant. This used to be a stop for travellers on their way from Vienna to Constantinople. It was built in 1808 and continues to serve traditional Romanian food.
There are still some wooden cobblestones near the entrance to the courtyard, showing what the streets used to look like. The inner courtyard used to house wagons and horses of the travellers and merchants who stayed here overnight.
Across the square is St Anthony Church, the oldest church remaining in Bucharest from 1559. It was destroyed by fires in both 1611 and 1847 and rebuilt. Inside are beautiful frescoes in the neoclassical style, painted in 1852.
Thanks to its abundance of French-inspired architecture, Bucharest is often referred to as ‘Little Paris.’ A great example of this is the beautiful horseshoe-shaped passage in the heart of the Old Town known as Pasajul Macca-Vilacrosse, where today you will find cafes and eateries.
The most beautiful building, in my opinion, is the 18th-century Eastern Orthodox Church of Stavropoleos Monastery.
With its stunning architecture, ornamental motifs and paintings and secret courtyard housing cloisters behind, it’s the perfect secret spot to get away from the rest of the city and relax in silence for a little while. Definitely a must-see spot in Bucharest.
As a huge book lover, hearing there was a bookstore with six floors located in Bucharest, I had to find it. Cărturești Carusel, translated as ‘Carousel of Light,’ is situated in a restored 19th-century building in the heart of Bucharest’s Old Town.
Here, you will find well over ten thousand books and a cute cafe on the top floor. I could have easily spent hours here!
Revolution Square, near the university, is the site of the 1989 uprising that led to the end of the communist regime after Ceaușescu was captured and executed on Christmas Day.
Take a break from exploring and enjoy a traditional Romanian meal at one of the oldest breweries in Bucharest, Caru’ cu bere. It began in 1879 as La Carul cu Bere(the beer wagon). At this time, the beer was brought to the brewery by horse-drawn wagons. For several years, the three Mircea brothers ran several beer houses in the area of the Villacros Passage, until one started construction of the Caru’ cu bere building in 1899.
The famous restaurant and brewery still stands there today. This gorgeous neo-gothic style building is filled with stained glass, paintings, mosaics, and carved panels on the inside, as well as a great bar area. There is also a nice patio and traditional live music and dance can be enjoyed most days.
We enjoyed a pint of the beer made here and some traditional dishes, including Papanași (traditional Romanian fried doughnuts made with cottage cheese and topped with smetana and jam). So good!
We needed a few more hours here to make it to the Palace of the Parliament and the Roman Athenaeum, but we had a train to catch to Brasov, so we spent the last bit of time wandering around the beautiful streets of Old Town Bucharest before heading out.
Info
Train from Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport to Bucharesti Nord Station 5 RON 20-25 mins
Subway system is convenient and easy to navigate. 2-ride ticket is 6 RON
As a huge Halloween fan, Bran Castle and Romania’s Transylvania region has been on my travel list for years.
Arriving in Brasov’s Old Town, I immediately fell in love. This, to me, is exactly what a medieval European city should look like. Ringed by the Carpathian Mountains and filled with cobblestoned streets, medieval walls and colourful baroque buildings, Old Town looks like something out of a fairy tale.
Brasov was founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211 and was settled by the Saxons in the 13th century, becoming one of Transylvania’s seven walled citadels. Brasov’s location became an important intersection, linking trade routes between the Ottoman Empire and Western Europe.
Our hotel, Casa Wagner, was located in Brasov’s main square, Piaţa Sfatului (Council Square), a large open area where medieval markets were held.
The hotel was originally built in 1477 and is the third oldest building located in the square that is also filled with shops, restaurants, and cafes, with Brasov Old Town Hall found in the centre.
Built in 1420, Casa Sfatului was the meeting place for the town’s council members for several centuries. Today, it is home to Brasov’s History Museum.
Just south of Council Square is the Black Church, the largest gothic structure in Romania and one of Brasov’s most famous sites. The church got its name after the flames and smoke of the ‘Great Fire’ in 1689 darkened its exterior walls. The church was originally built between 1385 and 1477. After the fire, restoration took 100 years.
Today, the church is a massive structure, with beautiful stained glass and statues located all around it. The bell tower stands 65m high and is home to the largest and heaviest church bell in Romania.
The Black Church’s massive pipe organ dates from 1839. It was built by Carl August Buchholz and takes up three floors and contains 3993 pipes! This massive organ still functions and concerts are performed several times a week.
Most of the original statues have been removed from the outer walls to preserve them and replicas have been put up in their place. You can find many of the originals inside the church. Entrance tickets can be purchased for 20 lei at the gift shop across from the church. It looks big from the outside, but once you walk through the large wooden doors, you see how truly big this church is.
Another interesting historical piece in this church are the pews. When people first started to attend, they sat within their guilds. The more important your guild (teachers, town councillors, etc.), the closer you sat to the pulpit.
These pews were also more ornately decorated. Each guild could add carvings, paintings, ornamental elements, and symbols to represent their guild on the panel of the pew. The pews themselves were all fairly standard, except for the carpenter’s guild, who made sure to carve theirs more ornately when making all the pews. It was neat to walk around and see all the differences.
There was a small section containing tombstones with elaborate carvings of the person’s face. Apparently, this was a common thing to do among the wealthy, so they could be depicted in all their grandeur for eternity!
The various murals, paintings, and statues found throughout the church are also worth a look.
