Motorhomers on Tour : Two Beautiful Transylvania Towns

Arriving at Camping Aquaris, Sighisoara (N46.22325 E24.79598) the day before yesterday, we hit the 10,000 miles mark since setting off from England and have travelled through 11 countries – France, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, Morocco, Andorra, Italy, Sicily, Greece, Bulgaria and Romania.

Waking up the next morning the rain had finally cleared - since coming into Romania we have seen rain everyday. Funnily enough, we used to wish it would rain to cool us down as it was so hot and now we want the sun back! The moral of this story is ‘be careful what you wish for’. We said goodbye to the Dutch couple who were on the campsite with us and as they were visiting a lot of the places we had been to in Romania, Bulgaria and Greece we gave them all the coordinates of the places we had stayed at.
With the sun out, we walked into Sighisoara – only a 10 minute walk and you are in the old town.

The view from Camping Aquaris at Sighisoara

Sighisoara is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval town in Europe. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with lots of cobbled streets and historic buildings. Plus, it is the birthplace of Vlad 'the Impaler' Tepes or Vlad Dracula as he is known here, who inspired Bram Stoker’s fictional creation – Count Dracula.

The house where Vlad 'the impaler' Tepes was born

The 14th Century Clock Tower

One of the Sun's rays was shining right on Vlad’s birth house (the yellow house next to the clock tower) – almost like it is being impaled!

Scholars’ Stairs lead up to the church on top of the hill. Built in 1642, the covered stair-passage was built to facilitate and protect school children and churchgoers on their climb to the school and church in wintertime. Originally it had 300 steps but now only has 175.

The Scholar's Stairs at the top of the picture leading to the old church at the top of the hill

Enjoying a beer in the square - it's thirsty work this sightseeing!

During the 14^th century merchants and craftsmen occupied the town, and their houses still exist as museums/shops. Only goldsmiths, tailors, carpenters and tinsmiths were allowed to have their workshops inside the citadel.

The Cobbler's Tower

From Sighisoara we took the road to Sibiu, passing through some lovely colourful villages. A lot of the houses are painted in pastel shades of yellow, orange, reds, pinks and greens.

The villages are so clean and planted up beautifully.

Sibiu is another lovely medieval town, surrounded by the old fortification walls. With lovely narrow medieval streets and three beautiful squares , all surrounded by wonderful churches, museums and historical buildings. The 3 squares are linked by narrow passageways under the buildings.

Piata Mare - The Large Square

The Council Tower - linking the large square to the small square behind

First time I have drunk a latte through a straw. Mel declined one for his beer!

Liar's bridge linking you to Huet Square

Stair's Passageway to the Lower Town

The Carpenter's Tower

We parked in Sibiu at a car park right on the edge of the old town and it only cost 3 Ron (about £0.65p) for 3 hours - this country is so lovely and cheap! Leaving Sibiu we ended up wild camping at a lovely spot just outside the village of Poiana Sibiului (N45.80858 E023.74594) and woke up to this lovely sunny view this morning.

Wild camping at Poiana Sibiului

From here we took a scenic route along part of the Transalpina Road. Not too dissimilar to the Transfagarsan pass with its hairpin bends. Please note that 'lead foot' Mel is driving and is exceeding the speed limit - 33kmh in a 30kmh zone!