Saturday 27 June 2026 - Around Brasov

A successful day after an uncertain start. Our taxi to Zarnesti to catch the 9:09 train to Brasov was due at 8:15. We chased it up and it eventually arrived at 8:40, so we thought that with most of the journey being on a deeply rutted dirt road we stood little chance of avoiding a three hour wait for the next train service. 

Somewhat of a surprise then when we pulled up at the station with 15 minutes to spare. 

The local service between Zarnestì and Brasov got us to our destination at 10 o'clock after calling at some small stations such as Risnov, pictured above, which proudly exhibits a well on the platform.

On reaching Brasov we caught a bus and then walked to a splendid little hotel called Schuster Boarding House, where it was too early to check in but we could leave our bags.

Next stop - a coffee shop, we have quite a few Lei to dispose of...

Then a walking tour - self guided, suggested by Collett's, in the warmth of the Old Town.

The Black Church is massive.

The Council building dates from 1420 and since 1950 it has housed the History Museum, which we didn't find time to visit.

The Orthodox Cathedral (above) dates from 1895, with subsequent restoration works and an interesting interior (below).

We went up to the White Tower, from where there's a good view over the city.

After visiting the lower Black Tower we passed an interesting running track.

A walk along the course of the old walls had us passing the Brasov Tampa Cablecar operation that rises 320 metres above the city.

There were good views across the city from various points aļong the promenade that follows the course of the old city wall. An ATP tennis tournament was due to start. They won't compare with Wimbledon!

It was time to check in. A glass of Prosecco indicated satisfactory conclusion of check in process at a place we would normally consider outside our price range, but which was obviously not outside Collett's price range after we paid them for the trip. We have a huge room that will aid packing for our return home tomorrow. We have some remaining Lei to use on a meal tonight, and we will be picked up on Sunday (tomorrow) morning and taken to Bucharest airport for a late flight home via Amsterdam. 

So that's farewell from this little trip apart from some copious editing, more on flowers, an index, and whatever else I think of.