thoughts on brasov

After all that hustle and bustle of Prague and Budapest, getting into Brasov was a breath of fresh air. Here was a quiet little city that didn't try to overwhelm your senses all at once, and things ran at a remarkably slower pace.

Brasov itself is a pretty small and compact city, though not quite small enough to be called a town. However, one could very easily walk to anywhere in town, if you were on a tight budget. It's also the most rewarding way to look around town, with tiny little nooks that open up into a whole bag of surprises more often than not.

Most travellers, however, are drawn to Brasov for one very simple reason: Bran Castle, otherwise known as Dracula's Castle. However, it really is just a gimmick thought up the some enterprising locals from the nearby town of Bran to get some quick tourist dollars. The only references one can get of the blood-thirsty vampire are at the many stalls set up along the short path that leads to the castle. The inside of the castle has of course been converted into a museum (like many others), detailing its long history. Expect to be let down big time, if you're a vampire seeker.