Day 15 - Almost killed

While I was enjoying my meal I almost became one. Turns out he was mad because I was eating his cousin. ~Michael

Hotel recap

One of our greatest challenges on this trip was finding accommodations within the budget we had allotted for ourselves.  We had some hits and misses along the way; the following is our recap.

Barcelona: Hotel U232 - Location was great.  It was situated within a neighborhood with local bakeries and small restaurants close by.  The service and facilities were great.  The drawback was that the room was extremely small, sheets were stiff and the temperature was kept really cool (the cold one) it was about 19 degrees Celsius. Brrrr!!!! 

Melina: Doesn't recommend it.

Sophia: Even though it's cold, the service was great and it was homely.

Michael: Was at camp.  Which I preferred.

Berlin: Winters Hotel - The room was huge with a ton of storage.  The location was close to many tourist sites and there was a supermarket next door.  The staff wasn't very helpful or accommodating.  We weren't very successful finding and using the public transportation--it was way too complex for us so we walked....a lot. The hotel itself was fine; clean & comfortable.  Just a bit sterile.

Sophia: It wasn't anything special.

Melina: It was okay.  Well, maybe.

Michael: The radiator was in a terrible spot.

Prague: Pure White - This hotel was great; a huge surprise!  It was a boutique hotel located in a residential neighborhood; a bit off the beaten path with many local grocery stores and restaurants within a couple of blocks.   The room was small but they were able to accommodate 4 separate beds--we rejoiced not having to share with each other.  Due to it being fairly new and slow we secured an unbelievable rate for the class of hotel which included breakfast. The staff was incredibly helpful and we would highly recommend this...until the rates go up, which it surely will.

Michael: Their Harvey Wallbangers were great.

Sophia: It was really pretty, and surprisingly white.

Melina: The beds and sheet were really comfy. Well designed space.

Vienna: Meinenger Hostel - The best thing about this place was the staff; incredibly helpful and nice.  The pros stop there.  The cons: located next to strip bars, horrible location, very dirty, no air conditioning on the hottest day of the year in Vienna, loud, did not feel safe (street fight the one night we were there).  We bailed early and went to the Marriott.

Sophia: No comment.

Melina: Left me speechless.

Michael: Great location, I liked the neighborhood..

Vienna: Marriot - What you would expect. Used points so we could justify it within our budget :)!

Budapest: Mamaison Izabella - Actually a residence/apartment building instead of a hotel.  We were very lucky to secure our accommodations last minute because they are at 99% occupancy in August--for good reason.  The apartments have full kitchens, living rooms, gardens/balconies and washers/dryers.  After staying in one room for the previous weeks it really felt spacious.  

Michael: The people at the main desk played computer games too much.

Melina: I would live there.  It was a perfect apartment.

Sophia: It was perfect for backpacking. Just what I had hoped for!

Brasov: BellaMuzik - This hotel is really unique -an all around favorite for us all!  It is a historical building situated in the town square with an incredible ambience.  Although there are drawbacks due to the age (i.e. SMALL bathrooms!), we all fell in love with the room.  It was a 2 bedroom unit with a lofted lounge and bedroom with its own garden--really beautiful and special. 

Michael: Absolutely loved it.  Only problem was one TV didn't work.

Melina: I love it.  I loved that Sophia and I got the upstairs with the lounge.

Sophia: I liked how Melina and I had our own space and patio.

Day 14 - Romania ...love it!

We arrived in Romania this morning, rented a car and drove almost 4 hours to Bran's Castle (the home of Bram Stoker's Dracula).  The drive through the mountains was not without incident; I felt like I was in a video game, my manual compact rental shifting through winding roads cluttered with old junker cars, fast race cars, donkeys, horses with wagons, fruit stands, and people just milling around ...all through a 2 lane highway that in any other country would make an efficient journey.  We were finally lured into stopping at a fruit stand where we bought some amazing peaches...and chips they were selling too.  Completely random.

On the way we stopped at this amazing Romanian restaurant in a small village where the waitress convinced us into trying the local wild meat; we were not disappointed.  

When we finally arrived at Bran's castle, we were quite underwhelmed.  Sure, it was beautiful and castle-like with turrests on a sprawling property, but we weren't there for that.  

We wanted blood and gore but the castle's history was more like butterflies and kittens.  It housed royalty who were loved by their people...yada yada yada.  We were much more interested in learning about Vlad the Impaler.  Dracula's charater was inspired by Vlad who was a brutal ruler who impaled thousands of people and was feared by the locals as well as those trying to invade at the time...his history is shocking and great reading. Anyway, it turns out Vlad never lived at Bran Castle..so a bit of a let down but the journey there was splendid!

Day 14 - Romania ...love it!

We arrived in Romania this morning, rented a car and drove almost 4 hours to Bran's Castle (the home of Bram Stoker's Dracula).  The drive through the mountains was not without incident; I felt like I was in a video game, my manual compact rental shifting through winding roads cluttered with old junker cars, fast race cars, donkeys, horses with wagons, fruit stands, and people just milling around ...all through a 2 lane highway that in any other country would make an efficient journey.  We were finally lured into stopping at a fruit stand where we bought some amazing peaches...and chips they were selling too.  Completely random.

On the way we stopped at this amazing Romanian restaurant in a small village where the waitress convinced us into trying the local wild meat; we were not disappointed.  

When we finally arrived at Bran's castle, we were quite underwhelmed.  Sure, it was beautiful and castle-like with turrests on a sprawling property, but we weren't there for that.  

We wanted blood and gore but the castle's history was more like butterflies and kittens.  It housed royalty who were loved by their people...yada yada yada.  We were much more interested in learning about Vlad the Impaler.  Dracula's charater was inspired by Vlad who was a brutal ruler who impaled thousands of people and was feared by the locals as well as those trying to invade at the time...his history is shocking and great reading. Anyway, it turns out Vlad never lived at Bran Castle..so a bit of a let down but the journey there was splendid!

Day 13 - Bobsledding in Hungary

Today we went bob-sledding and a go-cart type thing for my moms birthday! It was really fun!!!! At first I was really tired but once I got on and went like 30 mph I woke up right away! I have to say it was one of my favorite things I have done here in Hungary! In the pic below I was on the go-cart.  

Not only bob-sleds and the go-carts but we also went to a castle in the mountains and it had an amazing view of the mountains and of the Danube River! The picture was pretty but not as good in real life. (but I guess that is how it is.)

Thanks for reading!!!!!

Day 13 - Celebrating Moms Bday

Today was a great day!! It was my mom's 26th birthday (ha! ha!) and to celebrate her colleagues took us out!

I hung out with my family and also made a couple of new friends ;)

To end the day (which was my favorite part) we got a huge ice cream!

Well, see you next time Melina 

Day 12 - Lucky Horse Parts

That guy looks annoyed because of the way I'm grabbing his horse. People say its good luck to rub his "parts" - they were the only parts that were still bronze. ~ Michael