As I often do when exploring a new city, I joined up with a free walking tour to learn more about Brasov and all there was to see. We set out with our guide on a 2.5-hour walk around Old Town, where he told us lots of historic facts and local legends and pointed out the house where Vlad the Impaler’s mistress lived.
As we came to the Black Church, he pointed out one of the statues on the roof and told us how Brasov and a neighbouring city were competing to build the biggest and best church. They took this very seriously and only the master builder knew the full plan. One day, he found a little boy up on the roof looking at all they were doing. No one knew who this boy was, so they figured he must be a spy sent from the other town and he was pushed off the roof!
Now, a statue of a little boy looking over the edge can be found on the roof. Some say it was put there as a memorial; others say it’s a warning.
Rope Street, Strada Sforii, is one of the narrowest streets in Europe at 3.6 to 4 feet wide. As the houses were all connected, there was no quick way to get from one street to another, so Rope Street was used as an access route for firefighters. There is a statue of a Rope Lady at one end, pointing the way to the passage.
One legend says that Rope Street was a meeting place for lovers whose parents did not approve of their relationship, and that couples who kissed on Rope Street will forever be tied together.
High above Brasov, in the Carpathian Mountains, is Mount Tampa. There are several different trails you can hike up the mountain or take the cable car (30 lei RT, Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.) to the top for a great view of the city and surrounding area.
From the upper cable car station, it’s a short walk along the path to the famous Brasov sign, where you will get the best views of the town from 955m above!
The cable car takes about 2.5 minutes to ascend to the top, and at less than $9 CAD ($6.50 USD) return, it’s definitely worth it. At the top, you will also find a small cafe and some more walking trails.
As we were there in October, all the leaves had begun to change colour, making the view even more spectacular. You could see all of Old Town, including a great view of the Black Church from above.
When Vlad Tepes (the Impaler) attacked Brasov in 1458, the citadel was destroyed and 40 merchants who refused to pay trade taxes were impaled, and displayed on top of the mountain. I much preferred the view of the fall foliage!
Catherine’s Gate, erected in 1559 by the Tailors’ Guild, is the only original gate to have survived from medieval times. During Saxon rule, Romanians weren’t allowed to own property inside the fortress and were only allowed to enter at certain times to sell their goods. They would be required to pay a toll before entering. At the time, these gates were the only way in and out of Brasov. Above the entrance, the tower bears the city’s coat of arms: a crown on a tree trunk.
Black Tower stands atop a rock on Starja Hill and is one of four defensive towers in Brasov built in the 15th century, and offers great views of the city.
Hunter’s Tower is another defensive tower in the citadel used for storing power during the Middle Ages.
Once you’re done exploring for the day, enjoy a traditional Transylvanian dinner at Sergiana. Head down into the basement, where you will find cave-like dining rooms, servers in traditional Romanian attire, and a delicious variety of local Transylvanian dishes.
After dinner, check out Beraria Mustata for some local craft beer.
While the Council Square is great by day, be sure to check it out at night when it’s all lit up and the Hollywood style BRASOV sign is shining high up on Mt. Tampa.
And while you are in the area, a trip to Bran to see Bran Castle is a must! We spent half a day exploring Dracula’s Castle and the small town of Bran. More on that here.
Brasov is about 30 minutes from Bran. There are buses that will take you, but we found taking a Bolt or an Uber far more convenient.
Before catching our train back to Bucharest, we had to stop for one more delicious Papanași (traditional Romanian fried doughnuts made with cottage cheese and topped with smetana and jam) at La Ceaun in the main square.
Whether you are exploring Transylvania or just making your way to see Dracula’s Bran Castle, be sure to stop and explore Brasov on the way. You won’t be disappointed!
I’ve heard about Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto for years, but never made it there on any previous Disney trips. So, since we were there to celebrate my 40th birthday, I figured this was the perfect time to finally check out this Tiki hideaway.
This tropical Tiki bar is found in Disney World’s Polynesian Resort, just around the corner from the lobby.
Through a plain-looking wooden door, you step into the enchanting world of the South Seas. The lounge itself is small and packed with ancient artefacts, hidden treasures, an erupting volcano, an angry Tiki god, and more covering the walls and ceiling.
The line starts around 2pm and it fills up fast, so be sure to get your name on the list right away.
When it was finally our turn, we got seats at the bar just as a thunderstorm began. The volcano erupted and everyone around us started chanting “Uh-Oa.” I immediately liked this place!
We started off with two of the drinks where you can also purchase the Tiki mug as a souvenir—the HippopotoMai-Tai and the Zombie.
The bartender, Alyssa, was amazing. She spent the next couple hours bringing great drinks and delivering bad jokes that had us laughing away. We soon learned that many of the drinks have some kind of action associated with them, from a thunderstorm, to everyone ‘swimming,’ to a little hippo coming out to visit when you order the HippopotoMai-Tai. The whole experience becomes very interactive, which only adds to the charm of this place.
The best one, however, in my opinion, is when you order the Uh-Oa, which is one you can share, and the whole bar starts chanting ‘Uh-Oa.’ Alyssa brought ours out and told us that we had angered ‘Uh-Oa’ by ordering this beverage and now we had to sacrifice it to appease her. She then lit our drink on fire and had us throw the cinnamon onto the flame to make it grow larger as we chanted her name. As this is happening, we are being sprayed with water as our sacrifice is ‘horrible’ and Uh-Oa comes out to curse us and then Alyssa stabs our drink to finalize the sacrifice. It is quite the little presentation and just made this drink even more enjoyable!
