If Day 1 introduced me to Romania and Day 2 immersed me in its history, then Day 3 was the day I had been anticipating for months. We left Bucharest behind and headed north into Transylvania, where the scenery began to transform into exactly what I had hoped it would be.
The farther we traveled, the more dramatic the landscape became. Dense forests climbed the mountainsides, jagged limestone peaks rose into the sky, and picturesque villages appeared in the valleys below. Our guide jokingly referred to the winding mountain roads as “curly roads,”. It’s one of those little moments that will probably stay with me long after the trip is over.
One of our stops was Cantacuzino Castle, where we enjoyed lunch. Fans of Netflix’s Wednesday might recognize it as the exterior of Nevermore Academy. Even if you’ve never seen the show, the castle is spectacular, with sweeping views of the Carpathian Mountains that are worth the visit on their own.
The Carpathian Mountains are exactly what I imagined they would be. There are destinations that don’t quite live up to the picture you’ve built in your mind, but this certainly isn’t one of them. Standing there, surrounded by forests and towering cliffs, it was easy to understand why Bram Stoker chose Transylvania as the setting for Dracula.
Our day also brought one reminder that river cruising sometimes requires a little flexibility. Because of low water levels on the Danube, we received confirmation that our ship will embark in Turnu Măgurele instead of Oltenița. Avalon had prepared us for the possibility the night before, so it wasn’t a surprise. It’s simply one of those adjustments that occasionally happens on European rivers, and I’m looking forward to boarding in a couple of days.
By late afternoon we arrived in Brașov and checked into the beautiful Radisson Blu Aurum. After a few minutes to relax, we headed into Brașov’s charming Old Town. I found a couple of art prints featuring Bran Castle and Peleș Castle for less than five dollars each. They were too beautiful to pass up and will make wonderful reminders of this incredible part of Romania.
Back at the hotel, I managed to squeeze in a quick nap before dinner. The buffet was…fine. Nothing was wrong with it, but it certainly wasn’t memorable. I’ll admit, it made me even more excited to board the Avalon ship in a couple of days. If past Avalon cruises are any indication, I know the food is about to get much better.
After dinner, Elizabeth, Ginny, and I wandered through the peaceful park across the street from the hotel. The cool evening air, the mountain views, and the quiet atmosphere made for the perfect ending to the day. It was one of those simple travel moments that doesn’t make the guidebooks but often becomes one of your favorite memories.
Tomorrow we’ll spend the day exploring Brașov’s beautiful Old Town before visiting the legendary Bran Castle, where we’ll even have dinner inside the castle itself. It promises to be another unforgettable day in Transylvania.
Cleared For Take-Off! 