THE BIRDS EYE VIEW FROM SAINT MARY’S EVANGELICAL CATHEDRAL IN SIBIU

May 2026. Sibiu. Central Romania. Right in the heart of Transylvania, in fact, close to Vlad Dracul’s home in Sighisoara and a string of UNESCO fortified villages. Sibiu isn’t quite as eerily characterful as Sighisoara, it’s busier and a touch more modern (Starbucks next to our hotel), but has gorgeous architecture at every turn. And… Continue reading THE BIRDS EYE VIEW FROM SAINT MARY’S EVANGELICAL CATHEDRAL IN SIBIU

THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT ALBA IULIA FORTRESS

May 2026. Alba Iulia. Romania. See ! This blog isn’t all closed micros and Singapore rice. Staying overnight within the Alba Iulia fortress gave us a best spot at the changing of the Austrian guard the next morning (Press PLAY). I’ve no idea what they’re guarding, or why they’re Austrian, but I think you’ll agree… Continue reading THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT ALBA IULIA FORTRESS

RETIRED MARTIN’S 2025 IN TRAVEL

You’ve had the pub awards, now it’s time for Retired Martin’s highlights in travel, food and music. And possibly fashion. Though possibly not. Two maps for you, domestic, and international, with a heavy emphasis on countries nervously looking over the Ukraine and Russian borders. Talking of Soviets, Tirasapol in Transnistria was the higlight of 2025.… Continue reading RETIRED MARTIN’S 2025 IN TRAVEL

FINALLY ! YOUR AUTHENTIC TRANSYLVANIAN CASTLE

October 2025. Peles Castle. Sinaia. Romania. Mrs RM was so determined to squeeze a Transylvanian castle into her blog our trip that on our final morning in Romania we woke at 6am, took a Bolt to Brasov station, and an hour later were in Sinaia on the way to Peles Castle. A week’s holiday and… Continue reading FINALLY ! YOUR AUTHENTIC TRANSYLVANIAN CASTLE

A NERVOUS PINT IN GASTHAUS ALTEPOST

October 2025. Sighisoara. You left us in our astonishing £36.27 Sighisoara guest house wondering where the catch was. A few reviews had mentioned that the breakfast didn’t include drinks, “you’ll pay extra for coffee at Paris prices“. wrote one traveller. Few folk mentioned the cat that woke us at 9am, the prescribed breakfast hour. No-one… Continue reading A NERVOUS PINT IN GASTHAUS ALTEPOST

TOP 100 PUBS – SZIMPLA, SFANTU GHEORGHE, ROMANIA

October 2025. Sfântu Gheorghe. Romania. “Not ANOTHER Top 100 pub, Retired Martin !“. Yes, I know I promised that I’d maintain a one in, one out system, so let’s boot out Derby’s Ye Olde Dolphin, which I read has lost its Bass pump. It may be back. I like having the odd non-UK pub on… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – SZIMPLA, SFANTU GHEORGHE, ROMANIA