As I was looking around, I noticed a Tiki that looked like an octopus and found out it is the new limited edition blue Ursula Tiki mug that comes with a drink called Sign the Scroll (Kraken Black Spiced Rum, Royal Blue Curacao Liqueur, red passion fruit, and pomegranate juice and topped with an edible flower).
As The Little Mermaid is my favourite Disney movie, I of course needed to add this to the collection of Tiki mugs we were now taking home! The drink was delicious, probably my favourite of the night and so pretty to look at!
They have a great selection of drinks on the menu, but be sure to ask about the selection of drinks they have off the menu, like the TK-421 from Star Wars.
While it is mainly a bar, you will find a small selection of appetizers as well, like the Thai Chicken Flatbread, which was very tasty.
If, like me, you’ve missed the little spot of paradise on your previous Disney trips, I would highly recommend putting it on your must-do list on your next Disney adventure!
Did you know there is a short story dispenser located in Edmonton International Airport?
This is the first airport short story dispenser found in North America.
You’ll find the blue machine located between gates 62-64 near the living wall.
You can choose between a 1 minute or a 5 minute read in English or French. The stories are written by 100 local authors as well as authors from popular travel destinations around the world.
This year brought a big birthday for me… my 40th. I knew I wanted to do something fun and as I usually try to be away on a trip to celebrate my birthday, this year was no different. But what to do with limited time off?
I’ve often thought of spending my birthday at Disney World’s EPCOT going ‘Around the World’ and decided this was the perfect year to do it!
I love Disney, and so far, I’ve been to all the parks except for the one in Shanghai, but I have never stayed at a Disney Resort, so that got added to the list for this birthday trip. As I was looking at all the options, I found out that the Art of Animation Resort has a Little Mermaid section, and my decision was made!
This hotel is filled with animation artwork from four films: The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars, and there are sections of the hotel for each film. The outsides of the buildings are also decorated with images from the films and there are awesome statues of characters around the resort.
Walking into the Little Mermaid section, I was like a kid in a candy store. Disney really knows how to bring the magic to everything it does.
Our room was in Ursula’s building and was decorated for our ‘Under the Sea’ stay. They even had a birthday greeting waiting for me!
After lots of photos and a quick tour around, we headed for dinner at the Landscape of Flavours restaurant and ended with a Mermaid Tail cupcake. It was delicious!!
TIP: If you are staying at a Disney Resort, consider buying a refillable mug like we did. It’s $21.99 but gives you unlimited refills of soft drinks, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate at ANY Disney Resort. When each soft drink is $4.29 and coffee is $3.49, it quickly adds up to being worth it.
On my birthday, after getting a few photos with my faves in my birthday tutu, we set out for EPCOT.
From the Art of Animation Resort, the best way to get there, and also the most fun, is by taking the Disney Skyliner (another reason I chose this resort). These colourful gondolas painted with Disney characters connect several Disney Resorts with both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios and are definitely more fun than taking a bus.
The Skyliner drops you off near the International Gateway entrance at EPCOT. It had been years since I last visited EPCOT, so we started by heading to say hello to Spaceship Earth and get some Mickey ears.
I was also looking for the Disney Passports that allow you to get stamps as you make your way around the world, but found out they have been sold out for months and while they are supposed to be coming back, no one seemed to know when. Likely not until at least the spring. I was really looking forward to doing this, so decided to make my own passport using an Autograph book. Sometimes you just have to get creative! So, with my new ears to match my outfit and my makeshift passport, we set out.
Before heading to World Showcase, we stopped at World Nature. I wanted to check out the new Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana.
It has beautiful, interactive walk-through gardens and water exhibits. You can even make the water come to you!
We also stopped by the aquariums at SeaBase, had a conversation with Crush and friends in Turtle Talk and then rode a seashell around The Seas with Nemo and Friends.
Then, it was time for our Around the World journey to begin. We started in Canada, the perfect place for two Canadians, checking out the beautiful Victoria Gardens in BC, Rocky Mountains and waterfalls, gorgeous old buildings, totem poles, and trading post. We also watched Canada Far and Wide, a 360 film showing the beauty of Canada (although it was missing half of it).
From Canada, it was across the pond to the United Kingdom. One of my favourite things about EPCOT is all the detail put into making each country unique. You can immediately tell when you’ve crossed the border as the buildings, food options, foliage, etc., change. Stepping into England, there were cobblestone streets, beautiful Tudor style buildings, those famous red telephone booths, as well as tea shops, pubs, and fish and chips!
I also found Alice outside one of the buildings who wished me happy birthday and asked if I was going to be having a birthday tea party that she could attend!
Next, we went over the channel to France, where we grabbed our first drink, Orange Slush (Grand Marnier, Rum, Grey Goose, and Orange Juice) and a Grey Goose Citron Lemonade Slush. Both were delicious!
As you make your way through the shops and bistros of Paris, you’ll find Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
However, with a wait time of well over an hour, we skipped that and joined the Beauty and the Beast sing-a-long instead!
Morocco was next. Another thing I love about EPCOT is finding all the artwork of characters whose stories take place in that country, like Abu here in Morocco.
Japanese Taiko drummers met us at our next stop.
There is a variety of entertainment found around World Showcase ranging from musical groups to belly dancing to street performing. Definitely a fun way to see a bit more of the local culture as you make your way through the countries.
I loved the gardens, pagodas, and koi pond found in the Japan pavilion. It’s always been a favourite of mine and the perfect spot to get some great photos and take in some unique Japanese art.
