Headed out of Bucharest by bus this morning through the beautiful autumn countryside with our first stop at Peles Castle. Nestled at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains in the picturesque town of Sinaia, this Castle is a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance architecture, considered by many one of the most stunning castles in Europe. It is easy to see why both inside and out. Commissioned by King Carol I in 1873 and completed in 1883, the castle served as the summer residence of the royal family until 1947. Its 160 rooms are adorned with the finest examples of European art, Murano crystal chandeliers, German stained-glass windows and Cordoba leather-covered walls. Peles Castle was the first European castle entirely lit by electrical current. The electricity was produced by the castle's own plant. Photos were not taken inside as we spent the time just staring in wonder at our opulent surroundings. It felt like someone had just stepped out of the room and we could not believe that we could be walking through this amazing place.

Next stop on our trip through Romania was Bran where we visited Bran Castle. Surrounded by an aura of mystery and legend and perched high atop a 200-foot-high rock, Bran Castle owes its fame to its imposing towers and turrets as well as to the myth created around Bram Stocker's Dracula.

Built on the site of a Teutonic Knights stronghold dating from 1212, the castle was first documented in an act issued by Louis I of Hungary on November 19, 1377, giving the Saxons of Kronstadt (Brasov) the privilege to build the Citadel.

Although Stoker never visited Transylvania, the Irish author relied on research and his vivid imagination to create the dark and intimidating stomping ground of Count Dracula, leading to persistent myths that it was once the home of Vlad Tepes, ruler of Walachia. While the association with Dracula is sketchy at best, the castle continues to hold a strong attraction for all fans of the Count. Narrow winding stairways lead through some 60 timbered rooms, many connected by underground passages, which house collections of furniture, weapons and armour dating from the 14th to the 19th centuries.

Drove to our hotel near Brasov which we will explore tomorrow. Hotel is basic but clean. Only problem is the number of steps...fortunately we had some fantastic gentlemen on our trip that assisted us with our suitcases.