We were much more organised for Day 2 of our sightseeing fiesta - even ready 45 minutes before our driver-man was due to arrive. Lunch packed, water bottle packed, cash-for-entry-tickets just in case (as yesterday at Peles was cash only for tickets)... All packed. Today's destination was Bran Castle. It's marketed everywhere as Dracula's castle... but has a very, very (very) tangential relationship to Vlad the Impaler (believed to have been the inspiration for Bram Stoker's book - not that Bram ever even visited Romania). But the castle whoops it up and there were screeds of 'Drac-inspired' goodies in the souvenir village at the base of the castle. This site, literally built into the rocky cliff face was the favourite summer abode of Queen Marie of Romania (one of Queen Victoria's grand daughters). We couldn't see it ourselves as it was sparse, cold and not much chop compared to Peles Castle, but there you have it. We enjoyed our walk around. Just climbing the icy and snowy drive up to the front door could have been classified as an extreme sport - certainly coming down was. Back into the car and packed lunch snuffled en route to Rasnov fortress. Another medieval extravaganza on the landscape of Transylvania. Also known as the Peasants' Fortress, building started by Teutonic knights back in 1100-1200. It was where the peasants would retreat to when invasion threatened. We'd not actually heard of it before we came but the cheery lady in the Brasov info centre reckoned it was a must-see and we were so glad we went. Funnily enough, our driver fellow is very fit. Lives in the cold and snow, seems not at all bothered by it. So on the way (with the view of Raznov perched on the mountain top in the distance) he enquired, seriously, if we were ready for our next hike? Say what? No way Jose (well John) - we were taking the funicular/ascensor up that hill thanks very much. Only 12 lei/A$4 each... and worth every penny for the return trip - not to mention panoramic views of Rasnov and the countryside. We left our man in the car thinking hike-y thoughts on his own time. Great walk around and felt almost explorer-ish as we hiked the last stretch from the gate in the wall up the snowy slopes to the citadel itself. Old certainly covers it - hundreds of years before Australia or NZ were settled by Europeans, this place was already old. From Rasnov we considered going to see a cave - but we've seen some pretty good caves and this is small, relatively new and again a steep and slippery hike to get from the car park to the entrance. Which decided it - so we didn't bother and continued on to a stunning panoramic lookout over Brasov - old and new. Our final stop was the White Tower which overlooks the city from the other side and was part of it's medieval defence system. Truly do feel like we're in a very picturesque part of Germany - albeit in Romania. Just a beautiful, colourful place to visit. And freezing... it was snowing again by the time we got home to our welcoming committee - a snowman in our courtyard. Speaking of rolling in history - the building our apartment is in was built in 1718... so almost brand new by local standards!