The American Adventure is up next, with a film about America through the years. You can also catch the ‘Voices of Liberty’ concert several times a day.
We stopped for lunch in Italy at Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria for a wood oven margherita pizza, which was amazing! I felt like I was back in Italy.
Before we left, our server, Davide, from Venice, and a couple others, sang ‘Happy Birthday’ in Italian and brought me a little birthday treat!
The square outside is made to look like San Marco in Venice, complete with Italian street performers and gondola parking.
Another favourite spot of mine is Germany. It looks like a fairy tale village and was the perfect stop for another drink—this time a German beer in a souvenir stein!
Several countries have crystal shops filled with beautiful jewels. I can never resist getting my photo taken with a crystal sign and found a few around the world with their own unique way of spelling my name!
We made a quick stop at the Outpost before heading over to China, with a room dedicated to Shanghai Disney, the only one I haven’t been to, and a film, ‘Reflections of China’ inside the stunning red Chinese temple.
We made it to Norway as the sun was setting. Another ride I really wanted to go on was Frozen Ever After, but with a wait time of over an hour and a half we decided to keep going. The beautiful wooden Norwegian building housed a display at the Gods of the Vikings.
But this troll, found inside the shop, was my favourite.
I love wandering through the shops as they are filled with popular items from that country as well as Disney souvenirs for each country and feature the characters whose stories take place there. Beautiful beer steins in Germany, assorted teas and teapots in the UK, trolls and Viking ships in Norway, etc.
The sun had set by the time we reached our final country, Mexico. We headed up into the old Mayan temple to find a lively Mexican street market filled with shops and restaurants and a ride with no wait!
We boarded the boat for the Gran Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros and sailed off for a trip around Mexico.
We did it! We made it around the world for my 40th birthday and I got my ‘passport’ stamped in each country.
In places where they didn’t speak English, I also asked them to write ‘Happy Birthday’ in their language to keep as a fun souvenir of my birthday trip ‘Around the World!’
Even if the official passports aren’t back, I highly recommend doing this. There is a KIDCOT station in each country with a local from that country working there. They stamp your book and write a message in the country’s official language and then also give you a card with some facts about the country and a sticker. I even had a few draw me a picture.
Don’t forget to pick up your postcard from your final stop!
Such a great souvenir from EPCOT for both kids and those of us who are just travel-addicted kids at heart!
EPCOT hosts several festivals every year and this year my birthday was the first day of the International Festival of the Arts which runs January 12th to February 19th, 2024. There was lots of artwork for sale in various sections of the park as well as specialty food and beverage items. But what I was excited about is the Disney on Broadway Concert Series held at the America Gardens Theatre.
The first show featured Caissie Levy and Patti Murin, who originated Elsa and Anna in Frozen on Broadway. A perfect addition to my birthday celebrations at Disney!
While EPCOT is beautiful during the day, there is something magical about seeing the countries and Spaceship Earth all lit up at night.
Our final stop was to watch Luminous: The Symphony of Us at 9 p.m., the firework show which takes place on the water in the centre of World Showcase.
One week ago today, I celebrated my 40th birthday at Disney World in a turquoise tutu! We stayed in the Little Mermaid section at the Art of Animation Resort and then went ‘Around the World’ at EPCOT.
“Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional!” – Walt Disney
40 always seemed so old to me growing up and while somedays my body reminds me I’m not a kid anymore, most days I feel a lot younger than I am and spending my 40th birthday in a tutu at Disney definitely made turning a year older a lot more fun!
“Once again…welcome to my house. Come freely. Go safely; and leave something of the happiness you bring.” ― Bram Stoker, Dracula
As we are well into spooky season, this year’s Halloween trip is to a place I have been dying to visit for years.
The Transylvania region of Romania instantly makes me think of a mysterious land of bloodthirsty vampires and spooky Halloween scenes with a lonely, medieval castle perched high atop a rocky cliff.
While many of these images come from watching movies about vampires…or the animated ‘Transylvania’ films, this region of Romania is still the perfect spot to visit around Halloween!
And while the whole region has a history of spooky myths and legends, for me, there was one particular spot that made visiting Romania a must: Bran Castle.
It’s easy to see why Bram Stoker decided to set his 1897 vampire novel, Dracula, here. Although the author never visited Bran Castle, the novel was inspired by superstition and some real-life exploits of the 15th-century Wallachian nobleman, Vlad Dracul III, who was also known as Vlad Ţepeş (the Impaler) as it was said that Vlad liked to impale his enemies on long spikes, leaving them to die in the field. While maybe not a vampire…Vlad definitely left a bloody wake.
Perched high on a rocky hill with rust-coloured towers, Bran Castle looks just like you’d hope a medieval vampire castle would look.
As we climbed up the cobblestone path leading to the castle, there were flags stating ‘Royal by Day. Wicked by Night,’ and looking out over the land where Vlad the Impaler once impaled over 20,000 people, you can easily imagine some angry spooks haunting this place.
Upon entering the castle, you get a brief history of the place.
The first residents on this site were the Teutonic Knights, who constructed a wooden fortress in the early 1200s.
Bran Castle was built in 1377, when Hungarian King Louis the Great granted the people of Brasov the privilege of building a castle. It was completed in 1388. The lord of the castle was elected by the King, usually from among the Saxons. This role was increasingly important in the history of Transylvania.
