Today we uncover Transylvanian culture at its best!
After breakfast we drive to Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle.
This impressive fortress was built on the border to Wallachia where Vlad
Tepes (also known as Vlad the Impaler), the Duke of Wallachia, once ruled.
Vlad, also known as Dracula, was a brutal tyrant and provided inspiration for
Bram Stoker’s famous vampire story. Vlad himself never went to Bran Castle,
but Bram Stoker saw an image of it and felt it was the perfect setting for
his gothic tale.
After Transylvania had become part of Romania in 1920, the castle was donated
to the Romanian royal family. It became the summer residence of Queen Maria,
a granddaughter to Queen Victoria.
From Bran Castle, it is less than an hour’s drive to the region's culture
and economic heart, Brasov. This mediaeval town has been a melting pot of
nations ever since its foundation in the 12th century. We have a guided tour
of the town before having some time to explore at leisure. In the late
afternoon, we join staff from the Brasov University as they take us to a lake
area just outside of town to discover some of the local birdlife.
In the evening we visit a traditional Romanian restaurant in Brasov for
dinner (at own expense).
*Villa Hermani Guesthouse*