Metz

Has anyone been to a little Romanian town of Sighisoara in the Carpathian Mountains? We’re planning on touring Romania at Christmastime and still have to make up the itinerary.

This town seems a must and we’d like to know if anyone's been there. Thanks.

PS. We are also interested in Castles and lakes.

tomboy

See the little search box above the message title reading "search this forum" ?
If you enter "Romania", you'll find quite a few posts about it. If you enter "Sighisoara", you'll restrict the posts to only those mentioning that town.

tower

yes, Metz....Sighishoara (correct pronunciation) is a colorful destination while in Romania. It will be very cold in December/January. There are many mentions of it on this forum (clifton, Noe47, yours truly, tcreath, thursdaysd, michael, julies and several other Romania vets). This is a good thread, too:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2

Sig. is very compact, walled, and full of character. Just a few years ago, I escorted 16 people to many regions within Romania, and of course, we stopped in Sighishoara, at The Casa Wagner...I highly recommend it. The restaurant at the Casa is also a good one. The house where Count Dracula was born (or at least purported to have been born)is in the center of the town, the clock tower, and the roughly cobbled streets can be walked in just an hour or so...but the feel of a centuries old town can be enjoyed throughout your visit. Nearby are Tirgu Muresh (north) and Brashov (southeast), both good sized cities with all the modern conveniences...and could be visited while your in the Transylvanian Region, in the lower heights of the Carpathians. Driving may be very difficult should you encounter a snowstorm. I did so in October, during the grim Ceausescu days, couldn't find petrol or food...luckily a vintage 1940's plow cleared the main highway between Sinaia and Brashov..not a moment too soon. There is plenty to experience in the region and it will certainly be a very different destination for you.

Having traveled Romania since the late 70's, I can recommend a very professional guide if you feel the need.

stu t.
[email protected]

(Get a Rough Guide and a Lonely Planet guide book for a good start)

Metz

Thanks very much tower.

tower

metz:


Here's the Casa Wagner site;

http://www.casa-wagner.com/

Stu T.

hookedoneurope97

I just got back from a tailwind tour of Europe that ended in Romania. I wasn't sure what to think when we got off the train in Sighisoara, but I loved it. It's the only walled city or citadel left in Europe (or is touted as such) and we just happened to roll into town the day it was being set for a Medieval Festival. It really felt like we stepped back a few centuries in time (except for the cheesy Dracula souvenirs everywhere).

Sighisoara is well worth your time but can be done in two days easily. Brasov is great as long as you stay in the old town (I recommend Casa Wagner there … right on the central square). Bran Castle seems like it would fall into that cheesy tourist category, but I was impressed with it. If you can go in with an open mind and not expect a spooky castle, you won't be disappointed. It is far from spooky. I'd also suggest Sibiu and Sinaia/Peles Castle, which is unbelievably beautiful. The landscape in central Romania around these towns is wonderful.

Couple of suggestions for first time travelers to Romania who have been to other parts of Europe - don't take the slow (Personal) trains and the average regional train is very crowded, so take the trains you can book a reservation on if possible. Also, Romanians do not like making change from large bills (and their currency is a bit confusing), so if you ATM, get an amount that will give you smaller bills than the 50 lei.

Michael

You might be interested in the relevant sections of my trip report. Prices are probably out of date.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34659808

bilboburgler

Its ok but I would n't travel to the town on a whim, thought the church is nice inside. Not true that it is the only.. but you know marketing. The painted monestries might be more worthwhile. Christmas time, going to be cold dry or cold and wet.

Metz

Thanks, looks like we’ll be going to at least Sibiu as well, and then up to Poland.