While Vlad the Impaler never lived in Bran Castle (his castle is now in ruins, located in the Principality of Wallachia), he was allied with Bran and Brasov during his first reign beginning in 1448 and into his next reign, where he was requested to handle the anti-Ottoman resistance at the border. Then, during his second reign, he changed sides and his army passed through Bran in early 1459 to attack Brasov, in order to settle a conflict between Wallachia and the Saxons. He wasn’t much of a negotiator and burned the city’s suburbs to the ground, murdering hundreds of Saxons from Transylvania. During his reign, to many Romanians he was seen as a hero for protecting them and fighting for Romanian independence.
The castle continued to change hands and fell into disrepair and was restored numerous times over the years.
In 1918, Transylvania became part of Greater Romania, and in 1920, the citizens offered the castle to Queen Marie of Romania, who was beloved. The castle became a favourite residence of the Queen, who restored and arranged it to be used as a residence for the royal family. When Queen Marie died on July 18, 1938, Bran Castle was bequeathed to her favourite daughter, Princess Ileana.
In 1948, Princess Ileana and her family were forced to leave the country by the newly installed communist regime. During these years, the castle was turned into a museum. Then, in 1987, restoration began again and in 1993, the castle was reopened as a museum.
In 2006, after years of legal proceedings, the castle was legally returned to the heirs of Princess Ileana of Romania and Archduke Anton of Austria.
Today, it continues to be a leading tourist attraction in Transylvania and one I couldn’t wait to check out!
After learning a bit about the castle’s past, you head through the narrow corridors and steep, winding staircases to explore the castle as Queen Marie had it.
Although, this time of year, there was also a Halloween twist to the decor as they were preparing for the huge Halloween party that takes place here at the end of October. While it changed the regal feel, the whole reason we were here was to explore “Dracula’s Castle,” so the Halloween decor just added to the experience for me. (If, for some reason, Halloween is not your thing, I wouldn’t recommend visiting Bran Castle in late October!!)
Step inside both Queen Marie’s and King King Ferdinand I’s bedrooms, both filled with beautiful old pieces.
The ornately carved wooden furniture, high arched ceilings, and decor throughout the castle felt like stepping back in time.
The music room, complete with shelves of old books, a big fireplace, and lots of nooks perfect for reading, is where I’d want to spend my time.
From here, you can head towards the balcony where you will find excellent views of the courtyard. As you explore the castle, you can view the courtyard from the balconies on several levels, offering excellent photo opportunities of the many towers and beautiful fall foliage!
Then head back inside where you will find the narrow secret staircase leading from the 1st floor up to the 3rd floor. This feels exactly like the kind of place you might run into Count Dracula himself.
There are various rooms set up with photos, clothing, weapons, coats of arms, suits of armour, and more spread throughout the castle.
If you’re feeling brave, head to the 4th floor for the “A history of dreads in Transylvania” exhibition.
There are several rooms filled with the history of local myths and fears from the 15th century, including the Grim Reaper, the Lele, the Sântoaderi, the Solomonari, ghosts, the Strigoi and werewolves.
If, like Vlad, medieval torture is your thing, there is another special exhibition on Medieval Instruments of Torture.
Here, there are several rooms filled with various devices used for torture, including photos and descriptions. While all are cruel, some are truly horrifying!
Once you’ve had your fill of Medieval torture, head back downstairs and out into the courtyard, where you will also find a small gift shop.
The final exhibit before exiting the castle is the Time Tunnel. “The only elevator in the world that goes up into history and down into the future.” The castle was built with a 7-metre-deep water cistern, which was converted to a 59-metre well in the 17th century. During Queen Marie’s residence, she decided to put an elevator into the shaft to connect the Royal Park to the castle. After the Royal family was forced to leave, the tunnel remained empty and forgotten for years.
Now, you take the elevator down from the past and head into the future through a multimedia presentation through the years from the Teutonic Knights until present day Bran Castle.
The display ends with a photo opportunity which you can purchase in the gift shop.
Once you’ve finished touring the inside of the castle, be sure to wander the grounds of the Royal Park below for various views of the castle.
You can also visit Queen Marie’s Tea House for a meal or a cup of tea where the Queen used to have her five o’clock cuppa.
As part of the Halloween decor, the pond in the middle of the park was filled with bright red long spikes, to signify the bloody impalements performed by Vlad on his Ottoman soldier enemies.
Outside the gates, there are numerous stands set up selling snacks and souvenirs to the hundreds of thousands of guests who visit each year.
While it may not actually be home to bloodthirsty vampires, between the real history and the imagined Count Dracula, Bran Castle is a Halloween lover’s must-see!
Info
You can purchase tickets just inside the main gate
Admission-
Adults – 60lei
Students – 35lei
Seniors – 45lei
Torture chambers -10lei
Time Tunnel – 20 lei
Opening times
October 1 to March 31 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Mondays (last admission is 4 p.m.) 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday
April 1 to September 30 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Mondays (last admission is 6 p.m.) 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and the largest city in the country. This city is known for being where the RMS Titanic was built and for the violence and suffering here during The Troubles in the later part of the 20th century, although I quickly found out there is so much more to Belfast.
With only two days to explore this city, I set off early to make the most of my time here.
My first stop was at the Victorian St George’s Market, one of Belfast’s oldest attractions. The Friday market has taken place on this site since 1604. The current market was built between 1890 and 1896 and is considered one of the best markets in the UK. The market is only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with each day offering slightly different vendors. Stalls found here include fish, produce, antiques, crafts, meats, food & coffee stands, and more.
