We stayed at this beautiful Hotel Sighisoara in the center of the Old Town. Our room was spacious with an arched ceiling and filled with sunlight.
We of course wasted no time settling in and getting out and about. The streets were rows of pleasing, colorful pastels. Many needed fresh paint and a little TLC - although then again that was part of the charm.
This long covered staircase was a fun find.
Connor came across this broom. These were actually what they used everywhere - no store bought Walmart brand broom here. See what I mean about feeling like we traveled back in time?
The main thoroughfares were mostly clean and tourist-ready, but there were definitely more run down side streets.
Sighisoara is where the famed Dracula, aka Vlad the Impaler, was born.
The incredible Christian Orthodox cathedrals continued to pop up everywhere. This white one was especially eye-catching.
The Sighisoara sights were astounding. We had the town at sunset seemingly all to ourselves. I felt comfortable and at ease here, skipping along the cobblestone streets.
The next day we traveled further into Transylvania and to Bran Castle. Vlad's castle (Dracula).
It was quite bright and beautiful to be Dracula's spot in Bran. Not nearly as dark and spooky as I expected. The surrounding village is an ode to Dracula trinkets and souvenirs. 
Outside Bran we were on the highway and spotted this golden church in the distance. There was nothing around it, just gleaming on its lonesome.
...as an ode to Romania I kept Connor's hair gymnast-style with the multiple barrettes.
Connor was cuddly sweet wrapped in our sheets in the morning light. She loves to jump in bed with us at daybreak.
Once I treasured the sounds my eyes began to focus on the artwork within and without. Photos will never do this justice. The frescoes are meticulous and glorious. How on Earth they have stayed in tact is beyond me.
The outside was spectacular. It was like someone took the church and turned it inside out.
We did tiptoe inside even with the service in session. No photos, but I did find some online to share. The monastery was made up of small rooms one after another. Wasn't a lot of order to who was where during the service...kind of a big mish mash.
Connor did enjoy the service. She managed to charm some of the elderly Romanian women who came out of the church to light candles.
We passed more Orthodox churches as we traveled to the second monastery.
And this unique egg structure too...
Next up we found the Voronet Monastery.
It shared some similar techniques and structural qualities to Humor. Equally breathtaking.
I wish I had the time and patience to decipher all of the interwoven Bible stories. Can you even believe all of this?!? On the OUTSIDE.
At Voronet the cerulean blue is obtained from crushed lapis lazuli! The scene below is "The Last Judgement"
Surely God reserved a special place in Heaven for the artists who created this masterpiece!
Inside was no letdown either.
I struggle with how to articulate the beauty we saw. Like nothing I have ever seen nor ever will see again. I am thankful we made the trek. 7 hours each way out of our way for this. Worth it.
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