We'll arrive early in the morning — the single best move you can make at Bran Castle, before the narrow corridors fill up and the queues build at the entrance. I'll handle parking and walk you straight to the ticket office. The castle opens Tuesday–Sunday from 9:00 AM (Monday from noon). There are several ticket options available — standard admission plus combo upgrades that include the Medieval Torture Chamber and the Time Tunnel. I'll contact you after booking to help you pick the right one for your interests. A fair heads-up: the interior is compact and atmospheric, not a grand gothic hall. The real highlights are the balconies, the courtyard views over the Carpathians, and the Dracula and Queen Marie exhibitions. Wear comfortable shoes — it's all stairs and uneven floors.

A short scenic drive from the castle brings us to Panner Mont Maison — a French-inspired artisan pastry shop sitting right where the mountains meet the valley, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a terrace that makes the mountain view part of the experience. Everything is made in-house: eclairs, choux, handmade cakes, strudels, fresh coffee. Not a tourist stop — locals from the area come here specifically for this. It's the kind of place you'd never find on your own.