After wandering through the market, I grabbed a Belfast Bacon Bap for breakfast before continuing on my way. The Belfast Bap is a large, crusty white bread roll that originated in Belfast to feed the poor during the great famine. It was a bit hard to bite into…but was certainly filling!
Located at 12-20 East Bridge Street, Belfast. Open Friday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. & Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The heart of the city is found along the banks of the River Lagan. Before crossing over the Queen Elizabeth bridge, there is a Big Fish sculpture, also known as Salmon of Knowledge.
This large fish is also a time capsule covered in ceramic tiles, each one telling a story of the city. There are also a number of Game of Thrones stained glass pieces along the waterfront and the Waterfront entertainment complex.
Continuing along the waterfront, I headed to one of Belfast’s most famous attractions – Titanic Belfast.
The museum is built on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard where the RMS Titanic was built.
The exhibit tells the story of the Titanic from her start being built in this shipyard until her tragic end and place in history. It is a very interactive exhibit with all the information laid out in a variety of ways to keep you engaged, including a cable car ride to explore life on the docks! If you only do one thing in Belfast, I highly recommend making a stop here. I usually lose interest in reading boards filled with historical facts in museums, but with the use of audio, visual, interactive displays, holograms of people talking about life in Belfast and onboard and more, I was fully engaged. The final exhibit talks about the night the Titanic sank and lists the names of the 713 people who were saved and the 1512 souls that were lost with some info about many of them. I spent 3 hours here and could have likely stayed even longer.
As part of your ticket, you also get access to the SS Nomadic, the last surviving White Star Line ship in the world. This ship was also built by Harland & Wolff and was originally designed to serve as a tender to both the Titanic and the Olympic before serving in both World Wars, becoming a restaurant in Paris, and finally returning home to Belfast. Lots of information found here too, especially for any history buffs.
Located in the Titanic Quarter at 1 Olympic Way, Queen’s Road, Titanic Quarter, Belfast BT3 9EP
Titanic Belfast also has a gift shop, parking, and dining options.
Hours vary throughout the year. Entrance is by time slot. Pre-booking is recommended. Standard admission £24.95.
Other packages are available. Click here for more info.
Belfast City Hall is a fantastic piece of Victorian engineering, built in 1906. With its domed green towers and statue of Queen Victoria out front, this building is definitely something to see. The gardens surrounding City Hall are a popular spot to enjoy lunch on a sunny day.
At the northeast corner, you’ll find a statue of Sir Edward Harland, who founded the Harland & Wolff shipyards and who served as mayor of Belfast from 1885 to 1886. Next to him stands a memorial to the victims of the Titanic.
If you want to learn more about City Hall, guided tours are available daily. For more info and times, click here.
Location – Donegall Square, Belfast
If you’ve read any of my previous blog posts, you’ll know I LOVE a free walking tour. I find they are such a great way to get acquainted with a new place, learn some history and interesting facts, and get tips on the best places to eat, drink, and visit. While the Belfast tour was a little more political than others I’ve been on, our guide grew up in Belfast during The Troubles and had a wealth of information on life here during that time, which he shared as we made our way around the city learning all about what makes Belfast tick. (The Troubles were an ethno-nationalist conflict in Northern Ireland that lasted almost 30 years from the late 1960s to 1998 ending once they struck the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.)
Belfast Free Walking Tours run daily at 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. They leave from outside City Hall and can be booked online here. The tours are free and you tip whatever you feel the tour was worth at the end.
The Crown Liquor Saloon is one of Belfast’s most famous pubs. Formerly known as The Liquor Saloon, it was one of the top Victorian gin palaces found among the industrial cities around the British Isles. The building dates back to 1826 and is now owned by the National Trust.
Visually, The Crown remains a true gem. The colourful decor found here is very unique for a pub. Beautiful stained glass, carved pillars, ornate mirrors, beautiful bar top, and a floor laid with colourful mosaic tiles, including the famous Crown found just outside the entrance. It’s impossible to see all the unique details amongst the crowds of people found here. The pub still has the original ‘snugs’ booths with doors that were used to hide those drinking from prying eyes.
The pub was refurbished by Patrick Flanagan in the late 19th century. Our guide told us a legend about how it came to be known as The Crown. Flanagan, a Catholic, argued with his Protestant Royalist wife over what the pub’s name should be. In the end, he told his wife that he would name the pub The Crown in honour of the British monarchy. However, he sneakily took his revenge by placing the crown mosaic just outside the entrance door where customers would tread on it every day!
Stop by for a drink or enjoy a delicious meal here, like I did.
The Crown also has an upstairs dining area. Reservations are highly recommended as most nights it is booked up. Make a reservation here.
Located at 46 Great Victoria St, Belfast
Across from The Crown is the famous Europa Hotel. This is the most bombed hotel in the world after suffering 36 bomb attacks during the Troubles.
At that time, no one was travelling to Northern Ireland except for the journalists who were covering the conflict. What better way to get attention for their cause than by bombing the place the press were staying. It has been fully restored since and is now a 4-star hotel here.
Next door to the Europa is Belfast’s Grand Opera House. This Victorian theatre was built in 1895 and continues to offer a variety of entertainment year-round. During one of the many bombings that occurred next door, the Opera House was hit and ruined on one side. It has since been restored, but if you look closely, you will see that the brickwork along one side doesn’t quite match up.
The Merchant Hotel began as the headquarters of the Ulster Bank before being turned into a five-star luxury hotel in 2006. This sandstone building has long been admired for its distinctive architectural style. Belfast has become a popular film destination over the last decade or so and the Merchant Hotel became the go-to place to stay while filming in Belfast.
