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Note to Self 1: Thinking it is Monday does not make it so.
Note to self 2: If going to a major tourist destination, check whether it is a weekend.
There were many places that people recommended I go to on this trip. One was Pele's Castle in Sinaia, Romania. The other was the Peoples Palace in Bucharest. Since I had decided not to go to the Romanian Coast, which was a wise decision due to weather, I chose to go to Pele's Castle and Bucharest.
On the way to the castle, I went near Ploiesti, a smaller city north of Bucharest. I was quickly reminded that I hates cities. Something has to be pretty important to get me to drive into a city. Bucharest, being a huge city, is one I would have to spend a few days in to make the drive in worth it. Since I did not have time in my plan (plan???) to spend much time there, I decided to save it for another trips.
The drive to Pele's was not bad. Nice twisty roads. Lots of tourists and tourist buses to pass. Seemed like a lot for a Monday. I checked the time. And the date. Crap, it was Sunday. Fortunately off season.
Often people recommend these tourist places, and I just don't enjoy them much. They may have a lot to offer, but I get cranky when surrounded by a lot of people and my view of some of these great destinations is not that great.
This was NOT one of those places.
Being off season, Pele's Castle was not super crowded. It is a beautiful stop. The tour, with the additional second floor tour was well worth the 15 minute wait. The fact I got my Senior Citizens Discount, bringing it from $14 to $7 made it all the sweeter. Well, it is not a Senior discount, it is a pensioner discount. If there is a sign for the discount, I tell them I am a Pensioner, which I am. I might not fit their definition of senior, but I will take the savings.
Unfortunately you have to buy a pass before the tour to be allowed to take photos, and I really did not realize it was worth it. The woodwork in this place was amazing. It had great displays and the history was great.
I don't know if I would have felt the same if it was peak season, but I would definitely recommend this place.
After the castle, I looked to see where I would end up. Heading south would put me in a crappy area to stay by the end of the day. The area I was in was touristy and expensive but lots of options. This was one of the few places I have been where Air BnB did not really make sense. There were lots of options on Air BnB. Until I put in the date I was going to be there. Then there were few, unless I was staying multiple days.
If I wanted a private room, shared bath, it was around $40 with questionable parking security. A private bath brought the price up to $60. This is Romania, those are pretty high prices. Any place where I would get the whole place was fantastic, but around $100 and not near where I wanted to be. And I did not need multiple bedrooms and baths. Hotel rooms were OK, but still expensive and not where I wanted to be. Then I found a place on the hill. A whole, one bedroom apartment for $85. Kitchen and all. Like new. Heck, I have paid more for Motel 6 in the states. I was stopping pretty early, so...... Sold.