The prestigious Queen’s University has been around since 1845. With a beautiful, leafy green campus and the impressive Lanyon Building, the university is worth checking out as you make your way to the Belfast Botanic Gardens. The gardens were established in 1828 by the Belfast Botanic and Horticultural Society and have become a popular spot among both tourists and locals. Occupying 28 acres, the park is also home to the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine. Entry is free.
Belfast has numerous pubs, some dating as far back as the 1600s. As I was first walking around the city, I hardly saw any. Then, on my walking tour, I learned that most of the pubs are hidden down alleyways because liquor licenses/operating licenses were mainly granted by people who didn’t drink and didn’t want pubs corrupting the city, so by having them in alleys, they weren’t visible along the streets and more likely to receive their permit!
Grabbing a pint and listening to some live music is the perfect way to end a day in Belfast!
Are you ready to follow in the footsteps of giants??
When I arrived in Northern Ireland, visiting Giant’s Causeway was at the top of my must- sees during my short stay. I had seen photos of this unique-looking causeway for years and knew I wanted to see it up close.
Giant’s Causeway is located in County Antrim on the North Coast of Northern Ireland near the town of Bushmills. It is found along the Causeway Coast Route, which runs from Carrickfergus to Derry. This route is considered to be one of the most beautiful drives in Ireland. I only did part of it, but the views along the way were even better than I imagined.
So where did this unique causeway come from?
The scientific explanation is that the Giant’s Causeway was formed by volcanic activity 50-60 million years ago. The basalt lava oozed up through the chalk beds and then cooled, forming these awesome pillars. Over 40,000 basalt pillars are found here!
While that explanation is great … I prefer the legend of how the causeway was built by the Irish giant Finn MacCool. After being threatened by Scottish giant Benandonner, Finn began tearing up chunks of the Antrim coastline and hurling them into the sea, creating a bridge—the Giant’s Causeway—to reach Benandonner. However, once he arrived in Scotland, he realized that Benandonner was a far bigger giant than himself and Finn turned and ran back to Ireland. To trick Benandonner, he and his wife disguised him as a baby. When Benandonner saw him, he thought, “If that’s how big the baby is, I don’t want to meet the father,” and he fled back to Scotland, destroying much of the causeway so Finn could not follow.
If you visit Fingal’s Cave in Scotland, you will find it shares a similar geology and appearance to the Giant’s Causeway!
Whichever version you choose to believe, this UNESCO World Heritage Site should definitely be on your must-see list while in Northern Ireland.
Visiting the Giant’s Causeway:
The Giant’s Causeway itself is free to visit.
However, if you decide to go to the visitor’s centre then you will be required to pay. The National Trust recently built a huge visitor centre here and the signs can be misleading, making you think you are required to pay to see the causeway itself. If you choose to go to the visitor’s centre, you will also have access to an audio guide and the Giant’s Causeway car parks. The entrance fee here is £13.50. I opted to avoid the visitor’s centre and take myself on a free tour of this natural wonder!
There are several trails to hike around the Giant’s Causeway varying in length and difficulty. The easiest one is the Blue Trail, leading from the visitor’s centre down to the Giant’s Boot. If you have a limited amount of time to explore the Giant’s Causeway, this is the trail for you.
The hike down is fairly easy, although the terrain is hilly and uneven in spots. Be sure to wear proper shoes.
If mobility is an issue, there is also a shuttle bus that goes from the visitor’s centre down to the causeway for £1. (Times vary and on busy days you may have to wait as space is limited.)
The whole site is stunning, with green fields leading down to the water, but seeing the unique basalt pillars rising up from the water is truly amazing.
The best time to visit is early in the morning or at dusk, when photos are great and the crowds are minimal.
I spent a couple hours here, walking along the coastline, climbing on the pillars, and looking around in awe. It truly is a sight to see up close!
Other stops nearby:
Old Bushmills Distillery – The world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. It has been around since 1608. Book a tour or a tasting or just stop by the gift shop or bar.
Dunluce Castle – This beautiful medieval castle, built on the side of a cliff, dates back to the early 1500s. Legend has it that the kitchen broke off and fell into the sea below (along with some of the kitchen staff!). The castle is mainly ruins now with some historical and archaeological exhibits open to the public. This picturesque Irish castle is also a popular spot for wedding photos.
(Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., last admission 4:30pm. £6.)
Carrick-a-rede– This rope bridge was built by fishermen in 1755 to assist with their salmon fishing. It hangs 30m above sea level and is now owned by the National Trust. Along with the rope bridge there is a 2km coastal walk and a 400-year-old Fisherman’s Cottage.
If you want to cross the rope bridge, you need to prebook a time. (Note: coaches are no longer allowed to enter the site.)
Carrickfergus Castle – Located in the town of Carrickfergus. This Norman Castle is one of the best-preserved medieval structures in Ireland.
(Open 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., £6.)
Northern Ireland is also home to many filming locations from the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. There are whole tours based around the locations.
Two of the most popular are:
The Dark Hedges – This beautiful avenue of beech trees along Bregagh Road has become one of the most photographed spots in Northern Ireland. In Game of Thrones, it represents the Kingsroad. It has become a very popular tourist spot. It is free to walk along the avenue, but remember that vehicles are not allowed. Parking is available nearby at the Dark Hedges Estate, where you will also find a cafe. The Dark Hedges are a short walk from there.
Cushendun Caves – These caves have been formed over 400 million years. The numerous rock cavities have all been naturally carved out by water and time. There’s a little stone beach leading to the caves. It’s a quick stop, but impressive to see. In Game of Thrones, this is where Melisandre gives birth to the terrible shadow killer. Access to the cave is free and open all year round. Parking is found nearby. Just keep in mind that people live in the flats beside the caves, so follow the trail and avoid the locals’ property.
If you are driving around Northern Ireland, all these stops can easily be seen in a day or two, depending on how long you wish to spend at each stop and how many other stops you want to make along the Causeway Coast Route. If, like me, you are without a car and have a limited amount of time, McComb’s Tours does a great day trip, stopping at all these places and more throughout the day. Book the tour here.
So get out and enjoy the beauty of Northern Ireland!
There are so many beautiful sights to see in North Wales that I had trouble deciding where to go. I decided to make my home base in the beautiful old seaside town of Llandudno.
When travelling, I usually like to make my own way around an area so I can spend as much time as I want at each stop. If you are doing a road trip around North Wales, you can easily drive from town to town, but as I was without a car on this short Welsh adventure, I opted to book a day trip to allow me to see as much as possible. In Llandudno, I booked a full day trip to see Portmeirion, Snowdonia & Castles with Adventure Tour Snowdonia.
Leaving from Llandudno, we made our way up and around the Great Orme, with breathtaking views of the Irish Sea and the neighbouring towns, before stopping at the nearby town of Conwy. Voted one of the best places to live in Wales, this town is definitely worth a visit.
The medieval walls here are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes Conwy Castle as well as Beaumaris and Harlech Castles. They are some of the finest and most complete walls remaining in Europe, running almost uninterrupted for three quarters of a mile around Conwy’s heart, with 21 towers and three original gateways.
The best part is you can walk almost all the way around the top of the walls, giving you a great view of the town, Conwy Castle, and the countryside.
Conwy Castle towers at the entrance of the town 700 years later.
King Edward I had it built in 4 years from 1283-1287. Monks had been living here before he ordered them to leave or be killed and he then moved the castle to its current location.
The outer walls of this medieval fortress and the spiral stairs have been restored over the years so you can still climb the levels of the eight towers throughout and imagine what it would have looked like. Apart from the absence of roofs, the interior is largely intact, especially the grand 40m/130ft Great Hall and King’s Apartments. Peer into the prison tower, check out the view from the King’s Tower, and admire the beautiful stained glass in King Edward’s private chapel tower.
(Open daily, entry £11.70.)
Down along Conwy Quay, you’ll find the Smallest House in Britain. This small red house measures 10ft x 6ft and was last lived in by Robert Jones, who was 6ft 3″ tall, until 1900. Since then, it has become a tourist attraction. In the early 1920s, The Guinness Book of Records confirmed its status as the smallest house in Great Britain.
Since then, it has become a tourist attraction. In the early 1920s, The Guinness Book of Records confirmed its status as the smallest house in Great Britain
(Open daily, entry £1.50.)
Also nearby is the town of Caernarfon, home to another one of King Edward I’s medieval castles.
For the best views of this one, head over the bridge to get a great view of the castle with the boats in the harbour. Caernarfon Castle is recognized as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages. The castle was born out of conflicts with Welsh Princes and, along with the town walls and quay, it took 47 years to build. A section still remains of Caernarfon’s walls, but not nearly as intact as Conwy’s.
(Caernarfon Castle – Open daily, entry £12.50.)
Another must-see in North Wales is Portmeirion Village—the Welsh Riviera! Designed by Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925-1975, the village is said to be modelled on the famous Italian town of Portofino. He acquired the land in 1925 and continued developing the grounds for the next fifty years.
Wandering through the village with its pastel-coloured buildings and ornate architecture make it worth the price of admission (£18). There are two hotels and a number of self-catering cottages for those wishing to stay the night, as well as shops and cafes to enjoy.
The most famous site in the area is Snowdonia National Park, the largest National Park in Wales, covering 823 square miles of beautiful landscape along the West Coast. In Welsh, it is known as ‘Eryri,’ which translates as “the place of the eagles.” Snowdonia is the oldest national park in Wales, having been founded in 1951, and is home to the tallest mountain in Wales and England, Mount Snowdon, at 3,560ft. Each year, Mount Snowdon is climbed by thousands of people by one of the many paths leading to its summit or via the popular Snowdon Mountain Railway.
The weather can be very unpredictable here and it began to pour just as we arrived, making for low visibility. If you plan to hike, be sure to check the forecast and be prepared for sudden changes in the weather.
A few other quick stops along the way:
The Ugly House, which isn’t ugly at all, is a tearoom and garden with a mysterious history, as nobody knows who built it or when.
Swallow Falls—a cascading, multi-level waterfall found where the river Llugwy flows through a narrow chasm in the woods. A spectacular sight! (Entry £2.)
Tu Hwnt i’r Bont is a historic grade II listed 15th century tearoom located in the small town of Llanrwstwast. It was built as a residential dwelling in 1480 and from there became the Courthouse for the surrounding area. This fairytale-like dwelling is one of the most photographed sites in Wales. It was beautiful when I was there in the spring, but for the real magic, go in the fall when the leaves have all turned a majestic red. Looking at photos, I will definitely need to get back to see it in its full splendor!
With so many things to see and do in beautiful North Wales, if you haven’t already added it to your travel list, now’s the time to do it!
Tales of a Travel Addict 
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